Today's Again-Boring Tracking
Today's ride was more of a proof-of-principle than a real ride.
It was WINDY and cold this morning and we almost didn't ride simply because it was so miserable. However, we STILL need exercise even in cold weather, perhaps MORE so in cold weather, so we bundled up and rode.
The worst part of riding in the cold? Shuffling around getting READY to ride, putting up with the chilling wind without the effort of pedaling to warm ourselves up. Riding, in itself, is much less unpleasant because we are at least burning calories and keeping ourselves a bit warmer. Today was not that enjoyable because of the wind and cold but it was valuable lesson time: In future, we need to take MORE layers than we think we need. Knowing I normally warm up quickly, I had only 2 long sleeve layers and 1 short sleeve layer, using my handy dandy polar fleece skull cap under my helmet and my half-mittens on the handlebars. This would have meant immediate overheating yesterday and before, but today, I was COLD and stayed that way. Even after climbing the difficult hill to the Post Office, I was still cold and uncomfortable and we both decided to cut it short and return rather than go on up to the beloved Shell Station for drinks & snacks. Had we started out with better wind-breaking layers we likely would have had the fortitude to keep riding 10 or more miles, but we were already chilled to the bone and motivation was definitely lacking.
BUT, Hey..... We'll probably make it FIVE days in a row tomorrow, lacking any deep snow or ice or heavy rains. Maybe we'll even make it 5 MILES as well.....
Beginning Battery Voltage: 13.0 Ending Voltage: 12.9
Lowest Temp 48 F Highest Temp: 59 F
Stats from the GPS: Total Miles: 3.55
Overall average speed Moving Avg Max Speed
5.3 MPH 6.5 MPH 24.6 MPH
Total Trip time Moving Time Stopped Time
40 minutes 32 mins 51 secs 7 mins 9 secs
Thursday, October 31, 2013
Wednesday, October 30, 2013
THREE Days in a Row...
Wednesday APRS/GPS/Ham Radio Tracking
We did not get going early this morning but we did get going.
It was windy and cooler than yesterday but it makes us feel so much better overall after riding that we still wanted to get in a ride before it got too late.
We decided to ride east today instead of west, just for variety's sake.
The wind at our backs was fairly stiff so we worried about the return trip, knowing the wind would still be cold and in our face and working AGAINST us instead of mildly pushing us along.
We took a small detour through a housing development, expecting a lot less motor traffic, which paid off.... but we soon ran out of pavement at a cul-de-sac - which we immediately used for a rest and water stop. With the wind coming in a bit stiffer and the temperature not getting any balmier, we turned back toward home after exiting the housing development with the idea of getting back home in jig time.
Jacque suggested aloud that we keep riding on past our home turnoff and go west to the usual daily post office run, with the idea of getting in a few more miles than usual today. And so we did.
Our doggies enjoyed meeting a few new mutts to snarl and bark at, especially in the housing area where we had not ridden before. We actually were going to wander around that neighborhood a bit more but encountered a big, LOOSE dog that we decided we did not want to encounter in closer quarters, so we turned around and left.
As usual, we encountered smiling admirers at the Post Office and at the Shell Station where we stopped for the usual rest/snack break.
Black clouds had been gathering as we approached the Post Office and we worried we might get rained on but, after all, snacks and lemonade are IMPORTANT so we continued on up to the station after the short Post Office break. It got a bit gloomier weather-wise as we dallied, but got going again with no rain or snow bothering us.... at least for the first few hundred yards toward home.
As we screamed downhill past the Post Office, coasting because it was too fast to pedal, we encountered a few smatters of raindrops and it was COLD. Which just encouraged us to put the metal to our pedals in hopes of getting back before the weather got serious. We got smacked with only a few dozen very cold raindrops before we got back, and of course once we stopped the trike and got out of the weather, it stopped sprinkling. It's still a dark and stormy looking day out there, but so far no additional moisture has fallen.
Beginning Battery Voltage: 13.4 Ending Voltage: 13.1 (Battery now charged after yesterday's ride)
Lowest Temp 55 F Highest Temp: 70 F
Stats from the GPS: Total Miles: 9.2
Overall average speed Moving Avg Max Speed
4.3 MPH 6.3 MPH 27.9 MPH
Total Trip time Moving Time Stopped Time
2 hours 9 minutes 1 hour 27 mins 41 mins 21 secs
We did not get going early this morning but we did get going.
It was windy and cooler than yesterday but it makes us feel so much better overall after riding that we still wanted to get in a ride before it got too late.
We decided to ride east today instead of west, just for variety's sake.
The wind at our backs was fairly stiff so we worried about the return trip, knowing the wind would still be cold and in our face and working AGAINST us instead of mildly pushing us along.
