tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-48531506047844851002024-03-14T09:18:25.048-04:00Big Oak BikesBicycling in northeast Indiana and other places.Big Oakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06713190395281794960noreply@blogger.comBlogger239125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4853150604784485100.post-43058876801634063702013-11-23T19:11:00.000-05:002013-11-23T19:11:24.117-05:00A Short (and Fast) Summer Sitting here in the dark at 6pm, with heavy snow squalls and strong winds makes me wistful for the balmy, sunny days of summer. It has been such a great summer in NE Indiana - no extreme high temps, normal precip, normal winds. Which means I've gotten a lot of good, quality miles on my bikes.<br />
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I haven't gotten too many miles on my 86 Trek 500, though. I've got in my mind that this can be a primo rando bike, but I want to repaint it before I put new (new to me) components on it. I've picked up a Shimano triple crank and a Deore XT long-cage derailleur for the mighty and unending hills of southern Ohio. I can't find replacement decals for this, and I've finally decided I don't really need them anyway. So we'll see how this bike turns out as winter progresses.<br />
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I haven't gotten too many miles on y 81 Trek 710, either. I've been seriously thinking of turning this into a fixed gear commuter bike. The frame is a touch small for long rides, but is great for riding to work. Since my bike commute to work is only 3 miles, I'd like the simplicity of a fixie for quick, easy rides. <br />
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In April, I purchased this beauty. A new Trek Domane 5.2, and have put the vast bulk of my miles on this sweet beast. It weighs about as much as a pocket full of feathers. But it really moves!<br />
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These photos are from early in the season - I've replaced these Bontrager tires with Continental 4000s. While I like the Bontrager tires' ride, they aren't very durable. I had two blowouts (dime-sized!) on our bike club's Labor Day Century ride. Fortunately, the second blowout was only two miles from home - I had to walk the remainder since I used my spare tube after the first blowout. <br />
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I have nurtured my delusion that I am a fast biker by joining a race team our local bike club sponsored for one race in September. To my dismay, I was selected for the A-Team. But I should admit I was the anchor - I slowed everybody down. The guys on the team are all great people, and they helped me ride way beyond my ability.<br />
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Here we are - Second Place winners for the Huntington Team Challenge. Our team was second of 22 teams. We rode our butts off! <br />
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Aside from the many times I thought I would pass out and the constant, intense pain, I really enjoyed the whole experience - especially the training rides. The race was 26.7 miles which passed by in a flash.<br />
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I've been really fortunate this fall. Dr. Gary Painter, the current US National Time Trial Champion (55 - 59 age group) has asked me to ride with him in his pain cave. While these sessions are pretty intense, they are helping to make me a stronger rider.<br />
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I've never ridden this fast in my life. Not even when I was in really good shape, doing triathlons back in the 1980's. <br />
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No quality blogs, however. I've neglected this blog for the
sweet, instant gratification Facebook offers. I've joined Facebook
groups for our local bike club and for the Ohio Randonneurs. <br />
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Anyway, I'll try to do a better job of keeping in touch. I often times think of how all of you are doing out there in bike land.<br />
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Happy riding!<br />
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Bill<br />
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Big Oakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06713190395281794960noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4853150604784485100.post-83528739506959411742013-02-02T19:04:00.001-05:002013-02-02T19:04:03.061-05:00Looking For GroundhogsThe Show 'n Go ride was canceled today because the temperature was too low. Plus the light lake-effect snow from Lake Michigan covered the roads with enough snow that road tires are not effective.<br />
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Jim, Luis, and I met down near Eagle Marsh and rode the Towpath Trail into downtown Fort Wayne and back. They are among small group of roadies who ride outside throughout the winter.<br />
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Here's Jim with his snowboard goggles. He's not sure how they are different from ski goggles, but apparently they are. I'll take his word for it. One thing he does know is Wabash and Erie Canal history, which is what we talked about quite a bit, since we rode along the old canal route for a good ways.<br />
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Luis up ahead on the trail. Although drafting was not necessary today, Luis is always ready to take the lead to give someone a break.<br />
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Jim and Luis just east of downtown.<br />
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We had a great ride today, and it was great to get out with good friends.<br />
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We had two big melt downs over the past month which melted all of our snow. The strong north winds the past couple days brought us a bit of Lake Michigan in snow form. Aside from this light snow, our drought from last summer continues.<br />
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Happy riding!<br />
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<br />Big Oakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06713190395281794960noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4853150604784485100.post-13003950375499008132013-01-29T17:14:00.000-05:002013-01-29T17:14:14.741-05:00Like Finding a Long-Lost Friend (Almost)Well! Sometimes things do come back. I was moving some stuff around at work and found my camera - I lost this last winter and was really bummed. We took great photos together, and I knew each function and setting this little marvel possessed. The last picture I took on this was dated Feb 13, 2012. So, it's been missing for almost a year. The last time I had this camera was a week before we left on our Texas trip.<br />
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My daughter let me borrow her camera in the interim, but I just couldn't get the hang of it. The controls were slightly different, but the menu options and features could not come close to what this little camera has. Plus, I've had this camera since I started this blog in 2008. It is just the right size, shape, and weight for carrying on the bike or in my jersey pocket. It is easy to quickly reach for a rare and fleeting photo op.<br />
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Anyway, on my commute to work, I noticed my front and rear lights flickered today the whole ride in. Since this is a fairly new generator hub, I was concerned. When I got home tonight, I found one of the leads is pulling away from the clip which attaches to the hub.<br />
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I took the clip apart and pulled the wire down, folded it over, then re-clipped it into the generator. I moved the generator plug down so that there is less tension on the wire. I'm hoping this works. It's good to know that this problem exists. I'd hate to have lighting issues during a brevet or during a fleche ride. Not that I'm going to do many this year. Maybe the 300k and the Fleche. <br />
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The Tricross's backside. That Seculite taillight is incredibly bright. When I'm riding in the dark, I feel safe knowing Seculite is glowing away behind me, warning wayward motorists I'm up ahead in the dark.<br />
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My grey Trek. I pumped up the tires for tonight's spin class. I'm almost recovered from Saturday's spin class. It was a killer. My bike-buddy Hugh says indoor spin sessions really pay off.<br />
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The Gatorskins are really wearing. The trainer puts a metallic sheen on the rear wheel, though I don't think it is bad for the tire. After spinning for an hour the rear tire gets really hot. That might cause internal tire parts to wear.<br />
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But I've got new rubber ready for the outdoors. I bought these at the Hilly Hundred last October for just over half price. It was a great deal.<br />
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Grey Trek ready to head for spin class.<br />
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Happy riding! or spinning!Big Oakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06713190395281794960noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4853150604784485100.post-6238069600911938832013-01-22T21:19:00.000-05:002013-01-22T21:19:05.262-05:00Bike TortureIn an effort to try to improve my cycling endurance and speed, I've been spending a lot of time in my Man Corner. In other words, the corner of my garage. On the bike trainer. This is my Bike Torture Chamber, as <a href="http://www.thesufferfest.com/bike-torture-chamber/" target="_blank">Sufferlandrians</a> refer to their training places. Not that I'm a Sufferlandrian. Actually, those Sufferfest videos scare the hell out of me. Anything that suggests I ride until blood comes out of my eyes can't be good for me. My hedonistic nature won't allow it.<br />
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Above the snow tube in the top photo I have a couple things on the wall which provide motivation. When I left Marathon County Forestry Dept for Indiana, the ski club gave me the Leo's Loop sign. Leo's Loop is a 10k loop in Nine Mile Forest (just west of Wausau), which was my favorite loop. Named after former County Forest Administrator Leo Baur. After Leo retired, he became a volunteer on the County Forest, helping maintain and improve the ski trails there. Jim Adams, a retired pulp mill worker, put in thousands of volunteer hours with Leo during my time at the county forest. Those two guys gave me an example how to live my life, staying active and engaged with other people. I hope I have half the energy of either one of those guys when I retire.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjzqhPb8ajywBl-TQgaLOqpGeoZiaRZcc0eAvTBfJCBHxw2OWcMoSzw65HUFm33wnMMlaAEnFQTCqg-De53B_efdvvQCo6MI1oS1D5DbmQNVaxkc2vZcaU3fMRNCE938YolVjmNK08w6Q/s1600/Jan+22+2013+054.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjzqhPb8ajywBl-TQgaLOqpGeoZiaRZcc0eAvTBfJCBHxw2OWcMoSzw65HUFm33wnMMlaAEnFQTCqg-De53B_efdvvQCo6MI1oS1D5DbmQNVaxkc2vZcaU3fMRNCE938YolVjmNK08w6Q/s320/Jan+22+2013+054.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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I was honored to become a member of the 50mm club in the Wausau Nordic Skiers. 50mm bindings were only around for a few years. But they were really useful and worked well. Like the bindings, 50mm Club members worked hard to support the club. I didn't think I was worthy of the award, but I really appreciated their gesture. <br />
