20171112 cycling

A good week for riding. I came close to reaching 100 miles.

overcast skies at union park

Monday
75° humidity 95% wind 2+ NE
I could tell it was going to be windier than reported, but I didn’t expect the fog and wore my sunglasses. I had to take them off at MPB because of the moisture. 
I didn’t have the energy to push. 
A women driving north on Hueland Pond almost didn’t stop. She acted surprised to see me. She has a stop sign but apparently didn’t think she had to heed it. 
13.23 miles
12.95 mph

Tuesday
68° humidity 92% wind 1 NE
coffeeneuring #4
I took the long way to Marathon/Dunkin Donuts. There is no bike rack, no places to sit inside. I walked into the convenience store first. They have soft drinks and frozen drinks but not much else. The DD is attached and I went into there for an iced tea. There are a few tables to sit at inside. The color scheme makes even a new store look worn. The tea was fine. They accept contactless pay. $1.09
The wind was strong so I went east on SR56 to BBD. (Though I did lose some speed when I had to slow down for a traffic light.)
18.17 miles
12.61 mph

looking west across mansfield at sr56

Wednesday
62° humidity 95% wind 0 NE
Chilly and very sunny. I wore new Columbia shirt that I hoped would wick the moisture but half way through my arms felt wet and cold. 
9.15 miles
13.50 mph

interesting skies at union park

Thursday
64° humidity 95% wind 0 NW
A little cool and very bright. Decided to keep it easy instead of trying to push. I probably ended with the same pace since I never got tired. 
13.65 miles
12.8 mph

coffeeneuring at speedway

Friday
66° humidity 78% wind 7 NE
coffeeneuring #5
I went my usual route until I got to SR56 and continued north on MPB. I turned east on Chancey to Fox Ridge. 
I went north to SR54 and went west. SR54 is busy and the shoulder is full of debris. It isn’t bike friendly. 
I crossed over at BBD then had to double back a bit to ride into Speedway. There are no bike racks, no places to sit. This is a busy location (I usually get my gas here but rarely go inside). The mart is small with the usual snacks and cold drinks. They also have coffee, tea, fountain drinks, slushees, donuts, prepackaged hot foots and the ubiquitous roller bar. 
No contactless Pay. Large iced tea was 83¢.
Riding back was better because the wind was helping most of the time. 
19.19 miles
12.31 mph

Saturday
62° humidity 77% wind 8 ENE
A little chilly. Windy. Sunny. 
Just one quick loop. 
9.15 miles
13.05 mph

wet ride for coffeeneuring at shell

Sunday
70° humidity 80% wind 9 ENE
The roads were wet and the sky was grey but bright. The wind was annoying. I went out towards Union Park. It started sprinkling and I had to take off my glasses. By the time I got to SR56. I was completely wet. 
I rode with the wind to BBD. I cut through the parking lot to Shell. 
Even though Shell is close, I rarely go there because the gas is expensive. 
There is no bike rack, no tables nor places to sit. This is a get-it-and-get-out kind of place. 
I went in and was chilled by the AC. They have fountain drinks and coffee and iced tea. I went to grab a cup and saw it said 7Eleven. I got some unsweetened tea and stood in line. But I left empty handed because their system was down and would only accept cash. I don’t carry cash. I rarely even carry my debit card. Oh well I was cold and wet and just wanted to be home. 
15.67 miles
12.35 mph

This week 98.1 miles
This year 3056 miles

20171116 coffeeneuring #7

looking west along cross creek

I was going to go to Mobil but I didn’t want to have to ride on BBD where there is construction. I decided to try to shop/gas station on Cross Creek. 

shell at cross creek and kinnan

I have been avoiding going on Kinnan because there is too much debris and broken glass. Since the gate was broken, people dump furniture and drive down the road and drink. It is a mess. 

narrowed bike lane because the grass grows over the pavement

My legs must have been tired because even when the wind wasn’t slowing me down, I could get any speed. Any thoughts of riding through Flatwoods were nixed. I went east on Cross Creek to Morris Bridge and turned back. The bike lane going west is not ideal. It was not paved well so it is bumpy. It has not been maintained and the grass has been allowed to grow over the pavement reducing it by half in some places. There is also debris including broken glass and palm fronds. When there was no traffic, I chose to ride in the car lane. 

i locked my bike up to the metal table and bench

Shell. There is no bike rack but a leaning picnic table. I locked my bike to the metal table. Inside is dingy. They have Domino’s pizza No brewed ice tea. Freshly made deli and hot foods. 
Contactless. $1.81. 

this is one of two coffee stations at shell

no brewed tea but the gold peak was acceptable

I sat for a few minutes then decided to just go home. 
I rode back up Kinnan to Live Oak. I took the long way just to avoid all the broken glass. There was some broken glass along CLR but it was minor. 

