I rode around doing errands today. First, I put on sunscreen, which was precipitated by not being able to find a long-sleeved t-shirt. First I rode over to the library to drop off some books, then I headed over to the Post Office to post the bills. The terminus of the Flag Day Parade was in the parking lot of the Post Office, so THAT required a bit a navigating. And by navigating I mean jaywalking. Right in front of the Police Station, too! Is that a violation of my probation?
After that I took the long way over towards work and picked up a couple of cartons of fags, then headed back. Speaking of, I didn't buy ANY last week, so SOMEONE is cutting back a bit!
I decided to check the recycling center hours. They're open till five, so I went home, dropped off the fags, and picked up the cans I've been collecting for the last month. [insert the picture I didn't take of me in Pink Fat Cyclist Jersey hold bag of cans here] I don't know how much the cans weighed, but the payment comes to $8.42 for a month's worth of found aluminum cans. So
Space shuttle just took off! Cool!
We take you back to your sentence...
I shall have to figure out how to send that on to The Fat Cyclist.
Apropos to nothing, while looking for an old copy of Outside magzine, I found an old copy of Bicycling (May 1978), in which it is explained how to grow sprouts in a container on your bicycle while touring. Oh, why not!
LATER: I forgot to put the mileage! It's 59.06 miles for the week, so far!
Saturday, May 31, 2008
Friday, May 30, 2008
Fryday
Kinda warm this afternoon. I spent most of the day in the computer lab changing the new Macs over to Bonjour printing, whatever THAT is. The NEW Macs suddenly wouldn't print on Appletalk, but the OLD Macs would. I don't know what I'm doing, I just found something that WORKS!
Also assisting students in their myriad problems, and rearranging some of the tables, scoring mouses and network cables and switches, oh my!
The week in bicycle commuting totals 45 miles.
Today's can total is six. Again.
Tomorrow is cash-in-the-cans day, so we shall see how much is raised for charity.
Ran across an interesting article about bicycling in Amsterdam, with many pictures, and interesting commentary by an American tourist. Pictures load slow and unevenly, though.
Also assisting students in their myriad problems, and rearranging some of the tables, scoring mouses and network cables and switches, oh my!
The week in bicycle commuting totals 45 miles.
Today's can total is six. Again.
Tomorrow is cash-in-the-cans day, so we shall see how much is raised for charity.
Ran across an interesting article about bicycling in Amsterdam, with many pictures, and interesting commentary by an American tourist. Pictures load slow and unevenly, though.
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Of Keys And Locks And A Garden Of Shells
You remember this lock I found?
Well, I found some keys in roughly the same spot. I though MAYBE they might fit
But, they are not Yale keys, they are Wind Hardware & Engineering (Danbury, CT) keys. You can tell by the windmill.
And, to tell the truth, as I'm typing, I realize I did NOT find them within even two miles of where I found the lock, so that was pointless. Unless you like looking blurry pictures of keys!
Check out this garden of shells. Or is it an embankment of shells? Whichever, I have gone past it a million times and never noticed it before. The image is geotagged at zooomr if you desire knowledge of where it is located. Click the picture to go there.
This is the left side.
Here's a detail of the preceding, for to see the shells more better.
This is the middle, more or less.
A detail of the preceding.
A detail, not of the preceeding, but the one before THAT!
And this would be the right side. There's a pool behind that wall, BTW.
Lot of work there! Lot of ROCKS!
Picked up only one can today, and it was kind of goopy. Some kind of energy junk.
Yesterday I stuck my tongue out at a car hedging the red as I was turning left.
Today a small child in the back of an automobile was staring at me at a red, but quickly lost interest as I couldn't keep up, but regained interest when I caught them at the next light, then VERY quickly lost interest as in the dust I was left.
Well, I found some keys in roughly the same spot. I though MAYBE they might fit
But, they are not Yale keys, they are Wind Hardware & Engineering (Danbury, CT) keys. You can tell by the windmill.
And, to tell the truth, as I'm typing, I realize I did NOT find them within even two miles of where I found the lock, so that was pointless. Unless you like looking blurry pictures of keys!
Check out this garden of shells. Or is it an embankment of shells? Whichever, I have gone past it a million times and never noticed it before. The image is geotagged at zooomr if you desire knowledge of where it is located. Click the picture to go there.
This is the left side.
Here's a detail of the preceding, for to see the shells more better.
