The Bicycling thread

Not much happening here so I'll give you something to look at.

Yesterday's ride was a metric century (another Strava challenge) and we decided to ride the Oneida river from end to start to end. Out on the north side of the river, back on the south. That ride only gets us to 45 miles, so we added some riding along the Seneca river and Onondaga Lake to get us to 62 miles. I calculated it exactly and we got home with 62.2 miles. Less than a 10th to spare.

[ATTACH]78608[/ATTACH]

In the image above, there are three little 'pictures', those correspond to where these photos were taken: First, where the Oneida River empties from Oneida Lake in the village of Brewerton, there is a site of an old fort that was built by the British during the French and Indian war. Prior to the construction of the Erie canal, Oneida Lake and River were part of a travel corridor from Albany to the port of Oswego on Lake Ontario. The Fort was built to defend that passage - I have no idea if there was a conflict here. I also don't know why it is called Brewerton. There aren't any breweries here now - and that is exactly what this village needs to help it out. Right now it is a mess - the main street has been ripped up to put in some sort of pipe.

[ATTACH]78609[/ATTACH]

After this we took a little side trip to Lock 23. A couple of posts back I posted a picture of Lock 24 in Baldwinsville. Lock 23 is 18.75 miles, by water, from lock 24. Right now the lock is under construction. The canal was supposed to open on Friday, May 15 - but is delayed. Not sure when it will open this year.

[ATTACH]78610[/ATTACH]

We didn't pass any welcome sign in Brewerton, so we took the gratuitous 'bikes by a sign' photo at 3 rivers point. Again, this is the confluence of the Oneida and Seneca rivers to form the Oswego river (flowing north).

[ATTACH]78611[/ATTACH]

Yesterday was the first day of 'post lockdown'. The governor's stay-at-home order expired on Friday. What a difference a day makes. So much more traffic, many people have given up on social distancing: saw some yard parties and motorcycle gatherings. Some folks are wearing masks, some aren't. People in groups generally aren't but I saw more than one person by themselves, mowing their large rural lawn, with a mask on. I think that 2 months ago everyone was concerned because so much was unknown - but now that the statistics are becoming clear (of the 20000+ COVID related deaths in NY state, 96% are people over the age of 50, 86% are over the age of 60), the young people are choosing to take their chances. Older folks (especially those with medical conditions) are buckling in for a prolonged ordeal.

Personally, I am avoiding contact with anyone except Michelle. I haven't come closer than 6 feet from anyone during these rides (except cars passing, I guess?). Until yesterday we were pretty much by ourselves. Now that we have opened things back up, I am going to be more selective with my route planning - and stay away from parks, populated areas, and heavy traffic. I guess I'm holding out hope for a vaccine, a less lethal mutation, or a die down due to herd immunity, especially in the young. Or all of these.

It is funny - with all the talk of 'safety' and not imposing on the first responder system with our hobbies, yesterday was the least safe I've felt riding on public roads in over 2 months. It is also the first time I've been yelled at to 'stay off the F-ing road' in a long time. Can't say that I missed that.

This site needs a Thank You or Like button.
Kurt, thank you for your posts and pictures.

Since Lee has provided me encouragement...

Today's ride was to Skaneateles. If you are like any of the new people to this area, you are asking - What? How do I pronounce that?. If you want to sound like a native central New Yorker, just say 'skinny atlas'. This one word really allows us to identify the out-of-towners.

Skaneateles is a village on the north end of Skaneateles Lake. Skaneateles is, IMO, THE finger lake. It is beautiful, the water is clear, the lake is deep (~350 ft) and the terrain is beautiful. A ride around this lake gives you the best of the finger lakes experience: Great riding, a beautiful winery, a quaint village, great dining, a fantastic brewery and distillery. All in a 45 mile ride! Here is our ride. I included the elevation profile. if the lake is 350' deep, that means it probably goes up above the water, as well. That is certainly the case here. There are a lot of hills in this part of NY and this is where I ride for hill specific training.

