Thursday; May 17,2012: Ride #17 of 30 in 31

      Short and sweet,since this is the second post of the day-besides,I don’t want to let loose the cat from its bag to those who don’t know yet what the project has been,LOL!

      Suffice to say,I’m well pleased,though a few changes will needs be made as funds are available,but overall,it was a fun test ride on a new old friend. Just by dumb luck,I got in just before the clouds burst and lots of lightning began flashing. Apparently,we didn’t have as bad lightning as some surrounding areas going on the 11PM local news show,there were some houses (one a very historical 100+ year old house) caught fire and burned. Investigators are thinking lightning was the culprit,but no one has said if anyone was injured or worse-our prayers go out to all those affected.

      ANYways,I’ll reveal all tomorrow sometime,after another ride (rain permitting…I know that’s lame,but all I gots is a $1 poncho,remember? ),and I’ll have some pics to post up as well. Wishing everyone a grand night tonight

Bike:                                  The Secret Project Bike

Place:                                 Bristol,VA/TN

Type of Ride:                   Joy Ride

Time of Day:                    Late Evening

Ride Time:                        00:53:22

Average Speed:                N/A

Max Speed:                       N/A

Mileage:                            9.84 Miles

Mileage This Week:        56.43 Miles

Mileage This Month:      275.12 Miles

Wednesday; May 16,2012: Ride #16 of 30 in 31

      Yesterday I didn’t do any laps or such,but I did run a few errands (and took the longer way around) by bike,as it’s just the right thing to do when one’s able,and I needed to blow off a bit of steam anyways,not add steam by driving,LOL!

      It was a decent ride,and I noticed some things about myself. For instance,I’ll ride one of my bikes for periods of time,and then I’ll switch and ride another,then another,then another. I’ve been riding the Citizen Miami all this week,and have been enjoying it immensely. Though I have no experience with more expensive folding bikes,I still find myself thinking “Wow…this thing was under $250?”,not because it’s ultra lightweight (HAhaha….whoops,did I say that out loud? ),or built up with ultra high-end parts,or extraordinarily nice in any one area…it just feels comfortable underneath me,handles well,goes at a reasonable speed without excess work,is attractive to the eye,and well…still feels more expensive than it was.

      Yesterday was a great day for my mailbox,as I received the new issues of two of my favorite magazines…Urban Velo and Bicycle Times. Good day indeed Great day,actually,as this is the new issue of UV that features Nick and I on page 12,riding the city and loving it I must needs buy a few extra copies,LOL! Hmmm…..maybe unconsciously knowing it was coming soon is why I started riding the Citizen so often lately? IDK.

      As a side note on a nother subject entirely,my “secret project” is complete and in my possession,look for a post on that in the near future if it had piqued your curiosity

Bike:                                  2012 Citizen Miami

Place:                                Bristol,VA/TN

Type of Ride:                   Errands

Time of Day:                    Mid Day

Ride Time:                        01:37:12

Average Speed:                N/A

Max Speed:                       N/A

Mileage:                            14.71 Miles

Mileage This Week:        46.59 Miles

Mileage This Month:      265.28 Miles

Tuesday; May 15,2012: Ride #15 of 30 in 31

      Wow…I’m sorta half-way through this already? (technically,15.5 days is half of a 31 day month,LOL! ) While there have been a couple of times I had to kinda make myself go out and ride,overall and mostly it’s been a really fun month so far,and I haven’t had my spinal issues flare up more than usual,so I have to say,SWEET!!!

      I’ve been riding the Miami ever since the Creeper ride last Saturday (I wouldn’t hesitate to ride it on a rail trail either,BTW,it’s more than capable ),and I have to say it really is a joy to ride,especially considering it’s the least expensive bike I’ve owned (for myself) in decades. I’ll be doing a 90 Day Review of it in the not-too-distant future,but I can tell you now,it’s looking promising,I’m still well pleased with the bike overall,and do not regret the purchase.

      Anyways,I’m feeling pretty good,as far as riding the rest of the month,so long as nothing unforseen or random* pops up unexpectedly,I’m very excited about being able to finish…the legs feel good,the lungs breathe better than any teen or older in the household (and I’m the one that smokes in the household,though not around anyone else,hahaha! ).

      I’m still waiting on a small part for the secret project…it’s been sitting in shop for this,the 9th day today…those who know me know me as a laid-back and friendly sort,but patience has never really been a virtue that I have had or enjoyed the prospect of (not that I’m “instant gratification”,just that waiting sucks),but after a visit today,it looks like they’ll actually be able to start on it this evening/tomorrow and I can unveil it.