This is the middle, more or less.
A detail of the preceding.
A detail, not of the preceeding, but the one before THAT!
And this would be the right side. There's a pool behind that wall, BTW.
Lot of work there! Lot of ROCKS!
Picked up only one can today, and it was kind of goopy. Some kind of energy junk.
Yesterday I stuck my tongue out at a car hedging the red as I was turning left.
Today a small child in the back of an automobile was staring at me at a red, but quickly lost interest as I couldn't keep up, but regained interest when I caught them at the next light, then VERY quickly lost interest as in the dust I was left.
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Speed King
Eleven miles, two cans. That's pretty much the day!
Lovely day today. Too bad I had to work!
On the way home, I touched 30 MPH coming off a SMALL rise (and an excellent tail wind!) on a flat stretch. I felt exhilarated. And a bit scared!
Later!
Lovely day today. Too bad I had to work!
On the way home, I touched 30 MPH coming off a SMALL rise (and an excellent tail wind!) on a flat stretch. I felt exhilarated. And a bit scared!
Later!
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
I'm Surrounded By...
Took off this morning for work in rather a foul mood.
At the big intersection I waited patiently for the turn signal in the left-hand turn lane. A cyclist approached from the right and stopped in HIS left-hand turn lane. I got the green arrow, and took off. He ALSO took off, crossing my path, but behind me. I said, "Idiot!" quite loudly. Just to make sure he knew. But later, I felt like one for saying it.
Steve the M. brought some ProLink for me to try. You may recall I mentioned that I purchased a bottle on Saturday, but I took this one ANYWAY, when I discovered it has the same kind of tip as the Tri-Flow, a tip that I can insert a brass tube into so as to precisely direct pinpoint drops of the 8 dollars a bottle chain elixir.
The flip-top on the new bottle tends to squirt out too much of the magic liquid, so I think this will work out well!
By the by, those are "crumbs" left by the roofers.
Picked up seven cans today, but one blew out of the basket in the tremendous wind created by speeding down a hill at a dizzying twenty-four miles per hour.
Later!
At the big intersection I waited patiently for the turn signal in the left-hand turn lane. A cyclist approached from the right and stopped in HIS left-hand turn lane. I got the green arrow, and took off. He ALSO took off, crossing my path, but behind me. I said, "Idiot!" quite loudly. Just to make sure he knew. But later, I felt like one for saying it.
Steve the M. brought some ProLink for me to try. You may recall I mentioned that I purchased a bottle on Saturday, but I took this one ANYWAY, when I discovered it has the same kind of tip as the Tri-Flow, a tip that I can insert a brass tube into so as to precisely direct pinpoint drops of the 8 dollars a bottle chain elixir.
The flip-top on the new bottle tends to squirt out too much of the magic liquid, so I think this will work out well!
By the by, those are "crumbs" left by the roofers.
Picked up seven cans today, but one blew out of the basket in the tremendous wind created by speeding down a hill at a dizzying twenty-four miles per hour.
Later!
Sunday, May 25, 2008
Can CanCan
Rode out to Santee and back, pretty much the usual route, except I didn't go by the dam, electing to climb the Mission Gorge Road hill, and didn't go around the lake.
I took a bunch of pictures along Forester Creek. The new (finally!) 52 extension will go along here. Here's the big embankment near Prospect.
I used the gamma correction to lighten this one up. It's take from the Olive Lane bridge, as is the preceding one.
A bit farther along the bike path, but still on Prospect, I took this pic, looking to the east-ish. Too much sun, I guess so it came out dark.
I gamma corrected it here. I don't have a clue what gamma is, but it work like magic!
But before I gamma corrected it, I hit the wrong button and negatived it. But it looks interesting, don't it?
Closer to Mission Gorge Road, and looking south, we see more embankments.
A temporary bridge over Forester Creek using an old railroad flat car. I rode over it. Don't tell anyone!
The road to Tucker's place, where Kelly and I split a lot of wood, and helped Tucker dynamite that rock up there.
Over on Fletcher Parkway, I went down that embankment to retrieve that can, and what did I find?
One Can
Two Cans
Three cans!
This picture, while overly large, shows four things:
Can total for today: 19 W00t!!
Miles for today: Just over 20, I think!
