the jerseypedaler

Back From Shopping

2012-02-10T20:07:00.000-05:00

My car was being repaired and I had to do some food shopping. No problem finding a spot.

January 2012

2012-01-31T16:18:00.000-05:00

This last day of the month I did 45 miles. If not for the wind it was a mirror image of New Year's Day with warm sunshine and temps approaching 60 degrees. My stats for the month are 14 rides and 328 miles. This is a great start to the year.
KEEP RIDING!!!

I Didn't Let That Stop Me

2012-01-24T15:44:00.001-05:00

The ride begins

The dreaded flat

The ride continues

And continues

We finally got a break in the weather. The snow melted. The rain and clouds gave way to sunshine and blue skies. Freezing temps turned to 40 degrees and light winds. This was a great day to take a break from life's obligations and just enjoy the ride. Unfortunately, 6 miles out I got the dreaded flat. It was on the right front tire. I flipped the trike on it's side, pulled the tube, found the hole and patched it. I was soon on my way and the smile back on my face. Needless to say I took the long way home.

No Riding Today

2012-01-21T09:47:00.000-05:00

1st Snow

Cold Ride To Work

2012-01-20T21:54:00.000-05:00

HHT Southern Extension

12/22/11
The section of the Henry Hudson Trail Southern Extension between Texas rd (Matawan) and Greenwood rd (Marlboro) that had been closed for environmental cleanup is now open.

I had a late afternoon meeting at work. I decided to ride in on this cold and windy 30 degree day. Of late I have been riding on route 79 with it's large shoulder. Today I took the HHT and to my surprise I found the southern extension was now open. In addition I learned it runs adjacent to my job, how convenient. The trail is 4.5 miles of my 10 mile commute. This will make a much safer route in those twilight hours.

Another Milestone

2012-01-01T16:39:00.001-05:00

Another Decade

For the last 10 years I have been riding my age for my birthday. Being born in January and living in New Jersey does not make this an easy task. Getting up in numbers doesn't help either. I always try to start the year off with a ride. This New Year's Day was picture perfect with temps into the 50's. My birthday is next week and not knowing what weather lies ahead I decided today would be the ride. I passed my cyclists getting in their first ride of the year. My legs were not used to this many miles and they let me know. I manged to persevere and finished the ride. I feel blessed and hope to continue this tradition.
KEEP RIDING!!!

2011-12-26T15:15:00.001-05:00

Year 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007

Total miles 4714 5354 3185 2861 3328

Total rides 159 183 126 108 109

Average speed 10.3 10.3 10.5 11 11

Average miles per ride 29.6 29.3 25.3 26.5 30.5

Bikejournal rating 829 655 1643 1968 1516

Bentrider rating 24 17 49 76 76

Although I am 600 miles and 14 rides less than last year, I am still quite proud of my 4700 miles.
My goal is to use my bike as much as possible and keep it fun. I have done as many miles on my bike as in my car. It has been a fantastic year. I look forward to next years cycling adventures.
Happy New Year and Safe Cycling
KEEP RIDING!!!
Thejerseypedaler

Somedays It Feels So Right

2011-12-22T16:39:00.000-05:00

Thought it was a turtle

Emley's Hill

People who didn't make it up

Green grass

New trail

Round house

Today was one of those days. Not a care in the world. No place I had to be.
Today was a Gift.
KEEP RIDING!!!

December 17

2011-12-17T14:39:00.000-05:00

I headed out this morning with temps in the mid 30's and winds under 10 mph. It was the beginning of a beautiful December day. I wore my Walz wool cap with ear-muffs, windbreaker jacket, hoodie, Sporthill winter shirt and pants, wool socks and wool mittens with liners. It seemed just right. I was hoping to shed some clothes but the clouds thickened and the wind picked up. By the end of this 36 mile ride it looked more like snow. It was still nice to get out on this brisk December day. There were quit a few other cyclists out enjoying the day. Deer were also abundant but, as usual, camera shy. My daily distance has diminished due to the season. I hope to have more rides like this and keep that winter fur to a minimum.
KEEP RIDING!!!

Marathon Racer Review

2011-12-12T15:25:00.000-05:00

I have about 4,000 miles on my Schwalbe Marathon Racer tires. I thought a review at this time would be appropriate. As you can see from the photos there is little wear for bicycle tires with this much milage. This compares favorably to my old Kenda Kwest. I believe I could get another year out of these tires. I had only 2 flats in the 8 months, which is on par with my track record. The 2 flats were on the right front tire, where the most road debris is. The holes were tinny in nature and centered on the tire. Not sure of Schwalbe flat protection. The ride is good, but not as good as my all time favorite Tioga Comp Pool tires(no longer manufactured). I find 50-55psi offers the best comfort and rolling resistance on a trike. Traction seems fine although I don't do much mud slinging. I purchased these tires on sale from Utah Trikes at $25 each plus shipping. I believe they are now $32. These are very good tires and are serving me well. I do prefer 1.75 tires with a tread-less design. The only ones now made close in design is Greenspeed Scorchers, which are expensive and don't last long and Schwalbe's Durano and Kojak, also expensive and narrower. Schwalbe does make 1.75 tires that are very durable but have a significant weight penalty. In summary, I am pleased with my purchase and overwhelmingly happy with tread life.
KEEP RIDING!!!

Utility Day

2011-12-09T16:56:00.000-05:00

Today I rode 7 miles to a meeting, 10 miles to work, 10 miles to the bank and then 3 miles home, for a total of 30 miles. I love days like this especially when the weather cooperates. I have got to the point were I only put about 10 gallons of gas in my car a month. This year I think I put more miles on my bike than my car. Not only does it make my footprint smaller, but my waste too.

December 1

2011-12-01T14:39:00.000-05:00

It certainly was not as warm as my last November ride, but I still enjoyed it.

I have to stop saying "STUFF".

Shorts In November?

2011-11-28T17:05:00.000-05:00

Short's in November?

Hard to imagine it's November 28th. Feels more like May.

West Windsor,NJ BFC by LAB

2011-11-26T16:43:00.000-05:00

For all you Central Jersey folks. The League of American Bicyclists announced that West Windsor,NJ is now a Bronze member of Bicycle Friendly Communities.
My favorite LBS is there. Bicycle Rack

Another Great Fall Day

2011-11-26T13:59:00.000-05:00

Today was even a better day than yesterday. It was a bit warmer and there was no wind. It felt more like Spring than Fall. It's hard to believe we are at the end of November.

It's Been A While

2011-11-25T15:12:00.000-05:00

Today, the day after Thanksgiving, was a beautiful but windy day. With temps in the 30's, I decided to bundle up for that morning chill. I put on a warm long sleeve shirt, pants, wool socks, a fleece, my wool cap with ear-muffs and wool mittens. Within an hour things warmed up quite nice and I shed most of my winter gear. My wife was working so I was able to get in some extra miles without feeling guilty. I finished the day at just over 50 miles. To my surprise I have not done a ride over 40 miles since August.

KEEP RIDING!!!

New Shifter

2011-11-14T17:14:00.000-05:00

Micro Shift 3x9 Shifter

I recently had my 3rd failure with my Shimano shifter. That is unacceptable to me. According to one of the news groups Shimano barend shifter failures are common. Unfortunately they are one of the only manufactures of a 3x9 barend shifter. I heard some talk of another company called Micro Shift. They have a 3x9 but it only comes in indexing and you cannot switch to friction if it breaks. I decided to take a chance and purchased it off of EBay for $77 shipped. Shimano's are $115 plus shipping. They have no US distributors so the purchase was direct from Taiwan. I received them in less than 2 weeks. I put the right one on today. They are very similar to the Shimano but have less loose parts and the accent color is black. So far they seem to work fine. It is nice to have the accurate shifting indexing allows. It will be a test of time to see if they hold up better.
KEEP RIDING!!!

Morning Fog

2011-11-10T13:00:00.000-05:00

November?

2011-11-09T16:08:00.000-05:00

It's hard to imagine that it is the second week in November. Temps today a balmy 60+ with pure sunshine. Strange to see Autumn leaves falling in spring weather. If I had gone out a few hours later I could have worn a short sleeve shirt and shorts. Makes me want to move to warmer climates.
KEEP RIDING!!!

Another Brisk Fall Day

2011-11-06T12:26:00.000-05:00

I ordered more tubes, a fresh patch kit and am awaiting my new shifter. In the mean time my patched tube held up and my broken right shifter is tolerable in friction mode only. There was no excuse not to cycle on this beautiful day. In fact I passed many cyclists enjoying this weather. I just love the tunnel effect the trees make on these rural roads.

KEEP RIDING!!!

Thank God For Patch Kits

2011-11-04T15:15:00.000-04:00

3 miles from home today I got a flat. Not a big issue as it was the front right tire. Fortunately, on a trike you don't have to remove the wheel to repair the tire. Being so close to home I was hoping to add air and make it back. I was not that lucky. I reached into my bag for my spare tube and tools only to realize I had no tube. Panic set in as I realized I had to patch the tube. I was on the side of a busy road which did not help. I pulled the tube out placed it on the tire hoping to easily find the hole. No such luck. I looked listened and felt to no avail. Fortunately, a few feet away, was a large puddle of water. Placing the tube in the puddle I found the pin hole. I opened the patch kit and was in luck that this old kit still had working glue. I was soon on my way. As soon as I got home I found a spare tube and placed it in my bike bag. I will periodically check the tire pressure on my patched tube. Tomorrow I will buy more spare tubes and another patch kit.
KEEP RIDING!!!

Sh_tmano Barend Shifters

2011-11-03T16:43:00.000-04:00

I just went through my 3rd pair of Sh_tmano barend shifters. This time the black outer casing and inner ring cracked on the right shifter. It can only be used in friction mode. I have 18k miles on my trike and 3 pair of shifters is unacceptable. I had over 20k on my Stratus with Sram x-9 and never missed a beat. Shifting gears frequently on a recumbent is like banging gears on a tractor trailer but I expect them to last more than 5k miles. I just ordered on eBay for $77 shipped, Microshift TT 3x9 shifters from Taiwan. Hopefully they will be better.
TRYING TO KEEP RIDING!!!