We took a small detour through a housing development, expecting a lot less motor traffic, which paid off.... but we soon ran out of pavement at a cul-de-sac - which we immediately used for a rest and water stop. With the wind coming in a bit stiffer and the temperature not getting any balmier, we turned back toward home after exiting the housing development with the idea of getting back home in jig time.
Jacque suggested aloud that we keep riding on past our home turnoff and go west to the usual daily post office run, with the idea of getting in a few more miles than usual today. And so we did.
Our doggies enjoyed meeting a few new mutts to snarl and bark at, especially in the housing area where we had not ridden before. We actually were going to wander around that neighborhood a bit more but encountered a big, LOOSE dog that we decided we did not want to encounter in closer quarters, so we turned around and left.
As usual, we encountered smiling admirers at the Post Office and at the Shell Station where we stopped for the usual rest/snack break.
Black clouds had been gathering as we approached the Post Office and we worried we might get rained on but, after all, snacks and lemonade are IMPORTANT so we continued on up to the station after the short Post Office break. It got a bit gloomier weather-wise as we dallied, but got going again with no rain or snow bothering us.... at least for the first few hundred yards toward home.
As we screamed downhill past the Post Office, coasting because it was too fast to pedal, we encountered a few smatters of raindrops and it was COLD. Which just encouraged us to put the metal to our pedals in hopes of getting back before the weather got serious. We got smacked with only a few dozen very cold raindrops before we got back, and of course once we stopped the trike and got out of the weather, it stopped sprinkling. It's still a dark and stormy looking day out there, but so far no additional moisture has fallen.
Beginning Battery Voltage: 13.4 Ending Voltage: 13.1 (Battery now charged after yesterday's ride)
Lowest Temp 55 F Highest Temp: 70 F
Stats from the GPS: Total Miles: 9.2
Overall average speed Moving Avg Max Speed
4.3 MPH 6.3 MPH 27.9 MPH
Total Trip time Moving Time Stopped Time
2 hours 9 minutes 1 hour 27 mins 41 mins 21 secs
Tuesday, October 29, 2013
Wow, Two Whole Days in a Row: We are SO Committed
Today's As-Usual APRS Tracking
Or, more accurately, perhaps we NEED to be committed, for any number of reasons.
We have quasi-decided that if we get going earlier in the day we will more likely ride since it will be easier than trying to squeeze in a ride later in the afternoon.
Plus, today, the wind was forecast to be terrible this afternoon.
It was cold and breezy enough when we left this morning I almost wimped out, but since I have ridden for several years almost year round, minus a week or so for horribly rainy or icy weather, I fully realize it not only CAN be done, but that getting going is the hardest part, NOT the actual riding....
And thus it was today. It was windy enough that neither of us ripped off any layers while riding - but then we didn't have more than a couple of light layers to start with. It was sunny but a bit cool with the breezes, and altogether another fine riding day.
We also made another instant new friend at the Shell Station at the Top of the Hill who admired our funky tandem trike and our doggies.
Going downhill, on the way back, Jacque loves to stick out her arms (and sometimes yell) while we scream down the road at horrific speeds approaching 30 MPH. I planned to video record her doing her foolishness but realized I would endanger us both if I took one hand off the handlebars.... so I have to figure out a way to mount a camera so I can win the America's Funniest Video award without our crashing and burning being part of the entertainment.
Beginning Battery Voltage: 12.7 Ending Voltage: 12.7 (Battery now charging after this ride)
Lowest Temp 62 F Highest Temp: 67 F
Stats from the GPS: Total Miles: 4.28
Overall average speed Moving Avg Max Speed
3.2 MPH 5.2 MPH 26.7 MPH
Total Trip time Moving Time Stopped Time
1 hour 20 minutes 49 mins 4 secs 31 mins 54 secs
Or, more accurately, perhaps we NEED to be committed, for any number of reasons.
We have quasi-decided that if we get going earlier in the day we will more likely ride since it will be easier than trying to squeeze in a ride later in the afternoon.
Plus, today, the wind was forecast to be terrible this afternoon.
It was cold and breezy enough when we left this morning I almost wimped out, but since I have ridden for several years almost year round, minus a week or so for horribly rainy or icy weather, I fully realize it not only CAN be done, but that getting going is the hardest part, NOT the actual riding....
And thus it was today. It was windy enough that neither of us ripped off any layers while riding - but then we didn't have more than a couple of light layers to start with. It was sunny but a bit cool with the breezes, and altogether another fine riding day.
We also made another instant new friend at the Shell Station at the Top of the Hill who admired our funky tandem trike and our doggies.
Going downhill, on the way back, Jacque loves to stick out her arms (and sometimes yell) while we scream down the road at horrific speeds approaching 30 MPH. I planned to video record her doing her foolishness but realized I would endanger us both if I took one hand off the handlebars.... so I have to figure out a way to mount a camera so I can win the America's Funniest Video award without our crashing and burning being part of the entertainment.
