I had a meeting to attend at the main office this morning, and there is rain forecast for much of the day, so I rode the Raleigh. I'm more comfortable wearing office clothes on the Raleigh, for some reason, although I could easily do so on the Vanguard. I'm certainly more comfortable riding the Raleigh if I'm wearing regular shoes, as it has Shimano dual-use pedals (sometimes called campus pedals) that are flat on one side and have the SPD cleat system on the other. I also consider the Raleigh my rain bike, as I have a rain cape (more on that in a moment), and the cape is simply not functional on the Vanguard.
I'm a recumbent guy. I have to justify riding a wedgie bike. I don't have to justify riding a 'bent.
I've mixed feelings about the cape. In cooler weather, I think it's fairly nice to have. On a fairly warm day like today (temperatures in the upper 60s F), it gets quite warm inside that tent.
I brought a change of cycling clothes, but wore office clothing to get to Liberty Street and to N'Awb'ny from that meeting. My shirt was pretty wet, from a combination of sweat and water coming through the cape. Of course, I keep several changes of clothing at the office, so a clean dry shirt was ready at hand. I'll wear a cycling jersey and shorts for my ride home, just to be a bit more comfortable.
About the rain cape: It is billed as being waterproof material. That description is something of a moving target, in my experience. Even fairly waterproof fabrics can allow water to leach through if there is something water-absorbing against the inside of the fabric--in this case, my shirt. The object on the inside of the fabric doesn't even have to really absorb lots of water--skin can do the trick, for example--as much as simply provide a way for water to move by capillary action between it and the fabric, and it will "pull" water through the cape.
That said, my tr*^$er$ were almost totally dry when I got to the apartment building. The cape had kept rain from falling on the legs of my p@nt$. All I had to do was change shirt and footwear when I arrived.
30 April 2009
29 April 2009
Flat out funny
At least this title made itself.
On my way home from work, at the corner of Market and Johnson (at the main entrance to the Home of the Innocents), I entered the corner and felt my rear tire move sideways. Without falling, I wrenched the bike back upright and got out of the traffic lane, certain that I had a low tire.
Since I had done my ABC Quick Check before leaving the office, I knew that whatever had caused my tire to go down was a new problem. Rather than take the time to repair it on site, I pumped the tire up to an approximation of operating pressure and rode on, figuring I'd get at least halfway home before having to inflate it again.
I got about as far as Clifton Center, and stopped again. As I was pumping it this time, Barry stopped by to chat (saying as he stopped that he clearly didn't need to offer repair help on the level of some cyclists he has encountered). We chatted as I finished pumping my tire, then rode together as our homes are along the same route.
I had to stop again, just before reaching the Water Company's facility on Frankfort Avenue. This leak was larger than I thought, and was perhaps getting bigger.
I got home on that gush of air, though. I put the bike in a repair stand (always a good idea if one is available) and dismantled the rear tire.
Lo and behold! The shard of glass was a quarter-inch from where the last glass shard had punctured the same tube! At first, seeing the hole in the tube so close to the edge of the existing patch, I wondered whether I had, indeed, gotten the old sharp out of the tire. When I looked at the tire, I found a shard of glass in a new hole, and felt a bit better. I patched the tube, and while I had the patching stuff out patched a tube set aside for repairs and stowed it in the bike bag.
When I was at the shop, we simply changed tubes. It isn't worth shop time (at $50/hour) to try to patch tubes and have them not seal well.
When I am working on my own bike, though, I don't see a big reason to throw a tube away if it has a minor hole in it. That is why patch kits are made, after all. If I can do the repair at home, I'll patch the tube. If I have to fix one on the road, I'll usually replace the tube and patch it another time, although there are exceptions to this rule (on the Raleigh, for example, the front wheel is a pain to remove due to Raleigh-specific fork ends, so I'd probably patch it more or less in situ). I generally keep one or two tubes (or one or two for each wheel size on the Vanguard) in the on-bike repair kit along with a patch kit, in case I have a third flat.
As mentioned, the new hole was very close to the last repair I had made to this tube. I'll be interested to see how the new patch holds, given that roughly a quarter of it is on a prior patch.
I'll find out when I do my ABC Quick Check in the morning. The Raleigh is, or should be, ready to go as a back-up option should I be short on time.
Ah, the luxury of having two commuter bikes.
On my way home from work, at the corner of Market and Johnson (at the main entrance to the Home of the Innocents), I entered the corner and felt my rear tire move sideways. Without falling, I wrenched the bike back upright and got out of the traffic lane, certain that I had a low tire.
Since I had done my ABC Quick Check before leaving the office, I knew that whatever had caused my tire to go down was a new problem. Rather than take the time to repair it on site, I pumped the tire up to an approximation of operating pressure and rode on, figuring I'd get at least halfway home before having to inflate it again.
I got about as far as Clifton Center, and stopped again. As I was pumping it this time, Barry stopped by to chat (saying as he stopped that he clearly didn't need to offer repair help on the level of some cyclists he has encountered). We chatted as I finished pumping my tire, then rode together as our homes are along the same route.
I had to stop again, just before reaching the Water Company's facility on Frankfort Avenue. This leak was larger than I thought, and was perhaps getting bigger.
I got home on that gush of air, though. I put the bike in a repair stand (always a good idea if one is available) and dismantled the rear tire.
Lo and behold! The shard of glass was a quarter-inch from where the last glass shard had punctured the same tube! At first, seeing the hole in the tube so close to the edge of the existing patch, I wondered whether I had, indeed, gotten the old sharp out of the tire. When I looked at the tire, I found a shard of glass in a new hole, and felt a bit better. I patched the tube, and while I had the patching stuff out patched a tube set aside for repairs and stowed it in the bike bag.
When I was at the shop, we simply changed tubes. It isn't worth shop time (at $50/hour) to try to patch tubes and have them not seal well.
When I am working on my own bike, though, I don't see a big reason to throw a tube away if it has a minor hole in it. That is why patch kits are made, after all. If I can do the repair at home, I'll patch the tube. If I have to fix one on the road, I'll usually replace the tube and patch it another time, although there are exceptions to this rule (on the Raleigh, for example, the front wheel is a pain to remove due to Raleigh-specific fork ends, so I'd probably patch it more or less in situ). I generally keep one or two tubes (or one or two for each wheel size on the Vanguard) in the on-bike repair kit along with a patch kit, in case I have a third flat.
As mentioned, the new hole was very close to the last repair I had made to this tube. I'll be interested to see how the new patch holds, given that roughly a quarter of it is on a prior patch.
I'll find out when I do my ABC Quick Check in the morning. The Raleigh is, or should be, ready to go as a back-up option should I be short on time.
Ah, the luxury of having two commuter bikes.
Another shorts to work day
It seems as if my blog is bogged down in "what did I ride to work today" posts--at least, it seems hard to generate a different title for each post. I guess part of the point of doing this blog, for me, was to create something of a diary of riding to work. I envision the ability to look back on posts and figure out how much I'm riding if I want. Or not.
Got some curiosity-based flack from a co-worker today, as I was loading my stuff into my packs. I had to attend what will be a weekly meeting at the main office, and had to change clothes for this meeting (I get fussed at for wearing "bikers' clothes, ect." (sic) to the office for meetings). I had brought some foodstuffs for lunch and snacks, and had put them in the fridge for the duration of the meeting. It took me a couple of trips from the staff break room to the area where I park my bike to get everything ready.
I park my bike in what the staff calls the "butt hutt," or the smoking area. It is outdoors, but under a roof, so the bike is protected from rain (especially helpfull when the bags are open). The co-worker in question was on a smoke break (reminding me once again how glad I am to have quit that nasty habit over twenty years ago), and opined that my trips (and changing clothes twice for a half-hour meeting) seemed a lot of trouble for riding to work. I chose to not be nasty about her colleague (my supervisor) or her manager and their unfortunate views on meeting wear (in a meeting that is not likely to be observed by tenants).
I suppose I could segue into a rant about how people who drive instead of ride for transport just don't "get it" when it comes to the different ways bicycle commuters do things. It is not an imposition for me to change clothes when I get to work, nor to do so when I prepare to leave the office. I am becoming more comfortable for the upcoming stage of my day.
As far as stopping at a grocery for snacks on my way to work being an oddity, well, I just don't know what to say. I suppose I could stock such things at home, and get them the night before (or the weekend before), and I often do just that. It just so happened that we were out of what I wanted, and my timing worked out in such a way that I could stop easily.
My "take-away" from this is that it takes a different sort of planning to ride a bike to work instead of driving. It seems to me that people don't often think about the planning they have invested in driving instead of cycling, so they think in terms of planning for cycling as being an insurmountable task for themselves. Planning for driving to work involves buying the car, insuring the car, paying taxes on the car, fueling the car, finding a place to park the car and so on. Planning for cycling involves acquiring the bike(s) and gear, finding a place to haul and/or store clothes for work, arranging a place to clean up once at (or near) the work place, and so on.
Not harder, not easier, just different. I find the cycling to work much more fun.