Miles for the week:
Schwinn 10.55 miles
Jamis 62.50 miles
Total 73.05 miles
Odometer Readings:
Schwinn 7,029 miles
Jamis 5,147 miles
I took a bunch of pictures along Forester Creek. The new (finally!) 52 extension will go along here. Here's the big embankment near Prospect.
I used the gamma correction to lighten this one up. It's take from the Olive Lane bridge, as is the preceding one.
A bit farther along the bike path, but still on Prospect, I took this pic, looking to the east-ish. Too much sun, I guess so it came out dark.
I gamma corrected it here. I don't have a clue what gamma is, but it work like magic!
But before I gamma corrected it, I hit the wrong button and negatived it. But it looks interesting, don't it?
Closer to Mission Gorge Road, and looking south, we see more embankments.
A temporary bridge over Forester Creek using an old railroad flat car. I rode over it. Don't tell anyone!
The road to Tucker's place, where Kelly and I split a lot of wood, and helped Tucker dynamite that rock up there.
Over on Fletcher Parkway, I went down that embankment to retrieve that can, and what did I find?
One CanTwo CansThree cans!This picture, while overly large, shows four things:
- The clippers (a found item, BTW) used to trim errant branches along bike paths.
- A rock I picked up today. Someday, a rock garden!
- A wrench (7/16 inch) I found today on Mission Gorge Road. Mastergrip brand. Costco?
- An oddly familiar piece of metal, which the scale shows is almost 24 HO scale feet long!
Can total for today: 19 W00t!!
Miles for today: Just over 20, I think!
Miles for the week:
Schwinn 10.55 miles
Jamis 62.50 miles
Total 73.05 miles
Odometer Readings:
Schwinn 7,029 miles
Jamis 5,147 miles
Friday, May 23, 2008
Rainy Friday
I rode Jamis to work today, in defiance of the predicted rain.
It rained.
I spent 10 minutes trimming branches that were sticking WAY into the bike lane this morning. My good deed...
Here is a pointless and too-large picture of that can at the bottom of the embankment (THAT'S the word I was trying to remember!) I was talking about.
It's STILL there!
But I picked up one other can today.
It wasn't raining when I headed home, but it was a little wet. But not too bad. It waited till I got home before it started up again.
Totaling the Schwinn and Jamis mileage this week, so far, it looks pretty darn close to 50.
After a glowing endorsement by Steve the M. today, I think I am definitely going with the Pro Link chain lube.
Jamis needs a bath.
Later!
It rained.
I spent 10 minutes trimming branches that were sticking WAY into the bike lane this morning. My good deed...
Here is a pointless and too-large picture of that can at the bottom of the embankment (THAT'S the word I was trying to remember!) I was talking about.
It's STILL there!
But I picked up one other can today.
It wasn't raining when I headed home, but it was a little wet. But not too bad. It waited till I got home before it started up again.
Totaling the Schwinn and Jamis mileage this week, so far, it looks pretty darn close to 50.
After a glowing endorsement by Steve the M. today, I think I am definitely going with the Pro Link chain lube.
Jamis needs a bath.
Later!
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Thursday Cloudy
Ten miles
Cloudy
Batteries died
Flat tire (front)
No cans
That was pretty much the day in bicycling.
Oh, here's a bit of gossip. The word on the street is that Floyd Landis is not much of a "On your left!" kind of guy. Well, neither am I. But then, I'm not passing a whole lot of people, either!
I get passed A LOT, so I have quite a bit of experience. I'd say about half the people call it out, and 95% of the women. I don't find it helps much. I've got a mirror, so either I KNOW they are coming, or I wasn't looking and they fly by, scaring me. It IS nice to hear a "How's it going?" as they pass me struggling up a climb. Anyway, it struck me as funny, so I thought I'd better mention it.
I'm thinking about changing chain lubes. I've been using Tri-Flow for years, but it's kinda messy. I used White Lightning for a while before that, but there was a lot of waxy build-up. I was reading some guy waxing poetic (link from Citizen Rider blog) about Squirt lube, but Steve the M. said that ProLink was the hot setup for this area, and offered to fix me up with a bottle. How can I refuse?
It rained for 20 minutes this evening, so we shall have to see how Friday goes...
Later!
Cloudy
Batteries died
Flat tire (front)
No cans
That was pretty much the day in bicycling.
Oh, here's a bit of gossip. The word on the street is that Floyd Landis is not much of a "On your left!" kind of guy. Well, neither am I. But then, I'm not passing a whole lot of people, either!
