20160417 cycling

Monday
59° wind 5+ E
Good ride. The sun was in my eyes. I didn't notice the wind until I hit WRB. 
10 miles 14.1 mph

Tuesday
59° wind 2 NE
Late start, I made chicken salad before I went. 
Sunny. Cool. Steam rising from the ponds. 
Two hot air balloons. 
Young woman didn't stop or even look when turning right from SR56 to Mansfield. I had the light. 
10 miles 14.1 mph

Wednesday
62° wind 2 NE
I didn't feel like riding. I did finally warm up when I got to SR56 but even then couldn't push it past 14 mph
Car parked on WRB. Sitting with sunscreen in window looking at his laptop. 
10 miles 13.8 mph

Thursday
65° wind 6 NE
Grey and windy. I had to turn on my rear light. I would have turned on the front one if I had one that worked. 
Felt good but didn't push it hard enough to get over 14 mph. Also, wind was a factor except on SR56. 
Car parked on WRB for second day. Sitting with sunscreen in window looking at his laptop. 
10 miles 13.8 mph

Friday
67° wind 7 NE
Grey and dull. I wasn't feeling it. I didn't have the energy or desire to push. Wind felt against me most of the ride. 
10 miles 13.5 mph

Saturday
69° wind 8+ NE
I felt OK but the wind was too strong. I could only get up to 13.4 mph then lost a couple points on Mansfield. 
10 miles 13.2 mph

Sunday
I rode Ryan's bike up to the café. I took my wallet so I could get some ice cream. They are closed on Sunday. Oh well. At least the wind was at my back on the way home. 
1.3 miles 8.4 mph

61.7 miles
YTD 769 miles

20160510 cycling

I am finding little energy to ride longer than the minimum. I think this is because of the added stress lately. I know that more cycling can help with the stress but I just can't do anymore right now.

Monday
59° wind 2 ENE
Broken glass on Beardsley
Didn't ride too hard but found my speed was pretty good. Barely felt the wind. 
Broken glass on Mansfield. 
Driver honked at me. I gave the finger and then saw her waving like she knew me. Oops! Then she passed and I am sure I don't know who it was. Blue Sienna with diplomatic plates and WDW annual pass sticker. 
10 miles 14.5 mph

Tuesday
54° wind 2 NNW
I put on a sweatshirt but skipped the tights. They would have been nice. My hands were cold, too. 
Went CW and had to stop for the light at Mansfield. 
Construction barrels blocking the bike lanes on Mansfield and SR56. 
I pushed myself to get to 14 mph. 
9 miles 14 mph

Wednesday
62° wind 6 ENE
Felt more like 8-10 ESE. 
Stomach cramps. I couldn't push it. 
I saw a biker fall to avoid hitting a car pulling out of Sassafrass Dr. The driver did not stop before turning. The biker said he was OK and got up quickly. The driver did stop to check. I kept going. If I wasn't in pain I might have stopped. 
9 miles 12.9 mph

Thursday
79° wind 7 WSW
Ride with Andy. I rode the 820. We rode to SR56 along Mansfield. I stopped and read the sign at Dolce Café. It says they have relocated to Café 365 in Wiregrass. (Did they merge? Did they take over?) Andy missed me turning into the parking lot. He realized I wasn't at the light and turned around looking for me. 

We were stopped at WRHS with a blocked path. We had to ride in the street. After we stopped at SR56 Andy said, “You said that [path] was closed.” Yes. I saw them blocking the other path but didn't realize they were going to big a dig hole. Oops! I meant dig a big hole. “You need to fix the spoonerisms.” What? Where did you hear that? “I don't know. I just learned about them right here.” He must have learned about them at school. I had forgotten about them. My kid is smart. 
5.5 miles 8 mph

Friday
62° wind 3 SE
Rode out CLR to BBD
Felt pretty good. Had to slow down for light at Mansfield. Played leapfrog with guy who rides the hybrid. 
Coughing after I finished. 
11 miles 14.2 mph