Got some curiosity-based flack from a co-worker today, as I was loading my stuff into my packs. I had to attend what will be a weekly meeting at the main office, and had to change clothes for this meeting (I get fussed at for wearing "bikers' clothes, ect." (sic) to the office for meetings). I had brought some foodstuffs for lunch and snacks, and had put them in the fridge for the duration of the meeting. It took me a couple of trips from the staff break room to the area where I park my bike to get everything ready.
I park my bike in what the staff calls the "butt hutt," or the smoking area. It is outdoors, but under a roof, so the bike is protected from rain (especially helpfull when the bags are open). The co-worker in question was on a smoke break (reminding me once again how glad I am to have quit that nasty habit over twenty years ago), and opined that my trips (and changing clothes twice for a half-hour meeting) seemed a lot of trouble for riding to work. I chose to not be nasty about her colleague (my supervisor) or her manager and their unfortunate views on meeting wear (in a meeting that is not likely to be observed by tenants).
I suppose I could segue into a rant about how people who drive instead of ride for transport just don't "get it" when it comes to the different ways bicycle commuters do things. It is not an imposition for me to change clothes when I get to work, nor to do so when I prepare to leave the office. I am becoming more comfortable for the upcoming stage of my day.
As far as stopping at a grocery for snacks on my way to work being an oddity, well, I just don't know what to say. I suppose I could stock such things at home, and get them the night before (or the weekend before), and I often do just that. It just so happened that we were out of what I wanted, and my timing worked out in such a way that I could stop easily.
My "take-away" from this is that it takes a different sort of planning to ride a bike to work instead of driving. It seems to me that people don't often think about the planning they have invested in driving instead of cycling, so they think in terms of planning for cycling as being an insurmountable task for themselves. Planning for driving to work involves buying the car, insuring the car, paying taxes on the car, fueling the car, finding a place to park the car and so on. Planning for cycling involves acquiring the bike(s) and gear, finding a place to haul and/or store clothes for work, arranging a place to clean up once at (or near) the work place, and so on.
Not harder, not easier, just different. I find the cycling to work much more fun.
28 April 2009
Rainy day again
April Showers are here. I got to work just ahead of them.
As I crossed the bridge, I enjoyed the colors in the eastern sky. This is becoming a favorite regular part of my ride to work. The quartering tailwind didn't hurt my feelings, either, although it did bode poorly for my ride home this afternoon--especially given the forecast for rain. Also as I crossed the bridge, I realized I had crossed another seasonal threshold: Today was my first day this season that I rode to work in shorts.
I stopped to grab a snack on my way to work, and while I was away from my bike, it fell over. I went outside to pick it up, and was doing so when I saw a pickup truck heading for the drive-through lane crush my front flasher that had fallen from the bike and rolled into the lane. He could easily have missed it, but I suppose the driver didn't bother to look.
Oh, well, it's an opportunity to upgrade that flasher.
I didn't want to ride the Raleigh today, but my rain gear is set up for it more than for the Vanguard. Of course, I'll get wet no matter which bike I ride, but the cape doesn't work at all on the Vanguard. My hands are still a bit tired from the yard work I did on Sunday, suggesting that my upper body muscles are out of shape. I'll have opportunity to remedy that over the summer, I'm sure.
Unlike some friends, I've not been one to keep tight records of my weight (or miles, or lots of other things). It's simply not my style to do that, although I see the value others find in doing so. I tend instead to make a mental note of the general trend, and if I like the trend, try to do things I know will continue it. It's not a terribly effective weight-loss strategy, but I've never felt strongly enough about my weight to get that serious about changing my habits to that degree.
Still, it's nice to notice a drop in weight that seems to be maintainable. Since I started casually weighing myself a few months ago, I've seen several days when my weight was under 230#, but only for a day or two. Over the last week, however, it has remained about 227#, instead of tending to be about 235#.
As I don't keep fastidious records, I cannot ascribe credit to specific changes in habit. I have reduced the amount of beer I consume by some bit, and have been riding to work more often with the better weather, and have probably eaten fewer candy bars--all of which are certainly contributing factors.
I've not done any long miles, though. I miss them. Life may keep me from riding as many of them as I'd like for a while.
...or not.
As I crossed the bridge, I enjoyed the colors in the eastern sky. This is becoming a favorite regular part of my ride to work. The quartering tailwind didn't hurt my feelings, either, although it did bode poorly for my ride home this afternoon--especially given the forecast for rain. Also as I crossed the bridge, I realized I had crossed another seasonal threshold: Today was my first day this season that I rode to work in shorts.
I stopped to grab a snack on my way to work, and while I was away from my bike, it fell over. I went outside to pick it up, and was doing so when I saw a pickup truck heading for the drive-through lane crush my front flasher that had fallen from the bike and rolled into the lane. He could easily have missed it, but I suppose the driver didn't bother to look.
Oh, well, it's an opportunity to upgrade that flasher.
I didn't want to ride the Raleigh today, but my rain gear is set up for it more than for the Vanguard. Of course, I'll get wet no matter which bike I ride, but the cape doesn't work at all on the Vanguard. My hands are still a bit tired from the yard work I did on Sunday, suggesting that my upper body muscles are out of shape. I'll have opportunity to remedy that over the summer, I'm sure.
Unlike some friends, I've not been one to keep tight records of my weight (or miles, or lots of other things). It's simply not my style to do that, although I see the value others find in doing so. I tend instead to make a mental note of the general trend, and if I like the trend, try to do things I know will continue it. It's not a terribly effective weight-loss strategy, but I've never felt strongly enough about my weight to get that serious about changing my habits to that degree.
Still, it's nice to notice a drop in weight that seems to be maintainable. Since I started casually weighing myself a few months ago, I've seen several days when my weight was under 230#, but only for a day or two. Over the last week, however, it has remained about 227#, instead of tending to be about 235#.
As I don't keep fastidious records, I cannot ascribe credit to specific changes in habit. I have reduced the amount of beer I consume by some bit, and have been riding to work more often with the better weather, and have probably eaten fewer candy bars--all of which are certainly contributing factors.
I've not done any long miles, though. I miss them. Life may keep me from riding as many of them as I'd like for a while.
...or not.
26 April 2009
Sunday without riding
Despite the warm (hot) weather, I didn't get to ride today. Jenn and I went out to Mom's house to do some yard work.
Our wedding will be happening in my folks' house or yard, and Mom wants to spruce things up a bit (some of which needs to be done anyway, as a maintenance thing). Today's task was to remove some old overgrown shrubs and bushes (sounds like a recent presidential election), and replace them with other species.
The old stuff came out of the ground much more easily than expected--I did NOT have to get the boom on the tractor to lift the stumps out of the ground, as the spade cut enough roots that I could simply lift the stump myself. The new ones look good so far, too.
I'm also back on my own computer! A friend who gets lots of lightly-used boxes brought me one on Friday, mostly to get it out of his house. It has a faster processor than my old one, and a bit more than twice the hard drive space. It seems a bit shy on RAM, but I may have a card or two that will fit--I'll have to look at what it takes and what I have. The sound isn't working yet, but that may be an electronic switch issue. I'll tinker with it over the coming week or three and see what happens. My mother has an IDE adapter that she has allowed me to borrow, so I can go through my old hard drive and move what makes sense to keep into the "new-to-me" box.
It's an opportunity to try some different things. Mark installed Windoze XP on it (as opposed to Vista that so many people dislike), but it doesn't have the Microshaft Office Suite installed yet. I may or may not install that--if I do it would only be because some of the stuff I do frequently works best in that batch of gobbledygook coding.
On Saturday, Jenn and I rode over to Cherokee Triangle for the annual Art Fair there. It was a good time--wandering among the booths, looking at the creative and functional stuff on display. We didn't buy anything, but got a bunch of business cards for future web buying efforts. Cycling to the event got us much closer parking than many folks had to tolerate. That makes sense, since we went to the effort to get there on our own power.
Our wedding will be happening in my folks' house or yard, and Mom wants to spruce things up a bit (some of which needs to be done anyway, as a maintenance thing). Today's task was to remove some old overgrown shrubs and bushes (sounds like a recent presidential election), and replace them with other species.
The old stuff came out of the ground much more easily than expected--I did NOT have to get the boom on the tractor to lift the stumps out of the ground, as the spade cut enough roots that I could simply lift the stump myself. The new ones look good so far, too.
I'm also back on my own computer! A friend who gets lots of lightly-used boxes brought me one on Friday, mostly to get it out of his house. It has a faster processor than my old one, and a bit more than twice the hard drive space. It seems a bit shy on RAM, but I may have a card or two that will fit--I'll have to look at what it takes and what I have. The sound isn't working yet, but that may be an electronic switch issue. I'll tinker with it over the coming week or three and see what happens. My mother has an IDE adapter that she has allowed me to borrow, so I can go through my old hard drive and move what makes sense to keep into the "new-to-me" box.
It's an opportunity to try some different things. Mark installed Windoze XP on it (as opposed to Vista that so many people dislike), but it doesn't have the Microshaft Office Suite installed yet. I may or may not install that--if I do it would only be because some of the stuff I do frequently works best in that batch of gobbledygook coding.
