Bicycle Diaries
30 years riding, 15 years writing
Rocky, the nutty squirrel
It raced me around the lake.
Coming around the back of the lake, I hear some leaves rustling to my right. I look over and it’s a squirrel racing me down the trail and beating me handily.
The race lasted until we got to the wooden bridge that crosses over the creek that feeds the lake.
As he stood on the railing, looking at me as I passed by, I could of sworn Rocky gave me the finger.
MTB: distance 13.69 miles, average speed 13.6 mph.
Cooler Temperatures
We can now ride at any hour.
It was 68.4 F when I went out today, just absolutely wonderful weather. My water bottles were cool till the end and I didn’t need that much hydration.
I’m seeing more bike riders out there now, I guess the cooler temperatures are drawing more people to the outdoors.
MTB: distance 14.70 miles, average speed 13.9 mph.
Who's that doggy?
Sundays, I think I’ll start riding my road bike.
There was this huge white dog that the owner was having a very hard time controlling and another one surprised his owner by lunging at me just as I was riding by.
I’m all for sharing the road, but dog owners need to rethink their travels into the McAlpine if their pets aren’t user friendly. There are many families either walking or on bikes that frequent the trails, it would be a shame for a dog attack to screw up the serenity for all of us.
MTB: distance 18.36 miles, average speed 14.0 mph.
The Rain Dance
Finally, some moisture comes our way.
Hurricane Humberto brought much needed rain to the Charlotte area last night. We need a lot more rain to reverse the drought conditions but what rain drops did fall were very welcome.
On today’s ride, the animals seemed peaceful and happy. The birds were singing, the ducks were waddling around and there was this one Hawk that flew alongside me for a stretch, showing me that he was faster than me on the trails.
MTB: distance 20.04 miles, average speed 13.7 mph.
Onto 15 miles per hour
But I’ve given you all I’ve got Captain!
Every week I’m improving, a tenth of a mile faster here and there does add up. But I’m hesitant to push too hard, I don’t want to injure myself and be out for weeks nursing a pulled muscle.
Got out late today, was awaiting a major rainstorm that never came. We could sure use some rain, the streams are drying up and the animals are chasing me down the trails wanting a drink from my water bottle.
MTB: distance 14.78 miles, average speed 14.4 mph.
Big Chainring
Give me more speed Scotty!
In the last week, I’ve been shifting into the big chainring more often. My legs can now push a large ring while keeping the same pedal cadence that I’m accustomed to.
Today, I had a tailwind which took me the 2 1/2 miles from Sardis to Independence doing 20+ mph. I’m almost ready to take out the road bike on a club ride, can’t wait to fly down hilly roads.
MTB: distance 14.31 miles, average speed 14.2 mph.
It's a keeper!
The WTB Rocket V Pro SE Saddle.
MTB: distance 14.76 miles, average speed 14.3 mph.
Deer crossing
Dangerous crossings on the trails.
Riding on the main trail, heading away from Sardis Road, and this huge deer comes out of the woods.
A father, pulling his young son in a trailer, narrowly escapes injury when huge deer on steroids runs across the trail just in front of him.
MTB: distance 20.67 miles, average speed 13.7 mph.
Happy Butt
Maybe it’s a keeper?
MTB: distance 14.52 miles, average speed 13.7 mph.
WTB Rocket V Pro SE Saddle
Got a new saddle for the Fuel 70.
Picked up a WTB Rocket V Pro SE at Performance Bicycle in Charlotte. Went out for a long ride and the saddle felt good but I don’t know if it’s a keeper just yet.
MTB: distance 20.23 miles, average speed 13.1 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