Fall is Here

2011-10-28T17:34:00.000-04:00

I left early today for my ride. Temps in the low 30's with frost on my car windshield. I dressed in my warm winter clothes, Sporthill Fusion shirt and pants, wool socks, boots, fleece top, windbreaker jacket and Waltz Ear-Flap cap and wool mittens. My clothes were spot on and I was nice and comfy for this 42 miler. Half way into the ride, as the temperatures slowly climbed, I removed my jacket. The hat and gloves remained on as they have there own natural ventilation and wicking ability. It was another beautiful Fall day tucked between a rainy yesterday and what promises to be a rainy tomorrow. With the weather changing, I have to make the most of each day and today was just that.

KEEP RIDING!!!

4,000 Miles

2011-10-25T15:17:00.000-04:00

Windy

Beautiful

Today my 41 mile ride brought me to the 4,000 mile mark for the year. It was a blustery day with winds at 15-20 mph. I usually prefer hills to wind, although the Streamer Fairing has helped with that a great deal. For me the bottom line is sunshine and today it was abundant. I was surprised to see so many cyclists on this windy Tuesday. The past Saturday had few cyclists and it was a calm sunny day. Maybe they realize the season does not have to be over.
My annual goal is 3,000 miles so you can see what an accomplishment this is. Last year I had a record breaking 5,340 miles for the year. I don't think I will break last years record. I am 200 miles and 15 rides short compared to last year at this time. However the year pans out is fine. It has been a fantastic and enjoyable cycling year.
KEEP RIDING!!!

Where Have All the Cyclists Gone

2011-10-22T14:15:00.000-04:00

Today, my ride took me through Freehold and then beautiful, rural Millstone Twsp. This 41 miler started with temps in the low 40's increasing to mid 50's and winds around 10 mph. As you can see by the picture, it was a great Fall day requiring only a long sleeve shirt, light fleece and long pants. I was surprised to see only 3 other lone cyclists. Could it be that many cyclists have hung up their bikes in hibernation for these colder months? It would be a shame to miss some of the most spectacular, colorful scenery of the year that could best be appreciated by bike. I for one, will be riding all year. Each season brings a new and exciting perspective of what to behold while riding my bike.
KEEP RIDING!!!

Not as Planned

2011-10-20T13:13:00.000-04:00

I left at 8 am for a meeting and then hoped to continue on for a 35 miler. The morning temps were warm and it promised to be a clear day. When I got out of the meeting it was cloudy and much cooler. I did not dress accordingly and was quite cold. I returned home for what was only a 14 mile day. Tomorrow I hope to be better prepared.
KEEP RIDING!!!

Streamer Fairing Revisited

2011-10-19T15:24:00.000-04:00

I purchased the Streamer fairing in October of 2008 and am now into my 4th season. I bought the fairing to help with my cold feet during winter weather. I also hoped it would offer some additional weather protection and help cut through the wind. Having had a fairing on my Mongoose utility DF bike and my Rans Stratus, I new it would not add any speed to my ride. According to studies done, fairings will increase speed over 15mph. I am a slow rider so this benefit was only possible on descents. It does offer some protection in the rain but a good bump will shoot the droplets onto my face. On my trike I do get some protection for my cold feet, but not being fully enclosed, it still is quite cold. It does help with head winds. It is not that I am faster but it seems to make pushing into the wind less strenuous. I decided to keep the fairing on when I went on Bikefl this year as I thought it might be windy. It was not terribly windy, but quite rainy. The fairing kept my lower half dry which was a nice plus. When I returned home in late March I removed the fairing. It is much easier to get on and off the trike without it. It is also easier to transport. I keep mileage logs with average speed on my rides. I noticed this year that with the fairing my average speed increased by 1/2 mph consistently. This is not earth shattering, but when you are a slow rider, this becomes a significant increase. I have had the fairing on for the past 1 1/2 months. The weather has been surprisingly warm, but we have had many gusty days. The fairing has proved to be a nice asset. It also adds quite a lot of "Bling" and I get more "Cool Bike" remarks. Although I much prefer warmer weather, the trike and fairing help me get through the winter months with it's stability and protection.

KEEP RIDING!!!

Take The Long Way Home

2011-10-17T13:29:00.000-04:00

To Meeting

From Meeting

Nice Colors

I had a 9am meeting this morning and decided to take my bike. The weather forecast was for sunny 50-60 degrees with winds over 10mph. You know how weather forecasts are. I awoke to light drizzle. Looking out I could see that the clouds had some breaks in them. I decided to do the 7 mile ride and hoped that the forecasters were right. The light rain continued for most of the ride. When the meeting was over, I came out to bright blue skies and plenty of sunshine. I decided to add another 16 miles, making the total ride over 30 miles. The air was fresh and the trees were colorful. Makes you appreciate the changing seasons.
KEEP RIDING!!!

Bye to Indian Summer

2011-10-11T14:24:00.000-04:00

The past week has probably been the best cycling weather of the year. Weather forcasters predict rain for the next 3 days and dropping temps. Weekend looks good in the 60's with some blustery winds, but, you know how weather predictions go. Today was a fantastic finish to this week with a 40 miler. I took my time in order to savor every moment of what will probably be the last 70 degrees of the year. This was the 3rd time I did the route this week and every day I saw something different. Today I noticed how the leaves were changing and falling in spite of the warm temps. I meet up with 3 women cyclists also enjoying this fine day. It was great to enjoy this day on mans most efficient machine.

KEEP RIDING!!!

Indian Summer

2011-10-08T15:06:00.002-04:00

The weather has been fantastic the past few days. It will continue to get warmer over the next couple of days. I had some obligations to do today so I decided to get them done early so I could enjoy this great day. I did the same 41 mile route as the other day. I didn't think it could be better but it was. I never thought the fairing added any speed, but I find I am about a 1/2 mph faster on average than without it. It really doesn't matter as I am a slow rider and like to smell the roses as I go.

KEEP RIDING!!!

Good Day Sunshine

2011-10-06T15:31:00.000-04:00

I originally went out for a 35 miler. The air was crisp with temps in the high 50's to low 60's and winds below 5 mph. The sky was cobalt blue with pure sunshine. I added another 6 miles just to continue this glorious day. It's amazing what a beautiful day does to me.

KEEP RIDING!!!

Falling Around

2011-10-04T16:01:00.000-04:00

Home

I managed a 25 miler today after recuperating from my recent cold. I left late and the weather turned a bit grey and windy. Halfway into the ride the sun peeked out and it started to change for the better. I decided to have some fun and added these videos. Please excuse the quality as they were made with my phone. Also my NY TALK and STUFF.

KEEP RIDING!!!

Under The Weather

2011-10-03T15:52:00.000-04:00

Since returning home from vacation, the weather has been on the wet side. To make matters worse I developed a lingering cold which has left me a bit weak. Today I managed to get out for a 14 miler. It felt good to breath some fresh air and get those legs moving. Weather predictions look good and I hope to be pounding the pavement as before. Slow and steady wins the race.
KEEP RIDING!!!

I'm Back!!!

2011-09-25T15:28:00.000-04:00

Just got back from vacation, not exactly as planned, but still an interesting adventure.

Today I got out on my 1st 25 miler in over 2 weeks, nice. I thought it would be cooler, but temps were in the the high 70's with little wind and mostly cloudy. The fact that there was no rain made it quite a great riding day. I noticed the weather over the last 2 weeks was unusually cold and expected the same on my return, but things warmed up. September and October have turned out to be my favorite riding months of the year. Anyway the fairing was over kill for today but still fun. It added great bling, did nothing to increase or decrease my average speed, but what it did do is add many thumbs up and cool bike.

Nice to be home and get back on my bike.

KEEP RIDING!!!

No Posts for 3 Weeks

2011-09-09T16:45:00.000-04:00

We will be heading out for a 3 week vacation. We expect to enjoy this much needed time off and hope that you will have some fair weather riding also.
KEEP RIDING!!!

Summer's End

2011-09-05T13:40:00.000-04:00

Summer's end
so sad

Getting ready for vacation
so glad

Getting ready for Fall and Winter
Streamer Fairing mount

Looks like today will be my last ride for summer. Managed just a 25 miler before the rain sets in. The next 3 days look bad as far as rain goes. Friday looks good but I have to finalize all packing for our upcoming 3 week trip starting Saturday. I closed the pool yesterday which is always sad. The RV is gased up and ready to go for our 3 week adventure and exploration of the Natchez Trace Parkway. This is the time we usually take our vacation as September is our wedding anniversary and a great time to travel. This year we are fortunate to get 3 weeks off which allows us to explore farther areas. My wife doesn't cycle much, but I do bring 2 Dahon folders to ride around the campsites. I have added my Streamer fairing mount to my trike so I will be ready for the Fall and Winter when we return. I find the Fall one of the best seasons to ride. I look forward to our upcoming trip and break from life's challenges and my return to a new season of cycling.
KEEP RIDING!!!

No Pictures Today

2011-09-03T14:12:00.000-04:00

I have been riding the last 5 days after hurricane Irene. The weather has been absolutely perfect. Low 80's, light winds, no humidity and abundant sunshine. I have been riding my usual routes with slight variations, to keep it interesting, through Millstone Township. I would like to venture to other areas but the cycling in these parts is bike and people friendly. These are rural winding roads with horse farms, tree covered lanes, minor hills and minimal motor traffic. It is common ground to both cyclists and motorcyclists. The atmosphere is calm and friendly. I would like to venture out more in NJ but that would mean taking my car or doing multi-day, overnight rides, something I should investigate further. The northern area of NJ is slightly mountainous or very hilly, but in either case very pretty and should provide great cycling. Unfortunately, campgrounds, both state and private are very expensive, so moteling would probably be a better option.
I am preparing for a 3 week vacation with my wife next week. She doesn't ride, but it will be an adventure and an exciting exploration as always.
KEEP RIDING!!!