I get passed A LOT, so I have quite a bit of experience. I'd say about half the people call it out, and 95% of the women. I don't find it helps much. I've got a mirror, so either I KNOW they are coming, or I wasn't looking and they fly by, scaring me. It IS nice to hear a "How's it going?" as they pass me struggling up a climb. Anyway, it struck me as funny, so I thought I'd better mention it.
I'm thinking about changing chain lubes. I've been using Tri-Flow for years, but it's kinda messy. I used White Lightning for a while before that, but there was a lot of waxy build-up. I was reading some guy waxing poetic (link from Citizen Rider blog) about Squirt lube, but Steve the M. said that ProLink was the hot setup for this area, and offered to fix me up with a bottle. How can I refuse?
It rained for 20 minutes this evening, so we shall have to see how Friday goes...
Later!
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Sprinkles
It was a dark and stormy...well, it was kinda dark, anyway!
It's supposed to maybe rain tomorrow, but it was very heavy mist towards the end of the commute this morning. And I was carrying a box of three reams of paper, too!
I saw a strange bicycle at Dixieline yesterday. Three guys who went out the exit door before stared at it, then they watched me to get my reaction, which was a double-take. I don't know what it was, except really red, some kind of beach cruiser-type, with a BIG frame. Looked expensive, but no logo that I could see. I'll check tomorrow, with camera, and see if it is still there. But, upon Google-ing, I think it was a Monster Cruiser.
I picked up one aluminium can this afternoon, and I've got my eye on another one down that hill I mentioned the other day.
Not bike-related, but I just wanted to mention. Back in the day, knockout seals seemed to fit tighter. Just sayin'.
Also not bike-related, but funny. At work, there was a big brouhaha about someone sending out an e-mail to EVERYONE in the organization. A non-work-related email, and at that, a bogus one. Well, of course, everyone that replied to complain ALSO hit reply-to-all, and it just snowballed. Very reminiscent of the infamous CPR e-mail fiasco I was involved in a couple years ago that was so much fun!
Thank is all.
It's supposed to maybe rain tomorrow, but it was very heavy mist towards the end of the commute this morning. And I was carrying a box of three reams of paper, too!
I saw a strange bicycle at Dixieline yesterday. Three guys who went out the exit door before stared at it, then they watched me to get my reaction, which was a double-take. I don't know what it was, except really red, some kind of beach cruiser-type, with a BIG frame. Looked expensive, but no logo that I could see. I'll check tomorrow, with camera, and see if it is still there. But, upon Google-ing, I think it was a Monster Cruiser.
I picked up one aluminium can this afternoon, and I've got my eye on another one down that hill I mentioned the other day.
Not bike-related, but I just wanted to mention. Back in the day, knockout seals seemed to fit tighter. Just sayin'.
Also not bike-related, but funny. At work, there was a big brouhaha about someone sending out an e-mail to EVERYONE in the organization. A non-work-related email, and at that, a bogus one. Well, of course, everyone that replied to complain ALSO hit reply-to-all, and it just snowballed. Very reminiscent of the infamous CPR e-mail fiasco I was involved in a couple years ago that was so much fun!
Thank is all.
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Sports Day
Another day, another 10.6 miles. Rode Jamis today.
Today's was Sports Dress Day at work. I wore the Pink Fat Cyclist Jersey all day. Many people said, "Nice shirt!" Some, without snark! Several asked, "What sport is that?" I showed several people the Team Fatty page on Flickr.
Picked up five aluminium cans, plus one in front of the house before I left this morning.
I drove the vehicle grocery shopping this afternoon. Just so as I can remember this, the correct mop refill for our mop handle is the HomeLife Type "S".
Today's was Sports Dress Day at work. I wore the Pink Fat Cyclist Jersey all day. Many people said, "Nice shirt!" Some, without snark! Several asked, "What sport is that?" I showed several people the Team Fatty page on Flickr.
Picked up five aluminium cans, plus one in front of the house before I left this morning.
I drove the vehicle grocery shopping this afternoon. Just so as I can remember this, the correct mop refill for our mop handle is the HomeLife Type "S".
Pet Peeves
- People who put back ice cream because their partner is taking too long shopping and it is melting.
- People who eat a bag of chips. I'm betting they aren't paying for it. I have little faith in mankind.
- The outrageous cost of mop refills.
