Riding Home In Winter

Evening on Campus.

Whoa! Winter showed up, Gentle Readers of This Blog! The day before rain and sleet--and sometimes snow fell. The wind was fierce and wicked cold too! After work today I came out, and the Sun was beginning to set and I wanted to get better shots for you, mes amis--because I thought it was kind of pretty. Only a bit of the snow could hang on as the wind was brutal all day!

Remember Your Relatives.

The Arch was built by Indian Veterans who donated money to honor their fellow soldiers--Indian, White, Black--all Americans--who fought in World War I.

Its symbolic of all the men and and women who have served in the military then and now.

Indian people have the Warrior tradition--its more like stepping up in a time of need--to protect and defend those who cannot defend themselves--being selfless--and if need be, fight to keep the people safe. Indian Veterans take this very seriously.

I believe that there's a feeling that the people of the past made sure that the people of the present--you and me--had a chance in this world. They gave up, some of them, everything--so that we could live to work, play, love, create, and be all that we are. Wouldn't you do the same for them?

We should take care of their memory just as we should take care of our vets coming home from Iraq and Afghanistan--no matter what we felt about the war and the mistakes that were made. What we have enjoyed, and what we will enjoy in the future has been solidified by their efforts and their blood.

Oh the times I have wished to trade places with Little Egypt--why her and not me? Why us and why this time?

Okay--well, I need to hit the sack. One week at the new job! That is a good thing!

Cheers! Bruce

New Job At Haskell

Sunrise and the Victory Arch--built in 1926 (I'll have to check that date for sure)

I started the new job and again, my goal will be to ride into work every day. I can't take the bike path as there's construction--but I can still ride fairly safely on the surface streets. It's pretty much a straight shot, takes about 8 minutes, and is just under 2 miles from the Little House to the Library.

On my way to work! Day One!

Gotta be a bit careful because the street I take to Haskell is what I would call a secondary artery for car drivers--they just have to be patient. I can ride at a pretty good clip and the speed limit is supposedly 30 mph--but people are always in a hurry and they realize that they can't pass me so easily. Still, there might be one or two cars so their wait is only a few seconds to go around a bike commuter.

Here's the Library, Gentle Readers of This Blog.

I'll be able to park my Desert San commuter bike inside the library back in one of the spacious work areas. The Director is quite pleased that I am going to ride my bike--even in this cold weather.

One of the old buildings on Campus--this is Sequoia Hall--Boys Gymnasium.

Hiawatha Hall, built in 1884.

Hiawatha is one of the original buildings on the Haskell Campus. Sadly its in a bit of a sorry state--it was for a very long time the Women's Gymnasium. There's also a swimming pool in the basement--however many years ago a student drowned in there. Indian people are very superstitious so the pool has not been used, and now the building. Some people want to save and revive Hiawatha because they say when a building is not used--it dies.

Riding home after my first day on the job!

Wish me luck as I embark on a year as University Librarian. If you are ever in Lawrence, Kansas--and find yourself at Haskell--please come by the Library and say hello!

Cheers! Bruce

Celebrity Spin

A quick shot of the bikes in the big equipment garage, Sunday Morning.

I am enjoying Celebrity Spin--as I call it--but really its just a group of local cyclists that have been riding in the garage for many years, and this is actually the 13th year that everyone's gotten together to stay in the loop.

I'm enjoying it because it is a workout, mes amis! I also enjoy it because this is something that The Boss Man and I did back in Tucson a few years ago as well--cadence and heart-rate training.

Boss got me to pull my head out of my ass and stop "mashin" in other words, riding in one big gear all the time--like it was a fixed wheel or something. We started training to get my heart in shape, instead of pounding away in one of two big gears and wearing out my legs.

What ever we did it sure helped me out--and I'm glad I'm coming into the class with some knowledge of what's going on inside this big Clydesdale body of mine. Boss was able to translate the science (physiology--hope I got that right, Boss Man) into a language I could understand.

Cheers! Bruce

Tucson Vacation or Bury Me with My Bicycle

Back on Tucson roads for a week of cycling and visiting friends.

I arrived in Phx from KC on Saturday night and then took a quick shuttle to Tucson. Little Egypt, having just packed for deployment for a mission in Iraq, told me I was taking too much! So I re-packed and well, Gentle Readers of This Blog--I did not bring enough warm clothes for my journey. It was cold in the mornings as well as the evenings. When the Sun starts to go down, things cool down pretty fast.

35 miles from my house is the base of Mt. Lemmon, a route many of us know well...

First thing I do Sunday morning is walk up to the storage place to fetch the Grand Prix. We've been renting our place up in Dog Mtn, by the way, and we have some of our things in a storage unit just up the road. I left my 1977 Raleigh Super Grand Prix ready to ride if I came back for a visit, or to ride El Tour given the chance. There she was and all I needed to do was put a little air in tires and I was ready to roll, mes amis! Meeting a friend for an early lunch, I set out for our meeting place down at Ina and Oracle about 15 miles ride for me. Mt. Lemmon, The Stoic Old Man can be seen from quite a distance up ahead!

