20160103 cycling

This week felt much better. The store was back to regular hours. 
We had to work on January 1 and it was a long, busy day. I was still tired on Saturday and skipped my ride. 

2015 december cycling recap

It was a good week for riding. I rode 5 times for 103.8 miles.

I didn't work on Monday and rode three loops around Meadow Pointe. 

I worked late on Tuesday and rode three loops again around Meadow Pointe, 24 miles. I switched bike saddles and felt a lot better.

I didn't have the energy to ride on Wednesday.

No work on Thursday, I rode three loops around Meadow Pointe, 24 miles.

I worked early on Friday and got in one loop for 9 miles.

I was scheduled to work late on Saturday. I went over to Fox Ridge and rode most of the streets. It is much more rural. I heard several roosters, saw some horses in a small paddock, I saw the confederate flag flying under the American flag. The houses ranged from mobile homes to two stores house well kept. 22 miles

It was an OK week for cycling. I rode 4 times for 86 miles.

I worked late on Monday and rode 20 miles in a modified loop around Meadow Pointe. 

I had Tuesday off but worked until 10 pm on Monday. I was so tire and couldn't get the energy to rode.

I had Wednesday off and rode 3 loops around a Meadow Pointe, 24 miles.

I worked late again on Thursday and rode three loops around Meadow Pointe, 24 miles.

No ride on Friday. I worked early and had no energy.

I got in 2 loops on Saturday before I went into work at 11.

The holiday hours are killing me and my biking.

Rain and working early cancelled my Friday and Saturday rides 

Christmas retail doesn't work well with cycling. I had to go into work early this week. On the days I did ride, it was windy and curbed my enthusiasm. 

20151129 cycling recap

I did a little better cycling last week. I cycled 5 times for 82 miles. 

The boys didn't have school last week. I didn't work on Monday. I got in two loops before I took the boys to the chiropractor. 

I worked early on Tuesday and Wednesday and only got in short rides. 

Ryan has been riding longer and farther. He doesn't have his own iPhone so I cannot see where he is. 

Thursday was Thanksgiving. I was lazy and Ryan left before me. I made him take my dad's iPhone so I could find him and he could call if he needed help. I watched his progress on Find My Friends. 
It was close to lunch time so I didn't get out until late. It was windy and unpleasant. I only got in 18 miles. 

Black Friday and I was scheduled to work at 8 am so no riding for me. 

I got in 24 miles on Saturday since I didn't have to be to work until noon. 

20151122 cycling recap

20151115 cycling recap

I rode 5 times this week. I rode 103.8 miles.

I had to work Monday, Wednesday and Thursday night. I got in good rides those days.

I finished the Coffeeneuring Challenge on Wednesday. By Friday, my body was tired and I had some bad news. I didn't ride at all. 

I felt better on Saturday and ventured out of Meadow Pointe again.

Coffeeneuring Challenge #7

11 november

SR54 east at Meadow Pointe Blvd

I hadn’t really planned to do my last coffeeneuring challenge until the weekend. The boys left for school and I started looking at possible routes. I mapped a route to take advantage of the NE wind. I went out Meadow Pointe Blvd to SR54. I went east to Ashton Oaks. It is a newer residential development. The main road is two lanes with bike lanes. The trees are small and do not provide shade yet. I took Ashton Oaks Blvd to Grecko Dr. Grecko ends at Chancey Road.

Chancey Road

Google maps don’t show whether a road is paved or not and I was surprised when the pavement stopped. I checked my map to make sure I wasn’t lost. I proceeded with caution because I have narrow road tires. They have no tread to grab in sand so I didn’t go fast. Some parts were washboard and made my brain bounce. The pavement returned at New River Road. I continued to Morris Bridge and turned north. Morris Bridge is narrow with no shoulder. The road is busy but the speed limit is 25 mph on this portion. I turned again at SR54 and headed back. Even a busy road feels better with a bike lane.

SR54 west at Vending Road

The wind did not feel like it was behind me. 

Wild Berry Smoothie, 290 calories. Cinnamon Crunch Bagel, 420 calories

I went south on BBD along the MUP. I turned at the hospital and went around the back of the mall to Panera. 

Panera patio

Panera has a small bike rack and I locked my bike.

Wood screens help buffer traffic noise from SR56

I decided on a known treat with a Wild Berry smoothie and Cinnamon Crunch Bagel. 
I sat on the patio and enjoyed my snack.

Cinnamon Crunch bagel is best when toasted.

27 miles 13.5 mph

Coffeenuering Challenge #5

4 november 2015

Meadow Pointe Blvd just south of SR54

The wind was coming for the east but I have already gone that was in Challenge #3. I wanted to go to Panera in Lutz. It is only 6 miles west of my home. In order to enjoy a scone guilt-free, I needed to ride longer. I planned my route to take advantage of the winds as much as possible. I knew I would have to return home against the wind so I planned the majority of my ride before I got to Panera.

SR54 at Bruce B Downs

I went east on CLR to Mansfield to Beardsley to MPB. Then I went north to SR54. I continued riding SR54 to Livingston. The bike lane stops at Lexington Oaks but there is a nice, wide shoulder. The bike lanes starts up again where SR56 comes in. SR54 is a busy and fast highway. I felt safe enough riding on the shoulder and bike lane.

SW corner of Livingston and SR54 looking towards Panera

Panera has a lone bike rack in the tall grasses. Panera was busy and it took a while to get my smoothie. The smoothie was runny and disappointing in that I drank it too fast. The scone was as good as expected.

