After almost 30 years collecting dust on it I got my custom touring Paramount down from the ceiling hooks and proceeded to make it road worthy. I had to change the handlebars to a medium high rise style with a special bend I did to them to improve comfort for my new right shoulder. Campy 36/46/54 Record cranks with a Shimano 14/28 5speed freewheel was good enough for a 56 mile, windy ride this morning. 27" x 1-1/4" tires made for a smooth comfy ride but didn't allow me the speed needed to hang with the guys as they rolled away at 23mph. I forgot just how compliant a true touring frame is and how easy it is to ride without holding on to the bars. I wouldn't want to be reading BF while riding but having a food break unwrapping items before munching the goodies inside is a breeze.

I have almost 2 months before I can get back on the Propel because I have to give the muscles time to re-bond to the bones after my shoulder replacement so I'll be riding the Paramount during next month's Horrible Hundred.

A few pics from the BlueRidge Mtns. The winds fierce today, the views stupendous....that's Old Rag Mtn in the background of the Giant Defy, and then Double Top Mtn.

It has been in the mid 40's here when we start.
T-shirt under my usual jersey and arm warmers are the only concessions to the cold so far.
I figure when we see 30's or below the tights and ear warmers will be donned, and maybe the
full-finger gloves.

Anyway, 22 miles this morning at Ivan's pace. I like these rides because I still have some gumption to do some of the chores that have found their way to me.

20.8 today on the Roubaix. There's a good reason why this is the best selling road bike. With good tires it's ultra-smooth. The past couple of days have warmed up a little, 50° to start. I bought some Sport-Tek baselayer (wicking) shirts and have worn an Arsuxeo thick jersey (not quite a jacket) over that. For colder days a lined jersey as the second layer works fine under the heavier day-glow green Arsuxeo (ebay).

A biking buddy wears a $200 Gore jacket, mine is similar (pockets n' all) for $30. For the extra $170 I'll wait for it in the mail for 3 weeks from China.

2016: 4,344 Miles ♂ Total Miles: 13,964 · Roubaix SL3 Ex 1517/4049


The top speed at the world's first real automobile race in 1895 was just 15 mph.

Well, I've been behind the whole day....even though I'm on vacation in VA for a week, work still beckons, and today was a crisis day. Add in an unexpected dead battery on our only car, and I almost didn't get out at all on the bike today.

I finally got off after 3:00, this time dressed for the cold mountain air, and wa-la, I forgot the battery for the electric shift Ultegra Di2. This after coasting the 1/2 mile, 1200 foot drop down the steep road off my mountain home.

So, a quick hustle back (no, I couldn't peddle in high gears), then off to a slightly shortened version of yesterday's ride. Still blustery, not as bad as yesterday, but honestly, I'm getting tired of all this wind.

This Ultegra is set up with tighter gears than the Domane, so I run out of gears often here on the holy rollers. After riding 81 on Saturday, and Sunday through today (I got in just under 30 today), I'm closing in on 190 miles, and should be close to 250 if I ride Thurs through Saturday.

I contend that riding here IS more difficult than FL. About 90% of the way through the ride, I stopped briefly to stretch my back, and I could feel the old ticker working OT. So yes, much more strenuous, but beautiful fall riding with desolate roads, pastoral mountain views, and crystal clear skies and rivers.

Enjoy your time in FL! I love the sights and sounds on all the beautiful, canopied trails. I once was riding the Gainesville-Hawthorne Trail, and a cyclist coming the other way was urgently trying to get my attention. About 100 yards down the trail was a large water moccasin, sunning itself on the pavement. As it was the same color as the trail, I BARELY missed it, but scared it and it took a swipe as I flew by. It missed, but it certainly got my attention.....

https://c3.staticflickr.com/6/5339/3...8813ccfd_k.jpg20161026_110437 by John Ryan, on Flickr
28 miles today on my new Cannondale Synapse.

22 miles today as a bike commuter. Great weather, a bit cool in the am and warmish riding home.

No ride yesterday or today. Getting the bike ready for the Coast 2 Coast ride tomorrow. Replaced tires, bottom bracket, chain and pedals. Also cleaned and waxed the bike.

John,

Smart move, going over the bike pre-ride; that's quite major maintenance. Best of luck to you, looking forward to your report. How do you carb up for the upcoming event? If you wouldn't mind sharing, what type of nutrition and hydration do you bring for the rides?

Bill H.

Just Ivan and me on a repeat of yesterday's 22 mile route. This is the flattest course we ride, about 550ft.
Trying to take things nice and easy on my buddy after hes heart attack back in May.

35 miles in cold, raw, then rainy weather. If I'd known the rain was going to come so soon, I would've bagged it today. The roads here are steep up and down, twisty and tarred over, which makes for uber slick conditions, even worse with the Giant's 23mm tires.

I wanted to try for 50 mi. but figured it's better to live to ride another day.

17.1 miles on the Tarmac SL. Brutal winds, I went from 17mph down to 8 before I turned around. The wind was at 3mph when I left, weather report said heavy winds late afternoon, but they came at 9AM. Thank goodness for side tread on the tires in the heavy crosswind.

2016: 4,361 Miles ♂ Total Miles: 13,981 · Tarmac SL 707m



Mexico and Thailand are the most common countries for American tourists to die abroad.

15 miles Thursday, first ride since Sunday. Took a few days off to recover from oral surgery and pesky infection. Seems to be getting better slowly. Felt like I was pedaling in mush but app shows 12.5 mph, same speed I usually ride this route on the heavy but comfy sofa bike.

I did earlier today... I went on a nice 17.30 mile ride in between my school bus runs (when I was home on break).

Below are some photos that I took along the way.

Tuckahoe Creek from River Road
288 Expressway looking north from River Road
..and of course (a little political) at the end by River Road & Patterson Ave at the cow pasture. Check out the signs. :)

Another 22 mile bike commuter day. Very nice late October weather - a little cool in the am and warmish in the pm.

Just rode back from the car show at the Tropicana Laughlin.

Main and backup transportation. . . .

https://c8.staticflickr.com/6/5689/3...4d773845_b.jpgDSCN1401 by John Mortensen, on Flickr

I actually had more comments about the bike than the car. . .

36 miles Friday night, split into three 12 mile segments. Starting to get my energy back after that pesky infection and oral surgery. Still dragging a bit after 30 miles but it'll come back.

Much rain yesterday, so the roads and path were wet. 20.5 overcast and foggy miles on the Tarmac SL3. A little cool but it was a nice ride.

2016: 4,381 Miles ♂ Total Miles: 14,002 · Tarmac SL3 414m





The average keyboard contains 3,295 germs per square inch

Nothing but wind during today's ride. Started with the group from the LBS but that lasted for only 3 miles. Took a quick turn at the front and said goodby as they left me in the dust. Wound up getting 70 miles in with it feeling more like a century because of the wind.

rode close to twenty miles today on the high bridge trail going into Farmville.

Rode 30.1 quite hard brisk miles on Friday with Sambo, then 23.5 miles at a recovery pace today with Ivan.
I need to take tomorrow off.....................

50.56 miles, sarted out kinda cool at the end it was perfect.

37 miles today on a flat rural club ride with my favorite stoker on the Screamer. Unseasonably warm - probably last ride this year wearing shorts. Windy, too, which was fine on the return to our starting point.

25 miles yesterday at a nice pace in the mountains. My last day here, and what a beautiful day it was. If I could bundle a weather day and take it with me, this would be it. Met up with a local for the last half.....