20161113 cycling

Monday
62° humidity 90% wind 6 NE
Ugh. I wasn't feeling it. I got my period the first time in about 6 months.
9.05 miles
13.19 mph

the bar tape started fraying only months after it was put on

Tuesday
No ride. Doctor appointment. 

Wednesday
coffeeneuring 6
69° humidity 85% wind 1-3 ENE ESE
I wasn't sure I wanted to ride very far or very long. But then I wanted to make up some of missing my ride yesterday. 
I rode Kinnan to Brockton. I had intended to go down Cross Creek but saw Cory Lake Isles across the road and opted for that. CLI is gated and I haven't been in there in over 10 years when the drought was bad and the water level was very low. I wasn't even sure I could get in. The sidewalks are also gated but there was a gap between the car lanes that I rode through. I half expected someone to yell at me to stop but no one bothered me. 
The main road is brick pavers so the entire route was bumpy. I am glad I have somewhat wider tires. It would have been really bad with the 23mm I had last year. 
I followed the road to Morris Bridge. MB has been resurfaced and the shoulder is wide and smooth now. Only low hanging branches were a hazard. 
I turned west at Flatwoods Park. It looks like they have done some resurfacing as well. The park is quiet during the week though I passed a few cyclists and joggers. 
I stopped to cross BBD outside of the park. I crossed the busy road then road down to Smoothie King. I don't know how long they have been there. The space used to be an electronics repair shop. 

There is no bike rack that I could see. I locked my bike to a sign pole. 
I ordered a Greek Yogurt Peach Papaya smoothie. $5.72
I drank half in the shop then rode home. There are a couple of tables inside but no outdoor seating. The barista and owner were nice and solicitous. 
The road home seemed windier but nothing to slow me down. 
21.33 miles
13.22 mph

Thursday
61° humidity 94% wind 4 NNE
Chilly. Sunny. I didn't notice the fog until I got to Mansfield. My glasses fogged but I didn't feel like stopping. Steamy ponds. 
One loop. I stopped at Mansfield and SR56. Wahoo stopped showing HR and cadence. Apple Watch showed HR. 
9.03 miles
13.7 mph

Friday
55° humidity 94% wind 2-4 NE
Chilly. Wore my blue sweatshirt but was still chilled. Sunny so I didn't realize there would be fog. 
One loop. 
Car coming out at Vermillion almost hit me. Her windows were covered in dew and she was looking the other way. I swerved just in time. She rolled down her window and apologized. 
I stopped at SR56 and Mansfield. When I was ready to go and had the light, a car coming fast in the right turn lane on Mansfield only slowed enough to make the turn. No yield, nothing! I yelled and he stopped but he was well past the stop line. He didn't have the green arrow. Asshole. 
9.02 miles
13.44 mph

this heron seems to be here more often than not

Saturday
56° humidity 96% wind 1-2 mph NNW-NNE
Chilly. Went out to Union Park. 
Sand hill cranes making a lot of noise at MPB and Oldwoods. There were 8 altogether. Mating?
I stopped at the bridge. I checked some apps and feeds while the signal was strong. When I reopened Wahoo, the cadence and HR sensors wouldn't connect. This happened before. 
12.5 miles
13.58 mph

Why is there such a discrepancy between Wahoo and Apple Watch?

This week 60.9
This year 2237

20161106 cycling

I only had 5 rides this week. 

