1.31.2011 Ride: Through a Wet-Sprinkled Lens

Timing is everything.  The other day, I was on Hwy 45, a fast throughway where one is just not certain what  mood a a driver might be in.  A semi comes around the curve behind me and doesn't show any signs of slowing down.  Cars are coming from the other direction and the shoulder is miniscule at best.  He honks from about 200 feet away and I'm trying to figure out just want does he want me to do. Ride off into the ditch?  Maybe.  I pull as close to the esge of the road as I can, as well as leaning my body off to the right.  It's always hard to determine how close these calls are but there wasn't a whole lot of breathing room between the two of us.
Today, my ride started off with dry roads.  The clouds looked like rain but I rode anyway.  Halfway through the ride heavy mist/drizzle did kick in.  I'm on Hwy 45 again headed home.  Despite the rain, it's been a good ride and I'm enjoying being out.  I try to ride very safety oriented.  I always wear yellow.  Today, both my pannier bags are sprouting their yellow covers, And, now with the rain, I have turned on my intense red flashing light that is strapped to my Camelbak.  I also ride with a helmet mirror which is a real lifesaver.  It allows me to observe the cars approaching from behind and if I don't see them inch over or towards the center lane, I know I need to take decisive measures, which I have done more than once.  Today, with the rain, the headlights glare off the droplets on my mirror and it's hard to judge exactly where a vehicle is in the lane behind me.  I'm approaching almost the same spot as the other day when the truck came up from behind.  I look in my mirror and, sure enough, there is another semi.  But, as I said, timing is everything.  I am not in the exact spot but a couple of hundred yards earlier in the road where there is a small "left turn only" lane up ahead.  As luck would have it, the truck and I both reach the extra width in the road at the same time and he easily passes me.  Having the extra space was nice.  But even without it, I sensed that this driver was different.  He was slowing down and he was trying to look out for me, trying to make sure our paths crossed up ahead on the road where there was more breathing room.  There was also the timing of having that driver in that truck on that curve in the road on this rainy day.  I value those close bonds that exist for what seems like only a micro-second. Those micro-seconds add up to create troves of treasured time.

1.30.2011 Ride: Patrick, the Egg Man

 After a full morning of running errands and getting back home at 2:00,  and being tired from all the riding the past two days, it was a bit difficult getting motivated to go riding.  I immediately came across my neighbor Steve when I rode out (a missed photo blog op) and had no trouble procrastinating and talking with him a few minutes.  He is a biker also but likes racing.  I'm always amazed at the speed racers are able to maintain over a long distance. 
The day was gray and damp and I guess the picture of the dilapidated barn conveys the low-key feeling I was experiencing.  I was surprised that at about the 10 mile mark in my ride today I really perked up and the damp, cool air actually felt refreshing.  The rest of my ride in the nieghborhood moved along rather effortlessly and I stopped only because I had to get home to make dinner.  During the last mile, my phone rang.  I didn't answer it but it turned out to be my neighbor Patrick letting me know that his chickens did indeed lay a full dozen eggs.  So, on the way way home I paid a visit to the Egg Man.  Interestingly, the picture of the barn above was probably an old chicken coop.

Patrick, the Egg Man.  The freshest dozen eggs in town!

Today's Ride: 18.33 miles.  43 degrees.  8mph wind.
Miles YTD:  583.81

1.29.2011 Ride #2. Joe

Squeezed in a second ride today.  Definitely a condition ride for the long trip.  Even though the temp was 71, the 14mph wind was not making this as pleasurable ride as the one this morning.  As I was out, I passed by Joe's house and I remembered that I said I would try to come by today to massage his arm.  So, I rode for about an hour and then swung by Joe's.
We were in Colorado in June of 2009, when we got word that Joe had had a biking accident and was paralyzed from the ncek down; his wheel got caught in the plank of a bridge.  At first, it was thought that he broke his neck.  But later it was discovered that he had a bone spur on his neck vertabrae that pinched into the spinal chord.  His accident certainly gave me pause, especially since I was about to leave on my Fayetteville, AR to Fayetteville, GA trip.  And, I too had nerve problems.  So, to be on the safe side, I had an MRI down and, sure enoguh, I had a bone spur as well.  The doctor said that, yes, if I was involved in some accident that caused trauma to my neck, like a car accident or a severe fall bike accident, it could be of concern.  But, he did not say that I shouldn't do the trip.  And I did.  One of the most memorable events in my life.  I would say that Joe probably was a strong influence in getting me more involved in road biking.  I had been riding a mountain bike and kept entertaining the idea of getting a road bike.  Joe was working out for Ride the Rockies and the idea of pursuing such a lofty road trip inspired me to finally make the switch.  So, thank you Joe.
2nd Ride today: 13.16 miles.  71 deg.  Miles YTD:  565.48

