Bike to Work Interzone

Every day is Bike to Work Day!

I wanted to drop by the LBS for a free breakfast, being Nat'l Bike to Work Day. So I ride through parts of old East Lawrence near where I live early this Friday morning, through the rugged brick-paved neighborhoods, for coffee and cakes.

Local Bike Shop at 8:45 a.m.

There's not much traffic this cool morning--only the most intrepid cyclists are out--rain is forecast for later in the morning. I believe I'll have plenty of time to talk to the friends I've made at the shop, and get a cup of coffee before I head up to Mt. Oread.

The Desert San Campus Bike, now my Interzone Commuter.

I was told that about 40 riders showed up and I think that's awesome! I don't go into the office until late morning on some days, so most of the real rush hour car traffic has faded out. My bike is a real commuter--most everyone else rides an old road bike or a cheapee mountain bike. I have fenders, a basket, a bell, and of course my wool cap. I only ride just over a mile--all up-hill--and I don't rush to get to the office on time--that would take too much work! Instead I leave The Little House with plenty of time to spare so I can take my time with a steady pace.

Coffee and cakes, and a cool brand-new Lawrence Bike Map.

Guy in the blue shirt is my neighbor and one of the managers of the LBS--he's also just turned 40 and has joined the Lawrence Fire Dept. Quite a feat I must say! He worked hard to reach that goal, competing with much younger men for the few slots at the Dept.

Historic old downtown--the bike shop is a real hub of the community where everyone is friendly and helpful--they have been to me, mes amis.

Did it ever rain!

After I talked to the guys, and met the local bike racing coach (Professional Ranked Coach) who I would really consider getting some coaching from because he was a great guy--some really dark clouds full of loud cracking thunder and flashing lightening, arrived and it began to rain. No worries because I had my rain gear stowed on the bike.

But as I got up Mt. Oread and just a few blocks from my office, it really let loose in a torrent, Gentle Readers of This Blog--and I was soaked to the bone in a matter of a few minutes! Rivers of water rushed down the streets of Mt. Oread, washing all the beer cans, cigarette butts, litter, and junk out of the gutters.

I made it to work--I had ridden my bike to work--but now I had little choice but to ride back home, change into dry clothes--and get a ride in with Little Egypt. She met me at home, I got out of the wet clothes and into dry--and she drove me up the Mountain to my office. The whole time it was raining cats and dogs--thunder was ear-splitting, and lightening bolts jolted all around.

Well, mon ami, I hope your Bike to Work Week and Day was a good one. Every day is Bike to Work Day for me for the last two months. This was the first day I rode in by automobile.

Cheers! Bruce

Bike 2 Work Week—Day Five

This past weekend I had to do all my laundry from the commutes last week.

The thing I recall most about last Friday’s ride, and Bike 2 Work Week, was that I was riding fast and strong. I decided to fore-go River Rd and jumped onto the bike route so I could just take it easy.

I rode most of the way to the office with a woman about my age. She had a new road bike, and was getting in a ride before work. She was, Gentle Readers of This Blog, quite obese—but as she said, she was trying little by little to regain the fitness she once had a few years ago. She told me the name of the cycling group she belonged to (I can’t remember it) and how they were a group of people, like herself, that set reachable fitness goals and encouraged each others’ progress.

She said that she would like to ride to work—but thought it much too dangerous.

So she asked about my rides and I put in my $.02 about commuting—about how I bring clothes to leave at work when I do drive in, and about how I gradually built up riding the round-trip commutes starting at different distances.

Tucson has a large group of fit cyclists on road bikes and they can be intimidating if you’re just starting out. The other extreme are the less affluent that have to take a bike because they don’t even have money for the bus. So we don’t really have an in-between set that rides to work because its close or because it’s good for the planet—they’re too afraid of being run over.

I know many people that live within 5 or 6 miles of the San but they will not chance riding a bike even on the side streets of their neighborhoods. Americans get in their cars and they become very up-tight pieces of shit—or just oblivious to anything but the conversation they’re having on the cell with their illiterate cohort in fucktardness…

I just do not understand the mentality of a person driving a car seeing a person riding a bike, simply to work or for an errand, and feel that person riding the bicycle must be punished for something.

Well, all I will say is that I had a good time riding my bike to work this week. Seems that every week is bike to work week for me, and many others in Tucson. I am very happy that Tucson had good weather, and that many people have worked hard to make changes in how this city sees cyclists.

Cheers! Bruce


Spring in the Desert. This is over by my bike locker at the Desert San.

Tucson Bike 2 Work Week -- Day 1

I stopped to pet the horses that often watch me ride by in the mornings.