15.34 miles
11.70 mph

20171112 coffeeneuring #6

wet, gloomy ride

70° humidity 80% wind 9 ENE

The roads were wet and the sky was grey but bright. The wind was annoying. I went out towards Union Park. It started sprinkling and I had to take off my glasses. By the time I got to SR56. I was completely wet. 

no place to lock my bike. i was hoping that it was early enough and wet enough that no one was willing to ride it away but me.

I rode with the wind to BBD. I cut through the parking lot to Shell. 
Even though Shell is close, I rarely go there because the gas is expensive. 
There is no bike rack, no tables nor places to sit. This is a get it and get out kind of place. 

having "big gulp" pasted to the tea urn makes it seem a little less desirable

I went in and was chilled by the AC. They have fountain drinks and coffee and iced tea. I went to grab a cup and was surprised to see it was branded 7 Eleven. I got some unsweetened tea and stood in line. But I left empty handed because their system was down and would only accept cash. I don’t carry cash. I rarely even carry my debit card. Oh well I was cold and wet and just wanted to be home. 

15.67 miles
12.35 mph

20171110 coffeeneuring #5

looking east along sr54

66° humidity 78% wind 7 NE

I went my usual route until I got to SR56 and continued north on MPB. I turned east on Chancey to Fox Ridge. 

waiting for the light to change to cross sr54 to speedway

I went north to SR54 and went west. SR54 is busy and the shoulder is full of debris. It isn’t bike friendly. 

it is all about the coffee

I crossed over at BBD then had to double back a bit to ride into Speedway. There are no bike racks, no places to sit. This is a busy location (I usually get my gas here but rarely go inside). The mart is small with the usual snacks and cold drinks. They also have coffee, tea, fountain drinks, slushees, donuts, prepackaged hot foots and the ubiquitous roller bar. 
No contactless pay. Large iced tea was 83¢.

Riding back was better because the wind was helping most of the time. 

19.19 miles
12.31 mph

20171107 coffeeneuring #4

I locked my bike up to a sign pole

Good weather to ride; 68° humidity 92% wind 1 NE

chances at bruce b downs looking towards mystic oak

I took the long way to Marathon/Dunkin Donuts. There is no bike rack, no places to sit inside. I walked into the convenience store first. They have soft drinks and frozen drinks but not much else. The DD is attached and I went into there for an iced tea. There are a few tables to sit at inside. The color scheme makes even a new store look worn. The tea was fine. They accept contactless pay. $1.09

they really need to update their look

The wind was strong so I went east on SR56 to BBD. (Though I did lose some speed when I had to slow down for a traffic light.)

waiting for the light to change

18.17 miles
12.61 mph

20171105 cycling

Monday
64° humidity 32% wind 2 NE
It was too cold to ride before work. I got out early and rode after I got home. Sun was low and I wore my sunglasses. I didn’t bring my regular ones and I could have used them half way through the ride. Lots of traffic with people going home from work. 
I had a good pace despite my ankle hurting so I didn’t want to stop. 
9.13 miles
13.43 mph

Tuesday
46° humidity 89% wind 0 NE
Cold and sunny. I wore my heavy gloves which keep my hands warm but I cannot use my phone nor my Apple Watch with them on. 
Rode without a stop. 
9.10 miles
13.25 mph
This month 603 km (374.69 miles)

Wednesday
58° humidity 90% wind 2 NE
coffeeneuring #3
Sunny but cool in the shade. 
Rode to MPB to SR56 to WRB. I heard some cows as I was going around the first roundabout and circled back. They were 3 small calves in the pen. Were they being weened? I got off my bike and walked to the fence and took some photos. They seemed curious and took a few steps towards me but didn’t come up to the fence. 
I continued onto Chancey over to Seven Oaks. I rode south to SR56 and turned east. 
Gate on SR56 I rode around the building looking for a bike rack. There was none. I locked my bike to one of the round metal tables.  
Gate is not as big as RaceTrac and Wawa, They did have coffee, cocoa (out of order), shakes and smoothies, only sweet and unsweetened tea, sodas. They had some pre-made hot sandwiches a roller bar and frozen yogurt. I know some prefer the insulated foam cups. They do have contactless payment in case you forget your wallet. $1.06
I sat outside in the shade, out of the wind. The tea was OK. 
I rode back on SR56 to Northwood Palms and rode through to CLR the east towards home. It was windy on the way home and I didn’t feel like fighting it. 
17.84 miles
13.04 mph