Monday
62° humidity 89% wind 4NE
I had a late start. I rode my usual loop to Hueland Pond. The wind seemed against me most of the way. 
Wahoo App and Apple Watch workout app were off by 2/10 of a mile even though their time was only 2 seconds apart. WTF

Wahoo App
8.43 miles
13.71 mph
Apple Watch
8.23 miles
13.3 mph

500 km this month

Tuesday
Coffeeneuring 5
66° humidity 94% wind 4-5 NE
Pam told me about the wellness café at Florida Hospital. I decided to check it out. To make it worth the calories, I went out MPB to SR54. I rode the MUP along MPB. I prefer the road but it gets busy along this stretch and I wasn't sure I could keep my tired brain aware enough to be safe. 
There is a decent shoulder along SR54. 
I rode south down BBD. The wind was with me and helped me get some good speed. 
I have not been to Florida Hospital. I followed the signs to the Wellness Center and looked for a bike rack. I found two in the back with the visitor parking. I locked up my bike and went in. The Café is very small but had a good variety of smoothies. Why do most smoothies include bananas? I ordered a berry blast. It was $4.82. 
There is seating inside but I prefer to go outside. At least there were other people around in workout clothes since the Wellness Center includes a fitness area. There was no seating outside so I took my smoothie to go. 
I rode back against the wind, SR56 to Mansfield. 
18.17 miles
12.82 mph

Wednesday
65° humidity 95% wind 2 NE
Late start, shorter loop. 
Dirt haulers entering The Ridge cut me off. Had to stop for light at Hueland Pond and Mansfield. Only had to wait 19 seconds. 
8.42 miles
13.58 mph

Thursday
66° humidity 95% wind 5 NNE
I didn't feel like riding. 
Scott Corwin called when I was CLR. I declined the call. A minute later he called again so I stopped and answered it. My phone will only allow to answer first and I wanted to stop my Wahoo App. Ugh. He wanted to "touch base" and tell me Ryan is doing OK now. Yeah, I know. Also, Ryan needs an online class to graduate. I have been telling him that but he kept putting it off. Maybe the school can get him to do it. 
I rode out to Union Park. They are staining the wood bridge so traffic is only on one side. I don't use the bridge and avoided that mess. 
My legs were really tired coming back in the wind. 
I managed to find some energy to beat the dirt hauler across the entrance to The Ridge. I knew he wouldn't stop. 
I almost had to stop for the mower who stopped across the path. He was driving at an angle and could easily see me if he looked. Ass. 
I was glad to be done with this ride. 
12.48 miles
13.34 mph

Friday
No ride. Drove the boys to school then took my car in for service. 

Saturday
66° humidity 90% wind 4-9 NNW-NNE
Dark sky said 4 NE. I knew that was wrong when I went outside. Carrot said 9 NW. They were both wrong. I went out CLR to BBD and felt the wind    It was really bad on BBD and I could barely keep up on SR56. I turned at Mansfield instead of fighting it. I then did a normal loop. 
I rode in The Ridge and went all the way to the back. The houses to the east have bigger lots. 
16.14 miles
14.85 mph

This week 63.6
This year 2176

20161030 cycling

the barrier at the south end of mansfield

Monday
Coffeeneuring #4
61° humidity 80% wind 5 NNE
I wore my long sleeve base but didn't need it. The sun was warm. I went out CLR to Mansfield over to Kinnan. Usually I see lots of broken glass. The glass was gone but there was shredded mattress and other debris. I rode to Cross Creek. 
I had to stop to cross traffic to get to Hunters' Green. My speeds were good with the wind behind me. 

looking west along cross creek

I went north on BBD. I missed hitting resume on my Apple Watch when I was crossing Cross Creek and lost 1/4 mile. Oops. 

south east corner of bruce b downs and cross creek

I rode east on Regents Park all the way around to BBD. I rode it back to Pebble Creek and took that to the shopping center. Regents Park and Pebble Creek are narrow roads with no bike lanes and no shoulders. The sidewalks are narrow and not meant for bikes. The pavement is bumpy in places due to the street tree roots displacing the pavement. 
Tropical Island Smoothies and Subs is a small place with a big menu. I don't know how he can keep all of it fresh. 

