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I don’t want for too much. I’m perfectly (mostly) happy with my crappy old truck to get me around and I really don’t want stuff (such as electronic items and clothing).
But after reading this blog I really want a new bicycle. One just like it with all the widgets so I can ride to my sisters in Cleveland Ohio.
And I promise not to let this happen.
Ok Santa?
Till later,
Jacque – Out
No, the terrifying situation I’m referring to isn’t the fact that I’m back to blogging. Nor is it the fact that this can happen to you.

Not even slighty scary
What’s so heinous, so hideous, so very sad is this….

Gasp!!
You see, almost 3 months ago I developed a slight cough, then it went into being kinda weak and tired, then these hacking almost blacking out coughs developed.
Of course, being the consummate medical professional I ignored it. Realizing that like most of life’s problems if you ignore it it’ll go away.
But for some reason it didn’t. I don’t really know why. Though in my defense, I have to say I never reached the gold standard of actually passing out or coughing up blood.
So after finally going to the doctor I have self diagnosed myself as better mostly. And believe I am ready to jump back on.
The inital rides will short, I’m thinking of something along the lines of to The Scoop and back with a visit at Pat’s and hopefully I’ll see John there.
But I’m a bit worried, concerned even. How difficult will it be? Will other bicyclists shun me? Heck I heard the other day that this one guy rode the day after having his leg amputated. (not really true, I just thought it sounded good)
So here it is. I’m down for my first ride. I’ll be at The Scoop tomorrow (Sunday) around 1pm if anyone wants to hook up.
Down with cobwebs on the bike!
Till later,
Who Loves Ya?
For Immediate Release:
Flash!
For some reason or another you or someone that knows you (mainly Jacque) has you on an e-mail list called “Bicycle Riders”. But that isn’t the reason for the e-mail.
It’s time to BUY SOME STUFF VIA BICYCLE!!
This Saturday, 9am we’ll meet at The Scoop with our bicycles/Xtracycycles or other human powered conveyance and hit some yard sales. It’ll give you the perfect opportunity to purchase some duds or accessories for Prom (if you don’t know what I’m referring to click the link).
Remember, if you can’t fit it on your bicycle you probably don’t need it.

It Fit!
Till later,
Jacque – Out
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If you’re wondering what this is all about, click here
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Yeah, yeah. I didn’t do an entry yesterday. So sue me. Directly upon getting home from some fire department training yesterday evening I jumped on the bicycle and rode over to Garth and Cindy’s for a party. Not a long ride (they live in the Perry District) but enjoyable. Especially since Cindy put out an awesome spread of food. I proceeded to eat a lot and drink most of the beer I took over. By the time I got home I really wasn’t in shape to do a blog entry. We’ll just leave it at that.
So today, I again got home from class and jumped on the bike. But instead of going somewhere to eat good food and drink beer I went to Jeff and Lisa’s house. Lisa occasionally does seamstress stuff and is very good at it. So after a couple of years of talking, negotiations and dealing with the anxiety of possible loss or destruction from fire, earthquake or other catastrophe I handed over the beloved winged helmet cover.

I obtained this cover about 15-years ago at a dollar store. It’s served me well. Besides being instantly recognizable it really does help keep me warm when it’s cold out and dryer when it’s raining. It probably wasn’t made to last this long. This picture of it is actually about 2-years old and now it’s gotten kinda yellow and lost it’s spring. So Lisa is going to try to clone it. I have faith, really I do.
After Lisa pried the cover from my hands and I got done crying. I headed out to continue todays ride. From their house I went west on 26th, honked at John’s place then down to 25th where I was able to yell at Pat’s house. For some reason or other they didn’t respond to my hails. After I spoke to SPD (something about suspicious activity) I headed North down the closed section of Lincoln.
Lincoln Blvd right now is fun. It’s totally closed to vehicle traffic due to reconstruction of the street. This first phase of the work has the asphalt being removed exposing the previous surface of brick. While kinda cool looking it has also brought out scavengers galore. From 25th down to 19th I saw one group of kids and two groups of adults digging up the old bricks. They kinda looked like miners or maybe Egyptian grave robbers. I sure hope, or actually they sure hope taking them won’t bring curses upon them. I didn’t get any pictures of the miners/robbers for a couple of reasons. For one I don’t want any curses raining upon me, and for another just in case it’s illegal there’s no need for me to bring the po-leece upon them. They’re going to have enough problems dealing with the curses.

May the curse of the road brick miss ya
Still on Lincoln when you get beyond the exposed brick the roadway is a mud that has a clay-ish consistency. If you’re on a skinny tired bicycle you really need to be careful. There are parts that look like hard pack and are and others that look like hard pack and aren’t.

