Evening ride around the Adams loop
Trip distance: 15.32 miles
Average speed: 15.96 MPH
Dogs
I am often asked how do I handle the sometimes ferocious evil dogs that I may meet on my many bike adventures. I have been bitten only once while on a bike. This incident happened back when I was in high school and rode my bike the one and a half mile distance to the retired farmer that I worked for (I'll have to tell some stories about my first work experiences later).
Our closest neighbors had some dogs that barked a lot but I never really considered them a threat. I was happily biking past their house on my way to work one morning when I felt the dogs teeth barely bite my rear end. It was quite a shock and I always made sure to watch him on future rides. The creature did break the skin. I have never been bitten by a dog since (cross my fingers).
It is easier for a dog to bite my rear when I used to ride a road bike (more tempting real estate hanging over the seat). On my Recumbent my rear is secured in the larger seat with none of it exposed. My thighs are fairly protected by my handlebars and arms. The rest of my legs are moving too fast to be a tempting target. I'd like to see a dog try to bite my rotating feet! The only real target would be my hands and arms. If a dog was to get too close I would only have to raise my hand and then bring my closed hand down on its snout (seems simple enough).
Usually I am more concerned about hitting a dog that causes me to wreck. This is especially a concern for dogs that insist on racing me by running down the road barely ahead of the bike with its head turned back looking at me. Or by dogs that dart across the road in front of me. This happens quite often (I'm not smart enough to slow down).
I remember once back in high school while riding to work there was a particular dog that would wait at the end of a fence row and wait till I rode by to pounce at me and then race me down the street and when it became bored of that it would actually jump at my legs as if trying to bite them. It was only a short dog but it seemed ferocious and was the most dreaded part of the trip to work.
At one time the old man I worked for needed me to bring a shovel from home. I carried the shovel on my bike handlebars. As a bonus, this seemed like the perfect protection from the ferocious dog, I could hold the shovel between me and the dog. This worked great on my way to work that morning.
Later when I was returning home I tried the same trick. It worked great, the dog kept its distance. I held the shovel with my left hand while steering the bike with the right. The dog was finally giving up and starting to fall back. Great! I thought, I may have to carry this shovel to work every day! As I was bringing the shovel back to the handlebars the shovel handle ended up through the spokes of the front wheel.
A micro instant later the bikes rear tire magically lifted itself off the road as it began pivoting around the front wheel that now refused to go forward. In that same micro instant I was suddenly laying on my back with the bike on top of me. It happened so quick that I wasn't sure exactly what happened.
It caused a loud enough crash that the dog owners actually came out to see what the commotion was. They only saw me standing next to my bike examining the broken spokes. Why don't they ever come out and call their dog off me? I started thinking that maybe I was their daily entertainment. Luckily I didn't land on my head since this was before I started wearing protective gear. I was still able to slowly ride the bike home, this time with the shovel safely planted on top the handlebars.
What about the dog? He didn't know what to think, I was probably the first bike he had actually caught. Not knowing what to do he simply put his tail between its legs and ran off to his owners home. Which was great for me since I didn't feel much like fighting him off. He never bothered me again after that.
Friday, July 20, 2007
Friday, July 13, 2007
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
July 10th group ride
Today we only had a small group of 4.
Trip distance: 24.10 miles
I have now ridden over 1000 miles this year! Bike Worksheet
Trip distance: 24.10 miles
I have now ridden over 1000 miles this year! Bike Worksheet
Monday, July 9, 2007
July 9th ride
This evening I rode both the Adams and the Bowling Alley loops.
Distance: 23.56 miles
Average speed: 15.86 MPH
Bowling Alley Loop map
Adams loop map
Pedals:
I often get comments that it must be harder to ride a recumbent since I have to rise my feet forward to get to the pedals. This is not true, it is as easy to hold your feet on these pedals as any upright bike (for me anyways). I also use clipless pedals which actually clip my feet to the pedals (even though they are clipless).
I remember back a few years when I first started using clipless pedals. Before then I had been using pedals that use a harness to hold your feet in place, with this type of pedal you simply pull your foot straight back to get your foot off the pedal. Which is real handy when you need to stop. Clipless pedals disengage by twisting your foot outwards from the bike. As you might imagine this could cause problems for a person that was used to pulling their feet straight back when they stopped (like me).
I was in Long beach California at the time; back then I could easily get my road bike up to 30 MPH for short flat distances. There was one particular stretch of road where I could actually race cars from one light to the next, if the lights turned red. there were multiple lights and the posted speed limit was 25 MPH. It was rare for me to hit the lights as they turn red in succession. When it did happen though, I would actually keep up with the traffic through each light for a total distance of about half a mile.
