Bicycle Diaries
30 years riding, 15 years writing
iPod versus Nature
When I ride, I prefer the sound of the wind.
I own a 30gb video iPod, but I hardly ever take it with me when I ride. Along with it being a safety hazard, cause you can’t hear anything behind you, I like the sounds of nature.
In my home office, there’s always music playing, so it’s a welcome break to hear the sound of my knobby tires rolling over the gravel. Not to mention the birds singing or the rustle of leaves caused by a family of deer passing through.
MTB: distance 17.1 miles, average speed 13.6 mph.
Casual Ride
Took it slow and easy, smelled the pine needles.
MTB: distance 13.73 miles, average speed 13.5 mph.
Extra Primo Good
Finding the words.
At the end of Trading Places, the butler asks everyone what they would like to have for dinner, and then names a couple of dishes. As the nouveau riche lay there sipping champagne on a pristine beach on some remote island, they decide on both courses. The butler exclaims Extra primo good, Mr. Coleman, sir!
When I was out on my ride today, Extra Primo Good kept popping out of my subconscious, like a reminder to enjoy the good times, when during the bad times all you could do was watch the tube for hours on end.
MTB: distance 15.43 miles, average speed 14.1 mph.
Motorboats
The serenity of the lake gave way.
Remote controlled motorboats took over the lake today. They looked so real, I thought I was back at Dinner Key watching the Cigarettes heading out of Miami.
Another great day, the wind was erratic though, blowing from all different directions. Miss Budweiser was having a hard time staying in contact with the water.
MTB: distance 19.42 miles, average speed 13.9 mph.
One Sixty
Lost 10 pounds in 2 months.
I’m disappearing, my 6’2” frame can use some more weight, my wife is telling me. Yet I have 3 square meals a day and eat what I want, like I don’t count calories, and my body fat is at 15% and slowly dropping, according to my Tanita scale.
What can I say, maybe bike riding is the best exercise?
MTB: distance 19.11 miles, average speed 14.0 mph.
Morning Glory
Absolutely fabulous morning.
The temperature was great and a small tailwind coming back from the lake made it a fun day to ride. Plenty of bikers and dog walkers out this morning, mostly it was the people that frequent the McAlpine, those that are cognizant of each other.
MTB: distance 19.00 miles, average speed 14.1 mph.
More faster
My average speed is picking up.
I can maintain a good pace all around the trails, my legs have adjusted, uphills are not a problem. As my average speed climbs, I probably should ride when the trails are empty, so as not bother walkers or runners.
MTB: distance 16.35 miles, average speed 14.7 mph.
X-Country meet
Slow going today.
The McAlpine was full of cross country runners this afternoon. Most of the lake was roped off, had to make some adjustments to my customary laps.
Eventually I stopped and watched the meets, brought back memories of my high school years, huff-n-puff and fainting spells.
MTB: distance 13.59 miles, average speed 13.9 mph.
The heat is back
Just when I thought it was cool.
The hot weather comes back to pay us a visit. The temps are fine in the shade of the trees but on the wide open main trail, it’s kind of warm.
Charlotte is under water restrictions, so our lawns are pretty dried up at this point. Let’s just hope this freaky dry spell is not indicative of things to come.
MTB: distance 15.05 miles, average speed 14.2 mph.
Sunday in the park
Beautiful day, nothing more to say.
MTB: distance 16.18 miles, average speed 13.7 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
