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Well yesterday, Tuesday 3/9, was my first day back on the bicycle for 2021.
When I left the house the temp was in the low 40s and a gentle head wind.
I could feel that I hadn't ridden in months and took it nice and easy. A tad over an hour to do the 10 miles.
Coming home was quite another experience, the wind had picked up and turned around so it was in my face, making riding harder.
Also, being dark out makes it harder as I have to make sure to be visible, but not too visible, if you know what I mean.
I ride with 3 rear, red, lights, one on steady and 2 blinking, at different rates. I also have a rear red reflector, and red reflective tap on the rear fender. Then in the front I have to white lights. One stays on steady and the other flashes and both are plenty bright.
Then my jacket is bright yellow with silver reflective stripes and I have yellow reflective bands around my ankles that appear to go up and down as I pedal. I had one driver last year tell me I look like a traveling light show.
By the time I got home my legs were plenty tired. I'm on my feet all day at work and then the ride ends the day.
Last night I had quite painful leg cramps during the night. They happened so often that I was awake more than asleep last night. That's despite drinking plenty of water with electrolytes added. So the season has begun and I hope to get in plenty more days of bicycle commuting. -
LIhikers wrote:
Well yesterday, Tuesday 3/9, was my first day back on the bicycle for 2021.
When I left the house the temp was in the low 40s and a gentle head wind.
I could feel that I hadn't ridden in months and took it nice and easy. A tad over an hour to do the 10 miles.
Coming home was quite another experience, the wind had picked up and turned around so it was in my face, making riding harder.
Also, being dark out makes it harder as I have to make sure to be visible, but not too visible, if you know what I mean.
I ride with 3 rear, red, lights, one on steady and 2 blinking, at different rates. I also have a rear red reflector, and red reflective tap on the rear fender. Then in the front I have to white lights. One stays on steady and the other flashes and both are plenty bright.
Then my jacket is bright yellow with silver reflective stripes and I have yellow reflective bands around my ankles that appear to go up and down as I pedal. I had one driver last year tell me I look like a traveling light show.
By the time I got home my legs were plenty tired. I'm on my feet all day at work and then the ride ends the day.
Last night I had quite painful leg cramps during the night. They happened so often that I was awake more than asleep last night. That's despite drinking plenty of water with electrolytes added. So the season has begun and I hope to get in plenty more days of bicycle commuting.
The road to glory cannot be followed with much baggage.
Richard Ewell, CSA General -
Astro wrote:
LIhikers wrote:
Well yesterday, Tuesday 3/9, was my first day back on the bicycle for 2021.
When I left the house the temp was in the low 40s and a gentle head wind.
I could feel that I hadn't ridden in months and took it nice and easy. A tad over an hour to do the 10 miles.
Coming home was quite another experience, the wind had picked up and turned around so it was in my face, making riding harder.
Also, being dark out makes it harder as I have to make sure to be visible, but not too visible, if you know what I mean.
I ride with 3 rear, red, lights, one on steady and 2 blinking, at different rates. I also have a rear red reflector, and red reflective tap on the rear fender. Then in the front I have to white lights. One stays on steady and the other flashes and both are plenty bright.
Then my jacket is bright yellow with silver reflective stripes and I have yellow reflective bands around my ankles that appear to go up and down as I pedal. I had one driver last year tell me I look like a traveling light show.
By the time I got home my legs were plenty tired. I'm on my feet all day at work and then the ride ends the day.
Last night I had quite painful leg cramps during the night. They happened so often that I was awake more than asleep last night. That's despite drinking plenty of water with electrolytes added. So the season has begun and I hope to get in plenty more days of bicycle commuting.
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jimmyjam wrote:
Isn't it always like that, head wind going out and head wind coming back? Happens to me a lot.
The road to glory cannot be followed with much baggage.
Richard Ewell, CSA General -
Living in Florida, I don't have to worry about hills too much, except for all the bridges, which there are many; however, I've ridden in the mountains so much that they don't bother me -- it's funny how many I see walking their bikes up them
Living near the ocean, it's the wind that gets me and it's always a headwind (at least 98% of the time). That's because crosswinds are a headwind for all practical purposes, until they reach sufficient strength (for me some where above 20-mph wind), at which point they turn into a true Crosswind, that can be very dangerous, especially when associated with sudden strong gusts.