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On Tuesday nights and early Saturday mornings, the <a href="http://summitcitybikes.com/about/spinning-class-information.-pg140.htm" target="_blank">LBS</a> has a spin class, where I can take my bike and trainer to ride to one of many <a href="http://www.spinervals.com/" target="_blank">Spinnervals</a> videos they have. For the past 3 weeks, the videos we've been riding have been quite challenging. Tonight's video, however, was a killer. Troy, the leader, said tonight's session was 9.9 out of ten. I survived the hour long session, but now that I'm home, in my easy chair, I'm not sure I'll be able to get back up to go to bed.<br />
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I'm getting some quality cardiovascular work in, but man, I can't wait to get back out on the open road for a regular road ride again.<br />
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Happy riding!<br />
Big Oakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06713190395281794960noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4853150604784485100.post-27523637642046358412013-01-17T17:55:00.001-05:002013-01-17T17:55:29.569-05:00Cycling? No! Helping others? Yes!Some pre-emptive notes I'm documenting here before Lance's interview with Oprah:<br />
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OK, Lance lied. Big deal - so many others took performance enhancing drugs also.<br />
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What really bugs me is the way he vehemently denied taking performance enhancing drugs for such a long time. And that he had no apparent qualms working to demolish the reputations of other cyclists and journalists.<br />
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I believe that when it comes to competition in any kind of sport, Lance should not ever be trusted again.<br />
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What is difficult for me to reconcile is that I believe he did great work with Livestrong, and that Livestrong continues as a great organization which helps many, many people. That work should never offset Lance's cheating. <br />
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As far as cycling, running, and triathlons, his lifelong ban should remain. He can still do great things helping people, just not through competition.<br />
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I feel much better now. I'm going to head out and spend some time on my bike trainer. <br />
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Happy riding!<br />
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<br />Big Oakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06713190395281794960noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4853150604784485100.post-39016491358640394102013-01-06T19:35:00.002-05:002013-01-06T19:35:51.363-05:00Biking in the New Year<br />
Geez, it's been 3 months since I last posted anything. If any of my blog friends remain, cheers!<br />
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I have to admit, since I got my iPhone, it is much easier to post stuff to Facebook and Twitter. Those systems match my very short attention span. Blogger, in comparison, is an investment in time. Something I don't seem to have too much of lately.<br />
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But I can't believe how easy it is to load pictures now! And in the same order I clicked them!<br />
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I finished 2012 with more miles than any other year. It was a fantastic riding year. I'm sorry I didn't share more with you folks. Many miles were in pacelines, and I was afraid to take too many photos because I didn't want to cause wrecks.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg56Fs3D7M1UbGy12s2XV9QmLcUfTnF0HVaDYWmNWzzn1XMsEoycc_oteGBmO7ZUXXixYeKCoQFGMgAq4z4r28rugSeaIfsMR5D7QYB9sbPRcLhdKLFp979nP0QkIAd7m9N3IcDrsFzuRc/s1600/IMG_0416.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg56Fs3D7M1UbGy12s2XV9QmLcUfTnF0HVaDYWmNWzzn1XMsEoycc_oteGBmO7ZUXXixYeKCoQFGMgAq4z4r28rugSeaIfsMR5D7QYB9sbPRcLhdKLFp979nP0QkIAd7m9N3IcDrsFzuRc/s320/IMG_0416.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hi Luis! A summer ride with the gang.</td></tr>
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I had a ton of fun riding with these people this spring, summer, and fall. I rode enough, and fast enough, that I could help pull at the front of the paceline, at least for a little while.<br />
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I've been riding Courteous Mass rides as much as I can also. Here are a couple photos from the November ride. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge3_YUwucNSoOvdqKfML9hocg-UBhxBgS8oWdhg1DtJKI_BPdP2193QHy_63mSIotpWgHdY1WTtLTzkNLkyV_o6YDn-ONHfI0q0x6gY0Wnb0lAn0FvC1-9yUZrFmlJ_Hxvh_WUM4t9m3U/s1600/IMG_0605.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge3_YUwucNSoOvdqKfML9hocg-UBhxBgS8oWdhg1DtJKI_BPdP2193QHy_63mSIotpWgHdY1WTtLTzkNLkyV_o6YDn-ONHfI0q0x6gY0Wnb0lAn0FvC1-9yUZrFmlJ_Hxvh_WUM4t9m3U/s320/IMG_0605.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The new Martin Luther King, Jr. Bridge. Awesome at night!</td></tr>
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Alex and I were able to do some rides on rail-trails. We did rides in Indiana, Wisconsin, and Minnesota this year.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6CF2F46rJP2QULSriglCvS9r_PdHq4bmV8iwlhqZQNM1pR-F9h-V9jdK6-gmlznJ7Xu1uLYRYutsuWSitRg8lKE3jynOhorDRXnx4ApUWrxpqIRWDVk7hEpNg5B_w1Ptx6mJiBk0vLAE/s1600/IMG_0478.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6CF2F46rJP2QULSriglCvS9r_PdHq4bmV8iwlhqZQNM1pR-F9h-V9jdK6-gmlznJ7Xu1uLYRYutsuWSitRg8lKE3jynOhorDRXnx4ApUWrxpqIRWDVk7hEpNg5B_w1Ptx6mJiBk0vLAE/s320/IMG_0478.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alex and I with Brooke and Anders in Door County.</td></tr>
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I think I have finally come to terms with my randonneuring exploits. After my failure to complete the 600k ride again this year, I've decided to concentrate on shorter brevets, although someday I'd really like to complete a 600 and even and 1200k someday (like PBP in 2015).<br />
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I did brevets in Ohio, Illinois, and Tennessee this year. Best of all, I met some really cool people on each ride.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQwWrl3NMFLqAa49AzG2Zp6RvMG4lc8sfUfw_bSvQaS20v-Z1uzcs-VzLQ5P50tPUt4yof8BnOB_bC77vL9FpYnGH9l5KWKxy3Ny0t2CSbj0Y1EHea-1iMeh9ELv1xGmUWoS7GFBk26RA/s1600/IMG_0651.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQwWrl3NMFLqAa49AzG2Zp6RvMG4lc8sfUfw_bSvQaS20v-Z1uzcs-VzLQ5P50tPUt4yof8BnOB_bC77vL9FpYnGH9l5KWKxy3Ny0t2CSbj0Y1EHea-1iMeh9ELv1xGmUWoS7GFBk26RA/s320/IMG_0651.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New biking buds in Tennessee</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimnxRD0fSuBowItwHJVuO7o1rAgSBHch_fbPqys5ccx-lCiGlu4WlK_VCevvv-C7wGGFNvO7xzZ6I2ZuLWXxVBpbgcBzIwF6_2peAWdqp_v1roEmYdRnM8hnaLdO0Z40AYQpuLe_E9nLk/s1600/1981+Trek+710.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="254" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimnxRD0fSuBowItwHJVuO7o1rAgSBHch_fbPqys5ccx-lCiGlu4WlK_VCevvv-C7wGGFNvO7xzZ6I2ZuLWXxVBpbgcBzIwF6_2peAWdqp_v1roEmYdRnM8hnaLdO0Z40AYQpuLe_E9nLk/s320/1981+Trek+710.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I did several brevets on the Trek 710 I purchased last year from Jon.</td></tr>
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I got to meet the Dallas-Fort Worth blogger clan in February. Unfortunately, the few photos I took at that event are somewhere in the cyber grave yard - our old computer finally gave up the fight. <br />
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I did the Hilly Hundred this year in Bloomington. I did it one other time, back in 1985.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdE_9ZiqYfl3eYpnFhh9MvAHhJxZJBew2GrXVyCzwJCGHF4HQPE-qw5_FC9ZTuk2spqlasa__-o4yyqcYRiAVPL23vwBP7fJan4Q6AGJ29OBLYejg-VfyEt26bmrw9oXQlSbiVBqoTJIE/s1600/Buzzard+Lady.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdE_9ZiqYfl3eYpnFhh9MvAHhJxZJBew2GrXVyCzwJCGHF4HQPE-qw5_FC9ZTuk2spqlasa__-o4yyqcYRiAVPL23vwBP7fJan4Q6AGJ29OBLYejg-VfyEt26bmrw9oXQlSbiVBqoTJIE/s320/Buzzard+Lady.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Buzzard Lady</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFOfVqgtsrt_3QxYuhkIBO7BUoZrUcG9SAdRsRbgRWeHsOLDfhu9x_T3BRzW9M6uHINzEyzwmrQJubxHh41DmDkYu9T1Sx5X-e7Em9HjeW_s_ZQ1xU_ghnKjfruj4JShrmyFQGFhz_Eyg/s1600/Dave+at+Finish.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFOfVqgtsrt_3QxYuhkIBO7BUoZrUcG9SAdRsRbgRWeHsOLDfhu9x_T3BRzW9M6uHINzEyzwmrQJubxHh41DmDkYu9T1Sx5X-e7Em9HjeW_s_ZQ1xU_ghnKjfruj4JShrmyFQGFhz_Eyg/s320/Dave+at+Finish.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">K-Mart Dave at the finish</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYeN9fP6yTOHR9EdfCgAni9U68cQPJWP0liqRzdFLPpJvfEY99EU18wdsS2vKpOAgM6UxjZbFrHBW4QiwoA-m2wAwS-_vSkoVa6c_aRpb-YgaspmFsemY6y09yGcAwYE5CBkFnOwHiz6s/s1600/Mike+and+Luis.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYeN9fP6yTOHR9EdfCgAni9U68cQPJWP0liqRzdFLPpJvfEY99EU18wdsS2vKpOAgM6UxjZbFrHBW4QiwoA-m2wAwS-_vSkoVa6c_aRpb-YgaspmFsemY6y09yGcAwYE5CBkFnOwHiz6s/s320/Mike+and+Luis.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mike and Luis</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAiz82IXU2s-YC2qFjqxCl03lhx7JBxAI0c9obCYDb4RbWz84h-yavUuDLkG26rfktPw4z_VPhgNF7jDczYv2Jb8h8tWGZcC7hOPVrO5kjRwsv-jjJEefEOw3yJIkxPiZxqRmv79Biz70/s1600/My+1981+Trek.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAiz82IXU2s-YC2qFjqxCl03lhx7JBxAI0c9obCYDb4RbWz84h-yavUuDLkG26rfktPw4z_VPhgNF7jDczYv2Jb8h8tWGZcC7hOPVrO5kjRwsv-jjJEefEOw3yJIkxPiZxqRmv79Biz70/s320/My+1981+Trek.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blue Trek - built for hills - note the triple crank</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirAc7YlC-8rdpaPqcaGoSHy0lH3U2QJvaSj69zBG6NNmylJPWMXd4OJf0-ifbiYaolyprKoOZgnNhrD7FvgcGb04RBdmml-4spaXtwCN6cCp9UjzC42MTuz6YxNxeQqMZ6toX8bBJ1PAA/s1600/Nearing+end+on+Sun.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirAc7YlC-8rdpaPqcaGoSHy0lH3U2QJvaSj69zBG6NNmylJPWMXd4OJf0-ifbiYaolyprKoOZgnNhrD7FvgcGb04RBdmml-4spaXtwCN6cCp9UjzC42MTuz6YxNxeQqMZ6toX8bBJ1PAA/s320/Nearing+end+on+Sun.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Outside riding continues this winter as I have mounted my studded tires on the Tricross. I had to de-fender the front wheel to make room for the studded tires. Here are some photos from the Chilly Challenge, Fort Wayne's New Year's Day ride.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaOTifuIdBDDQulUgU1feab1taRLt3szra3NpkCFHs5jZTWR7vbPl15_1PvELT709QkPUhet-JWH3fz2ISaEQx8rCnYUJvYpv6B55hvnWUOc6gtz8NKIcGOyQhwhPmN2DOxe-xRmnfAAs/s1600/IMG_0610.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaOTifuIdBDDQulUgU1feab1taRLt3szra3NpkCFHs5jZTWR7vbPl15_1PvELT709QkPUhet-JWH3fz2ISaEQx8rCnYUJvYpv6B55hvnWUOc6gtz8NKIcGOyQhwhPmN2DOxe-xRmnfAAs/s320/IMG_0610.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Studded tires mounted</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMvY4A8UPQgkdIShPEwRLnWNiZ_D4SVQLmrNhlns_GICrhnjCMnHzOW6nl7PMuOwv2hyphenhyphent3pb48ptgnQVhE3ECYxEVeuyNdTbiL2P43Bbmgu84EKeRIYSrzX6uuY4lhqR3HqrFDHfZMTFA/s1600/IMG_0614.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMvY4A8UPQgkdIShPEwRLnWNiZ_D4SVQLmrNhlns_GICrhnjCMnHzOW6nl7PMuOwv2hyphenhyphent3pb48ptgnQVhE3ECYxEVeuyNdTbiL2P43Bbmgu84EKeRIYSrzX6uuY4lhqR3HqrFDHfZMTFA/s320/IMG_0614.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Roller-bladers welcome too!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A stop to Johnny Appleseed Park to watch the Polar Bears</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Luis and Jim</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">K-Mart Dave and I rode back to our starting point - Shoaff Park</td></tr>