Monday, May 19, 2008
Hot Monday
I THOUGHT it was going to be cool today, but it was not.
I found that Jamis had a flat on the front when I went out to the garage this morning, so I had to ride the Schwinn. So, I was unable to pickup the one can I saw.
Someone had a piece'o'junk bike for free outside their house. It was gone when I came back in the afternoon to take a picture of it, so we all could point and laugh. I guess one person's junk is another person's valuable stuff.
Fixed the flat when I got home. I don't know what caused it, just a little hole that required a bucket of water to locate. I also adjusted the brakes. Again.
Working on the bike is very difficult with the model railroad taking up so much room. I need a another garage, or less junk!
I found that Jamis had a flat on the front when I went out to the garage this morning, so I had to ride the Schwinn. So, I was unable to pickup the one can I saw.
Someone had a piece'o'junk bike for free outside their house. It was gone when I came back in the afternoon to take a picture of it, so we all could point and laugh. I guess one person's junk is another person's valuable stuff.
Fixed the flat when I got home. I don't know what caused it, just a little hole that required a bucket of water to locate. I also adjusted the brakes. Again.
Working on the bike is very difficult with the model railroad taking up so much room. I need a another garage, or less junk!
Saturday, May 17, 2008
Saturday
It's eighty degrees Fahrenheit, in the shade, and I'm back from a 9 mile ride out to Fletcher Hills. So now I've got 29 miles for the week!
I passed a friendly fellow on a clunker heading off to work, I believe, at Souplantation. I got passed by a very tall fellow, and later got passed by ANOTHER tall fellow, whom I caught and passed at a light.
Picked up six aluminium cans, one of which was situated about 15 feet down a hill. But I got it. I had to warsh one of the cans out, it was full of cigarette butts!
I had a glass of pseudo-ice tea (Albertsons light) when I got home. Have I mentioned how nice it is to have a refrigerator that can freeze ice cube AND ice cream? [insert bitter comments about cheap apartment owners here]
But I digress...
Another digression--It looks like one of the sunflowers may have survived the Great Front-Yard Massacre. There is something growing that looks vaguely sunflower-ish. We shall see!
And yet another--The bees are back, for you who are in the know!
That's it for today, I'm going to a birtday party at a Thai restaurant!
Later!
I passed a friendly fellow on a clunker heading off to work, I believe, at Souplantation. I got passed by a very tall fellow, and later got passed by ANOTHER tall fellow, whom I caught and passed at a light.
Picked up six aluminium cans, one of which was situated about 15 feet down a hill. But I got it. I had to warsh one of the cans out, it was full of cigarette butts!
I had a glass of pseudo-ice tea (Albertsons light) when I got home. Have I mentioned how nice it is to have a refrigerator that can freeze ice cube AND ice cream? [insert bitter comments about cheap apartment owners here]
But I digress...
Another digression--It looks like one of the sunflowers may have survived the Great Front-Yard Massacre. There is something growing that looks vaguely sunflower-ish. We shall see!
And yet another--The bees are back, for you who are in the know!
That's it for today, I'm going to a birtday party at a Thai restaurant!
Later!
Friday, May 16, 2008
Bike To Work Day 2008
Did the obligatory 10ish miles, closer to 11. Picked up one can! Saw four other people biking to work (or at least SOMEWHERE!) this morning at six.
Only one bike at work, and it had been locked in all night, I found out.
I stashed my lunch in the Supply Room fridge. Saw this bag of STUFF in there. What do you suppose it it?
I think it is scones. You'll notice the donut box in the corner. I ate one. Lemon filled! It was good, but honestly, it went down too fast! My philosophy this week has been: If the battery in my blood tester is dead, then the carbs don't count.
It was cool in the morning, but it warmed up in the day. It got to 95° (35C) at work, and it's 90° (32.2C) right now at five. The humidity is around 20%, and the wind is around 15 mph (24.14 km/h ), but seem stronger to me. Seems like good kite flying weather!
Riding home, there was a truck in the bike lane. I hope he was broken down and not just a bike lane scofflaw!
Later!
Only one bike at work, and it had been locked in all night, I found out.
I stashed my lunch in the Supply Room fridge. Saw this bag of STUFF in there. What do you suppose it it?
I think it is scones. You'll notice the donut box in the corner. I ate one. Lemon filled! It was good, but honestly, it went down too fast! My philosophy this week has been: If the battery in my blood tester is dead, then the carbs don't count.
