I'm Back!!!





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

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



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

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

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




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



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!!!