Beginning Battery Voltage: 12.7 Ending Voltage: 12.7 (Battery now charging after this ride)
Lowest Temp 62 F Highest Temp: 67 F
Stats from the GPS: Total Miles: 4.28
Overall average speed Moving Avg Max Speed
3.2 MPH 5.2 MPH 26.7 MPH
Total Trip time Moving Time Stopped Time
1 hour 20 minutes 49 mins 4 secs 31 mins 54 secs
Monday, October 28, 2013
Well. It's a New Week, So.....
Monday Morning Tracking via APRS and Ham Radio
We've started riding on the first day of this week so hope to continue the rest of the days of the week. Wish us luck and blessings.
One of our friends came up to us when we stopped for snacks, potty breaks, and rest at the Shell Station. She exclaimed "I LOVE seeing you guys on your trike! We see you all the time!"
She must have a faulty or forgiving memory, but surely we could use that as one more motivational excuse to ride: To enthrall our public.
Beginning Battery Voltage: 13.2 Ending Voltage: 12.7
Lowest Temp 59 F Highest Temp: 70 F
Stats from the GPS: Total Miles: 4.16
Overall average speed Moving Avg Max Speed
3.0 MPH 5.5 MPH 27.9 MPH
Total Trip time Moving Time Stopped Time
1 hour 24 minutes 45 mins 38 secs 38 mins 22 secs
We've started riding on the first day of this week so hope to continue the rest of the days of the week. Wish us luck and blessings.
One of our friends came up to us when we stopped for snacks, potty breaks, and rest at the Shell Station. She exclaimed "I LOVE seeing you guys on your trike! We see you all the time!"
She must have a faulty or forgiving memory, but surely we could use that as one more motivational excuse to ride: To enthrall our public.
Beginning Battery Voltage: 13.2 Ending Voltage: 12.7
Lowest Temp 59 F Highest Temp: 70 F
Stats from the GPS: Total Miles: 4.16
Overall average speed Moving Avg Max Speed
3.0 MPH 5.5 MPH 27.9 MPH
Total Trip time Moving Time Stopped Time
1 hour 24 minutes 45 mins 38 secs 38 mins 22 secs
Saturday, October 19, 2013
Shivering Saturday Sailing
Today's Turgid Tracking via APRS and Ham Radio
GAAAACK. It's been TEN DAYS since we rode anywhere under people-pedal-power. Bah. Humbug.
We planned to do our afternoon Bosque ride yesterday, Friday, but at the last minute before we left home we got a phone call committing us to something other than afternoon aerobic exercise. Oh Well.
Howsomever, today we actually got with the program and took a good ride.
Mind you, this isn't an easy jump-on-the-trike undertaking. Jacque fell down some stairs while visiting my brother up in Utah, and though the steps were carpeted, she suffers with a very sore bottom. When she's sitting, it takes a bit of care to find positions that don't hurt, clear through the pain medication. This was our first attempt at riding since the fall, so we were more than a bit concerned.
PLUS, this morning was probably the coldest morning we've experienced this fall.... it was 25 degrees on one end of the house when we got up and 23 on the other end of the house. So we lolly-gagged around until 10:00 to get going in hopes the weather would warm up a bit. We bundled in several layers, and I wore solid leather shoes instead of my normal tenny-runners and TWO pairs of socks. My experience with cold weather cycling is that 2 things suffer the most while riding in the cold: Fingers and Feets. My prior experience also dictated that I not put on anything actually heavy and woolly, but just 3 or 4 layers I could pull off as I warmed up. We started off with me wearing my "shooter's mittens" on my hands: medium padded mittens with a velcro-fastening 'pocket' that encloses the fingers, and which can be easily opened to expose the fingers for working the radio knobs and other details. Designed for cold weather shooting, but works for cyclists "not carrying", too.
Our plan was deceptively simple: Ride east out to Edgewood, pick up a quilt square-of-the-month from Busy Bee Quilts, maybe make a short side trip to Wally World and then ride home. Total max distance 25 miles or so. If either of us wanted to turn back early, we agreed to turn back.
Every bike trip produces something to laugh about, and today was no exception. While climbing a hill on eastbound Frost Road, a westbound "Souped-Up" Honda approached us, and when he got right next to us while passing, REVVED up his engine in neutral several times to impress us with his pipes, I guess. Jacque and I laughed out loud, and talked about the idea that "Brapping your pipes" is a way to impress other people cranking along under their own power.
We made it about 4 miles, a third of the way there, and Jacque's pain pills were not keeping up with the strain. So we turned back, and were glad we did. The east-bound wind had picked up considerably and though it didn't slow us down much, the cold wind was SHARP.