[ATTACH]78616[/ATTACH]

Lake front is exclusive, however. The real estate in the village is pretty steep, I think - I wouldn't even contemplate it. Even the welcome signs are nicer than the rest of the towns in the area:

[ATTACH]78615[/ATTACH]


The shoreline in the village is covered with mansions. I wish my photos were better - this does not do the lake justice.

[ATTACH]78617[/ATTACH]

I think my phone lens got some fog on it. There was this weird thing happening to me today. Water was coming out of my pores during the uphill sections. That hasn't happened for a long time here in CNY!

When we stopped, we saw this and had to get a picture. R100RT Classic. I am so old that, when I saw it, I thought 'cool, a new BMW'. New as far as airheads, anyway. Love the color scheme.

[ATTACH]78618[/ATTACH]

The second half of the ride is pretty easy because it is all down hill. On one flat section I tried to take a 'Henzilla' shot. This is harder than I thought it would be. I'm glad I have a really cheap phone. The kitten really seems to be looking at you...

[ATTACH]78619[/ATTACH]

This ended up being a 42.6 mile loop (2600 ft of climbing) for us. Really enjoyable ride.

Thanks for posting, Kurt.

Sweet rides! Thanks for posting as well... yeh, being thanked for sharing the road seems to be back. Some very fine people out the last few days :banghead

It's funny that I'm seeing these rides in a little different light with the idea that I'm going to post some info to a bunch of strangers on a motorcycle forum. Every ride that I've posted here I've ridden a bunch of times before - both on bicycles and motorcycles. I tend to take for granted the really awesome place that I live. Well, awesome for 6 months of the year :). I've traveled all over the country and have been wow-ed by the scenery and hospitality in most regions. But many times we get asked, "why did you come here"? Because it is different than what I'm used to - and I get to meet you! Hopefully I'm making a case for getting off of the Thruway (I90) when you pass through central New York. Enjoy the history, the culture, and some pretty nice riding.

While I'm still online:

I installed a new carbon handlebar on my gravel bike this week. I got exactly the same Easton EC70 SL3 bar that I have on my road bike. The reason is that I was feeling 'tingling' in my hands while riding the gravel bike on the road. Didn't notice that on the road bike so I thought I'ld give a carbon bar a try.

The previous bar was a FSA Omega Compact aluminum. The profile is REALLY similar to the new carbon bar - but the bend in the carbon bar, from top to drop, is more pronounced. Almost 90 degrees. The FSA is a little more rounded. But I REALLY like my road bike bar.

The FSA bar weighed 316 grams. The new carbon bar weighs 219 grams. I wasn't expecting such a big difference. When I first installed it, the aluminum bar seemed light. Everyones like photos:

[ATTACH]78620[/ATTACH]

So today I rode the gravel bike and, almost, couldn't tell the difference between it an the road bike. The biggest difference now is mountain bike pedals vs road. So I really think that a gravel bike is the way to go if you want a do-it-all bike. I got my road bike first. If I had purchased the gravel bike first, I wouldn't have bought the road bike (so I'm glad that I did what I did :) ).

I weighed both bikes in 'as ridden' form: electronics, pedals, bottle cages, etc. The only thing I left off was the saddle bag with tools (about 1 lb). Gravel bike = 20.72 lbs, Road bike = 18.57 lbs. So that is just about 2.2 lbs (1kg) between them. I'm guessing that weight comes from: frame and fork, disk brakes, pedals. When riding, I really can't tell the difference. The gravel bike is a little nicer in the hills because it has lower gearing. The road bike steers a little quicker. Brakes are comparable in the dry. I don't ride much in the rain, if I can help it.

So now the only 'original' parts left on my gravel bike are: shifters, calipers, cables, and rear derailleur. I have a new rear derailleur to put on...

[QUOTE=kurtr11s;1206170]. I tend to take for granted the really awesome place that I live... [/QUOTE]

That's some great scenery in your state.

[QUOTE=kurtr11s;1206160]On one flat section I tried to take a 'Henzilla' shot. This is harder than I thought it would be. I'm glad I have a really cheap phone. The kitten really seems to be looking at you...