I can't tell you how many times I've seen a headwind blowing right in my face, then I turn around (change course) and the wind also shifts and gives me at least a crosswind, if not a new headwind. It's crazy and makes me think there really is something to Murphy's Law.
The only time I know I can trust the wind will not change direction is when it's associated with a strong Front, especially a cold front. -
Yep, winds can make things very difficult.
I had one day last year (I think it was last year) that during the day the wind picked up to around 40 mph.
So after a day at work I had to deal with that riding home. I usually take a road that's 6 and then 4 lanes wide and the wind was howling down that open expanse. So I had the idea to get onto smaller, residential roads where the trees and houses would block the wind some. No luck, it was just as much a factor on those roads as on the wider one. Needless to say it took me a long time to get home that night. Oh, and of course it was a head wind. -
After all the garden work I did yesterday, I'm taking a bike ride today to recuperate. Took a look at the weather report and noticed the winds are suppose to be from the south all day, so I'm going to ride south and have a headwind all the way down towards St. Augustine. However, if the wind doesn't change too much, that means I'll have a tailwind on the way back...Going to
testtempt fate with the Murphy's Law thing....again -
Got out on my road bike today.
Dang, I’m in much better shape now than last spring...strength training makes a big difference.
After riding the gravel bike until early winter, the road bike felt weird... and fast!Lost in the right direction. -
Kathy and I got out for a recreational ride today. It was about 25 miles in a wind that was 20 to 25 mph out of the northwest . At least we did the smart thing and rode into the wind in the outbound direction. I enjoyed it but was feeling fat and slow. Oh wait, maybe that's because I gained 20 pounds over the winter
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LIhikers wrote:
Kathy and I got out for a recreational ride today. It was about 25 miles in a wind that was 20 to 25 mph out of the northwest . At least we did the smart thing and rode into the wind in the outbound direction. I enjoyed it but was feeling fat and slow. Oh wait, maybe that's because I gained 20 pounds over the winter
“Of all sad words of tongue or pen,
the saddest are these, 'It might have been.”
John Greenleaf Whittier -
IMScotty wrote:
LIhikers wrote:
Kathy and I got out for a recreational ride today. It was about 25 miles in a wind that was 20 to 25 mph out of the northwest . At least we did the smart thing and rode into the wind in the outbound direction. I enjoyed it but was feeling fat and slow. Oh wait, maybe that's because I gained 20 pounds over the winter
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I'm feeling the draw of the Creeper and the New River trail. Might have to see if can work one or both in this spring. Maybe with a side trip to see Mountain Mike."Dazed and Confused"
Recycle, re-use, re-purpose
Plant a tree
Take a kid hiking
Make a difference -
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Gravel riding this evening was awesome! It was quiet and peaceful...no other cyclists. Evening is a great time to be outside, the animals are active and temps are pleasant. I saw a turkey and an owl flew right in front of me and landed in a tree, the first owl I’ve seen in a long time.Lost in the right direction.
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I haven't ridden my bicycle to work for about 2 weeks now.
Between weather and me needing to get home quick after work I haven't been rising.
Tomorrow looks like a good day and so I've got my work clothes packed, tires pumped up, and I'll give it a go in the morning.
The forecast only calls for temperatures in the 70s in the morning so that's a plus for this time of year. -
Last week I traveled and camped throughout VA with my bike. Biked the entire Creeper Trail and 50 more miles on the New River Trail.
The NRT is only 57 miles but I’m doubling it with out and backs. I only have 11 (22) miles to finish but bought the jersey anyway.
The NRT headquarters is at Foster Falls which has a great campground that I highly recommend. It’s right next to the New River (1st pic),
It was hot last week and the second half of the Creeper Trail isn't as shady. The NRT is mostly shady so the heat didn’t bother me as much.
Cycling was followed by a few days in Charlottesville and winery visits then a few days with the grandkids…best vacation!Lost in the right direction. -
I haven't been on my bicycle since our summer hike because I hurt my knee on the hike. It's feeling much better and I'm hoping that by the time my covid quarantine is over that it'll be good enough to ride again. We'll see, I'm not going to rush things as I don't want to reinjure it.
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Traffic Jam wrote:
Last week I traveled and camped throughout VA with my bike. Biked the entire Creeper Trail and 50 more miles on the New River Trail.............
