Cool Breeze

October 21, 2008 Soon the sun will set before we can get a ride in. Tonight I was the only one to ride. My distance was 14.8 miles in about an hour. The air was a cool fifty-eight degrees F and wind was out of the north. I enjoyed the fall colors and the low angle sunshine on the fields. Fall is a time when many plants slow their growth and freezing temperatures stop the insect noises. It is a slowing time, so I took a slow ride.

Last week saw only four of us ride and we started at 5:30 pm. All rode to a somewhat central meeting point and we went seperate ways at the end of the ride. Everyone had different mileage and times. The early start time nearly keeps me from riding. The group will select an indoor activity for the winter, but I will continue to ride. It has been a good year with friends.

Maps: http://kent-pnqd.blogspot.com/2008/03/httpwww.html

Washers

The weekly ride on September 2, 2008 was another great one! Five riders went a little over 22 miles and the average speed was 12.8 miles per hour. We were discussing the shorter days and possibly an earlier start time. No coins found, the closest we could come to a coin were 3/8 inch washers. They were nice and shiny, but not from the United States Government. I think we spotted three washers.

It was a hot ride, with temperatures near 90 degrees F. The crops were dry, corn stalks were turning from green to gold, and soy beans were starting to "brown off." It was cooler in the shade on the "Cardinal Greenway Trail". The topic of watering or not watering yards came up and it was interesting to see who watered. Everyone has an opinion on most subjects and it is nice to have the opportunity to share them as we ride. Diversity is certainly a trait of bicycle riders.

There was a comment from a child we passed, about our approach. It was an excited, "Bicycles are coming! Bicycles!" We enjoyed being a child's phenomenon. I was encouraged that we could show young people that bicycling can be exciting.

A Northeaster

Not very often does the wind come at us from the Northeast. Today it did, and we got to ride roads we seldom go on. It is still more fun to have the wind behind when returning on the last half of a ride. Four regular riders started together, we covered 15.7 miles, and the average speed was 12.9 mph. It was a three penny ride, but I left one on the ground. When there is too much traffic, the coin just has to lay there and know it was seen. Our route today was over several hills and that managed to stretch us apart. Although it is difficult to keep the group together on a long hill, it is nice that the faster riders wait for slower ones at the top. Most of the time we are able to ride together and have good conversation. The thought arose that one rider, who had no clipping system for his pedals, may have been slightly slower because of that. A good ride to New Paris, Ohio made it a two state trip. We look forward to next Tuesday and another good ride.

Hawk and Cat

Tuesday 8/19/08 was another exploratory ride. Five riders went north and west of town. Our average was 12.4 mph and we covered over 23 miles. A highlight of the ride was a Red-Tailed Hawk. It flew from a power line and was a joy to watch. Shortly after we spotted what looked like a cat sitting on the road. Automobile tires that come apart assume some interesting shapes. We returned past where the hawk had been and it was there again. It was good to watch a second flight. It was noticed that the air was cool in the shade and the sun sets sooner. No coins found, but good conversation was present. We manage to keep the pace just slow enough to talk. Made a mechanical adjustment to one rider's brakes. The rubbing sound was enough to make him stop, and tightening a bolt was the solution.

Blue sky - high pressure

August 12th ride was with three riders. We went a little farther with a ride nearing 24 miles. Our average was 13.3 mph. The blue sky, mild temperature, and high barometric pressure combined to make everyone feel it was perfect riding weather. One of our stronger riders said, "the longer I ride, the better it feels." The thought that crossed my mind was to wonder how far one would have to ride to make it orgasmic. We usually ride slow enough to carry on conversations. It's great to be able to solve all the problems of the world with our discussions.

Found two pennies and a quarter. I will admit that I left one of the pennies on the ground. It was passed in a busy intersection with two riders right behind me. Another missed opportunity. I still feel that the coins are representative of opportunities or blessings. It is important to "pick up" on opportunities we encounter, and a blessing is always welcome. The three coins encountered made a nice addition to an already fine ride.

Nearing the end of our ride we passed a group going the opposite direction. Those riders maintain a consistently faster pace than ours and leave from the local bike shop each Tuesday. There were lots of riders in the group and it was great to recognize familiar faces and exchange waves.

Into the wind

August 5, 2007 - Four riders and we covered 19.5 miles. Average speed was 11.9 mph. Two pennies. It seems as if we make a different route each week. Today we went generally west and then north. The goal is often to head into the wind for the first part of the ride. We managed to get our Richmond, Indiana section of the Cardinal Greenway under our wheels. The pace was slower, but we enjoyed some conversation as we rode.

Pant Pant

July 29th saw us with five riders. Found a quarter and another rider spotted two pennies. The distance was 20.3 miles and our average speed was 14.4 miles per hour. Several runs on the plus side of 20 mph left me panting. We got a little crazy. Three deer were at the edge of a woods and that was a nice sight.

T PARTY

July 22, 2008 We enjoyed Richmond's "T" Party with many Ford Model T cars. The 100 th anniversary of the introduction of the Model T is a cause for celebration and there are over 900 old cars driving around Richmond. One of our riders said it felt like being in a different era, with the old Fords passing our bicycles. I asked him if he wanted to shout, "Get a horse!"