.[/QUOTE]

I don't know how Steve does it. When I try to take a picture while holding the camera the picture is usually crooked or pointing in wrong direction.
Sometimes on the bicycle I can tip my phone mount and get a decent picture.

[QUOTE=kurtr11s;1206170] Hopefully I'm making a case for getting off of the Thruway (I90) when you pass through central New York. Enjoy the history, the culture, and some pretty nice riding.[/QUOTE]

We like your part of the state but it's been a long time since we have ridden through it.
We got in the habit when we go northeast we go through Canada north of the lakes then drop down into northern NY.

We too have enjoyed riding through that part of NY, typically run out of time and need to spend more time in area. We watched Samantha Brown on PBS the other night and planning a return.
I have dropped a few cameras through the years and the phone a few times being honest.
Take a lot of pics, many are scrapped, both on motor and pedals.

Been using Strava when I remember, sometimes think about it mid ride and blow it off. Pretty cool tool to see how you are doing and where you are compared to others using same route. Sometimes you look good, sometimes humbling! But that's OK, a ride is a ride!

My last two logged rides, both ended up being metric centuries, not by design, by chance it seems. I was going to repeat my eighty miler and peeled off due to heavier traffic...and declining motivation due to added stress of fine people wanting ALL the road.
Saturday, I did a solo ride to see if the rain had impacted a waterfall that is temperamental this time of year. It is the route used by the annual May Real Ale Ride that got cancelled due to Covid, rescheduled for October, and now cancelled until next May. H has done it with some friends, but since we ride it all the time, kinda hard to justify the $$.

[url]https://realalebrewing.com/event/realaleride/?age-verified=e43471ad41[/url]

[ATTACH]78645[/ATTACH]

We ride motors on these roads so often we forget the terrain changes when you can just twist the throttle...sometimes wish that option was available on the bicycles.

Anyways, the falls last May and again Saturday

[ATTACH]78632[/ATTACH]
[ATTACH]78631[/ATTACH]

The profile of the Real Ale 65 mile route

[ATTACH]78633[/ATTACH]

[ATTACH]78634[/ATTACH]

The lowest dip is the Guadalupe River and the witches hat is Crabapple road that is deceiving as it turns and levels briefly before final wall. We typically hit it at the 25 mile mark...I found it at 50 and felt the difference :hungover It takes a lot of riders out who haven't scouted course or ridden steep hills. I know it's there but still hurt myself on occasion...but the downhill worth it!


This old Kendalia schoolhouse turned community library is a water stop, luckily with an outside tap during current times.

[ATTACH]78636[/ATTACH]

My shortened ride that I ran out of water on last time went smoother and didn't lose a bottle.

[ATTACH]78637[/ATTACH]

[ATTACH]78638[/ATTACH]



Yesterday we did our favorite loop and H decided to attack the tractor convoy right before a climb...she took off, I said $#@! OK... and off we went. At top of hill, they were gaining but we made turn off ahead of them. Then they turned behind us , so we stopped and let them go again. H had a goofy grin though thought her heart was popping out of her chest from the pace.

[ATTACH]78639[/ATTACH]

[ATTACH]78640[/ATTACH]

[ATTACH]78641[/ATTACH]

The bluebonnets and the sea of blue is gone, but replaced with Indian Blankets and bright orange fields that will be replaced again by the yellows of coriopsis that last into the heat of August.

[ATTACH]78642[/ATTACH]

[ATTACH]78643[/ATTACH]

Well not sure how Bigfoot made it in the pics... another story of all the things we find along the road. This was on grassy shoulder for over a month before I really noticed the profile, thinking it was just a piece off a stock trailer. Couldn’t carry it home on the bike!
[ATTACH]78644[/ATTACH]

Thanks for the pics Steve! I've seen tractor convoys while on motorcycle trips but never on a bicycle. In April we took a ride toward 'apple country' and went by a farm that had old John Deeres lined up around the house and barn. It was a collection, not a mess. Now I wish I took a photo.

Those are some pretty skinny tires on some rough looking road, though!

