Tuesday 11-3
Miles 12.11
Temp Morning ~ 40
Temp Evening ~ 55
Clothing Morning: Bike shorts, longjohns, t-shirt, light jacket, wind breaker. (Legs were cold!, top 1/2 just right).
Clothing Evening: bike shorts, t-shirt. (Legs were slightly cold towards end of ride)
Saw a couple of other bikers this morning. One was on a specialized, the same individual that offered a spare tube back in July. Good to see he is still going. Other individual I meet just before turning off of the ICT to head to the office. He was riding a Trek. As I was pulling out from Leawood Park, another commuter was pulling in via truck. I have seen him a couple of times. I will have to stop and talk to him when I see him next
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
November, here I come
Monday 11-2
Miles: 12.11
Temp Morning ~ 45
Temp Evening ~ 55
Clothing Morning: Bike shorts, windbreaker pants, wicking long sleeve shirt, t-shirt, wind breaker.
Clothing Evening: bike shorts, wicking long sleeve shirt, t-shirt. (Legs were slightly cold towards end of ride)
I took advantage of day light savings time change and did a partial commute. It was strange to have sun in the morning, and not at night. The 'dale is showing it's age as I need to do a whole drive train replace (crankset, chain, cassette.) I have extreame slippage in the middle chain ring, and if I push much in the high chain ring. that leaves the small ring. I am able to push pretty hard before things start slipping, but know to take it easy on the steep sections.
One nice change I found was that the road at Nall has been put back in. Plus I found that the trail is complete (and passable under the new bridge. This should make things much smother when riding throught the area. We'll see how long it takes before they remove all of the barakades. All in all, felt great to be back in the saddle.
Miles: 12.11
Temp Morning ~ 45
Temp Evening ~ 55
Clothing Morning: Bike shorts, windbreaker pants, wicking long sleeve shirt, t-shirt, wind breaker.
Clothing Evening: bike shorts, wicking long sleeve shirt, t-shirt. (Legs were slightly cold towards end of ride)
I took advantage of day light savings time change and did a partial commute. It was strange to have sun in the morning, and not at night. The 'dale is showing it's age as I need to do a whole drive train replace (crankset, chain, cassette.) I have extreame slippage in the middle chain ring, and if I push much in the high chain ring. that leaves the small ring. I am able to push pretty hard before things start slipping, but know to take it easy on the steep sections.
One nice change I found was that the road at Nall has been put back in. Plus I found that the trail is complete (and passable under the new bridge. This should make things much smother when riding throught the area. We'll see how long it takes before they remove all of the barakades. All in all, felt great to be back in the saddle.
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Return to the Trail
Oct. 13
Miles: 6
This morning marks the first time I took the bike to work in more than a month. There have been some noticeable changes; leaves are falling, It's dark, wildlife are settling down for the cooler months, and the temps were no where close to the 60's. With all those changes, there were a couple of things that have not changed, The trail near Roe is still not open, and the side road is gone. People are not looking for cyclists at 6:30 in the morning, the trail is still not clear. All in all, I'll take the bad for the good. It was great to get back on the bike and enjoy this fall morning.
Miles: 6
This morning marks the first time I took the bike to work in more than a month. There have been some noticeable changes; leaves are falling, It's dark, wildlife are settling down for the cooler months, and the temps were no where close to the 60's. With all those changes, there were a couple of things that have not changed, The trail near Roe is still not open, and the side road is gone. People are not looking for cyclists at 6:30 in the morning, the trail is still not clear. All in all, I'll take the bad for the good. It was great to get back on the bike and enjoy this fall morning.
Monday, June 22, 2009
Back up an riding
15Jun
Mileage: 0
I was intending on commuting, but a flat front tire changed my mind. I choose to drive to work, instead of fixing the flat in the rain.
17Jun
Mileage: 7
Finally got around to fixing the flat on the 'dale. Took a quick shake down ride to Church for the VBS skit practice.
What it looked like when I was getting set to head home.
19Jun
Mileage:20
Friday I was able to take advantage a great day to ride, I had taken a break from the commute due to some increased work hours.
Here are some pics from Friday.
Mileage: 0
I was intending on commuting, but a flat front tire changed my mind. I choose to drive to work, instead of fixing the flat in the rain.
17Jun
Mileage: 7
Finally got around to fixing the flat on the 'dale. Took a quick shake down ride to Church for the VBS skit practice.