smoothie and my lego pal

I ordered a mango strawberry and kiwi smoothie. It came with some whipped cream on top! It was good and sweet but expensive. Smoothies are $7.99 and he was so nice I felt obligated to give him a tip. 
There is no bike rack around. They do offer seating inside and outside. I rode back with most of my smoothie. 
Riding north on BBD, I heard a crash and looked over to see a large SUV hit a compact which then hit another car. I could hear someone yelling and crying. I didn't stop. It was across the highway and I am not sure what help I would have been. 
I rode home, against the wind. 
15.8 miles 13.8 mph

Tuesday
Late start due to updating iPhone. 
56° humidity 90% wind 4 NE
Chilly. Glad I had a base layer. 
I rode hard and a shorter loop. Steam was coming up from ponds. 
I stopped at Hueland Pond and Mansfield. I stopped in the right left turn lane to see if camera would pick me up. I just got the apps paused and the light turned green! It worked. So if I want to really rest, I shouldn't use that lane. 
School traffic was cooperative. 
8.39 miles 14 mph

Wednesday
64° humidity 94% wind 4 NE
Dark and chilly. 
Pedaling woke me up and I rode well. As I was passing Oldwoods on MPB, a school bus passed me and stopped. I veered onto Oldwoods and rode up a bit and turned around just so I wouldn't have to stop. 
Stopped at Mansfield & SR56.
9.19 miles 13.6 mph

Thursday
64° humidity 90% wind 7 NNE
Wind was annoying. 

Bus stopped at CLR & Deer Run. I didn't want to stop so I turned at Eagle Station and went around to CLR. It was 1/2 mile extra but I kept pedaling. 

I rode to Union Park. I stopped at the zen garden. I am not sure what is so zen about it. It is right off the main road and the sidewalk bisects it. Also, the sign for it is three stones stacked like a cairn. There are no stones large enough to stack. 

I rode through Union Park and back to MPB. I rode up SR56 with a crosswind. A woman cut me off when she entered the mental health facility. 
Another driver cut me off as I approached CLR on Mansfield. 
They were testing the sprinklers at the clubhouse. With the wind, the spray was covering all of the bike lane. I had to ride in the car lane and still got sprayed. 
13.2 miles
13.2 mph

Friday
67° humidity 89% wind 6 NNE
Tired and wind was too much. Rode out to Union Park then to SR56. Crosswind was annoying, too. Just slogged through it. 
12.41 miles
13.3 mph

Saturday
67° humidity 90% wind 4-8 NNE
Windy!
I rode out to Union Park. I finally saw the dog park. It is small. It is smaller than the size of a house lot. 
I rode through The Ridge. The north sidewalk is wide and does not rise like the road does. I didn't go all the way back because of the construction. Homes seem nice. They are narrow but large with nice details. The lots are narrow. I took the south sidewalk back to SR56. Mistake. It was steep and I am not used to hills. Headwind along Mansfield was fierce. 
13.13 miles
13.1 mph

This week 72.3
This year 2112

coffeeneuring #5

Tuesday 1 November
66° humidity 94% wind 4-5 NE

looking west at sr54 and mpb

Pam told me about the wellness café at Florida Hospital. I decided to check it out. To make it worth the calories, I went out MPB to SR54. O rode the MUP along MPB. I prefer the road but it gets busy along this stretch and I wasn't sure I could keep my tired brain aware enough to be safe. 

looking south at sr54 and bbd

There is a decent shoulder along SR54. The wind was behind me and I cruised along. I had to stop briefly at Curley Road for the light and then again at BBD to cross safely. While waiting for the light, I realized I have never been to the Waffle House. We have homemade waffles and sausage every Sunday at home so there is no need to have waffles anywhere else.

non-descript entry for visitors

I rode south down BBD. The wind was with me and helped me get some good speed. I rode in the road instead of the MUP. The bike lane is clear.

I have not been to Florida Hospital. I followed the signs to the Wellness Center and looked for a bike rack. I found two in the back with the visitor parking. I locked up my bike and went in. The Café is very small but had a good variety of smoothies. Why do most smoothies include bananas? I ordered a berry blast. It was $4.82. 

