The damaged outer ring and other bike damage

This is the damage done to the Vision 40 recumbent when it flew out of the truck.

Flying bikes

Somehow a post got deleted. Wed, I wrote a blog entry on our trip to the High Bridge trail and thought I had posted it. When chatting with a friend today, he said he hadn’t seen it. Sad.

John and I enjoy driving to Farmville, Va once a month or so and riding the High Bridge Trail. For a week, we had been anticipating our trip, and planning/saving to have dinner at Charley’s on the river. Wednesday finally arrived, and John had finished his work day. We loaded his touring bike, and my recumbent into my truck, and headed out. Twenty minutes into the ride, John has a rather sheepish look on his face as he slows and begins to do a 3 point turn. An inquisitive look smacks him in the head like a knuckleball.

“We have to go back to get your bike.”

Now, I loaded my bike myself, so I know we don’t have to go back and I’m always the first to be choking back a “huh-uh” when he’s wrong.
“No honey, I loaded it.”

“No, it’s in the road.” Sheepish turns to nauseous. John knows how I feel about my bikes and seems to be worried that I’m going to dissolve on the spot.  We turn around to pick up the bike, having only gone 25 yards further and someone is already eyeballing it, contemplating snatching it for themself, or contemplating whether it’s recumbent configurations is what happens to road bikes when they fly out of vehicles onto the road.

I scoop the bike up and back into the truck and home we head. Less than an hour later, we pass the same spot with two touring bikes Locked to the tie-downs in the 4 corners of the truck. The recumbent is recovering at home with a shattered crank-set, a bent seat and all cables need to be replaced. We got off easy. There was no one behind us to be injured, thankfully and the bike can be repaired. I had become quite fond of my recumbent and unfortunately, my insurance deductible is $1000.00. Higher than the cost of a replacement recumbent. Oh well, I guess God decided I needed another project or less bikes. Phooey!

We got to Farmville and headed out on the trail under blue skies. 3 Miles later, we halted our bikes and headed under a hickory tree hoping to salvage a dry square inch of ourselves before the rain stopped. We could still see blue sky and suspected the rain would pass quickly. The clouds overpowered the beautiful blue expanses and we decided that it was time to head back after 10 minutes in the rain. Temps were declining and we were getting cold. The bikes carried us quickly west, toward Farmville, and skies began to blue again. Behind us was a torrent. Ahead of us was unclouded sky.

We opted for dinner and a comfy ride home. Since I had been teaching, I had been hauling towels back and forth in the car, to use as ironing boards. They came in handy as we toweled ourselves and put fresh clothes on for dinner.

Charley’s was delish, as usual. We drove home laughing and chatting about the eventful journey.

Go make your own breeze and remember: if you’re not having fun; you’re in the wrong gear.

Cycle Joyfully.

Great Day on a bike

Today was Mother’s Day, here in the U.S. My kids are away, living their own lives, quite happily, and don’t feel the need to come home and smother me in kisses and praises. For this, I’m actually quite happy. They should be happy and busy and involved at this point in their lives. Once they have children of their own, it will be their responsibility to bring my grandchildren to me, and tell them what ruffians they, themselves were and to laugh with me and with that younger generation, and grow together. For now, I get to spend the day with my favorite person in the world, quite selfishly.

John and I headed out for the Capitol trail. We know that thousands of cyclists rode that route yesterday, and had a Plan B, in the event that it left straggles crowding the trails today. Plan A was peachy. Though we were headed to Chickahominy Campground to cycle to Jamestown, John was kind enough to drop me off near Sherwood Forest, so I could get an extra few miles. He then drove 7 miles down the road and cycled up to wait for me and we drove on to Chickahominy campground. From there, we cycled to Jamestown. On the way, we encountered a turtle, laying eggs.

And John got a couple pics of me. 

And I of him: 

We encountered a good bit of wildlife fun today. From one bridge that we NEVER stop and look around from, we found several snapping turtles camouflaged in the mud of low tide, waiting for killifish minnows to get juuuuuusssttttt close enough, then SNNAAAP! No more killifish. We saw this little turtle also. He was sharing his little space in the creek with a northern water snake. This guy has a great fishing technique. He would kink up like an “S” and writhe a bit, getting a killifish in the curve of the “s”, then quickly straighten out, or invert the “S”, pushing the fish up on a muddy flat and snap it up in an instant.