What it looked like when I was getting set to head home.
19Jun
Mileage:20
Friday I was able to take advantage a great day to ride, I had taken a break from the commute due to some increased work hours.
Here are some pics from Friday.
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Down for the count
10Jun09
Mileage: 0
Finally got around to working on the the 'dale last night. While I was working on removing the back wheel from the frame, I noticed that the tire was showing more wear than the front. Since I was going to have the wheels off, I decided this is a good a time as any to rotate the tires. Plus I put a hole in the back wheels tube while removing the broken spokes, don't ask how.
After removing the tire and looking at the tube, I actually decided that it was time for the tube to retire. You see I had already patched it twice, and it had a slow leak. (I would loose about 10 lbs of pressure over a weeks time). So off to the storage cabinet to get another tube, and low an behold I had given my last tube away. I will have to go to the Bike store an pick up a new tube.
13Jun09
Mileage:0
Took Thursday, Friday, and Today off from biking. Our family had planned a camping trip and we are not intending to do any biking. Late Saturday afternoon, I headed over to the bike shop and picked up a tube. Took it home and installed it.
14Jun09
Mileage: 12
Took the kids on a bike ride to the park late Sunday afternoon. Enjoyed cooler temps an nice weather. On the way back home had a flat that cut my ride short. After having the wife come pick us up, went out an patched the hole.
Later in the evening, took out for a nice 8 mile ride around town and called it a night.
Mileage: 0
Finally got around to working on the the 'dale last night. While I was working on removing the back wheel from the frame, I noticed that the tire was showing more wear than the front. Since I was going to have the wheels off, I decided this is a good a time as any to rotate the tires. Plus I put a hole in the back wheels tube while removing the broken spokes, don't ask how.
After removing the tire and looking at the tube, I actually decided that it was time for the tube to retire. You see I had already patched it twice, and it had a slow leak. (I would loose about 10 lbs of pressure over a weeks time). So off to the storage cabinet to get another tube, and low an behold I had given my last tube away. I will have to go to the Bike store an pick up a new tube.
13Jun09
Mileage:0
Took Thursday, Friday, and Today off from biking. Our family had planned a camping trip and we are not intending to do any biking. Late Saturday afternoon, I headed over to the bike shop and picked up a tube. Took it home and installed it.
14Jun09
Mileage: 12
Took the kids on a bike ride to the park late Sunday afternoon. Enjoyed cooler temps an nice weather. On the way back home had a flat that cut my ride short. After having the wife come pick us up, went out an patched the hole.
Later in the evening, took out for a nice 8 mile ride around town and called it a night.
Monday, June 8, 2009
Puddle dodging.
08Jun09
Mileage:20
Last night we had some storms come through the metro area. In the storms wake I found lots of puddles on the IC trail.
Just west of Wornall I caught this picture of the Indian Creek.
Normally this section offers a soothing sound, but this morning it was more of a rushing roar.
Just a short way up the path, the vines are threating to take over the East bound side of the trail.
Couple of photos rounding the bend in Leawood park.
----
The ride home was "fun" as I was going around a corner, I felt the bike was handling different. And by different, I don't mean a good different. I pulled over to the side of the trail and found I had lost a spoke. not a HUGE deal just ride carefully and take it easy. However by the time I made it back to the truck, I was down 3 additional spokes. 4 spokes in one day... not good.
Stopped by the bike shop and picked up some DT Swiss spokes and will be working on replacing the failed spokes.
Did catch some pics on the ride from work though. Enjoy.
Mileage:20
Last night we had some storms come through the metro area. In the storms wake I found lots of puddles on the IC trail.
Just west of Wornall I caught this picture of the Indian Creek.
Normally this section offers a soothing sound, but this morning it was more of a rushing roar.
Just a short way up the path, the vines are threating to take over the East bound side of the trail.
Couple of photos rounding the bend in Leawood park.
----
The ride home was "fun" as I was going around a corner, I felt the bike was handling different. And by different, I don't mean a good different. I pulled over to the side of the trail and found I had lost a spoke. not a HUGE deal just ride carefully and take it easy. However by the time I made it back to the truck, I was down 3 additional spokes. 4 spokes in one day... not good.
Stopped by the bike shop and picked up some DT Swiss spokes and will be working on replacing the failed spokes.
Did catch some pics on the ride from work though. Enjoy.
