ROAM

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

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

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

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

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

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

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!!!