Faith

While not the biggest George Michael fan, I remember the song and song title from the 80s, and it seemed to apply recently. Yesterday's rain almost made me doubt riding home. Then an early mailbox pickup almost made me doubt getting a letter off.

The great rains of Thursday morning had me pulling the bike inside the office to keep the chain from actively rusting in the water. However, by mid-afternoon the clouds had parted some and I decided to take a chance, have some faith, and ride home. As I did, I actually rude under a front and felt the temperature drop as I rode. The cloud line was quite distinct and clear. But the weather held except for a few droplets of rain.

Then, I was supposed to get a letter into the mail yesterday as well. I thought it was not a problem since there's a mail box on my commute home. However, I had forgotten that the pick-up is at 3:00 PM. I rode past at about 4:30. Oops. So, it was off to find a post office. My bike GPS failed me for the first time ever by not having S state Street in its database. So, I was on my own. I know how to get to the Midvale post office on back streets, so I headed off. The last pickup on their outside boxes is 5:00 PM. I missed that by 20 minutes, but their last pickup on their inside box is 5:30. Barely made it. Glad I had the faith.

By the way, 20° C is find for riding without leg warmers, but when it drops to 15° C, you may want to have them back on. Just a thought from people who care.

Oh, and a big "Woo Hoo" to all the commuters who waved on yesterday's ride home. 

Lean on Me

I realized this morning  that I like riding with, seeing, passing, or being passed by other cyclists. There's something about sharing the road with someone with whom I'm sharing the joy and challenges of cycling, especially cycle commuting, that just helps to make my day. Now, if they're on a mountain bike and I get to fly past them on a hill, I feel even better. Something about a falsely inflated ego. I know, pride goeth before a fall, but I enjoy it anyway. This morning I passed a fellow on his mountain bike, wearing a red shirt. While I did pass him on a short climb, he caught up to me at the next light. He was a sell spoken gent. Had I not been pushed for time to get to work, I would have enjoyed chatting with him over a half mile or so. Then again, had I not been rushing by when I did, I probably would never have crossed his path. Life can be funny, can't it?

When I'm passed by a fellow cyclist, I often take that as a challenge to keep pace with them as long as possible before being dropped like so much extra weight. (Although, if I could drop that extra weight I probably wouldn't be dropped by other cyclists. So much for that simile.)

Oh, and when you're out there, feel free to wave at passing cyclists. I apologize to anyone whom I've missed recently, but I think that if we're going to keep cycling from becoming the driving of the future, we need to stay friendly with each other. I think one of the problems with automobile drivers is that they isolate themselves and forget their connection to others around them. Let's keep cycling personal.

And, I'll keep offering help to people I see with flats or mechanicals even though most everyone seems to cover their own problems pretty well, and I always appreciate the same from others.

Interesting time of year for clothing selection. During the late winter and early spring, it's easy to just add on the layers. But now with weather here jumping between around 10° and 20° C (thats about 50° to 70° F) from morning to afternoon it gets a little more tricky. I chose a thin, long sleeved jersey this morning and wore my leg warmers. The cold weather gloves are right out since I think I'd just sweat away inside them. This afternoon may be a bit warm in the long sleeves, but shouldn't be  too bad. I can pack away the leg warmers and should be good to go.

A Little Help from My Friends

Want to give back to the community? There are a few events coming up in the Salt Lake area that I'm supporting: the West Jordan Sunrise Duathlon, and Bike for Kids.

Despite my thoughts on running and joggers, I'll be participating as a team with Nicole in the West Jordan Duathlon on 24 May. It gives me a chance to ride and her a chance to run. We just need to figure out how we take care of Beth with the quick transitions. Maybe some grandparents coming to watch? This event benefits a small charity established to help families whose children die of cancer.

Then, we'll be volunteering at the Bikes for Kids event. I've appreciated the help of people at rest stations, so I wanted to give a little back by manning one for this ride on 31 May.

As part of the Cycle Salt Lake week events, the UTA Bike Share Bonanza takes place 16 May from 4 - 8 PM at Gallivan Plaza. It's a fun time for all and a nice escape for a Friday night. Bike there or take a train!

Storm Front

Wow! What was up with the unfriendlies out there today? Between the car that just had to block the shoulder so he could wait to turn right at the next light, to the joggers -- they can be excused, my thoughts on joggers later -- to the cyclists who wouldn't even return a friendly "Howdy!" Is it the cloud cover?

From the joggers, I'd expect it. I mean, I don't think I've ever seen a happy jogger. It's like they spend their entire workout chanting the mantra, "No pain, no gain: no pain, no gain…" And if it's not the mantra, they have their iPods turned up so loud that they can't hear you anyway. They never smile, and they rarely acknowledge anything outside their circle of pain as they bang their knees to oblivion. They just don't seem happy. It's probably because they can't coast. I mean, I'd get grumpy too if I'd just climbed  up a hill and then I had to work to get back down. BUT, the cyclists are supposed to be at least courteous as you pass o the street. I yell out a, "Howdy!" and I expect at least a wave of the hand, a nod of the head,  or a friendly grunt in return. But this morning, nothing. The sullen skies seem to have sullied the moods of the collective population of Salt Lake.

SMILE PEOPLE, YOU'RE BIKING! Oh, and remind me sometime to tell you the story of the time I had to work to go downhill. It's a great story. Now.

BTW, the title is a great song by Billy Joel.

Video Killed the Radio Star

The Buggles nailed it. But, I'm going to risk putting some video up anyway. The videos are from the family trip to Cedar City last weekend. I shot the videos on a Flip video, so the quality is not stellar, but it was kind of fun to film while riding up the bike path. 

