Sunday, May 31, 2009

Weekend Coffee Shop Rides

Laptop Transport

I like hitting a coffee shop on weekend mornings. I take my laptop, find a quiet table, and get some work done on personal projects.

This weekend I tried the Greyhouse in the village. Pretty nice place.

Saturday Miles Ridden: 8.2
Sunday Miles Ridden: 7.0

(This post was originally titled Weekend Coffee Runs)

Friday, May 29, 2009

Month of May

Von's Books


I haven't been writing much lately, because I haven't been riding much lately. However, there have been a few rides this month:

365 #65


May 4: 9.0
May 4: 7.0
May 5: 6.5
May 11: 7.0
May 12: 7.0
May 29: 8.2

Skinny Horse


Total Miles Ridden: 44.7

365 #90

Saturday, April 25, 2009

Saturday Morning

Depending on the route, my ride to the Wabash Landing shopping center is about five miles. Since I've been spending my weekend mornings of late using the free WiFi at Panera to work on a programming project, I thought I could work a bike ride into the routine.

The weather couldn't have been better. Temps in the high 60s and a strong SW wind pushing me into town made for a comfortable ride. There was one less than pleasant occurrence when four unladen, speeding dump trucks passed me on the country road portion of River Road. The driver of the second truck (which I didn't realize was behind me at the time) thought it would be fun to honk and swerve towards me as he passed. I gave him a quick hand signal signifying he was number one and continued on.

Wabash Landing has many convenient bike racks located all over the grounds, it wasn't tough to find a spot to lock up while I was in the coffee shop.

Pedestrian Bridge
Pedestrian Bridge


After a couple of hours, I packed up for the next leg of the trip. My truck was parked at my wife's clinic over in Lafayette, so I pedaled over the river to pick it up. The bike rode in the truck bed on the way home.

Miles Ridden: 7.7

Friday, April 17, 2009

Morning Commute Turns Into a Morning Ride

The plan was to ride to work today, maybe cycle somewhere for lunch, and then back home after 5:00.

Instead, I ended up leaving very late after chasing the dog around the neighborhood, and arrived about a half an hour past the start of the work day. Just 15 minutes later, my daughter called from her school to ask me to bring the important homework papers that she had left at home. So, I pedalled back home.

In the interest of time, I used the truck to deliver the homework and get back to work. Didn't sit at my desk until 10:00!

Miles Ridden: 7.0

Thursday, April 16, 2009

How Do You Stop 'Em

Not much time after work today, but I was able to ride north on 400W up to US52 and back.

Tiny Waterfall

However, my heavy panting after climbing the small hill on 375W caused me to get hiccups. How do you get your mid-ride hiccups to stop? I tried holding my breath, but it's tough to pedal without oxygen. Next, I tried drinking water - no luck. Finally, I attempted what usually works at home, slow controlled breaths. Didn't work either. So, I gave up and pedaled through it.

Leave your suggestions in the comments.

One of the Dirtiest Horses I've Ever Seen

Miles Ridden: 9.0

Monday, March 23, 2009

Take It Whenever I Can

With these early Spring days that are either cold and wet, windy and cold, or -um- windy and wet, I feel that I need to take advantage of every warm, dry, slightly breezy day that comes along. Today was such a day, and even though my schedule was rather tight, I was able to grab an hour for a quick ride to the bridge and a little beyond.

DSC01687e
Not sure if this barn was renovated in 1984, or if the roofer was an Orwell fan


On this nice, sunny day, I wasn't the only one out for a ride. I saw many cyclists, including kitted up roadies and casually dressed 50 somethings. Others included several motorcycle riders, people in convertables, and a small group of teens on step-through scooters. Also, when I stopped at the top of a hill, these two horsemen came out of the trees and followed the side of the road to the north.

700W


I hope to get a few days like this when my vacations starts later in the week.

Miles Ridden: 11.5

Tuesday, March 17, 2009

Jeepers, Creepers

Sunrise Over the Golf Course

The sound of Spring Peepers was all around as I rode past the Celery Bog and the golf course water hazard. There must be hundreds of those nasty little creatures all around me.

Because my daughter had to get to school early, I tossed the bike in the back of the truck and parked at the school. Apparently, they don't mind if I leave the truck for the day.

Miles Ridden: 11.2

Cattail Trail

Monday, March 16, 2009

Blue Sky Ride

It was raining this morning, but I was able to ride back to work after lunch. Another great day.

Sunny Blue Skies


Miles Ridden: 7.2

Saturday, March 14, 2009

The Cows are Watching

Good day for a ride, as the temps are in the high 40s, and the winds weren't too strong from the east.

DSC01620e
High water on the Wabash around the bridge


The neighbor and I followed the Lilly Road Route in a counter clockwise direction. Along the route, we saw two Rocky's and a Lester (road kill Raccoons and Opossum).

DSC01625e


Riding into the headwind and climbing the hill by the Lilly complex reminded me that I'm out of shape. Lucky for me spring is starting to show up more often, so I'm hoping to get out more.

Miles Ridden: 18.0

Thursday, March 05, 2009

First Bike Commute of the Year!

DSC01585e
Strong headwinds make for great kite weather


Miles Ridden: 9.2