Let me suggest that some time when you're in PA and have a few extra days that you ride the Great Allegheny Passage. Checkout https://gaptrail.org/ for all the info you might need. Kathy and I have hiked it but we'd like to get back and ride it too.
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I did my first bike packing trip, so so much fun! And I finished the New River Trail. Can’t wait for my next adventure.Lost in the right direction.
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"Dazed and Confused"
Recycle, re-use, re-purpose
Plant a tree
Take a kid hiking
Make a difference -
First bike ride of the year. It was a beautiful 50*.
I especially like the bluegrass fiddler.
I’m doing half of the GAP in July, gotta start training.Lost in the right direction.The post was edited 1 time, last by Traffic Jam ().
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Traffic Jam wrote:
I’m doing half of the GAP in July, gotta start training.
I've hiked the whole thing so if you have questions feel free to ask me. -
LIhikers wrote:
Traffic Jam wrote:
I’m doing half of the GAP in July, gotta start training.
I’m doing Pittsburgh to Cumberland MD.Lost in the right direction. -
Traffic Jam wrote:
LIhikers wrote:
Traffic Jam wrote:
I’m doing half of the GAP in July, gotta start training.
I’m doing Pittsburgh to Cumberland MD.
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LIhikers wrote:
Traffic Jam wrote:
LIhikers wrote:
Traffic Jam wrote:
I’m doing half of the GAP in July, gotta start training.
Lost in the right direction. -
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I don't know anything about electric bikes, except that Costco now sells them. Sonders Smart Step for $1,500. It has a USB port so you can keep your devices charged while you ride.
REI has 3 (house brand and Cannondale) that range from $2,300 - $2,700. I'm guessing the extra $ would be money well spent quality wise. Plus you can get a lot of socks with the dividend!
If Costco sells em then electric bikes are officially a thing.
<snip>
Enjoy the freedom, power and opportunity to go anywhere and do anything with the simple press of a thumb throttle. SONDORS Smart Step has a powerful 350 watt motor and steadfast, premium components including our proprietary 36 volt lithium-ion battery. The estimated battery range is up to 25 - 40 miles on a full charge. Up to 25 miles of throttle only riding and up to 40 miles when pedalling (with use of electric pedal assist).
costco.com/sondors-smart-step-…ke.product.100732977.html2,000 miler -
Sondors is a good bike. Started by a guy named Sondors in southern California. I have the folding fatty XS with a 750w motor. It'll do wheelies and donuts."Dazed and Confused"
Recycle, re-use, re-purpose
Plant a tree
Take a kid hiking
Make a difference -
max.patch wrote:
REI has 3 (house brand and Cannondale) that range from $2,300 - $2,700. I'm guessing the extra $ would be money well spent quality wise. Plus you can get a lot of socks with the dividend!
750w motor -- wow!2,000 milerThe post was edited 1 time, last by max.patch ().
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I did my first bicycle commute to work yesterday. The temps. in the morning was 32 ( 30 is my lower limit ), but maybe more important the was little to no wind. Coming home in the evening it was even at my back. Traffic was normal, for around here, and I didn't have any problems. What a pleasure, but I'm definitely out of shape.
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E bikes are a great thing!
My dad is 80, in poor health and can barely walk (2 weeks ago he was shocked with his implanted defibrillator 4x) but he rides his recumbent E bike every day. It gets him outside and moving.
He has a sturdy strap hanging from the garage ceiling that he holds to get on and off the bike.Lost in the right direction. -
LIhikers wrote:
I did my first bicycle commute to work yesterday. The temps. in the morning was 32 ( 30 is my lower limit ), but maybe more important the was little to no wind. Coming home in the evening it was even at my back. Traffic was normal, for around here, and I didn't have any problems. What a pleasure, but I'm definitely out of shape.
Lost in the right direction. -
Traffic Jam wrote:
E bikes are a great thing!
My dad is 80, in poor health and can barely walk (2 weeks ago he was shocked with his implanted defibrillator 4x) but he rides his recumbent E bike every day. It gets him outside and moving.
He has a sturdy strap hanging from the garage ceiling that he holds to get on and off the bike.
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Traffic Jam wrote:
You’ll be back in shape in no time!
Weather and what's going on in life play a big part in when I ride and when I don't.
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