If anyone else wants to play - I'm interested in seeing your local rides.

The weather is going to be warming up here in NY over the next week so I should be able to get some better rides in. On the agenda are some lake rides and some rail trails. I'll keep the camera handy to show you anything interesting that pops up.

[QUOTE=henzilla;1206252]We too have enjoyed riding through that part of NY, typically run out of time and need to spend more time in area. We watched Samantha Brown on PBS the other night and planning a return.[/QUOTE]

Was it the episode on Corning and the southern Finger Lakes?

If so, there was a segment on Glenn Curtis and the museum in Hammondsport that mentioned earlier in the thread. Nice place to visit.

I'll plug the Finger Lakes rally a bit - it is held on Labor Day weekend (during normal times) in the village of Watkins Glen. The first time I went to the Corning Glass museum was during one of those rallies. The FLR is the biggest non-national BMW rally that I've been to so that makes it cool. The only problem is that it is so close to where we live, we actually want to RIDE on labor day. So we only attend every 3rd year or so. Can't do it all.

And here is a bicycle PSA. The finger lakes are extremely popular with bicyclists. It is a common challenge to ride around all of them - which is no small feat. There are 11 lakes. The largest, Cayuga, ends up being about 90 miles to circumnavigate and it is pretty hilly. BUT - there are a lot of wineries on these lakes and I am cautious about the 'tasting' traffic on afternoons on the weekends. Best to get the riding done in the morning, IMO. Then go and enjoy a glass of riesling yourself. Same applies to motos.

The week AFTER the FLR is one of my favorite events in the finger lakes:

[url]http://grandprixfestival.com[/url]

On the Friday before vintage racing weekend at the racetrack, they have a re-enactment of the old road-course race. Racers bring their cars to the village and line up at the start line, then they turn off their engines and just hang out for an hour or so with their hoods open so the public can go 'kick the tires'. They have always been lax with open container enforcement - so it is fine to enjoy a beverage while taking in the spectacle. There is car judging, autocross, food and entertainment. Then they kick the public off the street and do 'parade laps' of the road course. This isn't a 25mph lap - these guys like to make some noise. After it is all over they have fireworks in the glen (glen = small canyon with cliffs and waterfalls).

It is seriously one of the best motorsports events I've been to - and it is free to watch. It is worth taking some time and walking around the side streets: lots of spectators bring out their toys, as well. You never know what you'll see just parked on the road.

Indulge me as I go off topic for a second. Found some pics that I took at the Grand Prix festival in 2006.

This is the type of stuff people are racing. Really!

[ATTACH]78672[/ATTACH]

[ATTACH]78667[/ATTACH]

[ATTACH]78668[/ATTACH]

And here is the car show. They change the marque every year. In 2006 it was Porsche. There were more cars behind me, to my left and right. This was kind of the air cooled section.

[ATTACH]78671[/ATTACH]

Back to bicycles...

Maybe a silver lining for bicycle awareness:

[url]https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/18/nyregion/bike-shortage-coronavirus.html[/url]

I've seen a lot of folks on bikes recently. But the weather is just starting to get nice here. We're looking at a 10 day stretch of high 70s to 80 degree weather and sun. The combo of (winter induced) cabin fever and stay-at-home order has people antsy to get out and do something.

[QUOTE=kurtr11s;1206511]Maybe a silver lining for bicycle awareness:

[url]https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/18/nyregion/bike-shortage-coronavirus.html[/url]

I've seen a lot of folks on bikes recently. But the weather is just starting to get nice here. We're looking at a 10 day stretch of high 70s to 80 degree weather and sun. The combo of (winter induced) cabin fever and stay-at-home order has people antsy to get out and do something.[/QUOTE]

That's interesting. I had guessed sales would be down because people are afraid to get out and shop for a bike.
The shop I deal with has sent out several emails saying they will deliver new bikes so you don't have to come into the shop.

[QUOTE=kurtr11s;1206423]Indulge me as I go off topic for a second. Found some pics that I took at the Grand Prix festival in 2006.

This is the type of stuff people are racing. Really!

