I thought I'd give a run at a PR on the one tiny double-hump hill on my normal route, only half a mile. I figured I did pretty well the day before, and going all out I'd blast that time away. It was pathetic, my engine shut down at 30 seconds. It's been too long without doing sprints I guess.

Not a bike commute, but a few minutes ago I had an interaction with a couple of plainclothes sheriffs. My walk back from lunch took me through a light rail station; they were staking it out for thieves. They pulled me but let me go in about twenty seconds after I told them where I worked and showed them my work badge.

I don't think I look suspicious. I'm wearing wrinkled Dockers and a t-shirt with a dinosaur on it.

Was great. Did 32 mi RT. On the way in I passed within 6 feet of a deer and almost ran over some Sandhill Cranes. I was on a paved path going across some railroad tracks at the entrance of the site where I work, so I was looking down at the tracks as I crossed. When I looked up there were 4 cranes, two of them on the path directly in front of me. They took off and landed in the grass beside the path, otherwise I would have had to brake hard.


A couple days before on the way home I came around a blind corner on a prairie path and a doe and fawn were in the middle of the path. They split off in different directions.


I just hope a deer doesn't bound across a path into me one of these days.

Very enjoyable commute home yesterday evening. Finally came up with a route I felt I could do in a reasonable time without metro assist or driving half way. Also very low volume traffic for most of the route. My previous attempt jogged me over to Forest Park for several extra miles. The key was a hard to find foot bridge over FFP at the edge of Clayton. For anyone in STL interested in a leisurely route from Hazelwood to Shrewsbury Metro area or some variant here's a segment link. I don't have premium so couldn't trim the tails as a normal route.

https://ridewithgps.com/segments/268...southconnector

Riding a ss to work now....was all good until I swapped the chainring from 38 to 47. The climbs are kicking my ass, especially with the 48c tires and 100+ heat indices.

ride home from the office came after a hike up Mt Wachusett w Wifey. the ride felt good. input new tires' wheel factor and stats seem to jive. by time I got home 8:17pm I had the front strobe on steady high beam. temps still a warm even at 10pm. supposed to be mid-50s by ride time 5am tomorrow. I'll believe it when I see it

edit 4am current temp is 61 degrees, guess it'll be short sleeves

It was a very nice commute this am. The temp was 62f degrees with the sun not up as I left the house.

I have a short work week this week as I am going on a mini bike tour from VT to MA.

Wind out of the south-east.. ie against it the entire way. At least it was cooler. 1k miles today.. a bit behind.

About 2 miles into my ride this morning I saw something in the road that looked like a big round rock. It was a turtle trying to cross. I did a quick check and saw no cars coming, did a quick u-turn and dropped my bike in a ditch. With still no cars, I quickly picked him up and took him across and off the road a good 10 feet or so.

There was a driveway close by where I was able to remount and get going again. Hopefully Mr. Turtle won't try to go back onto that road.

Warm, muggy morning, with overcast skies and maybe some rain showers today.

ride to work - nice & cool - loved it in short sleeves - refreshing!

Temperature was nice and cool this morning... but the humidity was still quite high. Nice commute though.

After busy weekend the hour ride to work was great - cooler temps expected this afternoon

Another gorgeous breezy day today, perfect for riding along the river. I ran into a friend who is now a professional bike instructor and advocate. She was riding to her job site where she teaches riding, but she had stopped to help a woman adjust her saddle and helmet. My friend can stop anyone and get them to do the required adjustments. She's the perfect bike advocate, because she is, as she says, a short, grey-haired woman. She amazes everyone with her ability to stop people and be so non-confrontational. I was on my racing bike, but after meeting her, we went in the same direction at a slower pace than I had been taking. I took the "long route" after leaving her, up the hills in Inwood Hill Park and over the Henry Hudson Bridge. It takes more energy to take that route, and the rewards are the views.

Nice but cool ride in this morning. Looked at the weather app and it said 56 with 97% humidity. Makes for a cool ride in the shaded low spots. Cruised in easily and enjoyed the ride.

nice ride in, I work at 3pm every other Monday and this is it. I didn't think it was that hot out but I am still sweating big time.

Super muggy this morning, kind of misty - I don't think I've ever been more wet without rain or particularly sweating. Even so there were relatively lots of people out and about including cyclists. Or that could be normal traffic that I'm not used to, due to my starting later at 8. For some reason I zoned out at the computer and killed half an hour. Nice riding though.

Bike lanes and rainbows on the AM commute!


http://i1311.photobucket.com/albums/...pscfbepcn4.jpg




http://i1311.photobucket.com/albums/...psxf6b1nof.jpg

I finally get to commute to work tomorrow after having several days off work and off the bike for my annual car meet.......
Pictures from GeoPalooza 2016

A lot of my car club friends commented on my Huffy collection and I let a few of them take a spin on different bikes :)

Pretty great. Usual 32 miles RT on the paths and a little road. I am picking up speed after a couple years getting out of shape due to illness. Am back at what I was at 2 years ago and still have more to gain I feel!


Saw a lone fawn on the trail. Stayed and talked sweet to it for about 5 minutes and it came to within 20 feet of me. Never saw the mother but I am sure the fawn got a scolding.

The commute was a pleasant uneventful ride. With the temp at 58f degrees and the sun not up when I was leaving the house.

It's great to be back on the bike again :)

Warm, humid, muggy, wet roads from overnight and early morning showers. But a just fine commute I suppose.

It was a nice, cool 14C/57F but clear and sunny and I was plenty warm in my summer kit but not so warm that I needed my Buff to keep the sweat out of my eyes: this afternoon will be a different story with a forecasted temperature of 32C/90F.

My morning greeters for a couple weeks
http://i1240.photobucket.com/albums/...psz4pothlj.jpg

reached a new level of no eff's given this morning, and found myself laughing gleefully as I was passing a long line of cars stuck in traffic. perhaps it's because I've totally checked out of work because it literally blows since new management took over, but riding the bike has felt extra sweet lately, especially when I go on my lunch break :-)

HA that's my goal every morning. I'm starting to feel like I'm living in Office Space, staring at my desk or BF for as long as possible while pretending to look like I'm doing work.

A warm and muggy 66*F this morning. Pleasant ride with little traffic. A 6am start seems to work with the sunrise now.

Riding home yesterday down a residential street with cars parked on my left side, I take my lane about 4 feet from the curb (3' min is WI law) and just cruising along. A mini suv turns onto the road a block up and when he sees me he moves further into my lane to challenge me. I held my line and didn't flinch or react. He growled at me as he drove by about 18" from me. Of course 3' min is WI law for passing bikes as well. I didn't react at all. Looked ahead and held my line.

DITTO but I beat the rain in this morning



seems very dark at 6:15am this morning perhaps because it was cloudy but sure seems like fall is coming fast. ran my headlight for a lot longer on steady pulse this morning.

This morning I took a new route that is over 50% gravel/dirt trail. It rocks.

I felt so bad for killing a squirrel yesterday. Crossing a wet yellow line I really didn't have much opportunity to change my line and dodge. Two soft bumps and it was over for him.

There is an iron gate in the community entrance driveway, that swings closed from both sides. Maybe karma, or maybe it was just the idea planted in my mind but it was closing after a car had gone through, about half closed as I approached. Just like the squirrel I decided to go for it, swinging around the lever gate and shooting for that dwindling gap at an angle. Feeling the closing gate brush both sides of my drop bars, making the bike shimmy a little and then I was through. It turned out better for me than the squirrel, and I was glad that at least I didn't curse it for its rash dash across my wheels.