      Also,in anticipation of the bike-camping to come,I picked out/up a budget tent and one adult sleeping bag today-I figure Nick should be with me to pick his out,and I didn’t like the feel of any of the store’s sleeping pads. A complete list of what we’ll be needing it isn’t,but those are two of the big three items knocked off the “need list”. I’ll wait until the bill for the project is paid before opening those ( just in case of unforseen things in the cost of the project pop up ),but look for initial impressions of what your Wal-Mart gift card (or in my case,cash) buys you now-a-days shortly after,as well as a review of how and if they actually perform for the meager expense…I mention this here because my excitement is growing that the time is getting closer every day,LOL! If you didn’t know,I really am just a big kid in some ways**:P

*   Other than the moderate issues that are constant,pain,stiffness,lack of motion range,etc.

** I fear if I allow myself to fully grow up,I’ll too quickly become a broken-down old man,in part because of mentioned issues spinally

Bike:                                    2012 Citizen Miami

Place:                                  Bristol,VA/TN

Type of Ride:                    Joy Ride/Lap

Time of Day:                     Morning

Ride Time:                          01:58:36

Average Speed:                  N/A

Max Speed:                         N/A

Mileage:                               17.21 Miles

Mileage This Week:           31.88 Miles

Mileage This Month:         250.57 Miles

Monday; May 14,2012: Ride #14 of 30 in 31

      Wow it’s raining out there today! Methinks I must needs to upgrade my rain riding kit (which consists of only that $1 poncho and some grocery bags on my feet inside my shoes ).

      I honestly didn’t even enjoy this ride very much,I just made myself go through it so as to keep that 1 free day still available in case I need it more later. I’m sure after I get warmed up a bit (just out of the shower) I’ll not feel badly about having done it,but right now,sitting here shivering whilst wearing the Wife’s fuzzy and very pink robe…nah,I didn’t enjoy today’s ride at all. I’m,of course,REALLY looking forward to tomorrow’s,just REALLY hoping it’s drier. I don’t like riding in a downpour,especially amongst idiot drivers who haven’t a clue how to safely move their vehicle when the road is wet (to be fair…I feel the same about the majority of drivers when I’m one of em ).

      Does this dampen my love of cycling or my commitment to this month’s challenge? HECK no,LOL! I feel this way every time I ride in a downpour with no real rain gear,EVERY time,and every time I am also glad I went after the shock of it passes My best guess as to why I detest riding in the rain so much is the year+ that I spent driving a semi-local gig for a construction company that last year I was allowed to work. I may have been the “driver”,but once we arrived to the job site,I was just another construction worker in all weather,and some of the rain on colder days I worked in kind-of ruined being able to enjoy being out in the rain for me. That may pass one day,but I’d be surprised,LOL! I digress though…some people absolutely love being out in the rain…”one man’s treasure” as the saying goes.

      Anyways,there’s a cup of hot chocolate waiting to be microwaved for me,I hope everyone else is enjoying their Mondays

Bike:                                   2012 Citizen Miami

Place:                                 Bristol,VA/TN

Type of Ride:                    Recovery Ride

Time of Day:                     Morning

Ride Time:                         00:53.12

Average Speed:                  N/A

Max Speed:                         N/A

Mileage:                               7.31 Miles

Mileage This Week:          14.67 Miles

Mileage This Month:        233.36 Miles

Sunday; May 13,2012: Ride #13 of 30 in 31

      Yesterday I had me a shortish recovery ride of sorts. I felt like riding an more upright bicycle after having ridden drop bars all day Saturday,leaving only able to ride a folder currently,so the Citizen got the nod (the Schwinn was not taken by the friend as expected,will be going on CL soon).

      Just a quick spin down to State Street,then out the town’s shortest MUP/bike path out and back. It was raining a bit,but nothing like it is as I type and get ready for today’s ride (which given the current downpour and weather report,will be another folder ride,and another shortish one,LOL! ). I’ll be using the entirety of my wet weather riding gear…my $1 poncho,hahahahaha!!!

Bike:                                  2012 Citizen Miami

Place:                                Bristol,VA/TN                                    

Type of Ride:                   Recovery Ride

Time of Day:                    Morning

Ride Time:                        1:00:36        

Average Speed:                N/A

Max Speed:                       N/A                

Mileage:                            7.36 Miles       

Mileage This Week:        7.36 Miles

Mileage This Month:      226.05 Miles

Happy Mother’s Day to Every Mama Out There!!!

The title says it all,but I mean it,I hope every Mother,Grand or Great Grandmother out there has/had an awesome day today.