1.29.2011 Ride: Sunrise Ride

The warm spell continues and the high is supposed to be 67-69 later today. But at 6:30 this morning, with the temp at 44, the bike was calling.  I especially like to jump on the bike early after a day of long riding as I get a good indication of how my body is feeling.  This is important with a long ride coming up.  Getting on the bike was easy.  Riding was easy.  What a beautiful morning.  No wind, a thin crescent moon in the sky.  Surprisingly, my butt wasn't sore as I expected it would be.  At the end of one road, I saw two coyotes that quickly ran off and had no intention of sticking around long enough for me to take a picture.  I waited about two minutes for the sun to emerge in the photo.  Not a spectacular sunrise but wonderful all the same.  Within 15 minutes the reddish glows were completely gone and the sun was a stark white.
Todya's Ride:  12.27miles.  43 degrees.  Miles YTD: 552.32

1.28.2011 Ride: Zam & Duger

An absolutely gorgeously beautiful day today.  When I headed out in the morning, it was 43 but it quickly warmed up and reached a high of 61. Plus, low humidty and mild wind made for a great day for anything.  In anticipation of my Fayetteville to Little Rock ride in a little over a week, I wanted to get some good miles in.  I also had several errands to run.  It felt great using the bike to ride all over town and getting tasks accomplished.  And then, with the sun setting, I reached my goal of riding at least 50 miles today.
On the bike trail, I passed Zam and (Zam, I hope I remembered your dog's name correctly) Duger.  Zam was kind enough to let me take his picture.  His tie-dye shirt seemed most appropriate for this spring-like day.  Zam handed me his card and he boasts the title of InterDimensional Wizard.  Thanks for stopping and talking with me, Zam.
Today's Ride:  50.13 miles.  61 degrees.  Sunny.
Miles to Date:  540.05

1.27.2011 Ride. Ice Patch

Wiiiinddddyyy today.  15-25mph wind but the temp got up to 53.  Added some weight to the pannier bags and, because of the wind, I was blowing around like crazy.  Sometimes when I was riding into the wind it felt as if I was dragging an anchor.  Though, I still enjoyed getting out there. 
The ice patch in the picture has caused some slight consternation for several days.  Even though the snow is almost completely gone everywhere else, this patch holds on stubbornly, despite reaching the 50s today.  It's near the end of a a downhill and since it's part of my neighborhood loop, I pass it several times during a ride.  The dry spot is fairly wide, yet when I go through it, I get filled with anxiety worrying that the wet spot has some how mysteriously freezed over even if the temperature is well into the 40s.  Doesn't matter that I may have just passed over it 15 minutes ago.  Today, because of the wind, the spot caused actual terror.  The wind picked up just as I was approaching, coming at me broadside from my right.  Because of the pannier bags, the wind pushed me right into the path of the ice in the middle of the road.  I thought wipe out for sure but I managed to guide the bike back to the dry area just in time. 
BTW:  The dead looking furry thing in the foreground is actually a stuffed animal that belongs to Hobbes, a dog who lives just off to the left.
Today's Ride: 15.24 miles.  53 deg.  15-25mph winds  WSW  Sunny

1.26.2011 Ride: Reality Monument

I normally see this structure when I do the ride over Round Mt.  However, I was surprised to notice this building a few weeks back along the ride I did again today, which takes me into the mostly undeveloped Waterford development.  There, across the river and up the hill she/he/it was.  Suddenly, I realized that another development where some friends live, was also located just across the river from where I was standing. What a curious feeling as if the universe had just shrank.  It made me rethink what we take for granted for being true.  How easily our perception of the truth could be changed and our beliefs shown to be false.
Whenever I pass this building, I'm never quite sure what to think of it.  An elaborate barn?  Interesting house?  Sometimes I wonder if it's supposed to look like the Shuttle spaceship.  But now, it has also become a  monument to questioning if what we think is true, really is.
I did meet the owners of this building one time when I was riding up Round Mt.  The building was still under construction and it didn't have the tail yet.  They said I should come by when the place was finished.  Hmm.  There is another possibility.  They did seem religious so maybe it's some sort of cathedral but there is no sign by their driveway signifying that.
Today's Ride:  20.1 miles.  Sunny, 15mph wind from WSW.

1.25.2011 Ride

It may still be January and there are still patches of snow on the ground, but taking a road trip is still on my mind.  Carol has a dinner in Little Rock on February 11 which she would like me to attend as well, so I'm thinking why not make a road trip out of it.  I'm planning to take five days through some very pretty parts of Arkansas.  Today, I did a 21 mile test ride with a light load. My average was definitely slower but all-in-all the ride went well which included two good climbs.

1-24-11 Ride

This is one of days where, after not getting a good night sleep, being busy in the morning working on the computer and then running errands in the early afternoon, it's tempting to not want to go ride.  And, if I didn't have the challenge, I probably would have stayed put.  But what a beautiful day it was.  Once I was out there, it still took 10 miles for me to get into a rhythm. I ended up doing 20 miles but easily could have done more.
I am very fortunate to be in a neighborhood where great views surround us.  This is looking north towards Sonora.

Barn: Off Zion Rd 1-23-11 Ride

I have passed this barn several times on my rides.  It is just off Zion between Butterfield Coach Rd and Crossover.  On the other side of Zion there are still cow pastures.  Abutting up next to the barn are relatively new homes.  It makes for an interesting juxtaposition.

One lane bridge over Lake Sequoyah

One lane bridge over Lake Sequoyah.  I'm always intrigued and find something enchanting about one lane bridges no matter how basic the bridge itself may be.  This was taken in the late afternoon with the sun casting long shadows of the railing.