[ATTACH]78672[/ATTACH]

[ATTACH]78667[/ATTACH]

[ATTACH]78668[/ATTACH]

And here is the car show. They change the marque every year. In 2006 it was Porsche. There were more cars behind me, to my left and right. This was kind of the air cooled section.

[ATTACH]78671[/ATTACH]

Back to bicycles...[/QUOTE]

That is really neat. Sort of thing I love doing, but don’t get many opportunities.

I’ve also never visited the Finger Lakes district, but it has been on my list for a long time. Hope to get there someday...

[QUOTE=henzilla;1206253]Well not sure how Bigfoot made it in the pics... another story of all the things we find along the road. This was on grassy shoulder for over a month before I really noticed the profile, thinking it was just a piece off a stock trailer. Couldn’t carry it home on the bike!
[ATTACH]78644[/ATTACH][/QUOTE]

So, did you haul that sasquatch home on the trailer? I understand Texas Hill Country is supposed to be a bigfoot hotspot...

Many stories like this-

[video=youtube;8p_k-j9bnX8]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8p_k-j9bnX8[/video]

I'm going to dig my old Shogun- circa 1983 out and take a picture. I guess it was a "mountain" bike before the phrase was coined. IIRC, it was around $400.00 back then.
OM

[QUOTE=vark;1206655]So, did you haul that sasquatch home on the trailer? I understand Texas Hill Country is supposed to be a bigfoot hotspot...[/QUOTE]

The highway trash pickup folks were headed that way as we were riding home, so decided to go get it and realized it wouldn’t fit in truck bed!


[ATTACH]78699[/ATTACH]

[QUOTE=Omega Man;1206660]Many stories like this-

[video=youtube;8p_k-j9bnX8]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8p_k-j9bnX8[/video]

I'm going to dig my old Shogun- circa 1983 out and take a picture. I guess it was a "mountain" bike before the phrase was coined. IIRC, it was around $400.00 back then.
OM[/QUOTE]

My first “ mt bike” was also a Shogun about same time frame. Hurricane Ike took it out at my coastal house years later
Had good components but was heavy!

[QUOTE=Omega Man;1206660]Many stories like this-


OM[/QUOTE]

Next year might be a good time to look for a used bike.

Just building up an old Giant OCR1. Frames aplenty on eBay, plenty of old parts too. Waiting for the wheels, seat and misc. little parts. Almost bought an old TCR, however, being cheap it was beat up. Also, on certain TCRs and OCRs the forks had been recalled. Can have a lot of fun for a few bucks, like old motorcycles.

My early 90’s C’dale V900 is still down due to unobtanium replacement parts for Headshok suspension. Another proprietary design that encourages obsolescence as the caged needle bearings haven’t been made for years
[ATTACH]78725[/ATTACH]
The underground supply of used units are holding on to their spares. Changing out/ adapting a different fork isn’t a cheap or without handling issues. So...having that bike work as designed isn’t looking good.
I may end up with another used bike. Need something heavier than a gravel set up but will give the 29’’ wheels a shot.


My puncture streak continues today. We both have commented on how many blowout/ tire carcasses are currently on our routes... really over the norm for whatever reason and even when you dodge the obvious, the strands seem to wait for me!
I felt the wobble after entering the city side streets and yep, another flat :banghead
And surprise, another shiny strand of SS wire protruding from tire

[ATTACH]78726[/ATTACH]

Went with fast new tube change and will put one more patch on my now least favorite Conti tube. I had put a spare tube in my kit without looking. Right size for the 28, but the stem was almost too short to air up... are you kidding me? Had four of same style, but this one was must not have been. Aired up luckily and finished the ride. H said I had tubes at PO if I needed a spare to finish and decided I had my flat of the day and left town.

Nice to see some chatter here. Giant frames and flats!

I haven't been posting rides because, well, they haven't been all that exciting. It is getting warm, the trees are full of leaves, the smells are more of sweet spruce than liquid manure. But I didn't see anything noteworthy to post.