Goodnight Irene

2011-08-30T14:57:00.001-04:00

Fallen tree with down power line in my neighborhood

Another view

What my streets look like

What the rural roads look like

Hurricane Irene came and went leaving reminders that she had been here. Because of the expected devastation I had to spend the night at work in case there was a need of evacuation. I slept on the floor on a mattress with 3 other colleagues. It reminded me of a cheap Budget motel. All in all we laughed and had fun like kids in camp. My wife called me at 3 am Sunday to let me know we lost power. I anticipated that and was fortunate enough to hook up the generator from my RV to my basement sump pump. My wife transferred our food to the RV refrigerator. When I got home Sunday at 8 pm all was well but still no power. Monday was a beautiful day for riding but there was major cleanup that needed to be done. Monday night about midnight the power was restored. I got up early to do more maintenance and then it was time for a ride on this gorgeous day. As things would have it 2 miles from home I got a flat. Fortunately, it was the front right tire on my trike. So much for Schwalbe's puncture resistant tires. It was a quick repair and I finished the ride with 36 miles. From the above pictures you can get some idea of what Irene left behind. Fenders came in handy on some still semi flooded roads. I gave directions to 3 motorists detoured due to closed flooded roads. I am very grateful that we had minimal damage and my heart goes out to those less fortunate.

KEEP RIDING!!!

Adventure Cycling

2011-08-23T17:26:00.000-04:00

Allentown

Bordentown

Today was one of those days I wanted to get out and explore. In my earlier years I use to ride with a friend and it seemed like all roads led to Allentown. I new a round trip ride would be approximately 50 miles. I took a direct but scenic route and thought I would explore different roads on the return trip. The weather was just too fine and I decided why not go to Bordentown. It is a very old, quaint and most importantly a revitalized town, with modern restaurants, shops and renovated town houses. It had been many years since I road out there and I was not 100% sure how to get there. I found some event markings on the road and followed them eventually getting me into town. I continued to follow those markings for the ride back when I found myself back on the route that took me there. I turned off on some vaguely familiar road. Things were starting to come back to me and I was feeling the adventure in cycling I remembered. I came across another cyclist who waved me down. He was curious about my trike and was amazed at my intended mileage. We talked for a while and as he road off on his nice Trek road bike, I noticed he was wearing regular hiking shorts, sneakers and regular pedals. He was just out enjoying this beautiful day on his bike. I smiled and continued on my way through back roads I almost forgot. 50 miles into the ride I saw a familiar wave. It was my wife on her way to Allentown to see a client. The last 20 miles were on very familiar roads as I was getting tired. 70 miles total for what was an outstanding cycling day.
KEEP RIDING!!!

Nice Day

2011-08-22T13:13:00.000-04:00

Doe and her 2 fawns

Another life saved

I didn't even get out of my development and there on someones lawn was a doe and her 2 fawns. I new this was the beginning of a great ride. I continued on my way a met up with a nice road rider. He also preferred to ride by himself and enjoy the scenery. We rode and talked for a few miles and then went our separate ways. The day just go more beautiful. A few miles later I saved another turtles life. Another Rocket recumbent rider sped past me as he said hello. Motorcycles where giving me the 2 finger friend sign. The last 10 miles home I encountered many casual cyclists enjoying this great day.
KEEP RIDING!!!

ROAM

2011-08-22T08:59:00.001-04:00

A friend of mine sent me this email.
"The June Adventure Cycling magazine had an article about ROAM- or ROll Across America. A group of Europeans riding across the USA on "bikes." But these were not bikes, but Velomobiles. These are 3 wheeled trikes- not completely unusual, but these are completely enclosed with a wrap around fairing. The wind advantage is so great, and allows them to go so fast, these guys are doing over 100 miles a day to go across the country in 30 days.
I didn't think too much of the article until yesterday, on our club ride they passed right in front of us going east as we were headed north! And they were zooming faster than I thought possible on a trike! (sorry Marty!)
The video is from a club member, JJ Johnson. He is stricken with a form of arthritis, debilitating his hands, but rides a different type of trike with the help of special shifters.
Enough story- the video of these guys is fun. (for me anyway...)
Here is another link to the website of the group for the more adventurous of you...."
http://rolloveramerica.eu/
Youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0-L3fzqOHxM

The truth of the matter is I have been following these guys since the start. Many Americans have dropped out, probably due to the excessive daily mileage. I have met one participant Merrill Gay on 2 occasions with his home built square tubed bolted together aluminum trike. He added a Alleweder velo kit and is still on the ride, now somewhere in PA

Outstanding adventure.
Good luck to all.
KEEP RIDING!!!

A Week of DT'S

2011-08-20T11:15:00.000-04:00

Because of life's demands, I was not able to get any cycling in for 1 week. Yesterday I managed to ride 31 miles catching up on all my errands. It was sunny, but hot and humid. Still happy to get out and ride. Today family fun day. Worth the sacrifice and Priceless.

KEEP RIDING!!!

Things Are A Little Slow

2011-08-16T10:47:00.000-04:00

I worked the last weekend and then it has been raining. Tomorrow, the weather promises to be good, but, I am working. I am hoping for fair skies on Thursday. Friday I am hoping to get in a small ride before the Grandkids get here. Saturday family fun day and Sunday we will see.
KEEP RIDING!!

Double Play

2011-08-12T14:32:00.000-04:00

Another Great August Day

Back to back gorgeous August days. My legs were not ready for another 71 miles, but I did mange to get in 38 miles. I also visited my favorite LBS which is always fun. I picked up some spare tubes and repaired my neighbors flat. Now, do I commute to work tomorrow?.
KEEP RIDING!!!

Racking Up The Miles

2011-08-11T18:37:00.000-04:00

Sandy Hook Bay

Belmar Beach

It was one of those rare and great August days that you just have to pack on the miles. Temps low 80's, low humidity and light winds. I needed something different and long to enjoy this day. I decided back to the shore for a 71 miler. This time I checked wind direction and found light winds from the NNW. It was decided, out to Matawan, then Aberdeen, down the Henry Hudson Trail across the Atlantic Highlands Bridge and south from Sea Bright on down to Manasquan and eventually home.
There is no rushing this long ride. I chatted with a guy Dan on the trail. I stopped at the Windmill in Long Branch for a super large tasty hot dog with all the fixings and a large root beer. Very tasty and hit the spot. The nice thing about the shore it is very bike friendly with dedicated bike lanes. There are a great many interesting sites to see. The bad thing is there is no shade unless you want to stop under a pavilion. Although a beautiful day, I hit the shore at the height of the heat and it was no cooler. Once you leave the protection of the shore it is back to cycling on major roads not so bike friendly.
It is a great ride, but something best done in the spring or fall.
KEEP RIDING!!!

Days Gone By

2011-08-09T13:34:00.000-04:00

I did my typical ride today of 32 miles. 10 miles out the same direction and then decide if I want to do 25-60 miles. The reason for this is that I like to ride from my home and this area provides the best cycling area around. I miss the days when I would head in any direction and follow roads I have never been on. Sometimes it was a great find with winding, rolling hills and shade trees. Sometimes it was right into a head wind up a steep hill with traffic. In either case it was an adventure, never knowing what was around the next bend. I miss those rides. Since getting reacquainted with cycling over the past 25 years, I have come to know most roads within a 40 mile radius of my home.
I was talking to an associate of mine the other day. He said what he like most about biking, was you see things you miss by car, but also have the ability to quickly change scenery that you can't do with walking. That was one of my hooks that brought me back into cycling. I remember in the early 80's, buying my blue and white Mongoose mt bike at my LBS for $220. It was a 18 or 21 speed with thumb shifters. I quickly learned I was not for mt biking. I replaced the knobby tires with no name slick street tires. I changed the flat handle bars with ones with a vertical bend for a more upright seating position. I added fenders, no name rack and panniers and I was feeling the love. I took that bike everywhere. I commuted, went to the store, the beach and took it camping. I don't think in the 15+ years I ever changed the drive chain. I just aired up the tires and greased the chain and off I went. It was then that I joined a cycling club and learned proper cycling habits. I also bought a couple of road bikes, but nothing was like my Mongoose. I eventually found recumbents and so it goes, but nothing brings a greater smile than the days of exploring untraveled roads.
KEEP RIDING!!!

Just Another Day

2011-08-08T13:08:00.000-04:00

I had to run a few errands this morning. It was a nice enough morning so I did them by bike. When I finished I decided to continue on for a nice relaxing ride. Temps in the upper 80's with high humidity and 8-10 mph winds. With the wind and scattered clouds it turned out to be a pretty nice cycling day. I manged 29 easy miles and was feeling myself again. I caught up on some much needed rest and was back in the groove.
KEEP RIDING!!!

3,000 Mile Mark

2011-08-06T15:11:00.000-04:00

Lunch Stop

Today, in spite of being tired from my last 3 busy days, I managed to get out for a 50 miler. The weather was warm and sunny with a light breeze. It was a slow start and my leg muscles were hurting. I only needed about 20 miles to reach my annual goal of 3k miles. I was hoping to do more miles and decided to use the wait and see method. 15 miles into the ride I was beginning to feel myself again. Slow and steady was the attitude of the day.
Last year was an all time best for annual mileage. I far exceeded my 3k goal and finished with over 5300 miles. I decided to compare my mileage and number of rides to date with last year. Last year on August 6th I had 3039 miles with 112 days of riding. This year I have 3027 miles with 100 days of riding. It's amazingly close. It will be interesting to see how the year pans out.
KEEP RIDING!!!