Our ride was 14.3 miles with an average speed of 11.8 miles per hour. One dime and one penny. Four riders total, and we had a good time. Our route included the Cardinal Trail, in Richmond, and a cruise past the Wayne County Fair grounds, where the "T Party 2008" is located. The sounds and sights of the old cars were a true delight.

Summer Days

Summer brings vacations and many activities. I missed the last two weekly rides.
July 1, 2008 There were six riders and we enjoyed an average speed of 11.4 mph. Our distance was 15.1 miles. It was a relaxed ride and the weather could not have been better. We have started the ride at 6:30 pm for the last few weeks. It seems that the new start time will continue. It was a pleasure to welcome Ryan for the first time.

Glass covered berms

On Tuesday 6/10/2008 the ride was great until... Our average speed was 13.6 mph and the distance ended up right at 18 miles. We commented on how much broken glass was on the berm of the roadway, when we were about half way through the ride. One of our riders flatted and found the cause was a piece of glass that worked its way through the tire. Flats are frustrating, but the day was bright and the company good. We've had enough flats this year. I've often wished that people didn't throw glass out of their cars. It is yet another difficulty of shareing the road with automobiles.

Vultures

June 3, 2008 ride was typical with 14.1 miles and and average of 12.2 mph. Only two riders and I suspect that was due to storms in the area. It rained about an hour before the ride and the sky was threatening. We felt a few drops but finished on dry roads.

As a high point of the ride, we saw two "Black Vultures" (Coragyps atratus) on the road. We are used to seeing "Turkey Vultures" in our sky, and these were decidedly different. Since they were on a bridge, we got to see them closely as they took off and flew out over the river.

At one intersection on the ride, I said I just had to stop for a dime. The response was, "You have to stop even for a penny." He was right. Later in the ride I had to stop for two nickels.

Strike one

Must admit that I missed the May 27th ride. There are times in our lives when other activities take priority over bicycling. Hope the ride was good. I know that one other regular missed the ride because he had Church Council to attend that evening. I look forward to next week even more than ever.

Bloomin' honeysuckle

May 20th ride was between a blooming honeysuckle canyon on the Cardinal Trial portion of the trip. We managed 12.4 miles and the average speed was 11 mph. Four riders and it was pretty cool in the wind. An unfortunate event was a crash by one of our members. Even though they appeared minor, the abrasions from a fall onto the asphalt will be hurtful. We sure hope healing is soon and the pain is minimal. We all completed the ride together with a subdued and concerned attitude.

On a more positive note, the honeysuckle bushes were pretty and smelled sweet and strong. It was enough to taste. These bushes are an invasive species for this area and at some time will require trimming or removal as they encroch on the trail.

It will certainly be nice when the temperature increases. Hope to stop wearing long sleeves and vests on a ride soon. Everyone have a safe Memorial Day Weekend!

Still Cool

May 13th ride was still a little cool and it was windy. There were three of us and the distance we rode ended up being 14.1 miles. Our average speed was 12 mph. Occasionally one of our riders will have a previous commitment. We tried to accomodate one this evening by riding a resonable time and dropping that rider at his intended destination. Then we completed the ride with the remaining riders. Our group is very casual and we enjoy the time as an opportunity for fellowship, as well as exercise.

Bike to Work Week

May is National Bike Month
Bike-to-Work Week from May 12-16
Bike-to-Work Day on Friday, May 16.

Old Money

May 6 th ride was another good beginning. Five riders, 14.7 miles, and an average of 11.4 mph. Welcome to Keith, who joined us for the first time. I picked up a dime, a nickle, and two pennies. We may have started another competition when Lloyd picked up his own nickle. I had the first flat of the year when, not paying attention, I hit a rock in the middle of the street. "Snake bite" strikes when one least expects it. We rode a variation of the southwestern loop and it included several good sized hills. Since it was election day, and the church where we meet is a voting center, we were pleased to see the parking lot full of voters. Some said they had to wait up to 45 minutes to cast their ballot. Since the voting centers had been open for nearly a week it was even more of a surprise to see so many on the last day of voting. I'm glad our citizens got out to vote.

April 29th Ride

Last ride in April was great! It would be worth your time to ride the Cardinal Trail, north from the Depot. The Redbuds were exploding with color on both sides of the trail. It was encouraging to see how many folks are using the Cardinal Trail. We saw over a dozen walkers in the four mile stretch traveled. Dick decided we needed a bell or small horn to signal our approach to hikers. We look forward to warmer weather soon. The ride was just over fourteen miles and our average was on the plus side of 10 mph.

Another season

Starting April 22, 2008 we will have our weekly bicycle rides.
Meet at First English Lutheran Church at 6:00 PM, each Tuesday evening.
We usually agree on the days route by consensus and ride for about one to one and a half hours. The start time may change at some point during the season. I will try to keep it posted.

We are a casual group with about a 10 - 14 mph average. At the beginning of the season it will probably be slower and we tend to pick up the pace later in the summer. Rides are rarely more than fifteen miles and we often have at least five riders. It is our intention to include anyone who shows up and not leave anyone behind.

Some routes we use on Tuesday rides.

http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=1670348 - FELC North (short)

http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=3657695 - FELC North (long)

http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=1640142 - FELC Southwest

http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=1639351 - FELC Southeast

http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=1644811 - FELC Cardinal Greenway & Paved Part of Whitewater Gorge Trail
http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=2574691 - FELC West

http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=3638306 - FELC Round Barn Road West