DaWorm666's Highly Unoriginal Blog

Can We Tawk?

2009-08-23T12:42:00.002-04:00

Riverwalk yet again. This time went to the Mudpie and had a coffee. Felt silly standing and stinking in line behind a party of six who didn't know what they wanted, when all I wanted was a cup of joe. Eavesdropped on a UTC sorority girl talking about how Hair of the Dog is no longer hip.

Anyway, the ride was ok. I need either to get a better pump or switch my tubes to the old standard stems. My little emergency pump sucks, and my back tire needs air. I'm going to see if Harbor Freight or Tractor Supply sells a diverter and new style end, and if so, I'll modify my truck pump to have both ends.

Slack, in more ways than one...

2009-08-22T15:09:00.002-04:00

Only ridden three times since the last post. Didn't post after the other two. Both were just 10 miles on the riverwalk, although my knee was giving me fits and I was tired. Today was 15 miles, roughly, from the dam to the far side of the Walnut St. bridge at Frazier Ave. This wasn't bad, probably because it was morning and I wasn't already tired. Hopefully I'll get more opportunities coming up.

Still getting used to it.

2009-08-15T00:27:00.002-04:00

So, after a mini-vacation to Indy last weekend, I get back on the bike again this week, and boy does it hurt. It hurts for more reasons than just being 50 lbs heavier than before I got married (yes, I'm hitting 320 now). I've also got a bone chip in my right knee along with a small meniscal tear and some arthritic buildup on the underside of the kneecap found on a recent MRI. Add to that, my circulation problem I've had with my right leg for the past 8 years has now spread to my left leg as well make my feet hurt constantly. Dropping the weight will help with both, but sometime in the next month or so I'm going to have knee surgery, so the riding will stop for a while.

Anyway, 10mi on Tuesday and 10mi today. I hope to get to doing 15 four times a week and maybe longer rides on the weekend, but I'm less and less enthused about riding on the streets these days. It just isn't safe in most areas.

Brainerd Levee & Rolling Friction

2009-07-20T16:42:00.002-04:00

Rode the 10 mile loop from the beginning of the Brainerd Levee at Shallowford to and around Camp Jordan and back on Thursday. That 10 miles, although flat, is much hard than the Riverwalk, because the rolling friction of gravel is much higher than that of asphalt.

Going to do the Riverwalk again this afternoon. I'm going to try for 12 miles this time. Then I get to go home and paint a ceiling. Woot.

IIIIIIIII'MMMmmmm Baaaaaaackkkkkkk!!!!!

2009-07-13T23:47:00.001-04:00

Got a bike again (still need to pay for it) and rode 10 miles on the River Walk today. More to come later.

Missing Some Updates

2007-04-17T16:23:00.000-04:00

I haven't been keeping this thing up like I should have. I missed posting about four or five rides on the River Walk, two with my lovely wife along. When the pollen got bad, she had to stay indoors and I went for longer rides, the longest being about 12 miles I believe. The battery is dead on the bike computer so I estimated from the car distance, but I can't remember if that included doubling the mileage to account for the trip back. I think it did, though.

Anyway, that screeching bearing needs fixing. I may do that this afternoon. I really need a new bike (or at least new to me).

Not dead, yet.

2007-03-13T22:46:00.000-04:00

Road about 6 miles on the old, crappy mountain bike. Went up a decent hill, so I haven't lost everything. Hope to get the wife interested in a levee ride, sometime soon, and hope to have some money for a good bike before summer is over.

Blogger has switched formats, so I don't know how to kill the spam comments anymore. All comments from now on will be moderated.

La la la la laaaa....

2006-12-13T11:20:00.000-05:00

Still no riding. Still no bike. Still no joy.

Still fit in my pants, but only barely.

Sigh.

At least I've killed some of the SPAM.

Has it really been that long?

2006-06-11T19:09:00.000-04:00

Ok, last post 5/2/2005???? WTF?

I guess I'd better be getting me a bike, hadn't I?

Anyway, I only post here when I ride, and I had a ride, although I am not sure if it counts. You see, I got married on 5/27/2006. And went on the honeymoon 5/29/2006. The honeymoon was in Jamaica, and on Thurday of that week, my new blushing bride and I took the Jamaica Blue Mountain Bike Tour. How it works is they bus you up the side of Blue Mountain, where all that wonderful coffee is grown, then put you on a beach bike (fat tires, coaster brake and all), and let you ride the break all the way down the mountain. There was one place, about 30 yards total, that pedalling was actually required. Other than that, mostly riding that coaster brake. However, the scenery was beautiful, and we got to learn a little about how coffee is grown, harvested and prepared.

Here's a couple of pics...

Fortyfive Minutes With The Brain In Neutral

2005-05-02T19:46:00.000-04:00

First off, I forgot to post last Monday. NottaAngel and I went riding. She did very good, considering it was her first ride in years. Plus it was nice to have some company. Too many of the people I could ride with ride faster than I can, or at times I can't meet them.

Second, today will likely be my last day with the borrowed mountain bike. The owner needs it back, so that he and his girlfriend can ride together. That's cool, it was fun while it lasted. When my tax return comes in, I'll have the folding cash to go get my road bike. Looks like I may need to put in on credit beforehand, as the darned check seems to be taking forever.

Finally, the title... I rode a ten mile loop today, on the gravels at the levee and around Camp Jordan. I pushed it, and made the loop in 45 minutes on the dot, counting four stops to cross streets. I needed it. I needed my brain to shut up for a while. Of course, the endorphin buzz has worn off now, and all that is back, but I needed it to be gone a while. Many of you that read this know what I have coming up on Wednesday, and that is a part of it. There was also this past weekend, which really bothered me on a lot of levels. It involved doing something I've done far too much of in the past, and something I have done far to little of, and I'll leave it at that. But I've been in a real funk the last two days, much worse than normal (and I've never been known to be a bright and shiny dispositioned person). All of which is why I may not wait on that tax check. I'm about to have a lot of time on my hands in the evenings and especially the weekends. I only know three ways to fill it, and two of them are decidedly unhealthy, physically and otherwise. It will help with what I've done too much of, at any rate, I know that. Fortunately, these moods rarely last more than a few weeks at most, usually a few days. I'm hoping this one is the same. I certainly don't care for how things are right now.

Cohutta Firehall

2005-04-24T19:13:00.000-04:00

Went with Cat, Steve and Crash to the Cohutta firehall ride. I rode the 50K. About 3 miles short of the finish, I got rubber legs, but managed to finish. I really need a road bike. I can't climb hills for squat.

Riding with Dabone

2005-04-22T22:01:00.000-04:00

Dabone went to the levee with me today. I pushed him a little on distance, but we went slow. He'll hate me in the morning. ;)

I really need to get off my duff...

2005-04-20T20:25:00.000-04:00

Levee.

Again.

Boring.

Still, it takes under an hour and I'm still not really in shape yet (not like I have been in shape since 1985 or so.)

Don't think I'm ready for Cohutta this weekend or the Three Mountain two weeks later. I just haven't gotten it together yet.

Sigh.

When the levee breaks, I'll have no place to ride...

2005-04-19T19:19:00.000-04:00

Apologies to Led Zeppelin. Another trip around the levee, with a short stop at Wally World. May ride the Cohutta ride this weekend, but I have nightmares about the last four miles.

It's about time...

2005-04-15T00:49:00.000-04:00

Well, life and weather have beaten me down for the last three or four weeks. Others, who have their priorities straight and their shit together (or at least fake it pretty damned well) have been riding for a while. Me, well, no. But I went out today and did 10 miles on the levee. Didn't want to risk hills, or getting worn out (remember, the last ride was new year's eve). Somewhere about 7 or so into it, I really wished I hadn't had that one more smoke before starting, but the legs held out much better than the lungs. I was actually rather surprised it wasn't worse than it was. I have lost my Cateye. It is probably lost in the couch somewhere, so I have no idea about speed, but I would figure about 12 or 13 average, considering the elapsed time. I was just counting to eight (I'm a geek, if I count to ten its in hex) and trying to keep a steady cadence. Didn't hit high gear, but was one short most of the time, so there was still a bit of work in it.

I need to get the road bike, soon. I'm being pressured, of sorts, to ride the Three Mountain Challenge, although I personally like to ride up mountains in a car. (Yes, I know there is a non-mountain short ride, but really, why would anyone want to ride in a ride with that name and not even attempt at least one mountain?) I don't think the mountain bike, despite its name, would be a good thing to ride on that one. I don't know that a road bike would be better, but it certainly wouldn't be worse. This weekend is out, unless I go crazy and just buy one on Saturday. I may be going to the lemans (sp?) race in Atlanta on Sunday, so I can't shop then. Or I may not. At any rate, I haven't died, and I haven't quit, and for the four or five people that actually read this thing I suppose that's good enough news for now.

Lazy Bone and Rolling Stones

2005-03-26T19:02:00.000-05:00

I forgot to Blog a short ride on New Years Eve, but thats no excuse for not having ridden since. Will be shopping for a rode bike next week. Let the pain begin.

Yuletide Ride

2004-12-25T14:29:00.000-05:00

Cat posted a message in one of the forums we both read saying she was going to go for a ride on Christmas day, and I volunteered to join her. It wasn't to be a long ride by design, as neither of us has ridden in a while. But despite the chill and lack of condition, it was still better than nothing, which is what I've done lately. Like my last ride, we started at the Portland Park at the foot of Signal Mountain, but instead of turning off of Suck Creek Rd. and following the river, we headed on up the mountain. Not too far up the mountain, only about a mile and a quarter (which if memory serves is only about a third of the way up, maybe less), but up the mountain we went. Well, I say we, but we weren't exactly together. She's a much better rider on a much better bike, and even though she had reasons (which I won't discuss here) to be far from her normal pace, she still left me behind. I chugged on though, and waved as she started back down. Only a little less than eleven miles, but as I said, far better than zero, and good company to go along with it. I'm glad she suggested it.

Remember Me?

2004-11-13T16:03:00.000-05:00

Haven't rode much, since the time change. Actually, today was the first time since a short levee ride just before. Rode along the river starting at Suck Creek road. Got past Pot Point and turned back. Round trip 18 miles. I think I am getting a head cold. My nose runs like a faucet, but little coughing (other than from drainage) and no fever. Even so, it probably wasn't a good idea to ride like that.

Well, just keeping this thing up to date.

Old News

2004-10-14T20:59:00.000-04:00

A couple of weeks ago, I rode the Sequatchie Valley Century (well, I rode the metric, not the english) http://www.chattbike.com/events/SeqVal/2004SV/rslt_nameSV2004.htm. 62 miles on a mountain bike. Ouch. I enjoyed riding with some of the Martians on Wheels. Made the ride much more enjoyable to have someone to talk to on occasion, and a bit of encouragement when I passed my previous longest ride. Was also glad to see at least a couple of others did the metric on mountain bikes as well, so I wasn't the only crazy one out there. Of course, that evening was a friend's birthday party with a keg of Guinness, which ended up at my house with the birthday guy and another friend at about 3am, and was killed by 4:30am. All in all, a long day, but a good one.

Nine days later (Monday), I rode ten at the levee. Vacation was in between, and I should have ridden, but between having to go in to work Monday (I hate being called in on the first day of vacation), general laziness, birthday parties, football games and a bit of rain, I just didn't manage to do it. That many days off hurt. I tried to set a hard pace, because I knew I'd have to quit early as it gets dark so much earlier now. I managed about 16, which isn't too bad for gravel I suppose, even if it is flat, but started huffing and puffing at about 2. Kept it up the whole way, minus street crossing, bridge crossing, passing a several people with kids or dogs, and one spot where I never seem to be able to maintain more than about 14 or so. Still, it was harder than it should have been.

It's funny, people look at me and think I've lost weight. I still weigh 275 (confirmed that Tuesday night). I guess I've rearranged it a bit.

Still haven't looked very hard for a road bike. I wonder if winter is a slow time where bargains can be found? I also looked a bit for a place to do a one-off custom jersey. I want white with blue sleeves and the PBR logo on it. I found a place that would do a single for about $100 (after shipping) but they won't take copyrighted artwork. I doubt Pabst would even answer an enquiry. I might get a Tire Bite Ale jersey instead. Looking in the Colorado Cyclist catalog, I saw some cycling undies ( http://www.coloradocyclist.com/common/products/productdisplay2_v2.cfm?PRRFNBR=10185&CGRFNBR=411&CRPCGNBR=411&CI=1,259,411&TextMode=0 ) that might be worth looking into, if I can find them somewhere else. That place is pricey. They had headlights in there that cost $600!!! ( http://www.coloradocyclist.com/common/products/productdisplay2_v2.cfm?PRRFNBR=34227&CGRFNBR=665&CRPCGNBR=665&CI=1,226,665&TextMode=0 )

Oh well, the blog will probably be sparse for a while. Football season eats up Saturdays, the weekday evenings will be dark when the time changes. Sunday will be about it, and Sunday is a traditional lay around do nothing day for me. So who knows how much I'll be able to work in. I do have more vacation I have to take, so there will be opportunities to make up for being so slack during the last one.

Keeping a Pace

2004-09-30T02:03:00.000-04:00

The last two rides were short, and I started hard and finished weak. I didn't want to do that today, so I forced myself to stay in one gear (except for crossing roads and bridges, where I dropped a ring on the front) and one speed (about 14mph). It made a big difference. 16 miles, instead of 12, and with lots of energy left over (it was almost dark when I finished stretching, so it would have been tough to go farther). I think the next time I ride that course, I'll try for 14.5, then the next time a little more. Starting at 20 and ending at 12 isn't really doing me any good.

What a slacker...

2004-09-27T22:36:00.000-04:00

Two weeks ago it was BorCon in San Jose. Gone Sunday to Thursday, spent Friday doing things that made Saturday a no go for riding (Sunday too, actually). Last week, I rode on Tuesday, but only 12 miles on the levee (but in 45 minutes), and then more slackerdom. Saturday I would have, but I had to shop for a birthday, tailgait a ball game, go to a birthday party, then the Vols game, which led to a definite inability to do squat on Sunday...

So, I ride again today. Another 12 mile, 45 minute ride at the levee. The problem with evening rides is I get off of work at 6pm, I then have to change clothes, and if I go to the levee, it is 6:20 or so by the time I get there. The sun is on the horizon by 7:30, and it is dark by 8 something, and when DST hits, it will be worse. Maybe I can buy a headlight, but I'm not so sure I want to ride in the dark, even with flashers and a headlight.

I'm thinking about riding short rides daily, but mornings are out. I have a hard enough time getting up as it is. Yeah, slacker.

I should be able to make the Battlefield Saturday though. I figure its been so long that WK will try to kill me. As long as I don't get lost, it should be ok though. Plus with the new tires, I won't roar as much and may be able to keep up better.

Or maybe I'll be a slacker again. At least I'm good at it.

Faster Pussycat

2004-09-09T21:42:00.000-04:00

Well, that was a band name I'd heard a lot when I was younger, and I liked the name, even though when I finally heard them, I wasn't as impressed as I'd hoped to be. What does that have to do with anything? Well, not much, other than I took the loop from work to Camp Jordan and back a bit faster than last time (even counting not taking the extra bit around Shephard Rd.) I started out faster, and had to keep it up. Had to. I didn't start until 6:45 or so, and if I hadn't keep going at a good clip, it would have gotten dark before I got back. Since this bike has all of one reflector on it (one of the four that were originally on the pedals) that wouldn't be a good thing. One thing that helped was the new tires I put on it. The tires aren't "good" tires, but they do have a center ridge that makes riding on the street much better. They had road tires for a mountain bike, which I thought a rather odd thing, but I still want to get out into the woods sometime.

I got to ride in the woods a little at OutsideCon. Not much, as a lot of the time I was actually up I was drinking heavily, or it was pitch black dark. I did get to figure out why there are three rings on the front. Rocks and roots and gulleys aren't pleasant while climbing a hill at any speed other than a crawl.

Anyway, still haven't got out to look for a road bike yet, and likely won't for a bit. I'm going to San Jose this weekend and won't be back until Thursday evening. More business than pleasure (it's BorCon, the conference for Borland Software developers - geek stuff.) Three days of classes, 8 am to 8pm or sometimes later.

No Ride, Quick Question

2004-09-01T23:16:00.000-04:00

Could someone explain the difference between a road bike, cyclo-cross bike, and a triathalon bike? So far, all I can tell from looking at them is that road bikes seem to have curled handlebars, Cyclo-cross straight, and triathalon bikes seem to have these huge frames. And I probably have that all wrong.

Also, I don't understand anything about all the stats and measurements of this angle or that angle, this diameter or that length. I mean, I know what they are talking about there (pretty pictures all over the place), but nothing about why one particular measurement would be better than another and for what circumstance. Also trying to come to terms with some of the other terminology, like "cassette" (is that what the rear gears are mounted to, or where the cranks?). I remember the old days when all you needed to know were how big around the wheels were and how many speeds did it have, and the debate over whether Shimano was better than Bendix. Nowadays it appears that every single little detail can be different, from the length of the cranks to the angle of the forks to the number of spokes on the wheel. Hell, I'll have to study for six months just to know what a salesman is talking about!

Mongoose = Evil!

2004-08-31T21:52:00.000-04:00

Took the Schwinn into the shop Monday. Needed tires and such. So I rode the Mongoose today. Only 10 miles on the levee. Ouch! My thighs hurt. When I get the Schwinn back on Thurday, I'll officially have spent more on it than on buying the Mongoose in the first place. Isn't that special?

Now to find me a road bike. Been looking around. What is about cyclists and gaudy? Or worse? This one isn't so bad, though. This scares me. I could be a decent used car for that.

Any brands to look for? Any brands to avoid? I'd really like to keep it under $1,000, and I don't mind used.

Working on Strength

2004-08-28T14:50:00.000-04:00

Not going for distance much lately. Friday I rode from work again. I've got to where I can keep up nearly 10mph over the hills at Noah Reid. I don't have to drop out of the big ring anymore, either. Took a left at Bonny Oaks again and rode all the way to Lee Highway at the interstate, then back to Shallowford. About 9.5 miles. I am still looking for a good 10 mile loop with moderate hills and low traffic that I can get to and ride before dark, but haven't found the spot yet. Maybe I need a headlight. :-)

Short and Sweet (or is that Sweat?)

2004-08-25T21:48:00.000-04:00

Rained Monday, had some computer work to do Tuesday, and had to help a friend move some stuff right after work, but had to ride somewhere. So I rode from my house down to Red Bank, then down Signal Mtn. Blvd. for a bit. Turned at the Moccasin Bend trail. That hill is more than I could ride, I got about 1/4 of the way up, then walked the rest. Followed the bike path around to come back to Cherokee, then went to the Lion. Had a beer, hung out and chatted with friends, but had to leave before it got too dark. Came back up Tremont, and made it all the way up the hill to my house, and faster than last time with Cat. No, still not fast (maybe 6mph), but faster (last time I think it was closer to 4.5mph). So even though it was only 11 miles, it was a good ride, in my opinion. Don't know what I'll do Friday. I don't know any really good places to go that aren't way out of the way, and it is getting dark earlier now, so I need to ride as soon after work as I can. I'll figure something out.

A Two-fer!

2004-08-21T15:37:00.000-04:00

First of all, sorry for not posting about my ride on Wednesday. I know everyone was just dying to hear about it! Can you forgive me?

Anyway, Wednesday's ride was a bit of a combination. I started out like I have been lately going up Shallowford to Noah Reid. But when I came back to Shallowford from Cromwell, instead of heading back, I turned right and went to the levee, and rode that and one loop of Camp Jordan, then came back and finished up with Shepherd. So I started a little hilly, then a lot of flat, then a few more small hills. A bit over 22 miles.

This morning, I got up at the ungodly hour of 6:15 am. Got dressed, checked my tires, loaded up my gear and headed out to meet some of the Martians On Wheels and friends to go to Cohutta Ga. for the ride there. This ride is a cancer benefit that they've been holding for some time. The organizers were super nice, and the fire department and others in the community did a great job keeping everything running smoothly.

There were three classes, a 5 mile fun run, a 50km (31 miles) ride and a 100km (62 miles) ride. Considering that Wednesday's 22 was about the most I'd ridden, I chose the 50km route. If my Cateye is anything close to accurate, it was more like 35 miles, and the difference was telling. Not because of the distance, but because of what those last 3 or 4 miles contained (as well as a couple before them). The ride was advertised as being through the "rolling hills" of north Georgia and southern Tennessee. And for the first 30 or so, it pretty much was. There were a few hills, a couple a little tough for me, but nothing too bad. There were SAG stops at about 11 miles and about 23 miles, and that offered a chance to reload on water or gatoraid, narf a banana (not me, they upset my stomach, even though I love them), and rest a bit.

That last 5 or 6 miles though, things weren't quite so "rolling" any more. The hills turned into long slopes of between 1/4 and 3/4 mile, followed by a downhill section that, due to being taken so much faster, seemed like no more than a few inches (well, to me anyway). There were about 6 of these. One must have been the high point of the area, as there was a large water tank there, and those are usually placed as high up as possible. It seemed every time I'd top one, I'd start down the other side only to come around a turn and see another rising up into the distance. I cussed a lot. A lot. I had to stop on the longest one about 2/3rds of the way up (it was I think the third one). I rested for about 4 minutes, then climbed back on and got over it. Another one that length and I probably would have had to stop again, and who know if I'd have started back. As it was, I was climbing them at about 4.5 mph in a very low gear. I wasn't the only one. While I was passed by many, I did pass two people, one lady who seemed to be doing fine but was taking it nice and slow even on the rare flat areas, and an older gentleman who was also on a mountain bike and doing the same speed as me on the climbs (I followed him up three of them). I rode along side him for a few minutes at the top of one hill and we chatted some, but left him behind in another relatively flat area. At that point, I was thinking we were near the end, and wanted to get it over with quickly. Of course, it wasn't even close.

Of course, you probably think this sounds like so much whining, and you would be right. It is whining, but thats not gonna stop me. I was glad to just be able to finish, true enough. And I don't guess you can always expect things to be easy. Just my nature, I always have to gripe about something! ;)

Hills, Mark III

2004-08-16T22:52:00.000-04:00

Mom and Dad are building a new house. The road the house is being built on is part of a loop, so I decided after work today to go see the new construction, and ride the loop. It isn't long, but has some hills that would challenge me (and did).

I've avoided the Chattanooga Bike Club, mostly because a club is a commitment, and I'm all about avoiding commitment. But apparently this particular loop is one the club rides fairly frequently. Confirming the fact I am fairly contrary, it appears I went around the loop in the opposite direction as they do. I met about five others going the other way, and was overtaken by two who turned the opposite way at the next intersection. I think one was one of the guys at Owen, who I'd seen on the Ft. O. ride, but I wouldn't swear to it. From speaking to family (more on this later) it seems that they ride this route quite a bit.

