Oct. 25th, 2003
The Peddler's Tale
Oct. 25th, 2003 06:17 pmAfter a two-day break from riding (for the very good reason that I did not want to be that far away from indoor plumbing in that time, check?) I got out on the road today. I wanted to get my ride in before noon, because the scheduled high was 96.
Both sides of Almaden Expressway past our house are being re-paved, so I rode on the so-called sidewalk down to Almaden Lake Park. Inside the main portion of the park, I still had to walk the bike to the beginning of the Los Alamitos/Calero Creek Trail. The total trail is 3.6 miles, but on a hot day I was not feeling that ambitious. Instead, I rode about a mile (it's a gentle climb most of the way) up the trail, stopped when my thighs started informing me that a break was wanted now, and then came back down. A little farther every day, as it is a lovely ride.
The trial was fairly open, with small groups of hikers and several other cyclists on the road. The other riders were a help, as they gave me someone to pace off while maintaining my pedal rate to around 60 a minute. I am getting better at shifting, and not panicking when the derailer complains. Most of the groups of people were doing a decent job of being aware of the bikes, but there was one group spread across the entire width the trail. The lady I was pacing at that point called out that there were two bikes passing on their left, but the moment she passed they spread out again! At least the brakes work!
When I get a little more comfortable with the process, I'll take the camera along.
I should get a shot of me on the bike for a user pic.
Both sides of Almaden Expressway past our house are being re-paved, so I rode on the so-called sidewalk down to Almaden Lake Park. Inside the main portion of the park, I still had to walk the bike to the beginning of the Los Alamitos/Calero Creek Trail. The total trail is 3.6 miles, but on a hot day I was not feeling that ambitious. Instead, I rode about a mile (it's a gentle climb most of the way) up the trail, stopped when my thighs started informing me that a break was wanted now, and then came back down. A little farther every day, as it is a lovely ride.
The trial was fairly open, with small groups of hikers and several other cyclists on the road. The other riders were a help, as they gave me someone to pace off while maintaining my pedal rate to around 60 a minute. I am getting better at shifting, and not panicking when the derailer complains. Most of the groups of people were doing a decent job of being aware of the bikes, but there was one group spread across the entire width the trail. The lady I was pacing at that point called out that there were two bikes passing on their left, but the moment she passed they spread out again! At least the brakes work!
When I get a little more comfortable with the process, I'll take the camera along.
I should get a shot of me on the bike for a user pic.
Live365 has the Grateful Dead playing Teddy Bears' Picnic!!!
Wonder what happened to Bobby's gear this time.
(These strange musical interludes were usually caused by Bob Weir needing something adjusted on his amps, or monitors, or whatever. So while he and the road crew messed with stuff, the rest of the band would play something short and silly. These were always known, and listed on set lists, as "Waiting for Weir." The best I ever says was The Addams Family Theme. 8,000 Deadheads snapping their fingers in perfect time...)
Wonder what happened to Bobby's gear this time.
(These strange musical interludes were usually caused by Bob Weir needing something adjusted on his amps, or monitors, or whatever. So while he and the road crew messed with stuff, the rest of the band would play something short and silly. These were always known, and listed on set lists, as "Waiting for Weir." The best I ever says was The Addams Family Theme. 8,000 Deadheads snapping their fingers in perfect time...)