Saturday
75° wind 4 NW with stronger gusts. 
I rode Ryan's bike up to Meadow Pointe Cafe & Deli to see if they had ice cream. I couldn't find a menu online. It was windy but pleasant.
The cafe does have ice cream but I didn't think to bring my wallet. Oh well, I guess I don't need anything.
1.34 miles 8 mph

Sunday
79° wind 5 E
I took Ryan's bike out to Morningside. The sun was low and in my eyes.
2 miles 8.9 mph

48.5 miles

20160403 cycling

Monday
71° wind 6 SSW
Didn't register the wind direction and went my regular route. 
Driver didn't stop at Oldswoods and nearly hit me. Even when she did see me, she still didn't stop but crawled behind me. Grey small SUV type vehicle. EGK023
My HR went up pretty high after that. 
Kept riding hard along SR56. The wind wasn't strong. 
I saw Ryan on CLR and beat him home. 
10 miles 14 mph

Tuesday
Foggy 69° wind 1 NNW
I rode to take advantage of the wind but it didn't work out that way. The wind was light and it shifted. 
Rode my usual route but skipped the path because of construction. 
Stopped near MPB
68° wind 3 NNE
9 miles 14 mph

I didn't notice the moon until i was in lightroom.

Wednesday
61° wind 7 NE
I put on my long sleeved shirt and rode. Arm warmers would have been fine but I can't justify the cost. 
Sunrise in my eyes. Not sure if it was the wind or just fatigue that made me ride slower. I think I need to do some weight training for my legs. 
Bad timing at the school. Car turning right into school did not look and nearly ran me over. 
10 miles 13.6 mph

Thursday
69° wind 5-9 SE
Good start. Wind hit me hard when I turned at WRB.
Legs were tired. 
LMP truck parked in bike lane on CLR
10 miles 13.99 mph

Friday
70° wind 6 SE but it felt much stronger. It was misty at time too. 
I wasn't feeling it when I started and thought to take it slow. I saw I was near 13 mph when I got to MPB so I pushed it a little more. Then I turned into SR56 and lost it. The wind was against me even though it wasn't supposed to be. My legs gave up. I couldn't push it even if I tried. 
I didn't go down WRB knowing the wind would kill me when I turned around. I stopped for a minute then just rode home. I went from 13.8 to 13.1 mph
9 miles.

ryan and i were lucky to get in rides before the rain came.

Saturday
75° wind 10 SSE
Dark and gloomy. I turned on my lights. My front light lit once then nothing. I figured it was the batteries and switched them out. The light is dead. I need a replacement. 
I took it easy. I knew I would have the energy to push it. 
Some wind. It didn't seem as strong as reported. 
Most of my ride was in zone 1. 
10 miles 12.6 mph

Sunday
Went for a quick ride around the neighborhood on Ryan's bike. It took less than 10 minutes.

Rides this week: 7
Miles this week: 59.9
Miles this year: 659

20160327 cycling

ironically, i took this photo while walking, not riding.

I was very lazy this week. I didn't want to ride in the cold and dark. 

Monday
Cold in the morning and dark. I rode with Andy after dinner. 
62° wind 7 NNW
Andy and I went out to SR56. We turned around and went into WRHS. We had to turn around because the back gate wasn't open. We will skip the shortcut this week during spring break. 
Someone has moved the barricades half off the walk to bikes can get by. Andy still rode in the street behind me.
6 miles 7.9 mph

Tuesday
No work. I took the boys to lunch and to get haircuts. Ryan pushed the car window down and it stayed down. Instead of riding, I walked home from the car repair shop. 

Wednesday
Cold again the morning. I rode with Andy after dinner. 
It was late so we only went up to Kinnan. The gate was broken so they removed it. There is no barrier now. 
Weather was nice. 78° wind 4 SE
4 miles 8 mph

Thursday
Lazy in the morning. 
The threat of rain kept us home. 

Friday
66° wind 9 SE
I started out slow but got faster and stronger. The wind hit me when I turned around on WRB. Then the rain hit before I got to the college. It was hard and heavy. I thought about waiting it out at the college but I was already soaked. I would just get cold. So I rode hard all the way home. 
Andy was waiting for me. 
10 miles 13.6 mph

Saturday
Rain, no ride.