Anyway, I started at my aunt's house, next door to where my parents are building their new house. This is on Levi Rd. near the Levi cemetery, where my grandparents are buried (along with several other relatives). It seemed a good place to start, as in this loop, it is in the middle of the hills, so I would start with hills, and end with hills, but have lots of flat in the middle. I went towards Browntown Rd. (opposite of the other cyclists I saw) because the worst of the hills were in that direction, and being basically lazy, I wanted to hit those fresh. So from Levi to Browntown, I went on to Old Dayton Pike, and followed that until it came back to Hwy 27, then went along it for a short while to Robert's Mill Rd. That leads back to Levi, and from there I went to just past where Pitt's Rd. intersects, where my uncle lives. I visited him for a few minutes, then went past my cousin's house (where my grandparents used to live before they passed on) and back into the hilly section and back to my aunt's house. The whole loop was only about 6.75 miles, but I still think it was a good ride. It certainly hurt enough.

I'm wondering though, if perhaps I cheated. There were three hills that were, to me, rather steep. I stood up for those, which I haven't been doing so far with hills. The thing is, I'm still better for a short burst of power and then rest on the downside than I am with slowing down and taking longer to climb. But I get frustrated coming to an almost stop, and today decided to say to hell with it, I'm climbing this hill and being done with it. Maybe a road bike wouldn't need that, but I'm not on a road bike. Or maybe I'm being a puss and should suck it up and go slow. I don't really know. At the very least, if I ride with someone else and a hill comes up, I don't plan on making them wait too long. That is demoralizing, to me. My pride is a weak thing.

If I feel froggy, I'll extend that loop a bit, and follow Hwy 27 a bit longer (perhaps a mile, maybe two) even though it's a fairly heavily trafficked road, and go on to Jackson Rd., where I used to live (and another cousin lives now) or the next road up, Johnson Rd. (such original names in Falling Water, aren't they?). Both of these roads are hilly as well, and they both come to Robert's Mill Rd., on either side of Falling Water Elementary, which puts me back on this loop.

I gather the bike club starts way back off of Dayton Pike at the Bi-Lo and travel up Browntown Rd. for quite a ways. That road is probably more hilly than I can take just yet, and somewhat curvy and narrow and with moderate traffic, which would worry me. Browntown also intersects with Mountain Creek Rd., which past Morrison Springs Rd. isn't so heavily traveled, but has it's own share of hills. I think a good ride would be from Red Bank High down Morrison Springs to Mountain Creek, on to Browntown, then to Levi and then to Pitts, to Old Dayton Pike, back to Browntown and back along Mountain Creek to Morrison Springs. I'd guess this to be about 18 miles round trip, although it could be more or it could be less. If I keep going, I hope to be able to try this by October. What I still need to do is combine distance with hills. I've avoided the levee because it is flat and quite frankly boring now (and imagine, not more than a dozen posts back I avoided it for completely different reasons), but I think the 20 miles I've done on that route I could top easily. But on hilly rides, I haven't done much more than 10 miles, and usually less. So the next milestone is to try to combine the two, and do hills and distance. For this, I may need a partner, as I am not sure I can motivate myself to do both on my own. So far, I've only ridden with others twice (thanks, Cat and Rich!) and one of those was very short, but it did motivate me (read, shame) to do better. I don't yet have the confidence that I can finish what I started yet, though, and I have avoided discouragement so far. I'm the tortoise, not the hare. So I'll work up to it somehow, some way. Just writing this should help a bit.

Coffee Run

2004-08-14T18:00:00.000-04:00

Cat said "I need caffeine".

She rides here, we ride to Stone Cup, we drink coffee. We ride back here, she rides home. In other words, I shared about 1/20th of the trip.

It's amazing how you can love somebody dearly (platonicly, don't go inferring things) and hate their guts at the same time. ;)

Anyway, trip out, easy. Trip back, hard. But it was the first time I've gone from river level to my house without stopping to rest. Wasn't going fast, but hey, it is a start. Figured I'd better post it, as it was a milestone of sorts.

And yes, it has been over a week since I rode. Sue me, other hobbies had me in their grip for a while.

Hills, Mark II

2004-08-06T19:32:00.000-04:00

Repeat of Monday, with a loop around the shopping center at Shepherd and Shallowford thrown in. Noah Reid (I looked at the sign today) was a bit easier, as was the hill at Shepherd school. I'm getting used to it a little bit, so maybe the hell hill helped a little, even if I couldn't make it to the top. I'm learning a little more about shifting, too, getting the timing better so I don't start bogging down then shift and have a sudden change. I'm learning to shift a little earlier as the hill takes hold so that my effort is more even, which I think is helping as well. Of course, that doesn't work very well going from the third ring to the second, but I can drop the front and raise the rear in only a couple of revolutions, so that isn't too bad. I do need to get the derailluers adjusted again, or try to figure it out for myself. Tomorrow might be a good day for that.

Let Me Tell You About Standifer Gap Road...

2004-08-04T23:33:00.000-04:00

Fuck Standifer Gap Road.

There, I feel better now. Started to repeat Monday's ride, but decided to hang a right at Bonny Oaks instead of a left. I slogged over the hill, coasted like a bat out of hell down the other side (30+ on knobbies leaves a little something to be desired), then hung another right on Hickory Valley. That was ok, hard, but ok. So I get to Standifer Gap Road and contemplate turning there, or going on to Shallowford and coming back that way. I figured Shallowford would be too much traffic. Passing Shallowford by would take me to Lee Highway, even more traffic. So I turn onto Standifer Gap. Thing is, there is this hill there I'd forgotten about. Bigger than the one I live on. Narrow road. Halfway up, or thereabouts, it's all over. Even coming out of the saddle, it is more than I can take. So I walk the rest of the way up.

Under seven mile trip, and I'm shot. Noah Reed (or Reade, or however it is spelled) is quite enough for right now. I don't need to break myself in two just yet. I'll let others, like the guy at work riding 100 miles with 11,000 ft of elevation soon, handle that kind of climb for now. I'm just not ready yet.

Hills

2004-08-03T01:18:00.000-04:00

I went on a drive around work at lunch today, looking for a route that had some hills, but wasn't too long. I didn't have much time, so what I came up with was ok, but left a little to be desired. But I rode it anyway. It started out ok, as I left Chapman onto Shallowford and hit Noah Reade (spelling?) road over to Bonny Oaks. That's a two mile ride that is full of ups and downs. Also, since it was the hilliest part of the route, something I wanted to do first to get it over with. Then, down Bonny Oaks to Jersey Pike. Bonny Oaks there is a 50 MPH road, but has a fairly wide shoulder. From Bonny Oaks, I took Jersey Pike across 153 to Cromwell Road by the railroad museum. This lead back to Shallowford, and the worst part of this particular route. Cromwell comes out in front of the Vulcan gravel quarry. That stretch led back towards work, but I took the Quintus loop, and then turned onto Polymer drive. I rode past Mayfield, BASF (which stinks like burning plastic), and the Comcast office to end up on Shepherd Road. I followed that over 153 again, sticking to the right side by Shepherd school (up and down the hill) and that brought me back to Shallowford, and then back to work and my truck. Total trip, just a tad over 10 miles. Considering that it wasn't flat, I didn't feel bad about being short. I may try to do that loop twice, but I really need to find a route that doesn't have as much traffic and doesn't go by stinky chemical plants.