It was cool in the morning, but it warmed up in the day. It got to 95° (35C) at work, and it's 90° (32.2C) right now at five. The humidity is around 20%, and the wind is around 15 mph (24.14 km/h ), but seem stronger to me. Seems like good kite flying weather!
Riding home, there was a truck in the bike lane. I hope he was broken down and not just a bike lane scofflaw!
Later!
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Day Before Bike To Work Day
What a day to leave the camera home!
I was driving east on the 8 this afternoon, traffic is slowing WAY down. It's normal, it's going home time. I'm grooving (Not a word I used much, even when it WAS in vogue!) to the sounds of Dimitri From Paris. Sacrebleu was the album, the cut was "Le Moogy Reggae", I believe. We (my fellow commuters) are moving (slowly) up the grade near San Diego State, when what do I see on the shoulder, but two bicycling tourists, full kit panniers and all, pedaling (slowly) up the grade.
I am PRETTY sure bicycles are in no way allowed along here, but I can see, depending on where they were coming from, chancing the route would save an hour of cycling up some big ol' hills.
A picture would have been worth...
Tomorrow is Bike To Work Day! Be there!
I was driving east on the 8 this afternoon, traffic is slowing WAY down. It's normal, it's going home time. I'm grooving (Not a word I used much, even when it WAS in vogue!) to the sounds of Dimitri From Paris. Sacrebleu was the album, the cut was "Le Moogy Reggae", I believe. We (my fellow commuters) are moving (slowly) up the grade near San Diego State, when what do I see on the shoulder, but two bicycling tourists, full kit panniers and all, pedaling (slowly) up the grade.
I am PRETTY sure bicycles are in no way allowed along here, but I can see, depending on where they were coming from, chancing the route would save an hour of cycling up some big ol' hills.
A picture would have been worth...
Tomorrow is Bike To Work Day! Be there!
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Changing The Lane
Saturday last I was walking to the library. I observed a bicyclist coming along. He did a traffic check, then signaled a lane change to the left-hand lane for to get into the left turn lane coming up at the intersection. A car didn't see him, and almost hit him as it made a left.
This could have been very bad. I bet the car just didn't notice the cyclist, and I totally understand it. Too much going on! The cyclist just doesn't have a big enough "footprint", as it were. I usually make my lane-change a little farther along, and often stop at the curb until it is safe to dart over.
Plus, the cyclist wasn't wearing a helmet! Hey, just had to throw that in! But he WAS totally trying to follow the rules of the road.
No riding today, another meeting across town, and another on Thursday. Friday for sure!!
UPDATE: Just changed the front brake pads! Yippeee!!! But the rear ones, I don't know...
This could have been very bad. I bet the car just didn't notice the cyclist, and I totally understand it. Too much going on! The cyclist just doesn't have a big enough "footprint", as it were. I usually make my lane-change a little farther along, and often stop at the curb until it is safe to dart over.
Plus, the cyclist wasn't wearing a helmet! Hey, just had to throw that in! But he WAS totally trying to follow the rules of the road.
No riding today, another meeting across town, and another on Thursday. Friday for sure!!
UPDATE: Just changed the front brake pads! Yippeee!!! But the rear ones, I don't know...
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Truly I Say
First commute, and first bike ride, since Monday of last week.
My front blinkie won't blink! It just stays on! I just PUT new batteries in it! But upon testing, the batteries are low, and unevenly low, too! I thought they were a new pair! Alas and alack!
If you don't want to hear more whining about drivers, just skip this!
So, I'm sitting in the driveway at a shopping center, on Jamis (Six a.m.). Waiting to make sure it's clear, you know. The first pink spot shows where. So I hear a truck coming, it's the red line. It comes up on my RIGHT, into the IN lane! Then he notices the cars that want to turn left into said driveway, so he backs up and gets behind me.
So I turn left when it's clear, and he follows me. He passes around spot indicated by the green circle. Staying in the same lane, he sure doesn't give me much room. Crowded me, I'd say. I follow him into the left turn lanes, he on the inside behind someone, me on the outside first in line. That's about it, except I took a couple pics of him as I had the camera out (for something that didn't pan out (well, I'll tell YOU, it was to take a pic of a U.S.S. Midway t-shirt that has been sitting artistically on side of the road for a week, but is now gone. Of course.)) Since it was a commercial vehicle, an exterminator, I was going to complain, call the 800 number, and whine a lot here. But there are no pics on the memory card, so I guess I blew it!
