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.