Tag Archives: Bicycle

Cycling Can be Hazerdous to Your Health

15 Sunday Apr 2018

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When I first started cycling, I was using a bicycle that I had purchased from a fellow co-worker some twenty plus years ago.  That meant the bike I was riding a bike that was close to thirty years old.  I used that bike for nearly a year before purchasing my new Cannondale.  The old bike, a Trek, had what I call suicide shifters.  The shifters were on the down tube and you had to take one hand off the handlebar to shift gears.  Most of the time I had no issue with doing so but sometimes, with the bike being so old and poorly maintained, the shifters didn’t work well and I would lose concentration and off the bike I would go.  Luckily, the whole time I rode this bike I never had any broken bones, just minor road rash.

 

 

 

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My 35 yr old Trek after a minor incident.  I still have this bike.

 

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My new 2013 Cannondale

 

 

 

 

Saturday Blues

14 Saturday Apr 2018

Posted by in Cycling, Weight Loss

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I’ve spent a lot of time today on my computer, mainly deleting old files and moving some files around. Just trying to get more organized.  While doing so I found some GoPro videos of some bike rides that I’ve been on.  I decided I’d share one with you.  This video is of the Old Howard Bike Ride.  This ride is located in Perry County, Alabama.  The event benefits Sowing Seeds of Hope.  Here’s the link to the event

https://www.samford.edu/events/old-howard-100

The video is less than 2 minutes of the first twelve minutes of the ride.  It is a century ride but I only rode 30 of those miles.  As you can see, it starts off pretty flat but it gets pretty steep toward the end.

If you’re ever in the area around the mid part of April and if you’re a cyclist, I would highly recommend this ride. It goes through three counties of the historic Black Belt.  In fact, one of the rest stops is at a historic Victorian home. Again, it’s a charity ride and it goes to a good cause.

 

365 Day Photo Challenge 133/365 “Happy Weekend Everyone!!”

15 Friday May 2015

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I was just notified moments ago that I was nominated for the WordPress Family Award by Deborah Crocker  http://www.talkingtomyweightlosscounselor.wordpress  I am beyond speechless.  Thanks again for the nomination Deborah.

Tomorrows plan is to get up and take a ride on the bicycle, put a battery on charge, empty all the nonessential crap out of the back of my truck and load items needed for the bicycle event on Sunday.  I might even try to do some much needed yard work if I can squeeze it in.

My wife and I had a discussion the other day in which I felt a little put out.  I volunteer for several organizations and if I’ll let them they’ll work me every weekend.  I volunteer for several Amateur Radio organizations, Boy Scouts of America and a couple of local churches. I would like to think that I would be remembered as someone who volunteered his time and like to help out in the community.  But, according to my wife I’m looking for things to do other than spending time at home.  Really??  I’m not really sure I convinced her otherwise. My volunteer work with the scouts has slowed down somewhat being that I’m no longer scoutmaster but I have taken on other responsibilities on a higher level in the district which does require me to attend several meetings a month but it’s nothing like every Monday night and camping trips every month.  I guess that’s part of being married.

“Life Goes On!”

365 Day Photo Challenge 123/365 “Ride of Silence”

05 Tuesday May 2015

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Ride of Silence

http://www.rideofsilence.org/main.php

In just a few short weeks, the Ride of Silence will take place.  Last year about 200 riders took to the roads in Birmingham’s southside and rode about ten miles.  Not a word was spoken.  It’s in honor of all those that were injured or killed on bicycles within the last year.  A list of names is read out before the ride begins.  It’s all escorted by local police throughout the whole ride.  A small fee is collected to help with the expenses plus a nice bbq plate is served at the end of the ride.  I’m not sure if this is available in your town but if it is I would encourage you to participate if you can.

“Life Goes On!”

365 Day Photo Challenge 107/365 “Day of Rest”

19 Sunday Apr 2015

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I spent the day today as a couch potato.  Yesterday wore me out.  My legs and shoulders are sore and it’s tough getting up and down.  I’m not complaining mind you, it’s just been a while since I’ve been this sore.

This past week was a slim week on the bicycle and more on the treadmill. I only biked 47 miles and yet I’ve walked about 10 miles on the treadmill.  Next week I have a lot of preparation to do to get ready for a trip with my twin daughters so my bike riding will put on hold.  Therefore, I’m thinking about putting my bike in the shop for some preventive maintenance and maybe some new tape on my handlebar. The tape used to be white but they have turned to a gray color with all the dirt and grime from changing flat tires with no gloves on.  I’m thinking about going to a red color. Maybe red won’t show the dirt as much.

