No riding.... Traveling

Well I am off the bike for a few days due to a Trade Show in Orlando. It's been very wet here. Tropical storm, hurricane wanna be Fay has played havoc on Florida for the past week to 10 days.

I wish I could find a way to work a travel bike into the fleet and find the time to ride while traveling. I did get a good workout in on Sunday on the stationary bike in the hotel fitness center... I guess that will have to do.

Thursday night ride....

I am, basically, a recreational rider. Riding for physical and mental health and fun. Thursday night, there is an unpublished ride out of Bass Pro Shop in Olathe. 20 mile route 2 different speeds. Its a great group. It's the only shot I have at riding during the week (other tahn commuting, which I only can do, maybe, one day a week, and hit and miss at that) what with all the kid activities and driving that needs to be done... scouts, volleyball, 4H, swimming, Gymnastics, dance.... So I really enjoy being able to get out for this great ride with great people.

Tonight I rode with the fast group and felt great. One of the regulars, a commuter and single speed rider, is usually out front. He is a strong rider and gets way more miles than I do. I was able to hang with him this evening with out feeling that I was going to puke or pass out. Really a good night. Temps were great and the wind was not a factor.

One major observation... the sun is not staying in the sky a long in the evenings. This is a sign that the summer is waining and the cycling season is trending towards its close. Now, I am a full year cyclist, trying to ride every month of the year. Cold temps are not an issue (down to say 30 degrees) but wind and snow and ice will drive me off the road. (I can't believe I am talking about snow and ice in August).

The realization for me, tonight, was that I feel my cycling ability and training for the year is just kicking in and I am in reasonable form, finally, yet, the days are getting shorter, the kids are back in school and "fall" is approaching.

A note: the temps have been great the last few weeks. I hope this trend holds at least through the upcoming MS150. We shall see....

This is my commuter bike...

My commuting is occasional, at best. The duties of a traveling job and 3 kids means "other" things keep me from commuting as much as I would like.

About the bike: Soma Fabrications Double Cross CycloCross frame (steel is real), handme down 7 speed Shimano 105 double with old school down tube shifting, Mavic 32 spoke rims with 32c tires, Blackburn rear rack, cheapo front rack. Planet Bike Fenders, Brooks saddle and Avid Canti brakes. Rides very stable, but not a fast bike. Makes my weekend rides on the Lemond seem like a Ferrari.

I have not done much with headlights yet. My commute is 7 miles in and 11 coming home (due to route choices to avoid major traffic roads and 5 pm drivers). Soon, with the waining daylight, I should get the chance to try out lights soon.

Opening entry

Ok, so I am not sure what I am going to do with this forum but we shall see what becomes of this.