Yah, yah, I know it's nothing, ESPECIALLY compared to what a lot of people deal with. In fact, I hereby acknowledge that my commute ride is a piece of cake. But I goota complain about SOMETHING!
TOTALLY forgot to replace the front brake pads, something I noticed going down a hill carrying the camera in the rear brake hand...
Coming home, a trio of lads played "Let's Pretend-Shove One Of Our Number Into The Bike Lane At That Cyclist", but I saw THAT one coming and didn't react.
Not an aluminium to be seen the whole commute! Come on you boozers, toss those cans!!
So, the next commute ride will be Friday, which is Bike To Work Day, I believe.
My front blinkie won't blink! It just stays on! I just PUT new batteries in it! But upon testing, the batteries are low, and unevenly low, too! I thought they were a new pair! Alas and alack!
If you don't want to hear more whining about drivers, just skip this!
So, I'm sitting in the driveway at a shopping center, on Jamis (Six a.m.). Waiting to make sure it's clear, you know. The first pink spot shows where. So I hear a truck coming, it's the red line. It comes up on my RIGHT, into the IN lane! Then he notices the cars that want to turn left into said driveway, so he backs up and gets behind me.
So I turn left when it's clear, and he follows me. He passes around spot indicated by the green circle. Staying in the same lane, he sure doesn't give me much room. Crowded me, I'd say. I follow him into the left turn lanes, he on the inside behind someone, me on the outside first in line. That's about it, except I took a couple pics of him as I had the camera out (for something that didn't pan out (well, I'll tell YOU, it was to take a pic of a U.S.S. Midway t-shirt that has been sitting artistically on side of the road for a week, but is now gone. Of course.)) Since it was a commercial vehicle, an exterminator, I was going to complain, call the 800 number, and whine a lot here. But there are no pics on the memory card, so I guess I blew it!
Yah, yah, I know it's nothing, ESPECIALLY compared to what a lot of people deal with. In fact, I hereby acknowledge that my commute ride is a piece of cake. But I goota complain about SOMETHING!
TOTALLY forgot to replace the front brake pads, something I noticed going down a hill carrying the camera in the rear brake hand...
Coming home, a trio of lads played "Let's Pretend-Shove One Of Our Number Into The Bike Lane At That Cyclist", but I saw THAT one coming and didn't react.
Not an aluminium to be seen the whole commute! Come on you boozers, toss those cans!!
So, the next commute ride will be Friday, which is Bike To Work Day, I believe.
Thursday, May 08, 2008
No Week
Rode the bike to work Monday, but for various reasons, having mostly to do with the re-roofing, have not ridden any more this week.
But I still think about it.
Saw the radiation doc today, he said my PSA is very good, and he is encouraged by my bicycle commuting showing I have good energy levels (And is THAT an awkward sentence?), although I still feel fairly whipped after a 40 mile ride, even if it IS a meander. And THE probe went ok, too, you'll be glad to know!
Ran across this story of two girls on a bicycle trip in 1944. Reminded me of my mother and her friend's cycle adventure to Big Sur around then. I've got a pic somewhere....can't find it right now!
Not bicycle- related, but I'VE always been fascinated with security, so this blog I ran across was interesting. Apparantly the Director of the FBI doh'ntt spel to gud!
I totally NEED to replace the front brake pads on Jamis, they are not grabbing much of anything!
Next week I have a couple of meetings across town and up the mesa, but I SHOULD get in more mileage than THIS week. And of course, there is always the weekend...
Over at the Fat Cyclist, Lance Armstrong demonstrates why he is "The Man"!
Later!
But I still think about it.
Saw the radiation doc today, he said my PSA is very good, and he is encouraged by my bicycle commuting showing I have good energy levels (And is THAT an awkward sentence?), although I still feel fairly whipped after a 40 mile ride, even if it IS a meander. And THE probe went ok, too, you'll be glad to know!
Ran across this story of two girls on a bicycle trip in 1944. Reminded me of my mother and her friend's cycle adventure to Big Sur around then. I've got a pic somewhere....can't find it right now!
Not bicycle- related, but I'VE always been fascinated with security, so this blog I ran across was interesting. Apparantly the Director of the FBI doh'ntt spel to gud!
I totally NEED to replace the front brake pads on Jamis, they are not grabbing much of anything!