Thursday
58° humidity 95% wind 1 NNE
Chilly but not too cold. Steamy ponds, foggy fields. 
Felt good. 
Sun came up about half way into the ride. 
9.65 miles
13.65 mph

Friday
60° humidity 95% wind 1 NNE
Dark. Some steam from the ponds. Fog in the fields. Area of warm air after I passed a field and it felt good. 
The light was with me at SR56 and Mansfield so I went through and never stopped. 
9.04 miles
13.48 mph

Saturday
62° humidity 95% wind 1 NNE
Very sunny. Going east on Oldwoods, keeping my head down because the sun was in my eyes, I didn’t see the hauler with a load of sod sitting on the road. I nearly rode into it but veered just in time
Oldwoods extension has the first layer of pavement. There were no road blocks and no construction crews so I took it to Tonka and turned into Union Park. 
14.07 miles
13.46 mph

Sunday
64° humidity 90% wind 2 NNE
Foggy. 
I rode as far as I could on Oldwoods. They are still working on it and have only gotten to first boundary of Union Park.  
My legs didn’t feel so strong. Probably because I worked late last night. 
13.92 miles
13.10 miles
This week 82.7
This year 2958

#coffeeneuring
#cycling

20171101 coffeeneuring #3

in front of the sorting pens along wiregrass ranch boulevard.

Sunny but cool in the shade. 50º humidity 90% wind 2 NE

cows in the pen

I started out on my usual route then turned north on Wiregrass Boulevard. I wanted some more miles before I reached my destination. I heard some cows as I was going around the first roundabout and circled back. They were 3 small calves in the pen. Were they being weened? I got off my bike and walked to the fence and took some photos. They seemed curious and took a few steps towards me but didn’t come up to the fence. 

I continued to Chancey and went west to Seven Oaks. I rode south to SR56 and turned west. 
Gate is on SR56. I rode around the building looking for a bike rack. There was none. I locked my bike to one of the round metal tables.  

i have tried a boiled peanut once. it was mushy and gross.

Gate is not as big as RaceTrac and Wawa, They did have coffee, cocoa (out of order), shakes and smoothies, only sweet and unsweetened tea, sodas. They had some pre-made hot sandwiches a roller bar and frozen yogurt. They have insulated foam cups which some people prefer. They do have contactless payment in case you forget your wallet. $1.06

I sat outside in the shade, out of the wind. The tea was OK. 

I rode back on SR56 to Northwood Palms and rode through to CLR the east towards home. It was windy on the way home and I didn’t feel like fighting it. 

17.84 miles

20171029 cycling

rainbow looking west along sr56

Monday
75° humidity 89% wind 3+ SE
Still dark and a few raindrops. 
Vehicle parked next to MUP at The Ridge. He was facing me with his lights on. I couldn’t see past his vehicle and could have run into his open door that was encroaching into the path. Asshole. 
Rainbow appeared as the sun rose. 
9.19 miles
13.46 mph

overcast looking west on sr56

Tuesday
72° humidity 94% wind 1 NW
Rode out to BBD. Felt tired and didn’t get much speed despite the light wind.  Roads were wet and a few puddles to avoid. 
11.27 miles
13.01 mph

my tire is showing wear though it isn't very old

Wednesday
61° humidity 64% wind 4-6 N
Wind had a slight westerly direction so I was going to turn north on Mansfield. But the traffic lights were out at CLR and Mansfield so turning south was easier. It made riding up MPB and SR56 a little more difficult. But then there was no headwind along Mansfield. 
13.63 miles
13.32 mph

tetley choices at racetrac

Thursday
54° humidity 74% wind 2-5 NNE
I didn’t get very far before I had to turn around for my debit card.
Wind was annoying and chilly. Two days ago I was in bike shorts and t-shirt and sweating. Today I am in bike tights and long sleeved base and sweatshirt. My blood is Florida thin.
The flag at MPIII was flapping until I stopped to take a photo.
I rode out to Union Park before going west to RaceTrac. There are sidewalks but they are narrow and have barriers which make it impossible to pass anyone else. Crossed SR56 then crossed back to RaceTrac.
No bike rack but fence to lock bike up. So many choices inside. No hot foods nor drink because they were upgrading. I wouldn’t have wanted anything anyway. Many iced tea choices and from Tetley. The tea tasted good. No contactless payments. It is a good thing I went back for my debit card. Twelve ounce iced tea was $1.17.
Tables outside. I chose to sit in the sun.
I went south to CLR and then had the wind against me the whole time. Also, part of CLR has no bike lane nor any shoulder.
18.25 miles
12.44 mph

union park

Friday
57° humidity 84% wind 3+ NE
Sun was warm but the wind was chilly. 
I missed 5 miles on my Apple Watch because it didn’t start when I pressed it. I was wearing long sleeves and didn’t check. 
No work yesterday so I was well rested and it showed with my speed. 
13.76 miles
13.83 mph