It is, however, the 21st of May - so that is 3 weeks into my May challenge. I am currently at 675 of 777 miles (1085 of 1250km). I am also way over the the climbing challenge of 7500m - I just checked: today I'm at 8361m.

OK, here are a couple of pics from today's ride. Michelle ordered up some new wheels for her gravel bike. We just got them on Tuesday. So I set them up and got both of the gravel bikes into 'gravel mode'. Today we rode to Oswego county to check out a rail trail which is now a multi-use trail. The appear to allow ATVs. In the winter, this is a snowmobile route. They get A LOT of snow in Oswego. It is only 20 miles from where I live but that may be the difference of 3 FEET of snow over 24 hours!

[ATTACH]78727[/ATTACH]

I took a closer shot of the gravel tires. Michelle runs 35c tires, I run 40c. Hers are Clement (now Donnelley) Xplor UST. Mine are Kenda Flintridge.

[ATTACH]78728[/ATTACH]

Here is our spokesmodel on the trail. At least the trees have leaves now!

[ATTACH]78729[/ATTACH]

Our destination village was Pennellville. Apparently Pennell had a sawmill in the early 1800's. This picture is from a bridge over the mill pond.

[ATTACH]78730[/ATTACH]

Asked Michelle to pose for a shot with her bike with the new wheels. Fulcrum Racing 5 disk. This is a road wheel but she weighs less than 100lbs so theywill be plenty tough enough for gravel use under her.

[ATTACH]78731[/ATTACH]

I guess I should add that on my bike, the gravel tires and FSA wheels added 2.1 lbs to the total weight of the bike over the road setup. 20.72 lbs road, 22.88 lbs gravel. And I can feel that - the bike definitely feels more sluggish on the pavement.

Finally, here is a shot that I took as we rode through wetlands north of the Oneida river. I thought it was pretty - and there were a ton of birds in the area. We saw geese, ducks, and herons. Unfortunately for you, I'm not that quick of a photographer.

[ATTACH]78732[/ATTACH]

I just checked out how many miles I put in over the last 7 days: 246. All outside. That may not be the most miles I've ridden in a week but I'm pretty sure this May will be my largest mileage month. Another COVID silver lining.

A couple of days ago we rode to the city of Auburn. When I was checking out the stats for our May distance challenge, I just happened to glance at the leader board and the number 2 guy was from Auburn and he has about 5000km for the month. WTH, right? So I clicked on his name and saw his latest rides. He has been riding a century or more for over 60 consecutive days! Many of those rides were on Zwift (inside on the trainer). It looked like he would regularly be on the bike for 7 or more hours a day.

I can't remember the year but there was a MOA mileage contest where the winner put in over 100000 miles in 6 months. I was chatting with my father-in-law about that and he wouldn't believe me. Seriously, it was like I personally insulted him by telling him this info. My FIL was riding about 20K miles a year at this time and knew what it would take to ride 5X more than he was (our riding year is short - so probably the same amount of time). When you are doing something and learn about someone who is putting in 5X more (whatever) than you are, it is humbling - but also thought provoking. Eating a piece of cake is nice, but trying to force down a few cakes? The question has to be answered by each individual.

I've come to the conclusion that 2 or 3 hours a day on the bike is fine for me. I don't need any more. Maybe the occasional century or epic ride. Its just that there is other stuff to do!

[QUOTE=kurtr11s;1206776]I've come to the conclusion that 2 or 3 hours a day on the bike is fine for me. I don't need any more. Maybe the occasional century or epic ride. Its just that there is other stuff to do![/QUOTE]

Yup.

Epic long rides are okay as an exception, but not the rule. Unless I’m on an actual bike trip, I don’t much see the point in sitting in the saddle for hours and hours and hours. Or logging massive amounts of weekly miles, even cumulatively. I’m trying to maintain personal fitness, and I view that as contrary to my long-term goals.

Especially as we age, too much repetitive strain leads to injuries and set backs. As one of my friends (an ultra-marathoner) is fond of saying: For aging athletes, we are doing well when we are “between injuries.” Cross-training is critical. Recovery days are critical too.

