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 complete

I am really glad I did the Coffeenuering Challenge this year. I didn't get to try many new coffee shops because we don't have a big variety in the area. I did get to ride outside of my comfort zone and try new routes. 

I discovered that hot tea is not a good drink for me while riding. It is too hot and I lack the patience for it to cool. I learned that I shouldn't ride on wet boardwalks with my narrow tires. 
I learned that riding in the road without a shoulder is sometimes better than a poorly maintained path.
I discovered that I am not so brave at going fast speeds downhill as I when I was young. 
I am still slow when changing tires.
I learned how to take advantage of wind.
I confirmed that I do not like bananas in my smoothies and Starbucks pastries look better than they taste.
I now know my body and brain cannot take too much bouncing over rough gravel and washboard roads.

I rode 168 miles.

I spent $134 on food, drinks and bike repairs.

I found that I prefer smoothies while riding. I also prefer the smoothies at Panera. I discovered that riding for 2 hours just barely justifies the calories of a smoothie and a treat. I would be better off having the smoothie alone or bringing along a small treat of my own.

I learned which roads have bike lanes and decent shoulders to ride on. I rode my longest distance (34 miles) and didn't collapse. I find that I have to ride harder to get my heart rate up. I want to explore more routes. Riding against the wind still sucks but sometimes it can push you back home.

#1 Stonemill Artisan $4
Helmet $60
21 miles

#2 Starbucks $4
20 miles

#3 Panera $7
33 miles

#4 Panera $7
Two tubes $30
21 miles

#5 Panera $7
25 miles

#6 Starbucks $8
21 miles

#7 Panera $7
27 miles

Total
168 miles
$134

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

Coffeeneuring Challenge #6

5 november 2015

I saved the two closest coffee shops in case I only had time for  a short ride. I had to work in the evening but felt like riding longer than the 3 miles to Starbucks. I could have ridden two loops around my usual route but Coffeenuering has gotten me used to taking new routes. There aren't many options from my house but I planned a route to go a little farther than I had been before. 
The route to SR54 was familiar and so was SR54. However, I turned north at Curley Road. I have been on the road many times in my car. I knew it was narrow but didn’t realize how narrow until I was on the bike. There is no bike lane and no shoulder. The speed limit is 45 mph for much of my route but does increase to 55mph for the last block or so.

SR54 at Bruce B Downs

I turned on Wells Road. The boys’ school as well as two other schools are on this road. School was in session so the road was quiet. I turned south again on Boyette Road. This road is also narrow. The speed limit is 30 mph but most people drive 40 mph or faster.
I turned west on SR54 and continued to Bruce B Downs. BBD was widened a few years ago and includes a bike lane as well as a MUP. I rode in the bike lane until I realized the MUP was empty and paved.

Bruce B Downs at SR56

There is no sidewalk along the front of the shopping center. To get to Starbucks, I had to ride through several parking lots. I felt particularly vulnerable riding through the parking lots. Starbucks is not bicycle friendly. There is no bike rack and I had to lock my bike to an umbrella stand.

I decided to try the Orange Mango Smoothie even though I am not a fan of mango nor bananas in smoothies. The smoothie was thick and the banana smothered the taste of mango.I got a slice of Washington Apple Pound Cake. It was dry bland and disappointing.

Washington Apple Pound Cake and Orange Mango Smoothie, 630 calories

I had two choices to go home. One is easier to ride except for the wind. The other route requires crossing BBD twice because there is no sidewalk on the east side of the road. I opted for the shorter in length but probably longer in time route.

Aronwood Blvd at County Line Road

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

coffeeneuring challenge #4

29 october 2015

I had to work on the weekend. I had Monday off but so did the boys and I took them to the chiropractor and to lunch. I didn’t have time to go for a longer ride until Thursday.
It was foggy and I had to turn on my lights and take off my glasses.

I went out Mansfield and rode across the gap to Kinnan. The two counties cannot agree to connect the two roads. Pasco County has a blockade but Hillsborough county just stops its roads. There is a narrow dirt track that leads from the sidewalk on Pasco to the Kinnan. It is very narrow and bumpy and I am always cautious as I rode across. Kinnan is empty and eerie in the fog.

I had to wait for the light to change.

I turned left at Cross Creek. I hadn’t ridden this route before. I am happily surprised that the shoulder is wide and smooth though not signed as a bike lane. I stop for a rest at Morris Bridge Road.

Morris Bridge south at Cross Creek

Cross Creek east from Morris Bridge

I start south on Morris Bridge and before I get any speed hear a tinking noise on my bike. I stop and check my tired which still feel firm. I look at the chain and drive train thinking something is catching. I spin my rear wheel and hear the think and see the nail hitting the frame as it passes by the brake. Damn.

How did I not see this in the road?

I walk back to Cross Creek to change the tire. I haven’t had many flats and am not good at changing them. It takes me about 20 minutes to get it changed. I know my hand pump is not the best and consider which route will get me to the bike shop quicker. I start out again on Morris Bridge. I am happily surprised that there is a bike lane even though it is narrow. 

I was sure to throw this away rather than toss it aside.

I went to Wahoo App on my iPhone and notice it quit my current workout. I start a new workout and ride on Morris Bridge. I go to Flatwoods Park and ride the paved loop through to Bruce B Downs. Along the ride, I don’t feel tired but it seems like I am having to push harder to get anywhere. I finally stop and check my tires. My front tire is losing air. I pump it up and continue on.

Brice B Downs south from Flatwoods Park

My local bike shop, Oliver’s, is just across BBD. I ride over there and leave the bike with Jason. I walk over to Panera for a smoothie. Panera is bike friendly. I have seen a group of recumbent riders come in after their ride in Flatwoods. There is no bike rack but the short fence surrounding the patio is metal.

I didn't feel like I rode far enough for a scone as well.

After my break, I go back to Oliver’s. they changed the front tube and I purchase a spare tube for my bike bag; $29

The ride home is BBD to County Line Road. 

21 miles

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.