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

coffeeneuring challenge complete

I am really glad I did the Coffeenuering Challenge this year. I didn't get to try many new coffee shops because we don't have a big variety in the area. I did get to ride outside of my comfort zone and try new routes. 

I discovered that hot tea is not a good drink for me while riding. It is too hot and I lack the patience for it to cool. I learned that I shouldn't ride on wet boardwalks with my narrow tires. 
I learned that riding in the road without a shoulder is sometimes better than a poorly maintained path.
I discovered that I am not so brave at going fast speeds downhill as I when I was young. 
I am still slow when changing tires.
I learned how to take advantage of wind.
I confirmed that I do not like bananas in my smoothies and Starbucks pastries look better than they taste.
I now know my body and brain cannot take too much bouncing over rough gravel and washboard roads.

I rode 168 miles.

I spent $134 on food, drinks and bike repairs.

I found that I prefer smoothies while riding. I also prefer the smoothies at Panera. I discovered that riding for 2 hours just barely justifies the calories of a smoothie and a treat. I would be better off having the smoothie alone or bringing along a small treat of my own.

I learned which roads have bike lanes and decent shoulders to ride on. I rode my longest distance (34 miles) and didn't collapse. I find that I have to ride harder to get my heart rate up. I want to explore more routes. Riding against the wind still sucks but sometimes it can push you back home.

#1 Stonemill Artisan $4
Helmet $60
21 miles

#2 Starbucks $4
20 miles

#3 Panera $7
33 miles

#4 Panera $7
Two tubes $30
21 miles

#5 Panera $7
25 miles

#6 Starbucks $8
21 miles

#7 Panera $7
27 miles

Total
168 miles
$134

Coffeeneuring Challenge #7

11 november

SR54 east at Meadow Pointe Blvd

I hadn’t really planned to do my last coffeeneuring challenge until the weekend. The boys left for school and I started looking at possible routes. I mapped a route to take advantage of the NE wind. I went out Meadow Pointe Blvd to SR54. I went east to Ashton Oaks. It is a newer residential development. The main road is two lanes with bike lanes. The trees are small and do not provide shade yet. I took Ashton Oaks Blvd to Grecko Dr. Grecko ends at Chancey Road.

Chancey Road

Google maps don’t show whether a road is paved or not and I was surprised when the pavement stopped. I checked my map to make sure I wasn’t lost. I proceeded with caution because I have narrow road tires. They have no tread to grab in sand so I didn’t go fast. Some parts were washboard and made my brain bounce. The pavement returned at New River Road. I continued to Morris Bridge and turned north. Morris Bridge is narrow with no shoulder. The road is busy but the speed limit is 25 mph on this portion. I turned again at SR54 and headed back. Even a busy road feels better with a bike lane.

SR54 west at Vending Road

The wind did not feel like it was behind me. 

Wild Berry Smoothie, 290 calories. Cinnamon Crunch Bagel, 420 calories

I went south on BBD along the MUP. I turned at the hospital and went around the back of the mall to Panera. 

Panera patio

Panera has a small bike rack and I locked my bike.

Wood screens help buffer traffic noise from SR56

I decided on a known treat with a Wild Berry smoothie and Cinnamon Crunch Bagel. 
I sat on the patio and enjoyed my snack.

Cinnamon Crunch bagel is best when toasted.

27 miles 13.5 mph

Coffeenuering Challenge #5

4 november 2015

Meadow Pointe Blvd just south of SR54

The wind was coming for the east but I have already gone that was in Challenge #3. I wanted to go to Panera in Lutz. It is only 6 miles west of my home. In order to enjoy a scone guilt-free, I needed to ride longer. I planned my route to take advantage of the winds as much as possible. I knew I would have to return home against the wind so I planned the majority of my ride before I got to Panera.

SR54 at Bruce B Downs

I went east on CLR to Mansfield to Beardsley to MPB. Then I went north to SR54. I continued riding SR54 to Livingston. The bike lane stops at Lexington Oaks but there is a nice, wide shoulder. The bike lanes starts up again where SR56 comes in. SR54 is a busy and fast highway. I felt safe enough riding on the shoulder and bike lane.