It would go like this: stop at the first red light, then pedal as fast as possible to the next light. I would start out ahead of the traffic, by the time the traffic caught up with me we were at the next red light. Here I would do my best to stay with both feet on the pedals until the light turned green. sometimes this meant staying in one spot while waiting (I usually couldn't do it for very long.). Once the light turned green I would pedal quickly to the next light and repeat through all the red lights. I often imagined myself being the talk of Long Beach with my speedy bike.
Anyway, on this particular day I had for the first time my new clipless pedals made by Look. I came across this particular section of lights. The first light turned green just as I came along. A convertible Mustang with its top down with four young ladies inside just started pulling to the next light. Well I thought, I'll give them something to watch!
I revved up my pedals super fast switched to the high gear and hit over 30 MPH and hoping that the next light would turn red before the mustang caught up with me. Yes! it turned red. I then expertly slowed the bike to a stop and even pedaled backwards a couple times to demonstrate my masterly bike handling. The Mustang then caught up and stopped next to meat the red light. I was next to the front hood of the Mustang.
Once my bike stopped I was still thinking about the impressive show I was putting on. I tried to pull my right foot straight back from the pedal. The foot would not budge! I then tried pulling the left foot straight back it wouldn't budge either! The bike started to lean a little to the right; more like it was falling over.
I couldn't wiggle my feet loose!
My feet and legs were masterfully (er desperately) dancing on the bike struggling to loosen my feet but my feet were steadfastly connected to the pedals! What was going on? Crash! I now lay on the curb with my feet stuck on the pedals. It seemed forever before I realized I needed to twist out, not pull back! Duh!
Now that my feet are loose I stand up holding my bike, bleeding from some scratches on my right leg. I was wondering if anyone saw what happened as the Mustang very slowly pulled forward since the light is now green. I wasn't brave enough to look at the occupants, but I am pretty sure I heard some snickering.
I'm sure I was the talk of Long Beach that night, possibly even for the entire year.
Distance: 23.56 miles
Average speed: 15.86 MPH
Bowling Alley Loop map
Adams loop map
Pedals:
I often get comments that it must be harder to ride a recumbent since I have to rise my feet forward to get to the pedals. This is not true, it is as easy to hold your feet on these pedals as any upright bike (for me anyways). I also use clipless pedals which actually clip my feet to the pedals (even though they are clipless).
I remember back a few years when I first started using clipless pedals. Before then I had been using pedals that use a harness to hold your feet in place, with this type of pedal you simply pull your foot straight back to get your foot off the pedal. Which is real handy when you need to stop. Clipless pedals disengage by twisting your foot outwards from the bike. As you might imagine this could cause problems for a person that was used to pulling their feet straight back when they stopped (like me).
I was in Long beach California at the time; back then I could easily get my road bike up to 30 MPH for short flat distances. There was one particular stretch of road where I could actually race cars from one light to the next, if the lights turned red. there were multiple lights and the posted speed limit was 25 MPH. It was rare for me to hit the lights as they turn red in succession. When it did happen though, I would actually keep up with the traffic through each light for a total distance of about half a mile.
It would go like this: stop at the first red light, then pedal as fast as possible to the next light. I would start out ahead of the traffic, by the time the traffic caught up with me we were at the next red light. Here I would do my best to stay with both feet on the pedals until the light turned green. sometimes this meant staying in one spot while waiting (I usually couldn't do it for very long.). Once the light turned green I would pedal quickly to the next light and repeat through all the red lights. I often imagined myself being the talk of Long Beach with my speedy bike.
Anyway, on this particular day I had for the first time my new clipless pedals made by Look. I came across this particular section of lights. The first light turned green just as I came along. A convertible Mustang with its top down with four young ladies inside just started pulling to the next light. Well I thought, I'll give them something to watch!
I revved up my pedals super fast switched to the high gear and hit over 30 MPH and hoping that the next light would turn red before the mustang caught up with me. Yes! it turned red. I then expertly slowed the bike to a stop and even pedaled backwards a couple times to demonstrate my masterly bike handling. The Mustang then caught up and stopped next to meat the red light. I was next to the front hood of the Mustang.
Once my bike stopped I was still thinking about the impressive show I was putting on. I tried to pull my right foot straight back from the pedal. The foot would not budge! I then tried pulling the left foot straight back it wouldn't budge either! The bike started to lean a little to the right; more like it was falling over.
