Tuesday June 29, 2010 was the last ride of June this year. 20.1 miles at an average speed of 13.3 made an enjoyable evening. The temperature was in the low seventies and humidity was low. A north wind encouraged us to ride that direction first so that we would have a wind assist coming home. There was an comment this evening, when we were on the unfinished portion of the Cardinal Trail, north of Industries Road. As we rode side by side, between "Jewelweed" (Impatiens capensis) plants that were at least waist high, he said, "It's almost like riding between rows of hedge." We eagerly await the completion of this trail and know there are many folks using it already.
I will say that the wild raspberries, along the nearly completed Cardinal Trail, have been harvested as quickly as they ripen. Certainly there are many resources that are utilized by trail users. It isn't just a trail to walk or bicycle on. The sights and coolness under trees are just a few of the wonders to enjoy.
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
A Few Hills
Tuesday June 22, 2010 was a northern route. We managed to get into hills on Buttermilk Road, Weiss Road, and Smyrna Road, north of route 121. One of our riders was hopeful to be able to ride up Elks Country Club Road south of the railroad tracks. After riding up and down most of the evening that last hill was not a problem. Our evening tour covered 11.9 miles at an average speed of 11.3 miles per hour. Church Council meeting and another event caused our ride to be shorter than usual. We try to accommodate the needs of each rider.
A highlight of the evening was a stop at one of the artisan springs in Glen Miller Park. The water has been cool and refreshing for generations. I am always surprised by the number of people who visit these springs and wonder if there really are benefits from the mineral water.
A highlight of the evening was a stop at one of the artisan springs in Glen Miller Park. The water has been cool and refreshing for generations. I am always surprised by the number of people who visit these springs and wonder if there really are benefits from the mineral water.
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Murals
Our evening ride visited six walls in Richmond where work on murals has been started for our "Festival of Murals." It was exciting to see the progress and to know that more art work will soon adorn walls in our community.
We rode 18.1 miles at an average speed of 12.3 mph. Another great ride with good fellowship.
The Palladium-Item ran these words in an article recently:
"Nine artists have been selected to paint murals for this summer's Festival of Murals in Wayne County. In Richmond, six walls have been selected and matched with the following artists:
•Damon Reed of Chicago at Pete's Corner Cafe, 168 Fort Wayne Ave.;
•Diana Toschlog of Richmond at the Parker Company Building, 923 N. E St.;
•Justin Montavon of West College Corner at Bertie's Music Bar, 1129 E. Main St.;
•Joe Thompson of Center at Richmond Civic Theatre, 1003 E. Main St.;
•Amy Rheinhardt-Jackson of Indianapolis at Firehouse Restaurant, North D and Eighth streets;
•Mark Gardner of Centerville at Paust Printers, 14 N. 10th St.
•Amy Mitchell of Eaton, Ohio, will paint a mural on the Logston Building, also known as Grandview Pharmacy in Hagerstown; Carly Mattingly of Cambridge City will paint on the National Road Antique Mall in Cambridge City; and Pamela Bliss will paint on the US Bank building in Cambridge City."
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
What? Wet weather.
We determined to ride for an hour even with the threat of rain. At 12.6 miles, with an average speed of 13.9 mph, we didn't quite make our goal. Someone coming out of the church, before we began, said that it is sometimes more enjoyable to ride in the rain.
Attitudes toward bicycle riding in the rain are probably as numerous as riders. Many parts of the world, and some parts of our country, take rain in stride. If the local climate is wet, there is really no choice but to ride in rain. There are certainly many tools that a bicyclist can use to make rain more tolerable, if not enjoyable.
It is important to stay warm. Rain jackets and pants can hold moisture in so that the rider gets wet from a different direction. Some of the more sophisticated products "breath" and let body moisture out. A good quality rain jacket is probably the minimum that a bicycle rider in the rain needs. My experience is that the rider will be wet at some point in the rainy expedition. Keeping warm prevents the body from entering hypothermia. There are booties and shoe covers by the handful to choose from. An, "if all else fails" solution is to use empty bread sacks between socks and shoes. This won't necessarily keep you dry, but it will help stay warm. It becomes more important to be aware of drivers when it is raining since many don't expect to see bicyclists.
Attitudes toward bicycle riding in the rain are probably as numerous as riders. Many parts of the world, and some parts of our country, take rain in stride. If the local climate is wet, there is really no choice but to ride in rain. There are certainly many tools that a bicyclist can use to make rain more tolerable, if not enjoyable.
It is important to stay warm. Rain jackets and pants can hold moisture in so that the rider gets wet from a different direction. Some of the more sophisticated products "breath" and let body moisture out. A good quality rain jacket is probably the minimum that a bicycle rider in the rain needs. My experience is that the rider will be wet at some point in the rainy expedition. Keeping warm prevents the body from entering hypothermia. There are booties and shoe covers by the handful to choose from. An, "if all else fails" solution is to use empty bread sacks between socks and shoes. This won't necessarily keep you dry, but it will help stay warm. It becomes more important to be aware of drivers when it is raining since many don't expect to see bicyclists.
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
No Hills
Tuesday, June 1, 2010. This evenings ride was with three riders and we covered 18.4 miles at a pace of 12.9 mph. It was a sunshine evening with very little wind. One of the riders commented that the time for the ride wasn't a problem as long as we didn't get into hills.
We are fortunate to be able to find relatively flat routes or choose to head for the hills. Continental glaciation, in our geologic past, left moraines that Richmond is just on the edge of. We can choose to ride the out wash plains, which are flat. Going another direction puts us into the piles of earth the glaciers left behind, which we call hills. Tonight's ride was mostly flat and everyone was satisfied.
There is always time to talk while we ride. Fellowship is an important part of each weekly ride. Our pace is peaceful enough that everyone can keep up and rigorous enough that our heart rates are up.
We are fortunate to be able to find relatively flat routes or choose to head for the hills. Continental glaciation, in our geologic past, left moraines that Richmond is just on the edge of. We can choose to ride the out wash plains, which are flat. Going another direction puts us into the piles of earth the glaciers left behind, which we call hills. Tonight's ride was mostly flat and everyone was satisfied.
There is always time to talk while we ride. Fellowship is an important part of each weekly ride. Our pace is peaceful enough that everyone can keep up and rigorous enough that our heart rates are up.
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