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I wish all of you a Happy and Safe New Year!<br />
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BillBig Oakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06713190395281794960noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4853150604784485100.post-68836174606383362622012-10-06T17:50:00.000-04:002012-10-06T17:50:15.768-04:00<br />
Today was our club's Jersey Ride - where everyone wears their club jersey. Unfortunately, temps in the 30's had most of us wearing jackets over our jerseys. I was able to lay on enough layers and pull my jersey on over the top. My weight loss from the last two years (two years already?) still permitted a comfortable jersey fit over several layers.<br />
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Here's Kathy giving some pre-ride instructions for the official jersey photo.<br />
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Just a few miles from the start our group was splintered by a train. Not too many times I get to yell, "train left!".<br />
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Once the group re-formed, we rode on to the 37 mile split. I did the 51 miler, and took this photo shortly after the split. I'll bet there were at least 60 people who were on this ride at the start and a little more than half took the 37 mile route. <br />
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Although this is one of the hillier routes in the area, we still had miles and miles of flat, open riding. We had a head wind for the first half of the ride - winds 15 - 20 mph. I did my share of pulling at the front, but only for a mile at a time. <br />
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We rode along the Wabash River from Huntington to Andrews, and shortly after passing through Andrews, we climbed up out of the Wabash floodplain up on to the Rim. The Rim is a geologic feature that runs for maybe 100 miles or so from Roanoke all the way to Lafayette on the north side of the river. It's a big hill, and it separated the group. Fortunately I was able to stay near the front.<br />
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5 miles after the hill we turned back to the east and had a ten mile run back to the start with a mighty tail wind. My training this year, starting last winter, rando rides in the spring, and fast riding in the summer culminated in the fastest 10 self-propelled miles of my life. We flew at 23 mph for many miles. Big Carl and Steve cranked up the pace again with about 7 miles left. As bodies started dropping, I looked at my speedo - 28 mph! Another hill just 3 miles from the end, and Carl, Steve, and Hugh slowly pulled away from me. I was able to catch Hugh right at the end, but Carl and Steve churned a might pace back to the start ahead of everyone.<br />
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We had brats and baked beans waiting for us at the end, cooked by Patrick, our club president. Riding together on a brisk, fall day, then getting to share a meal at the end - a great day. I'm glad I made the decision two years ago, on October 1 to start my weight loss. After carrying 260+ lbs for many years, spending the last year at 200 lb or less has been like going back in time for me.<br />
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Happy riding!<br />
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<br />Big Oakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06713190395281794960noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4853150604784485100.post-85783848969495788692012-09-03T22:43:00.001-04:002012-09-03T22:45:21.419-04:00Door County Weekend<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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We headed up to Door Co, Wisconsin again for Labor Day weekend with Alex's sister, Brooke, and her husband, Anders. We've been coming here for several years, but we've never had two back-to-back picture perfect days like we did this year.<br />
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Part of the allure of Door Co is to get away for the weekend with family, and to ride some low traffic roads in a beautiful area. We rode both Saturday and Sunday. Here are a few photos of our journey.<br />
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Here's Bailey's Harbor, at the public pier, where fishermen and scuba divers dock. The low snowfall this past winter and the drought across much of the Lake Michigan watershed has lowered the water in the lake by at least a foot and a half, maybe more.<br />
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We took Bluff Rd out of Bailey's Harbor, and quickly found the bluff. After much huffing and puffing, we crested the hill. Here's the crew in recovery mode.<br />
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This was typical both Saturday and Sunday - Labor Day weekend. Highways 42 & 57 which travel the perimeter of the peninsula are both heavily traveled, two-lane, non-bike-friendly roads. The interior of the peninsula are covered with paved county roads like this. Great for leisurely riding. They'd be great for hard riding also, but we're on vacation!<br />
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Near Jacksonport is Cave County Park. A limestone bluff runs right into the water. Waves slap up against the mini-caves, producing a deep "whomp".<br />
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Here's an old schoolhouse in great condition. It's no longer a school, but I don't know what it's used for.<br />
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At the end of the day we walked down the hill from where we stayed.<br />
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The best chocolate malt I've found comes from this store.<br />
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Ice cream, bench on Eagle Harbor, ready for sunset.<br />
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And there it is. A perfect day.<br />
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We devised a mission to ride north of Sister's Bay to Seaquist Orchard store for cherry jam. Door County is known far and wide for its tart cherries. I'm not sure, but these cherry trees may belong to the Seaquist folks. These trees stretched for a mile along this road, and stretched back maybe about 1/2 mile. I can't believe the amount of work necessary to maintain these trees and pick the cherries. I'm glad they do it, though, because cherry pie is my favorite! Keeping to our tradition, we bought a fresh cherry pie and devoured it. It never stood a chance!<br />
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This farmstead was located amongst the cherry trees. This is as close as I felt comfortable to photographing the barn - it is really cool. <br />
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Here's to everyone out there who works hard to make our country great! Happy Labor Day!Big Oakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06713190395281794960noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4853150604784485100.post-75309867838056877092012-08-29T21:33:00.000-04:002012-08-29T21:33:53.196-04:00New PerspectiveFor the past few months I've been in a blog-funk because I've lost my camera - no idea where it is, and I haven't seen it for several months. I have an iPhone, but have any of you tried to take a photo with an iPhone while you're riding? It's pretty dangerous, and I won't endanger any of my cycling mates or myself by trying to take photos while I'm riding. I can't figure out how to take good photos with the phone, anyway, even when I'm not riding.<br />
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However, my daughter, Georgia, left behind her camera for me to use when she headed back to college. Now I can photographically record cycling-related stuff again on the roll because her camera is small and very easy and relatively safe to operate with one hand. So now I have a revitalized perspective and am excited to have full photo capabilities again.<br />
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This past Sunday we headed over to Convoy, OH, passing by the wind farm on the IN-OH state line. Heading east from Ft. Wayne the land lays flat as a table, which usually is a benefit to me. Hills are not my friend. We've been in the hills west and north of town the past two weekends, so I was happy to be on the flat again.<br />
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The group rides have gotten noticeably faster over the past month, and it's tough for me to hang on the full distance now when I try to ride near the front. On each of the past two club rides I got to the two-thirds way point and dropped back to draft, only to fall off the back. <br />
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I've committed myself to riding near the front as long as I can on each
ride to help make up for all the drafting I've benefited from over the
past several years. Hugh suggested maybe I don't have to try to make
up for all that drafting on <i>each</i> ride.<br />
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Not a bad idea. I hope I can remember that on the next ride.<br />
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On Sunday, I fell off the back, but I was able to work my way back up to these two guys, Greg (in the red) and Chuck (in the yellow). These two guys were early members of the club back in the 70's when it was formed. They're both still very active in the club and don't miss very many rides.<br />
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I've welcomed another bike into the family - this 70's or early 80's Ross women's bike from our neighbor across the street. He sold his house and put this out on the curb. I couldn't resist taking it in and giving it some love and attention. It was his mother's bike from a long time ago. <br />
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The tires are badly weather-checked. I think they may be the original tires? Or at least really, really old as the sidewalls are peeling off of the tire casing. <br />
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Mechanically the bike is in excellent condition. I'm going to clean it up good and put a new saddle and bar tape on it, then let Alex see how she likes it. We're thinking of giving it to her Little Sister, but I'm going to try to find a smaller bike for her. I think this bike will be too big for her.<br />
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I'm thinking this might be an entry-level road bike for Alex. She fits really well on the bike, and I'm hoping she might feel more comfortable riding this bike 30 or 40 miles (or more?!?). Her Cannondale Hybrid bike is terribly heavy, and it is tiring for her to ride for more than 30 miles. <br />
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We'll see.<br />
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This weekend we make our annual Labor Day Weekend pilgrimage to Door County, Wisco for our fall bike wing-ding. I love riding the back roads of the Door, and can't wait to get a chocolate malt from Wilson's General Store.<br />
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In other news, I ran my first 5k race in over 20 years last Saturday. I didn't come even close to a personal best, but that's not what I'm after. I've been running regularly with Alex since early April, and I am overjoyed to simply run comfortably again. I never thought I would feel the wind in my hair again.<br />
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Actually, I can't, because I don't really have any hair left. But if I did, it would feel great. <br />
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How I miss the long hair days of my youth. <br />