So, even though conditions weren't totally favorable, and we were certainly not totally confident in how it would work out with our aches and pains.... it was, as usual, invigorating and FUN. We gotta get back to a daily routine....
Just after getting back in the Exploder, we spotted a couple walking their little doggies along the path we'd just exited. We did a double-take.... their doggies appeared to be PAPILLONS! -And one was a sable & white, with the other one a tri-color Black, White, and small patches of Brown.... almost exactly like OUR doggies! So we just HAD to pull over and chase them down so we (and our look-alike doggies) could exchange greetings. Jazzie, our beserk pup, went into hysterics and was almost impossible to shut up or calm down, so the visit was short, unfortunately.
Beginning Battery Voltage: 13.2 Ending Voltage: 13.1
Lowest Temp 52 F Highest Temp: 66 F
Stats from the GPS: Total Miles: 8.06
Overall average speed Moving Avg Max Speed
4.4 MPH 6.4 MPH 27.8 MPH
Total Trip time Moving Time Stopped Time
1 hour 49 minutes 1 hour 15 mins 33 mins 32 secs
GAAAACK. It's been TEN DAYS since we rode anywhere under people-pedal-power. Bah. Humbug.
We planned to do our afternoon Bosque ride yesterday, Friday, but at the last minute before we left home we got a phone call committing us to something other than afternoon aerobic exercise. Oh Well.
Howsomever, today we actually got with the program and took a good ride.
Mind you, this isn't an easy jump-on-the-trike undertaking. Jacque fell down some stairs while visiting my brother up in Utah, and though the steps were carpeted, she suffers with a very sore bottom. When she's sitting, it takes a bit of care to find positions that don't hurt, clear through the pain medication. This was our first attempt at riding since the fall, so we were more than a bit concerned.
PLUS, this morning was probably the coldest morning we've experienced this fall.... it was 25 degrees on one end of the house when we got up and 23 on the other end of the house. So we lolly-gagged around until 10:00 to get going in hopes the weather would warm up a bit. We bundled in several layers, and I wore solid leather shoes instead of my normal tenny-runners and TWO pairs of socks. My experience with cold weather cycling is that 2 things suffer the most while riding in the cold: Fingers and Feets. My prior experience also dictated that I not put on anything actually heavy and woolly, but just 3 or 4 layers I could pull off as I warmed up. We started off with me wearing my "shooter's mittens" on my hands: medium padded mittens with a velcro-fastening 'pocket' that encloses the fingers, and which can be easily opened to expose the fingers for working the radio knobs and other details. Designed for cold weather shooting, but works for cyclists "not carrying", too.
Our plan was deceptively simple: Ride east out to Edgewood, pick up a quilt square-of-the-month from Busy Bee Quilts, maybe make a short side trip to Wally World and then ride home. Total max distance 25 miles or so. If either of us wanted to turn back early, we agreed to turn back.
Every bike trip produces something to laugh about, and today was no exception. While climbing a hill on eastbound Frost Road, a westbound "Souped-Up" Honda approached us, and when he got right next to us while passing, REVVED up his engine in neutral several times to impress us with his pipes, I guess. Jacque and I laughed out loud, and talked about the idea that "Brapping your pipes" is a way to impress other people cranking along under their own power.
We made it about 4 miles, a third of the way there, and Jacque's pain pills were not keeping up with the strain. So we turned back, and were glad we did. The east-bound wind had picked up considerably and though it didn't slow us down much, the cold wind was SHARP.
So, even though conditions weren't totally favorable, and we were certainly not totally confident in how it would work out with our aches and pains.... it was, as usual, invigorating and FUN. We gotta get back to a daily routine....
Just after getting back in the Exploder, we spotted a couple walking their little doggies along the path we'd just exited. We did a double-take.... their doggies appeared to be PAPILLONS! -And one was a sable & white, with the other one a tri-color Black, White, and small patches of Brown.... almost exactly like OUR doggies! So we just HAD to pull over and chase them down so we (and our look-alike doggies) could exchange greetings. Jazzie, our beserk pup, went into hysterics and was almost impossible to shut up or calm down, so the visit was short, unfortunately.
Beginning Battery Voltage: 13.2 Ending Voltage: 13.1
Lowest Temp 52 F Highest Temp: 66 F
Stats from the GPS: Total Miles: 8.06
Overall average speed Moving Avg Max Speed
4.4 MPH 6.4 MPH 27.8 MPH
Total Trip time Moving Time Stopped Time
1 hour 49 minutes 1 hour 15 mins 33 mins 32 secs
Wednesday, October 9, 2013
Windy Wednesday, Great Riding
Today's Short Tracking in the Other Direction
Jacque made an appointment for a haircut with a stylist lady who lives only a few miles from us, so Jacque suggested we use it for an excuse for another trike ride today.... she didn't have to twist my arm.