Prince Of A Day

2011-08-02T15:37:00.002-04:00

Make A Wish Foundation Castle

Shopping after

Today was like a Fairy Tale Day. I went out early expecting it to get really hot and humid. Instead the weather was quite delightful. It was in the 80's with low humidity and a mild northerly breeze. Still waiting for the other shoe to drop, I was expecting things to quickly heat up. That did not happen and I managed a 37 miler wanting more. Passing that castle being built by The Make A Wish Foundation made me feel more like a kid. When I got home I had a Honey-Do-List. I decided to continue my enjoyment by taking my bike another 6.5 miles for the much needed shopping. I have just come off a great shore weekend with my wife and have a busy next 3 days a head. I am very grateful for this super cycling day.

KEEP RIDING!!!

Am I Nuts?

2011-07-28T14:36:00.000-04:00

Yesterday, I drove my car, down to Virginia to check out a bike. It was 213 miles each way. It was a beautiful cycling day and I hated to waste it in the car, but for me, it was for a good reason. I have been wanting to add a Tour Easy Gold Rush to my stable. The problem is they come in 6 sizes and cost a boat load. I needed to check my size carefully before dropping so much money. I found what appeared to be a nice used one at a reasonable price on the web. The bike was a big disappointment. It was way too big and did not look well cared for. Fortunately, the shop owner had other GR sizes in stock and I got to check out more bikes. I was finally able to get on a small and take it for a test ride. I never road a Tour Easy before but new of their outstanding reputation. To cut to the chase, I was not feeling the love. Besides the bike being a bit too small for me, I found the ride too upright and not as comfortable as my old Stratus. After all was said and done, I thanked the shop owner for his time, and drove the 200+ miles home.
If I tell this story to non cycling enthusiasts, they would say I am nuts. For me it was time well spent learning what I like and dislike about potential bike purchases. I wonder how many other cycling enthusiasts have done the same.
Keep Riding!!!

Out of the Heat?

2011-07-25T14:22:00.000-04:00

It has been brutal out there. Not just in NJ, but throughout the country. Record breaking temps in the triple digits has made cycling almost impossible. I have gone out for short 3-7 mile utility runs and also tried to do short 20 mile rides. Both of which have made me feel exhausted, foolish, and down right dangerous. Luckily I have air-conditioning and a pool to cool off in. Today, on the other hand, we had a break in the weather. temps down into the 80's with overcast skies making riding somewhat bearable. I managed a 36 mile ride, but in all honesty I did not feel the love I had hoped. My body has not recovered from all this heat and it will take some time before I recharge. Tomorrow, I am working and the weather looks promising, but I think I will leave my bike and commute by car.
Taking a break so I can,
KEEP RIDING!!

Take The Lane

2011-07-16T16:27:00.001-04:00

I have been riding my Fuji more. It is a great commuting bike and works for quick jaunts to the store. Initially, I found it to be quite slow, but as time went on I became faster. I guess my recumbent leg muscles had to readjust to conventional biking. What else I have noticed is riding 2 wheeler's, recumbent or not, do not make cars congenial. What I mean is cars do not give you any room. They try to squeeze you to the side. On my trike they can't judge as well and give me an extremely wide berth when passing or will not pass until they safely can. They are not always happy about that, but, they give me the room I deserve. On my Fuji I do not feel as safe and find I have to watch out more for passing cars. I have had cars come so close they raise the hair on my skin. In addition I have had cars pass me at blind spots. I can certainly understand peoples insecurity when riding a bike on traffic roads. As a cycling advocate and knowing we have the same rights as motor vehicles, I have learned to drive both offensively and defensively. Initially I thought keeping to the right was the best safety measure you could do. I have since learned this is not always the case. You have to leave yourself room from impending danger like potholes, gravel, parked car doors opening etc. If I feel safety is an issue I will move out into the lane to keep cars from passing at an inopportune moment. It not only saves my life, but, also the driver of the vehicle that may not see as clearly what dangers lay up a head. THINK SMART, RIDE SMART and BE SAFE.
KEEP RIDING!!!

Picture Perfect Day

2011-07-05T14:07:00.000-04:00

Blue Skies

Of course I helped him across the road

Scenic road

Today was one of those picture perfect days. Temps in the low to mid 80's, low humidity, minimal wind and plenty of sunshine. A Marty Day as I like to call it. After the July 4th holiday weekend it was a refreshing and relaxing day that brings a smile to you face without a care in the world. I am fortunate to have these scenic roads just 2 miles from my home.

KEEP RIDING!!!

'Third time's the charm'

2011-07-05T14:05:00.000-04:00

This is used when the third time one tries something, one achieves a successful outcome.
On Saturday July 2, I commuted to work on my bike. As you may recall the 1st time it rained heavily about 3 miles from work. I was soaked but, luckily my place has a laundry facility so I was able to dry out. My second commute resulted in heavy down poor with hail and lightening just as I left work. Lucky to be alive. My latest and 3rd commute resulted in a beautiful relaxing ride to and from work.
KEEP RIDING!!!

"I Thought of that while riding my bicycle" Albert Einstein

2011-07-04T12:35:00.000-04:00

He also said once: “Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance you must keep moving.”

Now that the pink cloud of GOBA is fading it's time to move on. I traditional ride my bike by myself. This leaves me with time to think. Some of which is what my next blog will be about. Sometimes I come up with a bike idea, like new light mounts for my Fuji. They are completed and awaiting further testing. I try to concentrate on my beautiful surroundings and let my cares go by. This is not always possible and I can find myself focused on some problem. I have to remind myself that the simplistic joy of riding is what helps get me through life's challenges.
KEEP RIDING!!!

GOBA 2011

2011-06-27T09:42:00.003-04:00

1 st day setup before rain

1 st day arrivals

More new arrivals

Good friend Steve with new friend Mikki

Parade line up to Kenton

Kenton bike parking

Typical rest stop

Port-A-Jon line

Extra long lunch stop line

Good friend Dave Gave us a great personal tour in 05

My Father's Day T-Shirt

Into the fog

Had to try one
Very Tasty

Eat there in Delaware Over 100 yrs old

Typical rural roads

Nice

Joke from friend

Ohio to Erie Trail

Cool

Paul, Arnie and Barb 2 Catrikes and a Trident New Friends

Downtown Bellefontaine Closing Ceremony

Camp mates in London Loved my orange shirt and helmet

More new friends, Dave and Leanne Met through Steve and Mikki

Bellefontaine filling up

To say it was a great trip is an understatement. We started in Kenton. I arrived about 2 pm just before it started to rain. I got my tent set up and threw my bags in. It rained for a few hours but, finally let up. People stated milling about and were getting ready for the parade through town. We lined up, some in costume as we cycled into Kenton for the opening ceremony. It was quite a spectacle especially for the townspeople. The next morning we headed for Marion. Fog and mist prevailed but the 50+ miles was well endured. The rain and wet subsided and presented with sunshine as we headed in to town. My tent was able to dry out. I found a great local bar with $2 drafts and super pork barbecue. The next day we headed for Delaware. Again in the morning mist and fog, but no rain. This was a great rejuvenated town with lots of restaurants, bars and charm. I ate at Buns, a 100 yr old restaurant with one of my original GOBA friends, Donna. It was a lay over town and I did the next day's optional ride of 50+ miles. It was on that ride that the skies darkened and the rain poured. I ducked under a patio at someones house only to find it was a deck. The rain continued to saturate me. Fortunately, their garage was open and I was able to duck inside. 10 minutes later the skies quieted and I continued the ride. It became very hot and humid and I was grateful for the cool soaking. When I returned to camp, I relaxed on my trike under a tree, with some new found friends. That night I headed into town on my bike. I hit a few places and later found my friend Dave to share more food and new friends. The next few days the wind picked up into London. Slow and steady wins the race. The layover day ride was 26 miles into a strong head wind. The good news was there was the same tailwind on the way back. It was there that I met Dave and Leanne, some new friends introduced to me by Steve and Mikke. After 2 days in London (not much in that town) we headed for Bellefontaine for the closing ceremony. The weather held up and it was a great show with contestants singing funny GOBA songs. We finally headed back to Kenton on a sunny day.Some people think it's all about the ride. I usually ride by myself at home and continued that tradition on GOBA. For me it's about the people you meet. Standing in line for the shower and meeting different people helps make the time past. Going on the ride by yourself is not lonely. Just look for a GOBA bracelet and you can share a seat for dinner.

Some funny things that happened to me.

Talking to a women about were I live in NJ while in the Port-a-Jon.

Hearing ON YOUR LEFT by someone on a beach cruiser in FLIP-FLOPS.

Some great things that happened to me.

Reunite with old friends and making new ones.

Sharing a beer after the ride with my new friend Carol.

Eating a Fried Bologna sandwich for the fist time.

Hearing ON YOUR LEFT and later hearing HI MARTY.

Visiting places I have never been to.

GOBA does a fantastic job of coordinating 2700 cyclists through small towns in Ohio. Hazardous roads are well marked. Dangerous and busy intersections are manned for your safety. Police hold traffic for you going in and out of layover towns. GOBA is inexpensive. For your $200 you get your bags transported, camping at fairgrounds or schools, showers, sag support, route maps, bus transportation into town and back and information on local towns and attractions. You do have to pay for all food including rest stops. Many meals are offered through local churches and organizations at very reasonable prices. If you choose to camp indoors, there is a fee. It ranged from $3.50-$10 per night. $10 is a bit high, especially when you are sleeping on the floor of a gymnasium with 150 other people. Personally I like the privacy of my own tent. You can also opt to stay in a motel with transportation services at a additional cost.

It is funny how you can get up at 5 am, wait on line for showers, port-a-jons, food, ride 400 miles in the rain and wind for 7 days and come home saying what a great time I had.

GOBA is something to consider for your Bucket List.

KEEP RIDING!!!

Going To GOBA

2011-06-16T17:22:00.000-04:00

Tomorrow I leave for GOBA. 7 days of cycling around Ohio. This year takes us from Kenton through Marion, Delaware, London, Bellefontaine and back to Kenton. 259 to 416 miles of some great cycling. The weather shows scattered thunderstorms, but you know how that goes. With BikeFlorida and my work commutes I have become quite accustomed to foul weather. Besides you can't trust the weather predictions. I am looking forward to getting away and just pedaling to my hearts content along with 2700 other cycling enthusiast. When I return I will report back. In the meantime.
KEEP RIDING!!!