There is seating inside but I prefer to go outside. At least there were other people around in workout clothes since the Wellness Center includes a fitness area. There was no seating outside so I took my smoothie to go. I rode back against the wind, SR56 to Mansfield. 

18.17 miles
12.82 mph

coffeeneuring #4

Monday, 24 October
61° humidity 80% wind 5 NNE

this is the barrier at the end of mansfield. there is a worn path along the right side.

I wore my long sleeve base but didn't need it. The sun was warm. I went out CLR to Mansfield over to Kinnan. Kennan is an abandoned future road. It was built to connect two counties but the counties cannot agree. There was no broken glass but shredded mattress someone dumped here. I rode to Cross Creek. 

no bike lane and a lower shoulder is no very bike friendly.

I had to stop to cross traffic to get across the road to Hunters' Green. My speeds were good with wind behind me. I went north on BBD.

cross creek and bruce b downs

I missed hitting resume on my Apple Watch and lost 1/4 mile. Oops. 
I rode east on Regents Park All the way around to BBD. I rode it back to Pebble Creek and took that to the shopping center. Regents Park and Pebble Creek are narrow roads with no bike lanes and no shoulders. The sidewalks are narrow and not meant for bikes. The pavement is bumpy in places due to the street trees. 

Tropical Island Smoothies and Subs is a small place with a big menu. I don't know how he can keep all of it fresh. I ordered a mango strawberry and kiwi smoothie. It came with some whipped cream on top! It was good and sweet but expensive. Smoothies are $7.99 and he was so nice I felt obligated to give him a tip. 

There is no bike rack around. They do offer seating inside and outside. I rode back with most of my smoothie. I rode home, against the wind. 

starve and wahoo will connect the dots but not the Apple Watch.

15.8 miles 13.8 mph

coffeeneuring #2

wasteful foam cup i cannot recycle

Friday, October 14
77° humidity 88% wind 3-7 NE

they look cool but do they attract birds?

i would expect to see purple martins in this type of bird house

I went out to Union Park. I stopped at the bird houses. They are interesting but I doubt many birds use them. They are probably too close together and not maintained. I accidentally hit resume and lost my average speed on Wahoo app. 

the trees are still too small to attract squirrels, there are several fake squirrels around the development

I rode to SR56 to BBD. I went across BBD and then down to Smoothie King at CLR. I had never there been before. I saw one bike chained to a street sign, a recumbent just sitting on the walk so I assumed there was no rack.

the rack is off the walkway but is visible from the shops

I got off my bike and saw the rack, unused. I locked my bike and went inside. SK is nicer than I expected. They have loads of energy bars and protein canisters. 

too many choices?

I got a Greek Yogurt with Strawberry and Bluberry. There were too many options. SK is expensive. A small Smoothie is over $5. I had a coupon and paid $3.20. 
There is seating inside but it was too cool to stay. There is no seating outside. I took my Smoothie and went home, against the wind. 

15.13 miles
13 mph

#coffeeneuring

20161023 cycling

Another good week of riding.

union park on monday

Monday
70° humidity 94% wind 5 NE
My body wasn't feeling it. I rode out to Union Park then over SR56. 
12.44 miles
13.58 mph

mount wesley?

Tuesday
Coffeeneuring #3
72° humidity 92% wind 5-7 NE
I was tired but wanted to get another challenge out of the way. I rode out to Union Park. I had to ride over the wooden bridge because kids were waiting for the bus on the sidewalk. I saw a girl riding her bike and wondered if she rode to school. I saw her bike parked near the bus stop when I left Union Park. 
I had to stop at SR56. I took a photo of the mound of fill dirt that has been there for months. Is it for the future road extension? 
I rode west on SR56 and had some good tailwind. But my legs didn't feel like pushing too hard. 
I rode to Wiregrass and rode through Paseo Drive to Fresh Healthy Café. There was no bike rack nearby so I locked my bike to a street light pole. 
I ordered a Green Tea Berry with energy supplement. $6.41
I sat outside and drank my smoothie. 
I rode home when I finished. It wasn't a good ride. My belly was too full and the wind was too strong. 
16.4 miles 12.9 mph

