Terrific Tuesday

Today's Boring GPS/APRS bicycle-track
I was squeezing my tires this morning just before leaving for work.  Better to deal with flats close to home and the lovely air compressor....  I noticed a spider web across the front tire and brushed it off.  I then noticed spider webbing all over the handlebars and front of the bike.  Some spider had crawled all the way up from the ground, up to the bike rack on the back of the car,, and all over the handlebars.  As I brushed the rest of the mess away, a LARGE hairy spider, about 1 inch across, popped out from under the left brake lever on the handlebar, acting upset for some reason that I'd torn up his artwork.  I poked around him trying to squish him but he popped out of sight and disappeared.  He'll probably reappear tomorrow.... we'll see.
Each morning for the last week the city's feverish preparations for the International Balloon Fiesta, mere days hence, are evidenced everywhere.  The Jersey Bounce concrete barriers that block the flow of traffic from the extreme northern end of Jefferson Street are cast aside.  The gates are open, awaiting the already-full flow of RV's into their coveted parking spots right next to the balloon launch field.  This eases cyclists' passage through the area, as well, but we know it will soon be blocked off by bureaucracy and barriers.  The "MultiPurpose Trail" will be cordoned off to form a parking lot for bikes instead of a passageway.  After all, only a dozen or so riders use this path on a daily basis.  Why should the Balloon Fiesta be bothered with accommodating us?  Unless, of course, we take vacation days and decide to pay entry fees for the Balloon Fiesta... which still will not allow you to get THROUGH the park on your way somewhere else.  And, of course, all roads and streets will be clogged with impossible traffic making cycling difficult in trying to find alternative routes.  BAH - I do like Balloon Fiesta, though.  There are actually at least a few hot air balloons in the air almost every morning year round, but the spectacle of hundreds of them all over the sky and surrounding parking lots during the world's largest balloon festival is very cool.
Awakening BG: 219 (!)           Post-Ride BG:  83
Beginning Battery Voltage: 12.7       Ending Voltage: 12.6 (Back to the charged gel-cell today) 
Morning Stats from the GPS:        Total Miles:   7.43
Overall average speed         Moving Avg       Max Speed
10.9. Mph                          11.8 mph             21.9 mph
Total Trip time                 Moving Time          Stopped Time
40:59 mins                      37:51 mins              03 mins 7 secs
Today was a great example of a not-promising weather day turning into great riding conditions.  The early morning ride was sunny and cool, though warmer than the last few days.  This afternoon it got very dark and threatening and it looked for all the world like I would get soaked on the ride back to the car.  It did rain in the East Mountains and at home, but none fell at work in spite of the dark and gloominess and the ride back, though windy at times, was on dry pavement.
Pre-Home Ride BG: 43            Post-Ride BG:  178 (After pigging out on crab-apple choc chip bread dough)
Beginning Battery Voltage: 12.7       Ending Voltage: 12.7 (Love that Gel Cell Battery, in spite of weight) 
Evening Stats from the GPS:        Total Miles:   7.43
Overall average speed         Moving Avg       Max Speed
09.7. Mph                          10.4 mph            23.8 mph
Total Trip time                 Moving Time          Stopped Time
45:59 mins                       43:00 mins             02 mins 59 secs