Ride #8 - May 30, 2011

The weather has not been very good.   We got back from the Bridge Run on Sunday and I was hoping to get all of the lawn mowed but rain moved in.   However I got enough done that I decided to ride with the Hogs on Memorial Day.   We met at the Tridge at 9:00 and went to Clare via the Colonsville Road.   It was very warm reaching 88F.  We met a woman from Germany who had to be around 60 years old as she was riding solo across country.   We ate at the Subway and I felt good until we approached Coleman.  I cut back to about 15 to 16 riding mostly with Barker as Dennis and Dave dropped off.   This was one of Dennis's first rides of the year.   I rode home and got home around 4:30.   We took rests at Coleman and Loomis on the way up and at Coleman and Sanford and the Tridge (for me) on the way back.   I then mowed grass from 6:00 to 9:00!!!  Not fun.

Ride #7 - May 22, 2011

Decided to venture into the 80+ temperature and high humidity.   As I approached Midland on my intended ride to Coleman, the sky darkened in the west.   I debated whether to turn around.   Decided to proceed on my planned ride to Coleman.   It rained at times from the 3.5 mile mark all the way to the Sanford rest area.   I called home to get some information regarding the extent of the storms.   Decided it was traveling in a northeasterly route and south of where I was.   So decided to continue on to Coleman.   I ran out of water and gator ade.   Water was not turned on at Coleman.   Called home and asked if they wanted to either meet in Sanford for hamburgers or in Clare for pizza.   Pizza it was.   So rode up to Clare and met Joe and Mary there for dinner.   Got a nice 37 miles in today.

Ride #6 - May 20, 2011

It was such a nice day that I could not pass up the opportunity to take a ride.   It has been raining so much and not very good riding weather.  I could not ride with Dave and Dave since they were taking the afternoon off since I had to stay at work until 4:00 PM.  So got home, changed quickly and was off riding at 4:45.   I crossed path with Dave and Dave at about the 3.5 mile mark on the trail.   We talked briefly and then I continued by ride to Coleman.  I was averaging about 17 mph on the way up.  I didn't stop and took a break in Coleman for a couple of snack bars and then headed back home.

  I had a little head wind that developed into a harder wind by the time I got into Midland.  And I ran out of gas not having any food since noon time.   So I struggled the last ten miles but got home in about four hours.  Fortunately I caught Mary by phone to bring me home some fish sandwiches as she, Julia and Joe were leaving the movies.  Nice day and biked in short sleeve shirt and shorts for this nice 54 mile ride.

Ride #5 - May 9, 2011

Rode with Mary up to Sanford and back on the Rail Trail.   This was Mary's first ride on her bike in over 2 years.   I installed the new seat and it seemed to help her alot so maybe more rides are in the future for her.   It was a bit on the cool side and a little wind on the return.   She stopped at the rail restaurant and I rode to the bath room and then picked her up on the way back.   It was about 60 and cloudy.   But it was a nice ride and we took it slow to make sure she could handle the 16 miles.

Ride #4 - May 8, 2011

A nice ride with Joe up to Coleman and back.   The sun was shining, the wind was blowing and the air was bone dry.   So had a nice ride with the wind at our backs.   After lunch at the Subway, we went to the Rest Area where we talked to a nice old couple who were riding on their recumbents.   Joe and I then had a trip to the Dollar Store for some energy food to consume at our planned Sanford stop.   I am thankful that I had Joe because the wind was into our face at 15 to 20 mph.

   He pulled me all the way to the Tridge.   We did stop at Sanford for a brief break.   I pulled Joe some of the way back home but was only able to maintain about 12 mph into the wind.  Joe is in super shape and I am in lousy shape.   We did average just below 15 mph and were in the saddle for about 3 hrs 45 min.  It was a nice 54 mile ride.

Ride #3 - May 2, 2011

Julia got her new bike so we tried it out.   We took the bikes on the rack and did a nice leisurely paced ride up to the Sanford rest area and back.  So we got a nice 16.5 mile ride in tonight.   It was a bit windy on the way out so we only maintained about 13 mph. 

With the wind at our backs were able to maintain 15 mph.   Julia likes her bike and after I made a few adjustments everything seemed to ride well.   Her rear wheel needs to be trued.  It was a bit cool with the wind coming out of the NW at about 15 mph.   And the sun was partially behind the clouds.  We left at about 6:30 and were back at home by 7:30.  It was a nice ride with Julia.