2nd commute

2011-06-10T09:16:00.001-04:00

Yesterday I did my 2nd 10 mile commute to work. As you may recall my 1st commute ended in riding 4 miles in a down pour. I was not prepared and had to have my clothes dried at work. This time I was prepared. I cycled in sandals and carried my uniform, sneakers and phone in plastic bags. The weather was extremely hot but at 5:30 in the morning was reasonable comfortable and the ride very enjoyable.
People at work, thought I was crazy for riding in such heat. I was really looking forward to the relaxing ride home. When I got my bike outside the skies were darkening and rain was imminent. As fate would have it the skies opened up 1 mile into the ride. I was prepared for cool rain showers but not the pelting golf ball size hail. I was on the 2.5 mile trail at that point and my 1 watt Planet bike headlight was ineffective. I could barely see the path and had to slow down to a crawl so as to not run off the road. I finally made it to a major road but the rain did not let up and the streets became flooding streams. There were a few foot deep puddles where I could feel my feet wading through the warm waters. I had the death grip on my handle bars. The skies remained dark as midnight, thunder and lightning were about and the rain was relentless. Needless to say I was scared for my life. My thoughts were please don't let me fall off the bike. Please don't let me get hit by a car. Please don't let me get struck by lightning. Just let me get home safe.
I was grateful to make it home safe and sound. I dried myself off, dropped the clothes in the wash and sighed with relief. It was one of the longest 10 miles I have ever done. I was proud of myself and felt more like a true commuter.
"That which doesn't kill us, makes us stronger"
KEEP RIDING!!!

Racking Up The Miles

2011-06-08T13:52:00.000-04:00

It's hot and it's been tough trying to get those long distance miles in. Today at 90+ degrees with high humidity it was a struggle to do 32 miles. It seems I am always looking for some shade. My average has dropped significantly by 1 MPH. It doesn't seem like much but when you are slow to begin with it hurts. I am trying to commute more and hope to ride my 10 miles to work tomorrow on my Fuji. That will give me an additional 20 miles of riding I would not do on a work day.
Compared to my outstanding mileage of last year I am right on target. I am at 1805 miles as of today where last year I was at 2254 at the end of June. I still have about 3 weeks to go before the end of June. My near last week will be on GOBA in Ohio where I should easily manage between 3-400 miles. If all goes according to plan I will exceed last years mileage at mid-year. The second half of the year my be a little tougher. I hope to add some miles by commuting more. Time will tell.
KEEP RIDING!!!

A long Shore Thing

2011-06-02T09:58:00.000-04:00

Added trail in Atlantic Highlands

New bridge with bike lane to Sea Girt

View from bridge

view from bridge

Long Branch boardwalk and beach

Asbury Park Convention Center

It was another extremely hot day, but I was in the mood for something different. I had to run an errand that was just 3 miles from the Henry Hudson bike trail. The trail begins in Matawan and runs approximately 12 miles to Atlantic Highlands. I decided to go for it and ride over the new bridge and down the shore line to Manasquan. I love riding the shore and thought it would be a good place to cool off. One thing I learned was 1 mile after the trail ends it starts up again at the marina for another 2 miles along the bay. Very beautiful. Another thing I leaned was the new bridge into Sea Girt has a designated bike lane. The last thing I learned was, although the shore was cooler the winds were up from the south. I had 20 miles of gusting headwinds. I could hardly get my trike over 8 mph. I was tempted to jump off sooner and return home, but the roads are high traffic and not enjoyable. I stopped for a Jumbo Hot Dog and Large Pepsie at the Windmill restaurant. Refueled I continued my journey. I finally got to Manasquan where I picked up the Edger Felix Memorial Bikeway for another 5 miles and out of the wind. About 15 miles from home the skies darkened and rain was on and off. The rain was refreshing but I was concerned about Thunderstorms. After 72.4 miles, I made it home unscathed.
KEEP RIDING!!!

You Know You're a Commuter When

2011-05-30T21:51:00.002-04:00

Today I did my first commute to work by bike on my latest job. We have had some great warm, hot, hazy days of summer. I decided to commute the 10 miles on my Fuji tourer to work today on Memorial Day. I gave myself plenty of time and decided to relax and enjoy the early morning commute. Weather was warm, with almost no cars on the road at 5:30 am. I felt it would be a nice ride. With only 4 miles to go I noticed the sun was obscured and there was a faint mist in the air. Seconds later the rain set in and it started to pour. I hit every puddle imaginable and arrived work totally drenched. I new my sneakers were soaked but I felt confident my uniform would remain dry in my Arkel Bag. As things turned out my water bottle filled with Gatorade had leaked in my bag making my uniform totally saturated.. I was a mess and my collegues had a good laugh. Fortunately, my place at work, has it's own laundry and I was able to to get things dried, including my sneakers in reasonable time. Being a holiday things were pretty quiet and the day was uneventful. After my 12 hr shift I changed back into my dry commuter clothes and road home.
Like camping, you are not a true commuter until your have commuted in the rain.
KEEP RIDING!!!

Slow and Steady

2011-05-27T14:57:00.000-04:00

It was one of those summery Triple H Days. I wanted a nice relaxing long ride. The only way to complete this 52 miler was a slow and steady pace. No point in rushing as I had no place I had to be. It seemed there were many cyclists out today. I guess people were getting an early start to this holiday weekend. Everyone seemed in a great mood. I was getting cool bike from the Hammerhead cyclists and cars were giving me nice waves and smiles and taking there time when passing. Seemed people just felt good that summer has finally arrived.
KEEP RIDING!!!

New Walz Cap

2011-05-26T15:48:00.002-04:00

From Website

Fun with Grandsons ball

I just purchased another Walz Cap in moisture wicking material. It is highly visible bright yellow. Goes great with my yellow shirt in previous post. The new caps have a bigger firmer brim. Great for wearing under helmet or alone. Large brim keeps sun off forehead and eyes. I love their wool winter cap with ear muffs. I have become quite a fan.
100% circular knit polyester
- Lightweight (7 oz.) fabric
Wicking finish draws moisture away
Fabric stays breathable
Available in two sizes

Helps you,

KEEP RIDING!!!

Fun House

2011-05-24T13:56:00.000-04:00

Today while enjoying my warm 32 mile ride, I love looking at myself as I pass this driveway mirror. It makes me feel like I am a kid in the fun house. You never know what's just around the corner.
KEEP RIDING!!

My World At 10 MPH

2011-05-19T15:56:00.003-04:00

Country Road

Frequent Cyclist Rest Stop

Horse Farm

Field Preperation

Got Milk

The weather has been a bit British the past few weeks. Today I was able to get in a 35 miler. What I realized was just outside, in my own backyard, was some amazing scenery that could only be appreciated at 10 MPH. Sometimes you just have to open your eyes to notice the beauty that surrounds you.
KEEP RIDING!!!

Rocket Chair

2011-05-13T15:42:00.000-04:00

I purchased this new old Rocket back in December. Although my trike is my favorite ride, I have been enjoying the Rocket. The Rans seat is not as I remembered, so I decided to try the Euromesh seat. In addition I found the Chainsaw 62 tooth big ring was too high and the 42 tooth little ring not low enough. I purchased the Euromesh seat with 2 inch foam and seat cover, 38 t chainring and bolts for double chainring from Mark of Poweroncyling. The seat took about an hour to drill new holes and mount. The middle 52 t chainring went to the outside and the new 38 t went to the middle, making it a double instead of the triple it was. I adjusted the front derailer and reduced the chain without a hitch. I must say it does look and feel more sleek. Not wanting to purchase another seat bag I decided I could easily mount my Arkel Tailrider.
Today I was able to get in a 22 mile test ride and all works great.
KEEP RIDING!!!

Doesn't Get Much Better Than This

2011-05-10T16:42:00.000-04:00

It was just one of those perfect days. Temps in the 70's with minimal winds and sunshine galore. I decided early I was going to relax and enjoy this day to the max. I chose my favorite 50 miler in the scenic back roads of Monmouth County where horses and cows are common and cars are not. It was all of that and more. A magical day.
KEEP RIDING!!!

Went and Did It or Not

2011-04-28T15:41:00.000-04:00

I decided to bite the bullet and change my drivetrain over to Sram. I bought Sram XO Twist Shifter and X9 Derailer for a very good price off Amazon. I was leery as to how comfortable the twist shifter setup would be on the trike. I know I have not been that happy with Shimano as they seem to require more maintenance. Sram has always been spot on for me on my other bikes. The parts came in and I decided to get to work. Things seemed to be going along smoothly as I was making my final adjustments. After way too many hours of frustration, I took my trike in pieces and brought it to my LBS. He called me the next day to say the derailer cage was too short. I looked at the box it came in and there were 2 stickers on there. Long cage and short cage. Obviously I got the short cage. I decided to stick with what I had and asked my LBS to change out the derailer to a Shimano XT and new Shimano barend shifters. Murphy's Law continued as the XT normal shifting derailer was out of stock everywhere. I brought in my old Shimano LX and asked to put in line cable adjusters so if and when I decide to get the XT I will be able to make the change myself. My LBS friend replaced my cables, housing, 2 in line adjusters for both front and rear, new barend shifters and did all my compulsive tweaks at a very reasonable cost. I am a very happy camper.
If you are in the Central Jersey Area and need a good reasonable expert bicycle mechanic I suggest you check out Van at The Bicycle Rack in Hightstown, NJ.

