32 miles of fun as the sun came up...
Jacque and I are attending a political meeting for a local candidate tonight, so she offered to pick me up after work if I wanted to ride the recumbent bike all the way to work again...... OH YEAH.. Sign me up.
Had to bundle up a bit, since it was 45 degrees at the house when I left. When I got down off the nasty bumpy rutted rock-strewn dirt road and up onto the pavement, I quickly became a bit overheated and had to remove the outer layers. These stayed off as I labored the next 3 miles up the long slow hill south towards Tijeras.
When I finally crested the dreaded Marco Polo Hill (so called after a pizzeria that used to live there) I stopped for a water and oxygen break and re-clothed myself with my felt skullcap and windbreaker for the several miles of downhill in the ebbing darkness, at speeds occasionally over 30 MPH.
Almost every time I ride this route there seems to be ONE vehicle that takes offense at my being in their private, reserved-for-high-speed-only vehicles, and I've never seen the same vehicle do it twice: Crowd me as though to scare me off the road and up into the curb or weeds. Today it wasn't the usual school bus or Hybrid Save-the-World Carrito: It was a large white 4WD pickup of the Ford or Chevrolet lineage. I am old enough to remember when it was easy to tell different brands of autos apart. Now they all seem bent on copying each other very closely, especially when it comes to lowly passenger cars. Anyway, to the thoughtful driver who deliberately crowded me this morning: May the Bird of Paradise Fly Up Your...... Nose. Enjoy the hundred or more bucks each tank of diesel costs you, and I'll continue to enjoy my methane powered bicycle.
As usual, when I got to work I was beat, but after a shower and a couple hours breathing normally I am feelling supercharged.
Awakening BG: 107 Post-Ride BG: 244 (forgot to pump for the extra carbs I ate this morning)
Beginning Battery Voltage: 12.6 Ending Voltage: 12.4
Morning Stats from the GPS: Total Miles: 31.8
Overall average speed Moving Avg Max Speed
14.1. Mph 15.4 mph 39.4 mph
Total Trip time Moving Time Stopped Time
2 hours 45 mins 2 hrs 25 mins 20 mins 7 secs
Friday, September 30, 2011
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Less Whiney Thursday
Seldom-Changing GPS/APRS tracking of the Beat-Up Bike
Well, the overwhelming sentiment of condolence from all my many friends, family, and associates as to my horrifying discovery of the mortality of my eyeballs has been: GET OVER IT. BIG DEAL. .....Been there, Done That, etc, etc. Thus I remain refreshed and renewed.
Balloon Fiesta 2011 starts in 24 more hours. Most days of the year I see at least a few hot air balloons out to the west as I ride to work, but lately they've been hovering very close to the balloon fiesta park, which I ride through every day on the last leg of my bicycle commute.
This short video is of a balloon hauling maybe 12 or more passengers, obviously a tour balloon. Usually the basket will only hold 2 or 3 people including the pilot. You'll have to squint to see the many heads peering over the basket:
Awakening BG: 170 Post-Ride BG: 88
Beginning Battery Voltage: 12.9 Ending Voltage: 12.7
Morning Stats from the GPS: Total Miles: 7.38
Overall average speed Moving Avg Max Speed
10.1. Mph 11.4 mph 21.3 mph
Total Trip time Moving Time Stopped Time
43:59 mins 38:52 mins 05 mins 7 secs
The ride back to the car in the evenings gets darker and darker. For the last few evenings it has still been blue-sky and sunlight when I get off work and make ready to ride back, slop on the sunscreen, etc. -Then, by the time I'm actually riding, the afternoon sun is low on the horizon and sinks to darkness before I'm halfway back to the car. Soon I won't need sunscreen at all, but will start consuming a lot more AAA batteries since that's what my headlamp and blinky tail lights run on .
Pre-Home Ride BG: 174 Post-Ride BG: Unk
Beginning Battery Voltage: 12.7 Ending Voltage: 12.7 (Gel Cell Good)
Evening Stats from the GPS: Total Miles: 6.34
Overall average speed Moving Avg Max Speed
09.5. Mph 10.1 mph 24.5 mph
Total Trip time Moving Time Stopped Time
39:59 mins 37:30 mins 02 mins 29 secs
Well, the overwhelming sentiment of condolence from all my many friends, family, and associates as to my horrifying discovery of the mortality of my eyeballs has been: GET OVER IT. BIG DEAL. .....Been there, Done That, etc, etc. Thus I remain refreshed and renewed.
Balloon Fiesta 2011 starts in 24 more hours. Most days of the year I see at least a few hot air balloons out to the west as I ride to work, but lately they've been hovering very close to the balloon fiesta park, which I ride through every day on the last leg of my bicycle commute.
This short video is of a balloon hauling maybe 12 or more passengers, obviously a tour balloon. Usually the basket will only hold 2 or 3 people including the pilot. You'll have to squint to see the many heads peering over the basket:
Awakening BG: 170 Post-Ride BG: 88
Beginning Battery Voltage: 12.9 Ending Voltage: 12.7
Morning Stats from the GPS: Total Miles: 7.38
Overall average speed Moving Avg Max Speed
10.1. Mph 11.4 mph 21.3 mph
Total Trip time Moving Time Stopped Time
43:59 mins 38:52 mins 05 mins 7 secs
The ride back to the car in the evenings gets darker and darker. For the last few evenings it has still been blue-sky and sunlight when I get off work and make ready to ride back, slop on the sunscreen, etc. -Then, by the time I'm actually riding, the afternoon sun is low on the horizon and sinks to darkness before I'm halfway back to the car. Soon I won't need sunscreen at all, but will start consuming a lot more AAA batteries since that's what my headlamp and blinky tail lights run on .
Pre-Home Ride BG: 174 Post-Ride BG: Unk
Beginning Battery Voltage: 12.7 Ending Voltage: 12.7 (Gel Cell Good)
Evening Stats from the GPS: Total Miles: 6.34
Overall average speed Moving Avg Max Speed
09.5. Mph 10.1 mph 24.5 mph
Total Trip time Moving Time Stopped Time
39:59 mins 37:30 mins 02 mins 29 secs
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Bummer. Getting Old Sucks
The usual trip-tracking plot, battery evidently dying
I rode to work late this morning due to my annual eye exam which was scheduled at 8:00 AM.
The verdict for years now has invariably been:" In Spite of your Diabetes, I Can't Find Anything Wrong wth Your Eyes!!
...Not this time. The verdict of "Cataracts" was not at all what I expected or wanted to hear. But now I think about it, it is not that much of a surprise. For months before LAST year's exam I noticed my eyesight was changing, and dramatically: My left eye was losing the ability to see at a distance without glasses and my right eye was losing the ability to see up close without reading glasses. The eye exam then resulted in "NO PROBLEMS FOUND!" - Which was pleasant to hear, but the prescribed glasses lasted only a few months before they no longer worked with my still changing visual acuity, and they were EXPENSIVE of course.
So in spite of the optometrist finding nothing wrong, the eyeballs were still in a state of flux. In the last few months I've noticed increasing blurriness. So in spite of being terribly disappointed at the news, I realize it's surely been coming on. The Doc claims most diabetics develop cataracts at a much earlier age than I have.
I go back in 6 months to get another update, to get a better guess at when my left eye (the really bad one currently) will require the eventual surgery.
I've not enjoyed the day much since then.... the dilating solution he put in my eyes always seems to take forever to wear off so that everything isn't washed out and bleary looking and providing a faint headache as a result, in spite of wearing my bike-safety-sungoggles.
The ride home quickly turned into a sundown/dark ride, very nice and just cooling enough to be very pleasant.
Pre-Home Ride BG: 96 Post-Ride BG: 52 (! - Ate an Oatmeal Bar)
Beginning Battery Voltage: 12.7 Ending Voltage: 10.9 (Gel Cell Dead, Now on AA NiCad pack)
Evening Stats from the GPS: Total Miles: 7.46
Overall average speed Moving Avg Max Speed
09.5. Mph 11.5 mph 22.1 mph
Total Trip time Moving Time Stopped Time
46:59 mins 38:57 mins 08 mins 2 secs
I rode to work late this morning due to my annual eye exam which was scheduled at 8:00 AM.