I couldn't wiggle my feet loose!
My feet and legs were masterfully (er desperately) dancing on the bike struggling to loosen my feet but my feet were steadfastly connected to the pedals! What was going on? Crash! I now lay on the curb with my feet stuck on the pedals. It seemed forever before I realized I needed to twist out, not pull back! Duh!
Now that my feet are loose I stand up holding my bike, bleeding from some scratches on my right leg. I was wondering if anyone saw what happened as the Mustang very slowly pulled forward since the light is now green. I wasn't brave enough to look at the occupants, but I am pretty sure I heard some snickering.
I'm sure I was the talk of Long Beach that night, possibly even for the entire year.
Saturday, July 7, 2007
July 7th ride
Today's ride started at around 10:00AM. Rode North through St. Omer, Middletown, Waldron, St. Paul and Adams. This was my first bike trip ever into St. Omer, Middletown, Waldron and St. Paul and I believe this is my first time ever in St. Paul. I enjoy riding through small towns and often (as today) put in a few extra miles exploring; which slows down my average speed.
Trip map:
Waldron loop
Distance: 35.88 miles
Average speed:15.03 MPH
Bicycle computer:
Some of you may wonder how I get the trip miles and the average speed, this is gathered through the use of the bike computer. This is a device about the size of a wristwatch that is bought separate from the bike. It works by having a sensor on the frame next to the front wheel. This sensor then counts every time a magnet that is installed on the front wheel passes by the sensor; this equates to the wheel doing a complete rotation. The computer then calculates the distance traveled by taking the number of times the wheel spins and multiplying by the diameter of the wheel.
How does it know the diameter you ask? I measure it by placing a long piece of masking tape on our cement driveway. I then mark a spot on the tire and ride the bike down the piece of tape until that mark rotates next to the tape twice. I mark both times the mark crosses the tape and then measure the distance to the nearest millimeter. This measurement is then entered in the bike computer. This makes for a very accurate measure of distance and average speed, much more accurate then most car speedometers.
The computer can also measure how fast in revolutions per minute that my feet are spinning, I'm typically over 90 RPM. It also has a clock and trip time, distance and average speed. The trip parameters are only calculated when the bike is actually moving, that way it doesn't hurt my average speed when I stop at stop lights, stop signs or those rare rest breaks.
Trip map:
Waldron loop
Distance: 35.88 miles
Average speed:15.03 MPH
Bicycle computer:
Some of you may wonder how I get the trip miles and the average speed, this is gathered through the use of the bike computer. This is a device about the size of a wristwatch that is bought separate from the bike. It works by having a sensor on the frame next to the front wheel. This sensor then counts every time a magnet that is installed on the front wheel passes by the sensor; this equates to the wheel doing a complete rotation. The computer then calculates the distance traveled by taking the number of times the wheel spins and multiplying by the diameter of the wheel.
How does it know the diameter you ask? I measure it by placing a long piece of masking tape on our cement driveway. I then mark a spot on the tire and ride the bike down the piece of tape until that mark rotates next to the tape twice. I mark both times the mark crosses the tape and then measure the distance to the nearest millimeter. This measurement is then entered in the bike computer. This makes for a very accurate measure of distance and average speed, much more accurate then most car speedometers.
The computer can also measure how fast in revolutions per minute that my feet are spinning, I'm typically over 90 RPM. It also has a clock and trip time, distance and average speed. The trip parameters are only calculated when the bike is actually moving, that way it doesn't hurt my average speed when I stop at stop lights, stop signs or those rare rest breaks.
Thursday, July 5, 2007
July 5th ride
I was ready to start riding at around 6:30PM it had rained pretty hard earlier at around 5:00PM and it looked as if it could rain again. I decided to take a chance that it wouldn't rain again. Rain isn't that much of a hindrance on the bike anyway, headwinds are what you have to watch out for.
I decided to head North towards Waldron, the ride was going excellent when it started sprinkling a bit after 2 miles. I remember thinking this is nice, it will keep me cooled down, so I can go faster. It then started pouring. Two miles later it was still pouring, so I decided to only do the 8 mile loop instead of going to Waldron. Around 2 miles later it stopped raining I pulled over to wipe my glasses off with the towel I keep under my seat (reminder to self: put the next towel into a plastic bag). Glasses cleaned, pushing off with right foot when I noticed my front tire was flat, drats! I pull out my spare tube and tools out of the bike bag. I don't repair the busted tube since it's the wrong size anyway (long story) and I am soaked. I'm ready to roll now that the The tube is replaced and the tire aired up with my trusty pump. The rest of the ride is uneventful.
