Bicycle Diaries
30 years riding, 15 years writing
Took a week off
My aging bones needed a break.
With colder temps upon us, there’s a limited time frame when I can ride in the day and not suffer from the bitter cold. There are days that are better than others but for the most part, it looks like I’ll be hanging up my cleats for Winter soon.
MTB: distance 11.77 miles, average speed 14.0 mph.
Weekends Off
Didn’t ride this weekend.
It felt weird not going out and competing on the trails with all the other people, ring-a-ding, get out of my way. In a way I’m glad I didn’t go out, the new rock and dirt that was laid down is now more compact, easier to ride on.
MTB: distance 13.65 miles, average speed 14.0 mph.
Soggy
We had rain last night.
Woke to a very soggy McAlpine, the creeks were roaring with runoff water. Everything felt renewed, the smells in the forest were awesome, like expensive air freshener.
MTB: distance 11.78 miles, average speed 13.6 mph.
New Rock and Dirt
The city of Charlotte was busy today.
The stretch of trail between the Tara entrance and Boyce Park has a fresh covering of rock and dirt. Had to pick my line just right, keeping the tires on some other biker’s tracks or else it was very slow going.
My quads thank the park workers, it was a memorable ride.
MTB: distance 17.51 miles, average speed 14.1 mph.
Autumn Leaves
Start to fall.
Charlotte Park Service has it’s hands full with keeping the trails clear of leaves. They blow them off one day and the trails are covered the next morning, seems hopeless, but they try to persevere.
MTB: distance 13.49 miles, average speed 14.4 mph.
Speed Trapped
I seem to be stuck at 14 mph.
No matter how much I try, at the end of a ride, my average speed is at around 14 mph. I’ll start out great, do 6 or 7 miles at over 15 mph, then I drop off at the end.
MTB: distance 13.75 miles, average speed 14.0 mph.
Mid Sixties
Awesome temps, not a drop of…
MTB: distance 19.18 miles, average speed 13.9 mph.
Foot Massage
I was cramping up today.
I could use a massage by now, especially in my legs and feet. Half way through today’s ride, my feet were cramping up and there wasn’t anything I could do about it.
I stay hydrated, but my body has reached a stage where it’s crying out for maintenance. Time to start up the jacuzzi, light some candles and open up a bottle of wine.
MTB: distance 13.76 miles, average speed 14.2 mph.
Deer Sighting
Not a week goes by that I don’t see Bambi.
Came upon a mother and her two fawns today. They camouflage so well that unless they come out to the trail, I won’t notice. Felt bad for them, all the creeks are dried up and they looked really thirsty.
MTB: distance 13.83 miles, average speed 14.2 mph.
X-Cntry Meet
The McAlpine Lake was shoulder to shoulder.
There were runners from all parts of the Carolinas, this was a huge event. From Monroe Road on, there was no riding a bike, you could hardly walk. Had to do the Boyce loop a few more times than normal to get my miles in. Even so, I kept having to slow for groups of runners doing warm ups before their start times.
MTB: distance 15.38 miles, average speed 13.5 mph.
Charlotte, NC
Spent 10 years in Charlotte, a block away from an entrance to the McAlpine Creek Greenway.
Switched to a mountain bike from the road bikes I was accustomed to riding for 15 years.
The time spent on these trails was most appreciated.
Trek Fuel 70