I’m getting more confident on the recumbent. I rode this little offroad path and shot pictures at the same time, which is quite daring considering my lack of skill at riding this bike.We met a couple who lives in Richmond and enjoyed chatting a few minutes. They were cycling also. This cute little juvenile squirrel chatted me up for a moment too. On our way back onto the mainland, we ran into this little grumpy guy: I ran across a green snake. They are so graceful and such a beautiful green, that I always stop and admire them. Whenever possible, I pick them up and share my warmth with them and enjoy their cool, sleek skin. This one, has something on his head. As I approached, to shoot the picture, I realized it was a tick!Not something i anticipated on a cold blooded animal. No sooner than I crouched to shoot he snake, and hopefully pick it up, the tick disembarked from the snake, and headed straight for ME! If you look closely, you’ll see him sliding off the snake here:

More pics of us, as we sat outside the Visitors center, having had a very sating meal. Fat and happy, we headed over to the ferry, to enjoy the water, the birds and the children feeding the laughing gulls. We saw several osprey. Here are some gulls instead, though. After our round trip on the ferry, we cycled back to the truck. John, very excitedly pointed out some baby animals. I stopped to shoot a picture of some baby groundhogs. They are in the following picture, at the far end of the “trail”. When I stepped in to take the picture, they startled and when they did, the deer that were invisible in their stillness startled also, revealing them. Can you find the deer?

It was a great day cycling and laughing together. We both got a good bit of sun, but it was well worth our joyous day.

Go make your own breeze and remember: if you’re not having fun; you’re in the wrong gear.

cycle joyfully

Friday at Hylas

So, it’s a regular club ride around here. Today was my first day to ride it. You’ve heard it before, I’m slow since I became a touring cyclist. That makes it a little difficult to ride with my buddies. Today, however, a friend and I committed to doing it.

Up until recently, Fridays had been off limits for cycling mornings because I didn’t want to be late for my Friday fun time with my Dad. Now that we can’t have that time any longer, it’s important to put it to good use. Like cycling to get fit! Gotta shake that “touring cyclist” mantra, and push myself to work on getting my heart rate up! A heart rate monitor has been on the radar for a few weeks, maybe now is the time.

The scenery was lovely and green. They day was just the right temperature and I enjoyed the company. There have been several accidents involving club members in the past week, and one accident resulting in death in NOVA within the past few weeks. None of these crashes involved cars. They have been our own fault. That makes me think twice about sucking tires!

Thus far, this week, I’ve got 59 miles. I’d like to be back into a rhythm soon. One approaching impediment might be the fact that a job is looming. Work will distract me from cycling for 7 weeks this summer. No morning rides, no mid-day rides, and no evening rides 5 days a week! Gotta really enjoy my cycling while I can in May and some of June.

Go make your own breeze and remember: if you’re not having fun; you’re in the wrong gear.

Great day to ride!

Today, I cycled the High Bridge Trail in Farmville. It was a perfect day for cycling. I shot a few pictures of the developments. The honeysuckle was sweet and I saw a couple of fox kits, 2 green snakes and a skunk. Loved it;)

Cinco de Mayo ABC-G

Cinco de Mayo provided a great Saturday ride for us. We had a medium size group. Three paces were represented and we had 2 new guys riding with the “C” group. We cycled up to Ashland along the usual route in perfect weather. Drivers were very courteous. The crowd at ACT was rather small, but there were a lot of options with NYC’s Five Burroughs ride, and several well promoted club options and training rides. Even so, it was good to see some familiar faces. After a 20 minute chat time, we headed out, only to realize that I had left one of our riders behind. Though he could have easily found his own way back, shame on me for leaving anyone behind. Everyone else waited, while I returned to fetch our friend and we all rode back together.

Jack Huber, one of the long-time members of RABA and a personal friend of mine (ahem, are you gettin’ how important I’m feeling about being a close, personal friend of Jack?) offered some route detours to get off of Ashland road. We did ride one and enjoyed it, but I’m not sure we will repeat it. Those of us who ride that route regularly experience great courtesy from the drivers on that road. I think it helps that there are other riders out that way regularly and at least one regular bike commuter on 623 that I know of.