This week is Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta , and the weather forecasters have been amazed at the lack of wind and rain that normally accompany such an event. Every other year or so they've even had snow to deal with. Unlike the past several years, EVERY morning so far of the Fiesta has been almost perfect launching days with little wind and no rain. Forecasters had predicted last night that today would be a chancy one, with likely high winds that might force balloon launch cancellations. Well, it was largely calm again this morning and the balloons launched as did the Jim & Jacque Tricycle Operation.
It was cool enough that my 3 layers, one with long sleeves, were welcome for the first mile and a half.... until we got to our first long hill. By the time we topped that little climb I was overheated and begging to stop so I could peel off some layers and change to my open-fingered warm weather riding gloves. And guzzle some water.
Since we stopped at no public places, we had no lengthy interactions with passers-by, just a nice long visit with Jacque's hairdresser, as well as a dozen or so momentary interactions with passing motorists, most of whom gave us next-lane wide clearance. Only one sooper-large pickup truck gave a seemingly angry BRRAAPPP! of his diesel exhaust as he roared around us, and even he took the other lane and gave us plenty of room. Nice folks.
Beginning Battery Voltage: 13.2 Ending Voltage: 12.7
Lowest Temp 63 F Highest Temp: 73 F
Stats from the GPS: Total Miles: 5.58
Overall average speed Moving Avg Max Speed
3.1 MPH 5.6 MPH 28.1 MPH
Total Trip time Moving Time Stopped Time
1 hour 47 minutes 59 mins 24 secs 47 mins 57 secs
Jacque made an appointment for a haircut with a stylist lady who lives only a few miles from us, so Jacque suggested we use it for an excuse for another trike ride today.... she didn't have to twist my arm.
This week is Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta , and the weather forecasters have been amazed at the lack of wind and rain that normally accompany such an event. Every other year or so they've even had snow to deal with. Unlike the past several years, EVERY morning so far of the Fiesta has been almost perfect launching days with little wind and no rain. Forecasters had predicted last night that today would be a chancy one, with likely high winds that might force balloon launch cancellations. Well, it was largely calm again this morning and the balloons launched as did the Jim & Jacque Tricycle Operation.
It was cool enough that my 3 layers, one with long sleeves, were welcome for the first mile and a half.... until we got to our first long hill. By the time we topped that little climb I was overheated and begging to stop so I could peel off some layers and change to my open-fingered warm weather riding gloves. And guzzle some water.
Since we stopped at no public places, we had no lengthy interactions with passers-by, just a nice long visit with Jacque's hairdresser, as well as a dozen or so momentary interactions with passing motorists, most of whom gave us next-lane wide clearance. Only one sooper-large pickup truck gave a seemingly angry BRRAAPPP! of his diesel exhaust as he roared around us, and even he took the other lane and gave us plenty of room. Nice folks.
Beginning Battery Voltage: 13.2 Ending Voltage: 12.7
Lowest Temp 63 F Highest Temp: 73 F
Stats from the GPS: Total Miles: 5.58
Overall average speed Moving Avg Max Speed
3.1 MPH 5.6 MPH 28.1 MPH
Total Trip time Moving Time Stopped Time
1 hour 47 minutes 59 mins 24 secs 47 mins 57 secs
Tuesday, October 8, 2013
Late Afternoon Mail Run
Today's Boring-as-Usual Tracking
We've been scuttling around, pulling weeds, working laundry, chasing puppies, etc, the usual too-busy-to-stay-healthy routine. Today was a lovely day, with a bit of gusty windy stuff, but balmy and just cool enough to be great Indian Summer weather.
So it got to be about 5:00 PM and the weather was STILL nice and the sun looked like it would take at least another hour and a half to go below Sandia Crest to put us in the dark. So I challenged Jacque for a trike ride and she was up for it.
By the time we got rolling it was 5:30-ish and still lots of daylight.
The gusty breezes that had been rattling things all day had almost totally calmed down and it was a fine, fine ride. We did the usual struggle uphill going west toward the Post Office on Frost Road, as usual regretting not having more endurance and power since we are not "in shape". When we arrived at the Post Office a nice older fellow (getting rare to bump into people older than I am) had a lot of questions about the trike and seemed very fearful about riding his own bike because of auto traffic. We discussed the additional safety factor available on the off-main-road biking paths in the area but he was still quite worried about actually doing more biking himself.
We too worry about vehicle traffic and the occasional too-close-encounter but fear even more the idea of losing our muscle tone and vigor. I neglected to tell the fellow about my being-run-over-by-an-SUV several years ago, which caused ME to think and rethink the joy of bicycling. I pretty much decided I'd prefer getting killed by a car than dying in front of our TV sitting on my butt doing nothing.