He's the saguaro for you, mes amis! Mornings are cold but the Sun warms you up pretty quick!

Entering Rancho Vistoso and there's Pusch Ridge with Oro Valley laying at the base.

I'll have to ride around the Ridge to meet my friend for my lunch date. My appetite is growing as large as this range, mes amis! I'm starving! and I need coffee too! I'll get a little speed going as I fly down from Dog Mtn and Rancho, but then I'll have to make the big climb back out of Oro Valley for the last leg.

The Northwest side of Tucson where I live still feels rural. Things are spread out. Fortunately the roads are pretty good and you can roll at a good pace.

La Canada! Pronounced "La Can Y'ought Ta" not "La Can ah Duh" he he he...

It has been many years under construction but La Canada is complete from Moore Road up in Dog Mtn, straight South all the way to Ina Rd--this is good for me because it's a straight shot with new roads and awesome new bike lane! For my ride to work, and for most of us Tucson Cyclists, we had twits and turns through side streets in Oro Valley to get down that far--car drivers had to do the same--so although there was a bike lane, it could get busy, crowded, and the pavement was beat up a long the way.

Traveling La Canada is a breeze, Gentle Readers of This Blog--I easily cruised down the bike lane at 22 mph. I was also lucky when a couple rode up beside me and they gave me some more detailed information about the new bike lanes in the city. I have to say as we chatted there we smiles all around because like most of us Tucson Cyclists we've been supporting and waiting for these kinds of routes for years.

This new road will be my life-line to my friends and my house up in Dog Mtn. I can get down into the city quickly, but of course going home will be mostly an up-hill slog for 15 miles. Every adventure I have this week will require the long climb back to Dog Mtn. I am grateful for the new safe and fast route. I'll be putting in the miles, mes amis.

Big Sexy on Super Grand Prix.

The Super rode like when I was taking her out on the hot muggy streets as a skinny punk-kid back in my Tulsa Days. Steel lugged but still light as a feather, I was comfortable and riding solid and fast! When that Glorious Day comes Gentle Readers of This Blog--Bury me with this Bicycle!

Cheers! Bruce

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

Campus Bike

Best to get around by Campus Bike if I have errands; most I can do on my lunch hour as everything is within a half mile of my office.

The Desert Sanitarium, a sprawling medical complex, creates a good deal of street congestion. One of the main intersections by the San is undergoing major renovation the next few months. Travel by auto is even more at a stand-still—in all directions.



I always try to take the quiet back streets to get away from the medical offices and strip malls right there on the main drag. Everybody’s rushing in and out—on their cell phone—speeding and not stopping at the lights or stop signs—mainly Desert San nursing staff that got to buy their Mtn Dew and cigarettes.

The San was in the open desert in the 1920’s. That’s pretty much gone. But there’s an ancient mobile home park nestled right in this neighborhood that dates back about 50 years. It’s over-grown in a jungle of vines and cactus and palm trees, kind of like those Aztec and Mayan ruins you see about on TV.

I wonder if there’s men still living there that fought in the wars—hit the beaches at Normandy (like my Great Uncle Clyde Crosslin) or flew over Europe on bombing raids, or flew over Hanoi during the Viet Nam War—or still remember seeing their first airplane in France 1917 like my Grandfather did (he was in the Navy in WW I)

Time, waiting it out—Death—light-speed lives in bumper-to-bumper traffic—and then this trailer park being devoured by green old trees. There seems to be ones to replace the ones that are dying—just a little bit of water and they keep growing. The Mountains in the background have it made—until we figure out how to take them all down.

Bryan seemed distracted and he cut my hair really short—shorter than I like.

Little Soldier

Look what Santa brought!

Christmas Vacation began when Little Egypt informed me that I was flying home to Tulsa to see my family for the Holidays. “I am?” says me. “Suck it up!” says she.

Little Egypt had driven the car up into those cold lands a few weeks before. I will meet her in Tulsa, and we will drive back cross country.

We bought tickets for Hawaii late summer—but the airline sadly went out of business. As Hawaiians are warm, friendly, and smart people—they somehow got us vouchers for Southwest Airlines. So—we have vouchers galore; I’m packing the only warm clothes I own into luggage. Another Christmas of stuffing my face with good food/bad for you food, mes amis!

Back in sunny Tucson, just for kicks, I looked on Craigslist/Tulsa/Bikes—and behold, I discovered this tandem! It will be mine! Oh yes—it will be! A couple of cell phone calls later and plans got made to view the bike.

I figured since Tulsa is not the best place to ride all the time, some bloke would be un-loading some sweet bike for a song. And since Little Egypt only buys things on sale—by the grace of god she agreed to take a look—the price being offered was certainly to the tune of a very good deal.

I had explained to Charlie, the owner, that if the bike didn’t fit in the car it would be a deal-breaker. Little Egypt would not let me take it if the frame wouldn’t allow the car’s trunk to shut.

Charlie practically gave the bike to me. We took off the wheels, the handle bars, pedals, etc—and the bike just fit in the car. Yes!


These are the Craig's List images the previous owner made.

