Warm Up for 2009

Two interested riders made an informal beginning to the 2009 season. The regular group has not started yet and we expect they will soon. This ride was into some strong spring winds. It made the return part of the ride more enjoyable. Our distance was 11.2 miles and the average speed was 12.7 mph. Saw a beautiful Redtail Hawk fly into a field just to our right. The opportunity to see such wonderful wild creatures is one of the reasons I like to ride. Looking forward to another good year.

2008 Data

We made a chart from the times and speeds recorded during the 2008 year, starting with April 22, 2008 and ending on October 14, 2008. There were several weeks that did not get recorded. The lower line, which is average speed, changed very little. There were a few peaks when we got a little crazy. The distance we rode (upper line) tended to become longer, ranging from a low of 10.1 miles to a long day of just over 24 miles. This can be attributed to longer ride times during the warm summer days. The highest average speed we had was 13.3 miles per hour and our lowest average speed day was 10.2 miles per hour. Over the year our average speed was 12.2 miles per hour.


Hope you are beginning to look forward to another great year! If we fit your speed, come join us as we put in some fantastic, friendly, and fun miles. It is always adviseable to wear a helmet and dress in bright colors.













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

Bicycle parking rack in Germany

Interesting bicycle parking rack that we saw in Germany. It was artistic, moveable, could be used for advertising, and the stainless steel construction made it appear durable. It was limited to two bicycles. Perhaps it will give a designer in Richmond, Indiana an idea to build on.

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

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.