My first day of Bike 2 Work Week was the 23 mile commute from my house in Dog Mtn, down to River Rd where I rode east, and then hopped onto the River Bike Path at about Dodge, and then the last three or four miles into the Desert San. It was a beautiful day, mes amis, and I am all set to ride everyday this week.


Riding East on the River Bike and Running Path, Tucson, Arizona. There is still snow in the mountains so the River is still flowing! Everything is fresh and green, and there are birds everywhere--you don't see this stuck in car traffic, mes amis...

Leaving at 5:40 a.m. means a cool start, but as the sun comes up, things warm up fast—and I am beginning to cruise into the home stretch to my office just as the car traffic starts to gear up.

What helped is that it’s much lighter now in the morning, and that just means I can ride faster down the mountain. It’s also not as cold which means less clothing to wear and then haul back home.



I hope you get a chance to ride at least a few days this week, Gentle Reader of This Blog!

Cheers! Bruce

Bike to Work Day

My Raleigh Super Grand Prix fitted for bike commuting.

This last Friday was Bike to Work Day in Tucson. It was a long week for me and I am happy to report that I logged in 120 miles for four out of the five days. Two of the days temps were in the 100's with Thursday 96 and Friday about 98. But those highs are just in the afternoons. The mornings are beautiful and cool. Perfect riding weather.

I live 25 miles from the office. Each day if I were to drive the car, its 50 miles round-trip, or 250 miles a week.

What works best for me now is to drive 9 miles to the YMCA, and then ride in the 16 miles. In the mornings I add an extra mile climb--going home I cut out that mile to save time. It all evens out to a 30 mile round trip commute by bike instead of a 50 mile round trip by car.

Still, 120 miles this week wasn't bad--I drove 130 miles in a week instead of 250. To me that's pretty good.

I tried wearing street clothes this week instead of bike clothes. But the street clothes in this hot dry climate were just soaked with sweat in no time. Lycra works much better because you stay cool and dry. When I wore the cotton short over an old pair of bike shorts, the cotton shorts were wet and it looked like I had wet my pants.

Friday I was running late getting out of the office, but ran into some roadies I've got with before and they like to go fast. I got in the peleton and everyone took turns pulling (there was a strong headwind Friday afternoon) but I started to get tired after about three miles of ridding 22 mph. I just couldn't keep up--especially with the girl that kind of sets the fast pace. The guys told me she was a white-liner; and just to let her take off. Anyway, just riding with them put me right on schedule with my time to the YMCA. They pulled off and I made my climb up to the busy and dangerous intersection of Ina and La Cholla.

Traffic for the moment was light and there was a green arrow going left. I sprinted through the intersection the lone cyclist with all those cars grinding at the bit to be home after a long week.

The weekend I slept late--O! the joy, mes amis. Saturday night I went to Wing's Graduation Party--somebody (Eric's brother Brent) kept pouring me Mai Tai after Mai Tai--and I got rather out of sorts. Luckily I sobered up and was able to elude evacuation via Little Egypt.

Cheers! Bruce

Bike to Work Week, Wednesday and Thursday

Wednesday morning I'm taking River Rd, and then catching the Bike Path the last few miles. This part of the bike path is a bit more remote and not used much by runners and walkers. I keep seeing young Red Tailed Hawks in this stretch--and there are hundreds of song birds singing and carrying on about their business.

Probably the last cool morning for the rides into the office. The arm warmers make good insulation to wrap up an extra bottle in the saddle bag for the warm ride home.

This part of the River Path is lush with about every native tree; and then the hybrids and such--but I enjoy the Cottonwood trees the best. They have personality as the seasons change, and they seem to talk and whisper: Cottonwoods are pragmatic trees!

Going home Wednesday afternoon it was windy and hot starting out.


The arid and hot wind comes out of the West, and the first several miles on the Bike Path heading home means a relentless headwind, Gentle Readers of This Blog. It will be a few miles until I get into the trees and shade, and out of the wind for the rest of the ride on the path.

My alternative is riding along the base of the ridge that you see up there. Traffic is fast, and the pavement burns from the Tucson sun--but it is fast on the bike. I've learned that I need to take it easy on the rides home otherwise I won't be able to ride the next day--I arrive home too exhausted to anything but shower and fall asleep on the couch.

Thursday morning was quite hot. I got off to a late start and hammered down River Rd, and then jumped on the Bike Path again. There was supposedly a bike commuter stop put on by the city with coffee and bagels and such, on River and Campbell--that would be great because I missed breakfast and a stop like that would get me into work.