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Happy riding!Big Oakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06713190395281794960noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4853150604784485100.post-504172656537355722012-08-12T20:21:00.001-04:002012-08-12T20:21:09.997-04:00My Job is DoneOne of my goals this summer was to ride near the front of our club rides so I can help pull. The last few years I rode near the back, just trying to hold on. This year, though, I've been able ride near the front. <br />
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Yesterday I helped pull for 48 miles, either directly into the wind, or into a crossing headwind. Once we got to the 48 mile mark, we turned for home, and had a tailwind for the last 17 miles. The group took off, while I decided to mosey back at a more leisurely pace. <br />
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I was happy to ride back alone since I was able to help pull. However, Tim and Julie slowed up a bit, and we had an enjoyable ride back.<br />
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On this morning's club ride I realized I'm lucky to have a great group of folks with which to ride. <br />
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Happy riding!<div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtRBYsk4_asuCG-uRF2AdA5zppLJ6SQktyqbLiB9iE26RwY-sUBot1kyANxBrtvfeTifjOazXd5t09Q0SRkV8SB8oWmj6zrPiGk64y2SAgKvM550rbnSFY9k02r_C-B2iaLw_JgklE5Zg/s640/blogger-image--1196644168.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtRBYsk4_asuCG-uRF2AdA5zppLJ6SQktyqbLiB9iE26RwY-sUBot1kyANxBrtvfeTifjOazXd5t09Q0SRkV8SB8oWmj6zrPiGk64y2SAgKvM550rbnSFY9k02r_C-B2iaLw_JgklE5Zg/s640/blogger-image--1196644168.jpg" /></a></div>Big Oakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06713190395281794960noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4853150604784485100.post-73477154769218742562012-08-07T17:39:00.001-04:002012-08-07T17:39:08.007-04:00Back From VacationWe spent all of last week up on Lake Vermilion in northern MN fishing. The lake was very warm, and the fish were scattered.<br />
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I did get some riding in, and four of us rode on the Mesabi Trail. I was even talked into going down into the Soudan Mine - an abandoned iron mine which is now a MN state park. We were crammed into a cage and dropped down a shaft 3/4 mile into the earth. I'll never do that again.<br />
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Those old boys literally worked their fingers to the bone so their descendants could live better lives than they did.<br />
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I'm glad to be home, but I miss the nort' woods.<br />
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Anaway, happy riding, eh?<div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNAN05-KxTjfFS8BKHlsbEDsMoa9-2hycjbrNTKrZNKoMLnhfkQou8Mo1VTUOn4FVk5lwfqXGQV4he4kdxJEQc15SSpz62f0MqPuStpohAeR8z4naF_oBew5srtQgt_-pcbW9hMLEdBTE/s640/blogger-image--1229842782.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNAN05-KxTjfFS8BKHlsbEDsMoa9-2hycjbrNTKrZNKoMLnhfkQou8Mo1VTUOn4FVk5lwfqXGQV4he4kdxJEQc15SSpz62f0MqPuStpohAeR8z4naF_oBew5srtQgt_-pcbW9hMLEdBTE/s640/blogger-image--1229842782.jpg" /></a></div>Big Oakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06713190395281794960noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4853150604784485100.post-43234954342839921992012-07-22T19:56:00.000-04:002012-07-22T19:56:15.390-04:00I never did get to the bike shop in Nevada City on Friday, but I did get in a great hike over in Empire Mine State Park, which was only a couple miles from the hotel. The miners (mostly Cornish) dug hundreds of millions of dollars worth of gold in just over 100 years. They dug 367 miles of tunnels beneath Grass Valley. Pretty incredible!<br />
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Anyway, after getting home last night late, I was able to pull myself out of bed in time to get to today's club ride. I'm glad I made it - we had a great ride over to Hicksville, OH, then back through Spencerville and then back down to New Haven where we started.<br />
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In a chance encounter, the stars aligned and we were able to catch a draft up the hill on Notestine Road behind this Amish buggy. While buggies generally travel between 11 and 14 mph, with the stout headwind we had today, nobody wanted to venture around this protective shield. Unfortunately, we turned south after a half mile, away from protection.<br />
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I hope you folks out there are gettting in some quality rides.<br />
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Happy riding!Big Oakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06713190395281794960noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4853150604784485100.post-1794371839942646442012-07-18T23:32:00.001-04:002012-07-18T23:32:39.652-04:00On Holiday, Sort Of...I'm sitting in my motel room in Grass Valley, CA right now, thinking about how lucky I am to be able to be here for work. While I miss my family, I'm enjoying the chance to see a part of the country I've never seen before. To be able to go on to farms and ranches out here is awesome.<br />
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I'll be heading back on Saturday, but I'll have a couple hours to myself on Friday. I'm plotting a strategy to get over to the bike shop in Nevada City to rent a bike.<br />
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My phone camera decided not to work, so I can't take any photos. This place out here is magnificent! <br />
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Today I saw my first-ever tricolored blackbird, western meadowlark, and glossy ibis. In addition, I got to dig in oxisol (really old soil) next to a rice field in the central valley. I could see the coast range far in the distance.<br />
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Best of all I am able to meet many of my work peers here in California, Nevada, and Arizona. I can't wait to bring Alex out here - I know she'd love it out here.<br />
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Anyway, Happy riding!Big Oakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06713190395281794960noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4853150604784485100.post-11617228665102395412012-07-11T18:39:00.001-04:002012-07-11T18:39:59.214-04:00Dry, But PleasantRecord heat and no rain since early April make for tough conditions. Very similar to the summer of 1988. <br />
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We had 4 days last week of 100+ degree weather - a first since records were kept in Ft. Wayne.<br />
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I overheated on the club ride on Saturday, but recovered for a great ride in cooler temps on Sunday.<br />
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Stay cool out there!<div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh353UspJi093tlvTWt7OqPn1qnXEMWl7ntZWTsW84M6lv43cSy6iIdWKXcJ5iBA1XXXTVzK8BQBGCq45QgjW-fnUlcUBMYfP2JkkLj9XTXAfLw8Qh-gJaMeuG_M8ArVh1_pUzqXk7bHpY/s640/blogger-image--1069165996.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh353UspJi093tlvTWt7OqPn1qnXEMWl7ntZWTsW84M6lv43cSy6iIdWKXcJ5iBA1XXXTVzK8BQBGCq45QgjW-fnUlcUBMYfP2JkkLj9XTXAfLw8Qh-gJaMeuG_M8ArVh1_pUzqXk7bHpY/s640/blogger-image--1069165996.jpg" /></a></div>Big Oakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06713190395281794960noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4853150604784485100.post-47178128469392280322012-07-08T21:18:00.001-04:002012-07-08T21:18:35.738-04:00 I guess it has been a while since I've posted anything on here. Life has a funny way of diverting my attention. I think the fact that I may be in the midst of a mid-life crisis doesn't help either. <br />
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Fortunately for my physical and mental health, I've been doing more biking this year than at any point in my life. My early season, high-mileage rides have given me a tremendous base. I've been running regularly since April, so my leg strength and post-ride recoveries are shorter than in the past. And I've been doing as many club rides as I can, because I like riding with people more than riding by myself.<br />
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I had an interesting experience at the 600K brevet on June 2. After 19 hours of pedaling up steep, steep hills in eastern Ohio, I decided to take a break from my randonneuring plans for a while. At exactly midnight, I abandoned the ride and checked into a hotel in Coshocton. Sitting on the hotel bed eating a foot-long turkey sub and swilling a half-gallon of chocolate milk, I knew then and there that was the best decision I've made in a long time.<br />
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I dearly love the feeling I get out on the bike for long periods of time, in marginal weather. At least as much as the next guy. But I was vastly unprepared for the big hills that never seemed to end. Since that moment in the hotel room, I feel as if a burden has been lifted from my shoulders. Will I ride more randonneur rides? Absolutely! But I don't feel compelled to do any long rides over 300K. Maybe this winter I'll get the rando blues again and try for a whole series next year. Maybe not.<br />
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Meanwhile, I intend to ride club rides and continue to build cardiovascular strength, as well as leg and back strength to help make me a better biker.<br />
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Alex bought me this cactus last fall when we moved into our new house. This is it's very first bloom. Since I took this photo, it's produced 22 more blooms. Each blossom lasts for only a day.<br />
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For the past 7 weeks, Alex has been doing a "Couch to 5K" running program. She's never run before, but she's completed all of the runs on the schedule, with no real problems. Her first 5K is July 21st, and I'm excited for her. Unfortunately, I'll be coming back from California that day, so I won't be able to see her run.<br />
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I broke down and splurged for a generator hub, headlamp, and taillight back in May. It came in handy for the 600K. Too bad it didn't get me to the end. <br />
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This Seculight taillight is really bright. It has a stand light (it'll stay on when the generator isn't turning) that lasts for several minutes. <br />
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Here's the rando-rig set for action. Man, I really love riding this bike. Just the right size. And it's tight and responsive, yet its 26 year-old chrome-moly frame makes a smooth ride. I have de-fendered it for club rides.<br />
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I've ridden this bike on several 200K rides this spring. I want to switch the pedals to an SPD-SL type, but nobody makes those pedals with French threads. I've googled this, and a site I found said the solution is to re-tap the cranks with a 9/16 - 20 die! I've tried lots of things, but I'm not going to ruin this crankset. It's way too nice, and the toe clips aren't so bad after all. I'd like to put fenders on this bike, but there isn't enough clearance from the top of the front wheel to the underside of the fork crown. Maybe I can find a fork that'll fit this bike (and my budget) so I can install fenders.<br />
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Lately I've been thinking seriously about buying a brand new bike. I'd like to be able to keep up with the lead riders, who have feather-light carbon bikes. Just about everyone I ride with here in town has a new (or not-so-old) bike. </div>