On Saturday, Jenn and I rode over to Cherokee Triangle for the annual Art Fair there. It was a good time--wandering among the booths, looking at the creative and functional stuff on display. We didn't buy anything, but got a bunch of business cards for future web buying efforts. Cycling to the event got us much closer parking than many folks had to tolerate. That makes sense, since we went to the effort to get there on our own power.
24 April 2009
Seasonal milestones
As an indicator that the weather is warming for the season, I rode to work today in short sleeves.
Yesterday morning, I wore my usual Illuminite jacket for the first leg of my ride, the five miles or so to the main office. I had a bright vest with reflective stripes with me for the remainder of the ride, as I was wearing a dark brown shirt and wanted to be more visible (as opposed to risible).
Today, though, I had a peep at the weather forecast site, and saw that the temperature was over sixty (F). That is usually my threshold for short sleeves on the bike, and it was nearing my threshold for shorts instead of tights (I like to keep my knees a bit warmer for some reason). Short-sleeve jersey time!
On a related note, I wore sunglasses the entire morning ride on Thursday, and in doing so left the clear lenses at home. I was wishing I had had them with me on the way home, as it was pretty cloudy (and rainy in spots). Oh, well. I wore the clear lenses most of the way to work this morning, changing to sunglasses when I made a stop for a morning snack shortly before arriving at the office.
As I've noted, the sky colors that I get to see as I cross the bridge are quite pretty. I enjoyed the colors again this morning.
The blossoms of the fruit trees have been replaced by leaves, and the dogwoods have been blooming for several days now.
Spring is truly here.
Yesterday morning, I wore my usual Illuminite jacket for the first leg of my ride, the five miles or so to the main office. I had a bright vest with reflective stripes with me for the remainder of the ride, as I was wearing a dark brown shirt and wanted to be more visible (as opposed to risible).
Today, though, I had a peep at the weather forecast site, and saw that the temperature was over sixty (F). That is usually my threshold for short sleeves on the bike, and it was nearing my threshold for shorts instead of tights (I like to keep my knees a bit warmer for some reason). Short-sleeve jersey time!
On a related note, I wore sunglasses the entire morning ride on Thursday, and in doing so left the clear lenses at home. I was wishing I had had them with me on the way home, as it was pretty cloudy (and rainy in spots). Oh, well. I wore the clear lenses most of the way to work this morning, changing to sunglasses when I made a stop for a morning snack shortly before arriving at the office.
As I've noted, the sky colors that I get to see as I cross the bridge are quite pretty. I enjoyed the colors again this morning.
The blossoms of the fruit trees have been replaced by leaves, and the dogwoods have been blooming for several days now.
Spring is truly here.
23 April 2009
Engage EnJenn, or in the words of Paul Harvey, "The Rest of the Story"
A few weeks ago, I did some work on a friend's bike. It was an extensive overhaul, but one that didn't fully address all the problems found for budgetary reasons. At any rate, I took it home, as he was going to pick it up there instead of at the shop. I had Jenn ride it, to assure myself that I wasn't sub-consciously compensating for some minor adjustment, and that it was indeed working as I wanted.
She came back from her short test-ride, and exclaimed, "I'm done with the bikeE." A couple days later, we picked out her new bike--a Bacchetta Giro 26. We are gradually adding doo-dads to make it her primary commuter rig (fenders, light mounts, rack, etc.).
As I mentioned in the description of that day at the shop, I was also building a wheel for David. As I was preparing to assemble that wheel, Jenn sidled up to the work bench and told me that she had a question for me, but that I had to promise not to be upset with her for asking it. I replied that I couldn't guarantee such, as I didn't know what the question was going to be.
After a few rounds of "you have to promise to not be upset" and "I don't know what the question is going to be," she asked me to marry her.
I was all but speechless for a bit, and so distracted that I laced David's wheel incorrectly, and didn't recognize my mistake until I got the wheel into the truing stand! I dismantled the wheel, sorting the spokes as I went, and started again. After getting almost all the spokes in the drive side, I realized that my spoke count was off, and that the spokes would have to be resorted yet another time. I told Jenn that since she had gotten me so distracted, she was going to have to help sort spokes this go-round.
Once I finally got the wheel laced to suit my standards, I started tightening the spokes. Jenn had been digging around in the store shelves looking for accessories for her new bike, so I called her over and said, "Sure."
Shortly after, she told me we were even. She didn't feel that it would be appropriate to run and jump around in the store with glee since nobody else in the store was to be informed of the decision (each of us had an order of who we wanted to tell, of course).
The lunch at my folks' place was, in part, to celebrate our engagement. Jenn's folks came to our house that evening for dessert and some socializing, and we told them at that time. We told her daughters the next day (the younger one claimed she already knew, of course--she knew Jenn wanted her to keep a certain date open, and suspected why, but didn't know whether I would agree to the whole thing).
As mentioned parenthetically, I had a list of friends I wanted to tell in person before I went blabbing about it online. I think I've gotten to most of them, but I'm sure I've forgotten one or two. I doubt that they are reading my blog, though, so they may still be surprised when I tell them.
Yes, it is a surprise to anyone who has known me for any length of time. I've never been married before. Indeed, I rarely really thought I would find someone to marry, although I came close a couple of times (and soon after, realized what a mistake at least one of those times would have been).
That last comment was not entirely fair to either of the women involved. Both were good people, and were good to me. I was the one who figured out that at least for me, it would have been a bad choice to get married, and it took time for me to work up the courage to break their hearts. Both have moved on with their lives--one got married about ten years ago, I think, and as far as I know they are still married, the other is dating someone now, and from what I'm hearing through the grapevine they are quite happy with one another. I wish them all the best, of course.
Anyway, there is much planning and deciding to be done over the next few months. We asked my sister to perform the ceremony, and she graciously agreed (perhaps enthusiastically would be a better word). The ceremony will probably be fairly small, but the guest list for the reception or other party could get quite long.
This is what I meant when I responded to David's announcement that he and Kristy are engaged with, "There must be something in the water." Next thing I know, another friend will announce (no bets on who--most of my friends are married or happily divorced).
Now you know, well, you get the picture!
She came back from her short test-ride, and exclaimed, "I'm done with the bikeE." A couple days later, we picked out her new bike--a Bacchetta Giro 26. We are gradually adding doo-dads to make it her primary commuter rig (fenders, light mounts, rack, etc.).
As I mentioned in the description of that day at the shop, I was also building a wheel for David. As I was preparing to assemble that wheel, Jenn sidled up to the work bench and told me that she had a question for me, but that I had to promise not to be upset with her for asking it. I replied that I couldn't guarantee such, as I didn't know what the question was going to be.
After a few rounds of "you have to promise to not be upset" and "I don't know what the question is going to be," she asked me to marry her.
I was all but speechless for a bit, and so distracted that I laced David's wheel incorrectly, and didn't recognize my mistake until I got the wheel into the truing stand! I dismantled the wheel, sorting the spokes as I went, and started again. After getting almost all the spokes in the drive side, I realized that my spoke count was off, and that the spokes would have to be resorted yet another time. I told Jenn that since she had gotten me so distracted, she was going to have to help sort spokes this go-round.
Once I finally got the wheel laced to suit my standards, I started tightening the spokes. Jenn had been digging around in the store shelves looking for accessories for her new bike, so I called her over and said, "Sure."
Shortly after, she told me we were even. She didn't feel that it would be appropriate to run and jump around in the store with glee since nobody else in the store was to be informed of the decision (each of us had an order of who we wanted to tell, of course).
The lunch at my folks' place was, in part, to celebrate our engagement. Jenn's folks came to our house that evening for dessert and some socializing, and we told them at that time. We told her daughters the next day (the younger one claimed she already knew, of course--she knew Jenn wanted her to keep a certain date open, and suspected why, but didn't know whether I would agree to the whole thing).
As mentioned parenthetically, I had a list of friends I wanted to tell in person before I went blabbing about it online. I think I've gotten to most of them, but I'm sure I've forgotten one or two. I doubt that they are reading my blog, though, so they may still be surprised when I tell them.
Yes, it is a surprise to anyone who has known me for any length of time. I've never been married before. Indeed, I rarely really thought I would find someone to marry, although I came close a couple of times (and soon after, realized what a mistake at least one of those times would have been).
That last comment was not entirely fair to either of the women involved. Both were good people, and were good to me. I was the one who figured out that at least for me, it would have been a bad choice to get married, and it took time for me to work up the courage to break their hearts. Both have moved on with their lives--one got married about ten years ago, I think, and as far as I know they are still married, the other is dating someone now, and from what I'm hearing through the grapevine they are quite happy with one another. I wish them all the best, of course.
Anyway, there is much planning and deciding to be done over the next few months. We asked my sister to perform the ceremony, and she graciously agreed (perhaps enthusiastically would be a better word). The ceremony will probably be fairly small, but the guest list for the reception or other party could get quite long.
This is what I meant when I responded to David's announcement that he and Kristy are engaged with, "There must be something in the water." Next thing I know, another friend will announce (no bets on who--most of my friends are married or happily divorced).
Now you know, well, you get the picture!
Where has the week gone?