The Wife and I spent ours taking Jamie to the doctor for a worsening head-cold (turns out it’s a severe sinus infection and inner right ear infection),but it was,none-the-less,an enjoyable day spent together (Nick opted to stay and visit with my Mom,his “Momaw”,as we have been unable to find a pediatrician willing to accept Jamie and Nick as new patients ANYwhere in the Tri-Cities,not one out of ALL the doctor’s offices and clinics in this area, so we had to drive all the way to their regular doctor from the old area-we love those doctors however,and one of their team was actually also my own pediatrician while I was growing up as well…it’s been ALMOST a year of living here and looking,BTW,I’m ASHAMED of the medcal profession in the Tri-Cities…but I digress,that’s a rant for another day )

I did have a nice,short,recovery ride today in the rain,but as we’re about to sit for a family movie (“We Bought A Zoo”),I’ll have to post it later tonight/tomorrow,it was around 6-8 miles,I’ll have to look at the computer. So ANYways,I do hope all the Mom’s out there feel special today,it’s your day

Saturday; May 12,2012: Ride #12 of 30 in 31

      The “Secret Project’s” needed part wasn’t delivered by the UPS-Man yesterday,so I did indeed head down to the Virginia Creeper Trail all by myself this morning. I had only intended a metric half (century;what is that…33-ish miles?),but wound up riding with a new friend after fixing a flat on her bike (hey,don’t get your mind in the gutter,she’s a nice middle-aged college professor,and as happily married as myself…besides,we both stank of miles ridden,LOL ),and the good conversation made the miles fly by,so I overshot that by a few miles,LOL! It’s all good though,if I make it there next week,I’ll get to meet her hubby and we’ll all ride together,it’s ALWAYS nice to meet new bike-buddies!

      When we got to Damascus,Virginia,traffic along-side the trail was backed up for a few miles due to all the awesome yard sales (I just missed the option to buy a really nice late 90′s steel framed TREK 820 for a steal at $30,LOL,by like 5 minutes…the new owner turned down a $50 bill for it,sigh…)…

      Just south of Damascus city limits,one crosses yet another cool bridge,but just underneath is some very beautiful water flow…I HAD to stop and admire this a few minutes (the pics do NOT do it justice,I’m afraid).

       On the way back,the nice lady and I stopped at a trailside cafe for some grub. She of course,ate a nice looking and sensible salad,but being the nutritional role model I am,I had a very large,very tasty burger with fries,LOL!

      Yep…it was gooooooood

       These were the last of the pics I shot,on the way back,as I was growing tired,LOL,so I didn’t stop as much,and my new friend (whom I respectfully didn’t shoot any pics of-it would be hard to explain the Wife ,and would have just seemed creepy to me,so I didn’t,LOL!)

      This was a nice ride to end the week with,a nice (for me) long one at that. Good ride,good company with good conversing,good grub in the middle…this is why I love cycling! I hope everyone is having a wonderful weekend,and if I miss post until Monday for tomorrow’s ride (which will,no doubt be a short recovery ride,and given what day it is….),I want to wish all the Mother’s out there a very blessed and happy Mother’s Day,and since it falls tomorrow-his actual birthday-I want to again wish Nick (THE bestest Son a Dad could ever ask for) a very happy birthday

Bike:                                   2011 Origin 8 700CX

Place:                                 Virginia Creeper Trail

Type of Ride:                    Joy ride

Time of Day:                     Morning to Afternoon

Ride Time:                        03:44:44

Average Speed:                10.6 MPH

Max Speed:                       26.7 MPH

Mileage:                            40.11 Miles

Mileage This Week:        138.65 Miles

Mileage This Month:      218.69 Miles

Friday; May 11,2012: Ride #11 of 30 in 31

      I just rolled in from a nice lap,done during a beautiful Spring-like day with barely a cloud in the sky,mid 70′s,cool breeze….ahhhhhh,life’s good

      Rather than just a regular lap,I decided to mix it up a bit,and did my lap backwards,and when I got home,as the Wife had already left for work,I decided to roll back down to the Corner Dawg Lot,a local award-winning hotdog joint-through on a pannier and got it to go,came home and ate it,even shared a couple of bites with a very appreciative Moonlight (a rare treat for our beloved K9 companion,human food )…hey,how many calories had I pedaled off? Besides,I never,ever-EVER claimed to be a nutritional role model

      I’ll know today in an hour or so,after calling PFB whether I’ll be dropped off to ride the secret project home tomorrow,or whether I’ll be rolling down to the Virginia Creeper Trail for 20-30 miles-and yes,I’ll break down and shot some pics either way,I know I haven’t been lately (been more interested in making the miles faster),and I apologise to those who may have enjoyed seeing them.