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Errands
03Jun09
Miles Ridden: 11.5
With the cooler temps today, I decided to run some of my errands by bike. I needed to return a part that I picked up for our van to the parts store. After completing that I wanted to head down to the bike shop and price out a new bottom bracket for the 'dale. This has been something I have been looking to do for a couple of months, but have been putting off. I got quotes for two different brackets and while taking measurements, I remembered that the brakes were running on their last leg. Seems brakes are flying off the shelf, as the only available set was scavenged from a bike damaged during shipping.
I also inquired as to what the cost would be to just replace the entire crankset as my big ring has a slight bend in it. For now I will just replace the bb and move on.
After finishing up at the bike shop, I headed out to grab some vittles. Steak and Shake was calling my name. 1/2 hour later and I was heading to church for a couple of meetings. Around 9:30 I headed home and called it a day.
Miles Ridden: 11.5
With the cooler temps today, I decided to run some of my errands by bike. I needed to return a part that I picked up for our van to the parts store. After completing that I wanted to head down to the bike shop and price out a new bottom bracket for the 'dale. This has been something I have been looking to do for a couple of months, but have been putting off. I got quotes for two different brackets and while taking measurements, I remembered that the brakes were running on their last leg. Seems brakes are flying off the shelf, as the only available set was scavenged from a bike damaged during shipping.
I also inquired as to what the cost would be to just replace the entire crankset as my big ring has a slight bend in it. For now I will just replace the bb and move on.
After finishing up at the bike shop, I headed out to grab some vittles. Steak and Shake was calling my name. 1/2 hour later and I was heading to church for a couple of meetings. Around 9:30 I headed home and called it a day.
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Riding against the breeze
01Jun09
Miles Ridden: 21
Monday morning found me meandering on the trail on the way to work. I managed to catch the lights crossing under 435 at Wornall allowing for a new high speed of 36.2 mph. But once I connected to the bike path I just let my speed drop. By the time I made it to work my "coasting" average was close to 11 mph. I did this part on purpose and partly because I just didn't have the drive to push any harder. That's ok, I'm not in a race.
Heading back after work was a different matter all together. I had a slight tail/cross wind that allowed for a constant speed above 14 mph. And anytime I was heading North, my average went up considerably. But that all changed once I hit the city streets. I have to head uphill, and in the southerly direction. The combination of these two produced a rather diminutive result. All in all I made it back to the Truck just before 6pm, after leaving the building close to 5:20pm
Miles Ridden: 21
Monday morning found me meandering on the trail on the way to work. I managed to catch the lights crossing under 435 at Wornall allowing for a new high speed of 36.2 mph. But once I connected to the bike path I just let my speed drop. By the time I made it to work my "coasting" average was close to 11 mph. I did this part on purpose and partly because I just didn't have the drive to push any harder. That's ok, I'm not in a race.
Heading back after work was a different matter all together. I had a slight tail/cross wind that allowed for a constant speed above 14 mph. And anytime I was heading North, my average went up considerably. But that all changed once I hit the city streets. I have to head uphill, and in the southerly direction. The combination of these two produced a rather diminutive result. All in all I made it back to the Truck just before 6pm, after leaving the building close to 5:20pm
Monday, June 1, 2009
A weekend of Riding.
Thursday 28May09
Miles Ridden: 6
I took the kids to Legacy park for the evening.
Friday 29May09
Miles Ridden 20
Friday was to be a short workday for me. The day started out nicely with a the ride in. I stopped and watch a family of ducks swim in the creek.
Once again I stopped and took advantage of the doughnut shop
The plan was to leave around 12:30, however I left closer to 2:30 due to Production issues.
I followed another cyclist for a couple of mile on the way home. Finally having a chance to pass in Roe park. Passed a group out fishing near Watts mill, and dodged trash on the sidewalk under 435 at Wornall. That was the extent of the ride back to the truck.
Saturday 30May09
Mile Ridden: 12
Saturday did not look like it would present an opportunity to ride. With a trip to Cabelas, and finishing our grocery shopping, the day was mostly shot. However, after putting the kids to bed, I decided I should add the lights to the bike and do a night ride. I chose the Legacy park route to take advantage of the open quite space. After dropping down into one of the low lying areas, and feeling the temp drop by 5 ~ 7 degrees I decided this was the perfect route.