I realized I hadn't made any entries since Monday, even though I'm trying to treat this as my own diary of sorts.
The weather has been tolerable to grand for cycling to work. I got a bit wet on the home-bound trip Tuesday, but not so bad I couldn't just ride.
I took Wednesday off from work to allow myself the luxury of presenting at a local high-school's Earth Day celebrations. This was on invitation from a teacher there who knows Barry Zalph. I had opportunity to present the 30-minute "Share the Road" presentation assembled by Barry and others under the Bike Louisville/Bicycling for Louisville partnership.
After two runs through the presentation, I spent an hour or two in the front parking lot of the school, talking about transportation options, recumbent bicycles as such an option, and my Vanguard in particular as well as how I utilize bicycles in my own transport plan. I got lots of questions from students and faculty, and opportunities to do a little myth-dispelling as well as chances to offer my own semi-formed opinions.
It was fun, and it sure as heck beat a day at the office.
Afterward, I went to my Chiropractor for a periodic adjustment. I didn't feel bad, but figured I would feel better after he did his tricks. I was right. I'm much more flexible today, and my ride to work reflected that.
I wound up riding the Raleigh today, despite the good weather. I had a training session at the main office, and didn't remember whether it was an all-day session or part-day. I figured that I could ride the Raleigh while wearing office clothes, as the weather is so nice, so when I learned that I would have the second half of the day in my regular office, it became a "cross the bridge in slacks" day.
I have since learned that I will be presenting the short "Share the Road" session this evening. I'll need to haul butt home, get my car, and drive to J-town.
Tomorrow, I may even get a replacement for my computer that hasn't worked since mid-February.
The weather has been tolerable to grand for cycling to work. I got a bit wet on the home-bound trip Tuesday, but not so bad I couldn't just ride.
I took Wednesday off from work to allow myself the luxury of presenting at a local high-school's Earth Day celebrations. This was on invitation from a teacher there who knows Barry Zalph. I had opportunity to present the 30-minute "Share the Road" presentation assembled by Barry and others under the Bike Louisville/Bicycling for Louisville partnership.
After two runs through the presentation, I spent an hour or two in the front parking lot of the school, talking about transportation options, recumbent bicycles as such an option, and my Vanguard in particular as well as how I utilize bicycles in my own transport plan. I got lots of questions from students and faculty, and opportunities to do a little myth-dispelling as well as chances to offer my own semi-formed opinions.
It was fun, and it sure as heck beat a day at the office.
Afterward, I went to my Chiropractor for a periodic adjustment. I didn't feel bad, but figured I would feel better after he did his tricks. I was right. I'm much more flexible today, and my ride to work reflected that.
I wound up riding the Raleigh today, despite the good weather. I had a training session at the main office, and didn't remember whether it was an all-day session or part-day. I figured that I could ride the Raleigh while wearing office clothes, as the weather is so nice, so when I learned that I would have the second half of the day in my regular office, it became a "cross the bridge in slacks" day.
I have since learned that I will be presenting the short "Share the Road" session this evening. I'll need to haul butt home, get my car, and drive to J-town.
Tomorrow, I may even get a replacement for my computer that hasn't worked since mid-February.
20 April 2009
Short haul Monday
I had a training session to attend at the main office today, so didn't have to cross the bridge. I got a little wet on the way to work, but the cycling clothes got dry enough during the day that they were not clammy for the ride home.
I'm back on the Ryan, after riding the Raleigh most of last week. I'm not sure why I rode the Raleigh Tuesday and Wednesday, other than I felt like it, although it could be that the last time I had ridden the Vanguard I really felt the chain wear I noticed Wednesday the 8th, after the Powerlink came apart on me partway home. That chain was sloppy-loose!
I replaced that chain last night, and measured it just for grins. My Park Tool Chain Checker gave it a .75 on a 0-1.0 scale, and the literature provided claims that a chain measuring .75 is okay to use. That chain has somewhere between six and eight thousand miles on it, and has a lot of lateral flex usually associated with a worn-out chain, so I put new parts on the bike (including the cassette, which I habitually change with my chain if I only use one cassette on the bike). I noted a bit of inaccuracy in the shifting today that didn't show up in the stand last night, and will have to look at it in a bit.
When I got home tonight, I decided that it was past time for the lawn's second mowing of the season. Jenn mowed it a few weeks ago--yes a few weeks. It had gotten too tall in places, and took a fair bit of over-and-back with the mower to cut things down. At least the mower is quiet--it's a reel mower, after all. I like how quiet it is! The grass was also a bit wet still, and didn't cut as well as it might otherwise. The yard looks a lot better, now, anyway. With the next cutting, it should start to take better shape. I also have a "weed whip," the better to scythe the stuff that the mower won't cut, but it's (of course) not sharp at all (it was bought new), and won't cut well until I take the blade off and work it over with a bench grinder for a bit.
It feels odd for me to write about yard work. I LOATHED yard work as a teen. I'm still not fond of it--there are MANY things I'd rather do. However, I admit to some satisfaction when I get the weekly mowing done, even if I don't do all the trimming. Something about doing it with human power (remember that I mentioned ours is a reel mower) instead of using a gas-powered mower (or even an electric one) that yields a bit of reverse snobbery, perhaps--I can cut my grass ANY time of day or night without making noise to aggravate the neighbors (although cutting it at night may give odd-looking results...). As small as my yard is, the time difference between using a power mower and this reel mower is minimal, and the perceived effort difference is pretty small as well, although the perception of the effort required with a power mower is based purely on memory--I've not used a power push mower in years.
I may be mowing at my folks' house some this summer, however, and since the section I'd be mowing is something like three or four acres, I'll be using the tractor-pulled 5' mower deck.
I'm back on the Ryan, after riding the Raleigh most of last week. I'm not sure why I rode the Raleigh Tuesday and Wednesday, other than I felt like it, although it could be that the last time I had ridden the Vanguard I really felt the chain wear I noticed Wednesday the 8th, after the Powerlink came apart on me partway home. That chain was sloppy-loose!
I replaced that chain last night, and measured it just for grins. My Park Tool Chain Checker gave it a .75 on a 0-1.0 scale, and the literature provided claims that a chain measuring .75 is okay to use. That chain has somewhere between six and eight thousand miles on it, and has a lot of lateral flex usually associated with a worn-out chain, so I put new parts on the bike (including the cassette, which I habitually change with my chain if I only use one cassette on the bike). I noted a bit of inaccuracy in the shifting today that didn't show up in the stand last night, and will have to look at it in a bit.
When I got home tonight, I decided that it was past time for the lawn's second mowing of the season. Jenn mowed it a few weeks ago--yes a few weeks. It had gotten too tall in places, and took a fair bit of over-and-back with the mower to cut things down. At least the mower is quiet--it's a reel mower, after all. I like how quiet it is! The grass was also a bit wet still, and didn't cut as well as it might otherwise. The yard looks a lot better, now, anyway. With the next cutting, it should start to take better shape. I also have a "weed whip," the better to scythe the stuff that the mower won't cut, but it's (of course) not sharp at all (it was bought new), and won't cut well until I take the blade off and work it over with a bench grinder for a bit.
It feels odd for me to write about yard work. I LOATHED yard work as a teen. I'm still not fond of it--there are MANY things I'd rather do. However, I admit to some satisfaction when I get the weekly mowing done, even if I don't do all the trimming. Something about doing it with human power (remember that I mentioned ours is a reel mower) instead of using a gas-powered mower (or even an electric one) that yields a bit of reverse snobbery, perhaps--I can cut my grass ANY time of day or night without making noise to aggravate the neighbors (although cutting it at night may give odd-looking results...). As small as my yard is, the time difference between using a power mower and this reel mower is minimal, and the perceived effort difference is pretty small as well, although the perception of the effort required with a power mower is based purely on memory--I've not used a power push mower in years.
I may be mowing at my folks' house some this summer, however, and since the section I'd be mowing is something like three or four acres, I'll be using the tractor-pulled 5' mower deck.
18 April 2009
Thunder thoughts
A few random thoughts about Thunder(ous wretched Excess) Over Louisville:
Bike Louisville and Bicycling for Louisville have teamed to have bicycle parking for Thunder attendees this year. Sadly, I won't be using it, but not because I don't like the idea. I am quite supportive of the concept, but the friends with whom I will be attending Thunder are from out of town, and we don't have enough bicycles for them to partake. There is also the issue of one member of our party having some bone trouble that precludes cycling...
Indeed, were it not for these out of town friends coming for Thunder, I probably would not go. I went last year, with mostly the same group. It was the first year I'd been there since probably 1995 or -96. At that time, I could walk there from my apartment in Old Louisville, and could get away with carrying more of my personal supplies so as not to pay $5 for a pint of water (okay, so $5 is a slight exaggeration--it was probably $4). Waiting out the post-Thunder traffic jam is expensive--although it's certainly more fun to sit in a restaurant and eat than sit in the car breathing exhaust fumes.