Alas, I arrived at River and Campbell on the North end of the bike path--and there was no such stop. Where had it gone? I keep going and then realized that the stop may have been on the South side of Campbell--there's a bridge that separates these two corners--and I was a bit disappointed. I mean, the other corner is where no one commutes; the ride on the side I'm on. Anyway, I was running on fumes, and it was how it feels wherein you're on a brevet and you need to get to that controle and get one of Susan's wraps! Mes amis, I was starving!

I glide past many stables on the bike path, which are the remains of old ranches from the early Tucson days. These people are enjoying a cool morning ride. I think the Paint recognizes me--I've often see him in his stall watching me on my home.

Pulling off Craycroft and the back way into the Desert San, an impatient physician raced around me, just missing running me over, and then suddenly found himself head-on with another car. That driver was a bit surprised--and then Dr. Speedy swerved his Lexus out of harms way and into the parking garage--where he had to suddenly stop for nurses in the crosswalk, and other Desert San employees getting off their shifts.

An older, robust Hispanic woman gave him a good scolding, reminding him to be careful as she walked stiffly past. Other employees walked deliberately in the crosswalk to bring the Senora's point home. The entrance to the physicians' parking area is a bit tricky to get to now that there's construction--so recklessly speeding through the back way of the campus seems to be in order. Only that there's pedestrians and cyclists coming and going.

Status, wealth, and prime parking does not give anyone the right to run down people.

Okay, rant over... I hope the doc made it to his butt job--hey that's the life of a rectal surgeon. Shit happens!

Thursday's evening commute home was only 96 degrees, and the wind had died down as well.

Cheers! Bruce

Bike to Work Week, Day 2

Bike to Work Week Day 1 was a bit taxing on the way home. Not sure but Monday night when I got back everything was hurting. 101 degrees and headwind for the last few miles maybe got the best of me. Little Egypt had made some dinner and it was timed for right when I dragged my self into the house.

I was made to eat outside on the patio because Little Egypt told me I was too dirty, sweaty, and stinky. I was so hungry that I didn’t let Callie out with me to beg and get table scraps—all this food was mine!

After eating, I took a shower, changed into shots and a t-shirt, and then woke up later on the big rug Little Egypt brought back from Afghanistan—in Callie’s spot because the rug is soft and cool.

The site of me lying on the floor, fast asleep with the dog, is too much for Little Egypt to bear I think. Callie’s life seems to be going to the park, eating and sleeping. Mine at the moment seems to be riding my bike, eating, and sleeping.

I skipped Day 2 because I could not get myself going to pack the bike for the next day.
The day off was good and I felt better for taking a break.

Cheers! Bruce

Day One -- Week By Bike

Another shot of me on Big Sexy this past Sunday.

I bought a new set of tires for the commute bike this weekend. Day one was okay as the tires are nice--a bit faster than the beat-to-hell set that wore out.

Temp will be 100 or over 100.

I took the fenders off the bike. Not that they're heavy or anything, just that I think I'm going make my Big Sexy Bike into the work-horse commuter for rain days--no rain is forecast for several months...

The boss is out of town for two weeks so I'm holding down the fort. She lets me put my bike in her office which is cool. It saves me about 8 minutes in the morning. I just ride into the office instead of the bike locker, where I have to un-pack everything and then walk a few blocks to our place.

Riding home after work, it was 101 degrees--I decided to take the bike path home to stay out of the traffic. The River Path has it's own challenges, Gentle Readers of This Blog--the wind roars through from the West like a Lion. The head wind was fierce, and with the heat made it even more so!

I spoke to the fellow in the river bed. I asked him if he had just jumped out of a plane! He said that this was not a parachute but a wing. Once he got up, he had an engine strapped to his back and he could take off. He was taking advantage of the strong wind to make some adjustment to the wing. If you look close (by clicking and opening up the photo) you can see he's got a cast on his leg--he said that has to heal up a bit before he flies again. I wished him good luck and went on my way.

The nice thing about the bike path is that for most of the route, you ride through a tube of trees. It is much needed shade and a shield from the hot gusting wind. This is more sane than the tube of metal and glass, and speeding cars I zip through should I take to the traffic.

I am feeling strong, but the wind and heat make me tire out quickly. My hope is to ride everyday for Bike to Work Week--but when I get home, often I am so tired I just want to have dinner and go to bed.

Best to ease into the 100 degree days.

Cheers!

Bike to Work Week--Day Five

Coming home Friday night--heading West on the Bike Route, Day Five. Check out the clouds!

The wind let up on me for a change. I had my bike down at Phil's for a repair. Repairs were minimal, as Phil figured out the problem--glad it wasn't a major over-haul. Without wind howling from the West, as its done now for weeks, and my bike working like-new--I flew down the bike path!

