Short ride on carbon

It’s been a while since I’ve made a post that wasn’t photo related…

Anyway, I took the day off from work today. I used the time to get my car inspected, and then I went out for a ride on my new bike this afternoon. It was pretty chilly. Colder than I had expected based on the weather reports yesterday. But since I had the time I wanted to make sure I actually used it for a ride.

I only did about 16 miles, and I don’t know what my average was, but I’m still very much enjoying the new bike. It’s just a whole new experience and change from the old one.

The temperature was about 35 degrees. I was bundled up fairly well, and didn’t have too many problems, but I always have issues with my toes when it gets that cold, so I spent some time afterwards warming up in bed under the covers.

I’ll probably watch a little bit of the Olympics opening ceremony tonight, but don’t really have too much else planned.

Lager and memory

I did get out for a ride this morning on the Lager, my fixed gear bike. It was a lovely morning, bright and sunshiny, a little windy, but the sky was clear blue and everything was bright. It wasn’t very early. I was avoiding the colder early morning temperatures and figured I could enjoy some morning coffee and a little internet before hopping on the bike. So I headed out at about ten-thirty.

About the first thing I discovered when I began the ride is that I had neglected to charge my cycling computer. That is one of the big drawbacks of using the Garmin GPS computer. It does need to be charged between rides, unlike some of the other computers that just have to have the battery replaced every year or so. But since I didn’t have a computer I don’t have any stats today. I know I did about 16 miles because it’s a familiar route, and I left the house sometime around ten-thirty, as already mentioned, and I returned around eleven-forty-five. Which would mean I wasn’t maintaining an especially high pace, but then again I usually have a little slower overall average on the Lager. It’s a good workout though.

I did bring my camera along for the ride. The trick with taking photographs while on a bike ride is that you really have to will yourself to stop along the side of the road. Even when you do see a scenic view that you think would make a good picture and would convey part of the reason you enjoy being out in the world on your bike, you think to yourself, “but I have such a good pace going. I’ll have to start over again. Oh, there’s a hill up ahead and I don’t want to lose my momentum.” There are any number of reasons to not stop pedaling and take a photograph.

Further, on a slightly chilly day like today I ride with long fingered gloves, which means handling and operating the camera becomes problematic. And then there’s is the simple factor of where to stow the camera while riding. I don’t usually have a whole lot of extra pocket space on the bike.

All that being said, I did bring the camera along. I did stop. I did get the camera out and turned on. And I did discover that I had failed to put the memory card back into the camera when I took yesterday’s pictures off of it last night. So…no pictures from this bike ride. It simply goes to show that I am very much amateur hour with this photography stuff. Lesson learned.

To summarize, one bike ride, no stats and no photographs due to my forgetfulness. Is this what should be expected when I ride a bike called “Lager?”

Not what I had in mind

Things didn’t come together this morning quite like I had in mind. First, last night I failed to gather my gear for cycling. This usually helps me in the morning so that I’m not searching through drawers in the dark. But…nope…didn’t do it. So this morning I’m running up and down the stairs trying to find the right undershirt to wear. And then I checked the weather and realized it was about ten degrees cooler than I thought it was, and I needed a little more gear…long fingered gloves for one.

After finally finding all the right clothing, I then started to put my saddle bag back on the bike and discovered the strap was broken. I unpacked the spare tube and tools and shoved them into one of my back pockets. It was at this time I discovered I didn’t have my spoke wrench. With all the problems I’ve been having with my rear wheel I kind of wanted to have that wrench along. I looked for ten minutes and never did find it. It’ll turn up eventually, but it was time lost this morning.

Then, I finally hit the road and was about four miles into the ride when I realized I didn’t put my phone in my back pocket. Crap, if I did have a breakdown I couldn’t call Marcella. I decided to keep riding, but not to roam too far out of town. I did some loops that kept me within what I felt was a reasonable distance from the house.

I only did 23 miles and averaged about 16.2 mph. Even so, my toes were a little chilly when I got back to the house. Now I’m drinking coffee and watching the CBS morning show. But I need to remember to get my act together prior to the morning I’m intending to ride. Especially as we head into the colder months and there’s more to carry and wear.

Uneventful Ride

I got in about 33 miles this morning. The ride was pretty uneventful. Other than the donkeys early on the route, I don’t think I saw much wildlife beyond geese until right at the very end when I saw a bunny.

I started the ride strong, and was averaging 17 mph after the first 10 miles or so, but then I hit the hills and the headwind and there went the average. At the end I think I only averaged about 16.2 mph. Still, it was a nice morning out. The humidity is fairly high, but the temperature is mild.

I’m sleepy now. I’ve got some coffee, but we’ll see if I remain awake or if I go ahead and conk out for an hour.

It hasn’t rained yet

I’m glad I got up and got out for a ride this morning. The weather reports last night were calling for potential rain this morning, but I managed to get in a ride on a lovely Sunday morning, and I haven’t seen any rain yet.

From a statistical standpoint I managed just short of 35 miles at an average of 16.2 mph. I was out for a little over 2 hours. The fastest speed I hit was 32.7 mph. Also, I saw three bunnies in the first half hour.

Now I’m stretching out a little bit and drinking some coffee and watching Stage 9 of the Tour de France. I hope I don’t fall asleep before I can see the end of the stage. I’m feeling a little drowsy, but it’s good.