Sunday 31May09
Miles Ridden 18.5
Decided to bike to chruch Sunday morning. Not a big deal except for the route back include a really nasty hill. Managed to climb the hill at about 6 mph. Not bad considering I am pulling close to 200 lbs of children, trailabike, and bike cart.
Sunday evening found me riding with a church member for 12 miles. Nice quite roads outside of most of the urban sprawl. Man I miss riding on country roads.
That pretty much wraps up the weekend.
Miles Ridden: 6
I took the kids to Legacy park for the evening.
Friday 29May09
Miles Ridden 20
Friday was to be a short workday for me. The day started out nicely with a the ride in. I stopped and watch a family of ducks swim in the creek.
Once again I stopped and took advantage of the doughnut shop
The plan was to leave around 12:30, however I left closer to 2:30 due to Production issues.
I followed another cyclist for a couple of mile on the way home. Finally having a chance to pass in Roe park. Passed a group out fishing near Watts mill, and dodged trash on the sidewalk under 435 at Wornall. That was the extent of the ride back to the truck.
Saturday 30May09
Mile Ridden: 12
Saturday did not look like it would present an opportunity to ride. With a trip to Cabelas, and finishing our grocery shopping, the day was mostly shot. However, after putting the kids to bed, I decided I should add the lights to the bike and do a night ride. I chose the Legacy park route to take advantage of the open quite space. After dropping down into one of the low lying areas, and feeling the temp drop by 5 ~ 7 degrees I decided this was the perfect route.
Sunday 31May09
Miles Ridden 18.5
Decided to bike to chruch Sunday morning. Not a big deal except for the route back include a really nasty hill. Managed to climb the hill at about 6 mph. Not bad considering I am pulling close to 200 lbs of children, trailabike, and bike cart.
Sunday evening found me riding with a church member for 12 miles. Nice quite roads outside of most of the urban sprawl. Man I miss riding on country roads.
That pretty much wraps up the weekend.
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
A wet ride in.
Wed. May 27th.
Miles ridden for the day: 20.5
Left home knowing that I would be riding in the rain. I drove through rain all the way to the my parking spot. Unloaded the bike, attached and covered on the trunk bag, donned the helmet and was off. Managed to make it all the way to the Stateline/435 underpass before encountering more than a light mist. Decided to stop at one of the shelters in Leawood park to change into my rain jacket. A good decision as the remainder of the ride to work was in a steady light rain. No pictures for the morning.
Caught a nice tail wind heading home last night. I was surprised to cross paths with several other cyclist on the trail. With the rain, and cool temps, I did not expect to see others out. Climbing the path just East of Antioch I meet two cyclist. Then just after crossing under 103rd East of Metcalf I snapped this quick picture.
This was the kiddo's favorite playground on Saturday's ride.
I continued on to Roe park and was very surprised to find the park empty.
Decided to take the south trail at Mission and looped up to the connector to the tomahawk trail before heading back to Leawood park. Passed a cyclist filling water bottles at the water fountain in the park.
Finishing the ride, encountered road debris crossing under 435 at Wornall. Some idiot decided to throw out the styrofoam packaging for a ceiling fan, and it found it's way into my path. Manged to maneuver around it and make it to the truck with out further incident.
Miles ridden for the day: 20.5
Left home knowing that I would be riding in the rain. I drove through rain all the way to the my parking spot. Unloaded the bike, attached and covered on the trunk bag, donned the helmet and was off. Managed to make it all the way to the Stateline/435 underpass before encountering more than a light mist. Decided to stop at one of the shelters in Leawood park to change into my rain jacket. A good decision as the remainder of the ride to work was in a steady light rain. No pictures for the morning.
Caught a nice tail wind heading home last night. I was surprised to cross paths with several other cyclist on the trail. With the rain, and cool temps, I did not expect to see others out. Climbing the path just East of Antioch I meet two cyclist. Then just after crossing under 103rd East of Metcalf I snapped this quick picture.
This was the kiddo's favorite playground on Saturday's ride.
I continued on to Roe park and was very surprised to find the park empty.
Decided to take the south trail at Mission and looped up to the connector to the tomahawk trail before heading back to Leawood park. Passed a cyclist filling water bottles at the water fountain in the park.
Finishing the ride, encountered road debris crossing under 435 at Wornall. Some idiot decided to throw out the styrofoam packaging for a ceiling fan, and it found it's way into my path. Manged to maneuver around it and make it to the truck with out further incident.
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