The Alvernon Bridge, where I felt a few drops of rain. I was waiting for the down-pour but it didn't happen. I took a bit differnt way home on the bike route. Normally I'm zipping over this bridge to make my jump to the bike path.

It was a good week--120 miles on the bike.

Bike To Work Week—Day 4

Un-pack the bike for the ride in...


Thursday

Before I talk about Day 4, I will report on the ride home of Wednesday, Day 3 because, Gentle Reader of This Blog, there was an event—a blow-out—and the details lay within.

You see, the commute is becoming routine; I ask you—is that okay? Is this worth writing about? Well, my ass does get sore, and I arrive with a layer of filth and grime on my person—no one has screamed obscenities or thrown something at me. To most drivers the fact that I do not appear in the bike lane bustling down the road might bring them concern. “Hmm, I don’t see that big biker guy—wonder if he got run over?”


This are the clouds that came in with the head winds and made my commutes so gosh dern enjoyable...


Tucked in the bike locker, my Raleigh from this week's commuting.

Going home and almost at the Alvernon Bridge, my tire suddenly blew out. On inspection, I found a drywall screw through the tire. No problem to fix the flat, just put in another tube, pump up the tire and be on my way. The problem, mes amis, it the rear fender—it makes it makes getting the wheel off a chore, and then getting wheel back on practically impossible.


Crap!

Fixing a flat tire takes time. No matter how good you are at it, you must keep your wits about you and get the job done. Gentle Reader, you probably have seen a cyclist come completely un-glued when he or she has flatted. I will admit it is a thin line you walk depending on the circumstances, extent of damage, and your mental and technical preparedness.

I once got a flat on a brevet, which came in the first 20 or so miles. It was still very dark in the morning, and bitterly cold. One minute I was chatting to Steve, Star of the Blog, and Paul Layton—and the next—I had flatted and they and the group of fast-moving Randonneurs had quickly sliced into the darkness—and were gone.

I struggled vigorously to get my repairs going, but it was not going well. I couldn’t get my tire off as it was new and a biting tight fit. My hands were becoming un-useable because of the cold. Next trying to pump up the tire proved just as difficult. I glanced and saw the tail light of Paul’s recumbent going up and over a rise, miles away.

This is a situation where you must get back on the road somehow or some way—if you have to DNF and limp back to the start, so be it. That, or face freezing to death. Gentle Readers, the Desert is unforgiving—Her remote beauty is dear to me, but when in trouble—she is aloof and has no sympathy for any weakness, neither man nor beast nor machine.

Could I walk back 20 miles to Casa Grande by morning? And not freeze to death? Possibly. If I got lucky, after five or ten miles I might get cell service, call 911, and Border Patrol or a Sherriff might come rescue me.

Before I had to face these dark realities, the glow of Steve’s E – 6 came gliding toward me. Sensing I was in trouble, Steve had turned around to come and find me. He got my tire inflated, and my wheel set. We were back moving again, and slowly—ever so slowly as the sun was rising, I gradually warmed to where I could think right and we were back in the brevet—and riding strong once more.


Arrival at the bike lockers, having just run the gauntlet of Tucson Traffic!

Back in Day 3, for the ride home, after about 15 minutes of firm persuasion, the wheel snaps back into place. I’ve been able to pump enough air in the tire so that it holds. I am off, and soon I gain speed and now I’m flying down the deserted bike path.

It’s 6 pm and I would be at the Y parking lot, but I’m more than 10 miles from there now. The wind is giving me a bit of a break and I climb the last four miles to my parking spot. I arrive at 6:30. That’s not so bad.

Day 4 on the LeMond: A very fast ride in via River Rd. Every light was green and for many miles I kept a cadence you would only find on the open road. As I neared the office, traffic was congested yet my momentum made me faster and I flew past what seemed like huge sluggish herds of metal and glass. As soon as I pulled into the bike locker and stopped, I was standing in a pool of sweat.





Ah! Tucson!

Bike to Work Week--Day One

Monday--

I brought in all my clothes for the week Saturday afternoon, when I had an errand near my office. I forgot to take my lunch and snacks with me this morning—that really sucked.

About 10 a.m. I had a horrific leg cramp that came out of no where and wouldn’t stop for about ten minutes. Not the best start for the week…

The wind was not so bad, but this afternoon, I’ve checked outside—it is very windy and pushing 94 degrees. It will be windy and hot Gentle Readers… But for the most part, I feel strong and I should be okay. I just wish the wind would let up once in awhile…

So I won’t bonk, I’ve got hammer gel—just drank it all down and put more water in the gel bottle to get anything left—and I’ll drink that down before I head out the door. I believe I’m going to need the energy here in a few minutes.