I failed to eat breakfast and found that everyone was riding a good bit faster than I “wanted” to. Now, whether I was undernourished, or whether I’m just a piddly type of touring cyclist, I don’t know, but you can bet your booties I’ll be eating my Wheaties next week. About 6 miles from the finish of the ride,  I asked Jack to roll ‘em the rest of the way in, so I wouldn’t have to hustle to keep up, or hold everyone up. He did so kindly.

Though its nearly impossible to stop and take pictures while leading a ride, I took the camera and at least shot pictures at the ACT meeting location, and at our ride start. Do you recognize any legs?

Go make your own breeze and remember: if you’re not having fun; you’re in the wrong gear.

Back in the saddle at home

It’s been a little over a week, and this time, my return hasn’t been to the couch. I’ve been on the bike twice, and at the gym almost daily. Yes, I’ve been in the gym. Not spinning, but working on the elliptical for cardio, and some weight machines, trying to improve upper body tone and definition. Unfortunately, I seem to have a genetic propensity toward tendonitis, and it’s flaring it’s ginger head at the moment. Fortunately, having had this frequent visitor for over 20 years, I know it’s cyclical (ironic, huh?) and will appease itself and leave shortly. Believe it or not, I actually believe that one day, I’ll figure out the balance of muscle-use and the concept of appropriate hydration, and will not get these flare-ups.

Last Sunday, John and I cycled together. Yesterday, I led my c-paced ride from the Goochland Satellite start up to Ashland and back. My mileage this week, 63 miles. There were 19 people who signed in and cycled from Goochland yesterday. That is positive growth. There were 3 different paces of rides. About 8 people chose the slow ride with me. One of them is a lady who did the cross country tour at nearly the same time as I last spring. A mutual friend kept trying to introduce us, but it never seemed to happen. I enjoyed hearing her tales of the kindnesses extended her and the wonderful people she met. We had a couple of guys I hadn’t met before. One of them wound up roadside, yanking his clothes off frantically, as a bee visited him, beneath his jersey. Yikes! Another commented on what a friendly, social group we were. That’s one of the finest compliments you can pay me. It’s the type of cycling I enjoy. I think he would really enjoy the retiree’s ride. My friend, Will also came and brought his wife, whom I’d been wanting to meet, and ride with. I’m told she is not an avid cyclist, and is fairly slow, as well as being newly retired. If she is interested in cycling with someone once a week, or so, I’d really enjoy just such a partner, once a week. We did get to cycle together. It took me a good while to remember, though, that it works best to allow slow/new riders to ride ahead of you, so you can see them and “fall into” pace with them. Once I remembered that, we seemed to be very compatible cycling companions. We had a couple of other new folks with us. A lady who recently moved here from the West coast. Hope I get to chat more with her next week, and my friend from the Powhatan Historic Ride, two years ago.

It was great to see my friends at ACT in Ashland. The couple who sagged for Sherry and I in Pennsylvania and New York, last spring were there. It was wonderful to catch up with them. If you remember, Jinx, the lady in the couple actually rode with us also. They ride tandem a lot, and it looks like so much fun! Their adventures and plans always sound like fun, also, but I wonder if John and I would be a good “tandem couple”. I’ve been told, “NOT”.

“HI” to Bill Britton, it was good to see you. I’m going to have to get back my speed a little, just so I’m able to ride with you some Saturdays. Of course, that will mean getting a ride leader to share the “c” pace ride with me. “Hi” also to Steve, Bud, Richard, Eric (thanks for introducing yourself again…. I missed the tassle loafers. They were the most unique cycling shoes I’ve ever seen a guy wear), Jeanne, Gary and Deborah. It’s so good to be home.

Now that the Paterna tour is over, I have not big plans for a solo tour.  John and I would like to do the GAP-CO in August, and I’m ready to tour with my favy-guy-in-the-world.  Life is good. Other than missing my Dad like crazy. So many things I want to tell him, day-to-day. He was a wonderful man. (BEar with me, I may say that every day for a while…… hopefully, for the rest of my life. He was a wonderful Dad.)

Go make your own breeze and remember: if you’re not having fun; you’re in the wrong gear.