Monday, April 19, 2010

Watch Out for That Ditch!

St. Charles & Home: 11.76 miles
Comments: Ride Time was 54 minutes, average speed: 12.9


Not every ride goes smoothly—today was just one of those days. The weather was great but my mind was just not in the game. I mounted my bike and began pedaling down the drive when I hear an awful noise behind me—I forgot to release the kickstand. Oh well, minor detail. My plan was to bike to the St. Charles Public Library to pick up some bike books I ordered and then head home. I reached the library in good shape and decided to use my new lock to secure my bike while in the library. Returning back to the bike, I noticed that although I took precautions to lock my bike, I left my loaded bag open displaying all the goodies inside. But this is small town St. Charles so all was well. I mounted back on the bike and continued on home. I was almost home when I was forced to the side of the road by 2 passing vehicles while trying to maneuver around rumble strips. I couldn’t keep it on the road edge so took the ditch. I kept the bike under control and came to a slightly less than graceful stop. My trip was riddled with minor distractions but I did make it home without a scratch and sat down to enjoy my library books only to realize I must have dropped my library card somewhere along my journey between St. Charles and home—will have to make a trip back to the library to cancel activity to the lost card but that’s a trip for another day.

Sunday, April 18, 2010

Double the Miles, Double the Fun



St. Charles & Home: 14.21 miles
Comments: Ride Time was 1 hour 8 minutes, average speed: 12.3

What to do with a day to myself? Go biking, of course! It was a gorgeous day—temperature in the high 60’s with slight wind out of the NE. I decided to head towards St. Charles and see how my legs felt after pedaling to the Amish Market. Would I have the endurance to bike down the hill into St. Charles and make the climb out so early in the season? No problem! My extra training in the gym prepared me well for this biking season. I’m not getting as many miles on the Bacchetta this spring due to the increased miles we have been putting on the tandem. It matters little to me which seat I am sitting in, I am just thankful for this wonderful spring weather we have been having in Minnesota.

Sunday, April 4, 2010

Life is Good!

County Road 35 South: 10.92 miles
Comments: Ride Time was 57 minutes, average speed: 11.4


It’s Easter Sunday and I was itching to ride. The temperature was in the 60’s and the winds were mild so I went out for a short ride south on County Road 35. The ride was so peaceful, with nature all around and uplifting music playing to coax me up each hill. Life is good!