Only 2 days and twenty miles. This is the worst mileage since I started riding two years ago.

It was a pathetic week of bike miles. I am not in a good place right now. I have to remember that riding makes me feels much better and more able to handle to the day.

20160320 cycling

Monday
70° wind 7 SSW
The wind felt against me at every turn. I got up to13mph by the time I reached SR56 but never got higher and had to work to maintain it. 
I had to stop for a bus at Beaconsfield & MPB. A state trooper and driver behind him cut me off as I was crossing SR56 with the light. Assholes
10 miles 12.95 mph

Tuesday
82° wind 8 SSW
It was slow and windy. We rode to SR56 and back through WRHS. 
Oh well, at least I got a ride in.
5.5 miles 7.8 mph

Wednesday
69° wind 2 SW but shifted to NWCLR to Aronwood. I had to stop at SPES for crossing guards. Rode in the street along SR56. There are some big bumps and gaps on the MUP at Hueland Pond. 
I saw the couple who pick up the trash. He was riding a bike while she walked. 
I had to slow down for bus at MPIII and for a bus at Hillhurst Dr. The buses are no longer picking kids up on the same side so it takes longer for them to cross the street and board. 
11 miles 13.2 mph

Thursday
71° wind 2 SSW
I went out CLR to BBD. I felt little wind. I felt strong too. I had a good pace on SR56. I had to stop at the light at Mansfield. 
The wind against me on MPB but I kept pace. I slowed down a bit on Beardsley. I pushed it to get above 14 mph pace. The wind felt stronger than 2 mph
11 miles 14 mph

Friday
Andy & I went out after dinner. It was a beautiful evening, Overcast and little breeze. 80°
We went to SR56. Andy road in the street along CLR because of the blocked sidewalks. He did well and stayed close behind me. 
5.5 miles 8.11mph

Saturday
Dark. 67° wind 5 NE
Ryan went out before me. I forgot to tell him to turn on his light. I saw him turning onto Mansfield and sped up to catch him. He moved off the road to let me pass not knowing it was me. I showed him how to turn on his light and turned around. I was warmed up by then and rode hard the rest of the way. Because it was dark, I didn't notice my bike computer hadn't been reset. I let it go and tried to keep it at 14mph
Sunrise was at 7:35. Andy was waiting for me when I got home. I beat Ryan home. 
10 miles 14 mph

I rode 6 days for 54 miles

20160313 cycling

Monday
Errandonne #5 #6

Most of the time I try to ride by the rules of the road. I am waiting in line to turn left.

12 miles 11 mph

Tuesday
Errandonnee #7
Ride to work.
4 miles. 11.74mph
Bike home
4 miles 10.3 mph
I love the idea of commuting by bike. I am close enough but Florida is too warm and my work does not have facilities.

Riding includes negotiating construction projects.

Wednesday
63° wind 8 ESE
It felt good to get back on my road bike and the cooler weather was welcomed. The wind didn't bother me until I turned around on Wiregrass Ranch Blvd. 
10 miles 13.3 mph

Thursday
Ugh, the wind.
65° wind 10 ESE
The wind didn't bother me until I turned around on WRB. I went from 13.5 mph to 12.4 mph and finished with 12.5. I was in my lowest gear just to keep moving. Dark Sky said it was 4 mph which I know is bullshit. 
10 miles 12.5mph

Friday
67° wind 9 SE
I felt a little stronger today or maybe the wind wasn't as strong. I managed to keep some of my speed as I turned around on WRB. 
10 miles 13.2 mph

Saturday
Errandonnee 8-12
27 miles 12 mph

I rode 6 days for 77 miles

* I know a group of cyclists cycling is called a peloton but these cyclists were just standing.

errandonee #8-12

I was going to call it quits for the Errandonnee challenge. I didn't think I would be able to get it done. Also, there didn't seem to be much to be gained if I did finish. Then the organizer posted the patch that those who complete the challenge can purchased. I want the patch. I also got an email the other day that my library card was expiring. I don't use it often but it is nice to have. I am now t scheduled to work Sunday and Monday but the library is closed on Sunday's and Monday's. I have to work today but not until 4 pm. Today would be the day to get the last 5 errands completed. The library opens at 11 so I waited until 9:30 to go since Google maps said it would take an hour to ride to the library. It was warm and windy. 