SW corner of Livingston and SR54 looking towards Panera

Panera has a lone bike rack in the tall grasses. Panera was busy and it took a while to get my smoothie. The smoothie was runny and disappointing in that I drank it too fast. The scone was as good as expected.

1995 Trek 1220

The ride home was slow and windy. I rode along SR54 to Oak Grove. Oak Grove has no bike lane but there was little traffic.

Caramel Apple Thumbprint Scone and Wild Berry Smoothie

I turned east on CLR. There is no bike lane but it was repaved this spring and they added a narrow shoulder. The shoulder widens at the overpass then disappears completely. That was only for two miles then back into MP with its bake lane.

Meadow Pointe Blvd/CR54 and SR56

25.5miles 13.6mph

coffeeneuring challenge #4

29 october 2015

I had to work on the weekend. I had Monday off but so did the boys and I took them to the chiropractor and to lunch. I didn’t have time to go for a longer ride until Thursday.
It was foggy and I had to turn on my lights and take off my glasses.

I went out Mansfield and rode across the gap to Kinnan. The two counties cannot agree to connect the two roads. Pasco County has a blockade but Hillsborough county just stops its roads. There is a narrow dirt track that leads from the sidewalk on Pasco to the Kinnan. It is very narrow and bumpy and I am always cautious as I rode across. Kinnan is empty and eerie in the fog.

I had to wait for the light to change.

I turned left at Cross Creek. I hadn’t ridden this route before. I am happily surprised that the shoulder is wide and smooth though not signed as a bike lane. I stop for a rest at Morris Bridge Road.

Morris Bridge south at Cross Creek

Cross Creek east from Morris Bridge

I start south on Morris Bridge and before I get any speed hear a tinking noise on my bike. I stop and check my tired which still feel firm. I look at the chain and drive train thinking something is catching. I spin my rear wheel and hear the think and see the nail hitting the frame as it passes by the brake. Damn.

How did I not see this in the road?

I walk back to Cross Creek to change the tire. I haven’t had many flats and am not good at changing them. It takes me about 20 minutes to get it changed. I know my hand pump is not the best and consider which route will get me to the bike shop quicker. I start out again on Morris Bridge. I am happily surprised that there is a bike lane even though it is narrow. 

I was sure to throw this away rather than toss it aside.

I went to Wahoo App on my iPhone and notice it quit my current workout. I start a new workout and ride on Morris Bridge. I go to Flatwoods Park and ride the paved loop through to Bruce B Downs. Along the ride, I don’t feel tired but it seems like I am having to push harder to get anywhere. I finally stop and check my tires. My front tire is losing air. I pump it up and continue on.

Brice B Downs south from Flatwoods Park

My local bike shop, Oliver’s, is just across BBD. I ride over there and leave the bike with Jason. I walk over to Panera for a smoothie. Panera is bike friendly. I have seen a group of recumbent riders come in after their ride in Flatwoods. There is no bike rack but the short fence surrounding the patio is metal.

I didn't feel like I rode far enough for a scone as well.

After my break, I go back to Oliver’s. they changed the front tube and I purchase a spare tube for my bike bag; $29

The ride home is BBD to County Line Road. 

21 miles

coffeeneuring challenge #3

19 october 2015

I had to work on Sunday and chose to do my third challenge on Monday. It was windy but I wasn't going to let that stop me. The wind was coming from the NE so I chose a route that would take me in that direction on the way out. There isn't much in that direction until one gets closer to Zephyrhills. That meant a longer ride. I wasn't sure I was up for that but decided to see how far I could get. I could always turn around and go to the Panera on the way home.

Google maps only showed a couple of coffee shops in Zephyrhills. One is Oanera and the other is a Cuban café. I opted for the known and headed for Panera. 

The wind didn't seem to bother me much but I was glad it would be behind me on the way home. 
I have only ridden along eastbound SR54 once before and couldn't remember the shoulder condition. It was wide and generally clear. It wasn't a marked bike lane but felt comfortable enough. Once I got east of Eiland/Morris Bridge, the bike lane was marked but also unusable due to construction. I did ride on grooved pavement once to allow an oil truck to pass. I was not comfortable riding in the lane.