I try to keep rides <2 hours in length, ideally closer to 90 minutes. Because terrain varies, I’m not at all concerned about how many miles that ends up being.

All things in moderation. And yes, lots of other interesting and necessary things to do!

We typically are out for just under 3 hours, with one loop a two hour average I can do the long days but it’s not in my routine, and with Summer coming on, just not that much fun. I have done a few 4-5 hour rides recently solo, but unless I leave at dawn headed into June, not on my list now.
We had a 95 degree, high humidity finish Wednesday and both us felt the too early heat arrival. The feel like temp on our weather station was 102 when we got home. We agreed to not leave that late in the morning again this time of year.

Have a few videos from yesterday’s livestock encounters... H rounded corner to huge herd of goats on the road, then a solo young steer coming down the middle of road she was talking to the whole way.
[ATTACH]78734[/ATTACH]

[ATTACH]78735[/ATTACH]

[QUOTE=kurtr11s;1206773]

Asked Michelle to pose for a shot with her bike with the new wheels. Fulcrum Racing 5 disk. This is a road wheel but she weighs less than 100lbs so theywill be plenty tough enough for gravel use under her.

[ATTACH]78731[/ATTACH]

[/QUOTE]

Like the look of those wheels. It appears they don't collect gravel dust :)

[QUOTE=henzilla;1206809]
[ATTACH]78734[/ATTACH]

[/QUOTE]

Good job on avoiding the **** :)

[QUOTE=henzilla;1206809]We agreed to not leave that late in the morning again this time of year.

[/QUOTE]

I still have to wait for afternoon so it's warm enough.

[QUOTE=Lee;1206822]I still have to wait for afternoon so it's warm enough.[/QUOTE]

We're with Lee. I'm looking forward to being able to ride in the morning!

Today was a first for the year: at 9am the temperature outside was WARMER than the temp inside. Maybe that just means we keep the house temp too warm?

We usually don't turn on our AC on until Memorial Day. I may have to jump the gun this year - the sun is really beating down on the house.

Great animal pictures. We don't get much livestock in the road around here. I've even noticed a trend over the last few years that the rural folks are doing a better job at keeping their dogs from chasing bikes. We get the occasional family of geese crossing the road.

Here is a picture from our trip to Ireland last year:

[ATTACH]78736[/ATTACH]

Notice how touristy we are: both stopped taking photos!

In 2013 or so we were on a motorcycle tour in Utah and were way up in elevation headed toward Brian Head from the east. There was no traffic there - very remote - and it was cold and rainy. Maybe even light snow. In July. All of a sudden a WALL of sheep was coming toward us. I pulled right into the middle of the road and shut the bike down. The sheep went around us like we were an island in a river. After quite a while, a few herders on horseback brought up the tail end. We proceeded on our way. When we got to the hotel that night, we noticed that our bikes were caked in sheep crap. It had baked onto the mufflers and was packed everywhere: belly pan of the K75s, nooks and crannies of the R11. And you really noticed it when you came to a stop.

The mandatory Irish sheep picture. :) I love it over there.

[QUOTE=Rinty;1206857]The mandatory Irish sheep picture. :) I love it over there.[/QUOTE]

Ditto the New Zealand South Island.

[QUOTE=Lee;1206822]I still have to wait for afternoon so it's warm enough.[/QUOTE]

It was over 60° by 7:00 this morning up in Michigan. Time to get on my gear and head out. I love riding in the morning. It's really great to get out of the basement and off the trainer. Soon it will be too hot to ride in the afternoon here. We just never seem to get a decent Spring up here on the shores of Lake Huron. We go from 40's to 80's too quickly.

Some talk about old mountain bikes but no pictures!

Yesterday I cleaned up my fat bike and figured I would get the MTB out of the shed. Pumped up the tires and took it for a spin around the neighborhood. Lots of good memories on this bike. It has done races, single track, fire roads, beaches, lots of trips to breweries, fourth of July fireworks ... it is my old buddy. Two winters ago I took everything off of it and cleaned and lubed everything from headset to a new bottom bracket. Most components are original on this bike - even the pedals and seat! I put new chains and cassettes on but that is about it.