Oh, a quick recommendation when filming on a bike: use a wrist strap. Also, make sure there's no traffic, pedestrian, bike, equestrian, or auto, that you could run into while filming or putting the camera away.

I can see clearly now the rain is gone

I met a guy this morning whose bike commute was 15 miles each way, and he wished it was ten more. His office was considering a move South, closer to his home, and he was bummed about it. Find me a single auto commuter who would feel that way! Kudos to him.

Happy Salt Lake County Mayor's Bike to Work Day! Yup, as part of National Bike to Work Week, Salt Lake County has a Bike to Work day. Not that it made any difference to me. But anything that can get people out of their cars and onto a healthy form of transportation is a good thing. (Well, except for legislation. I think it needs to be a voluntary move to have any true merit.) Strange how the past few years Bike to Work week has been the week that I've been able to bike the least; I've had conflicts at work, at home, anywhere it seems. This year I'm at least getting a few days on the bandwagon, even if on the official Bike to Work day, Friday, I have a conference to attend and biking is, for me, not an option that day.

Anyway, after a beautiful morning commute with temperatures hovering around 10° C, it's off to work.

Mother

Yes, this post's heading is actually the title of a song. Several songs in fact.

Anyway, happy belated Mother's Day to all mothers in the US. And happy, very belated International Women's Day to all women worldwide.

I love you Mom. And I love you, Beth's mom.

Dust in the Wind

While I think we're a little more than dust in the wind, that phrase accurately describes this past weekend in Cedar City, Utah. I went with Nicole's family on a mini-reunion of sorts to the KOA in Cedar City. From the moment we arrived the wind was blowing dust, and desiccating the entire family. To be fair, beyond the wind and dust the weather was glorious.

We went out for a ride from the KOA up the canyon trail and back, a total of just over 12 km. This seems to be the lone bike/pedestrian trail in the city. We left the bike trail on the return trip and took some bike lanes and quiet back streets and these were also quite a good ride. Everyone had a fun time, even Beth riding behind me.

The ride up the canyon is a well paved path with moderate grades and stunning views of the colorful rock and Southern Utah scenery. Within just a few miles you can forget that you started in the center of a college town, and think that you're off exploring wild places.

The trail follows a creek up the canyon and this provides some other nice views overlooking the water colored with sediment from red rock and dirt. I'm told the water is frigid, but I didn't check this for myself.

There are a few other nice mountain biking trails in the area that could make this a worthwhile weekend biking trip. Check with a Local Bike Shop for trail details.

I still had a non-functioning front derailleur from the broken spoke incident on the prior Tuesday, but fortunately the pace never picked up enough to miss my upper gears. A simple cable adjustment upon return home repaired the issue.

Cedar City could be a great cycling city. It is still small enough that a bike ride is very close in time to a car trip most anywhere in town. There is a college there that could help support a strong bike culture, and the weather for more than half the year is ideal for biking. The winters are cold and snowy, but once that clears the bikes could rule the roads for nine months a year. I know from past experience that there are a couple of good bike shops in town willing to help with repairs, trail advice, and anything else you need. All these shops need is more people on bikes.

Break It Down Again

"Break it down again. No more sleepy dreamin'. The time to build is through, it is time to dissolve." A great Tears for Fears song, but a sad concept for blogging. One broken spoke can really ruin your ride. I was about 1 km from the start of my commute home when the spoke blew out as I started at a light. The only thing I could do was turn around and walk back to the office. The wheel is at Taylor's Bikes being fixed and I'll get it again tomorrow.

Just a reminder to not put off riding. Any day may be a great day to ride, and you never know if you'll be able to ride tomorrow. I was on the bike yesterday and today. Because of scheduling issues, I'll not be able to commute tomorrow, or any more this week. As my bike bottle from REI so clearly states: Ride every day. Bikes are freedom. I'll miss that freeedom.

"On a Cold and a Rainy Day…

Where on Earth is the Sun, anyway?" Well, it was in Cancun for a week, in Salt Lake for the start of this week, then back today. But, the glorious temperatures in Cancun (pushing 30° C every day) that followed me home, quickly left and returned us to near-freezing temperatures and threat of rain and snow. So much for May's grand arrival with warmer weather.

I actually managed to ride the great temperatures on Monday and Tuesday. However, Tuesday's brutal winds nearly did me in. I rode out for a haircut, and the ride took me 15 minutes longer than the extra 15 minutes I planned into a commute that is typically just over half an hour. Well, from the haircut home with a tail wind, there's great story. Nicole left her sister's house, heading home,  just before her sister gave me a haircut. After my haircut, I got a call from Nicole telling me that she wasn't home yet. I hopped on the bike and headed out. The next time I saw Nicole, we were passing in the neighborhood. She had been home long enough to make a phone call and head out to a neighbor's house when I caught her there.

Then Wednesday and Thursday were just cold and overcast. I did still ride, but it was tougher to convince myself to get out Wednesday morning and Thursday afternoon. Now Friday morning's dawned clear and cold and I'm looking forward to the ride with proper wind protection.

Tomorrow is the Intermountain Cup Showdown at 5-mile Pass. It's tempting to try it, but I haven't been on a mountain bike in almost a year. Maybe I should try a dirt ride out of competition first. Yeah, I think that's what I'll do.

Finally for this morning: As David Bernstein says on his podcast, The Fredcast, "I'm a Fred." Yes, it's true, I am. I got the GPS enabled bike computer the other day and got it installed last night. I'll probably mention more about that as I get to use it over the coming weeks.

And now it's time to head out to work.