Battlefield

2004-07-31T11:18:00.000-04:00

Thanks to Cat for taking me down to the Battlefield. Nice ride, more hills than I am used to, and I was definitely dragging on them, but hey, I got up them anyway. Just drop gears and keep going. Sorry to keep Cat and Rich waiting at the top (well, not waiting, but slower than normal), but they didn't seem to mind much. Roughly 20 miles. If it weren't for the time, I'd have thoroughly enjoyed it (I'm not a morning person). Actually, I really did enjoy the ride, it was the being up before noon part I'm not good with!

Gonna have to go get my cables retensioned, I think. Troubles shifting, the middle two gears kept wanting to go two at a time up, and sometimes not go down. Horrible clanking sounds, and when it wouldn't go down I could hear it rattling, so I'd click to go down again and it would usually be ok, but sometimes drop two as well. Argh.

One last thing. Music is good for riding solo. Sucks for riding with others. Live and learn.

Stone Lion, Mark II

2004-07-30T21:44:00.000-04:00

That dad-blamed hill leading to my house doesn't get any easier. Ouch.

It's only 2.5 miles one way, but out is soooo much easier than back.

Tomorrow will be different. I've not rode with anyone else before. Should be interesting, but likely painful. We'll see.

Tuesday & Wednesday

2004-07-29T01:37:00.000-04:00

Since I missed quite a few days, I took the loaner out Tuesday and did 20 miles. All seemed fine and good on Tuesday. Kept of a fast pace (cadence wise, which does translate into speed, but wasn't important). I took the last 3.5 miles at a much harder pace than normal. I'd wanted to go for more distance instead, but I had to do laundry afterwards, and thus had to get to the laundrymat in time to finish before they closed, so I chose to push a bit harder since I couldn't go farther. Didn't think much of it at the time, finished, stretched a bit, then went and did laundry. I had trouble sleeping though, even though I was tired. I blamed it on the clean sheets :). But when I got up, my left thigh was hurting in the meaty part above the knee. Nothing after the ride but normal soreness, but when I got up, this mild twinging pain.

Still determined to try to get at least three rides a week in, I went out Wednesday as well. I'd hoped during the workday that the nagging pain would go away (it didn't really hurt, it was just annoying) but it didn't. As I started to ride, it didn't really hurt much either, just that nagging twinge. But by about 8 miles, is started to throb. So I headed back early. It was about 4 miles back at that point, and I took it fairly easy. Now, it is back to just twinging again. No riding tomorrow, and only a short ride to the Lion planned for Friday. I have no idea what I've done, but I hope it goes away soon.

The Loaner Rides...

2004-07-22T21:37:00.000-04:00

Got the loaner back from the shop today. As of now, the old bike is FOR SALE. I think I'd rather pull my toenails out with rusty pliers. First, it weighs half as much, which I already knew. Second, it seems to have a much better gear ratio, although that may be from being so light. Starting out in too high a gear actually threatened to pop a wheelie, and there is more later on this subject. But mostly, the shifters are a wet dream compared to the twist shifters on the POS. Click a small lever with the front finger, drop a sprocket, push a large lever with the thumb, climb a sprocket. It took some getting used to, since the effect of the front is the opposite of the back, but that didn't take long. About as long as figuring out I only had to press the rear shifter till it clicked, instead of all the way in. Yeah, I'm sure you all are reading this and laughing at me, but this is nothing like what bikes were like when I was riding in the 70's and early 80's.

Anyway, I picked the bike up, and I was far from my usual haunts, so I decided to take a bit of risk and experiment. I drove home. Once home, I installed a cheap bike computer (I'll trade the Cateye to this bike soon, but it has double stick tape and will be a pain to get off.) Since the owner is 6'6" and I am only 6'2", I needed to ride a bit and adjust the seat. To test my adjustments to the seat, I rode around Mansion Hills (I refuse to use the place's new name) and got it close to right. It may still be a tad too high, as I can, if I press, lock one leg straight, but I have to try and I take most of the weight off the seat to do so, plus its only one leg or I come all the way off the seat. So if it is too high, it can't be by much. Then I rode to the Lion.

That's what I meant by risk and experiment. First of all, could I get there. Second, could I have a few beers and ride at all. Third, could I get back. Well, the answer to all three is a conditional yes, but by varying degrees.

I took the long way there, retracing the first half of the "I can't do hills" ride to Dayton Blvd. I knew that wasn't a problem. The first rise was to the Red Bank Tunnel, and aside from that stretch of rode being a crazy, scary place, especially the Hwy 27 onramp, it wasn't so bad. Through the tunnel, all downhill to Market Street. Then the rise over the bridge, and dealing with traffic plus construction (not too bad, if you are patient and wait for a lull in traffic). Down Market with traffic, and to 4th. Surprisingly, considering that was the steepest hill so far, it wasn't that bad. I dropped gears, kept the cadence about 75 or so (if I am figuring it right, but definitely over one rpm), and went on up. Hot and sweaty, yeah, but it was only 6 miles, so not too bad. So first point, a definite "yes".

While there, I had three beers and played a game of Golden Tee, hung out with my friends, and smoked more than I should have (yeah, I know, any is too much). As the golf game was finishing, it was starting to get dark, so I mounted up and left. I stayed on High Street over to 3rd to go down the hill. I probably should have went to 2nd, but 2nd is steeper, and I am still getting the feel of the brakes. I cross 3rd, then cross High, and considering the traffic on that road is a bear, and no one was walking, I figured I'd ride the sidewalk (Yeah, WK, I know, but I did slow almost to a stop at each intersection and check for cars, so no right turn could wipe me out, but the traffic was such no one happened to be coming as I crossed.) Getting onto the sidewalk I nearly wiped out, though, as I had too much speed coming across High, and the front tire slipped off the grassy side for a bit. So I slowed waaaay down. No other issues there, and I've made that mistake before on the bike path at the dam on the old bike. So second point, a highly conditional yes, but three would probably be upper limit. Any more and I'm liable to be totally absent minded and get myself hurt.

Then came the test. Back over the Market Street bridge was no problem. North Market to the Golden (Ghetto) Gallon, no problem. But up the hill to the house? Yes and no. No, in that about halfway up, at the last entrance to the row of strip malls, I had to stop. I stood there and stretched my legs a bit, drank some more water (I'd loaded up before leaving the Lion), until I thought I could go on. Then I went from there the rest of the way home. I was down to the lowest front and halfway down the back gear, and spinning like crazy, and probably only going about three miles an hour (don't know, as I forgot to put the computer back on, and by this time it was almost completely dark, but it really was probably faster, it just didn't feel like it.) Huffing and puffing, I pulled into the front yard, drank some more water, leaned the bike on the porch post, and stretched my legs to get rid of the burning in the upper thighs, and to get my heart rate back down to something approaching normal (it felt like 100 beats per minute). So, on question three, that would be a qualified "yes" as well. Maybe next time I can do it non-stop.

I'll probably go Veterans from if I do it again, but since I have driven Market Street so many times (I avoid Veterans while driving) that I have memorized it, I wanted to stick to a familiar place. Plus, I didn't want to cross over Veterans at that time of day to get to Frazier. I might try Walnut as well, and one day Forest, but not until I can do North Market non-stop and fairly easily, because Forest is much steeper and longer as well. If I do that again, anyway.

Anyway, I'll probably catch hell for stopping for beers, but I just had to see if it could be done. Now I know. Remember one thing though; for me, this wasn't so much about healthy as it was about stamina. I've already got more of that than I've had in over a decade, and plan to get more. Healthy is secondary to me. If this leads to that, great. If not, great too.