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Fortunately, I received my <i>Bicycle Quarterly,</i> and Jan's simple, but eloquent message hit home. Jan says that, for the most part, bikes are bikes. While weight is an important factor, it is not the most important. The most important factor is the power the rider can generate on the bike. So, I don't need a new bike. There's nothing wrong with the bikes I have! </div>
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Just the 200lb motor that sits on the bike. And I'm working at getting more power.</div>
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I hope all you folks out there in the blogosphere are well. I will try to be a little more regular at posting. Thanks Ron and Jon for checking with me.</div>
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Happy biking!</div>
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<br />Big Oakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06713190395281794960noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4853150604784485100.post-52765651516069693012012-04-30T21:39:00.004-04:002012-04-30T21:39:48.053-04:00 Being a second-year randonneur, a toddler, if you will, every ride is a learning experience for me. I was honored to ride with the Tri-State Randonneur Fleche Team for the Ohio 2012 Fleche Ride. Each of the other four members are seasoned randonneurs, so I was a little nervous at the start about how I would ride, especially toward the end, after we'd been on the road for many, many miles.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Makato re-seating his tire - 5 miles after the start. Loveland, Ohio</td></tr>
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Article 1 of the Rules for the Fleches-USA from the Randonneurs USA website explain the basic idea of a fleche ride the best: "<i>The Flèches-USA are 24-hour randonnées held in various regions of the United States during the
spring. The traditional event date is Easter weekend, but it may be held from one week before Easter
until seven weeks after. The Flèches-USA are administered by Randonneurs USA (RUSA) and its Regional
Brevet Administrators (RBA). These rides are patterned after the <b>Flèche Vélocio</b> held by the Audax
Club Parisien (ACP) in France".</i><br />
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I wanted to do the Ohio Fleche Ride last year, but didn't think I could handle it. Toshi, the organizer and inspiration for our team this year, suggested it is best to ride at least a 400k ride (which I did last year) to get the feeling of what a fleche ride is like.<br />
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For a fleche team to be successful, at least 3 team members need to reach the final control. Our team started with 5 - Toshi and Tim (Ohio), Makato (Michigan), and Ken and Bill (Indiana). Unfortunately, Makato's rear derailleur hanger broke only 6 miles from the start, and he had to abandon right away. Our Tri-State team became a Bi-State team just like that.<br />
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Tim had trouble with his bike as well - the return spring on his front derailleur slipped off. After looking at it for some time, we determined the small, cast aluminum tab that holds the spring had broken off. We could think of no way to fix it, so Tim, being an <i>Ancien</i>, improvised by loosening the cable tension on the derailleur and moving it so his chain could run on the middle chainring. These randonneurs are not going to let mechanical problems get in the way of doing a long ride. Middle chainring or no, Tim is a serious biker who can hammer away for hours at a time into a headwind. Which is what he did for us a good bit of the way.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tim </td></tr>
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Toshi organized our team, mapped the route, and vetted the cue sheet much the way a surgeon approaches a patient. Very detailed and capable, Toshi led us through the day and night on smooth, scenic roads with low traffic. Countless times during the day and night, Toshi surged ahead to take over the lead to give Tim a rest, as we battle the headwind virtually all 238 miles of the way. I think we had a tailwind for the last 10 miles, but that was it.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Toshi, our fearless leader</td></tr>
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Ken rode a recumbent. He quit riding his upright bike a few years ago, and started randonnerring 3 years ago. But he is no neophyte. He completed an ACP Super Randonneur series last year and he completed Paris-Brest-Paris - the mother-of-them-all ride for randonneurs.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ken</td></tr>
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Grey Trek performed so well, I hate to jinx myself for the next ride. Since last year, I've been particular about keeping my chain clean and lubed. With rain forecast for the ride on Saturday, I put an additional dousing of lube on the chain just before we left. I may have over-done it, though, because the chain slipped off the big chainring when I shifted up and slipped off the small chainring when I shifted down. I had the limit screws adjusted to perfection before the ride, so the only thing different was the extra lube. I don't know if that would cause that trouble or not. I'll look at it tomorrow after work.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grey Trek, Aberdeen, Ohio</td></tr>
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We had two periods of rain - once here at Aberdeen, OH - a very light shower that lasted for maybe 5 minutes. Further down the road, as we headed north toward Columbus, we had a thundershower that rained on us for another 5 minutes or so. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bridge to Kentucky at Aberdeen, OH</td></tr>
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While the weather wasn't great - it wasn't all that bad. Down along the Ohio River, Tim's bike thermometer recorded 63 degrees. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Riding along US 52, heading toward Portsmouth</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A rare sight - Toshi at the back</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another control - Shawnee Grocery at Stout, OH</td></tr>
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We stopped at Bob Evans in Portsmouth, OH, for supper. If you've never been to Bob's for supper, you'll not find too much heart-healthy food. But it is good-tasting, and for a randonneur, if we can get calories that taste good, we'll go for them. I had the two-piece chicken dinner with broccoli and baked potato. I could only eat one piece of chicken (each piece was a breast and the back!). That was the first baked potato I'd eaten in at least a year.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It all looks to to Toshi and Ken at Bob Evans in Portsmouth</td></tr>
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After supper, we headed north along the route of the Tour of the Scioto River Valley (TOSRV) for Columbus. We caught the tail end of a thundershower, but for almost an hour after nightfall were treated to an awesome lightening display to the east. Like I said earlier, each rando ride for me is a new experience. Riding in the dark scares me but at the same time is really cool. It's hard to describe, really. But riding with these guys through the night was very enjoyable. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeWujfdo_iXd7ZcMFURCByXGkg03nrXoOE79RrpebL6nG2gHj9fMkwmqcbM2yRYtYGZfemsgHmnJ4_oJsT25T8QFYVnX3jCj7pTEQ0dkgYTHsbzvtDcDmbXsNOraU_T2jO3N0L9JcydBE/s1600/IMG_0769.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeWujfdo_iXd7ZcMFURCByXGkg03nrXoOE79RrpebL6nG2gHj9fMkwmqcbM2yRYtYGZfemsgHmnJ4_oJsT25T8QFYVnX3jCj7pTEQ0dkgYTHsbzvtDcDmbXsNOraU_T2jO3N0L9JcydBE/s320/IMG_0769.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Midnight - somewhere between Chillecothe and Circleville, OH</td></tr>
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<br />
At our control in Circleville, Toshi mentioned his team last year slept for a few minutes in the laundromat across the road. Everybody thought that sounded like a good idea, so we tried to get some shut-eye. I slept for maybe 5 minutes. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD8Wz1OpKqZHumRJ-3woYGtowu6f0iMksBF1A0_4LzmzGChaXQsaXakZdFVOqqW4Xf9U523wbG5tygK48Dn4O__G7jFN-VfhcV8y5_BJA2AyB9l7KEPluj2r3wZK53YlaoHj5u6ZB2mP0/s1600/IMG_0128.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD8Wz1OpKqZHumRJ-3woYGtowu6f0iMksBF1A0_4LzmzGChaXQsaXakZdFVOqqW4Xf9U523wbG5tygK48Dn4O__G7jFN-VfhcV8y5_BJA2AyB9l7KEPluj2r3wZK53YlaoHj5u6ZB2mP0/s320/IMG_0128.JPG" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tim found the folding table to be quite comfy</td></tr>
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<br />
As we arrived at our next-to-last control, the Waffle House in Canal Winchester, we were greeted by a large throng of drunken young people and several police cars. Normally, I wouldn't stop at a place with all of that activity, nor would my teammates. But being hungry and tired, we rode our bikes right through the group, past the police officers, who were busy talking to two men. It turns out the one younger guy punched the other guy's wife in the face, so the cavalier husband punched the instigator's girl friend in the face. And they say chivalry is dead! <br />
<br />
I ate a chicken sandwich, drank a cup of decaf coffee, and rested my eyes for a while. At 5am sharp, we were back on the bikes. We arrived at Bob (the Ohio Registered Brevet Administrator) and Patti's house around 6:30 am where we were greeted warmly and fed scrambled eggs, fresh fruit, and Patti's homemade bread. Plus, we each got to take a shower.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiukZSUBvViKWJnxqOY5CKmhvIB7SZQrGU5o4PuM0jqrJWsW9X4CIeAWRJ2YmnbI2wPoYL8IFNXWN1LLf3GCYTc3Lu2vLfV62G2FQYgPUm2fHj1lNmLC8lOQ5eFK4pOM2uvqMoqnfDoW2g/s1600/IMG_0770.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiukZSUBvViKWJnxqOY5CKmhvIB7SZQrGU5o4PuM0jqrJWsW9X4CIeAWRJ2YmnbI2wPoYL8IFNXWN1LLf3GCYTc3Lu2vLfV62G2FQYgPUm2fHj1lNmLC8lOQ5eFK4pOM2uvqMoqnfDoW2g/s320/IMG_0770.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ken, Bill, Tim, Toski - Tri-State Randonneurs - 2012 Ohio Fleche Ride</td></tr>
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<br />
There was one other team from Ohio - Tim, Tim, and Jon. Yes, the names are correct. They started their ride in Danville, IL, and rode across Indiana all the way to Columbus. They went over 400k for their fleche. Impressive, when you think about it. But considering the weather they encountered - thunderstorms, downpours, snow showers, sleet, and east-northeast wind the entire way - this was a feat of Olympic proportion. They had gotten to Bob and Patti's a little ahead of us, and they were whipped. <br />
<br />
My first fleche ride was quite an experience. I had moments when I was quite miserable - my thighs burned a good bit of the way, and the constant wind in my ears put me in a foul mood. But my teammates were riding in the same conditions, probably feeling bad like me. But they never showed it, and each was very generous at sharing the lead, pulling me through the wind. It was an honor for me to ride with Ken, Tim, and Toshi. <br />
<br />
One thing about randonneuring I've learned, almost from the start, is the pain of a long ride goes away quickly, but the good memories remain and solid friendships are born. <br />
<br />
Oh, and the endorphin rush is awesome!<br />
<br />