waiting at the light on wednesday

Wednesday
66° humidity 92% wind 4 NE
Cool. 
Legs just don't feel like pushing. 
Rode one loop. Stopped at Mansfield and accidentally hit stop instead of resume on Apple Watch. Had to start another ride. 
9 miles 13.7 mph

back at union park on thursday

Thursday
63° humidity 93% wind 5 NE
It feel like a great effort to ride. My right knee has been hurting a bit. I feel it at the bottom of every stroke. 
Rode to Union Park. 
Headwind on SR56. 
12.2 miles 13.4 mph

checked out meridian on friday

Friday
Very late start. 
75° humidity 88% wind 6 NW
I planned to go west and turned east on CLR. I turned around and went to BBD. The wind wasn't bad until I got to BBD. 
It helped me on SR56 but there was still some cross wind. 
Had to slow down quickly for a dirt hauler exiting the construction site. They cannot see and don't bother to ask for visual help. 
I went out Oldwoods to Meridian. They are building from the back first. 
The wind was really strong on the way back. 
13.63 miles
13.2 mph

union park welcome center on saturday

Saturday
55° humidity 77% wind 7-9 NW
Chilly and windy. Wore my blue sweatshirt. Almost felt like I could have worn my tights. 
Got to CLR and turned right because of cars and too lazy to stop. Turned around and went to BBD. Headwind on SR56. I went east on Oldwoods to Union Park. I stopped at the welcome center and found the maps and where the various parks are. 
Saw my battery was down to 36% and got the charger. I bumped my Apple Watch and it saved my ride so I had to start a new one. 
14.84 miles
13.6 mph

probably my highest mileage for a week since i started working full-time

This week 78.5
This year 2040

coffeeneuring #3

Tuesday, October 18, 2016
72° humidity 92% wind 5-7 NE

this is the best view at union park, at least the route i ride

I was tired but wanted to get another challenge out of the way. I rode out to Union Park. I had to ride over the wooden bridge because kids were waiting for the bus on the sidewalk. I saw a girl riding her bike and wondered if she rode to school. I saw her bike parked near the bus stop when I left Union Park.

mt wesley chapel?

I had to stop at SR56. I took a photo of the mound of fill dirt that has been there for months. Is it for the future road extension? 

I rode west on SR56 and had some good tailwind. But my legs didn't feel like pushing too hard. 

small & noisy with the mixers whirring

I rode to Wiregrass and rode through Paseo Drive to Fresh Healthy Café. There was no bike rack nearby so I locked my bike to a street light pole. 

I ordered a Green Tea Berry with energy supplement. $6.41
I sat outside and drank my smoothie. 

I rode home when I finished. It wasn't a good ride. My belly was too full and the wind was too strong. 

16.4 miles 12.9 mph

coffeeneuring #1

Coffeeneuring 2016: smoothie roads ahead

This is my second year with the challenge. I don’t drink coffee so I tried tea last year. Hot tea is too hot for Florida, iced chai is just OK. On a long ride last year, I tried a smoothie and realized this is my drink of choice after a ride. This year would just be smoothies.
I planned to start October 7 but Hurricane Matthew rolled through the area. I started almost a week later on October 13.

Thursday, October 13
70° humidity 93% wind 7-8 NNE

wooden bridge at union park

Windy. Rode up to Union Park. Rode my usual route backwards. 
Rode up SR56 in the road to Panera. I did the short loop at WRB. The road may be complete but I didn't try it. 

a cyclist at panera was hogging the lone bike rack with a cover for his bike. i locked up my bike and went inside.