Saturday
59° humidity 91% wind 1 ESE
Sun was not up, a little chilly. Not wind meant a faster ride. Felt good so no rest stop. 
9.23 miles
13.61 mph

i hate riding in the wind

Sunday
65° humidity 90% wind 10 NW
I do not like to ride in the wind but I couldn’t miss a ride. 
I went out BBD. I finally got a tailwind when I passed the mental health facility so I rode to MPB. I sailed on MPB then got slammed by the wind as I turned north on Beardsley. 
11.14 miles
12.84 mph

This week 87.4
This year 2875

20171026 coffeeneuring #2

I had to turn around for my debit card. I didn't think I would get lucky twice with being able to use Apple Pay.

The flag at MPIII was flapping until I stopped to take a photo.

The wind was annoying and chilly. Two days ago I was in bike shorts and t-shirt and sweating. Today I am in bike tights and long sleeved base and sweatshirt. My blood is Florida thin.

I rode out to Union Park before going west to RaceTrac.

There are sidewalks Along SR56 but they are narrow and have barriers which make it impossible to pass anyone else. I crossed SR56 then crossed back to RaceTrac.

There is no bike rack but a short fence to lock my bike up.

There are so many choices inside. There is a variety of iced teas, slushies, sodas, frozen yogurt and hotdogs. There was no hot foods nor hot drinks because they were upgrading. I got unsweetened ice tea. It was good. Twelve ounce iced tea was $1.17.

There are a few tables outside. I chose to sit in the sun.

I went south to CLR and then had the wind against me the whole time. Part of CLR has no bike lane nor any shoulder but that portion was short.

18.25 miles
12.44 mph

20171022 cycling

bruce b downs looking east to ironwood blvd

This was a good week for mileage. I was on “vacation” from work but mostly stayed home. Andy & I went to Orlando overnight and I rode after I came home. I put off starting the coffeeneuring challenge until Friday.

this pond was drained for weeks so they could reshape it. how long will it take to fill it back up?

Monday
75° humidity 96% wind 1 NE
Hazy and little wind. I stopped at the drained pond in Union Park. Yesterday, I didn’t see that it actually had been graded below. It still looks pretty cool. 
The fence has been repaired where the car went through along SR56. 
15.38 miles
13.58 mph

mansfield blvd

Tuesday
71° humidity 94% wind 5 NE
Cloudy and windy and wet. Rain earlier so the roads were wet. I stayed clear of most of the construction knowing the roads would be muddy. 
Headwind along Mansfield. 
13.66 miles
12.97 mph

windy at meadow pointe 3

Wednesday
80° humidity 64% wind 6+ NE
Sunny was getting low but wind was still strong. Lots of traffic. 
Loved the tailwind along SR56. Headwind along Mansfield was rough. 
8.56 miles
12.65 mph

glitchy robot at union park

Thursday
72° humidity 89% wind 5+ NE
Sunny and windy and less humid. 
I heard Deputy Robot say “Step away from the machine.” when it was not near any human or animal. 
13.92 miles
13.16 mph

meh iced tea at wawa

Friday
72° humidity 92% wind 5+ NE
Coffeeneuring #1
I rode to Union Park then west on SR56 to Wawa. I had never been before. They have a small bike rack and tables outside. The iced beverages are separated from the hot beverages. I chose iced tea. I walked around looking at items and to hide the fact I wasn’t sure where to check out. 
The tea wasn’t very good but it was only $1.07 and I could use Apple Pay. 
The two miles home were tough because the wind was against me again. 
16.02 miles
13.01 mph

i hate the wind

Saturday
73° humidity 93% wind 8+ ENE
I should have gone out earlier before the wind picked up. The gusts nearly stopped me in my tracks. 
The tailwind along SR56 was nice but the headwind along Mansfield was brutal. 
13.86 miles
13.04 mph

half mile path done, waiting for the rest of it to be paved

Sunday
75° humidity 89% wind 4 E
Sunny and windy. Felt stronger than reported. 
Checked my mileage before I turned onto the SR56 extension MUP. It is just over a half mile paved. 
Headwind along Mansfield
10.30 miles
13.09 mph

This week 91.5
This year 2789

#cycling