Every Day in May - Day 11

This weather sure isn't cooperating. When I thought of "every day in May" I thought the weather would be warm, pleasant and typically May-like. It has been very cold! It was even raining a little by the time I finally got outside to go, but since I made this commitment, out I went. I did a short loop that took me on a cold downhill run to Valley Creek, then a "warm" climb back home, about 300' vertical climb.

Here is a map of my route from mapmyride.com:


Bike: R
T: 24.59
O: 70.2
M: 37.7
A: 12.4
D: 5.18

Every Day in May - Day 10

Tonight was just a quick night trip around the block with Maya. I used a new bike light that works pretty well, but I think I prefer the headlamp because it turns to focus on whatever I want to look at, rather than just straight ahead like a fixed headlight on a car.

Bike: M
T: 10.04
O: 17.1
M: 12.9
A: 8.4
D: 1.41

Almost Every Day in May - Day 9

OK - I tried really hard but I blew it. Pat and I worked on the yard all morning yesterday and then went out with Chili to a used bookstore in Phoenixville. After a few good buys, we went to the Chester Springs Creamery for excellent ice cream. Yum! Then it was home, some TV and before I knew it I was getting into bed and had not ridden...Oh well...I really tried.

So not to be defeated, I'm back on my bike today. I'll keep trying to ride every day in May. But today was a challenge - high winds and cold. But, in keeping with a saying I heard this winter while working in the unheated sail house at the sailing club, "the heat is in the tools." So I put more effort into the pedals and warmed right up. I rode out to meet Pat, Chili and Maya at the ChesLyn Preserve in Embreeville. The wind made some flat sections seem like uphill and some uphill sections seem flat. Once at the park the four of us did about a 1.5 mile walk (run for Maya) and drove home together. A nice afternoon break.

Bike: R
T: 52:12
O: 65.0
M: 33.4
A: 14.0
D: 12.24

Every Day in May - Day 7

Today got hectic and before I realized it, it was 10:20 pm and dark. But there had been no bike ride yet! OK - I know I wrote that I don't like riding in the dark, but I can do it and with Maya protecting me, we did a quick loop around the block. I wore my bright electric headlamp that does well enough to light the way for me, as long as I don't ride too fast and outrun the light. Maya appreciated it!

Bike: M
T: 10:42
O: 16.1
M: 14.0
A: 7.8
D: 1.40

Every Day in May - Day 6

Today was a great day to commute to work by bike - beautiful weather and not a hectic schedule. I rode straight in (~4 miles) and changed in my office. I keep some clothes there in my closet so I can wear biking clothes which are much more suited to riding. Then I just change back into them for the ride home. I returned via the Brandywine Creek - a great ride with a few hills (including a big one to get home) but otherwise light on traffic, stop signs and no traffic lights!

Stats for today:

Bike: R
T: 55:19
O: 52.8
M: 32.9
A: 12.2 (Need to improve this)
D: 11.32

Every Day in May - Cinco de Mayo

So today's biking was just a little jaunt to show you how I walk Maya on the bike. She really knows the drill, although with Pat hanging around as photographer she was quite distracted...

This one shows us coming towards Pat. Maya is always on my left, just as when we walk her. She is only slightly behind but there is no risk of "dragging" her as she still has about another 15' of retractable leash to go.

This panned shot shows us in motion, about 10-12 mph. This is about our top speed and you can see she sometimes lags behind and sometimes she's ahead. I always try to leave at least a spare 10' of leash so she doesn't pull me off my bike.

Our first dog Shasta used to do this out of the car - at a top speed of 20mph! I don't think Maya will ever get to that speed, but she does love to run and this works for us!

Every Day in May - Day 4

Today was a beautiful day weather wise and I didn't have to be in to my office until 11, so I rode to work via the Brandywine River and through the Radley Run Country Club. How nice it is to be able to take a semi-rural, moderate ride in (about 10 miles) then get a shower at work before going to my office! The ride home, more direct through town but with lots of stoplights, stop signs and traffic, is about 4 miles.

I've often thought that I should commute to work more often by bike. I've done it on and off for years, typically more in the summer and fall than winter or spring. Night teaching assignments can make it difficult but there are plenty of remaining day trips available. It's only four miles one-way, but I like to make it interesting with a longer loop either on the way in (as here) or way home. Maybe "every day in May" will help me jump-start this.

Here are today's ride stats from my bike computer:

Bike: R

T: 1:10:30

O: 41.4

M: 33.4

A: 12.9

D: 15.16

Here are some stats and illustrations from the interesting bike mapping program (based on Google Maps) from http://bikeroutetoaster.com/: