Bicycling

Ride Report

Got nothing much to say tonight, but I do need to make up a ride report from this morning’s ride for the Aiken Bicycle Club’s web site. So in lieu of any bitching and moaning tonight, I present, 20 Miles in the Morning:

When Donna and I rolled to the end of our driveway we almost did a 180. The road looked like it had recently rained and the clouds seemed low enough graze our helmets. We knew that at least 2 of the usual group were not going to be there, so we reluctantly headed to the Odell Weeks center. Someone from out of town had called me on Thursday and said she would be in town visiting and could she ride with us, so someone had to show.

Not long after our arrival at Weeks, Jenny pulled in and started to unload her bike. By 8:30 no one else was there so the 3 of us started out. It was still threatening looking and the roads were damp, but off we went anyway. Glad we did, as each mile clicked off the weather got a little nicer. So much so that the sun actually made an appearance 3/4 of the way through the ride. Right about that time Donna rolled through some glass and flatted. The next 5 minutes were spent chatting while the two ladies watched Brian get his fingers greasy from the chain and knees dirty from the tire. We finished with a nice tailwind down Pine Log.

At the end Jenny thanked us for going for the ride, we thanked her for showing up because if she hadn’t, Donna and I might have just gone back home.

Smooth Move Mr. Cyclist Guy

As mentioned the other day, I did in fact make the Sunday paper. I had actually forgotten all about it until I picked up the paper off my lawn this morning.

A picture of the cute kid who went to Camp Sertoma that is partially funded by the sale of the license plate he posed next to was at the top and the first one written about in the article. I snagged about 5 minutes of my allotted 15, by having my picture and words taking up the second half of the article. I wish I could link you to the article, but our little paper hasn’t posted the article yet (and when they do, they don’t do pictures.)

My plate is from the Palmetto Cycling Coalition which is a statewide organization to help promote cycling awareness, both to the general public and state government. Across the top is emblazoned “SHARE THE ROAD.” In the article I am quoted as saying that I hoped that this would make people aware that cyclists are people and not just something in their way.

Cut to several hours later…On our usual Sunday morning ride with some other ABC members we are coming back into town on the last leg of our journey. I was in the front of the group of five riding along close to the white line when a pickup truck blows by fairly close. As I look up to glare at the driver, I see him gesture with his hand towards the right, as if to say get off the road. Obviously he hasn’t read his morning paper yet. Usually, I just give a friendly wave as if I misinterpreted their intention, but for whatever reason today it struck me wrong, so I gave him the finger. He is about 30 yards up the road by now and returns my one-fingered salute in kind. And his brake lights come on, but just for a second. Perhaps his wife in the passenger seat was screaming at him like mine, who was riding right behind me, was screaming at me. Now I’m hoping he didn’t read the paper because maybe he would see my smiling face (and name) and put it together that was me on the bike.

Because yesterday was so busy, when I got home last night I barely had the energy to post, let alone read my usual blogs, so imagine my surprise when I read this blurb in Will’s blog and thought how close I had come having something like that happen to me.

My Sore Butt

Went for a bike ride for the first time in about a month. Just 15 little miles around town and now my butt hurts. I’m not tired or anything, just my sit bones ain’t used to it no more. How the mighty have fallen, as little as 5 years ago a 60 mile day in the saddle would bring not a wimper from any part of my body, as they say, “Use it or lose it.” I’ve lost it.

Never Wax Inside

Used the California Duster on the car this afternoon and discovered several more reminders on why I shouldn’t wax the car in the garage. Wiped that dried wax off a few places, but later this evening, in the fading sunshine, I noticed there are still a few more spots. Sigh…

Rode the bikes to work today, so if it wasn’t for the monthly meeting of the Aiken Bicycle Club, the Miata would not have gotten driven today. Is there something wrong with that picture? Bicycle to work and drive to a bicycling function?

Started down, still down.
Top Transitions since 02/02/02: 265

Bike ride in the morning,

Bike ride in the morning, grocery shopping and lunch out with Donna and her Mom, afternoon in front of the computer doing newsletters and the evening in front of the computer goofing off. The Miata sat all day.

Started up, still up.
Top Transitions since 02/01/02: 31

Rednecks*

My wife and I went for a short bike ride this afternoon. Stopped at a light waiting to cross and a pick-up truck drove by from left to right on the road we were waiting to cross. As they passed one of the occupants shouted something that I couldn’t make out. My wife on the other hand heard them say, “Get off the f@$%ing road, roads are for cars!” We weren’t in front of him slowing his progress, we hadn’t cut in front of him by crossing the street on the red light, nothing, yet they/he took offense to a couple of adult cyclists on a sunny Sunday afternoon.