Maintenance and Repair

2011-04-13T11:37:00.001-04:00

Schwalbe Marathon Racer

Time for New Tires

Need Mirror and Grips

New Marathon Racer

New Mirrycle Mirror and Grips

New Sram 970 cassette and KMC Z 9 Chain

It has been a great cycling year with a record 5354 miles. Add Bike Florida with 3 days of rain and it has taken it's toll on parts. Time to change out some basic components like chain, cassette, mirror, grips and tires. Some cables and housing were done on BikeFL. I had received the parts ordered and decided to make repairs on Tuesday. It was a beautiful day and I wanted to get things done quickly. I got a 35 mile ride in to see how things faired. At first everything was great. Then about 1 mile into the ride I noticed problems with the 4th gear. It was not smooth and tended to slip and skip. I made frequent adjustments on the ride, but, just couldn't fix it. I decided to wait until I got home and could place it on my stand. No matter how hard I tried, the problem remained. I decided to put back the old cassette and low and behold the problem was gone. I realized my new Sram 970 cassette had a defective 4th cog. I boxed and returned to seller at no charge. I am now looking for a new cassette.
I have been a big fan of my inexpensive Tioga Comp Pool Tires. Unfortunately, they are no longer manufactured. I did much research and finally called UtahTrikes and asked their opinion. They recommended the Scwalbe Marathon Racer. They also run a perpetual sale on these tires at $25. I am quite pleased with the ride quality and I feel no difference than with my old Tioga tires.
I am also looking into changing the drivechain to Sram 1:1 Actuation as it is smoother shifting with little maintenance.
KEEP RIDING!!!

Back From Bike Florida

2011-04-02T11:32:00.002-04:00

On My Way

Home

Tent City

Goats

New ICE Sprint Full Suspension

Some Tour Easys

Catrike Expeditions. Cool Paint

Rest Stop

Moss On Tree

More Bents

Couple from Missouri On Catrike Roads

Band at Rest Stop

One of Florida's Beautiful Bike Paths

Diane on Left friend from Home. Linda on right new friend from North Carolina
High End Riders

One of Florida's Beautiful Springs

My Buddies for the week after the ride

Bike Florida was quite an adventure. Unfortunately, I road for 5 days instead of the full 7 days. I arrived on Saturday and had registered and had my tent set up by noon. The weather was hot in the mid 80's. I did the 35 miler which turned out to be more like 45 for the day. Sunday was again sunny and hot and I did the longer route for another 58 miles. Monday the weather changed and I got caught in some severe rain after the 1st rest stop. My new rain jacket and the fairing made riding in the rain fun. I decided to go for the longer route and did about 70 miles. The rain and clouds continued on Tuesday. I decided not to press my luck and did the short route for 40 miles. Wednesday the weather was again bad and they only allowed us to do the short route for 38 miles. I got back just in time to get the tent set up before it started to thunder, lightening and rain as depicted in the video. It was quite a storm. Thursday the weather was so severe they did not let us ride at all. 3 Tornado's touched down and there were reports of hail. They arranged bus transportation back to your car or to the next overnight. Since my things were so soggy and it would be only a 31 miler the next day I decided to end the ride and pick up my car. I still managed to get in about 251 total miles.
There were many recumbents including, Tour Easy, Longbike Slipstream, Vision, HP Street Machine, many Catrikes and a few ICE Trikes. Most riders were fast spandex types on their sub 20lb bikes, but there were many on hybrids too. The roads were mostly flat and rural and we went on some beautiful paved bike paths. Rest stops were spaced out about every 10-12 miles and were well stocked with PBnJ sandwiches, oranges, grapefruits, candy, water and Gatorade along with other items. The BikeFL staff was excellent.
I met some old friends from previous rides and more importantly made new friends. It doesn't matter what you ride, were you are from, what you do, or how old you are. We are all the same and love cycling.
If you have never done one of these type of events, I would highly recommend it. Where else can you wake up at 5 am, wait on line to do your business in a Porta-Jon, wait on another line to wash up, ride 50 plus miles in all kinds of weather, come back and set your tent up in the heat or rain, and wait again on line for a shower. Do this for 5-7 days and come home and say.
WHAT A GREAT TIME I HAD.

KEEP RIDING!!!

Heading South

2011-03-24T08:16:00.003-04:00

My bags are packed, I'm ready to go. I am heading south to BikeFlorida tomorrow. You can see by the photo that winter is still as stubborn as ever and refuses to leave. I have checked the weather in Gainesville and highs should be in the 80's with lows in the 50's. Looks like mostly sunshine but you never know in Florida. Shorts, sandals and wicking tees should cover me, but have added a few other items for early morning chill and possible rain.

I am especially looking forward to this trip and will report back on my return.

KEEP RIDING!!!

1 ST Leader Led Club Ride

2011-03-19T15:14:00.002-04:00

My bicycle club, Central Jersey Bike Club, has been going through a transition. New leadership, new innovative thinking to help increase membership but most importantly getting people excited about cycling. They sponsor 3 great events. The Farmlands Flat, Hillier than Thou and The Longest Day, a 200+ mile ride from the northern tip of NJ to the southern tip. They have a new on line news letter and have added their own forum for discussions. One of my favorite new creations is the addition of AD-HOC Rides. Instead of having to commit to leading rides 1-2 months in advance you can now add a ride in 1-2 days. Not wanting to ride alone today, I posted a ride the last minute yesterday. I got a couple of responses and we had a great 37 miler ride. This was not only my 1st leader led ride for 2011 but also for many years. CJBC is reinventing themselves and I hope to play a part.

Rocket Update

2011-03-11T13:37:00.003-05:00

After all the recent rain and flooding, I thought it best to take the Rocket for today's ride. To my surprise things dried up pretty well around here. There were just a few puddles and not the soggy soaked streets I expected. I am still experimenting with the Rocket. I find I do not use the 62 massive chainring much. I seem to stay more on the middle 52t ring and occasionally on steep climbs drop down to the small 42t ring. Rans actually took a double crankset and added spacers and a third chainring. I am thinking of moving the 52 ring to the outside and replacing the 42t with a 38t in the middle and returning it to a double. I believe the derailer will handle it and it will give me all the gears I need. I am really no faster on the Rocket than my Trike. I guess my initial speed increase was a result of my excitement of my new bike. The Rocket does offer height and portability which comes in handy at times. The seat height is a bit high for those vertically challenged and I find myself on my tippy toes at stops. Changing out the the seat to a Euromesh would greatly help, but it is not as much to my liking as the original Rans seat. It's a fun bike to play around with and has great potential. It will be interesting to see how and if it evolves.
KEEP RIDING!!!

Happy Belated Birthday

2011-03-09T17:59:00.005-05:00

For the past 9 years, I have been riding my age around my birthday. Being born in January makes this challenging in the northeast. Unfortunately, this January was covered in snow making it unsafe to ride. I always say, I will have to go to Florida next year to accomplish my goal. This year I opted to do BikeFlorida, a week long cycling tour at the end of this month instead. I bowed to the weather and let go of my birthday mileage goal. Today, 2 months later, I decided to go for it. The weather was not as expected. When I left for the ride, the sun went in, the winds intensified, and the temperatures dropped. Seemed like a typical January ride to me. With 15+ mph headwinds on the second half of the ride, I managed to make my 59 mile goal.
Happy Belated Birthday
KEEP RIDING!!!

Back From Vacation

2011-03-07T15:28:00.003-05:00

I just returned from a much needed vacation in the warm sunny Caribbean. 7 days of beautiful sunshine was a special delight after all our snow even without cycling. Yesterday it rained making it a non cycling day. Today was in the 40's with gusting winds over 20 mph. I managed to run a few errands by bike and got in 10 miles. More of a delight was playing with my grandson and pulling him along in my trailer. Picture and sound quality are from my phone. I will have to get these bent legs back in shape as I am heading to BikeFL at the end of the month.

KEEP RIDING!!!

15,000 Miles On My ICE T

2011-02-24T16:03:00.000-05:00

I purchased the trike in June of 06 from Hugh of PBW bikes in California. It is now just short of 5 years and I have hit the 15k mark. Over 5300 miles was done last year alone. This has worked out to be a fantastic purchase and remains my favorite ride in my stable. The trike rides like the day I got it requiring mostly maintenance. There were a few unique requirements that both Hugh at PBW and ICE graciously helped me with at little or no charge. One thing in particular recently was while doing routine maintenance on my home made stand. The wind blew my trike off the stand. It turned out the only damage was a bent axle hub bolt. The wheel that Hugh rebuilt for me at a cost of parts and shipping only remained true. ICE graciously sent me a new bolt at no charge. You can't beat that.
I did have a Rans Stratus with over 20k miles that I sold which also stood the test.
To me these well developed Bent Manufactures are providing quality products with personal service.

New Emergency Repair Items Added

2011-02-17T16:01:00.000-05:00

After my disasterest broken chain event last Monday, I decided to add a few items to carry in case of emergency field repairs. The items I added are 3 pair vinyl gloves, for obvious reasons. Two sets of Sram Master links for quick chain reattachment. Two pieces of coat hanger wire to hold the chain together while I make link repairs. A small chain tool which I always carried, but, hoped I would never have to use. I posted my Murphy's Law Day on BROL and got lots of feedback. Besides the gloves, which was obvious, the coat hanger to hold the chain together like a 3 rd hand seems ingenious. Having a chain tool and making repairs off the bike is easy. Using a Master Link to reattach the chain on the bike is much easier than using the chain tool. The added items account for minimal weight and should serve as a quicker and easier chain repair both in the field and at home.

Broke My Chain

2011-02-14T14:05:00.000-05:00

The weather here has finally broke and so did my chain. Temps heading into the low 50's and pure sunshine. I decided to take things slow but thought this would be a good 50 miler day. 11 miles into the ride on a climb, something pops and I'm spinning aimlessly. I get off my trike, look down, and there it is behind me on the ground. My chain. OH SHIT comes the famous call. I am out in rural NJ and my wife is out and probably doesn't have her phone on. Fortunately I had a inexpensive small chain tool with me. Not something I always carry but will from now on. Too say the least it was quite challenging and took me 1.5 hrs. I have changed my chains on many occasions, but not in the field. Much easier on a stand in a controlled environment. The biggest challenge is threading the chain properly through the chain tubes I finally manged to get everything together only to find the tubes were crossed. No big deal as I was able to pedal, just with caution. I made it home slowly with no other hazards. Putting the trike on the stand and using the Sram quick links I was able to untwist the tubes and all works fine. The grease on my hands make take another month to scrub off.
KEEP RIDING!!!