Happy riding!Big Oakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06713190395281794960noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4853150604784485100.post-71833313634616721982012-04-29T01:18:00.001-04:002012-04-29T01:18:25.919-04:00Pit StopCircleville Laundramat, 1:00 am. Cat nap.<div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHwyjgOzR9blmXZM3PPF6u3vLVwiMouNBUzclReAztSagFcl-aOlAZToS7TOCJaTrVXqGurIJFWjWZnQmc4Dub0-H8jGFu_7tMa2rk2hTMGDlx-_ojuvW5oZZi4mOxwpoy3HpI_5Lvmt0/s640/blogger-image-2132339147.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHwyjgOzR9blmXZM3PPF6u3vLVwiMouNBUzclReAztSagFcl-aOlAZToS7TOCJaTrVXqGurIJFWjWZnQmc4Dub0-H8jGFu_7tMa2rk2hTMGDlx-_ojuvW5oZZi4mOxwpoy3HpI_5Lvmt0/s640/blogger-image-2132339147.jpg" /></a></div>Big Oakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06713190395281794960noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4853150604784485100.post-88739918769302065302012-04-28T17:59:00.001-04:002012-04-28T17:59:08.549-04:00Dinner at Bob'sWe made it to Portsmouth - had a 70 mile ride along the Ohio River. Persistent headwind much of the way so far. Great teammates make the riding easier.<div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwZhr4kkOiHhn7ZvRQJ8Z3xZFU-KpKm6gLgKQCI5JpKSUfdk4Vk5cxkzRPSW9pr6J1iyR1Je4MJdp4r5Tg9vBc59dju5pAzU40KKeZEZk2BtKmWM4GhhbThWN7XsclknyVBhYJV21knwE/s640/blogger-image-1941398710.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwZhr4kkOiHhn7ZvRQJ8Z3xZFU-KpKm6gLgKQCI5JpKSUfdk4Vk5cxkzRPSW9pr6J1iyR1Je4MJdp4r5Tg9vBc59dju5pAzU40KKeZEZk2BtKmWM4GhhbThWN7XsclknyVBhYJV21knwE/s640/blogger-image-1941398710.jpg" /></a></div>Big Oakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06713190395281794960noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4853150604784485100.post-28412159707996332562012-04-28T07:57:00.001-04:002012-04-28T07:57:30.610-04:00On Flèche TodayOhio 2012 Flèche underway. Will post a few photos when I have time.<div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbax49uL4XHRAOlXa2-hwJP6AqduQITcaGrJTeBgEmf4F0TPajnpvi0ezQLIYyGLyG9VrZZL1p2k95aN0J_vz_VY9z_j_0LuWHGylJqZqrRpUWarzsBS35egTIOOcgRdjZVO6B7HORtYs/s640/blogger-image-626235840.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbax49uL4XHRAOlXa2-hwJP6AqduQITcaGrJTeBgEmf4F0TPajnpvi0ezQLIYyGLyG9VrZZL1p2k95aN0J_vz_VY9z_j_0LuWHGylJqZqrRpUWarzsBS35egTIOOcgRdjZVO6B7HORtYs/s640/blogger-image-626235840.jpg" /></a></div>Big Oakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06713190395281794960noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4853150604784485100.post-19332554198123673402012-04-15T21:07:00.002-04:002012-04-15T22:10:59.409-04:00LessonsThere are realizations that come only with experience. No matter what the discipline, the knowledge gained by reading about something is always different than what one learns through actually participating.<div><br /></div><div>Take, for example, my fascination with reading about randonneuring over the past few years. I love everything about the sport: the bikes, the adventure, the scenery. I used to read the rider's stories on the RUSA website and think that if I had been the author, I would have had a heck of an experience.</div><div><br /></div><div>Yesterday's Ohio 300K Brevet gave me plenty of time to come to several realizations. These nuggets of wisdom are only hinted at in randonneur's stories, but I've not found them in print. So, if you are thinking you might like to try a brevet, read on.</div><div><br /></div><div>Nugget #1 - The weather on a brevet is never ideal. Despite the forecast, the weather will never be what you hope. Usually it is much colder than predicted, and windier. If there is a 20% chance of rain, plan on it being an all-day down pour.</div><div><br /></div><div>Nugget #2 - Regional Brevet Administrators (RBA's) always down play how hilly the route actually is. "It's really not that hilly - except for a few hills around Mohican State Park". If an RBA even mentions there may be a hill on the course, plan on panting for several hours as you watch your speedometer stick at 4.5 mph.</div><div><br /></div><div>Nugget #3 - I may be optimistic here, but count on 10% of each route to be located on smooth roads. The other 90% of the route will shake bolts out of your bike. Be sure to use plenty of Lok-tite.</div><div><br /></div><div>Nugget #4 - Make peace with the phrase, "What the Hell am I doing here?" You'll ask yourself that many times, like when you're climbing a big hill (especially the one near Mohican State Park), or when your turn a corner and feel how the cold, wind-swept rain stings your face. Unless you quit the ride, you'll just have to accept you'll be asking that often. </div><div><br /></div><div>Nugget #5 - The other people you're riding with feel as miserable as you do, even though they don't show it. So don't ruin a good thing by complaining. By working together, you can buoy one another and make miserable circumstances seem much better.</div><div><br /></div><div>Nugget #6 - As miserable as you might feel, the pain seems to go away when you see the final control. An overwhelming sense of satisfaction settles in, and very shortly you are looking ahead to your next long ride.</div><div><br /></div><div>Well, that's what I've learned so far. I could say a bit about bike condition and working on your bike before a brevet (never, ever wait until just before a ride to try to fix something), but I'll save that for later.</div><div><br /></div><div>Yesterday's ride was a game changer for me. I've done many brevets, but I think I became a randonneur last night when I finished the ride.</div><div><br /></div><div>Happy riding!</div><div><br /></div><div>PS Steve A, I'm going to use the Tricross for the 600K ride. My Treks are no match for the roads and hills of eastern Ohio.</div>Big Oakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06713190395281794960noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4853150604784485100.post-62448467493294194612012-04-12T17:00:00.001-04:002012-04-12T17:00:51.146-04:00Fend-o-rized60% chance of rain for Saturday's ride prompted fend-o-rization of Grey Trek. Riding in the rain without fenders sucks. Just sayin'.<div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKfazzpUap7pWWM8g0YFMOpZmesIJ93YBZ1ypFG7k8fqIPGDeGZxf2UFwS_aqrgbegqOdtrcsK-cozT4C_9YP5cH33uMBwupm_UgfStTuD3wuCGDhB3tairLHwbSnaFvRb52N5UWdSa9M/s640/blogger-image--165736649.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKfazzpUap7pWWM8g0YFMOpZmesIJ93YBZ1ypFG7k8fqIPGDeGZxf2UFwS_aqrgbegqOdtrcsK-cozT4C_9YP5cH33uMBwupm_UgfStTuD3wuCGDhB3tairLHwbSnaFvRb52N5UWdSa9M/s640/blogger-image--165736649.jpg" /></a></div>Big Oakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06713190395281794960noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4853150604784485100.post-5496547283691576812012-04-09T20:36:00.003-04:002012-04-09T21:46:12.213-04:00Early Spring HiatusA lot's happened the last month, most of it's been good. Between family stuff, work, and yard work, there hasn't been any time to put together a quality post. Not that any of my posts are quality, but I do like to be able to take a few hours to put together an idea and match with some photos.<br /><br />Shortly after my last post, the weather changed from a mild but cloudy, crappy winter directly into summer. We had 9 straight days of record high temps. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-TRLabkMRX9pgKpV1Rbq-YrVO7CEM1PngCMMbOHETGj6SweBG4Oda_dQRSm1k-NS5DT8dL96vNBU4ioG8XXfBVhWxYzc5NmQorAxFAbKqtzlzshseC872fdP3CJI1T-iM7TAZGf6dkIM/s1600/Bill%2527s+iPhone+photos+100.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-TRLabkMRX9pgKpV1Rbq-YrVO7CEM1PngCMMbOHETGj6SweBG4Oda_dQRSm1k-NS5DT8dL96vNBU4ioG8XXfBVhWxYzc5NmQorAxFAbKqtzlzshseC872fdP3CJI1T-iM7TAZGf6dkIM/s400/Bill%2527s+iPhone+photos+100.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729568651448629394" border="0" /></a><br />You might imagine what that might do to a simple mid-westerner. Bike! And mow. For the first time in my life, I mowed grass in March - March 19th was the first, then March 24th, then March 29th. The damn grass won't stop growing. Actually, it has slowed substantially as we are now entering mild drought conditions. I'm not a fan of grass mowing or lawn care in general, but now that we live in a subdivision, I'm getting the hairy eyeball from really nice people who are wondering where all those dandelion seeds my lawn is producing will go. I've even heard there is a bet whose lawn on our cul-de-sac will be covered next spring with the yellow blooms (which I find quite lovely).<br /><br />Commuting weather has been fantastic. Here's the Tricross commuter. This bike is so much more than a commuter, but this is the way I like it.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWPY3NbUaICPtmrYsjX74w0unGpFz82j_sR7rdl06nLW0lW0NK3VakLvcpzJQysbbP8b_R5MHdO9RMQ6OA6o_O8oZdgckF0jC94-3sRmxGLDJ8d0VCWTmqcQcn28609nT9L9OOKs2KoZo/s1600/IMG_0752.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWPY3NbUaICPtmrYsjX74w0unGpFz82j_sR7rdl06nLW0lW0NK3VakLvcpzJQysbbP8b_R5MHdO9RMQ6OA6o_O8oZdgckF0jC94-3sRmxGLDJ8d0VCWTmqcQcn28609nT9L9OOKs2KoZo/s400/IMG_0752.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729564940411935234" border="0" /></a><br />Much has changed with the old grey Trek 500. It's finally sporting the Velo Orange compact crank (48 - 34) I bought last year, but stuck too far out to the east for the front derailleur to engage the large chainring. My bike buddy Luis had a narrow Shimano bottom bracket cartridge that he ordered online, but it doesn't fit his bike. But it did fit mine perfectly.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirQIqUiBqmg1aqWgTCaECkMNT4dM6BlFDZvu4Fv42CTmYzHaHfT549cnde-WmFHbOdaN84KJCP5V1_dnLMRnjbYRb32caDeXBv_dVgW3Q6WkcvDWxiib1l7ZDzTuG-3j0tnKEZTn-cusw/s1600/Bill%2527s+iPhone+photos+106.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirQIqUiBqmg1aqWgTCaECkMNT4dM6BlFDZvu4Fv42CTmYzHaHfT549cnde-WmFHbOdaN84KJCP5V1_dnLMRnjbYRb32caDeXBv_dVgW3Q6WkcvDWxiib1l7ZDzTuG-3j0tnKEZTn-cusw/s400/Bill%2527s+iPhone+photos+106.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729568645582005394" border="0" /></a><br />Note the new pump location - I mounted it on the seat stay on the old blue Trek and almost had a major catastrophe on the Nashville Brevet when the nozzle came loose and ended up between the seat stay and spokes. Can't happen in this location.<br /><br />The warm weather has allowed me to get some serious mileage in, which has me in much better condition than I was this time last year. I've ridden several Saturday Show 'n Go rides with the club even. I go into serious oxygen debt on every ride. This past Saturday, I hung in with the group for almost a whole hour. I found myself staring blankly at the ground, gasping for every bit of oxygen I could suck in on the same big hill I was dropped on 3 weeks ago. Chuck held back with me, Luis, and Jeff to pull us back into the main pack. We had to beg him to leave us alone, but not without a fight. I thought I was going to have to offer him money to leave us be. He finally ditched us when the group ahead grew small in the distance.<br /><br />We are forming a Saturday and Sunday touring group which will ride a more moderate pace than we've ridden the past several years. I like to go really fast, but my really fast is still pretty slow. I'll have to work to keep up with the moderate group, but I'm looking forward to riding with those folks. I suspect it will be the same folks I wind up riding with who get spit out the back of the mad peloton the touring group has become over the past few years.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDkSsq8_D4qjYqY-Cm7u49lzoxsjhtcziAtcSBYpiJZOE00wP86hgjHX1vKcEJ_8x495lZzyQsCbMuOiHglLJgDpIb3I2bX-JxJN-V9gQiQTtrrw-MHLySIxEqfRbP-uaYogIrIRB30So/s1600/IMG_0759.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDkSsq8_D4qjYqY-Cm7u49lzoxsjhtcziAtcSBYpiJZOE00wP86hgjHX1vKcEJ_8x495lZzyQsCbMuOiHglLJgDpIb3I2bX-JxJN-V9gQiQTtrrw-MHLySIxEqfRbP-uaYogIrIRB30So/s400/IMG_0759.