I rode today. Did you?

Nice first ride in the COLD.

▶ Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by skipton on April 5, 2012 at 1:26pm

Just got home, tough going north from Fullerton to Lawrence on the LFP in the wind

Maybe I will have a tailwind in the morning. I hope.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Mike Zumwalt on April 5, 2012 at 2:12pm

I was optomistic on the way to work, tail wind sunshine but really underdressed for the ride home.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Gort 12-mile Pinklegneep on April 5, 2012 at 3:01pm

My office just closed and I've been working from home, so getting a ride in actually involves remembering to do so on purpose. So far I've managed to keep up with it even with a nasty bit of wind this morning.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by in it to win it 8.0 mi on April 6, 2012 at 3:02am

Yesterday's wind on the way home wore.....me....out....

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Tim S on April 6, 2012 at 4:13am

sorry had to be post 2000

I am going to tonight

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Holly on April 6, 2012 at 5:31am

I cannot remember the last time I drove my car. That's not because I drink too much, either. It's because I don't drive anymore. It's kinda awesome. That car looks filthy parked there on the street. By contrast, my bike is shiny and clean. I just got a spa treatment for her last week at my local shop.

It's been mighty windy hasn't it? Last night, I wasn't exactly dressed for the weather. (All of my pants have holes in ass.) My face had that horrid nearly-about-to-crack quality it gets in this kind of weather. It's still way better than not riding!

Hi, Mark Newald.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Mark Newald on April 6, 2012 at 6:11am

Hi Holly. Nice to hear from you again. And love the new picture! I have a kilt that looks almost like that!

Holly said:

I cannot remember the last time I drove my car. That's not because I drink too much, either. It's because I don't drive anymore. It's kinda awesome. That car looks filthy parked there on the street. By contrast, my bike is shiny and clean. I just got a spa treatment for her last week at my local shop.

It's been mighty windy hasn't it? Last night, I wasn't exactly dressed for the weather. (All of my pants have holes in ass.) My face had that horrid nearly-about-to-crack quality it gets in this kind of weather. It's still way better than not riding!

Hi, Mark Newald.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Holly on April 6, 2012 at 11:21am

I noticed you'd popped in here yesterday, Mark. Good to see you, too. And--of course you have a kilt!

Happy Friday.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Gene Tenner on April 6, 2012 at 11:33am

https://picasaweb.google.com/101553691812842991596/LakefrontApril62012#

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Lanterne Rouge on April 6, 2012 at 3:57pm

Today, I rode. I rode a lot.

I sprung up from bed today, feeling sprightly and vigorous. I said, 'today is the day I do a solo, self-supported century!'

So I stopped at On The Route on Lawrence and got a c02 cartridge and a spare tube (I had just used my other set last week) and set off.

My goal was to use the different paths to link up some sort of route. I began on the trusty ol' north channel trail at Lawrence. From there, I got off at Golf and meandered over to Winnetka Ave to hop on the Green Bay Trail.

So far, so good. Eventually, that trail ended and I picked up the Robert McClory trail - formerly the North Shore Bike Path.

I F****n hate crushed limestone. I didn't care so much because the trail was rather pleasant to ride.

That is, until I got to the northern-most leg of the trail. I WILL NEVER RIDE THIS PART OF THE TRAIL AGAIN. Waukegan, South Chicago, and some parts of Zion are a dump. There were all sorts of shady characters milling about on the trail, and at some part on the trail near Waukegan, I am almost positive I saw an open air drug deal.

But anyways, I could live with that. What I can't live with is the ungodly amount of broken glass that was strewn about the path. I have no idea how so much broken glass could have gotten there - I could see the remnants of broken 40 oz bottles, some vodka bottles...etc. The worst part about all of this is that you CAN'T make out the clear broken glass against the white crushed limestone until it's too late.

I somehow made it out and up to the state line OK, magically even, without a flat. Here I am, happy as can be that I made it over the state line. It's a weird feeling to know you made it into another state...on a bicycle, of all things.

Hilariously, those 3 miles of the Kenosha trail are marvelous. The path is smooth as butter and paved very well. I pedaled to downtown Kenosha to celebrate with some lunch and a beer.

The ride back was going pretty well, I thought. I'm somewhat ashamed to admit it, but I spent the entire ride back in my small (39T) chainring. I made the mistake of not pacing myself, going balls to the wall (around 17 mph) the entire way up, stopping without any sort of break (also very stupid.)

Then, I had to pass through the dreaded Waukegan/ South Chicago corridor. I tried my best to navigate around the broken glass. Once I made it through the area, I was absolutely relieved.

Then around mile 82 or so (Highland Park,) I noticed that my rear wheel was acting funny and I was slowing down. I hopped off, and noticed that my rear tire had gone flat!! I pulled over to a safe spot and pulled the wheel off to inspect it. I quickly found the culprit - a good sized chunk of glass...Grrr! I must've picked it up in Waukegan! Just as I got ready to swap tubes, my wife called. I told her what happened, and she insisted (I swear) that she come pick me up, as she works nearby in Evanston. Just as I was finishing up the tube swap, she pulled up. Into the car the bike went, and we were homeward bound.

So, I'm disappointed that I couldn't finish the full 100; I was so close! It's my longest ride to date, coming off of the 75 miles to Madison that I just did with all the awesome folks on the Frozen Snot Century. Now that I've had a ride on this route, I know what to avoid. Back to the drawing board, I guess.

Sorry to take up so much space! But, I wanted to share with you guys. Thanks!