A Little Chilly

I seem to always get fooled in the fall when the temperatures drop. Today's ride home was a little colder than expected, and my t-shirt and shorts left me under dressed. I compensated by pushing myself faster than usual.

Miles Ridden: 7.2

Short but Sweet

Arby's Has No Bike Rack

After work today, I rode up to my son's high school to watch the marching band at the game, with a stop at Arby's along the way. Some college student passed me on Grant, so it became my mission to catch and pass him. I hammered up the hill and left him in the dust at the top. For some reason my legs felt really good, and I continued pushing it after the supper stop with the family.

Even though I've been riding a little less this year, I feel like I'm in better shape.

Miles Ridden: 6.0

Again

Another trip to the CVS before heading home. The weather continues to be great.

Miles Ridden: 14.3

Nobody Took My Picture/France On Bike

Purdue University is running Green Week, where they bring attention to environmentally friendly programs. University President France Córdova decided to ride her bicycle to work, so she called the News Service photographer to document it for Green Week. (Read more)

My paparazzi free ride was both uneventful and relaxing. The great weather continues tomorrow, so I'll be riding again.

Miles Ridden: 8.5

Stop and Go

It's turning out to be a great week for riding. On my way home I stopped by the CVS for a prescription, which helped me get a little extra time in the saddle.

As I was riding home on Lindberg Road, a cyclist in front of me was being daring at the stop signs. The closest we get to traffic jams in West Lafayette is being four cars deep at the stop signs. This guy came up to the stop sign, stopped for just a moment, then continued. Of course, everyone else was doing the 'take your turn' method, so he got some looks and a honk. He immediately flipped off the honker. Then, everyone was looking at me to screw up as well, but I was a good boy.



Miles Ridden: 13.2

Found on the Net

First, I just learned that my town has a Critical Mass:

The concept of critical mass is credited to a group of San Francisco bicycle commuters who in 1992 decided to ride home together, according to the Chicago Critical Mass Web site. Since then, groups have sprouted up across the globe and in Kokomo, Indianapolis and Bloomington.

While the rides have the reputation of purposely jamming up traffic, Bohs said that is not the goal here.

"The point is not to upset anyone or cause havoc," he said. "We want to build up safe practices of riding and for cars to think more about us on the roads."

Interesting. I may have to check it out sometime.
(Read more)

Also, I found this picture on Flickr of an "assless bike":


Not sure how practical it is, but it looks sweet.

Blinded by the Light

With the rising sun just above street level, I knew that if I was having trouble seeing in front of me, the motorists approaching from the rear were having just as much trouble seeing me. I rode in with my fingers crossed. It's time to pull out the orange vest every day.

Rode home in a light sprinkle. It was refreshing.

Miles Ridden: 7.0

Deflating

The Horses Were Out Today

I wasn't even at the top of the hill on Newman Road when I noticed the spongy ride. Sure enough, the rear tire was quite low. I turned around a went back home.

I'll ride another day.

Miles Ridden: Not even one!

Grocery Store Workout

I rode up to the supermarket today to pick up a few things. I wasn't feeling my strongest, but I made it over the hills and up to the store.

As I left, I put my groceries in the panniers and headed back down towards home. As I reached the intersection of Stadium and Northwestern, my phone rang. It was a cashier from the store calling to tell me that I had left my camera and notebook in a cart. Great! With the gallon of milk and a gallon of iced tea, plus some produce, meat, and crackers, my bike was easily 20 lbs heavier going back up the hill. I retrieved the forgotten items, and went back down the hill once more - meeting a wrong way cyclist towards the bottom. (I hate it when I have to slow down on a hill and lose all of that momentum.) Like the guy the other day, Mr. Left Side didn't seem to want to hear my opinion on his choice of position.

I stopped at the Circle K to get a drink, and found that my wallet had been stripped of all cash by my family, causing me to pay the $1.36 total with my debit card.

Sweaty and tired, I arrived home too late and too tired to make the planned dinner for which I had purchased the groceries. Scrambled eggs saved the day.

Miles Ridden: 14.4

Game Day

I rode up to the football stadium to help out at the tailgate tent for the Purdue game. My job was to ferry the older alumni and donors up the hill in a golf cart. Fun times, and I got a free lunch afterwards.

Since I rode both ways wearing Dockers and a name tag, I'm counting this ride as a commute.

I didn't take any pictures during the ride, so I'll show this shot of a bike taxi I found in Indy on Friday. Pretty cool, huh?



Miles Ridden: 8.1

Normal Day

Nothing special. Just a normal commute.

Although, I'm noticing that I'm still a little leary of right turning cars after the incident. I'm always checking behind me before crossing an intersection.

Miles Ridden: 7.1