Take the whole lane when appropriate.

2011-02-12T14:17:00.000-05:00

This information is reprinted with permision from Michael Bluejay and his site Bike Safe
It's often safer to take the whole lane, or at least ride a little bit to the left, rather than hug the right curb. Here's why:
Cars at intersections ahead of you can see you better if you're squarely in the road rather than on the extreme edge where you're easily overlooked.
Taking the lane prevents cars from passing you too closely on narrow roadways.
Riding a bit to the left prevents you from being a victim of the door prize.
You might worry about slowing down the traffic behind you if you take the lane. But if you're on the kind of street where you've got cars blocked up behind you or constantly changing lanes to get around you, you're probably on the wrong street and should find a quieter neighborhood street.
Taking the lane works especially well in most traffic circles. The traffic generally moves slower so it's easy to keep up, riding in the lane makes you more visible to motorists, and taking the lane prevents motorists from right hooking you as they exit the circle.
It's perfectly legal for you to take the lane when appropriate. State Law says you have to ride as far to the right as is "practicable". Here are some things that make it impracticable to ride to the extreme right:
You're in a heavy traffic area with lots of side streets, parking lots, or driveways ahead and to your right. Cars turning left won't see you because they're looking for traffic in the middle of the road, not on the extreme edge of the road. Move left.
Cars are passing you too closely. If the lane is too narrow for cars to pass you safely, then move left and take the whole lane. Getting buzzed by cars is dangerous.
Cars are parked on the right-hand side of the road. If you ride too close to these you're gonna get doored when someone gets out of their car. Move left.
There are risks to both riding to the extreme right as well as taking the lane. Whether you ride to the right or take the lane depends on the conditions of the roadway you're on. On wide roadways with few intersections/driveways, right further right. On narrow roads with lots of intersections, ride farther to the left. It's not always better to take the lane or to hug the curb; it depends on the roadway you're on.

Finally Rode My Trike Today

2011-02-12T13:57:00.000-05:00

With temps beginning to thaw and road shoulders clearing I decided it was time to take my trusted steed for a spin. I have been off to a slow start with only 8 rides and just under 200 miles for the year. I thought it might be a sloppy ride as the temps were to be in the upper 30's. My concerns were unfounded. Low lying clouds and winds over 20 mph prevented any quick melting. I did the same oval loop I did yesterday with my Rocket. Half the ride into the wind the other half at my back. I was 0.4 mph slower on the trike than my Rocket. I guess the fairing really helps with those head winds. Anyway, it was a real joy to get back out there on my trike. The Rocket is a nice re-addition to my stable and all my bikes have their place, but my ICE T remains my favorite.
KEEP RIDING!!!

Super Bowl Sunday

2011-02-06T14:22:00.000-05:00

The Gods have smiled upon me today. The warm wet rains of yesterday helped reduce the mountains of snow. Today brought warm temps in the upper 30's and plenty of sunshine. I managed to get in a 32 miler on one of my favorite routes. Although I so desperately want to ride my trike I dare not. The roads are still not fully open and melting snow has created rivers. The Rocket is still the bike of choice for now. It's nimble handling allows me to maneuver around pot holes and gives me that little extra space between cars. It's higher seating helps keep me drier. I am very happy I installed the rear fender and will probably add a front one also. The Rocket makes for a great commuter and fowl weather bike and has many other great attributes. Some of the reasons I regretted selling mine in the first place. I still have some ideas and tweaking I want to do, but need some better weather to proceed.
I have registered for BikeFL and will be taking my ICE T.
My ride today was like getting back in the saddle. I finally broke 100 miles for the year. Slow and steady wins the race.
KEEP RIDING!!!

I Finally Did IT

2011-02-04T16:13:00.000-05:00

I was finally able to get out today for a 22 mile ride. Temps were supposed to be in the low to mid 30's. After painting the kitchen I had more errands to run. I finished up about 12:30 and decided the temps would be as warm as they were going to get. Although ice patches make taking the trike better, I decided because of the high snow banks and minimal shoulders that it would be better to take the Rocket. Sitting up higher and having a better line of sight for both me and drivers seemed like the safer way to go. I had decided I wouldn't put fenders on the Rocket, but, after my last wet ride and cleaning off my new bag, back and bike, I changed my mind. I had an old rear fender and adapted it to my Rocket. To my surprise in spite of the warmer temps, I found few puddles. There was still quite a lot of ice patches and the snow had a glistening hard sheen. I suspect even though the temps were above freezing the cold coming off the existing snow made it colder. Having said all that, I must point out, that I am not a cold weather weeny. It is the massive amounts of snow that has made cycling impossible for this enthusiast. I am hoping that we will get rain instead of snow so some of this will melt away. One can only hope.
KEEP RIDING!!!

Can't Take It Anymore

2011-02-01T15:09:00.001-05:00

This years Winter Blues have really gotten to me. I have only been on my bike 3 times since the first of the year. I need someting to cling to and keep me going through these toughest of times. My 1st act of passion was to register for GOBA. This is a 7 day ride in Ohio with about 3,000 cyclists. I have done this ride twice. It is well organized, relatively inexpensive and I have made a lot of great friends. The weather is usually good and the routes are casually paced with many rest stops. This ride starts at the end of June so I needed something sooner to keep me going. Today I registered for BikeFlorida. This is another 7 day tour that begins March 26. It also is well organized, relatively inexpensive and hosts up to 1,000 riders. I too have done this event twice. I stopped going on this ride as it is early in the season and the rides generally run more north. It tends to be a bit chilly sleeping in a tent and doesn't warm up to the 70's until about 10 am. Being a 2 day and 1000 mile drive for me it didn't make much sense driving all that way and still be cold. With all this snow and cold weather those temps seem pretty good. I am better prepared for those cooler temps in Florida than I was before. I will take warmer clothes for the nights and bring some shedding clothes for the spring like temps in the day. It's been years since I have done these event rides and I am looking forward to leaving my cares and woes at home and just enjoying the ride.
KEEP RIDING!!!

Winter Blues

2011-01-19T15:49:00.000-05:00

This year has started off very tough for cycling. The weather has not cooperated with sub freezing temps and snow. I was not even able to do my birthday miles. I had a 2 day window of doable weather to ride but, unfortunately, I came down with a severe cold that left me house bound for quite a few days. Since then nothing but more cold, wind, snow, and freezing rain. Today the sun peaked out in the afternoon and temps were below freezing. I had enough and decided to take the Rocket out for a quick 16 miler. After not riding for 2 weeks I found myself way out of shape. The never ending snow is melting leaving rivers of water. I may end up putting fenders on the Rocket. After returning home and cleaning up the bike and myself, I was glad I had the opportunity to get out. Tomorrow the weather again begins to change and more snow and colder temps are predicted. If not for other commitments, I would be heading south for a bicycle retreat.

KEEP RIDING!!!

"NJ Lawmaker Backs Off Requiring Bike Licenses"

2011-01-13T13:34:00.000-05:00

The Associated press reported,
"A New Jersey lawmaker has withdrawn a hastily introduced bill to require all bicycles in the state to display a license plate.
Assemblywoman Cleopatra Tucker was getting deep criticism for her proposed law that would have required riders or their parents would pay $10 a year to register their bikes with the Division of Motor Vehicles -- or be subject to fines of $100.
Tucker told the Star-Ledger of Newark that she proposed the bill because senior citizens called her to complain about children on bikes. The seniors told her they had been knocked down but had no way to register a complaint because they couldn't identify the rider.
She withdrew the measure Thursday, saying she would instead look for other ways to protect older pedestrians".
I would like to believe that the information and support from members of Bentrideronline, emails sent to Assemblywomen Cleopatra Tucker, many NJ bike clubs, and The League of American Bicyclists contributed and lead to the reversal of this ridiculous bill.
Strength in numbers.
KEEP RIDING!!!

Registration for Bicycles in New Jersey

2011-01-12T11:37:00.000-05:00

ASSEMBLY, No. 3657
STATE OF NEW JERSEY
214th LEGISLATURE
Assemblywoman CLEOPATRA G. TUCKER
INTRODUCED JANUARY 6, 2011

This bill would require bicycles ridden on public highways or lands to be registered with the Motor Vehicle Commission and display license plates. Bicycle registrations would be valid for two years, and the commission could charge up to $10 as an annual registration fee to defray the costs of the program. The bill specifies that if the owner of a bicycle is under 15 years of age, the owners parent or guardian may register it in their stead.
Under the bill, a person who violates any of the bicycle registration provisions would be subject to a fine up to $100 for each offense. In addition, the bill authorizes the chief administrator to suspend or revoke a bicycle registration for any violation of the laws, rules, or regulations regarding their operation.
It seems Assemblywoman CLEOPATRA G. TUCKER has nothing better to do but impose a sneaky tax on cyclists by proposing a registration for bicycles in the State of NJ. Why doesn't she spend the time encouraging cycling as a cost effective, energy saving and healthy means of transportation.

Rocket Upgrades

2011-01-10T11:49:00.000-05:00

It's been difficult trying to tweak the Rocket as the weather has not been cooperating. We have had a lot of snow and there is more to come tomorrow. I didn't pay a lot for the bike and I don't want to over invest. I need to get some serious riding in so I can see what I like and what might need to be changed. I cleaned it up a bit, changed the hand grips, replaced a brake cable and housing, changed out the rear cassette to a 11/32(nice spacing) and just added a upper chain tube. It is so nice not worrying about grease stains. I just took it for a short spin around the block a few times. Everything worked fine. I could feel my leg hitting the chain tube at times, but no worry of tattoos or grease on clothes. I also did not feel any added drag. I run with the original chain tubes on my trike and would not ride without them. I also ordered a Arkel Recumbent Seat Bag which should be here any day. I don't want to add any fenders or racks and this bag seemed just right for carrying tools and shedding clothes.
I am going a little stir crazy with the weather. Too many icy patches for 2 wheels. The trike is generally perfect for these conditions but the roads have not been fully cleared, leaving little shoulder room.
Hoping to
KEEP RIDING!!!