      Also,once the secret project is here and finished,I’ll be setting my sights on getting ready for Nick and my first bike-camp/mini-tour trip. As of now,we’re looking forward to doing the Creeper north to south (mostly uphill),tent camping for the night,and coasting the 33.4 miles back to the Mercky-Van. Realising that 33.4 miles of slightly uphill may be a bit much for Nick at 10 years old (come Sunday he will officially be double-digit aged),so we may actually camp 2 nights for the 66.8 miler,we’ll see how he feels. Once we get that first trip out-of-the-way,next month,I’m really hoping we can step it up a few miles-though these are flat miles-and do a few day mini-tour down and back up the New River Valley rail trail (57-60 miles one way,beginning in Pulaski,VA,down to the fork where we’ll lean right and stop in Galax,VA for our turn around spot),and before school starts back up at the end of summer,I’d LOVE to do the 80 miles south-north-south of WV’s Greenbriar River rail trail with him (160 round trip miles,slightly downhill coming south),maybe do a little fishing and swimming along the way……LOL,as you can see,my mind’s been busy,hahaha!

      First,we’ll need some camping gear…as what little we had,was lost to last year’s house fire. Since we can’t afford to go to an “outfitter” for top quality gear,we’ll be going to the bane of my existance…..Walmart (ugh!),to pick up at least a two-man tent and a couple of sleeping bags with pads,maybe a camp lantern. BUT,that’s another post,now isn’t it?

      So anyways,the weatherman here says at least the first half of the weekend will be gorgeous,so I’m looking forward to it. I hope everyone has an awesome time of it as well

Bike:                                   2011 Origin 8 700CX

Place:                                  Bristol,Va/Tn                                    

Type of Ride:                    Laps and out to the Corner (hot)Dawg Stand

Time of Day:                     Mid Day

Ride Time:                        01:30:52        

Average Speed:                11.5 MPH

Max Speed:                       27.0 MPH

Mileage:                            17.54 Miles       

Mileage This Week:        98.54 Miles

Mileage This Month:      178.58 Miles

Thursday; May 10,2012: Ride #10 of 30 in 31

Pretty wiped out between chores,b-ball with Nick and this short ride,no more words today,LOL!

Bike:                                   2012 Citizen Miami

Place:                                  Bristol,Va

Type of Ride:                    joy/recovery ride

Time of Day:                     Afternoon         

Ride Time:                        00:43:13

Average Speed:                N/A

Max Speed:                       N/A                

Mileage:                            7.81 Miles       

Mileage This Week:        81.00 Miles

Mileage This Month:      161.04 Miles

Wednesday; May 9,2012: Ride #9 of 30 in 31

      Today,I took it easy. Not the least of which because it poured rain for most of it,LOL! I left out during one of the frequent dry spells,but though it didn’t last,I didn’t get too wet.

      I needed a rest break after the last several days having ridden harder or farther than is usual for me,and where some of it has been later at night,I’ve been achy and not sleeping as well…maybe that trucker-sleep-pattern is finally going away So today’s ride,while a bit slow going (due to my aching,not the gearing or lack of on the Miami),I enjoyed the ride.

      I probably need a recovery-type ride tomorrow as well,we’ll see how I feel. I would have felt good (physically) with half the miles I rode today (not emotionally though ).

    On another note,I did indeed pirate some parts from the Bandersnatch today down at PFB. While i’s certainly possible,I doubt there will be funds to piece it back together to mtn bike anymore in ’12. I pulled the complete drivetrain (crankset/BB,cassette,shifters and rear-only derailluer),brake levers,handlebars,and computer from it for the new secret project,leaving only a front derailluer needed to complete it. (Buzz having took it upon himself to Dremel the frame to fit the not exactly fitting front mech during it’s initial buildup,until it breaks,it’s now a permanent fixture on the frame if I have choice about it). That’s all the information I’ll divulge at this point on that subject.

      Well,I hope everyone had a great humpday (that’s the hump in the middle of the week,it’s all downhill until the weekend now ) enjoyed with friends and family. EVERYday should be enjoyed so,as we don’t know how many we have left,so cherish the day,I say

Bike:                                   2012 Citizen Miami

Place:                                  Bristol,Va/Tn

Type of Ride:                    Errands and recovery ride

Time of Day:                     Afternoon

Ride Time:                        1:01:58

Average Speed:                N/A

Max Speed:                       N/A

Mileage:                            8.77 Miles

Mileage This Week:         73.19 Miles

Mileage This Month:       150.23 Miles