I'll go, and I'll enjoy the people-watching. Despite my reservations about the attendant pollution issues and warmongering issues, I will enjoy the air show. I would prefer that the fireworks displays be drawn out a bit more--same number of shells over an hour instead of thirty minutes--to enjoy the effects of single shells more before the next shell blows up in the middle of the starburst from the prior one, but my attention span is ever-so-slightly longer than that of the average Thunder attendee. I'm likely to be less inebriated than many, too.
Even though we have a supply of locally-made ale for the event.
Bike Louisville and Bicycling for Louisville have teamed to have bicycle parking for Thunder attendees this year. Sadly, I won't be using it, but not because I don't like the idea. I am quite supportive of the concept, but the friends with whom I will be attending Thunder are from out of town, and we don't have enough bicycles for them to partake. There is also the issue of one member of our party having some bone trouble that precludes cycling...
Indeed, were it not for these out of town friends coming for Thunder, I probably would not go. I went last year, with mostly the same group. It was the first year I'd been there since probably 1995 or -96. At that time, I could walk there from my apartment in Old Louisville, and could get away with carrying more of my personal supplies so as not to pay $5 for a pint of water (okay, so $5 is a slight exaggeration--it was probably $4). Waiting out the post-Thunder traffic jam is expensive--although it's certainly more fun to sit in a restaurant and eat than sit in the car breathing exhaust fumes.
I'll go, and I'll enjoy the people-watching. Despite my reservations about the attendant pollution issues and warmongering issues, I will enjoy the air show. I would prefer that the fireworks displays be drawn out a bit more--same number of shells over an hour instead of thirty minutes--to enjoy the effects of single shells more before the next shell blows up in the middle of the starburst from the prior one, but my attention span is ever-so-slightly longer than that of the average Thunder attendee. I'm likely to be less inebriated than many, too.
Even though we have a supply of locally-made ale for the event.
17 April 2009
Thunder eve day
I mentioned yesterday that I took advantage of the the Kentucky Derby Festival's shuttle service to cross the Clark Bridge on my way home from work. I used the service again this morning, and again it went as advertised. I am compelled to give a shout out to the KDF again and THANKS AGAIN.
And, for probably the first time in MONTHS, I found it more comfortable to wear sunglasses on my way to work, compared to the clear lenses I typically wear when riding in the mornings.
And, for probably the first time in MONTHS, I found it more comfortable to wear sunglasses on my way to work, compared to the clear lenses I typically wear when riding in the mornings.
16 April 2009
THANKS to KDF
I made use of the shuttle service mentioned in my last post today on my way home. The driver was most polite, and showed up just as I was getting to the police officer to request a shuttle.
A heartfelt THANK YOU to the Kentucky Derby Festival for offering this service this year. I sincerely hope it continues, given that the Clark Bridge is the only legal river crossing for bicycles and pedestrians for some forty or fifty miles along the river. The ten-minute wait advertised (mine was nearer zero minutes) is far better than the wait one would expect relying on TARC's schedules.
Greatly appreciated!
A heartfelt THANK YOU to the Kentucky Derby Festival for offering this service this year. I sincerely hope it continues, given that the Clark Bridge is the only legal river crossing for bicycles and pedestrians for some forty or fifty miles along the river. The ten-minute wait advertised (mine was nearer zero minutes) is far better than the wait one would expect relying on TARC's schedules.
Greatly appreciated!
Taxing days, and Thunder test
In the grand tradition of procrastinators everywhere, I put off doing my taxes until the last minute--almost literally.
I had to pay a bunch extra this year, taking a penalty for drawing from my retirement funds to pay off some debts that were about to swallow me. I thought I had given instructions for there to be withholding added to my drawdown, but it was not done that way. OUCH.
We left the house with the paper returns, aiming for the Crittenden Drive Post Office well after my target departure time of 8:30. When we got to Crittenden Drive, traffic was backed up to the Fairgrounds entrances. Jenn was driving (I was writing the checks in the car...), so I suggested that she take the left lane, get to the traffic light at the post office, and I would run from the car to the drop point, saving several minutes of sitting in traffic.
We started on that path, and found a disabled car in the right lane, causing much of the back up. Once past that car, we were able to simply drive in to the post office parking lot. I got out of the car to take my returns to the drop point, and tossed them into the pile the postal workers were accepting. I got back in the car, we drove around the parking lot to the exit, and watched them wheeling the cart full of returns toward the building. I don't know if they brought out another cart. If not, I made it by the thickness of a couple of hen's teeth.
Lesson of the day: My tax returns are getting more complex than they were for many years. I had gotten spoiled--I used to be able to do my taxes in about fifteen minutes, prepare for a Federal refund of $350-400, pay the state about $100, and go on with life. Not any more.
On to other topics. On my way to work this morning, as I crossed the Clark Bridge, I saw several emergency vehicles with their lights going and sirens in full song, trying to get to a crash site on the southbound side of the Kennedy (-I65) bridge. Motorists had done what they would do--try to get to work or wherever by any means possible, not realizing that they were going to be in the way of emergency responders and positioning themselves in ways that prevented or severely delayed passage of ambulances and police cars and fire trucks. There is no viable shoulder on that bridge (nor is there one on most bridges around here), so there was not a separate lane for emergency vehicles to use.
Of course, with southbound interstate traffic at a standstill, many folks were opting for the Clark Bridge. As a result, I was unable to make my customary left turn at the light at the north end of the bridge and had to go around the base. That light sensor doesn't recognize a bicycle as a legitimate road user, something I've written to Jeffersonville to try to address. Given that the light doesn't notice me (I don't have enough lead in my behind, I guess), I consider the light as malfunctioning and go after a reasonable wait, which still usually saves me time compared to going around the base of the bridge.
I mentioned in a prior post that Barry Zalph and others had gotten the Kentucky Derby Festival to recognize need for a shuttle across the bridge during the preparations for Thunder(ous wretched excess) Over Louisville this weekend. I get to test the shuttle service this afternoon. While I'd rather ride my Vanguard, I am making my part of the concession by riding my Raleigh, figuring that whatever bike-carrying mechanism they have won't accept the longer recumbent. I'm looking forward to it working well. I'm sure others will have some experience with it as well--if I see other reports, I will try to link to them.
As I climbed the ramp to the bridge this morning, I noticed a wire attached to the railing that had not been there the day before. I also noticed a series of brackets mounted to the railing that I presume to be part of the Thunder fireworks set up.
I used to enjoy the Thunder show. It still has some fun elements--watching some of the people in the crowd make fools of themselves is amusing, for example, and some of the shells make interesting and pretty patterns in the sky--but since I moved from Old Louisville in 1999, I've been less interested in dealing witht the traffic and "population density" (not always measured in people per square unit area). When I lived on Fourth Street, I could easily walk to the waterfront for the show, and did a few times.
Over the years, though, Thunder has focused so much on being the biggest, noisiest show using the most shells of any ongoing event that they are firing off shells before the effects of the prior ones have had a chance to complete their displays. It's too rapid-fire for me. I would find it far more enjoyable if they would stretch it out for another half hour with the same number of shells, giving us more time to enjoy each individual display before it's disrupted by the next one. I suppose, though, that the way they do it is somehow more to the liking of what I imagine Travis McGee calling the New American, with the minute attention span and love for destructive energy and little patience for enjoying a single thing for a few moments longer.
This without starting to address the ecological disaster that is Thunder: all the junk in the air from all those explosives, and the tons of junk left on the ground in the viewing areas by careless spectators (even though there are garbage and recycling bins all over the place, those are over-filled by mid-afternoon most years). It takes days for squadrons of volunteers to clean up the mess left behind. It's a depressing sight, to be sure.
Jenn talked me into going last year, and I found that if I'm with a small group of friends, Thunder is more tolerable. Some friends of ours are coming from Dayton, Ohio again this year, and we are going to hang out with them for the day. The weather forecast is much better this year, and we're looking forward to that aspect of it. I don't have to buy the over-priced swill that they claim is beer (I can get a "growler" of real beer and repackage it), nor the over-priced junk trinkets or junk food, although that helps support the event. I can just be there, socializing with friends, enjoying the reaction of ignorant twits to seeing two guys in kilts, quite comfortable in our masculinity (and quite willing to toss a twit or two if need be).
I had to pay a bunch extra this year, taking a penalty for drawing from my retirement funds to pay off some debts that were about to swallow me. I thought I had given instructions for there to be withholding added to my drawdown, but it was not done that way. OUCH.
We left the house with the paper returns, aiming for the Crittenden Drive Post Office well after my target departure time of 8:30. When we got to Crittenden Drive, traffic was backed up to the Fairgrounds entrances. Jenn was driving (I was writing the checks in the car...), so I suggested that she take the left lane, get to the traffic light at the post office, and I would run from the car to the drop point, saving several minutes of sitting in traffic.
We started on that path, and found a disabled car in the right lane, causing much of the back up. Once past that car, we were able to simply drive in to the post office parking lot. I got out of the car to take my returns to the drop point, and tossed them into the pile the postal workers were accepting. I got back in the car, we drove around the parking lot to the exit, and watched them wheeling the cart full of returns toward the building. I don't know if they brought out another cart. If not, I made it by the thickness of a couple of hen's teeth.