Next week I have a couple of meetings across town and up the mesa, but I SHOULD get in more mileage than THIS week. And of course, there is always the weekend...
Over at the Fat Cyclist, Lance Armstrong demonstrates why he is "The Man"!
Later!
Sunday, May 04, 2008
Picky Picky
Set the alarm clock, got up a the regular time, and wented for a bike ride.
Took Jamis, as this was a CAN GATHERING RIDE!
Decided to wear the Pink Fat Cyclist Jersey. Decided, since, and in addition to, I am saving up all the cans I pick up in May in the BIG GREEN TRASHCAN, that perhaps when I cash them in, I can donate the monies to one of the Fat Cyclist endorsed charities.
Found this card on the side of Dehesa Road. Is it yours? Does it have money on it? What are the moral implications, not to mention legal ones, of trying to use it?
There were TONS of cans, mostly Bud beer, along the route. I filled up a shopping bag before I got up the Dehesa Grade. and filled most of a found bag before I got home.
But some were just out of reach...
And some were full of ants!
So here is today's pile of cans, 77 in number.
You can believe they made a lot of noise as I clanked along. I sure the other bicyclists I saw, and there weren't so many as last time, were embarrassed by me.
Let me see, have I complained about anything yet? No? Let me remedy THAT!
I guess that's not TOO bad for the time spent on the road.
RIDE STATS:
Odometer start: 4,997
Odometer end: 5,044
Ride length: 46.55 miles
Actual Riding Time: 4 hours 19 minutes
"Away From Home" Time: 5 hours, 15 minutes
WEEK STATS:
Week Total: 107.10 miles
Avg. Speed: 10.70
Max. Speed: 31.09
Odometer End: 5,044
Took Jamis, as this was a CAN GATHERING RIDE!
Decided to wear the Pink Fat Cyclist Jersey. Decided, since, and in addition to, I am saving up all the cans I pick up in May in the BIG GREEN TRASHCAN, that perhaps when I cash them in, I can donate the monies to one of the Fat Cyclist endorsed charities.
Found this card on the side of Dehesa Road. Is it yours? Does it have money on it? What are the moral implications, not to mention legal ones, of trying to use it?
There were TONS of cans, mostly Bud beer, along the route. I filled up a shopping bag before I got up the Dehesa Grade. and filled most of a found bag before I got home.
But some were just out of reach...
And some were full of ants!
So here is today's pile of cans, 77 in number.
You can believe they made a lot of noise as I clanked along. I sure the other bicyclists I saw, and there weren't so many as last time, were embarrassed by me.
Let me see, have I complained about anything yet? No? Let me remedy THAT!
- Church-dressed family in mini van turned in front of me on MY right-of-way!
- Ambulance that just HAD to turn on the siren just behind me, scaring me mightily!
- Dog-walking guy in the bike lane that ignored my polite bell tinkling.
- ADDED LATER: Ignored by several LARGE dogs during ride, I was chased by a Yorkie in El Cajon. How ignominious! Whether it or me, I leave that for you to decide!
I guess that's not TOO bad for the time spent on the road.
RIDE STATS:
Odometer start: 4,997
Odometer end: 5,044
Ride length: 46.55 miles
Actual Riding Time: 4 hours 19 minutes
"Away From Home" Time: 5 hours, 15 minutes
WEEK STATS:
Week Total: 107.10 miles
Avg. Speed: 10.70
Max. Speed: 31.09
Odometer End: 5,044
Saturday, May 03, 2008
Saturday, WithTears
Was just over at the Fat Cyclist blog. The only world that I can think of, starts with "F".
I hate dandelions.
I hate dandelions.
Friday, May 02, 2008
Friday
This place is so screwy, I can't even think straight!
But on to other things...
That is a nickel I found yesterday, and a chip on a hard drive board. I thought it would make an interesting picture. It doesn't.
So far this month (May), I've got five cans. I'm collecting them in their very own garbage can. I will count the cans at the end of the month, if I remember!
Sixty miles so far this week, all commuting.
Later!
But on to other things...
That is a nickel I found yesterday, and a chip on a hard drive board. I thought it would make an interesting picture. It doesn't.
So far this month (May), I've got five cans. I'm collecting them in their very own garbage can. I will count the cans at the end of the month, if I remember!
Sixty miles so far this week, all commuting.
Later!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Geocaching