The verdict for years now has invariably been:" In Spite of your Diabetes, I Can't Find Anything Wrong wth Your Eyes!!
...Not this time. The verdict of "Cataracts" was not at all what I expected or wanted to hear. But now I think about it, it is not that much of a surprise. For months before LAST year's exam I noticed my eyesight was changing, and dramatically: My left eye was losing the ability to see at a distance without glasses and my right eye was losing the ability to see up close without reading glasses. The eye exam then resulted in "NO PROBLEMS FOUND!" - Which was pleasant to hear, but the prescribed glasses lasted only a few months before they no longer worked with my still changing visual acuity, and they were EXPENSIVE of course.
So in spite of the optometrist finding nothing wrong, the eyeballs were still in a state of flux. In the last few months I've noticed increasing blurriness. So in spite of being terribly disappointed at the news, I realize it's surely been coming on. The Doc claims most diabetics develop cataracts at a much earlier age than I have.
I go back in 6 months to get another update, to get a better guess at when my left eye (the really bad one currently) will require the eventual surgery.
I've not enjoyed the day much since then.... the dilating solution he put in my eyes always seems to take forever to wear off so that everything isn't washed out and bleary looking and providing a faint headache as a result, in spite of wearing my bike-safety-sungoggles.
The ride home quickly turned into a sundown/dark ride, very nice and just cooling enough to be very pleasant.
Pre-Home Ride BG: 96 Post-Ride BG: 52 (! - Ate an Oatmeal Bar)
Beginning Battery Voltage: 12.7 Ending Voltage: 10.9 (Gel Cell Dead, Now on AA NiCad pack)
Evening Stats from the GPS: Total Miles: 7.46
Overall average speed Moving Avg Max Speed
09.5. Mph 11.5 mph 22.1 mph
Total Trip time Moving Time Stopped Time
46:59 mins 38:57 mins 08 mins 2 secs
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
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
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
Datum Entries
No time, just entering GPS data from Monday:
Awakening BG: 321 (!) Post-Ride BG: 400(!) (Changed infusion sites for the insulin pump)
Beginning Battery Voltage: 12.6 Ending Voltage: 12.2 (Used the AA Nicad pack today instead of the gel-cell)
Morning Stats from the GPS: Total Miles: 7.49
Overall average speed Moving Avg Max Speed
09.7. Mph 11.7 mph 27.0 mph
Total Trip time Moving Time Stopped Time
45:58 mins 37:59 mins 07 mins 59 secs
Pre-Home Ride BG: 132 Post-Ride BG: 88
Beginning Battery Voltage: 12.7 Ending Voltage: 12.6
Evening Stats from the GPS: Total Miles: 7.49
Overall average speed Moving Avg Max Speed
09.7. Mph 11.7 mph 27.0 mph
Total Trip time Moving Time Stopped Time
45:58 mins 37:59 mins 07 mins 59 secs
Awakening BG: 321 (!) Post-Ride BG: 400(!) (Changed infusion sites for the insulin pump)
Beginning Battery Voltage: 12.6 Ending Voltage: 12.2 (Used the AA Nicad pack today instead of the gel-cell)
Morning Stats from the GPS: Total Miles: 7.49
Overall average speed Moving Avg Max Speed
09.7. Mph 11.7 mph 27.0 mph
Total Trip time Moving Time Stopped Time
45:58 mins 37:59 mins 07 mins 59 secs
Pre-Home Ride BG: 132 Post-Ride BG: 88
Beginning Battery Voltage: 12.7 Ending Voltage: 12.6
Evening Stats from the GPS: Total Miles: 7.49
Overall average speed Moving Avg Max Speed
09.7. Mph 11.7 mph 27.0 mph
Total Trip time Moving Time Stopped Time
45:58 mins 37:59 mins 07 mins 59 secs
Friday, September 23, 2011
Late Thursday Report
Thursday Track After Battery Charge
Yesterday was Another uneventful day of riding the last 7 miles to work and back. I'd hoped to get in another 32 miler one-way ride this week but the schedules between Jacque and me didn't work out. This day, Friday,. we'll be spending at the State Fair smelling the wonderful mixture of horse poop and fried Snickers bars amongst other treats we'll partake of, including the wonderful Navajo Taco....
Home-Bound Trip:
Pre-Ride home BG: 176 Post-Ride BG: 125
Evening Battery Voltage: 12.7 Ending Voltage: 12.7
Evening Stats from the GPS: Total Miles: 7.41
Overall average speed Moving Avg Max Speed
11.7. Mph 12.5 mph 25.4 mph
Total Trip time Moving Time Stopped Time
38:00 mins 35:31 mins 2 mins 29 secs
Yesterday was Another uneventful day of riding the last 7 miles to work and back. I'd hoped to get in another 32 miler one-way ride this week but the schedules between Jacque and me didn't work out. This day, Friday,. we'll be spending at the State Fair smelling the wonderful mixture of horse poop and fried Snickers bars amongst other treats we'll partake of, including the wonderful Navajo Taco....
Home-Bound Trip:
Pre-Ride home BG: 176 Post-Ride BG: 125
Evening Battery Voltage: 12.7 Ending Voltage: 12.7
Evening Stats from the GPS: Total Miles: 7.41
Overall average speed Moving Avg Max Speed
11.7. Mph 12.5 mph 25.4 mph
Total Trip time Moving Time Stopped Time
38:00 mins 35:31 mins 2 mins 29 secs
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Non - Wet Wednesday
This is the second morning in a row I've worn an undershirt and did NOT regret it at all, though it comes off and stays off during cleanup time when I arrive at work.
Nice Drivers Do Exist: At the San Mateo bike path crossing, the traffic was TERRIBLE with no gaps. A large truck stopped first in the southbound right-most lane and waited .... and waited. About 30 seconds later (a lifetime to a harried motorist) another car stopped in the other southbound lane, opening a slot for me to smoke it across the intersection. Wish I had their names so I could send them some chocolate chip cookies for a GOOD GUY award.
Pre- Ride BG: 128 Post-Ride BG: 97
Beginning Battery Voltage: 12.3 Ending Voltage: 12.2
Morning Stats from the GPS: Total Miles: 7.38
Overall average speed Moving Avg Max Speed
10.8. Mph 12.2 mph 23.0 mph
Total Trip time Moving Time Stopped Time
40:59 mins 36.21 mins 4 mins 38 secs
By the time I finally left work at 5:40 PM the blue sky and sunshine had given way to dark sky and stormy dark clouds looming to the southeast, right in my homeward bound path. The nasty looking cloud formations only provided shade and wind, however, and no moisture. So I got some extra exercise without the imminent looking soak job.
Home-Bound Trip:
Pre-Ride home BG: 189 Post-Ride BG: 136
Evening Battery Voltage: 12.3 Ending Voltage: 12.2
Evening Stats from the GPS: Total Miles: 7.39
Overall average speed Moving Avg Max Speed
9.9. Mph 10.6 mph 21.6 mph
Total Trip time Moving Time Stopped Time
45:01 mins 41:46 mins 3 mins 15 secs
Nice Drivers Do Exist: At the San Mateo bike path crossing, the traffic was TERRIBLE with no gaps. A large truck stopped first in the southbound right-most lane and waited .... and waited. About 30 seconds later (a lifetime to a harried motorist) another car stopped in the other southbound lane, opening a slot for me to smoke it across the intersection. Wish I had their names so I could send them some chocolate chip cookies for a GOOD GUY award.