1997 or 98 Gary Fisher Big Sur.

[ATTACH]78745[/ATTACH]

I love that color. When I had the parts off, I used rubbing compound, swirl remover and wax to get it as nice as I could - but this bike has seen a lot of incidents.

That bike brought back a memory of the first event that we did that prompted me to become interested in training - and eventually into many years of triathlon competition.

In early 1998, Michelle and I had new mountain bikes and we would ride really long distance on dirt roads: like 3 or 4 miles! We had no idea what was possible. A few of my fraternity buddies who were into mountain biking talked us into doing a triathlon at Killington Mountain in Vermont. The three legs were: Mogul skiing, mountain biking and trail running. The only thing I had any business doing was the skiing part. But this took place on Memorial Day - there was only snow at Killington Peak and it was spotty. In sections you had to take off your skis and run downhill in ski boots to the next snow patch. I am not very good at that. When I got onto the mountain bike leg, It went straight uphill almost immediately. I couldn't believe people could ride up that. I walked. Then the run started out very easy: because I was running downhill for the first half (1.5 miles) and then had to run back up for the finish. I jogged down. Walked up. I finished exhausted. I was too young to be that out of shape! I finished in the bottom 25% of participants. I enjoyed my post race beer but a seed had been planted: I will not perform that poorly again! How do you get good at this stuff? My buddies kicked my ass - that wasn't going to happen again.

No postings since my last one over a week ago! I hope you are all out riding either bicycles or motos.

It is June 1st so my May challenge of riding 1250km (777mi) with 7500m (24600 ft) of elevation gain is over. Since I was yammering on about it, I figured I would tie it up with a final report.

I ended up doing 1516km (942mi) with 12451m (40850 ft) of elevation. That included 23 rides to various villages in our region, all rides started and ended at our house. Michelle rode 22 of those rides with me and ended up with 1km more distance and 150m more elevation. Strava ranks you relative to the participants in the challenge so I found it interesting that in the distance challenge I ended up about 25000th out of 450000. In the climbing challenge I was 50000th out of 400000. I'm surprised that many people enter these kind of things!

Here is a heat map showing all the rides. Light blue means we were only on the road once. The darker blue to red means we did the ride multiple times. The really red routes are dictated by the locations of two things: bridges that cross the Seneca river and places to cross highways, particularly route 90.

[ATTACH]78857[/ATTACH]

There is one ride missing from this plot where my phone app crashed and I lost my GPS data. I have distance and time data from my bike computer, though.

Our ride yesterday was a pleasant 41 miles to a local fish hatchery. We took our gravel bikes and found a gravel road, the Erie canal and a little off roading at the hatchery.

Whiskey Hollow Road is the only local gravel road that we have. There aren't any residences along the road, it is nicely wooded and there is a spring halfway up the road. There are always folks filling up bottles there. I wish there were more places like this within easy cycling distance.

[ATTACH]78858[/ATTACH]

Carpenter's Brook Fish Hatchery is both a hatchery and a county park. It is currently closed except for 'passive use'. We enjoy stopping by and checking out the fish. The tank behind Michelle holds some giant rainbow trout. Tough to see through the bird netting. Most of the tanks are empty now but there are a few running water tanks that have a bunch of brown trout in various stages of development. My first century ride 20 something years ago began and ended at this park.

[ATTACH]78859[/ATTACH]

Our last village sign of the month.

[ATTACH]78860[/ATTACH]

And a pleasant jaunt on the canal trail.

[ATTACH]78861[/ATTACH]

In summary, this wasn't all that difficult of a challenge. Just riding is pretty easy, actually, if you have the time. My top end speed and power definitely took a hit this month but I have noticed that my ability to recover from hard efforts is fantastic. After a steep hill, my heart rate drops almost immediately. So my cardiovascular fitness has improved. This is what I was hoping for: base building. I won't keep up this type of distance, I'll dial it back to maybe 1000km per month and add real workouts back in. I'm still 3+ months away from any events, though.

:thumb