This is a Schwinn Twin Deluxe, five speed. I sold Little Egypt to the idea because one, the price was right, two—this is not a high-end tandem for the road; we wouldn’t be out racing the wind in our spandex-clad bike clothes, and three—this would be our café bike; on weekends we would ride together down for coffee, just a mile! Maybe I would put baskets on it and we could grocery shop as well.

This bike is a tank. I would say it weighs 70 to 80 pounds. The nick-name “Little Soldier” soon became attached—going back to the days when Little Egypt rode helicopters over the Afghan-Pakistan border.

More photos and stories when the bike is back from Pima Street Bikes!

Bikes That Work

Often I ride my campus bike for errands, and if the weather is good--which it always is here in sunny Tucson, Arizona, USA--I'm off for lunch someplace.

I get restless sitting here in the office, and to break up the routine, I try to see if I can bike to a new lunch spot and make it back with plenty of time.

This time I rode over to Panda Express. The thing about this place is that its on the corner of the busy intersection of Swan and Grant. Driving would be a nightmare, mes amis, as traffic is always congested. With the hospital and all the doctor's offices in the area, there's always patients (usually snow birds) making their way ever so slowly to those destinations. Since it only takes me about three minutes to ride there, I arrive just before the lunch crowd. They're all trying to find parking--and if they are taking lunch to go--they're trying to squeeze back into the bumper-to-bumper traffic on Swan or Grant Rd.

On my bike, I go through and about the area with lightening speed--but what struck me was the smiles and friendliness shown me by motorists this time. Poor motorists stuck in jam so it seems. I guess they saw the freedom and ease to which I navigated my way through the dirt path next to the sidewalk--and they may have been thinking back to the days when they were a kid and rode their bike to the park, on a beautiful Spring day-- like I used to do when I was a kid back in Tulsa.


I did have to make an early errand by car before work today. As I drove back to the office I saw a few places where I could have lunch and it would be an easy five minute ride on the campus bike.


Oh yeah, when I went to Panda Express, there was this tall and strikingly beautiful Chinese woman that I recognized from the New Peking restaurant that used to be over by our place in Dog Mtn. She gave me a nice smile and extra large helpings of Orange Chicken and the new thing they're pushing--Panda Beef. Yeah, I know it does sound kind of strange, like "panda meat" but how can I say no to a pretty girl? It was a lot of food, and later in the afternoon I was finding it hard to stay awake. My head kept falling to my desk as I dozed off.

Lovely Tucson Commute

Morning Sun. I make it to the bike lockers just as the blaze of the Sun comes over over the Rincon Mountains, East of Tucson. I have parked at the YMCA this cold morning, and ridden 15 miles to work.


The birds and bees have been busy, as the Sun is making the days warm again!
Other birds sqawk out warnings--there are many nests here right by the bike lockers under the parking garage.


I ride my Campus Bike down to a lunch place. The afternoon is about 76 degrees!


I'm riding home on the River Bike Path. One thing about late February and most of March, is the Sun's postition in the afternoon--it is brilliantly blinding! As I ride home West from work, I can hardly see. I know car drivers can't see either so that's why I've got the new day-glow jersey.


Ranch land on the Rillialto River has given way to development. That's the North side of the rive bank we see up there. Instead of cattle, jackrabbits and coyotes, there's yuppies jogging--or walking their little yippie dogs. Little yippie dogs are actually quite delicious, so say the coyotes!


Bike path homeward.



Rock Star Bike Shorts...


I drain what's left of the battery life from the morning commute as I unpack my things from the car and the YMCA.


Callie is helping out of course!

Cheers!

Bikes that Work

Running errands on the Campus Bike, Gentle Readers of This Blog. The hospital campus is about the size of the back 40--and mostly its for automobile parking. Plenty of bike parking as you can see!


Off to the bike shop. The sun is coming out and Tucson is getting warm! The sky is blue! The cold days are ending. I can't help but get outside. Since I'll be using the Campus Bike more and more, I better take it down to Phil and Judy. I need air and maybe a minor adjustment.


The bike checks out.


Now for my short-cut through the neightborhood back to Campus.


Who is this guy? The house and the Bomb Shelter look kind of the same. Wonder if this old retired guy got this instead of the gold watch? Maybe he and the Missus pull it behind their old jalopy? Maybe they're not the RV driving silver foxes-type that frequent Tucson?

Still, in a pinch, if the Taliban attack, or North Korea wants to slap a hair-lip on us--this might be the place!


The hospital were my office is located was once a TB sanatorium back in the 1920's. Some of the old adobe buildings still remain, and still hold offices too. Many are on the Register of Historic Places.


A horseshoe and I speculate the other cut-out is a stirrup. This was a private hospital for wealthy Easterners to convalesce.


I have seen the ghost of the "Cowboy" in the halls of the hospital. He was wearing Dude clothes like Tom Mix would wear in those films. He wasn't a working cowboy--his duds were too nice. He was probably a guest and my hope is he did get out to horseback ride during his days here. I'm sure I ride the same trails but they are bike routes now.


Happy Trails, y'all!