There IS risk involved in riding bikes on the streets, of course, and Bernalillo County manages to kill 2 or 3 cyclists a year in stupid accidents but I often wonder just how many cyclist-miles there are between fatal accidents? We kill a LOT more motorists in New Mexico, and auto accidents have killed more Americans EACH YEAR than armed combat in any year since the Civil War.... and no one ever suggests anyone should stop or avoid driving gas-burners. Every day literally hundreds of cyclists ride up and down the roads here in the East Mountains, many of them riding all the way from their homes in Albuquerque up the winding roads to Sandia Crest and back home again, and it seems to me the percentage of them getting injured or killed is actually pretty low... like I said, 2 or 3 a year.
Anyway, the nice fellow went on his fearful way and we went ours... on up the rest of the hill to our favorite snack/watering hole, the Shell Station at the intersection of North-14, Frost Road, and Sandia Crest Road. When we got there we again - as usual - got into extended conversations with a couple of people we bumped into while snarfing our snacks. Jacque and I commented about it on the way home.... How many times do other motorists stop us, enthused about our dogs, etc, when we're DRIVING a CAR? Very seldom. Yet everywhere we encounter other people while riding pedal-powered machines, we have instant friends though rarely we ever even know each others' names. When you're on a bike it just seems like you're more approachable, more of a curiosity, whatever. We LOVE it, even though most spandex-clad cyclists are much too busy or focused or whatever to exchange greetings when we pass. When stopped for a snack or a snort of water, most cyclists are friendly even if they consider themselves ultimate athletes. So the increased affability between fellow travelers is enjoyable. Although of course maybe one out of a hundred will turn out to be Grumpy Gus complaining about how we should be on the sidewalk (No such thing in most of our area!) instead of slowing the Royal Motorist down by riding in or near the road.
Beginning Battery Voltage: 13.2 Ending Voltage: 13.1
Lowest Temp 66 F Highest Temp: 77 F
Stats from the GPS: Total Miles: 4.30
Overall average speed Moving Avg Max Speed
3.7 MPH 6.2 MPH 27.8 MPH
Total Trip time Moving Time Stopped Time
1 hour 9 minutes 41 mins 32 secs 27 mins 28 secs
We've been scuttling around, pulling weeds, working laundry, chasing puppies, etc, the usual too-busy-to-stay-healthy routine. Today was a lovely day, with a bit of gusty windy stuff, but balmy and just cool enough to be great Indian Summer weather.
So it got to be about 5:00 PM and the weather was STILL nice and the sun looked like it would take at least another hour and a half to go below Sandia Crest to put us in the dark. So I challenged Jacque for a trike ride and she was up for it.
By the time we got rolling it was 5:30-ish and still lots of daylight.
The gusty breezes that had been rattling things all day had almost totally calmed down and it was a fine, fine ride. We did the usual struggle uphill going west toward the Post Office on Frost Road, as usual regretting not having more endurance and power since we are not "in shape". When we arrived at the Post Office a nice older fellow (getting rare to bump into people older than I am) had a lot of questions about the trike and seemed very fearful about riding his own bike because of auto traffic. We discussed the additional safety factor available on the off-main-road biking paths in the area but he was still quite worried about actually doing more biking himself.
We too worry about vehicle traffic and the occasional too-close-encounter but fear even more the idea of losing our muscle tone and vigor. I neglected to tell the fellow about my being-run-over-by-an-SUV several years ago, which caused ME to think and rethink the joy of bicycling. I pretty much decided I'd prefer getting killed by a car than dying in front of our TV sitting on my butt doing nothing.
There IS risk involved in riding bikes on the streets, of course, and Bernalillo County manages to kill 2 or 3 cyclists a year in stupid accidents but I often wonder just how many cyclist-miles there are between fatal accidents? We kill a LOT more motorists in New Mexico, and auto accidents have killed more Americans EACH YEAR than armed combat in any year since the Civil War.... and no one ever suggests anyone should stop or avoid driving gas-burners. Every day literally hundreds of cyclists ride up and down the roads here in the East Mountains, many of them riding all the way from their homes in Albuquerque up the winding roads to Sandia Crest and back home again, and it seems to me the percentage of them getting injured or killed is actually pretty low... like I said, 2 or 3 a year.
Anyway, the nice fellow went on his fearful way and we went ours... on up the rest of the hill to our favorite snack/watering hole, the Shell Station at the intersection of North-14, Frost Road, and Sandia Crest Road. When we got there we again - as usual - got into extended conversations with a couple of people we bumped into while snarfing our snacks. Jacque and I commented about it on the way home.... How many times do other motorists stop us, enthused about our dogs, etc, when we're DRIVING a CAR? Very seldom. Yet everywhere we encounter other people while riding pedal-powered machines, we have instant friends though rarely we ever even know each others' names. When you're on a bike it just seems like you're more approachable, more of a curiosity, whatever. We LOVE it, even though most spandex-clad cyclists are much too busy or focused or whatever to exchange greetings when we pass. When stopped for a snack or a snort of water, most cyclists are friendly even if they consider themselves ultimate athletes. So the increased affability between fellow travelers is enjoyable. Although of course maybe one out of a hundred will turn out to be Grumpy Gus complaining about how we should be on the sidewalk (No such thing in most of our area!) instead of slowing the Royal Motorist down by riding in or near the road.