Can't Think Of A Catchy Title Today

2004-07-19T23:07:00.000-04:00

Another day at the levee with the old bike. But there shouldn't be but one more. The loaner went into the shop today. Since it had sat so long, and it appeared as if the grease may have started to gum up, I put it in for the full strip down and rebuild job, which is more expensive. I also will pick up an air pump and adapter for the electric pump I keep in the truck. I may also get a seat, as I'm not sure if I'll like the narrow seat that is on it currently. If not, it has a cover that the owner put on to protect the original seat that is worn and will need to be replaced. Plus, another odometer/speedometer. If, as I suspect, it needs new tires because these are dry rotted, then it will officially have cost me more than the purchase of my current bike. Anyway, I did about the same as last time, just over 20 miles. Since it hadn't rained, I alternated loops around Camp Jordan and Eastgate, making a big figure eight. Three of each was a little less boring than six around Eastgate, but right at the same distance. I considered one more figure eight (about 4 miles) but my back was starting to hurt. Yet another consequence of a too short bike, I stay bent over quite a bit, which isn't good, considering I have a bad back anyway.

I haven't weighed since I started, and I am a bit curious about it, considering I have received some comments. Not sure if that's wishful thinking on their part, but it could be. Still have the beer gut, that's for sure. There was a fluff article in the paper (A2, at the top, in the typical fluff spot just above the Hollywood "news") about some guy who quit smoking and drinking cold turkey, started riding 70 miles a day, and didn't eat, drinking protein shakes instead. Instead of dropping dead as would be expected, he lost 80 lbs and figured out his "diet" was stupid, then wrote a book about it. I would say he's a moron, but what the hell, at least he's got a book. I certainly haven't quit smoking (about mile 13 I was actually craving one) and stopped at the Lion for a couple of beers when I finished. And I eat the same old crap I always eat (Big Mac for dinner today), and the only thing I like about a salad is that its easy to fix if you have the stuff, and lettuce is there just so the fork will have something to grip while picking up the dressing, cheese, ham, croutons, bacon bits, mushrooms and whatever else I throw on there. Still, if I drop a pound or two, then that's ok, I could stand to lose them. But that wasn't the purpose of all this. Fringe benefit, maybe, but not the purpose.

The Loaner

2004-07-17T08:12:00.000-04:00

Picked up the loaner bike this morning. Wasn't what I had expected. I had thought it was a street bike, but it is a mountain bike. Huge difference though. Most noticeable is that it seems to weigh about half of what my bike weighs. It also has very different handlebars and more normal lever shifters. It is taller in the seat, and lower at the handlebars. It's a Schwinn. I'll air up the tires and give it a once over before taking it to have it checked up.

P.S. Watch some of the videos here and tell me a) what kids wore helmets in the 70's, and b) how does wiping out sell bikes?

20.1 Miles

2004-07-14T23:56:00.000-04:00

Enough said.

A Tale Of Two Rides

2004-07-12T23:15:00.000-04:00

It's been nearly a week since I've posted. I had a system, I'd ride, then I'd post.

I broke that.

Quite frankly, I was embarrassed about my last ride before today. You see, a few people actually read this thing other than me. I'm glad of it, as it gives me encouragement and advice. But all of a sudden, it's more than a personal journal. Well, yeah, a blog isn't exactly a diary, but still... The thing is, after all that talk about finding hills, I went out and found some. And they were perfect. A small greenway by the Chickamauga Dam, the total loop less than two miles. The loop is like a figure eight, and the upper part of the eight is a decent hill (probably no problem for most, but hey, I am just starting here). If you don't want to do the steep hill, you can do the roughly one mile lower loop. Perfect for a beginner, right? Well, it killed me. I did the upper loop with the steep hill once, and when I came back around, I couldn't face it. So, just do the lower loop, right? Well, twice around that, and I couldn't even get up the small hill to the crossover point. I had to stop at the top to rest. Then, on the way down, I got going too fast for the pathway, and swerved around some poor guy walking, and almost wiped out. At that point, I said to hell with it, and packed up the bike and went to mom's for dinner. Grand total distance... three miles.

I was not happy with myself. The more I think about it, the more I think it is a matter of equipment and technique, or at least my ego hopes so. For one thing, that front derailleur was still off, and I couldn't get to the low ring, so two one was the lowest I could get. Even that was only about 5 MPH though, so that probably wasn't it. Plus, standing still bounced. All in all a shitty day, that basically soured the whole weekend.

Which leads me to today.

If I'm not ready for hills, the only thing I could think to do is build more stamina, which means ride more. So today, instead of hills, I went back to the levee. This time, I avoided the Camp Jordan part, as the heavy gravel is a pain, plus it had rained earlier and I didn't want to deal with the puddles. So I took the loop around Eastgate again. Four times. That led to a total trip of 16.75 miles. The last lap around Eastgate wasn't so bad, but the hill leading back to the levee wasn't pleasant. What helped was the thirty minutes I spent adjusting things before I started. I can get to the lower ring on the front now (although I didn't need to), I stiffened the rear spring so I can stand and pedal (which I did do) and I tightened both the front and rear brakes (part of the reason I almost lost it before, they weren't gripping tight enough). Still, it is about 3.2 miles from Eastgate back to Shallowford. The first mile gets you back to Brainerd Road, and instead of using the stairs, I went to the light to take advantage of the wait to stretch. But about a mile from Shallowford and my stopping point, it was all I could do to keep going. I started counting off the tenths of a mile, making myself keep going. Yeah, I'm making it sound all melodramatic, when it was a measly 16+ miles, but to me it was important. Also, it may be one of the last times I take that route.

After Thursday's hell ride, I went out Friday night and proceeded to get a major boogerage on. But while out, I talked to the source of the loaner bike. He stays up all night, and said he'd be up until 10am, and to come pick up the bike. So I set my alarm, and had a friend who gets up early despite boogerages promise to call. Well, the friend called, the alarm went off, but I couldn't get up. Still, I think that opens the way for me to get the bike this week. Since he's up till 10am, and I go to work at 9am, I should be able to swing by Wednesday and pick it up, and drop it off at the bike shop (no idea which one) for a tune up at lunch. So by Friday I might be riding a real bike, not a piece of crap. That rules out the gravelly levee. Let's hope so, anyway, because I have been threatened with abduction most cruel on some future Saturday, this one being the first possible target. Somehow, I think those Friday night boogerages may have become a thing of the past. Sigh... I've cut back on them anyway for other reasons, but I already miss them.

More distance...

2004-07-07T00:13:00.000-04:00

(note, this is posted after midnight, so the date really is not the day of the ride)

Went to the levee again today. I was supposed to have company, a good friend from work, but the weather looked bad and he decided not to go. I decided to risk it. It had rained earlier (what day in the last two weeks has in not rained!) but had stopped. Just as I started, a light sprinkle came up, and there were ominous dark clouds on the horizon. It pretty much sprinkled the entire ride, only devoloping into a true light rain for about 5 minutes. I really didn't get any wetter than I would sweating in the sun, and rain is much more pleasant than sweat. After the striped back episode, I decided not to go into Camp Jordan. Instead, I hung a right at I-75 and went into Eastgate. According to my friend who didn't make it, twice around Eastgate is roughly the same as once around Camp Jordan, but without the puddles. Traffic is more of an issue, though, as some of the cars go way too fast through there. I went three times around, and it looked like it was about to rain harder, so I came back. I rode slow the whole time (mostly about 10.5 MPH) so I still had quite a bit of gas left, but I did set a new personal distance mark of 12.75 miles. I think I could have made 15 or maybe 20 had I the time, but I won't know until I try. I got back to the truck just in time for the rain to start in earnest, so I am glad I stopped.

