Ride for Cancer

Friday, June 12th, First English Lutheran Church hosted a group who are riding coast to coast for cancer. See their site at http://www.illini4000.org/. What a great experience! These young people were polite and enthusiastic about their adventure. They shared some of their experiences and were genuine with their interest about us.

It was a pleasure and honor to ride with them for a few miles Saturday as they made their way toward Indianapolis, Indiana for the next stop. I wish them safe bicycling, success with their cancer endeavors, and many new relationships and experiences. Thanks for letting us be a small part of the ride.

Four for Fun

Tuesday 6/9/2009 we had four riders. I saw four pennies on the roadway over the course of the ride. We were riding at a fast enough pace that I just left the coins where they were. I don't leave coins very often, and it was difficult for me to pass them. We pedaled a recorded 17.8 miles at an average speed of 14.5 mph. The group took a mostly flat route going out, as we traveled a little north, on the Cardinal Greenway. Then we were west, on Industries Road, to Round Barn Road. We were trying to take advantage of the wind that would push us back. On the return route, after crossing on Main Street to the east side of the Whitewater River Gorge, the decision was made to go south on the Whitewater Gorge Trail. Up Test Road, over to L street, and back to our respective neighborhoods completed the evening ride. This was a little faster ride than we normally do, but the four riders set a pace that was comfortable for the group.

Hail and thunder

Hail! No we didn't ride. Too much thunder, rain and marble sized hail falling from the sky. Next week we'll give it another try.

Two Blue

The high point of today's ride, other than that hill, was a beautiful Blue Heron. The first riders to make it to the river saw this bird and then it left. Later, other riders had a chance to see the Heron in flight as we alarmed it further up the river. Overall average speed was 12.6 mph and we managed 14.5 miles. Eight riders participated and it was an enjoyable evening ride.

Touch and Go

This week's ride was another great one! Six riders, sunshine, temperature into the seventies, and a good pace. My recording was that we cranked 15 miles at a 12.9 mph average. Mostly south and west, the route included several hills and we got to see a helicopter practicing "touch and go" take offs and landings. At one point our lead rider frightened a large Turkey Vulture into a take off from its evening feast. Different wings, but glorious flight from man and nature.

Another peleton of riders passed us going the opposite direction. It was a thrill to encounter so many bicyclists on the road. There is always so much to see on a bicycle ride. I am thankful for each opportunity.

Thanks to the riders from the community who joined us. Of our six riders, half were new or relatively new to the group. Everyone is welcome. We will continue to start at 5:30 pm each Tuesday until the group decides another time would be better.

Coins again

Tuesday night's ride was enriching. Found two pennies and a quarter! Only three riders made the profitable tour this evening. I suppose the cool temperatures and wind kept riders away. We managed 16 miles at an average speed of 11.3 mph. The ride was longer than our usual hour. Lots of blooming bushes and the smell of the blossoms was quite strong, at times. It was a pretty ride and I had fun finding coins again. Three stops to pick up my new found wealth put me behind the pace each time. The thrills were worth it.

Road blocked

May 5, 2009 was, at last, a fairly good weather day. The temperature was near 70 degrees F, the sun was shining, and the wind wasn't blowing ninty miles an hour. Four of us cycled for 13.9 miles at an average speed of 11.1 mph. The apparent slow speed hides the fact that we managed a few ascents and it takes a while to get thru stop signs and traffic. We discovered that Liberty Avenue is closed at the bottom of a hill. The road was dug up and it required us to ride back up the hill we had just excitedly descended.

There were riders who were new to our group and we welcomed them gratefully. It is always nice to have new points of view and different stories to listen to. Thanks for joining us and we hope you come back and bring others who enjoy bicycling.