Cape May Again

We just came back from another long weekend in Cape May. We have grown quite fond of this charming town with it's pastel colored Victorian homes, beautiful beaches and bike friendly nature. We were fortunate to get one of the last campsites available on such short notice. We were again just 4 friendly bike miles from Historic Downtown and the beaches. This time I brought my trailer to carry our beach chairs. There is 1 bridge to climb to get into town. Kudos to my wife, Janie, for making it over.  In 2 days we toured 40 miles exploring Cape Mays hidden treasures. We found another campground just 1 mile from downtown and already booked another long weekend in October.

Milo our dog

Brought the trailer

Caught a small sand shark

Chillin at the beach sporting my new Walz cap

 Cape May specialty oil and viniger

Outdoor lunch cafe

Milo at the beach

Bonding

My son, Justin, recently rediscovered cycling. He bought a hybrid bike and equipped it with a rack, bag, GPS, phone mount, lights and locks. Like his dad, his bike has an extra 10 lbs of gear. Unlike his dad he kicks ass on that thing. We did a 50 plus mile ride today. I averaged 1 mph faster than my best time on a good day. He waited up for me on too many occasions. His longest ride prior to this was 32 miles. I guess there is something to be said for age. On the other hand he did complain of a sore shoulder and butt. I was willing to go another 10 miles but he wasn't. It was a great day with great weather. We stopped at Historic Walnford Historic Farm, Sunrise Lake, and a field of Sunflowers. We even bumped into my buddy Bob. What a joy to share my passion with my son. I hope this is the beginning of more to come.

Helmet Head

A Great Adventure

Yesterday, my wife and I headed to northern Jersey to raft down the Delaware River. I parked our bikes at Worthington State Park. I then drove 5 miles up river to launch  the raft. It was insanely hot and the river was quite slow. To make matters worse, the flies were ravenous. We managed to paddle and fight off the flies for about a mile when we finally put on shore. It was not fun. We walked the mile back to the car now fighting off gnats and mosquitoes.  What was supposed to be a fun adventure was turning out disastrous. We made it back to the car, picked up the raft and returned to Worthington. Not wanting to write the day off as a total loss we hopped on our bikes to a secluded campsite. We had picnic lunch (still fighting the flies) and then opted for a river swim.. It was amazingly clear and refreshing. After cooling off, we pedaled around the park. Things quickly heated up so another swim was in order. It was now late in the day when we headed to our daughter's for dinner and playtime with the grand-kids.  We arrived home past 10 pm having had a most wonderful day.

ready to go

Lotsa Lube

I lubed my chain prior to yesterdays ride. It rained 1 of the 4 hrs. This morning I noticed quite a bit of rust on the chain. I cleaned the chain again with a WD 40 type of product and then applied bicycle chain oil. I do notice a big difference after lubrication. With the current high heat , humidity and showers I must be more vigilant in my maintenance.

New Cycling Enthusuasts

My son Justin and his girlfriend Amy exploring their own backyard and rediscovering cycling.

Early Start

I was out by 8 hoping to avoid the heat of the day. Temp was in the mid 80's but felt more like mid 90's. The sky was heavily overcast and it looked like rain. The air was thick and muggy and in no time I was covered in sweat. The biggest problem leaving early is dealing with the morning commuters. These half asleep, cell phone talking drivers have little regard, especially towards bicycles. Windows closed, AC and radio on makes for more alienation from the environment. Don't get me started on the caravan of school buses  Let's see how many 75 yr old retired persons we can put behind a 12 ton vehicle carrying your most precious cargo. OK, enough ranting. I managed to make it out into the country with no close calls. Light rain fell for awhile but only made things more soupy. I had a few errands to run before heading home. Just when I thought it couldn't get any warmer the sun came out for my last 4 miles. I made it home by noon. Although I might complain a bit about the weather. I will take the heat of the Summer over Winter.

Overcast day

Summer's Day

I had some errands to run and by the time I started my ride it was well after 10.  I wanted to get back before the heat of the day as it has been brutally hot the last week. I rode to work Saturday, at dawn, which was an easy, relaxed 10 miles. I arrived soaked in sweet. When I left the building at 3 it felt like I walked into an oven. It was one of those oppressively hot days that fills Emergency Rooms. Needless to say I was the only one crazy enough to be out on a bike. When I got home I jumped in my 90 degree pool and floated about for hours. Not wanting to be another statistic I opted not to ride to work the next day. Today's 40% drop in humidity, soft breezes and abundant cloud cover gave respite from the extreme heat. 46 miles on this enjoyable Summer's day.

Pedalin Maniac

Steamy

The weather pattern for the last week has been hot, muggy, funk. Lateday, Earlyday, Everyday Showers. My plan for today was a long relaxing ride. Tomorrow I am working so the best I can hope for is a 20 mile commute. The skies were ominous as usual but being so hot a shower didn't seem so bad. 12 miles into my ride I met up with my cycling buddy Bob. It's been quite some time since we spoke and we had some catching up to do. The clouds were thickening and after an hour of BSing we moved on in opposite directions. Another 5 miles and the skies opened up. First a light rain and then a down pour. I slowed my pace, pedaled carefully, and kept a watch for an emergency safe house. I was OK as long as there was no thunder or lightening. Fortunately there wasn't. The rain felt good against the oppressive heat so I opted not to take any short cuts back. The rain continued but turned to light showers and was quite comfortable. The last 10 miles the sun came out and it was hot again. When I got home the streets were dry and there was no evidence of rain. Some might think I'm crazy for cycling in the rain but I must say it was a very enjoyable ride.

Miles To Nowhere

I have been a cycling manic obsessed with riding countless miles. I seemed to have lost my focus on what cycling means to me. I rode a lot on GOBA but it wasn't the miles that made it great. It was meeting new people and exploring new places. It's the freedom that let's you slow down and even stop to take in life"s simple pleasures. My son recently got into cycling and exploring his new neighborhood.  He said he is on a mini GOBA finding great parks, bike paths and talking with locals when refueling. Everyday is a new adventure. Cycling gives me that freedom to explore without restraints.  Some of my favorite riding is just tooling around town. Don't get me wrong, I will still be counting my miles. It excites me that I do more miles by bike than car. I feel good my foot print is a little smaller along with my belly. I have to remember it's not the destination but the journey along the way.

You can stop along the way for ice cream and not feel guilty about the calories.