Half of the CFLs I need to recycle.

I took my Crumpler backpack. It is more padded and has some channels to allow airflow against my back. However, it is heavy.

#8 I went to the bank to deposit a $100 bill my dad gave me. There is no bike rack but I didn't need one. I used the walk up ATM. Category: personal business

It looked like rain but it stayed away.

I rode up BBD. I saw some wild turkeys along the side of the road. Turning east on SR54, I got hit with the wind. It was worse along the open fields. I went past the library as it wasn't quite 10:00. 

Saddlebrook Golf & Tennis resort

#9 I went to Home Depot. No bike rack. I locked my bike to a pole and walked inside. I carried  two bags of CFL bulbs to be recycled. The bulbs were not broken during the ride. Category: You carried what?

#10 I rode over to Publix. The bike rack is small and out of the way. I would have missed it but saw another bike over the hedge. I got some juice/smoothie. I tried some smoke sausage samples. I got some eggs. I usually eschew plastic bags but got one just in case there was breakage and oozing eggs. Category: You carried what?

This stuff was thicker than juice but thinner than a smoothie. It was odd.

I imagine trying to use a u-lock with these racks would not be easy.

#11 I rode back to the library. It was busy because they are having early voting for the primary. Florida has closed primaries and I am registered as an independent so I am not allowed to vote. I rode around looking for a bike rack. I missed it the first time because it is the low concrete type with just eye screws set into the concrete. I got my library card renewed. Category: personal business or arts and entertainment 

I haven't used it in years but it is nice to have.

The ride back SR54 was OK. I was getting a little tired. I haven't ridden this long in months. The wind grew strong again as I turned south on MPB. I rode in the street until I could easily go to the path. There is no bike lane so the path is safer but bumpier and busier. Though today I mostly just saw adolescent lizards darting across the 10' path just before I got there. 

I turned west on SR56 and rode to Panera. I was tired. 

The only time I sit at the patio is when I rode my bike. It is windy.

#12 Panera for lunch
There is a small bike rack. I put my bag and helmet at a table at the patio and went inside to order. I got smoked ham & Swiss cheese sandwich. It is my go-to when I have extra calories. I got kettle chips, iced tea and a scone. I saved the scone for later. Category: Wild card

The eggs made it home intact.

After I was done eating, I rode home in the wind.
27 miles 12 mph

Total errand :12
Total miles : 60.96

20160308 errandonee #7

Tuesday
Errandonnee #7

I rode my bike to work and back.
68° wind 6 ESE
Rode up to Mansfield. Dusty from construction. Wind was with me. I got a little sweaty though I didn't really ride hard. My backpack does not channel air. 
4 miles. 11.74mph

81° wind 9 ESE
It was tough going home. It was too warm and too windy. The wind was against me most of the ride. My clothes felt too tight. My pedals gripped my loafers well enough,but my feet slipped inside my shoes and jammed my toes.
I had to take a shower when I got home. 
4 miles 10.3 mph

I have worked at my present job for just over a year. I had looked for a place close to home so I could ride to work. I have had too many excuses not to ride before. Now I know it is because I just don't like it. I would rather wear a skirt to work and do not have a step through bike to ride. I do not have the facilities at work to shower or change. Florida is just too warm to ride without sweating most of the year. I will try to ride more next winter.

20160307 errandonne #5 #6

The timing was right and I made the turn along with the cars.

#5 Ride to Home Depot to get LED flood lamp

Took the Trek 820. Beautiful and breezy. The breeze turned to wind on BBD. 
I rode in street until Pebble Creek then moved over to path. One car nearly hit me. He was turning left on BBD and wasn't looking right. I saw a sprocket (the collective term may be peloton but that is when they are moving) of cyclists waiting for the light at Flatwoods. 
The sidewalk stops abruptly at the entrance to the shopping area. I wasn't prepared and had to ride against the traffic to get to the proper side of the street. I was surprised to see a bike rack at HD.