Pre- Ride BG: 128 Post-Ride BG: 97
Beginning Battery Voltage: 12.3 Ending Voltage: 12.2
Morning Stats from the GPS: Total Miles: 7.38
Overall average speed Moving Avg Max Speed
10.8. Mph 12.2 mph 23.0 mph
Total Trip time Moving Time Stopped Time
40:59 mins 36.21 mins 4 mins 38 secs
By the time I finally left work at 5:40 PM the blue sky and sunshine had given way to dark sky and stormy dark clouds looming to the southeast, right in my homeward bound path. The nasty looking cloud formations only provided shade and wind, however, and no moisture. So I got some extra exercise without the imminent looking soak job.
Home-Bound Trip:
Pre-Ride home BG: 189 Post-Ride BG: 136
Evening Battery Voltage: 12.3 Ending Voltage: 12.2
Evening Stats from the GPS: Total Miles: 7.39
Overall average speed Moving Avg Max Speed
9.9. Mph 10.6 mph 21.6 mph
Total Trip time Moving Time Stopped Time
45:01 mins 41:46 mins 3 mins 15 secs
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Tuesday Tidbits
The Usual GPS APRS breadcrumb track-link
I was saddened to find the library at San Mateo and Comanche (Erna Fergusson) closed for "refurbishing".
The sign says "Will Open Again in the Spring" -
The next library I found over on Juan Tabo was dark and closed. After all, it was after 7 PM. I have faint memories of libraries being open later than that.... BAH
Pre- Ride BG: unk Post-Ride BG: 62
Beginning Battery Voltage: 12.6 Ending Voltage: 12.6
Morning Stats from the GPS: Total Miles: 7.40
Overall average speed Moving Avg Max Speed
10.8. Mph 11.8 mph 23.2 mph
Total Trip time Moving Time Stopped Time
40:58 mins 37.32 mins 3 mins 26 secs
On the way back to the car tonight I had another wonderful tailwind speeding me along.
Here's just a snippet of one of the CUTE babe-cyclists and a couple guys I've never seen before on bikes:
Pre-Ride home BG: 81 Post-Ride BG: 146
Evening Battery Voltage: 12.5 Ending Voltage: 12.2
Evening Stats from the GPS: Total Miles: 7.37
Overall average speed Moving Avg Max Speed
10.3. Mph 11.3 mph 24.8 mph
Total Trip time Moving Time Stopped Time
42:59 mins 39:17 mins 3 mins 42 secs
I was saddened to find the library at San Mateo and Comanche (Erna Fergusson) closed for "refurbishing".
The sign says "Will Open Again in the Spring" -
The next library I found over on Juan Tabo was dark and closed. After all, it was after 7 PM. I have faint memories of libraries being open later than that.... BAH
Pre- Ride BG: unk Post-Ride BG: 62
Beginning Battery Voltage: 12.6 Ending Voltage: 12.6
Morning Stats from the GPS: Total Miles: 7.40
Overall average speed Moving Avg Max Speed
10.8. Mph 11.8 mph 23.2 mph
Total Trip time Moving Time Stopped Time
40:58 mins 37.32 mins 3 mins 26 secs
On the way back to the car tonight I had another wonderful tailwind speeding me along.
Here's just a snippet of one of the CUTE babe-cyclists and a couple guys I've never seen before on bikes:
Pre-Ride home BG: 81 Post-Ride BG: 146
Evening Battery Voltage: 12.5 Ending Voltage: 12.2
Evening Stats from the GPS: Total Miles: 7.37
Overall average speed Moving Avg Max Speed
10.3. Mph 11.3 mph 24.8 mph
Total Trip time Moving Time Stopped Time
42:59 mins 39:17 mins 3 mins 42 secs
Monday, September 19, 2011
Monday Madness
Same old route, getting itchy for longer rides
Madness is the very idea of getting up and going to work on a Monday.
Actually, since I enjoy my work, I am grateful for full time employment. But there are SO many other things I need to do that I don't have time for.
This weekend: No weddings, so I thought I'd empty out our multiple garbage cans and make a run to the Tijeras Trash Transfer Station, then spend most of the rest of the day cutting and hauling firewood. It's getting colder and we don't have a week's worth of wood available. Trouble is, Saturday morning Jacque made the unforgivable mistake of opening the cabinet door under the kitchen sink and discovering it was all wet from a drain leak. Further investigation with me laying on my back with a headlamp and icky water dripping in my face, like a twenties coal miner in a "worm hole", betrayed the problem: The garbage disposal had worn holes in the side of the casting and was spewing "stuff" out the side when under pressure. What's with this nonsense? The stupid disposal is not that old..... only, say, 15 years. BAH
So I loaded up the trailer with trash bags and took the old disposal and we took off for a little trip to transfer some trash to the transfer station and transfer some wealth to the local hardware store.. Davis hardware in Cedar Crest is one of the best hardware stores I've ever seen, and I'm of course a hardware store addict. They have stuff you cannot get at the Big Boxx Stores in Albuquerque. Their biggest problem is they don't stay open enough for working stiffs to shop there. At any rate, they had an almost exact replacement disposal for a hundred smackers which we gladly paid and took it home with us. I'm guessing we could have "saved" almost half that price had we driven in to Albuquerque for the Big Boxx Store Experience.... but that would have used up even more of our precious Saturday time and a half a tank of $3.30-something gas, which also reduces the appeal of "just running into Albuquerque".
I also finished the interior insulation on Jacque's new sewing room and grumped and groaned as I installed the first batt of insulation in the floor joists under the room, with sharp rocks and what-not poking me in the knees and butte as I struggled to get the nasty stuff to stay up long enough to get it stapled in. Hopefully we can complete this "couple of months" construction project now looming on to a year before Christmas, so I can get going on something else.... like workshop for ME, garage or shelter of some kind for the RV and carritos, woodshed to keep the firewood (and nestling critters therein) out of the weather (and findable when the snow starts piling up!) .... Just another couple of weekends' worth of effort, don'tcha know.
Didn't do anything yesterday (Sunday) except go to Church, take a nap, and walk the doggies, in that order.
As usual, this Monday, while less than attractive as a starting point for work, was a great morning for bike riding even though it's getting so cool pretty soon I'm going to have to dig out the itchy wooly underwear. Bring It ON.
Typical encounter with wide eyed kiddos on their way to school:
Awakening BG: 81 Post-Ride BG: 146
Beginning Battery Voltage: 12.7 Ending Voltage: 12.7
Morning Stats from the GPS: Total Miles: 7.37
Overall average speed Moving Avg Max Speed
10.3. Mph 11.3 mph 24.8 mph
Total Trip time Moving Time Stopped Time
42:59 mins 39:17 mins 3 mins 42 secs
I was saddened to find the library at San Mateo and Comanche (Erna Fergusson) closed for "refurbishing".
The sign says "Will Open Again in the Spring" -
The next library I found over on Juan Tabo was dark and closed. After all, it was after 7 PM. I have faint memories of libraries being open later than that.... BAH
Pre-Home Ride BG: unk Post-Ride BG: 62
Beginning Battery Voltage: 12.7 Ending Voltage: 12.6
Evening Stats from the GPS: Total Miles: 7.49
Overall average speed Moving Avg Max Speed
11.0. Mph 11.8 mph 22.4 mph
Total Trip time Moving Time Stopped Time
40:59 mins 38:02 mins 2 mins 57 secs
Madness is the very idea of getting up and going to work on a Monday.
Actually, since I enjoy my work, I am grateful for full time employment. But there are SO many other things I need to do that I don't have time for.
This weekend: No weddings, so I thought I'd empty out our multiple garbage cans and make a run to the Tijeras Trash Transfer Station, then spend most of the rest of the day cutting and hauling firewood. It's getting colder and we don't have a week's worth of wood available. Trouble is, Saturday morning Jacque made the unforgivable mistake of opening the cabinet door under the kitchen sink and discovering it was all wet from a drain leak. Further investigation with me laying on my back with a headlamp and icky water dripping in my face, like a twenties coal miner in a "worm hole", betrayed the problem: The garbage disposal had worn holes in the side of the casting and was spewing "stuff" out the side when under pressure. What's with this nonsense? The stupid disposal is not that old..... only, say, 15 years. BAH
So I loaded up the trailer with trash bags and took the old disposal and we took off for a little trip to transfer some trash to the transfer station and transfer some wealth to the local hardware store.. Davis hardware in Cedar Crest is one of the best hardware stores I've ever seen, and I'm of course a hardware store addict. They have stuff you cannot get at the Big Boxx Stores in Albuquerque. Their biggest problem is they don't stay open enough for working stiffs to shop there. At any rate, they had an almost exact replacement disposal for a hundred smackers which we gladly paid and took it home with us. I'm guessing we could have "saved" almost half that price had we driven in to Albuquerque for the Big Boxx Store Experience.... but that would have used up even more of our precious Saturday time and a half a tank of $3.30-something gas, which also reduces the appeal of "just running into Albuquerque".
I also finished the interior insulation on Jacque's new sewing room and grumped and groaned as I installed the first batt of insulation in the floor joists under the room, with sharp rocks and what-not poking me in the knees and butte as I struggled to get the nasty stuff to stay up long enough to get it stapled in. Hopefully we can complete this "couple of months" construction project now looming on to a year before Christmas, so I can get going on something else.... like workshop for ME, garage or shelter of some kind for the RV and carritos, woodshed to keep the firewood (and nestling critters therein) out of the weather (and findable when the snow starts piling up!) .... Just another couple of weekends' worth of effort, don'tcha know.
Didn't do anything yesterday (Sunday) except go to Church, take a nap, and walk the doggies, in that order.
As usual, this Monday, while less than attractive as a starting point for work, was a great morning for bike riding even though it's getting so cool pretty soon I'm going to have to dig out the itchy wooly underwear. Bring It ON.
Typical encounter with wide eyed kiddos on their way to school:
Awakening BG: 81 Post-Ride BG: 146
Beginning Battery Voltage: 12.7 Ending Voltage: 12.7
Morning Stats from the GPS: Total Miles: 7.37
Overall average speed Moving Avg Max Speed
10.3. Mph 11.3 mph 24.8 mph
Total Trip time Moving Time Stopped Time
42:59 mins 39:17 mins 3 mins 42 secs
I was saddened to find the library at San Mateo and Comanche (Erna Fergusson) closed for "refurbishing".
The sign says "Will Open Again in the Spring" -
The next library I found over on Juan Tabo was dark and closed. After all, it was after 7 PM. I have faint memories of libraries being open later than that.... BAH
Pre-Home Ride BG: unk Post-Ride BG: 62
Beginning Battery Voltage: 12.7 Ending Voltage: 12.6
Evening Stats from the GPS: Total Miles: 7.49
Overall average speed Moving Avg Max Speed
11.0. Mph 11.8 mph 22.4 mph
Total Trip time Moving Time Stopped Time
40:59 mins 38:02 mins 2 mins 57 secs
Friday, September 16, 2011
Sherry, Don't Read This One, it's Too Much
friday gps/aprs track link
Sherry, my youngest daughter who is now a registered Okie from Edmond (not Muskogee a la Merle Haggard), told me I was posting too often for her to keep up with it. So this one she doesn't have to read... but she is required to read and critique all the others. Anyone knowing Sherry will realize how well she might follow such dictates.
It's getting colder each day. This morning I was wishing I had on more layers until about the last 2 miles, at which point I finally ripped my windbreaker zipper open and got some of that cold air up into my armpits.
I was a bit more tired than usual today too. BUT it was STILL a fun day to ride the bike.
When I first started out, waiting for an opening in traffic so I could cross San Mateo, I noticed a chunky gal with short legs on a bike waiting for the same thing about 200 feet north of me waiting to exit a driveway to cross the street. When the traffic opened up I cranked hard to stay ahead of her and left her 'way behind, to the point I no longer could see her in my helmet-rear-view mirror. About 3 miles later as I was northbound approaching the bike underpass at Montgomery, suddenly she was right behind me and coming strong. I poured on the sweat a bit harder and thought I lost her again.... but no. She had exited the bike path at Montgomery and gotten on Chappel northbound and was riding parallel to me, on the other side of the diversion channel. She was also at least 100 feet ahead of me already and cruising. As we approached Singer street, I noticed she diverted and came back to the bike trail, now behind me again by 75 feet or so.
Short little legs and obviously no athlete....... she passed me like I was backing up. BAH
Awakening BG: 146 Post-Ride BG: 102
Beginning Battery Voltage: 12.5 Ending Voltage: 12.4
Morning Stats from the GPS: Total Miles: 7.43
Overall average speed Moving Avg Max Speed
10.6. Mph 11.7 mph 21.8 mph
Total Trip time Moving Time Stopped Time
41:59 mins 38:08 mins 3 mins 51 secs
Not sure what was going on with my metabolism today. Check3ed my blood glucose before leaving work, it was 180 or so, thus I didn't eat the usual afternoon snack before pedaling away. It was 138 when I got to the car, and a few miles later when I arrived at the Temple it was around 167, so I pumped a bit and increased my basal rate to 150 %, but the blood sugar kept climbing even though I hadn't eaten anything since noon.
The diabetes thing is often frustrating because 1 + 2 doesn't always equal 3: the formulas are not exact and the body is seldom predictable.
As you can see I made the afternoon ride in record time: The ujsual afternoon headwind was running backwards and was providing a wonderful TAILwind..... really makes a difference. Maybe that's why my blood sugar stayed so high: I didn't exert anywhere the normal effort to ride back to the car.
Pre-Home Ride BG: 179 Post-Ride BG: 138
Beginning Battery Voltage: 12.4 Ending Voltage: 12.3 (Due for another recharge)
Evening Stats from the GPS: Total Miles: 7.33
Overall average speed Moving Avg Max Speed
11.6. Mph 12.9 mph 24.2 mph
Total Trip time Moving Time Stopped Time
37:59 mins 34:06 mins 3 mins 53 secs
Sherry, my youngest daughter who is now a registered Okie from Edmond (not Muskogee a la Merle Haggard), told me I was posting too often for her to keep up with it. So this one she doesn't have to read... but she is required to read and critique all the others. Anyone knowing Sherry will realize how well she might follow such dictates.
It's getting colder each day. This morning I was wishing I had on more layers until about the last 2 miles, at which point I finally ripped my windbreaker zipper open and got some of that cold air up into my armpits.
I was a bit more tired than usual today too. BUT it was STILL a fun day to ride the bike.
When I first started out, waiting for an opening in traffic so I could cross San Mateo, I noticed a chunky gal with short legs on a bike waiting for the same thing about 200 feet north of me waiting to exit a driveway to cross the street. When the traffic opened up I cranked hard to stay ahead of her and left her 'way behind, to the point I no longer could see her in my helmet-rear-view mirror. About 3 miles later as I was northbound approaching the bike underpass at Montgomery, suddenly she was right behind me and coming strong. I poured on the sweat a bit harder and thought I lost her again.... but no. She had exited the bike path at Montgomery and gotten on Chappel northbound and was riding parallel to me, on the other side of the diversion channel. She was also at least 100 feet ahead of me already and cruising. As we approached Singer street, I noticed she diverted and came back to the bike trail, now behind me again by 75 feet or so.
Short little legs and obviously no athlete....... she passed me like I was backing up. BAH
Awakening BG: 146 Post-Ride BG: 102
Beginning Battery Voltage: 12.5 Ending Voltage: 12.4
Morning Stats from the GPS: Total Miles: 7.43
Overall average speed Moving Avg Max Speed
10.6. Mph 11.7 mph 21.8 mph
Total Trip time Moving Time Stopped Time
41:59 mins 38:08 mins 3 mins 51 secs
Not sure what was going on with my metabolism today. Check3ed my blood glucose before leaving work, it was 180 or so, thus I didn't eat the usual afternoon snack before pedaling away. It was 138 when I got to the car, and a few miles later when I arrived at the Temple it was around 167, so I pumped a bit and increased my basal rate to 150 %, but the blood sugar kept climbing even though I hadn't eaten anything since noon.
The diabetes thing is often frustrating because 1 + 2 doesn't always equal 3: the formulas are not exact and the body is seldom predictable.
As you can see I made the afternoon ride in record time: The ujsual afternoon headwind was running backwards and was providing a wonderful TAILwind..... really makes a difference. Maybe that's why my blood sugar stayed so high: I didn't exert anywhere the normal effort to ride back to the car.
Pre-Home Ride BG: 179 Post-Ride BG: 138
Beginning Battery Voltage: 12.4 Ending Voltage: 12.3 (Due for another recharge)
Evening Stats from the GPS: Total Miles: 7.33
Overall average speed Moving Avg Max Speed
11.6. Mph 12.9 mph 24.2 mph
Total Trip time Moving Time Stopped Time
37:59 mins 34:06 mins 3 mins 53 secs
Thursday, September 15, 2011
Thursday
The Usual Boring GPS/APRS Track
Overcast and cooler this morning. Wore my windbreaker bike jacket and only SLIGHTLY began to get a bit warm about 2 miles from work. Unzipped the front and kept going.
Awakening BG: 111 Post-Ride BG: 89
Beginning Battery Voltage: 12.6 Ending Voltage: 12.6
Morning Stats from the GPS: Total Miles: 7.36
Overall average speed Moving Avg Max Speed
10.0. Mph 11.1 mph 22.9 mph
Total Trip time Moving Time Stopped Time
43:59 mins 40:05 mins 4 mins 9 secs
Cloudy and enjoyably cool for the ride back to the car tonight. Again, I slathered up liberally with a quarter-inch thick layer of sunblock - and - you guessed it... it was sunny up until I rode away, by which time the sun was hopelessly hidden behind dark clouds. No rain, however, until right after I arrived home in the car.
It was, as mentioned, fairly dark from the clouds. Thus I was a bit surprised to pass a couple of HUGE Indian fellers sitting side by side deep underneath the dark branches of a very dense shrub/tree along the path next to someone's back yard wall. I didn't see them passing a bottle when I rode by and peeked into the darkness after them, but I'm not sure why else someone would obscure themselves like that. It's certainly not the strangest thing I've encountered along a street or bike path.
Pre-Home Ride BG: 190 Post-Ride BG: 96
Beginning Battery Voltage: 12.6 Ending Voltage: 12.5
Evening Stats from the GPS: Total Miles: 7.47
Overall average speed Moving Avg Max Speed
09.5. Mph 10.5 mph 21.7 mph
Total Trip time Moving Time Stopped Time
47:00 mins 42:47 mins 4 mins 13 secs
Overcast and cooler this morning. Wore my windbreaker bike jacket and only SLIGHTLY began to get a bit warm about 2 miles from work. Unzipped the front and kept going.
Awakening BG: 111 Post-Ride BG: 89
Beginning Battery Voltage: 12.6 Ending Voltage: 12.6
Morning Stats from the GPS: Total Miles: 7.36
Overall average speed Moving Avg Max Speed
10.0. Mph 11.1 mph 22.9 mph
Total Trip time Moving Time Stopped Time
43:59 mins 40:05 mins 4 mins 9 secs
Cloudy and enjoyably cool for the ride back to the car tonight. Again, I slathered up liberally with a quarter-inch thick layer of sunblock - and - you guessed it... it was sunny up until I rode away, by which time the sun was hopelessly hidden behind dark clouds. No rain, however, until right after I arrived home in the car.
It was, as mentioned, fairly dark from the clouds. Thus I was a bit surprised to pass a couple of HUGE Indian fellers sitting side by side deep underneath the dark branches of a very dense shrub/tree along the path next to someone's back yard wall. I didn't see them passing a bottle when I rode by and peeked into the darkness after them, but I'm not sure why else someone would obscure themselves like that. It's certainly not the strangest thing I've encountered along a street or bike path.
Pre-Home Ride BG: 190 Post-Ride BG: 96
Beginning Battery Voltage: 12.6 Ending Voltage: 12.5
Evening Stats from the GPS: Total Miles: 7.47
Overall average speed Moving Avg Max Speed
09.5. Mph 10.5 mph 21.7 mph
Total Trip time Moving Time Stopped Time
47:00 mins 42:47 mins 4 mins 13 secs
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Shuckins. Only Did 10 miles today for Lunch
Today's breadcrumb Track
It was raining lightly when I left for work this morning and the streets were wet when I got to Albuquerque.
I wanted to ride the recumbent anyway since the rain had almost stopped but rationalized I needed to pick up a few items at Mesa Equipment (a local hardware store that is sort of a high class Harbor Freight, with reasonable prices and quality tools and manly toys). I specifically needed some new safety sunglasses, which I use for bike riding goggles, and which I broke my only pair of about a week ago. After I got to work I decided to look Mesa up on the map to see if it was a bike-able trip from work and it was, although almost a half mile is riding on Second Street NW which has no bike lanes, no shoulders, and a lot of traffic. I was very glad I made the trip, even though the roads in that part of town are very cracked and rough and rugged. The weather had cleared up, the sun was high and the sky blue and beautiful with scattered puffy Cumulus clouds, and the breeze was just WONDERFULLY cool: Ideal cycling weather.
It came out to 9.96 miles on my GPS so I lied and called it 10 miles. Sue Me
Beginning Battery Voltage: 12.7 Ending Battery Voltage: 12.7 (Charged the big battery last night)
Noon Stats from the GPS: Total Miles: 9.96
Overall average speed Moving Avg Max Speed
08.7. Mph 11.0 mph 23.5 mph
Total Trip time Moving Time Stopped Time
1 hour 8 mins 54 mins 7 secs 14 mins 52 secs
It was raining lightly when I left for work this morning and the streets were wet when I got to Albuquerque.
I wanted to ride the recumbent anyway since the rain had almost stopped but rationalized I needed to pick up a few items at Mesa Equipment (a local hardware store that is sort of a high class Harbor Freight, with reasonable prices and quality tools and manly toys). I specifically needed some new safety sunglasses, which I use for bike riding goggles, and which I broke my only pair of about a week ago. After I got to work I decided to look Mesa up on the map to see if it was a bike-able trip from work and it was, although almost a half mile is riding on Second Street NW which has no bike lanes, no shoulders, and a lot of traffic. I was very glad I made the trip, even though the roads in that part of town are very cracked and rough and rugged. The weather had cleared up, the sun was high and the sky blue and beautiful with scattered puffy Cumulus clouds, and the breeze was just WONDERFULLY cool: Ideal cycling weather.
It came out to 9.96 miles on my GPS so I lied and called it 10 miles. Sue Me
Beginning Battery Voltage: 12.7 Ending Battery Voltage: 12.7 (Charged the big battery last night)
Noon Stats from the GPS: Total Miles: 9.96
Overall average speed Moving Avg Max Speed
08.7. Mph 11.0 mph 23.5 mph
Total Trip time Moving Time Stopped Time
1 hour 8 mins 54 mins 7 secs 14 mins 52 secs
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
OOhh La La, Ridin' In the Rain
ye olde bread crumb trail
This was another day that looked a bit threatening weather wise but turned out to be very nice for cruising on your bicycle. Again I'm struck by how many people worry that the weather is too spotty to be out on a bike, and thus miss out on mostly very nice riding weather. It is turning towards fall in the Central NM area, and a few degrees cooler than the last few already-cool mornings, but not objectionably so. As I drove the first 24 miles to my not so secret parking spot, it sprinkled a bit on my windshield and I worried it would actually rain enough to keep me off the bike. But the sprinkles stopped after less than a mile, and a few hundred more tiny "Blips" of moisture hit the windshield before I arrived at the car drop-off point and I was able to saddle up the recumbent. Now, a few hours after arriving at work, I can't recall if any drops actually hit me at all. The weather guessers called for a 30% chance of showers today, and such usually happen in the afternoon. We'll see if it actually rains, which we still need a lot of, and whether I have to adjust my departure time to successfully dodge any possible soaking or whether I get soaked to the skin again.