Beginning Battery Voltage: 13.2 Ending Voltage: 13.1
Lowest Temp 66 F Highest Temp: 77 F
Stats from the GPS: Total Miles: 4.30
Overall average speed Moving Avg Max Speed
3.7 MPH 6.2 MPH 27.8 MPH
Total Trip time Moving Time Stopped Time
1 hour 9 minutes 41 mins 32 secs 27 mins 28 secs
Monday, October 7, 2013
Found a Cool Video This Morning
So, instead of riding a bike this morning like I should be, I'm surfing the Web. I stumbled onto a great video extolling many of the same reasons WE like to pedal power ourselves around:
Bicycling for Life
Maybe it's not too late to go for a ride. We haven't picked up the mail yet.....
Bicycling for Life
Maybe it's not too late to go for a ride. We haven't picked up the mail yet.....
Saturday, October 5, 2013
Conference Cruising
Today's Very Very Short Tracking
Today starts the LDS Church's General Conference, available worldwide via the Internet . We had sorta planned to drive to Albuquerque and ride our trike from UNM to the Balloon Fiesta Park and watch the balloons with the Albuquerque Recumbent Riders Group, but decided we weren't in the mood to get up at 5 AM and ride in freezing temperatures and preferred to ride later in the day when the temperatures would be milder. We thus watched the first session of conference and then jumped in the Exploder to drive down to the paved road and do our usual short-but-highly-aerobic Post Office Ride. It was still very cool outside, and the wind was whipping a bit, so we definitely avoided any overheating problems. Still, as usual, it was wonderful to be out and riding and working the legs and getting the circulatory system pumping. Jazzy, the new pappilon pup, immediately started whining and was not pacified until we stopped for water and Jacque took her out of the basket next to Tinkerbell and stuffed her into the front of Jacque's windbreaker. Then Jazzy snuggled in and quieted down. We normally ride on up to our favorite cold-snack place, the Shell Station at the top of the hill, but we decided we were cold enough already and turned back toward the car without benefit of Ice Cream or Lemonade.
It's certainly getting to the point we'll have to utilize our cold weather layers in future rides until Spring. On this ride I had on a heavy long sleeve shirt Jacque made me last winter and my velcro-front Day-Glo yellow/green Tee shirt and never got overheated except for a few hundred yards where I had to open up these 2 layers to let in some frigid air to cool off my armpits. I started out with my normal partial-finger riding gloves but when we stopped for water and Jazzy-stuffing I dug out my full-fingered riding gloves from the pannier which really improved conditions a lot :?)
Beginning Battery Voltage: 13.2 Ending Voltage: 12.7
Lowest Temp 55 F Highest Temp: 63 F
Stats from the GPS: Total Miles: 3.41
Overall average speed Moving Avg Max Speed
5.2 MPH 7.1 MPH 25.7 MPH
Total Trip time Moving Time Stopped Time
39 minutes 28 mins 49 secs 10 mins 11 secs
Today starts the LDS Church's General Conference, available worldwide via the Internet . We had sorta planned to drive to Albuquerque and ride our trike from UNM to the Balloon Fiesta Park and watch the balloons with the Albuquerque Recumbent Riders Group, but decided we weren't in the mood to get up at 5 AM and ride in freezing temperatures and preferred to ride later in the day when the temperatures would be milder. We thus watched the first session of conference and then jumped in the Exploder to drive down to the paved road and do our usual short-but-highly-aerobic Post Office Ride. It was still very cool outside, and the wind was whipping a bit, so we definitely avoided any overheating problems. Still, as usual, it was wonderful to be out and riding and working the legs and getting the circulatory system pumping. Jazzy, the new pappilon pup, immediately started whining and was not pacified until we stopped for water and Jacque took her out of the basket next to Tinkerbell and stuffed her into the front of Jacque's windbreaker. Then Jazzy snuggled in and quieted down. We normally ride on up to our favorite cold-snack place, the Shell Station at the top of the hill, but we decided we were cold enough already and turned back toward the car without benefit of Ice Cream or Lemonade.
It's certainly getting to the point we'll have to utilize our cold weather layers in future rides until Spring. On this ride I had on a heavy long sleeve shirt Jacque made me last winter and my velcro-front Day-Glo yellow/green Tee shirt and never got overheated except for a few hundred yards where I had to open up these 2 layers to let in some frigid air to cool off my armpits. I started out with my normal partial-finger riding gloves but when we stopped for water and Jazzy-stuffing I dug out my full-fingered riding gloves from the pannier which really improved conditions a lot :?)