Bicycling Magazine

2011-01-08T11:33:00.000-05:00

As a member of The League of American Bicyclists you get 1 year free subscription to Bicycling Magazine. I had stopped my subscription well over 8 years ago as I found little of interest for me. I just received 2 copies and decided to read the January/February issue last night. It consisted of 96 pages not including the front and back cover. Pages 1-9 table of contents and advertisements, about 10%. 39 of the 96 pages were full page ads, about 40%. There were a total of 15 articles which amounted to about 15.5% of the total magazine.
The best article for me was Solutions to Maintenance Issues. I did learn you can check chain wear from putting it on the small chain ring and rocking. Most other maintenance issues were basic knowledge for experienced cyclists. The magazine does cater more to the Hammerhead type. Train Smarter, Climb Stronger, The Ultimate 5 Minute Winter Workout and Breakfast for Cyclists. There is a 5 page article on Puerto Rico by Bike. After spending less than an hour reading this issue I realized why I no longer subscribe. Too bad it's nice holding a paper in you hand as opposed to a computer screen. I guess at the promotional rate of $1 an issue including shipping you can't go wrong. For me it offers little of interest.
Just my $.02

Rocketing In The New Year 1/1/11

2011-01-01T15:48:00.000-05:00

I finished a great 32 mile New Years Day ride on my new used Rans Rocket. Although it is not quite tweaked out yet it performed beautifully. It took some time to get used to, but, as the mileage increased so did my speed. I found it more stable than I remembered. I was 2.5 mph faster than on my trike and 2 mph faster than my Fuji Tourer, at about the same weight. It is still early to assess it's speed and riding qualities. The Rans seat that I always found most comfortable gave me some recumbent butt. I am using different muscles than on my trike. Time and further adjustments will be the true answer. Shifting was on the money. Braking was as I remembered. poor and squealing. The tweener type bars on this bike vs. the Hamster type on my old bike are far more stable. It has Schwalbe Marathon Racer tires which I find quite fast and at 80 psi can be a little jarring over major bumps. Not sure if it is the tires or the bike. Overall I find it a nice inexpensive addition to my stable.
Happy New Year
KEEP RIDING!!!

2010 Stats-Outstanding

2010-12-31T08:14:00.000-05:00

                                              2010         2009        2008       2007
Total miles                            5354         3185        2861       3328
Total rides                             183           126           108         109
Average speed                       10.3          10.5          11           11
Average miles per ride            29.3          25.3         26.5        30.5
Bikejournal rating                    655           1643        1968       1516
Bentrider ranking                      17              49             76          76

Old New Rocket

2010-12-29T14:25:00.000-05:00

I have had some sellers regret and one of them was my 01 Rocket. It served me well with it's easy transport, versatility, and light weight. I took it on all my camping trips and it was the bike my son used on those rare bonding moments, like The 5 Boro Bike NY, BikeVa and our self-contained 4 day tour around southern NJ. It was my love affair with trikes that prompted me to sell off my other bikes. I have been eyeing this baby for the last month on Craigslist and finally decided to make an offer. The seller and his wife turned out to be avid ICE T riders like myself. As proud as I am of my 5350 miles for the year I was astonished that his wife had over 6,000 mi for the year and he had over 3k while working full time. It was wonderful meeting these great folks and was worth the 4 hr drive.
I have some changes I would like to do, like gearing and maybe adding a chain tube to avoid those chain tattoos I recall. I have some other ideas but as you can see by the weather, I won't be doing any immediate riding. I need to putter about for a while and see what flows. I am excited with my new project and look forward to it's evolution.
KEEP RIDING!!!

Let It Snow

2010-12-27T13:27:00.000-05:00

Looks like we didn't get the snow storm after all. We got the Blizzard instead. 18 plus inches.
Try and
KEEP RIDING!!!

But Baby It's Cold Outside

2010-12-25T14:27:00.000-05:00

Yesterday, Christmas Eve Day, I did 23 utility miles running errands. It was a bit windy but otherwise a balmy day in the mid 30's. Within the 1st 3 miles I was obnoxiously honked at 3 times. There were many cars on the road and people were in a rush. I was not feeling the love. It seemed that all drivers were The Grinch. I realized quickly I had to keep a sharp eye out in order to remain safe. I completed the day without incidence. Today, Christmas Day, I decided to relax awhile at home before venturing out for a ride. Finally, late morning, I hit the road. It was cold and cloudy with temps in the mid 20's, but with little wind. 7 miles into the ride my hands and body started to warm up, unfortunately, my toes started to get cold. It was a bit eerie as most stores were closed and there were few cars on the road. As the ride progressed more cars appeared, but there was a calmness about. After 26 miles the only honk I heard was someone gratefully asking me for directions and wishing me a happy holiday.
A safe and Happy Holiday to all.
KEEP RIDING!!!

Tough Time

2010-12-17T14:13:00.000-05:00

I finally got out after 6 days for a 25 miler. The weather has turned bitterly cold and windy for these bones. Today what I thought was to be a milder day turned out extremely chilly. The weather said it was going to be in the 30's with light winds and sunny. What I found was grey skies and winds gusting over 11 mph and temps in the mid 20's. You just don't know what to expect this time of year. It's tough for a guy like me who needs to get out and ride. It's not even officially Winter yet. I can't imagine how your folks further north and into Canada handle it. Lets hope for a short mild winter.
Keep riding!!!

Change Up

2010-12-12T13:10:00.000-05:00

I decided it was time for a face lift. Not only in my blog design, but in my cycling outlook. It is true that I have become a recumbent enthusiast over the last 10+ years. More importantly, I have realized that cycling in general is what gets my juices flowing. I own a Dahon folder, Fuji tourer and my ICE trike at present and enjoy each one. I have sellers remorse over previously owned bikes. I hope to acquire different designed bikes when possible. I enjoy riding by myself, riding with friends in my club, and just leaving my car and using my bike to get wherever I need to go. When I rediscovered cycling over 20 years ago my favorite thing was to explore roads I never traveled and see what adventure laid ahead. My love is in the ride not what I ride. I recently joined The League of American Bicyclists and hope to take a class on becoming a certified instructor on safe cycling. My goal is to open peoples minds to the joy of cycling.
KEEP RIDING!!!

BURRR!!!

2010-12-06T14:59:00.000-05:00

Yesterday stayed home recovering from in-laws, children and grandchildren holiday weekend. Priceless!Today, I had to get out, in spite of the cold. Temps freezing around 32 with wind gusts over 22 mph, making it feel like low 20's. Grey skies with some flurries. Not the kind of day to get you excited for a ride. The sun did show it's face for a few minutes, but not long enough to do my intended 32 mile ride. 28 miles is what it turned out to be. I was happy to get home to a hot shower. It's a tough time for us die-hard cyclists.
KEEP RIDING!!!

Here We Go Again

2010-12-03T12:53:00.000-05:00

Today I was stopped by 2 motorists who said I should use a orange flag and wear orange clothing.
I already look like Sherlock Holmes with my new hat. I guess I have to add an orange nose and wig so I can look like Bozo the clown. Then maybe I will get better noticed.

I Did It 5,000 Miles

2010-11-25T16:06:00.000-05:00

I did it. Hit 5,000 miles for 2010 on Thanksgiving Day. This is an epic event. It is the most amount of miles I have ever done since I have been recording my annual mileage. My goal has always been 3,000 but this year has gone well beyond my wildest expectations. I still have one month to go so it will be even more exciting see what my final results will be.

keep riding!!!

Just A Rant

2010-11-19T22:14:00.005-05:00

Today was the 2nd time this week I was told, by a driver, I was difficult to see. Both times I was riding my ICE T trike. It is by know means small. It sits a bit higher as it is a touring model and I do ride with flags. It's not much smaller than a Mini Cooper or a Smart car. What really upset me today was while riding down Prodelin Way in Millstone (one of the most unfriendly cycling roads I ever came across). An older women drove up beside me will I was doing 12mph, rolls down her passenger window and proceeds to tell me how difficult I am to see. She is telling this to my face, while driving, holding up traffic behind her, and obviously not paying any attention to the road ahead. I said thank you and prayed she would move on before someone got hurt.
It seems to me the problem is not that I am difficult to see, it's that drivers are not paying enough attention to the road. They are driving big gas guzzling SUVs that they can hardly see over the hood, talking or texting on their cell phone, putting on make-up, eating, lighting a cigarette or racing to the next light. I have been an avid cyclist for over 20 years. I have had more close calls on 2 wheels than 3. I don't believe motorists are out to kill cyclist. They just want to get as close as possible to scare the shit out of you so you will stay off "their" roads. Riding a trike does not give them that ability to safely judge how close they are so they have to give you a wider berth. I'll take a trike on the road and feel safer than any 2 wheeler.
"Preaching to the choir"
KEEP RIDING!!!

Interestesting Comparison

2010-11-13T13:55:00.000-05:00

Today I took my Fuji DF for my typical 32 mile loop. I just added a cyclometer, but it has no average speed. Fortunately, I am good in math, so I divided the time by distance to get my average speed. To my surprise I was just 1/4-1/2mph faster than on my Trike. This really amazed me because my Fuji weighs 34# with accessories while my faired ICE T trike weighs a whooping 52#. You would think the 18# difference would transcribe into a much faster time. Apparently, the aerodynamics of the trike is far more important, not to mention the comfort benefits. I'm sure if I road a sub 20# bike I would be much faster, but that is not in my financial future. I do believe my next bike will be a stripped down speedster designed only for fast club rides. In the meantime, I will continue to do utility miles and just ride for pleasure. When I want company I will have to find slow club riders.
KEEP RIDING!!!