I still need to try the greenway by the dam. I'm told its hilly, but short, at under 5 miles round trip. I have to quit avoiding the hills, really I do. Perhaps it is more of a mental block than anything. Or my basic laziness showing through. At any rate, I'm looking forward to a chance to try out a different bike a friend has promised to loan me. This is an expensive street bike that he no longer rides, and he's taller than me so I'm sure it will fit better than my POS bike. I'll have to find paved paths to ride, or ride roads. I have trouble looking behind me for cars (can't see around my fat ass) and the music is probably a bad idea on the street as cars are quieter than I can hear over it. Problem is I don't know where there are paved paths, and places like the battlefield are way out of the way for after work. Probably can't be helped, but the more trouble it is to get too, the less likely I am to go. (See my abysmal record for weekend rides of late for an example, holidays notwithstanding).

Oh, found another bit of cheepnis (FZ reference there) with this bike. The kickstand won't stay up on a rough downhill. Went down the wet steps again and it popped down and drug the ground. Damned POS... At least it didn't cost much. Sigh.

The Tale of the Striped Back

2004-07-01T19:57:00.000-04:00

As I was going to work today, there were a few light sprinkles. By lunchtime, the sun was out. About 3:30pm, the bottom fell out of the sky. When I left work at 6pm, it was just barely sprinkling. So I decided the rain was over, the levee was high up, and I'd ride anyway. Well, yes, the rain was over, and yes the levee is high up. However, Camp Jordan is not high up, nor is the Brainerd Road underpass. No fenders equals a big wet stripe up the backside from the rear tire, and a fairly wet crotch from the front (the seat blocked most, and my feet seemed to get wetter. Of course all this water did nothing but make me acutely aware of another problem, first noted about 2 miles out. I'd forgotten to bring my water bottle. About 3/4ths of the way through Camp Jordan, I decided to cut in to find a fountain. Well, there may be one there somewhere, but 3/4ths of a mile of riding and 15 shelters and buildings later, I certainly couldn't find one. Fortunately it was damp enough that I got most of my cooling from the air and I didn't sweat too horribly, and made it back just fine. Instead of drinking one of the two bottles I'd filled (one for the drive home) I went to the Golden Gallon and got some Gatorade, drank about half of it, then drank a whole bottle of water. That felt better.

A friend asked why I didn't ride down the steps leading to the Brainerd Road underpass. I found out why I don't want to do that, at least not when it is wet. No, I didn't try, but the shorter and less steep ones at the Shallowford entrance, those I did ride down. Halfway down with the rear brake locked (I dared not hit the front more than a touch) I was sliding and gaining speed, and it took ten feet to stop at the bottom. The underpass steps are three times as long, with a landing, and only have about five feet of sidewalk before heading on down the hill to the creek. I'd never make the turn at the bottom. Never. So I won't be doing that, I don't believe. Maybe when it is dry, but I'll try the entrance steps again first.

Having been around once, I was a little more aggressive this time. First 3 miles, about 13.5 MPH. About 12.5MPH until I got to the I-75 underpass, then roughly 17 or so (mostly down hill or flat, easy to maintain the pace and lots of coasting) until Camp Jordan. Only about 10MPH around the loop, partly because of walkers, partly because of puddles everywhere, and partly because of keeping an eye out for a water fountain. Then back under I-75 at about 12MPH on to Brainerd Road, then about 13MPH the last three miles back (I wanted that water!). Most of the speed changes were gears, not rhythm changes, although I did push a bit harder in a lower gear on the last 3 miles.

Anyway, I'm off to N.C. this weekend for an overnight, and I'm not taking my bike. Not into the mountains, not yet. I need to find a fairly hilly short loop of about 5 to 7 miles and work on that, just to learn how to ride hills. Whether that's trial and error or I ask for help I don't know yet. I'm still only riding 10 miles right now. With a slower pace I could probably go a lot farther, but I've been so out of shape I am trying to push things a little bit right now. It's kind of like two-a-days back in my football playing days. Surviving those two weeks generally made the long season a lot easier to deal with. Also, my every other day schedule hasn't been worth a darn lately, and I feel a little guilty about not keeping up with it. So when I do ride, I am pushing myself a bit. Not a lot, I'm not crazy and I don't want to get hurt. But like most other things, I am fairly competitive, and can't stand doing something I am not good at, and if I want to do it, I try to get better at it by myself at first until I can hold my own. Unfortunately, this is never something I'll "compete" at, so its probably not the best attitude. However, there is one person I can compete with, and that is myself. And maybe that attitude is not so bad.

Shorter, But Better...

2004-06-29T20:16:00.000-04:00

It's been a few days since my last ride. I just couldn't get motivated this weekend, partly due to some personal issues. My schedule for Monday fell apart as well, plus it rained a good bit of the day anyway. Having topped 10 miles on the last ride, I decided that today was the day to hit the Brainerd Levee. All in all, not a bad place to ride. Not too many other bikes, and the walkers and joggers don't take up the whole path. It's a little rough in spots and mostly small gravel over asphalt, so it wouldn't be good for ultra-fancy road bikes with razor thin tires. Fine for mountain bike though. From where I got on (Shallowford Rd.) on to Camp Jordan and around it and then back is a little over nine and a half miles. There is also a place where you have to get off the bike and go down stairs and back up to cross Brainerd Road. Crossing the creek and the Interstate are no problem though (the creek bridge is a bit steep but not long).

Just because I'm a geek with a toy, a few stats.

Avg Speed (outbound): 10.4 MPH

Avg Speed (inbound): 11.0 MPH (I had started cautiously, but sped up a bit once I knew my way)

Top Speed : 18.9 (outbound under the Interstate, long downhill run, but be careful of walkers and joggers)

Most crowded section : Camp Jordan

Oddest thing said in passing : Hey man, cool bike!

Scariest moment : Bike computer falling off when coming up the steps under Brainerd Road.

Most needed equipment (besides a good bike) : Back of the seat water bottle holder. The frame mount is too low for me to easily reach. I'll consider a camelback whenever I can go farther than one bottle of water will do.

Most needed adjustment : Front derailleur. Couldn't get it into the low ring at all coming up the bridge.

Second most needed adjustment : Rear spring. I need to tighten the crap out of it. I have so much weight that it is impossible to stand up and pedal. However, if I fix that front derailleur, I shouldn't need to stand up.

Best purchase : 30G Creative Nomad Zen Xtra. Having that many tunes in random play is awesome. When Captain Beefheart's Tarotplane started, I was grooving heavily. It was followed by a bluegrass version of Amazing Grace (yeah, I have somewhat varied tastes in music).

Well, that's all for now. Next ride I'll hit the short leg past the Shallowford entrance and then maybe try for 12 or 13 miles.

Well, well, well...

2004-06-23T19:19:00.000-04:00

Got a little piece of gadgetry at lunch yesterday, a bike computer. (No Dan, I didn't get one with cadence, I'm still sticking to cheap). Vewwee Intewesting. Seems my 0.25 mile per lap estimate was a little off. It is really a little over 0.28 miles. Doesn't sound like much, but it means Monday's 32 laps was 9 miles, not 8. And that means today's 36 laps is 10.22 miles, not 9 as I had thought it would be. So yeah me! I've broken into the double digits! It may not be as exciting as SpaceshipOne officially reaching outer space Monday, but hey, that's ok by me.

I'd like to thank everyone who has left comments, I really appreciate the advice and encouragement. It really does help a lot. Things are progressing a bit faster than I thought they would, but I do know there will be a wall ahead. Or, I should say, a steep hill. Or, I should say, a hill in front of my house. I've got to try it sometime. Still not sure when I'll steel myself to the task, but it must be done.

Back to the bike computer... Since I got a cheap one, all I get is odo (non-reset), distance, max speed, current speed and time. But, by glancing at it periodically, I can estimate some things.

Avg Speed:
1st 10 laps or so, about 13.5MPH
Next 20 laps or so, about 12.2MPH (shifted to lower gear)
Last 6 laps or so, about 11.5MPH (tired)

Except for those last few laps, the rhythm was fairly steady, with two spots per lap where I coast about 100 ft. Once sitting down with my legs stretched, once standing up.