Beginning Battery Voltage: 13.2 Ending Voltage: 12.7
Lowest Temp 55 F Highest Temp: 63 F
Stats from the GPS: Total Miles: 3.41
Overall average speed Moving Avg Max Speed
5.2 MPH 7.1 MPH 25.7 MPH
Total Trip time Moving Time Stopped Time
39 minutes 28 mins 49 secs 10 mins 11 secs
Tuesday, October 1, 2013
Rode the Tractor Instead of the Trike Today
I planned to take a decent leg-powered ride today but thought I should put in some time on the old 1962 Ford 2000 Tractor to push some dirt and rocks around in efforts to repair some of the damage to our private goat-path road we have to maintain ourselves. Last month's gully-washer monsoon rains really did wash some gullies across and down our road. I thought to put in at least a couple hours first on the tractor and then hit the newly graded road with my recumbent 2-wheeler.
Trouble is, the road sucks up a LOT of time and effort. I worked till sundown and did NOT finish the work. It's almost a mile of ruts and rock and way too little sand and gravel. I must "rob" dirt and gravel from areas that have filled with gravel below the roadway, and much of the time I'm forced to use plain old dirt to fill ruts and holes in the road. Usually the 'borrowed' dirt and gravel is not close to the desired rut needing filling so it takes multiple trips to scoop up material with the front bucket and dump it into the roadway and then use the blade on the 3-point hitch in the rear to scrape it, level it, and push it back and forth to fill and refill the ruts and holes.
I don't think I've spent this much time in one session on the tractor: It's almost like riding a horse. It looks easy from afar (Riding a horse) but to make the most of it you have to put some leg effort into the ride. If you try to ride a horse by just sitting there on his back or in the saddle it will be a very rough ride unless you just plod along at a snail's pace. Trying to just sit there when trotting will beat your behind to death. Just sitting there while the horse is loping at a decent pace will likely result in your falling off, since it takes effort to match the movement of the horse while in motion. Standing partially in the stirrups and working your knees to rise and lower with the motion of the running horse results in not only greater speed and security but FUN being able to really eat up the miles..... but it does tire you out.
The tractor is not a smooth ride either. Mine has power assist steering but it takes a lot of arm strength to turn and control it while loaded and climbing. After an hour or so of continuous operation I got off to throw some rocks out of the material I was spreading and my knees were almost locked up..... and SORE. I need to learn to deliberately stop and dismount every half hour or so to stretch my old legs and get the circulation going again.
Anyway, I got a lot of good progress done on our goat-path. There are 5 households that use our road and currently we are the only ones financing or otherwise participating in its maintenance. We DO have one of them who only recently moved in and they are at least promising to help.
But it's certainly more fun riding the bike or trike....
Trouble is, the road sucks up a LOT of time and effort. I worked till sundown and did NOT finish the work. It's almost a mile of ruts and rock and way too little sand and gravel. I must "rob" dirt and gravel from areas that have filled with gravel below the roadway, and much of the time I'm forced to use plain old dirt to fill ruts and holes in the road. Usually the 'borrowed' dirt and gravel is not close to the desired rut needing filling so it takes multiple trips to scoop up material with the front bucket and dump it into the roadway and then use the blade on the 3-point hitch in the rear to scrape it, level it, and push it back and forth to fill and refill the ruts and holes.
I don't think I've spent this much time in one session on the tractor: It's almost like riding a horse. It looks easy from afar (Riding a horse) but to make the most of it you have to put some leg effort into the ride. If you try to ride a horse by just sitting there on his back or in the saddle it will be a very rough ride unless you just plod along at a snail's pace. Trying to just sit there when trotting will beat your behind to death. Just sitting there while the horse is loping at a decent pace will likely result in your falling off, since it takes effort to match the movement of the horse while in motion. Standing partially in the stirrups and working your knees to rise and lower with the motion of the running horse results in not only greater speed and security but FUN being able to really eat up the miles..... but it does tire you out.
The tractor is not a smooth ride either. Mine has power assist steering but it takes a lot of arm strength to turn and control it while loaded and climbing. After an hour or so of continuous operation I got off to throw some rocks out of the material I was spreading and my knees were almost locked up..... and SORE. I need to learn to deliberately stop and dismount every half hour or so to stretch my old legs and get the circulation going again.
Anyway, I got a lot of good progress done on our goat-path. There are 5 households that use our road and currently we are the only ones financing or otherwise participating in its maintenance. We DO have one of them who only recently moved in and they are at least promising to help.
But it's certainly more fun riding the bike or trike....
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)