Awakening BG: 234(!) Post-Ride BG: 103
Beginning Battery Voltage: 12.5 Ending Voltage: 12.3 (Starting to get soft again)
Morning Stats from the GPS: Total Miles: 7.37
Overall average speed Moving Avg Max Speed
10.5. Mph 11.6 mph 23.2 mph
Total Trip time Moving Time Stopped Time
41:59 mins 38:10 mins 3 mins 49 secs
It was beautiful and sunny almost all day. As quitting time approached I kept peeking out the window in hopes I was not facing a drippy wet ride back to the car. Still sunny and blue-sky. When I finally left about 6:20 PM - after lathering up heavily with sunscreen - I was shocked to see it had suddenly turned dark and threatening. Still made for a nice cool ride, with a bit of a headwind, but no rain whatEVER
Beginning Battery Voltage: 12.6 Ending Voltage: 12.5
Evening Stats from the GPS: Total Miles: 7.42
Overall average speed Moving Avg Max Speed
10.2. Mph 10.7 mph 20.0 mph
Total Trip time Moving Time Stopped Time
43 mins 49 secs 41 mins 29 secs 2 mins 20 secs
This was another day that looked a bit threatening weather wise but turned out to be very nice for cruising on your bicycle. Again I'm struck by how many people worry that the weather is too spotty to be out on a bike, and thus miss out on mostly very nice riding weather. It is turning towards fall in the Central NM area, and a few degrees cooler than the last few already-cool mornings, but not objectionably so. As I drove the first 24 miles to my not so secret parking spot, it sprinkled a bit on my windshield and I worried it would actually rain enough to keep me off the bike. But the sprinkles stopped after less than a mile, and a few hundred more tiny "Blips" of moisture hit the windshield before I arrived at the car drop-off point and I was able to saddle up the recumbent. Now, a few hours after arriving at work, I can't recall if any drops actually hit me at all. The weather guessers called for a 30% chance of showers today, and such usually happen in the afternoon. We'll see if it actually rains, which we still need a lot of, and whether I have to adjust my departure time to successfully dodge any possible soaking or whether I get soaked to the skin again.
Awakening BG: 234(!) Post-Ride BG: 103
Beginning Battery Voltage: 12.5 Ending Voltage: 12.3 (Starting to get soft again)
Morning Stats from the GPS: Total Miles: 7.37
Overall average speed Moving Avg Max Speed
10.5. Mph 11.6 mph 23.2 mph
Total Trip time Moving Time Stopped Time
41:59 mins 38:10 mins 3 mins 49 secs
It was beautiful and sunny almost all day. As quitting time approached I kept peeking out the window in hopes I was not facing a drippy wet ride back to the car. Still sunny and blue-sky. When I finally left about 6:20 PM - after lathering up heavily with sunscreen - I was shocked to see it had suddenly turned dark and threatening. Still made for a nice cool ride, with a bit of a headwind, but no rain whatEVER
Beginning Battery Voltage: 12.6 Ending Voltage: 12.5
Evening Stats from the GPS: Total Miles: 7.42
Overall average speed Moving Avg Max Speed
10.2. Mph 10.7 mph 20.0 mph
Total Trip time Moving Time Stopped Time
43 mins 49 secs 41 mins 29 secs 2 mins 20 secs
Monday, September 12, 2011
Monday - Still Colder - Still Beautiful for Riding
tracking well today.
The last few days have been suddenly cooler if not downright cold, in part due to welcome rains and in part to theobviously impending colder weather change.
On Friday I did not ride the bike at all since I got off to work too late to allow for a decent ride. The lunch hour was too crowded for me to get in a ride so I merely did my normal nooner 2-miler walk around several blocks to Honeywell and the Balloon Fiesta Park.
Then, Saturday, was the BIG day. My oldest daughter Sarah Jo finally let a man catch her and they were sealed in the Temple just after noon. The whole thing turned into a Devenport and cousins reunion that only Sarah could have inspired: ALL my children came in from everywhere for the reception, as well as my sister and brother Bruce from Utah with Bruce's wife Shirley. THREE of my gorgeous cousins came in from Arizona and Utah for the occasion and what an irreverent enjoyable time we had. Son John came up with his guitar and played us some tunes and we just had a downright great time staying up too late.
Sarah and Justin took off for parts unknown and have not been heard from since. We all assume they will eventually come up for air......
This morning's bicycle ride was just cold enough that I wore a windbreaker and thus did not lather up with a quarter inch of sunblock as I normally do.. This afternoon it was so overcast that I skipped the dip a second time in the same day. Fairly stiff headwinds on the way back to the car but it was still great riding weather.
I noticed another rider coming up behind me and got motivated enough I pedaled harder as an experiment (that usually fails) to see if I could stay ahead of him or make him hump if he really wanted to pass me. Usually when I try this the cyclist passes me about 30 seconds later and turns out to be a fat lady with floppy clothes and baggy britches, not even breathing hard. I don't know if the guy this afternoon was crippled or developed horrible gas pains or what but I was actually able to keep ahead of him and even increase the gap between us. Old Farts RULE -
Awakening BG: 185(!) Post-Ride BG: 68
Beginning Battery Voltage: 12.7 Ending Voltage: 12.7
Morning Stats from the GPS: Total Miles: 7.45
Overall average speed Moving Avg Max Speed
09.9. Mph 11.7 mph 21.7 mph
Total Trip time Moving Time Stopped Time
44:59 mins 38:11 mins 6 mins 248 secs
(Evening datum)
Beginning Battery Voltage: 12.7 Ending Voltage: 12.7
Evening Stats from the GPS: Total Miles: 7.43
Overall average speed Moving Avg Max Speed
10.1. Mph 10.5 mph 20.7 mph
Total Trip time Moving Time Stopped Time
43 mins 59 secs 42 mins 20 secs 1 mins 39 secs
The last few days have been suddenly cooler if not downright cold, in part due to welcome rains and in part to theobviously impending colder weather change.
On Friday I did not ride the bike at all since I got off to work too late to allow for a decent ride. The lunch hour was too crowded for me to get in a ride so I merely did my normal nooner 2-miler walk around several blocks to Honeywell and the Balloon Fiesta Park.
Then, Saturday, was the BIG day. My oldest daughter Sarah Jo finally let a man catch her and they were sealed in the Temple just after noon. The whole thing turned into a Devenport and cousins reunion that only Sarah could have inspired: ALL my children came in from everywhere for the reception, as well as my sister and brother Bruce from Utah with Bruce's wife Shirley. THREE of my gorgeous cousins came in from Arizona and Utah for the occasion and what an irreverent enjoyable time we had. Son John came up with his guitar and played us some tunes and we just had a downright great time staying up too late.
Sarah and Justin took off for parts unknown and have not been heard from since. We all assume they will eventually come up for air......
This morning's bicycle ride was just cold enough that I wore a windbreaker and thus did not lather up with a quarter inch of sunblock as I normally do.. This afternoon it was so overcast that I skipped the dip a second time in the same day. Fairly stiff headwinds on the way back to the car but it was still great riding weather.
I noticed another rider coming up behind me and got motivated enough I pedaled harder as an experiment (that usually fails) to see if I could stay ahead of him or make him hump if he really wanted to pass me. Usually when I try this the cyclist passes me about 30 seconds later and turns out to be a fat lady with floppy clothes and baggy britches, not even breathing hard. I don't know if the guy this afternoon was crippled or developed horrible gas pains or what but I was actually able to keep ahead of him and even increase the gap between us. Old Farts RULE -
Awakening BG: 185(!) Post-Ride BG: 68
Beginning Battery Voltage: 12.7 Ending Voltage: 12.7
Morning Stats from the GPS: Total Miles: 7.45
Overall average speed Moving Avg Max Speed
09.9. Mph 11.7 mph 21.7 mph
Total Trip time Moving Time Stopped Time
44:59 mins 38:11 mins 6 mins 248 secs
(Evening datum)
Beginning Battery Voltage: 12.7 Ending Voltage: 12.7
Evening Stats from the GPS: Total Miles: 7.43
Overall average speed Moving Avg Max Speed
10.1. Mph 10.5 mph 20.7 mph
Total Trip time Moving Time Stopped Time
43 mins 59 secs 42 mins 20 secs 1 mins 39 secs
Thursday, September 8, 2011
Thursday Thirty-Two Miles and COLD
Aiming the Beam into the Canyon seemed to help tracking...
Jacque and I will be attending the Temple again this evening with Sarah and Justin, so I rode the recumbent all the way to work again today. It was 46 degrees on the outside thermometer this morning and FELT uncomfortably cold, so I wore my windbreaker jacket over my flaming yellow_green BikeABQ shirt for the first few miles. Normally I would get overheated by the time I got a mile or two up the paved road (Frost Road) but I didn't get overheated this time until I was halfway up the "Killer Hill"just south of the NM-14/Frost Road intersection. I go so slow climbing the hill just south of the Triangle Intersection (Shell Station) that I normally ride the ragged weed/rock/pothole - strewn "bike path" paralleling N-14 until I top the hill and then leap across 4 lanes of traffic and ride the much smoother N-14 pavement in the right lane all the way to Tijeras, go under the I-40 underpass into Tijeras Village, and then ride old Rout 66 through the canyon from Tijeras to Albuquerque. Since N-14 is smooth and downhill from that point to Tijeras, I usually hit my fastest speeds there, just coasting along much of the way down. Watching the rear view mirrors on my handlebar and helmet all the way down, looking out for inattentive drivers who may be drinking their coffee instead of watching the road in front of them..... I've had no experiences yet of anyone not seeing me, but have had several near-brushes with hotshots who seem to like to buzz cyclists. I find my worst enemies on the road are (1) Albuquerque city buses, (2) pickups pulling trailers (who understandably are afraid to try changing lanes for a mere cyclist), (3) Save-The-World cars such as the Honda Insight and Toyota Prius and the occasional Mercedes -built "Smart Car", and (4) RV,s especially those pulling trailers or toad cars.
RV'ers are self explanatory since most are untrained (and at today's fuel prices, have even less experience driving their monsters). I suspect the hybrid owners feel since they are driving smaller cars that they don't need to give cyclists much clearance. Too bad they don't seem to know the "thrill" of being passed close-up by ANY vehicle weighing over a ton.
At the bottom of the hill approaching Tijeras I smoked through the stoplight underneath I-40 onto Rt. 66 at about 37 MPH. Thankfully the stoplight stayed green for me...
I finally took off the windbreaker and stowed it just outside the Albuquerque City Limits when I rode out of the shade of the canyon into the morning's sunlight where it instantly warms up several degrees.
Awakening BG: 185(!) Post-Ride BG: 68
Beginning Battery Voltage: 12.5 Ending Voltage: 12.2 (Needing a Recharge obviously!)
Morning Stats from the GPS: Total Miles: 31.75
Overall average speed Moving Avg Max Speed
11.7. Mph 12.6 mph 39.7 mph
Total Trip time Moving Time Stopped Time
2 hours 43 mins 2 hours 30 mins 12 mins 21 secs
Jacque and I will be attending the Temple again this evening with Sarah and Justin, so I rode the recumbent all the way to work again today. It was 46 degrees on the outside thermometer this morning and FELT uncomfortably cold, so I wore my windbreaker jacket over my flaming yellow_green BikeABQ shirt for the first few miles. Normally I would get overheated by the time I got a mile or two up the paved road (Frost Road) but I didn't get overheated this time until I was halfway up the "Killer Hill"just south of the NM-14/Frost Road intersection. I go so slow climbing the hill just south of the Triangle Intersection (Shell Station) that I normally ride the ragged weed/rock/pothole - strewn "bike path" paralleling N-14 until I top the hill and then leap across 4 lanes of traffic and ride the much smoother N-14 pavement in the right lane all the way to Tijeras, go under the I-40 underpass into Tijeras Village, and then ride old Rout 66 through the canyon from Tijeras to Albuquerque. Since N-14 is smooth and downhill from that point to Tijeras, I usually hit my fastest speeds there, just coasting along much of the way down. Watching the rear view mirrors on my handlebar and helmet all the way down, looking out for inattentive drivers who may be drinking their coffee instead of watching the road in front of them..... I've had no experiences yet of anyone not seeing me, but have had several near-brushes with hotshots who seem to like to buzz cyclists. I find my worst enemies on the road are (1) Albuquerque city buses, (2) pickups pulling trailers (who understandably are afraid to try changing lanes for a mere cyclist), (3) Save-The-World cars such as the Honda Insight and Toyota Prius and the occasional Mercedes -built "Smart Car", and (4) RV,s especially those pulling trailers or toad cars.
RV'ers are self explanatory since most are untrained (and at today's fuel prices, have even less experience driving their monsters). I suspect the hybrid owners feel since they are driving smaller cars that they don't need to give cyclists much clearance. Too bad they don't seem to know the "thrill" of being passed close-up by ANY vehicle weighing over a ton.
At the bottom of the hill approaching Tijeras I smoked through the stoplight underneath I-40 onto Rt. 66 at about 37 MPH. Thankfully the stoplight stayed green for me...
I finally took off the windbreaker and stowed it just outside the Albuquerque City Limits when I rode out of the shade of the canyon into the morning's sunlight where it instantly warms up several degrees.
Awakening BG: 185(!) Post-Ride BG: 68
Beginning Battery Voltage: 12.5 Ending Voltage: 12.2 (Needing a Recharge obviously!)
Morning Stats from the GPS: Total Miles: 31.75
Overall average speed Moving Avg Max Speed
11.7. Mph 12.6 mph 39.7 mph
Total Trip time Moving Time Stopped Time
2 hours 43 mins 2 hours 30 mins 12 mins 21 secs
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
Wednesday's Wild Ride (Not)
Today's Track of Digital BreadCrumbs
I was about 10 minutes later to work this morning as I forgot to drop off some electronics junk at KH6JTM's place and had to drive back several miles to do so. I was surprised I wasn't later to work because of the delay.
Today was the usual ~7.4 mile commute one-way but tomorrow I'm planning to do the full enchilada from home to work (still, downhill for ~10 out of 32 miles and one-way only) as we are to attend the temple with Sarah and her fiancee for whom this will be his first time. Exciting.
Yesterday I forgot to note on the way into town there was a sudden stoppage of traffic on I-40 just east of Tramway, which turned out to be a car fire that had fire trucks and police surrounding it and blocking all but one lane of westbound traffic. If I had ridden the bike all the way yesterday I likely would not have been any later to work..... [sigh]
Today's forecast called for 30% chance of rain this afternoon. So far it looks much like our previous threatening afternoons... more threat than rain. And, if I get wet, it will be for a good cause: We desperately need more rain. Albuquerque has only had one or two decent showers since JANUARY. Ouch
Awakening BG: 103 Post-Ride BG: 72
Beginning Battery Voltage: 12.6 Ending Voltage: 12.6
Morning Stats from the GPS: Total Miles: 7.50
Overall average speed Moving Avg Max Speed
11.0. Mph 11.5 mph 21.3 mph
Total Trip time Moving Time Stopped Time
41 mins 0 secs 39 mins 04 secs 1 mins 56 secs
I was about 10 minutes later to work this morning as I forgot to drop off some electronics junk at KH6JTM's place and had to drive back several miles to do so. I was surprised I wasn't later to work because of the delay.
Today was the usual ~7.4 mile commute one-way but tomorrow I'm planning to do the full enchilada from home to work (still, downhill for ~10 out of 32 miles and one-way only) as we are to attend the temple with Sarah and her fiancee for whom this will be his first time. Exciting.
Yesterday I forgot to note on the way into town there was a sudden stoppage of traffic on I-40 just east of Tramway, which turned out to be a car fire that had fire trucks and police surrounding it and blocking all but one lane of westbound traffic. If I had ridden the bike all the way yesterday I likely would not have been any later to work..... [sigh]
Today's forecast called for 30% chance of rain this afternoon. So far it looks much like our previous threatening afternoons... more threat than rain. And, if I get wet, it will be for a good cause: We desperately need more rain. Albuquerque has only had one or two decent showers since JANUARY. Ouch
Awakening BG: 103 Post-Ride BG: 72
Beginning Battery Voltage: 12.6 Ending Voltage: 12.6
Morning Stats from the GPS: Total Miles: 7.50
Overall average speed Moving Avg Max Speed
11.0. Mph 11.5 mph 21.3 mph
Total Trip time Moving Time Stopped Time
41 mins 0 secs 39 mins 04 secs 1 mins 56 secs
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
7 Miles One Day in a Row
Jim's Boring Short Monday Ride
Back in the old Recumbent Saddle again this morning. The weather is getting cooler but the ride this morning was sunny and quite balmy - It will NOT be long before I must wear something more than a day-glo yellow/green cycling shirt for the morning ride.
Awakening BG: 108 Post-Ride BG: 164
Beginning Battery Voltage: 12.7 Ending Voltage: 12.67
Morning Stats from the GPS: Total Miles: 7.40
Overall average speed Moving Avg Max Speed
09.7. Mph 12.0 mph 23.5 mph
Total Trip time Moving Time Stopped Time
45 mins 59 secs 36 mins 57 secs 9 mins 2 secs
The ride back this evening was, well, different. The weather had been cloudy and threatening on and off all day, and by the time I left work at 6 PM it looked like it was on the verge of a downpour. All the way back to the car as I pedaled furiously it was raining seemingly directly ahead of me and was surely going to soak me.... but it tturned into a VERY pleasant ride. It sprinkled on me, very lightly, a few times and I felt perhaps 20 little flecks of raindrops in the 7.4 mile ride. It was just cool enough to be very pleasant. The diversion channel next to the bike trail was running only a bit of runoff and Carlisle Street was running a couple inches of water maybe 2 feet wide as I crossed it. So the supposedly dreary weather made for a very nice ride.
I encountered several fellow cyclists, including a pretty lady with a big smile that did not capture well on the camera. A small group of youngsters passed me a few miles later, on skateboards and a roller scooter, exclaiming admiration of my "ride". As they passed close by me I was dismayed to smell BOOZE wafting around them. Mercy, the oldest must have been 8 or 9....
If these are your kids, how about smelling their breath for me? They were very nice but I worry they were a bit sloshed......
Back in the old Recumbent Saddle again this morning. The weather is getting cooler but the ride this morning was sunny and quite balmy - It will NOT be long before I must wear something more than a day-glo yellow/green cycling shirt for the morning ride.
Awakening BG: 108 Post-Ride BG: 164
Beginning Battery Voltage: 12.7 Ending Voltage: 12.67
Morning Stats from the GPS: Total Miles: 7.40
Overall average speed Moving Avg Max Speed
09.7. Mph 12.0 mph 23.5 mph
Total Trip time Moving Time Stopped Time
45 mins 59 secs 36 mins 57 secs 9 mins 2 secs
The ride back this evening was, well, different. The weather had been cloudy and threatening on and off all day, and by the time I left work at 6 PM it looked like it was on the verge of a downpour. All the way back to the car as I pedaled furiously it was raining seemingly directly ahead of me and was surely going to soak me.... but it tturned into a VERY pleasant ride. It sprinkled on me, very lightly, a few times and I felt perhaps 20 little flecks of raindrops in the 7.4 mile ride. It was just cool enough to be very pleasant. The diversion channel next to the bike trail was running only a bit of runoff and Carlisle Street was running a couple inches of water maybe 2 feet wide as I crossed it. So the supposedly dreary weather made for a very nice ride.
I encountered several fellow cyclists, including a pretty lady with a big smile that did not capture well on the camera. A small group of youngsters passed me a few miles later, on skateboards and a roller scooter, exclaiming admiration of my "ride". As they passed close by me I was dismayed to smell BOOZE wafting around them. Mercy, the oldest must have been 8 or 9....
If these are your kids, how about smelling their breath for me? They were very nice but I worry they were a bit sloshed......
Friday, September 2, 2011
32 miles, 3 Days in a Row
Friday Tijeras Canyon Trek-Track
Another Fine Ride from Home to Work. Those first 3-4 miles are a killer and then it's downhill for at least 10 miles total with very slight uphill pulls occasionally encountered.
Someday I'm going to have to give it a try coming the other way..... I doubt it will be as enjoyable but I'll do it someday. I used to think the same thing about riding all the way from home to work until I tried it and realized I could do it.
Beginning Battery Voltage: 12.5 Ending Voltage: 12.3
Morning Stats from the GPS: Total Miles: 31.71
Overall average speed Moving Avg Max Speed
12.1. Mph 12.7 mph 38.0 mph
Total Trip time Moving Time Stopped Time
2 hours 36 mins 2 hours 29 mins 7 mins 26 secs
Another Fine Ride from Home to Work. Those first 3-4 miles are a killer and then it's downhill for at least 10 miles total with very slight uphill pulls occasionally encountered.
Someday I'm going to have to give it a try coming the other way..... I doubt it will be as enjoyable but I'll do it someday. I used to think the same thing about riding all the way from home to work until I tried it and realized I could do it.
Beginning Battery Voltage: 12.5 Ending Voltage: 12.3
Morning Stats from the GPS: Total Miles: 31.71
Overall average speed Moving Avg Max Speed
12.1. Mph 12.7 mph 38.0 mph
Total Trip time Moving Time Stopped Time
2 hours 36 mins 2 hours 29 mins 7 mins 26 secs
Thursday, September 1, 2011
Love Those 32 Miles, Thursday
JimTrack (tm), gotta improve coverage in Tijeras Canyon
Another great ride car-less all the way to work this morning. Another friendly get-together tonight so Jacque can give me a ride home.... since it's lots of UPhill going instead of largely DOWNhill coming to work (about half the trip).
Another caveat reminder about these maximum speeds I record: Anything above 25-26 MPH is almost invariably downhill, with a tail-wind, with me leaning back and coasting. I cannot pedal faster than about 25 MPH, and believe me I've tried multiple times. Just can't make the old legs do the necessary RPM for such speeds.
Awakening BG: 54 Post-Ride BG: 109 (this a few minutes after dizzily consuming a power bar)
Beginning Battery Voltage: 13.2 Ending Voltage: 12.6
Morning Stats from the GPS: Total Miles: 31.74
Overall average speed Moving Avg Max Speed
11.3. Mph 12.6 mph 37.8 mph
Total Trip time Moving Time Stopped Time
2 hours 47 mins 2 hours 30 mins 17 mins 2 secs
Another great ride car-less all the way to work this morning. Another friendly get-together tonight so Jacque can give me a ride home.... since it's lots of UPhill going instead of largely DOWNhill coming to work (about half the trip).
Another caveat reminder about these maximum speeds I record: Anything above 25-26 MPH is almost invariably downhill, with a tail-wind, with me leaning back and coasting. I cannot pedal faster than about 25 MPH, and believe me I've tried multiple times. Just can't make the old legs do the necessary RPM for such speeds.
Awakening BG: 54 Post-Ride BG: 109 (this a few minutes after dizzily consuming a power bar)
Beginning Battery Voltage: 13.2 Ending Voltage: 12.6
Morning Stats from the GPS: Total Miles: 31.74
Overall average speed Moving Avg Max Speed
11.3. Mph 12.6 mph 37.8 mph
Total Trip time Moving Time Stopped Time
2 hours 47 mins 2 hours 30 mins 17 mins 2 secs
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)