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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
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
If you’re wondering what this is all about, click here
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I’ve taken to riding during the night just to get the job done and have forgotten how enjoyable it is. The air is crisp, quiet and still. There’s less traffic and kind of like a voyeur as I ride down the street I can see into peoples houses and see how they live.
Not quite *that* creepy
Ususally when I’m riding at night it’s with a crowd of shouting, honking, hooting people as part of an FBC ride or I’ve completed the ride, I’m alone and quite drunk just trying to stay upright. When in that state I really don’t notice anything other than the fact I want to get to my bed.
Now due to the fact I’m either at work or on-call from around 7am till 9pm I’m “forced” to do the daily ride after or around 9pm. It’s really quite enjoyable. On my previous infrequent night rides I’ve made do with a 4-led red flasher on the front just so I’m seen by the other guy. Now that I’m doing sober night rides I’ve found it would be nice to be able to see where I’m going.
So like the fender and footie quests (thanks for all the suggestions by the way, I’ve some on order. Will have a separate post when installed) I’m shopping for headlight suggestions. My only criteria is that I want to spend less than $50. In looking at headlights online I’ve found a bunch from $400+ to $19. Keeping in mind you get what you pay for I’m steering away from the $19 model and as I’m not riding on abandoned rail trails during a new moon I really don’t need the $400+ versions.
The amount of reviews as well as the fact that some lights are described in lumens and others in candle power is confusing as hell to me. I could go the the research route and get the difference between the two powers, read comparisons and then choose the correct light for me. But come-on, we know me. I want quick, easy satisfaction. I want to be spoon fed. Just say, “Jacque, buy this light”.
You’ll say it, I’ll do it. Then I’ll shut up. (at least about lights)
Till later,
Who Loves Ya?
Day 24 – 4 miles in 24 minutes at an average of 10mph max of 20. To date: 216 miles in 19 hours 55 minutes.
If you’re wondering what this is all about, click here
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Home and happy to be. Got back around 7pm, jumped on my own bicycle (phew!) rode up the south hill and back.
Day 23 – 5 miles in 15 minutes at an average of 10mph max of 23. To date: 212 miles in 19 hours 31 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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As previously stated I’m in Richland attending a hazardous materials conference for the Fire Department. I had no idea that in two days I would have my head crammed full of more hazardous material information than I’ve ever learned in my entire career.
As soon as class was over I hit the streets on the rented bicycle of stiffness, did the daily ride, returned it to the shop and walked home.
Tomorrow promises a full day of chemistry and more confusing letters and numbers from your friend and mine the periodic table
Day 22 – 5′ish miles in about 20 minutes.
It’ll be nice to be back on my bike tomorrow.
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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If you’re not familiar with Washington state and where I’m at in relation to where I live I’m about 2 hours south and west on the shore of the Columbia river. A very dry arid place where in the summer it gets about 100 degrees.
The drive here was uneventful. At first we were going to bring the Fire Department pickup truck and I was elated that I could bring my own bike. The plan quickly changed though and we ended up bringing an SUV. So there wasn’t room. 
Upon arrival in Richland I made a bee-line for Greenies. If you come to Richland I highly recommend a visit to this store. They mix a couple of my favorite things. Bicycles and organics. They sell and/or rent bicycles, kayaks and organic/natural products. Great customer service as well as prices. For the cheap price of $40 I had a fat tired cruising bike for 24-hours.
Not to be confused with some of my dates when I was single, this is a bicycle tire brand.
Honestly I was very concerned about this bicycle I rented. For one thing It’s angles are all weird and stuff, there are only 8 gears (8!). Like how in the hell am I supposed to climb hills? Oh yea, I’m in Richland, there aren’t any hills. Being a city cruiser bike though, it does have some ergonomics I’m not used to and there are “regular” pedals on it so my cycling shoes were out.
Simulation - if this had been a bicycle Jack rented, the cart would have beer in it.
It worked out ok, after renting the bike I went a couple blocks and jumped on the trail that goes along the river.
I rode till I got hungry. After dinner at a fantastic Thai Tapas restaurant I back-tracked on the trail in the pitch dark. I did have to go very slow though, I had serious concerns about a duck or pedestrian collision.
Safe at the Inn
I made it back safely. At one time I do wish there was someone watching out for me. Just off the trail I ended up in the parking lot of a school and could see my hotel across the street. I cut across the lawn and had to ride along a fence for *5* blocks before I could get out.
It rather felt like being in a mouse maze.
Whatever.
Day 21- 10′ish miles in just about an hour or so. To date: 202 miles in 19 hours 1 minute.
Till later,
Who Loves Ya?
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To see daily and average mileage click here
A strange bike, unfamiliar city, nothing to eat and no tools. What can go wrong?
Posted via email with my BlackBerry through Posterous.com.