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729564955057582706" border="0" /></a><br />I'm digging the late sundowns now after the time change. It is staying light until after 8 pm, so I can get a few really nice rides in after work each week.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDwI0u5QyRoUB_Ni7NBCL9CjBdvhz94Jd7HaBXaLbTeSOYTQvp3QySQo0-v4uDJdMQjseJAuW4dzLS0M80R_a9MQn8VezPM8zAJiNtaVA-4MJeIxHT6GOn8O2jiue4KMXASmIGR3BgnZY/s1600/IMG_0754.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDwI0u5QyRoUB_Ni7NBCL9CjBdvhz94Jd7HaBXaLbTeSOYTQvp3QySQo0-v4uDJdMQjseJAuW4dzLS0M80R_a9MQn8VezPM8zAJiNtaVA-4MJeIxHT6GOn8O2jiue4KMXASmIGR3BgnZY/s400/IMG_0754.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729564948993612306" border="0" /></a><br />The Ohio Randonneurs' series is underway, and I rode the 200k a week ago last Saturday. I was able to ride the whole way with people, and through 80 miles we had a decent-sized pack of riders, maybe 8 or 9. Paul and Rich, below, and I kept going at the 80 mile mark when the rest of the pack wanted to stop. By the way, between these two guys, they've completed 8 Paris-Brest-Paris's! What's even more amazing, is Paul, on the right, is one of only 3 people to have completed P-B-P 7 times! I really fortunate to have the chance to ride with him and to be able to learn so much on this ride, and several of the rides last year.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcRFB2SNf0q7Yo4hZuzMPTe_x2-4blyjlbBGtMnbOvfmkJ43f3W_X2n4EXn-zjq3vUq9Oh49K00Far0YiE96j7saSI0hvFsWR5xTzy_MRtekXwbTLB8DUPl8oZ6VeZ0Zwn_gfALKbj0PI/s1600/Bill%2527s+iPhone+photos+096.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcRFB2SNf0q7Yo4hZuzMPTe_x2-4blyjlbBGtMnbOvfmkJ43f3W_X2n4EXn-zjq3vUq9Oh49K00Far0YiE96j7saSI0hvFsWR5xTzy_MRtekXwbTLB8DUPl8oZ6VeZ0Zwn_gfALKbj0PI/s400/Bill%2527s+iPhone+photos+096.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729568658604053410" border="0" /></a><br />I think this is the control at the 91 mile mark. We had caught up to the faster people, but they left shortly after we came in.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirQIqUiBqmg1aqWgTCaECkMNT4dM6BlFDZvu4Fv42CTmYzHaHfT549cnde-WmFHbOdaN84KJCP5V1_dnLMRnjbYRb32caDeXBv_dVgW3Q6WkcvDWxiib1l7ZDzTuG-3j0tnKEZTn-cusw/s1600/Bill%2527s+iPhone+photos+106.JPG"></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga2Aope9vfwlMy8yXdll5a3iIIiNwhNptBh6KZ_ymveM50G-Q3FAMID6-XTBOoS8KjAdQTX7HuMYglusvqQamiZIhvUB1nTh7KfymkxHfqYgjV8TH59vRPt2hYKwdABjG2MlY_tYe5phI/s1600/Bill%2527s+iPhone+photos+095.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga2Aope9vfwlMy8yXdll5a3iIIiNwhNptBh6KZ_ymveM50G-Q3FAMID6-XTBOoS8KjAdQTX7HuMYglusvqQamiZIhvUB1nTh7KfymkxHfqYgjV8TH59vRPt2hYKwdABjG2MlY_tYe5phI/s400/Bill%2527s+iPhone+photos+095.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729568662654074418" border="0" /></a><br />There is a large group of people who I can't even hope of keeping up with, but at the 114 mile mark, we passed a Wendy's and noted the large number of randonneur bikes outside. At the finish, we realized it was the large fast group. And Paul, Rich, and I had beat them to the end!<br /><br />Randonneuring is not about beating the next guy or gal. We each do our best on each ride. But I am happy they had a hunger for beef!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWPY3NbUaICPtmrYsjX74w0unGpFz82j_sR7rdl06nLW0lW0NK3VakLvcpzJQysbbP8b_R5MHdO9RMQ6OA6o_O8oZdgckF0jC94-3sRmxGLDJ8d0VCWTmqcQcn28609nT9L9OOKs2KoZo/s1600/IMG_0752.JPG"></a><br />This Saturday is the 300K, and two weeks after that is the Fleche ride. This will be my first, and I'm really looking forward to it.<br /><br />Bon route!<br /><br />PS - thanks to you folks who sent me emails asking if I'm OK. You know who you are - I appreciate your concern.<br /><br />BillBig Oakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06713190395281794960noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4853150604784485100.post-65200464155523326172012-03-11T19:50:00.003-04:002012-03-11T20:31:51.864-04:00Fiddlin'I rode yesterday morning, leaving at sun-up to make the most of the day. It was supposed to get up to 50F yesterday, so I thought by leaving early I could get a nice, long ride in. At the start it was 25F, and a pretty lively SE wind was blowing. By the time I got out 20 miles, all into the wind, I began to think how important it was for me to get home to clean out the garage. So, I turned around and headed back home so I could tackle the garage. I got home and the temp was still only 28. Glad I didn't go any further. I had frost-bitten my toes and 4 fingers. First time that's happened all winter.<br /><br />Anyway, I ate a snack, then Mrs. Oak and I headed out to do some pre-migration birding. Darn, we didn't make it back in time for me to work on the garage.<br /><br />So, this morning I headed into the garage with my Mustang Island coffee cup (a souvenir from our Texas trip a couple weeks ago) full of coffee to begin organizing and cleaning. Before I started though, I thought it might be good to rebuild the axles on my grey Trek. I took the bearings out, cleaned them, re-greased them, and then re-adjusted the bearing cones. A simple project for most, but it took me several hours. I had to refill my Mustang Island coffee cup (I don't think I mentioned how much coffee it holds - it is really big!), then make a piece of peanut butter toast. After all that coffee, I took bathroom break, and another cup of coffee. Well, I dinked at it for a while, but eventually got everything back together. By the time I finished adjusting the brakes, it was early afternoon, and the sun was shining, and the temp had climbed into the 50's!<br /><br />So off into the wilds of NE Indiana I bounded, grey Trek and I, headed for who-knows-where. I figured it might be good to get in some hill climbing, so I headed west of my home, toward the lake country.<br /><br />About 10 miles out I had a flat, so I pulled over and quickly changed the tube.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSawCXnpnLKdfeFSaZTmA_MMihEi1WknJcdaFe6zSxFDKhuLYtL2PfvZWi_VdsayRd8-vwQpVDBmzxgIIPUyA-sGNJJFCc70gTCQn_Ncigj2KsU4zHoDMr37SXr7Z5qjqGghc4DGi2UbE/s1600/IMG_0745.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSawCXnpnLKdfeFSaZTmA_MMihEi1WknJcdaFe6zSxFDKhuLYtL2PfvZWi_VdsayRd8-vwQpVDBmzxgIIPUyA-sGNJJFCc70gTCQn_Ncigj2KsU4zHoDMr37SXr7Z5qjqGghc4DGi2UbE/s400/IMG_0745.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5718791374362546290" border="0" /></a> As I inspected my old, worn Pasela TG rear tire, I found at least three holes of which any one may have been the culprit. Tiny pieces of wire were in two, and a small, sharp rock was in the third hole. The Pasela's served me very well in last year's rando rides, and for the summer with the home club's weekend rides. But they are now worn and not looking so good anymore.<br /><br />I am so glad I took my blue Trek yesterday - with the new Gatorskin tires I installed two weeks ago, a flat tire yesterday would have crippled me. Being the proud randonneur, I wouldn't have called for help. But with numb hands, it would have taken quite a long time to change the tube.<br /><br />But look at this shiny rear hub! I cleaned it up when I re-packed the axle this morning. Cleaned up the freewheel too.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6KXoo3k9wyoSeZo2ugW1ktzecp6dQvzJgBYw_8xA0NnDOV4ie4WugXMAsJ_ou2Nxjay0wX_Qb2Fx82BOrtx_AUPTUGIkl1SVf9ZEP-GcqK2Gq8jfHC3GDq3HWO3gukbl2jeY4-gkq8Zg/s1600/IMG_0746.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6KXoo3k9wyoSeZo2ugW1ktzecp6dQvzJgBYw_8xA0NnDOV4ie4WugXMAsJ_ou2Nxjay0wX_Qb2Fx82BOrtx_AUPTUGIkl1SVf9ZEP-GcqK2Gq8jfHC3GDq3HWO3gukbl2jeY4-gkq8Zg/s400/IMG_0746.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5718791379018188514" border="0" /></a><br />Soon, I was on my way again, tooling down County Road 68.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSawCXnpnLKdfeFSaZTmA_MMihEi1WknJcdaFe6zSxFDKhuLYtL2PfvZWi_VdsayRd8-vwQpVDBmzxgIIPUyA-sGNJJFCc70gTCQn_Ncigj2KsU4zHoDMr37SXr7Z5qjqGghc4DGi2UbE/s1600/IMG_0745.JPG"></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGTFwAUBpRTyNzd5gpzqchd116d1ZPrhGK2vYDJys_apR8VzaztTFVq_wjPtk6Byrdn5WKHSB4Kme2XtcnMVuLJyWgkEf9VuZvVlC1wTk7yEzLfbXgdLqt4tK9YntNUebhyphenhyphenB-QYSiOuaY/s1600/IMG_0747.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGTFwAUBpRTyNzd5gpzqchd116d1ZPrhGK2vYDJys_apR8VzaztTFVq_wjPtk6Byrdn5WKHSB4Kme2XtcnMVuLJyWgkEf9VuZvVlC1wTk7yEzLfbXgdLqt4tK9YntNUebhyphenhyphenB-QYSiOuaY/s400/IMG_0747.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5718791385230336242" border="0" /></a><br />The temp got up to 60F today, and was the nicest day we've had all year. Mrs. Oak and I took dog out for a long walk when I got back. It is good to hear the robins once again sing!<br /><br />I hope you folks got out to ride this weekend.<br /><br />Happy riding!<br /><br />Oh, no, the garage still isn't cleaned out.Big Oakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06713190395281794960noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4853150604784485100.post-73760553012315182362012-03-06T20:57:00.002-05:002012-03-06T21:21:39.807-05:00A Great South WindSpring is coming. Barreling its way in, like a freight train, on massive south winds. This morning, we went from 28 deg F to 60 deg F in a little over an hour. It'll get plenty cold again, but I've tasted spring, and I have hope.<br /><br />Not that it's been miserable here. In fact, the entire winter has been very mild. The coldest weather we've experienced, over the past month, was still above normal. Even so, with summer birds beginning to show up, and big south winds, and big sun, it's impossible to feel anything but good.<br /><br />So, after pedaling the 3 miles home from work, I changed into bike clothes, then headed east of home, then south, directly into the wind. A steady, grinding, pace into the headwind. Ah, the burning in my thighs reminded me of what it means to work hard again.<br /><br />Out here on the old lake plain east of Fort Wayne, there is little to block the wind.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgYHWJYLUWDbn9DEifTyVfHteo5nMZG7R1HkEe9NalM8k5RqMZ_9da6JljnYlxY64UVPeJrI9gYAk3rT0rxdEwdRqqaKCQOGo5P6NyBPTvVZ6A4Va8Ydr1pt29vJdujR5kY3M-EnCX-GU/s1600/IMG_0744.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgYHWJYLUWDbn9DEifTyVfHteo5nMZG7R1HkEe9NalM8k5RqMZ_9da6JljnYlxY64UVPeJrI9gYAk3rT0rxdEwdRqqaKCQOGo5P6NyBPTvVZ6A4Va8Ydr1pt29vJdujR5kY3M-EnCX-GU/s400/IMG_0744.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5716968568714758546" border="0" /></a><br />Flat ground. But heading directly into the wind is like climbing a great big, long, hill. Look at that sunshine - it was with us the entire day!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnJRzymwOIbxQlWBCh75wVV5I9xrxWh6C_k6G91E7Q5GkoRND1M8qrt9X7JziAk_83v_ZEOpCVDyGREm-WQhYDRL1xnKmuz0p5KfVCMEvd0j7NIyih6UiBjKbK229Uof5XlNHRzCCw_gs/s1600/IMG_0743.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnJRzymwOIbxQlWBCh75wVV5I9xrxWh6C_k6G91E7Q5GkoRND1M8qrt9X7JziAk_83v_ZEOpCVDyGREm-WQhYDRL1xnKmuz0p5KfVCMEvd0j7NIyih6UiBjKbK229Uof5XlNHRzCCw_gs/s400/IMG_0743.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5716968578572700434" border="0" /></a><br />The ride back to the north was like coming down a big hill, almost. With the wind at my back I maintained an easy 21 mph. Going into the wind I had to work hard to maintain 12 mph!<br /><br />Spring, go ahead and bring your wind. It is good to have you back!<br /><br />I wasn't able to get a photo, but the eagles are nesting again just outside of Cedarville, only 2 miles east of our new home. I saw one of the eagles perched at the very top of the tree where it's nesting.