Too many choices. I opted for daylight.

I got my lightbulb easily and checked out. I had my blue backpack and put the bulb inside.

I waited at the crosswalk for the light to change.

#6 Lunch
I rode over to Panera for lunch. 
There is no bike rack so I parked my bike along the patio fence rail.
I got ham & cheese sandwich, kettle chips and iced tea. It was probably more food than necessary but felt I deserved it with all the riding.

I rode home along the west side sidewalk until New Tampa Road. It was narrow and two bikes cannot pass each other. I switched over to the path. My hands and feet were going numb. I wore my regular sneakers and the soles are thin and flexible. The wind was against me along CLR. 

I learned that four miles is my limit for riding in street clothes as my underwear rode up and my feet got numb.
When I got home and went to change the bulb, I found it was cracked. I went back to Home Depot but drove my car since I also needed groceries.

12 miles 11 mph

20160306 cycling

Monday
55° wind 2 NNE
Yay on the minimal wind. So nice not to have to fight it. 
One loop. I didn't push until SR56 so my average isn't better. 
10 miles 13.6 mph

Is the sidewalk really open or did someone just move the sign?

Tuesday
Warmer. 54° wind 3 NE
I was almost too warm in my thick sweatshirt. I tried to ride harder but found I did t have the energy. 
Another ride (man or woman, I wasn't sure) complimented my Chivaz Chuckles socks. 
10 miles 13.3 mph

I love the wispy clouds of spring.

Wednesday
Warm and windy. 67-73° wind 3-9 W
I had put on my long socks based on the weather at 8 but went back to bed. It was warmer at 9 but I didn't feel like changing my socks. I wore my tights. 
Windy. I went out CLR to BBD. I was going at a good pace but had to stop for the barrier at the mall entrance. I stopped, took a photo and rode in the street. The path is torn up at one point. I stayed in the road until The Ridge. 
I stopped at my usual spot before MPB. I forgot to hit resume until I hit Beardsley. Wahoo shows that I went along the road but left off the miles. Strava thinks I flew over the houses. 
I was up to 14.2 but the wind was too strong on Beardsley. I finished at 13.7 mph 11 miles

This explains why the sidewalk on north side is open. I just rode in the street.

Thursday
56-63° wind 3 ENE but felt stronger. 
I didn't have the energy to ride hard or longer. I feel congested after the ride. 
10 miles 13.3 mph

my happy pills. or at least the pills make me less moody.

Friday
Errandonee #1
67° wind 3 W
What a beautiful day to ride. Sunny and cool with a light wind. The wind made me not realize I was working up a sweat even though I wasn't riding fast. It makes me want to ride to work tomorrow.
5.92 miles 11.9 mph. It was probably over 12mph but I didn't pause the app when I was stopped by the lights.

I did not carry the cheese puffs on my bike. just posing for the photo.

Saturday
Errandonnee #2
Chilly and some wind. 
I rode to Nutrition Smart to get cheese puffs for National Cheese Doodle Day. There was no bike rack so I locked my bike up to the railing used to corral the shopping carts. I also got some pomegranate juice that was carbonated and icky. I was getting on my bike and lost my balance. I did a slow motion fall. Ugh. 

i use the cross walks and signals to cross busy highways.

I rode over to Fresh Market for local honey. I got some for Danielle at work. 

local raw honey can help alleviate seasonal allergies.

I rode to work. Odessa and Jacklyn were sitting on the bench. Odessa was surprised to see me. I locked my bike up to the stair railing. The bike racks are not near the employee entrances.
It took a few minutes to get the lock position right. I hadn't used the u lock before. 

I walked in with one pant leg rolled up. Kathy looked at me a couple times before she asked, "Did you ride your bike to work?" Yep.
3.75 miles 8.62 mph

I rode my bike home. It was warmer and windier but felt OK. It took me less than 20 minutes. I think it would be nice to ride in a skirt but I would need a step through frame. 
4.09 miles 12.45mph