“Life Goes On!”

365 Day Photo Challenge 106/365 “Old Howard 100 Bicycle Ride”

18 Saturday Apr 2015

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Today started off and stayed cloudy which is pretty good considering it could have been either hot and steamy or worse, raining.  As far as I know no one was injured or wrecked in today’s ride which is always good.  I on the other hand had a couple of issues.  One that I couldn’t help was that I had a flat about 60 yards from the second rest stop.  I really came out pretty good on that one.  I even had SAG support there if I needed help.  I changed the tube and borrowed the SAG’s air pump as so that I wouldn’t have to use one of my CO2 cartridges.  The other issue is that I’ve got to learn to take these hills better.  I know that the only way I”m going to get any better is to 1) lose weight, 2) climb more hills and 3) do some weight lifting with my legs or something to that effect. I find that I hang pretty good with the big dogs until I get to the steep hills then they pull away then I never see them again.

Start of Ride

Old Howard 100 Start

Rest Stop 1  Rest Stop 2 Rest Stop 3

365 Day Photo Challenge 97/365 “New Task at Hand”

09 Thursday Apr 2015

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I made the mistake of opening my mouth to the mayor of my fair city.  I’m glad I like him so well otherwise I would have told him a thing or two.  We discussed the possibility of having some sort of Cycling Awareness event to help promote cycling safety as well as make the city aware of the laws that are out there that allow the cyclist to be on the roads.  I know it’s a long shot but something has got to be done to make these people aware that you can’t pass cyclist on a hill or in a curve.  I’ve even had a car try to run me off the road into some bushes the other day. After discussing this for about ten minutes or so he then preceded to tell me that this is something that I should do.

The really sad part about this is that I have no clue where to start with this.  I’m going to see if some of the local bike clubs and even bike shops in my area can give me suggestions as to how to go about doing this.  I think it would be worth it to get something done.

“Life Goes On!”

365 Day Photo Challenge 88/365 “Another good workout”

31 Tuesday Mar 2015

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Well, for me that is.  Anytime I get through with a workout and my clothes feel as though I just took a dip in the pool with them on then I call that a good workout.  I did 45 minutes on the treadmill at a little over 3 mph.  I know by reading some of the blogs that I follow that this isn’t nothing but for an overweight old man I feel that it is.  It’s a start and tomorrow if it’s nice out I’ll get about 15 miles on my bicycle.  As predicted yesterday we’ve had some pretty rough storms come through here this evening.

“Life Goes On!”

365 Day Photo Challenge 87/365 “Day of Rest”

30 Monday Mar 2015

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Today was a day of rest, sort of. I didn’t get on my treadmill nor did I get on my bike.  I used this time to work on my bike.  I’m somewhat disappointed in the tires that I bought a little over a year ago. Granted when I bought these I had already ordered some Grand Prix that came highly recommended for the condition of the roads around my house. The Grand Prix were not going to get here in time for my next big ride so I went ahead and got the cheaper tires so I could go riding.  The Bontrager tires that were purchased lasted year only had about 500 miles on them before they went bald and started showing the lining.  I’m glad I only paid around $30 each for them.

So I took a day of rest so that means that I’ll have to really work on the treadmill tomorrow night and the rest of the week.  It’s supposed to storm tomorrow evening and rain the rest of the week until Friday so unfortunately I’ll be seeing more of my treadmill than I want too.  Alabama weather goes nuts this time of year.  You never know what the weather is going to do until that day.

I’ll be in Atlanta Georgia on Saturday at the Sweetwater Creek State Park so if you’re in the area give me a shout and we’ll hook up.  I’m going to spend the first part of the day taking pictures of the wildlife and landscape.  The afternoon is going to be taking pictures of a beautiful young lady.  Can’t wait to share some new work.

The above is an HDR image of the entrance to the Japanese Gardens at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens in Birmingham, Alabama.  Hope you enjoy.  If you like this image click on it and it will take you to my smugmug website where you will find more pictures.

365 Day Photo Challenge 78/365 “What a Great Day for a Bike Ride”

21 Saturday Mar 2015

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I’m about to go on a bicycle ride and this is what I saw when I made a trip out to my truck.  It’s going to be a beautiful day.  A couple of days ago the weather people said that it was going to rain all day.  I’m glad they took the rain out of the forecast.  Tomorrow however, it’s going to be a different story.

“Life Goes On!!”