8 mile loop map
Ride length 9.44 miles
Average speed: 16.24 MPH
Eye protection:
This trip reminds me of how important it is to wear eye protection while riding. It would have been difficult to ride at 20 MPH in the rain. The rain was pelting my arms pretty hard.
I remember riding in a sponsored group ride years ago when I noticed a butterfly ahead of me. It was fluttering about a couple feet above the road. I'm watching it wondering if the spokes on my front wheel might hit it, that might be an interesting show. It continued fluttering about as if with no direction. I'm still watching anticipating the upcoming shredded butterfly show. When suddenly as if possessed, the directionless butterfly became a guided missile that headed directly at me and rammed its payload directly into my left eye. I then became the show instead of the audience for the other riders as I slammed on the breaks and jumped off my bike trying to clean the smashed remains from my now stinging eye.
"Are you Ok?" asked an unseen rider.
"Yes" I replied, "bug in the eye."
They then yelled "you should wear sunglasses when you ride!"
I have always worn sunglasses every since.
Again years ago on my first ever night trip, I had the bike ready with a headlight and I had twenty miles before I would be home (I rode the bike to work earlier). I only had sunglasses, which didn't work well at night so I rode without glasses. The ride was fine until around the 5 mile mark when I ran into a bug swarm, luckily none hit my eyes, I then hit more bug swarms and wasn't so lucky. I decided I would have to wear my sunglasses even in the dark (like the song). I can barely see that my headlight is on let alone the road! But I figure it was important to protect my eyes. After that ride I always made sure to bring clear goggles on my night trips. I also learned an important lesson about keeping my mouth closed. (bugs aren't tasty)
I decided to head North towards Waldron, the ride was going excellent when it started sprinkling a bit after 2 miles. I remember thinking this is nice, it will keep me cooled down, so I can go faster. It then started pouring. Two miles later it was still pouring, so I decided to only do the 8 mile loop instead of going to Waldron. Around 2 miles later it stopped raining I pulled over to wipe my glasses off with the towel I keep under my seat (reminder to self: put the next towel into a plastic bag). Glasses cleaned, pushing off with right foot when I noticed my front tire was flat, drats! I pull out my spare tube and tools out of the bike bag. I don't repair the busted tube since it's the wrong size anyway (long story) and I am soaked. I'm ready to roll now that the The tube is replaced and the tire aired up with my trusty pump. The rest of the ride is uneventful.
8 mile loop map
Ride length 9.44 miles
Average speed: 16.24 MPH
Eye protection:
This trip reminds me of how important it is to wear eye protection while riding. It would have been difficult to ride at 20 MPH in the rain. The rain was pelting my arms pretty hard.
I remember riding in a sponsored group ride years ago when I noticed a butterfly ahead of me. It was fluttering about a couple feet above the road. I'm watching it wondering if the spokes on my front wheel might hit it, that might be an interesting show. It continued fluttering about as if with no direction. I'm still watching anticipating the upcoming shredded butterfly show. When suddenly as if possessed, the directionless butterfly became a guided missile that headed directly at me and rammed its payload directly into my left eye. I then became the show instead of the audience for the other riders as I slammed on the breaks and jumped off my bike trying to clean the smashed remains from my now stinging eye.
"Are you Ok?" asked an unseen rider.
"Yes" I replied, "bug in the eye."
They then yelled "you should wear sunglasses when you ride!"
I have always worn sunglasses every since.
Again years ago on my first ever night trip, I had the bike ready with a headlight and I had twenty miles before I would be home (I rode the bike to work earlier). I only had sunglasses, which didn't work well at night so I rode without glasses. The ride was fine until around the 5 mile mark when I ran into a bug swarm, luckily none hit my eyes, I then hit more bug swarms and wasn't so lucky. I decided I would have to wear my sunglasses even in the dark (like the song). I can barely see that my headlight is on let alone the road! But I figure it was important to protect my eyes. After that ride I always made sure to bring clear goggles on my night trips. I also learned an important lesson about keeping my mouth closed. (bugs aren't tasty)
Tuesday, July 3, 2007
July 3rd group ride
I rode with the Greensburg group tonight; there were a total of 6 bikers. We are not a racing group so I won't keep track of times or average MPH. We did ride 20 miles, the actual trip map is in the right column. After the group ride I took a separate ride through Adams for a total trip of 36.87 miles.
Adams loop map
Adams loop map
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