1995 Trek 1220

The ride home was slow and windy. I rode along SR54 to Oak Grove. Oak Grove has no bike lane but there was little traffic.

Caramel Apple Thumbprint Scone and Wild Berry Smoothie

I turned east on CLR. There is no bike lane but it was repaved this spring and they added a narrow shoulder. The shoulder widens at the overpass then disappears completely. That was only for two miles then back into MP with its bake lane.

Meadow Pointe Blvd/CR54 and SR56

25.5miles 13.6mph

cycling october 19-25

The sun is rising later so most of my rides start out in the dark.

It was a good week for biking. I rode twice to Zephyrhills. The rest of week I rode just one loop around Meadow Pointe. My total for the week was 104.6 miles. 

I stopped to take a shot of the horses and cows during Coffeeneuring #3

Monday was set aside for Coffeeneuring. I had to work early on Tuesday and Wednesday. I was tired on Thursday but wanted to go for a long ride. With the NE wind, my choices were limited so I went back to Panera in Zephyrhills. The ride was pretty good and makes me want to try to ride to Dade City soon. Dade City is only about 5 miles from Zephyrhills but there are hills. I hate hills and do not ride them in our flat area. 

I saw a group of horses and their riders on Saturday morning.

Wiregrass had a walk for breast cancer on Saturday. Dillard's participated and encouraged us to do so as well. I thought about it but I walk enough at work. The extra 3 miles would really bother my ankle. Also, I was close to riding 100 miles for the week so I rode. 

coffeenuering

I have never heard of coffeenuering. Is that even a real word? I saw the posts last year about coffeeneuring. I was too late to join but interested. When I saw the post announcing the dates for this year's challenge, I started thinking about joining. I don't drink coffee but tea and even hot chocolate are allowed. One of the rules is that it has to be seven different locals. Do we have seven different coffee shops in my area? (Different locations of the same chain are allowed.) I opened maps and started a search. Panera, Starbucks, Panera, Starbucks... Dunkin Donuts? Even though it is fall, it is still hot in Florida. Does Dunkin' Donuts have decent iced tea or chai? Other than chains, there are no independent coffee shops in the area. There is a artisanal bakery about 8 miles away. I have never been and their website is little more than a place holder. Since I cannot try many new places, maybe I will try some different drink or treat at each place. The challenge started October 3. The challenge is supposed to happen on the weekends but does allow for those of us who work on the weekends. I worked this weekend so maybe I will try Monday or Thursday.

bike lanes and multi-user paths

The 8 mile loop I ride is a mix of narrow roads, bike lanes, multi-user path and sidewalks.

I do not ride on sidewalks as a rule. They are too narrow and I hate to negotiate around pedestrians.

I like the bike lanes and prefer them. They are usually wide enough to ride around any debris or broken pavement.

Two of the roads do not have bike lanes. Mansfield is too narrow so they widened one of the sidewalks to accommodate multi-users. It is concrete and has curves. It is good for pedestrians but not for bikes going faster than 10 mph. I only ride it when I am with Andy. Meadow Pointe Boulevard is currently a two lane road. The right of way will accommodate future lanes. There is a wide multi-user path (MUP) along one side so they opted not to provide bike lanes. I used to ride the MUP. I had to yield to pedestrians and most of the time it was OK. Other times, pedestrians would walk/run in the middle of the path. I learned to say “on your left!” when passing another cyclist. This doesn't work so well with pedestrians. Most didn't know what it meant and some would even move to their left and I would have to brake hard. I began to say “Behind you!” which worked better except for those wearing headphones. I got a bell but found that only help a bit more. People walking dogs is another problem. The dogs would hear the bell but their owners might not. Some people even let their dogs walk without a leash. I do not trust those dogs. Who knows what they might do as I ride by. The worst obstacles are kids waiting for the bus. They are oblivious to others and like to stand in the middle of the path. Many are too busy texting others to pay attention to their immediate surroundings. Even after ringing my bell, there were still some people that would not move. I once said something and a parent told me to ride in the street. I am offended by this as I have a right to ride on the MUP.

I prefer the MUP along SR56. There are less people and obstacles. When the path was closed last September because of construction, I did ride in the bike lane. The speed limit on SR56 is 55mph which means most are driving 60mph or faster. I have to trust that they will stay in their lanes and allow me to ride. I learned to ride confidently but was more than happy to go back to the MUP when it reopened.

One day, I was riding south along the MUP on MPB. I saw some people taking up a majority of the path ahead. I decided to move to the street to avoid them. To my surprise, I found the road to be smoother. The MUP is asphalt but not to the standards of the road construction. The pavement is uneven which can be felt when riding. I started riding in the street on MPB even when the MUP was not blocked. I have not had any problems with vehicles coming too close or hinting at me to get out of the way. I typically hug the white line. One problem is that I have to stop for school buses. The worse is when I have to stop for a bus at the bottom of Hillhurst. I hate losing that momentum.

Another benefit to riding in the road is that vehicles on adjacent roads, will stop for me whereas they usually don't if you are crossing the street at the MUP. Drivers ignore the stop signs and the white lines where they should stop behind. I know I am no saint, but I have become more aware and careful since I started riding again.

Riding in the road is generally safe. Drivers need to be aware of cyclists and allow them to ride. Cyclists need to be aware that not all drivers will give them the right of way. I typically ride expecting drivers to do the “wrong” thing.