I ordered a Superfruit Smoothie. I don't really care for the tang of Greek yogurt but it is OK and the calorie count is low. I got my smoothie and went outside to the patio.

the patio is nice but SR56 runs along side and there is car noise. 

Ugh. Don't slurp down Smoothie too quickly or risk a brain freeze!

i prefer not to ride on sidewalks but this is the quickest way to the light and is usually empty.

The ride back was a bit rough. I had a headwind all along SR56 and most of Mansfield. Also, my belly was full of smoothie. I forgot to hit resume after the stop light and lost some mileage. I lost some speed but gained it back once I turned away from the wind. 

13.68 miles (bike computer)
13.2 mph (bike computer)

#coffeeneuring

20161016 cycling

no empty blocks except sunday.

Monday
63° humidity 88% wind 6-7 N
Yay for cooler weather!
It was dark this morning and I needed my lights. 
One loop. 
Had to stop for ambulance on Mansfield. Ran into school traffic at JLMS. Two cars ahead stopped to let car turning left go. Car behind him snuck in behind him and cut me off. Asshole. 
9.03 miles 13.53 mph

union park bridge

Tuesday
66° humidity 83% wind 7 N
Carrot Weather said wind was NW so I went out CLR to BBD. I ran into a headwind on SR56 and lost some speed. I gained it back when I turned on Hueland Pond. Headwind along Mansfield until it turned south
8.13 mph 13.01 mph

Wednesday
70° humidity 90% wind 5-10 NNE
More time to ride today. I went to Union Park and tried another road. Kids were waiting at the clubhouse for the bus. I rode around the park to avoid having to slow down or stop. 
Wind was annoying and my legs were not up to the challenge. 
13.2 miles
13.02 mph

not so sweet smoothie

Thursday
Coffeeneuring #1
70° humidity 93% wind 7-8 NNE
Windy. Rode up to Union Park. Rode my usual route backwards. 
Rode up SR56 in the road to Panera. I did the short loop at WRB. The road may be complete but I didn't try it. 
Cyclist at Panera hoarding the line bike rack with a cover for his bike. 
Ordered a Superfruit Smoothie. I don't really care for the tang of Greek yogurt but it is OK and the calorie count is low. 
Panera has one lone bike rack. The patio is nice but SR56 runs along side and there is car noise. 
Ugh. Don't slurp down Smoothie too quickly or risk a brain freeze!
The ride back was a bit rough. I had a headwind all along SR56 and most of Mansfield. I forgot to hit resume after the stop light and lost some mileage. I lost some speed but gained it back once I turned. 
13.68 (bike computer)
13.2 (bike computer)

tasty but expensive smoothie

Friday
Coffeeneuring #2
77° humidity 88% wind 3-7 NE
I went out to Union Park. I stopped at the bird houses. They are interesting but I doubt many birds use them. They are probably too close together and not maintained. Accidentally hit resume and lost my average speed on Wahoo app. 
Rode to SR56 to BBD. I went across BBD and then down to Smoothie King at CLR. I had never been before. I saw one bike chained to a street sign, a recumbent just sitting on the walk so I assumed there was no rack. I got off my bike and saw the rack, unused. I locked my bike and went inside. SK is nicer than I expected. They have loads of energy bars and protein canisters. 
I got a Greek Yogurt with Strawberry and Bluberry. There were too many options. SK is expensive. A small Smoothie is over $5. I had a coupon and paid $3.20. 
There is seating inside but it too cool to stay. There is no seating outside. I took my Smoothie and went home, against the wind. 
15.13 miles
13 mph

the moon can be faintly seen beyond the bridge

Saturday
72° humidity 92% wind 6 NE
Late start. But I wanted to ride.
Drizzle in the beginning but I kept my glasses on even though they were useless.
Rode one loop to Hueland Pond. Drizzle got heavier but I kept going. No stops.
8.40 miles 14.01 mph

This week 69.4
This year 1961