Lesson of the day: My tax returns are getting more complex than they were for many years. I had gotten spoiled--I used to be able to do my taxes in about fifteen minutes, prepare for a Federal refund of $350-400, pay the state about $100, and go on with life. Not any more.
On to other topics. On my way to work this morning, as I crossed the Clark Bridge, I saw several emergency vehicles with their lights going and sirens in full song, trying to get to a crash site on the southbound side of the Kennedy (-I65) bridge. Motorists had done what they would do--try to get to work or wherever by any means possible, not realizing that they were going to be in the way of emergency responders and positioning themselves in ways that prevented or severely delayed passage of ambulances and police cars and fire trucks. There is no viable shoulder on that bridge (nor is there one on most bridges around here), so there was not a separate lane for emergency vehicles to use.
Of course, with southbound interstate traffic at a standstill, many folks were opting for the Clark Bridge. As a result, I was unable to make my customary left turn at the light at the north end of the bridge and had to go around the base. That light sensor doesn't recognize a bicycle as a legitimate road user, something I've written to Jeffersonville to try to address. Given that the light doesn't notice me (I don't have enough lead in my behind, I guess), I consider the light as malfunctioning and go after a reasonable wait, which still usually saves me time compared to going around the base of the bridge.
I mentioned in a prior post that Barry Zalph and others had gotten the Kentucky Derby Festival to recognize need for a shuttle across the bridge during the preparations for Thunder(ous wretched excess) Over Louisville this weekend. I get to test the shuttle service this afternoon. While I'd rather ride my Vanguard, I am making my part of the concession by riding my Raleigh, figuring that whatever bike-carrying mechanism they have won't accept the longer recumbent. I'm looking forward to it working well. I'm sure others will have some experience with it as well--if I see other reports, I will try to link to them.
As I climbed the ramp to the bridge this morning, I noticed a wire attached to the railing that had not been there the day before. I also noticed a series of brackets mounted to the railing that I presume to be part of the Thunder fireworks set up.
I used to enjoy the Thunder show. It still has some fun elements--watching some of the people in the crowd make fools of themselves is amusing, for example, and some of the shells make interesting and pretty patterns in the sky--but since I moved from Old Louisville in 1999, I've been less interested in dealing witht the traffic and "population density" (not always measured in people per square unit area). When I lived on Fourth Street, I could easily walk to the waterfront for the show, and did a few times.
Over the years, though, Thunder has focused so much on being the biggest, noisiest show using the most shells of any ongoing event that they are firing off shells before the effects of the prior ones have had a chance to complete their displays. It's too rapid-fire for me. I would find it far more enjoyable if they would stretch it out for another half hour with the same number of shells, giving us more time to enjoy each individual display before it's disrupted by the next one. I suppose, though, that the way they do it is somehow more to the liking of what I imagine Travis McGee calling the New American, with the minute attention span and love for destructive energy and little patience for enjoying a single thing for a few moments longer.
This without starting to address the ecological disaster that is Thunder: all the junk in the air from all those explosives, and the tons of junk left on the ground in the viewing areas by careless spectators (even though there are garbage and recycling bins all over the place, those are over-filled by mid-afternoon most years). It takes days for squadrons of volunteers to clean up the mess left behind. It's a depressing sight, to be sure.
Jenn talked me into going last year, and I found that if I'm with a small group of friends, Thunder is more tolerable. Some friends of ours are coming from Dayton, Ohio again this year, and we are going to hang out with them for the day. The weather forecast is much better this year, and we're looking forward to that aspect of it. I don't have to buy the over-priced swill that they claim is beer (I can get a "growler" of real beer and repackage it), nor the over-priced junk trinkets or junk food, although that helps support the event. I can just be there, socializing with friends, enjoying the reaction of ignorant twits to seeing two guys in kilts, quite comfortable in our masculinity (and quite willing to toss a twit or two if need be).
13 April 2009
Class for tonight canceled
I was supposed to teach another of the series of Confident Cycling classes tonight. As there were no registrations to date, the class has been canceled, and walk-ins will not be accepted.
Of course, with the class plans in mind, I drove to be able to haul a bike stand and class materials in case things went through as scheduled.
I'm a little glad about that, though, given the intensity of the precipitation and wind at the moment.
Maybe tomorrow will yield better riding weather.
Of course, with the class plans in mind, I drove to be able to haul a bike stand and class materials in case things went through as scheduled.
I'm a little glad about that, though, given the intensity of the precipitation and wind at the moment.
Maybe tomorrow will yield better riding weather.
11 April 2009
Saturday (not) in the Park
One of my all-time favorite comics, Yehuda Moon, ended today. The writer, Rick Smith, apparently ran out of time to continue making the strip on a daily basis.
He must have wanted to ride more. Yeah, that must be it.
In any case, Jenn and I enjoyed the LBC "Slow and Easy" ride again this morning. The second half of the route got changed due to some other event (a ten-mile run that is part of the "Triple Crown" of local foot racing, I think) and its related street closures, but it was still good to get out on the bike for a while. My quads weren't happy with me for the first fifteen or twenty miles, but after a while they loosened up and I started feeling better--at least until I got tired. I'm not as accustomed to going over twenty miles at a pop as I usually am, since most of my riding these days is my thirteen-mile commute twice a day. I need to ride for fun more often.
Since I collected my truck yesterday, I didn't have to ride home in the rain that kept falling as the evening progressed. I had to go to Crestwood to work on a bike, and driving there is always quicker than cycling to the shop. I had the Raleigh in the bed of my truck, so it got something of a rinse-off while I traveled. One wouldn't know it to look at it, though, suggesting that maybe soap or at least a sponge or brush would have helped get the road crud off the chainstay and frame tubing. I need to get around to cleaning and repacking the crank and wheel bearings on that bike at some point, too. Maybe I'll do that after I get some paper (or electronic paper) work done.
He must have wanted to ride more. Yeah, that must be it.
In any case, Jenn and I enjoyed the LBC "Slow and Easy" ride again this morning. The second half of the route got changed due to some other event (a ten-mile run that is part of the "Triple Crown" of local foot racing, I think) and its related street closures, but it was still good to get out on the bike for a while. My quads weren't happy with me for the first fifteen or twenty miles, but after a while they loosened up and I started feeling better--at least until I got tired. I'm not as accustomed to going over twenty miles at a pop as I usually am, since most of my riding these days is my thirteen-mile commute twice a day. I need to ride for fun more often.
Since I collected my truck yesterday, I didn't have to ride home in the rain that kept falling as the evening progressed. I had to go to Crestwood to work on a bike, and driving there is always quicker than cycling to the shop. I had the Raleigh in the bed of my truck, so it got something of a rinse-off while I traveled. One wouldn't know it to look at it, though, suggesting that maybe soap or at least a sponge or brush would have helped get the road crud off the chainstay and frame tubing. I need to get around to cleaning and repacking the crank and wheel bearings on that bike at some point, too. Maybe I'll do that after I get some paper (or electronic paper) work done.
10 April 2009
Wet fried-day morning
After riding to work four days this week (well, I rode from the garage yesterday morning), I drove today. I did have to ride the bike to the garage to get my car, so I guess it counts for four full commutes, even if part of one commute was done on a different bike (I used the Raleigh to get to the garage today).
Jenn's youngest daughter is home from college for the weekend. We didn't know she was coming home until she was already on her way here, in keeping with an almost-nineteen-year-old's normal behavior patterns.
I have to go to Crestwood this evening to do some bike work. I also need to collect some parts to replace the worn chain and cassette on my Vanguard.
I'm teaching a class Monday evening, so I'll need to drive (or leave work early and rush home then drive to the class site). I expect to spend most of the Saturday morning club ride in conference with the other instructor.
Jenn's youngest daughter is home from college for the weekend. We didn't know she was coming home until she was already on her way here, in keeping with an almost-nineteen-year-old's normal behavior patterns.
I have to go to Crestwood this evening to do some bike work. I also need to collect some parts to replace the worn chain and cassette on my Vanguard.
I'm teaching a class Monday evening, so I'll need to drive (or leave work early and rush home then drive to the class site). I expect to spend most of the Saturday morning club ride in conference with the other instructor.
09 April 2009
Partial commute
Since I get paid tonight, and since my conversation with the company that will be fixing my truck revealed that it may take them two days to get the work done, I left my truck at their lot this morning on my way to work. It's a few blocks from my employer's main office, and a few more blocks out of my typical morning commute path.
Hopefully they can simply replace the perch without having to install a new bushing in the spring eye. Given the amount of rust in the perch, it's hard to predict.
Being without my truck is only a minor inconvenience for me, as I like riding a bike to get places. It was good that at least one car was roadworthy Monday evening, though--I hate the thought of hauling an ill cat the nine miles to the vet's office--I'd probably have found a closer one in that case, although I've always had very good service from the one we've been using. Finding a closer vet would still not have dealt with getting Al's body to Mom's for burial--a round trip of some thirty-five or forty miles, the last twenty of which would have been in dark conditions.
In other words, I'm not quite ready to go car-free. I reduce reliance on my car when I can reasonably do so. It's a choice for me--part pragmatism, part simply that I'd rather by groceries than gasoline (and insurance, and more frequent replacement of wear parts, etc).
