Riding In The Rain

I went for a 30 mile ride on the Greenway planning to stop after for some errands. 10 miles out I noticed the skies darkening. It wasn't long before light rain started falling. Fortunately, it was quite warm and no signs of lightning. I continued riding as did the rain, only now it was more steady. It was never really an issue unless heading down a hill when things got a bit chilly.  Trikes are a good platform for keeping cars at bay, especially the Greenway with it's massive presence. I rode another 20 miles and was just too wet to stop at the store. I'm sure people thought I was nuts but actually it wasn't that bad. I wouldn't purposefully go out in the rain but getting caught in it doesn't necessitate early termination.

Sopped under a bridge

For My Wife

My wife loves horses. It's a shame she only rides around the neighborhood. We have many beautiful horse farms just outside of town.

Lot's of Monarchs on the ground.
Interesting!

Finally

The Iron Ore Bridge is complete. It is not officially opened and still needs to get the center line painted but you can ride your bike over it. I can now go back to cutting through Englishtown, down rural country roads. No more taking my life in my hands on county rd 527. Hurrah!

Finally completed

This is where I ride. How nice is that!

Nothin Bout Bikes

I spent the last 4 days camping with my wife and grandkids in the Pocono Mts.  It was an awesome experience. The last time we were at Otter Lake campground was more than 25 years ago with my children. Now I shared those same experiences with my grandkids. Watching the expression on their faces as they caught their first fish was priceless. What could be better than sitting around a campfire roasting marshmallows. The 5 year old recently learned to ride a 2 wheeler and pedaling around this large campground on paved, safe roads was a treat. It did get challenging at times minding a 3 and 5 yr old but well worth the effort. Memories I will always cherish.

Wife and me

Finally quiet time.

Spectacular Morning Commute

Eclectic

I opened my garage door and realized how eclectic a bicycle collection I have. A tadpole trike, delta trike, long wheelbase recumbent, not to mention standard diamond frame and folding bike. Not too many people can make such a claim. I have been spending most of my time on the Stratus. I use the Greenway for after dinner rides with the wife and trips to the market. I tend to stick to one bike for awhile forgetting how the others ride. Then on a whim, I decide to take an old staple out. In today's case it was the ICE T.  I haven't ridden it since GOBA. I aired up the tires, applied some lube and off I went on this glorious day. This was my favorite and most exclusive ride for more than 6 years. Now I remember why. The stability of 3 wheels and straight tracking make for an easy relaxed ride.  I had too run a lot of errands on some major roads and the extra birth given by cars makes the trike much easier to endure. Tomorrow I have been asked to work and will take the T for the commute.
I am a very lucky guy!

Glorious Day

Head Gear

I finally broke down and bought a new helmet. I am 15 years past due. I know you should replace your helmet every few years. The truth of the matter is I don't wear one unless riding an event. My favorite lid is my assortment of Walz Caps. Not much protection except from the sun. I spent more than 7 years riding tadpole trikes. I was so low to the ground the only place to fall was up. If I got run over by a vehicle I don't think I want to know about it. With the Stratus, I am low and laid back and don't expect much head trauma. On an upright, you are high and bent forward and a fall to the head is likely. There is the mushroom head fashion statement, helmet hair, hot head and just plain uncomfortable. So what changed my mind? 2 things I suspect. My born again cycling son. "Dad I don't know how you can ride without a helmet". The other is I am getting a lot older and maybe beginning to feel my mortality. Whatever the reason(s), I am determined to wear it. The good news is helmets have come a long way in comfort. I did try a few major brands and found the one size fits all doesn't fit my pea brain. I did find Specialized brand to be a bit smaller. I will miss my brightly orange colored Giro Helios, but the new Specialized Align, yellow/lime safety ion is a comfortable fit and a welcomed edition to my stable.

With Walz cap underneath

Helmet hair
Boy do I need a shave

My favorite Giro Helios, retired

My first real helmet

Summer?

I just got back from a gorgeous 45 miler. Another picture perfect day with temps in the low 70's, light winds, pure sunshine and no humidity. It feels more like Fall. I'm not complaining mind you, but it's only the beginning of August and I am not finished with Summer. Oh well, I'll just have to suffer through.

I was feeling so good after the ride, I hopped on the Greenway for another 9 miles to the store. I get a lot of "Cool Bike" at the shopping center.

Picture Perfect

Today was a picture perfect day. Temps in the 70's, light winds, blue skies and plenty of sunshine. Just the kind of day to melt any troubles away.

Princeton Event

Today my son, Justin, his girlfriend, Amy and myself  rode The Princeton Event. It's an annual ride sponsored by Princeton Freewheelers, a local bike club. It was it's 33 year and draws as many as 1000 riders from the tri-state area. The weather was not as we hoped with almost constant light rain. It was Amy's first event ride and she did fantastic on our 53 mile course. She did manage to get a flat halfway into the ride. I had the pleasure of fixing it. Left to my son we would still be there. The last time he fixed a flat they had to bring her bike to the shop to repair the gears he messed up.  Justin did kick butt with Amy close behind followed by STS(slower than sh_t) me. Kudos to Princeton Freewheelers for another great job and to Amy for her powerful ride. A great day to remember.