Hardpack?
I was riding along at about 10 mph when I hit a section of dirt that was so soft that it felt as if both brakes were suddenly applied. It looked the same as the rest of the road but was very, very soft. I’m guessing that the brick were laid on a base of clay and that during construction the road is sprayed with water to keep the dust down.
So, that was it for the weekend rides.
Day 29 – 3 miles in 14 minutes at an average speed of 11mph, max of 25.
Day 30 – 9 miles in 48 minutes at an average speed of 11mph, max of 25. To date: 251 miles in 22 hours 16 minutes.
Till later,
Who Loves Ya?
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To see daily and average mileage click here
If you’re wondering what this is all about, click here
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I care for you, I really do. But you see, well, it’s me. No, no it isn’t anything you’ve done, it’s just that I, well, you see, I’m seeing another. Up till recently I’ve been faithful. Ok, there was those other times but heck, I couldn’t get what I needed from you so I had to go elsewhere. That didn’t really count did it?
It really came to head today when I went to the open house. What’s that? Yes, I went to the open house. When was the last time you had an open house?!
So there it is my dearest LBS, I’m seeing another. The Other even has a name.

P2P, excuse me, Pedals to People is a great place. If you’ve ever met I’m sure you’d like each other. It’s bright, cheery, the staff is helpful and reasonable, oh ho boy are the prices reasonable. And honestly P2P gives me something you don’t, an education.
I take the ride in, the staff shows me what needs to be done, I’ll purchase the necessary part and it gets done. Mostly by me. They aren’t quite the enabler that some others have been.
I’m sure we’ll remain friends. I mean hey, we both have needs don’t we?
Till later,
Who Loves Ya?
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To see daily and average mileage click here
Day 28 – 4 miles in 24 minutes at an average speed of 9mph, max of 25. To date: 239 miles in 21 hours 14 minutes.
If you’re wondering what this is all about, click here
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If you’re in Spokane today (Thursday the 8th) you’ll get today’s title right away. Winds gusting to 60mph make it pretty difficult to ride.
While at an intersection downtown a gust literally picked up the back of my bike and it moved about 3 feet to the side. I was impressed.
It’s a goal of mine to ride to see my sister in Madison Ohio and today’s ride gave me an idea of the wind I may encounter while on the plains.
In planning today’s ride I was talking to Brightspirit who stated it wouldn’t be a good idea to ride to work. After thinking about it for a moment I agreed. Then we got into a discussion about how much wind it would take to literally blow over a person on a bicycle. I’m talking about ground contact blowing over. I realize there are body surface area against the wind to consider and equipment on a bicycle for for my sake we’ll say a full side-on blast of wind onto a person that weighs 185 pounds with only a rear pannier on the bicycle. If there are any meteorologists or math type of geeks out there want to tackle it go for it.
Day 27 – 5 miles in 27 minutes at an average speed of 10mph, max of 26. To date: 235 miles in 20 hours 50 minutes
Till later,
Who Loves Ya?
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To see daily and average mileage click here
If you’re wondering what this is all about, click here
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What a great day to ride. I think I covered the gamut of what I really like to do. The day started out by riding to WSU Riverpoint for some meetings. Then I stopped at Spoke and Sport at Division and Main for some new brake pads where I received outstanding service and got a killer deal on some new shoes (See post below).
After the ride home and lunch I installed the new pads and shoe cleats and rode over to a friends house for some adjustments. Then it was off to REI to look at some more stuff, hook up with BrightSpirit over by Fresh Abundance and off to oogle the expensive new bicycles at the new shop by the Elk (anyone know the name of it? )
After a bit of drool, BS and I rode up to the PI for a beer and pizza. Upon arrival I removed the cycle computer and put it in the back pouch of the cycling jacket. Bad idea.

Cycle Computer
No permanent damage, but somehow being in the pocket of the jacket it pushed the reset button and I lost the settings and daily data.

Note to self, do not do this
So it was a good day to ride, a great day to shop and a bad day to put the do-hicky in the back pocket of the jacket.
Day 26 – 10′ish miles over the course of the day, average probably 10mph (as usual) at a top speed of really fast down Washington Hill. To date: 230 miles in 20 hours 23 minutes
Till later,
Who Loves Ya?
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To see daily and average mileage click here
Posted via email with my BlackBerry through Posterous.com.
Another bicycle in the same rack as mine.
Posted via email with my BlackBerry through Posterous.com.
If you’re wondering what this is all about, click here
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Day 25 was the closest I’ve come yet to not riding. The work day started at 7am, I taught a class then caught a trip to Sandpoint and back returning home at 8pm. Oh! Gloom, despair and agony! Better yet, shut up and ride Boy!
“I’m tired” is almost the first excuse of not riding. It ranks pretty close to “I’m running behind”. Um, too bad.
So I hauled my slacker butt on the bike and hit the road. At first it did feel pretty miserable, I was just doing it to be a team player. I mean, hey, you’re doing it, I need to too. We are riding together each day aren’t we?
That’s what I thought. Thanks.
Anyway…. After the initial miserableness wore off it was a nice ride. Just me a few pedestrians to say hello to, a heron on Manito pond and the cool night air. It didn’t take very long to wake up and enjoy the ride.
I’m beginning to enjoy the evening rides and actually wouldn’t mind scheduling one when I don’t have to ride at that time. Would anyone like to join me? If so, throw me an e-mail at ffemtjacque at the gmail address and we’ll schedule a time.
Day 25 – 4 miles in 28 minutes at an average of 9mph max of 20. To date: 220 miles in 20 hours 23 minutes.
Till Later,
Who Loves Ya?
P.S. A quick search of Craigslist showed a 42% increase in yard sales. You do know what that means don’t you?
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To see daily and average mileage click here