I am ready for some down time, but I don't expect to get much for a while. I have a couple of deadlines to meet, and one I've already blown.
Hopefully they can simply replace the perch without having to install a new bushing in the spring eye. Given the amount of rust in the perch, it's hard to predict.
Being without my truck is only a minor inconvenience for me, as I like riding a bike to get places. It was good that at least one car was roadworthy Monday evening, though--I hate the thought of hauling an ill cat the nine miles to the vet's office--I'd probably have found a closer one in that case, although I've always had very good service from the one we've been using. Finding a closer vet would still not have dealt with getting Al's body to Mom's for burial--a round trip of some thirty-five or forty miles, the last twenty of which would have been in dark conditions.
In other words, I'm not quite ready to go car-free. I reduce reliance on my car when I can reasonably do so. It's a choice for me--part pragmatism, part simply that I'd rather by groceries than gasoline (and insurance, and more frequent replacement of wear parts, etc).
I am ready for some down time, but I don't expect to get much for a while. I have a couple of deadlines to meet, and one I've already blown.
08 April 2009
Almost another four-crossing day
I rode to work on the Vanguard today. I stopped at the corporate office to pick up some supplies I had ordered, as I couldn't haul the whole lot yesterday.
Shortly after I got to my office in N'Awb'ny, I got a call from my supervisor, informing me that I was to be at the main office at 9:30 for a training session. Mindful of some conversations in the recent past about my attire that I don't wish to drag out here, I asked if it would be best for me to bring a change of clothes, since I was on two wheels rather than four. I was told that, yes, a change of clothes would be in order.
I had tweaked my back a bit recently, exacerbating some pain that had been developing simply as a function of being relatively sedentary in my job. I've been walking around like an old fogey the last few days. I've started doing my exercises again, and they are helping, but it takes time to recover just as it takes time to get worse.
With that in mind, the Maintenance Tech who works for me insisted that I borrow his car for the round trip to the main office. I opted to accept his offer, as it would prevent me having to change clothes twice and give me more time on either end of the meeting to do things in my own office.
I keep advising folks to have a chain tool and a chain-appropriate length of repair links in the tool bag, but I need to learn to follow my own advice. I had a chain break while on my way home tonight, and it was shortly after the nearest two bike shops were probably closed for the evening. Jenn was close to another shop that was open, so she was good enough to get a link for me and bring it to me. By the time she got to me, I had the chain rethreaded in the bike and ready to simply connect with the new link.
It got me to thinking about how long that chain has been on that bike. It's past time for new chain and cassette, so I've ordered replacements and will mount them this weekend. I don't remember what the mileage was at the time, but the current chain has been on the bike since early 2001, and likely has eight thousand miles on it. There were a couple years in there that the bike didn't get a ton of use, as most of my club miles were on the Bacchetta and I was only a mile from work, which counter the thousand or three miles I've put on the bike in the last year.
I guess if I kept detailed records on this sort of thing, I could make definitive statements rather than generalizations. Part of it is that when I was working on bikes all the time, I wanted to ride my bike rather than work on it. I often let little maintenance stuff slide on my own bikes, just because I didn't feel like spending time working on ANY bike at the moment. I can usually deal with little stuff as I ride.
However, I will have a chain tool in the tool bag on both bikes from now on (I have one, but it is aboard the other bike). I have spare links at home, and will now have some on the bike as well.
Shortly after I got to my office in N'Awb'ny, I got a call from my supervisor, informing me that I was to be at the main office at 9:30 for a training session. Mindful of some conversations in the recent past about my attire that I don't wish to drag out here, I asked if it would be best for me to bring a change of clothes, since I was on two wheels rather than four. I was told that, yes, a change of clothes would be in order.
I had tweaked my back a bit recently, exacerbating some pain that had been developing simply as a function of being relatively sedentary in my job. I've been walking around like an old fogey the last few days. I've started doing my exercises again, and they are helping, but it takes time to recover just as it takes time to get worse.
With that in mind, the Maintenance Tech who works for me insisted that I borrow his car for the round trip to the main office. I opted to accept his offer, as it would prevent me having to change clothes twice and give me more time on either end of the meeting to do things in my own office.
I keep advising folks to have a chain tool and a chain-appropriate length of repair links in the tool bag, but I need to learn to follow my own advice. I had a chain break while on my way home tonight, and it was shortly after the nearest two bike shops were probably closed for the evening. Jenn was close to another shop that was open, so she was good enough to get a link for me and bring it to me. By the time she got to me, I had the chain rethreaded in the bike and ready to simply connect with the new link.
It got me to thinking about how long that chain has been on that bike. It's past time for new chain and cassette, so I've ordered replacements and will mount them this weekend. I don't remember what the mileage was at the time, but the current chain has been on the bike since early 2001, and likely has eight thousand miles on it. There were a couple years in there that the bike didn't get a ton of use, as most of my club miles were on the Bacchetta and I was only a mile from work, which counter the thousand or three miles I've put on the bike in the last year.
I guess if I kept detailed records on this sort of thing, I could make definitive statements rather than generalizations. Part of it is that when I was working on bikes all the time, I wanted to ride my bike rather than work on it. I often let little maintenance stuff slide on my own bikes, just because I didn't feel like spending time working on ANY bike at the moment. I can usually deal with little stuff as I ride.
However, I will have a chain tool in the tool bag on both bikes from now on (I have one, but it is aboard the other bike). I have spare links at home, and will now have some on the bike as well.
07 April 2009
Snow? We don't need no stinking snow!
The forecast snow didn't happen. My ride to work this morning was dry, if my eyes were not totally so.
I have learned that the repairs to my truck will not be something for which I have the equipment--that perch is riveted to the frame, and the rivets are hardened steel in many cases. It will likely cost me about $250 to have it fixed.
The truck will sit in the driveway until I can pay to get the work done, probably later this week.
Then I get to work on resolving my home computer woes. Two friends have offered replacement boxes, and I think my hard drive is still serviceable.
The Ryan is riding quite well these days, thank you very much.
I have learned that the repairs to my truck will not be something for which I have the equipment--that perch is riveted to the frame, and the rivets are hardened steel in many cases. It will likely cost me about $250 to have it fixed.
The truck will sit in the driveway until I can pay to get the work done, probably later this week.
Then I get to work on resolving my home computer woes. Two friends have offered replacement boxes, and I think my hard drive is still serviceable.
The Ryan is riding quite well these days, thank you very much.
Requiem for a Qat
I was working for a company that sold mid-scale backyard storage buildings (we called them “Yard Barns”). We had been feeding a stray cat that was something of a mascot—Delam (as in delaminating plywood) was his name. Delam was an old tomcat—his favorite things were food, fighting and f*@$ing, in no particular order—and he had the scars and abscesses to prove it.
One day, a young cat followed Delam to our workshop and yard. He was a timid, feral thing—dirty, fearful of humans—but an attractive kitten of some six months’ age. Over time, we calmed him to the point that he would allow pets while he ate the food we provided. He discovered that pets felt good, and we discovered that he had a big, loud purr. He was a poor kitten, without the exotic toys like manufactured toy mice, but it didn’t keep him from playing—during a builders’ meeting, I saw him playing in the yard with a piece of gravel as cats will with toy mice, much as kids of so many generations used shirred rocks and brickbats for sandlot baseball games.
Not wanting him to face the same health problems of his mentor, I captured him and took him to be neutered and inoculated. He was too nice a cat to be dealing with the abscesses and battle scars, and one cat that smelled as bad as Delam did was too many.
Surprisingly, I learned that this cat had a clean bill of health. I fell prey to his endearing purr and fondness for attention and took him home with me.
It didn’t take long for me to figure out his name, given his humble beginnings. Aloysius Ebenezer Qat, Esq. (commonly called Al E. Qat) quickly showed himself to be the best-behaved, nicest, sweetest orange-and-white cat I have ever encountered. His purr was audible at thirty feet in a fairly quiet room. His love of a game of string was such that it proved that all cats are hard-wired for the joy. He was a master at a game our family calls “mouse bop,” in which the cat perches on a level surface three or four feet from the floor and toy mice are tossed vertically near that surface. The cat swats the mice to the floor much as a volleyball player spikes the ball over the net, unless he’s able to get a claw in the toy’s fur and collect it on the tower platform.
Last summer, Al E Qat developed feline diabetes. I almost lost him then. We began a regimen of daily insulin shots followed by a few cat treats (crunchy Pounce, just about any flavor, thank you very much). I could call his name, and he’d come trotting to the cat tower for his shot and treats. Al had always understood rituals—one had been that every time I came home, he would get a session of pets and treats on his tower.
This past Saturday, Al did not get out of bed for his shot. He clearly felt a bit worse than usual. He had had little appetite for treats the day before. We took him to the vet, who diagnosed some dehydration, a heart murmur that was new, took a blood sample, and sent him home. Sunday was a good day for Al. He was eager for his periodic treats, leaning almost off the edge of his tower to show me how much he wanted some.
Monday morning was a different story. He got off the bed at the usual time, but when I called him for his shot and treat ritual, he was not to be seen. I found him hiding under the living room sofa, clearly not feeling well at all.
