Am I Nuts?

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?

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

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

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'

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

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



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!!!