<br /><br /><br /><br />Happy riding!Big Oakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06713190395281794960noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4853150604784485100.post-42071269577965911932012-02-27T20:21:00.011-05:002012-02-27T21:56:26.976-05:00What A Long, Great Trip It's BeenEvery once in a great while a vacation comes along that does what we hope. It provides us spiritual transportation to a different, peaceful place for rest and recovery from our everyday lives. It reminds us that we are in a very special place, if only for a brief time. And it reminds us that we are surrounded by important and special people.<br /><br />Alex and I were fortunate enough to have experienced all that, and more, last week on our journey to Texas. Our plan was to head far enough south so we could remember what really warm weather was like. And we wanted to see birds. We originally were thinking about going to Florida. But most people we know in Indiana who think of going south think of going to Florida. However, we wanted to experience something different, so why not southern Texas?<br /><br />So at noon on Feb. 17th, Alex and I jumped in a car full of clothes and bikes and birding gear and headed south. We spent the first full day in Nashville - Alex toured museums while I did a 200K ride with the Harpeth Bike Club.<br /><br />On Brevet! Somewhere around the 100 mile mark, West-Central Tennessee.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWypTm0Q27CQSVaeNXrnLQCXV51_vOCvov-JlWiCxng2AKFvCNYvP-cwi574yx4sk57_EKLDaTbPy2aAnqw7_bCKScmk108ZDma8bofa_BrAy6G4gONEDcZdmt_X1YPjlZEc0feYYM2ZM/s1600/043.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWypTm0Q27CQSVaeNXrnLQCXV51_vOCvov-JlWiCxng2AKFvCNYvP-cwi574yx4sk57_EKLDaTbPy2aAnqw7_bCKScmk108ZDma8bofa_BrAy6G4gONEDcZdmt_X1YPjlZEc0feYYM2ZM/s400/043.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5714000672785287442" border="0" /></a><br />From Nashville, we headed down to Arkansas, where we spent an afternoon and evening at DeGray Lake Resort State Park - a very beautiful place.<br /><br />Sunrise over DeGray Lake Resort State Park. Heading out for San Antonio.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhamFQxHFn4xG98Ktqo_tyeMBhmdZhJWfOZzWX84eQgQCoDJGMcAqgrlDkz3O72PLZhf1bK-6P9xPsGaXLkcULbRkd3VSF7D5PI1ipsfePlHtLSRp1qBtIOdjOXS_rZ-SY7dAJftw5T4uU/s1600/044.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhamFQxHFn4xG98Ktqo_tyeMBhmdZhJWfOZzWX84eQgQCoDJGMcAqgrlDkz3O72PLZhf1bK-6P9xPsGaXLkcULbRkd3VSF7D5PI1ipsfePlHtLSRp1qBtIOdjOXS_rZ-SY7dAJftw5T4uU/s400/044.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5714000678058790002" border="0" /></a><br />We then headed all the way to downtown San Antonio, where we visited the Alamo and the Riverwalk. Being a pacifist, I was surprised to be moved by an inscription made by James Bowie before his end at the Alamo. If he could see what has arisen around the spot where he drew his last breath, I believe he would be amazed.<br /><br />On Tuesday afternoon we arrived at Corpus Christi, our southern-most destination. There, we birded all the daylight hours we had available until Friday morning.<br /><br />We've Arrived! Padre Island National Seashore.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0fm6iq84X5_664ntUsNULqz_b-psmcJ0PewPArhUhH0D75x4U-95Wt-87LnUZKCWzgj4oToR0fTyJXfFNQFOSCBhZdBEIa2LW6ZvglAsrE6EVXc6Kr_Fz1fxl-1-WoON95VYWGJGrQic/s1600/075.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0fm6iq84X5_664ntUsNULqz_b-psmcJ0PewPArhUhH0D75x4U-95Wt-87LnUZKCWzgj4oToR0fTyJXfFNQFOSCBhZdBEIa2LW6ZvglAsrE6EVXc6Kr_Fz1fxl-1-WoON95VYWGJGrQic/s400/075.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5714000681943683026" border="0" /></a><br />Laughing gulls on Padre Island.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy0oq-NITaTHSQPdNlW3wnPu60lJATvxEUgyWpHhlNdPHbZrTaC_9wfiAwqD_xINmFFs1XkH1IUuXlf9VSD06u9WDBkyTS3Ia9OxVO1XCOcPfG9NzPGKWsoYLjysxOD8yah-N_VGcOEns/s1600/082.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy0oq-NITaTHSQPdNlW3wnPu60lJATvxEUgyWpHhlNdPHbZrTaC_9wfiAwqD_xINmFFs1XkH1IUuXlf9VSD06u9WDBkyTS3Ia9OxVO1XCOcPfG9NzPGKWsoYLjysxOD8yah-N_VGcOEns/s400/082.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5714000684602017410" border="0" /></a><br />String of Brown Pelicans at Padre Island.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvnKxI3piKV7R-duUAQxPvLNELD-AHInEgS9mJZq7d8qifvZ4S4p83xu4c3Y9xBW9CiQ0yL671jJvA-imKmvXE0H2aYGZWES8NfOCS6q2bJQlLbi9S8hy7Ou1tE9q8lVoRyXwiKs6jDM4/s1600/094.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvnKxI3piKV7R-duUAQxPvLNELD-AHInEgS9mJZq7d8qifvZ4S4p83xu4c3Y9xBW9CiQ0yL671jJvA-imKmvXE0H2aYGZWES8NfOCS6q2bJQlLbi9S8hy7Ou1tE9q8lVoRyXwiKs6jDM4/s400/094.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5714000689233374066" border="0" /></a><br />Royal terns on Padre Island<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1ZbIkMl35msKgHkRHvD2aIg0K_96Nrw4TuwCAqHxj2KTlBR-vmSkAsxOrCrbcFbWQqI0Gsu1TQb1iMJJ8a76_q1KlnCQltbn1aLtwH-NuIZJtLFOxUwE_wpsk7mgWUpdbcBx5IBf6VTM/s1600/IMG_0735.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1ZbIkMl35msKgHkRHvD2aIg0K_96Nrw4TuwCAqHxj2KTlBR-vmSkAsxOrCrbcFbWQqI0Gsu1TQb1iMJJ8a76_q1KlnCQltbn1aLtwH-NuIZJtLFOxUwE_wpsk7mgWUpdbcBx5IBf6VTM/s400/IMG_0735.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5713991129694388306" border="0" /></a><br />Big Oak and a big oak. This one is a live oak at Goose Island State Park. I'm the one wearing binoculars.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAI6KNHsG0PmXOAGlpvfyhf2om5H3OEQqrfGBRRyTJf4Bjg8KyqUx5X6XcTNTdJxMohn0kwmdVH7xB5REyQn52wt6g_ZNNUrTvWXN6ZbqwDt6Y9lbbrAUxaSbFmAocAk_RZqjNi9seWXI/s1600/IMG_0714.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAI6KNHsG0PmXOAGlpvfyhf2om5H3OEQqrfGBRRyTJf4Bjg8KyqUx5X6XcTNTdJxMohn0kwmdVH7xB5REyQn52wt6g_ZNNUrTvWXN6ZbqwDt6Y9lbbrAUxaSbFmAocAk_RZqjNi9seWXI/s400/IMG_0714.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5713991124739172786" border="0" /></a><br />This is the Big Tree, located a little ways north of Goose Island State Park. You've got to read the plaque, below, to really appreciate how special this great big live oak tree is.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzwwIlSQzkSzW-cFD7brxpMCcNsk-hjdO7IHuTVgT4LzYu35ZnBRiCLD5sj-fVWvds8QgVX2bBYKW2znXcc8SGOLQfCKeXdpWfcrRJ-ojazlhFSk521rpO5yRYueK8nTsPo6HK_Z2trc4/s1600/IMG_0719.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzwwIlSQzkSzW-cFD7brxpMCcNsk-hjdO7IHuTVgT4LzYu35ZnBRiCLD5sj-fVWvds8QgVX2bBYKW2znXcc8SGOLQfCKeXdpWfcrRJ-ojazlhFSk521rpO5yRYueK8nTsPo6HK_Z2trc4/s400/IMG_0719.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5713991118007097042" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYXPH7gq6uUB-D_pYtXhhsK-NATnFm7_dHAqw8xdYHNartnFzuJeWS3G9PN9jTDsY894e4fjjFIVSk0skMLMwztNShyphenhyphen8rUjxE9flrFVcwjs4NKz-M9ho84iNHF0HK46PrcjkSLxSE8sNU/s1600/IMG_0718.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYXPH7gq6uUB-D_pYtXhhsK-NATnFm7_dHAqw8xdYHNartnFzuJeWS3G9PN9jTDsY894e4fjjFIVSk0skMLMwztNShyphenhyphen8rUjxE9flrFVcwjs4NKz-M9ho84iNHF0HK46PrcjkSLxSE8sNU/s400/IMG_0718.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5713991108556586354" border="0" /></a><br />Near the Big Tree, we got to see 6 Whooping Cranes. Once almost all but extinct, there are a little more than 200 whoopers in the wild. And we got to see 3% of the population! The work of many conservationists to help nurture this tiny population is a wonderful story of success. At least for the time being. It is good to see these cranes still walking on the earth and flying in the sky.<br /><br />On Friday, we departed Corpus Christi, and headed up to Fort Worth, where I got to meet, in person, several bike blog buddies. <a href="http://doohickie.blogspot.com/">Paul</a>, <a href="http://dfwptp.blogspot.com/">Steve A</a>, Myles (who no longer has a blog) and his lovely wife, <a href="http://greencomotion.blogspot.com/">Chandra</a>, and <a href="http://chris-pondero.blogspot.com/">Chris</a> all showed up to meet me. We talked bikes and other stuff for two-and-a-half hours. Way too little time. I was tired from the drive, but energized by the great time I had with these wonderful people. Although I had just met them for the first time in person, I knew each one well from the posts they've made on their own blogs and the comments they've made on mine. It was easy to resume conversations from past blog posts, as if we had met to continue our conversations from last week.<br /><br />Unfortunately, in our haste to find a parking spot, I left my camera in the car. And I had to park the car a long way away from the restaurant. But Steve, Paul, and Chandra took many photos. Steve and Paul even took a photo of each other taking a photo. After we departed, Alex and I followed Chris to his home, where he insisted we stay the night.<br /><br />Chris and Mrs. Pondero are wonderful hosts. We stayed up way too late talking about biking and other things. The next morning Chris and Mrs. Pondero made us a huge breakfast, which we heartily partook. Chris showed me his stable of bikes, each of which is a showpiece. All together, it is like walking into a museum.<br /><br />Pondero and Quickbeam.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYDgNDIECw08gGg8GAgola4bYgdtIF0lGQLcIYCJs6Fl2PaYb3I4I8J6EcIR3x5bATd-8OZ4a5WRo48TgLieO-X71YO_IOdEkWmqPnRP5JdeSLMYINkyEL-qLT9k7H5ewwAa1eFPs_Bk4/s1600/IMG_0742.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 278px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYDgNDIECw08gGg8GAgola4bYgdtIF0lGQLcIYCJs6Fl2PaYb3I4I8J6EcIR3x5bATd-8OZ4a5WRo48TgLieO-X71YO_IOdEkWmqPnRP5JdeSLMYINkyEL-qLT9k7H5ewwAa1eFPs_Bk4/s400/IMG_0742.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5713991135530890626" border="0" /></a><br />Saturday morning we left and headed north, passing through Springfield, Missouri, home of <a href="http://twofeetofftheasphalt.wordpress.com/">Ron</a> and <a href="http://springfieldcyclist.com/">Tracy</a>, where I shouted "howdy" out the window. If we had more time I would have liked to have stopped and met them as well.<br /><br />We arrived safely back home last night (Sunday). After cleaning out the car and putting everything away, we turned on the Academy Awards and I promptly fell asleep on the sofa. But I did get up and go to bed, and awoke the next morning refreshed, ready for work, and feeling fully recharged. Texas is so much more than we had hoped, and we look forward to the day when we go back. For now, I have many, many happy memories of the times we had in our brief stay, and know that I have many good friends there. One day soon, perhaps we'll have the chance to ride together.<br /><br />A couple of things you folks may or may not find interesting, is that Alex and I counted 32 different state license plates on the entire trip, and two Canadian provinces - Ontario and Manitoba. Not bad for a February trip, I think.<br /><br />We also counted hawks along the way - but only tallied hawks while we were on the highway. By state, here are the totals:<br /><br />Indiana - 20<br />Kentucky - 2 (it was mostly night when we drove through KY)<br />Tennessee - 9<br />Arkansas - 47<br />Texas - 17<br />Oklahoma - 32<br />Missouri - 36<br />Illinois - 6<br /><br />We also saw the Sandhill crane 2012 migration under way. We saw one large group in central Illinois, two large groups in central Indiana. Go spring!<br /><br />Happy riding!<br /><br />PS - Steve, here's the Tricross in its latest incarnation: commuter, or perhaps more appropriately, <span style="font-style: italic;">commuteur extraordinaire!</span><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxcDZuIp9hX4Hj5-R_gKpRAGf0NQ79EUoeXBuRYQheX_3n6ynvOMQ7qxGb00rL_QBLP27qdYQUjLT80qXTPiGPhKa119RFCa7TGWQI8UyChekArkbWVE7tYfEn1AC1HhqVkCJBRHs11pA/s1600/IMG_3266.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxcDZuIp9hX4Hj5-R_gKpRAGf0NQ79EUoeXBuRYQheX_3n6ynvOMQ7qxGb00rL_QBLP27qdYQUjLT80qXTPiGPhKa119RFCa7TGWQI8UyChekArkbWVE7tYfEn1AC1HhqVkCJBRHs11pA/s400/IMG_3266.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5714014396343246594" border="0" /></a>Big Oakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06713190395281794960noreply@blogger.com13