Jenn’s workplace is closer to our veterinarian than mine, so she took him in for further diagnosis. When the vet called me in the afternoon, she had gotten the blood test results and had time to look at them. Al’s kidneys were failing and the heart murmur was found to be the harbinger of one of the old cat heart diseases. She felt he could come home, so Jenn brought him home when she got off work.
When he got home, Al seemed unwilling or unable to raise his head to really look around himself. His breathing was labored at best. I couldn’t bring myself to keep him at home, clearly in distress and clearly not wanting to go on with such a life. I hated to put him through a third car trip in one day, but the overriding thought was that I absolutely could not make him suffer any longer.
As we—Jenn, one of the vet techs, the vet and I--stood around Al in the exam room, comforting ourselves, each other, and Al, he finally settled down from the stress of the car trip enough to start purring. It was heart-breaking to hear, as it was a quiet version of his biggest loudest purr—one that included some vocalization that sounded almost as a trill inside the purr. We have chosen to believe that he was saying it was okay, that he understood my decision to put him out of his misery and that he knew his job keeping me company had come to an end.
Al is buried in the family cat graveyard at my mother and stepfather’s house. As has been my custom for the last several cats I’ve buried, I put some of his favorite toys in the grave with him. My sister was there, and tossed in a few cat treats. Jenn was there, and helped me fill the hole in the ground, as she too was smitten by Al’s endearing ways, and as we will help each other fill the void in our lives left by his passing.
As with all the cats I’ve buried, I miss him terribly. He had a great thirteen years with me, and I with him.
06 April 2009
Snow?
It's Kentucky, and it can snow on Derby Day, so I shouldn't be surprised that the weather forecasters are calling for snow showers later today. Hopefully the overnight freeze they are also predicting won't kill too many crops or foliage.
What do I do when there is forecast for snow? Ride the Vanguard to work.
I also hope it doesn't put ice in the way of my riding to work this week. My truck is out of commission for a while.
I had it out for a bit yesterday, and the rear end felt as if the spring was very weak. I also heard a thump of something hitting the underside of the bed a few times. Turns out the perch (for lack of the proper name) that connects the leaf spring to the frame has rusted to the point of failure.
It should be a relatively simple fix, if a bit difficult. I haven't poked around enough to know whether it's riveted to the frame or bolted. If it's just bolts, I may be able to fix it myself, after getting replacement parts at a salvage yard. If it's rivets or huckbolts, it may be a bit more difficult to do. I'll figure it out over the next few days, I suppose.
It's not like I have bags of money to throw at this problem, either. One of my cats has developed some new medical problems, and $240 worth of diagnostics and fluid replenishment later we took him home. He was good yesterday, but was having trouble breathing this morning. He's bak at the veterinarian's office today for some help. Who knows how much more that bill will be...
On the positive side: a friend gave us tickets to see Wild Blessings, the performance at Actors' Theater highlighting the poetry and imagery of Wendell Berry. I HEARTILY encourage folks to see this work.
Jenn took her new bike for its first club ride appearance Saturday morning, on the "slow and easy" ride out of Waterfront Park. Aside from some foot pain we haven't diagnosed (we're working on that), she had a good ride. Anyone want a BikeE RX? She has one for sale. A friend has first refusal, but I've not heard anything from him in a while. He has probably been too busy driving back and forth across the countryside to make a decision. I'm sure I'll hear from him soon.
And so it goes.
What do I do when there is forecast for snow? Ride the Vanguard to work.
I also hope it doesn't put ice in the way of my riding to work this week. My truck is out of commission for a while.
I had it out for a bit yesterday, and the rear end felt as if the spring was very weak. I also heard a thump of something hitting the underside of the bed a few times. Turns out the perch (for lack of the proper name) that connects the leaf spring to the frame has rusted to the point of failure.
It should be a relatively simple fix, if a bit difficult. I haven't poked around enough to know whether it's riveted to the frame or bolted. If it's just bolts, I may be able to fix it myself, after getting replacement parts at a salvage yard. If it's rivets or huckbolts, it may be a bit more difficult to do. I'll figure it out over the next few days, I suppose.
It's not like I have bags of money to throw at this problem, either. One of my cats has developed some new medical problems, and $240 worth of diagnostics and fluid replenishment later we took him home. He was good yesterday, but was having trouble breathing this morning. He's bak at the veterinarian's office today for some help. Who knows how much more that bill will be...
On the positive side: a friend gave us tickets to see Wild Blessings, the performance at Actors' Theater highlighting the poetry and imagery of Wendell Berry. I HEARTILY encourage folks to see this work.
Jenn took her new bike for its first club ride appearance Saturday morning, on the "slow and easy" ride out of Waterfront Park. Aside from some foot pain we haven't diagnosed (we're working on that), she had a good ride. Anyone want a BikeE RX? She has one for sale. A friend has first refusal, but I've not heard anything from him in a while. He has probably been too busy driving back and forth across the countryside to make a decision. I'm sure I'll hear from him soon.
And so it goes.
03 April 2009
I almost got drenched
On my way home last night, I stopped by a barbeque joint for a sandwich. I enjoy good BBQ, and this was fair to good if not great.
I got about a block closer to the house when the skies opened. I pulled into a convenience store that had a canopy over its gas pumps, but the wind was pushing the water in on me there, so I moved to the shelter of the storefront while I retrieved the cape from one of my panniers. Of course, by the time I got home it had stopped raining.
I was scheduled to assistant-teach a Confident Cycling class last night, but the weather influenced the instructors to change the course line up a bit--a good idea to be sure, as we had a thunder show a short while after class started. I stayed for the class anyway, and got to wear my cape for the ride home in the steady shower we were still getting.
I have to do some stuff at the bike shop this evening, so I drove to work today. I have yet another wheel to build--this one a replacement rim for one I built some years ago but that has since started cracking around some of the spoke holes.
I got about a block closer to the house when the skies opened. I pulled into a convenience store that had a canopy over its gas pumps, but the wind was pushing the water in on me there, so I moved to the shelter of the storefront while I retrieved the cape from one of my panniers. Of course, by the time I got home it had stopped raining.
I was scheduled to assistant-teach a Confident Cycling class last night, but the weather influenced the instructors to change the course line up a bit--a good idea to be sure, as we had a thunder show a short while after class started. I stayed for the class anyway, and got to wear my cape for the ride home in the steady shower we were still getting.
I have to do some stuff at the bike shop this evening, so I drove to work today. I have yet another wheel to build--this one a replacement rim for one I built some years ago but that has since started cracking around some of the spoke holes.
02 April 2009
Uh-oh, the paper has another cars vs bikes war in the forum
The local news outlet has an article today on the City's plans for a bike-station-like-facility (Bikestation, in one word or two, is a trademarked term).
This thing was announced about six weeks ago, on the day of the Bike Summit II. Barry made a blog entry about it a few days later that neatly sums his objections to having such a facility.
Since I ride to work fairly often, and appreciate just about anything that will get more folks to ride instead of driving. In those terms, I am in favor of spending the money to improve the infrastructure vis-a-vis cycling usage. I would rather see the money spent toward getting the Big Four and K&I Bridges open to cross-river cycle traffic, for example, or to improving sight lines and safety at problem intersections and rail crossings (the rail crossing at Frankfort Avenue in the Clifton area comes readily to mind). Let's find improvements that will help more than just those who work in the business district.
Like many, I see little direct benefit in this. My commute would be split roughly in half by such a stop, so I cannot imagine myself getting much use out of it. I doubt the bike service option in such a facility would be of much use to me, either--I already pass within a block or two of three or four bike shops on my route.
For my own part, I rode the Vanguard Tuesday and Wednesday, and in light of the impending rain this evening rode the Raleigh this morning (and have the rain cape in the bag for the trip home). I will likely drive tomorrow, as I have several errands that will require faster travel than I can accomplish on the bike and may involve larger cargo than I'm set up to carry on either bicycle.
This thing was announced about six weeks ago, on the day of the Bike Summit II. Barry made a blog entry about it a few days later that neatly sums his objections to having such a facility.
Since I ride to work fairly often, and appreciate just about anything that will get more folks to ride instead of driving. In those terms, I am in favor of spending the money to improve the infrastructure vis-a-vis cycling usage. I would rather see the money spent toward getting the Big Four and K&I Bridges open to cross-river cycle traffic, for example, or to improving sight lines and safety at problem intersections and rail crossings (the rail crossing at Frankfort Avenue in the Clifton area comes readily to mind). Let's find improvements that will help more than just those who work in the business district.
Like many, I see little direct benefit in this. My commute would be split roughly in half by such a stop, so I cannot imagine myself getting much use out of it. I doubt the bike service option in such a facility would be of much use to me, either--I already pass within a block or two of three or four bike shops on my route.
For my own part, I rode the Vanguard Tuesday and Wednesday, and in light of the impending rain this evening rode the Raleigh this morning (and have the rain cape in the bag for the trip home). I will likely drive tomorrow, as I have several errands that will require faster travel than I can accomplish on the bike and may involve larger cargo than I'm set up to carry on either bicycle.
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