Max Speed: 15.9MPH

This is leading into the stand up portion probably around the fifth lap.

I have an urge to go back and recalculate distances... (beats geekiness into submission).

Eight miles

2004-06-22T00:36:00.000-04:00

Eight miles today. Getting there. Felt like I could do more, but I figured I'd save that for Wednesday. The levee will be visited soon, now that I am fairly confident I can make it back. See, going around and round the building may be boring, but I am never more than .25 miles from the truck. If I get several miles out, I have to go several miles to get back. Guess I am a typical male, afraid of commitment! ;) At any rate, once I hit ten, I'll have to move on to hills. Not looking forward to that, though. Still, it must be done.

Been a few days...

2004-06-16T19:02:00.000-04:00

It's been a few days since I have ridden. Actually, six. Saturday I went to Atlanta to help move a bunch of office furniture, and that was an all day and very hot and sweaty job. But, I did get to keep four bookshelves (thanks Kordax and family!). So Sunday was spent installing three of them, another all day job. Monday, Bessie Smith Strut. Sorry, not skipping my turkey leg! Tuesday, laundry and rain. So, today was it. I wasn't sure what a layoff would do, but I planned to at least match last Thursday. Instead, I topped it by four laps, and did 6 miles. I might could have gone another or so, but I was dogging it hard. I am starting out in 3-6 until I get really tired (about 10 laps) and dropping down to 3-5. I'm pushing it hard, like a middle distance run. As such, it doesn't take long to finish. I'll probably have to back down even more to go much longer in the short term. Anyway, while scheduled to ride again Friday, I have to go to Manchester/Tullhoma. My sister is going to have a baby, and they induce labor Friday morning. So I don't know if I'll ride again tomorrow or Saturday. Depends on if I can walk in the morning.

A Little Bit More

2004-06-10T20:30:00.000-04:00

Well, keeping with my "every other day" approach, today was the day to ride. I really didn't feel like doing it. I stayed out a little later than planned last night, and didn't sleep well, so I was tired before I even started. Still, I'd loaded the damned thing, might as well ride. I used the very last available bit of seat post to get another inch on the seat. Still not enough, and I was afraid one good bump and I'd break the sucker off, but hey, it was a cheap bike and as long as I didn't impale my colon, I could live with it.

Somewhere about the second lap, I was already getting a bit winded. "Uh oh," I thought, but I kept at it. Fortunately, that leveled off and things were going pretty smoothly. I was shooting for 18 laps (~4.5 miles) to try to go a little farther than Tuesday. At lap 10, I grabbed a plastic cup of water I'd left on the tailgate (I don't have a water bottle yet) and that helped a bit, but slowing down to get it messed up my rhythm. At lap 14, I knew I could make 18, so I decided to try for 20. Those last two were tough, but I probably could have gotten a few more. I decided not to push my luck. So, today I rode roughly 5 miles. Maybe it won't be July after all before I can tackle the levee. Or maybe I'll hit a brick wall. We'll see.

First Entry

2004-06-08T19:29:00.000-04:00

I'm going to start out just listing my bicycling progress.

Saturday, May 29, 2004 - Bought the bike. Cheap Mongoose DXR-AL mountain bike. I remember when Mongoose was top of the line. When did they start selling them at Walmart? Aired up the tires at my sisters, rode to the end of the street and back, about three blocks. Mostly uphill on the way back, legs burned quite a bit. This will be a workout. Little did I know...

Monday, May 31, 2004 - Memorial Day, nothing much to do, so I figured I'd take the bike out for a ride. It was about lunch time, and I live a few minutes from one of my favorite meat and threes, so off I went. Now, I live on top of a big hill. Almost a ridge, but not high enough, but certainly long. And where I was going was downhill, almost all the way, about 2 miles. When I got there, I was a bit winded from going up the small hill to the parking lot, but ok. They were closed, so on down the road another quarter mile to the McDonalds. I get a grilled chicken sandwich and a large water, because I had the feeling a heavy meal wouldn't be too good, and I did realize that going home would be uphill. Yeah, understatement of the century. Now the first half of the ride back wasn't so bad, but I was blowing pretty good when I turned off the main drag to the street heading home. Here's where things got interesting. I've never really noticed the gradual upwards slope leading to the steep part of the hill. This is only about a mile, maybe a little less. But after half of it, I was in agony. Couldn't stay on, and I was veering enough I was afraid I'd veer into a car, so I got off the bike and walked. I walked about a block, and started getting some mobility in my legs, and so I got back on and rode the rest of the gentle sloped part. Which brings me to the hill. The hill'o'doom. Now, the bike route has you taking the left fork in the road and going to the far end of the hill, then back by my house, but the right fork of the road goes straight to my house, bypassing the loop. Its steeper, and narrower, hence the bike route going the other way, but I wasn't going to ride. No way. So up I went. Now it was getting hard to even walk. I saw two people I knew drive by, but they didn't recognize me (I mean, me, on a bike, come on!). Anyway, I made it to the top, and rode the last 100 ft to the house, more because my legs wouldn't move and it was mostly a slight downhill grade I could coast. That led me to my first top ten rules.

1. I am not capable of riding up hills. No, not even the little ones, unless there is a big one I can go down first and coast over it.
2. Just because it is a 3 minute car trip doesn't mean it isn't A Long Way.
3. Walking is not embarrassing. Walking is your friend.
4. Helmets make me look like a fat Tron figure.
5. You can not stand up and pedal in the same gear you were in when sitting down. You will break your leg if you try.
6. 1st ring 1st gear is absolutely useless on the street. Perhaps it has use climbing the side of a building, I don't know and don't care to find out.
7. 1st ring 2nd gear is also useless. I believe it was made for climbing church steeples.
8. Bluegrass is good riding music.
9. I need an iPod.
10. Stretch. Often. Just Sayin™

Wednesday, June 2, 2004 - After the debacle of the hill'o'doom, I decided I'd start taking the bike to work and ride on the relatively flat parking lot that circles my building. Driving around it in the truck, the building is right at .25 miles around, so every 4 laps is about a mile. I did 10 laps, and was very winded by the 4th. When I got off the bike, my legs were jello. Took about ten minutes of stretching to get to where I could walk without shuffling my feet.

Friday, June 4, 2004 - I decided that I'd try to keep doing a little more each time I ride, hoping to finally get up to some decent flat mileage before doing too many more hills. So this time I went half a mile further, 12 laps. If I try to take things too fast, I'll either hurt myself or get discouraged. A coworker pointed out one of the reasons my legs hurt. My bike is too short. I'm not getting full extension on my legs, which is what is making the tops of my thighs hurt. I started hanging my legs down to stretch when I coast down the slight grade in the front of the building, which helps a bit.

Sunday, June 6, 2004 - Since I don't work on Sunday, and didn't want to drive anywhere, I figured I'd start from home. As I said, living at the top of a big hill doesn't help, but the top is big, so I tried to stay on top as much as possible. The apartment building down the road is on the highest point of the hill, and a road goes around it, so I went down that road and back up to my road and back. The problem is, it goes down at first, then up and down and the end is all back up. Plus, I had trouble shifting down as I started up the steepest hill, so I lost all momentum. It was only about 1.5 miles, but hurt as much as anything so far, and took just about as long. I raised the seat some, which helped. I might be able to get a little more out of it.

Tuesday, June 8, 2004 - 16 laps, or ~4 miles. It was a bit easier today, I didn't really start getting winded until about the 8th lap. I've adjusted the seat post as high as I dare take it. I'd be afraid to sit on it any higher. It still isn't quite enough. Still stretching my legs on the grade in the front of the building. Standing up on the smaller grade on the side of the building also helps.