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
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