SR54 east of Dean Dairy

I turned north at Dean Dairy. DD has no bike lane, not even a shoulder. It is a narrow two lane road with posted speeds at 30mph. I was a little more comfortable riding along this road. I turned at Eiland Blvd which has a rough paved shoulder. It was nice until I got closer to Gall Blvd and the shoulders filled with sand and debris. I rode the line.

Dean Dairy north of SR54

Gall Blvd has no bike lane but the shoulder is OK. I finally got to my first real hill. It felt Like a mountain to me with the wind and my lack of climbing legs.

I got to Panera. There is no bike rack but the tables are steel with spots to secure my bike. I got a smoothie and an Asiago bagel. I don't usually eat so much on my rides. I was a little worried it would be too much and I would feel bad.

My return trip started downhill. I was surprised how twitchy my bike felt. Was it always like this? The longer I rode, the more I realized my back tire was failing. I pumped up the tires before I left the house but it felt low. I could feel every bump and stone. I turned onto Eiland and rode it to SR54. Most of the shoulder was wide enough. A part of the shoulder was very smooth but this section also has a few spots of broken glass.

Meadow Pointe Blvd south of SR54

When I got back to MPB, I filled up my tire. It was really low. I couldn't get it to get that hard but I only had about 6 miles left. The tailwind helped me feel like I wasn't pedaling harder because of the low tire.

I have never had a tire wear down so flat. It looks like I rode on rollers.

I got back to SR56 and my usual route. I flew along the MUP. I turned left onto Mansfield Blvd and almost stopped dead. The road turns east and the wind had gotten stronger. It was a struggle to stay upright. After 30 miles, I feeling tired and happy to be close to home.

Next time I got out for that long I will take a portable charger for my iPhone.

I got home and put my bike in the car to take to the bike shop. It is time for a new tire and I want something wider than 23mm.

coffeeneuring challenge #2

10 october 2015

Traffic is light on a Saturday morning.

I didn’t have to work this weekend which is rare for me. I wanted to ride someplace not so close. I chose to go to Starbuck’s on Bruce B Downs and Richmond Park Dr. I chose a longer route to get in more miles.

It was foggy along Kinnan and I had to remove my glasses because they kept fogging up. I can see well enough to ride with them.

I rode along Cross Creek which does not have bike lanes nor a MUP. The sidewalk is narrow and bumpy from tree roots.

Cross Creek turns into New Tampa Blvd. It does not have a bike lane but does have a MUP. I tried it but found it is terrible shape. It is bumpy asphalt and narrows in too many spots. I chose to ride in the road.

I turned onto Highwoods Preserve Pkwy which has unmarked bike lanes.

My 20 year old Trek still rolling.

I didn’t see any bike racks at Starbuck’s but the outdoor seating is surrounded by a low, metal fence. I chained my bike to the fence while I went inside to order my tea.

Inside was very cold. I ordered an iced soy chai and was happy to get out of there as soon as possible. I drink my tea and got back to riding.

I road along Bruce B Downs. There is a MUP along the road which is pretty wide and usually debris free. Just north of the Trout Creek, sand has built up in a low spot that could be hazardous.

The MUP stops at Pebble Creek. There is a narrow side walk a bit farther but I chose to stay in the road. The sidewalk becomes a boardwalk and it is not wide enough to pass someone going the other way. The boardwalk has not been maintained and there are rotting boards.

Back on my usual loop.

I didn’t turn back home but road farther to get in more miles.

coffeeneuring challenge #1

5 october 2015

I decided to try a new place for my first Coffeeneuring Challenge. Google maps said it was only 6 miles so I moved the route around to get more miles in. I had to ride along some narrow, busy roads but everything was fine.

I went to Stonemill Artisan. By their name alone, I expected breads and other bread type snacks. They had cookies, cakes scones and gelato. It was a cool morning and I ordered English Breakfast Tea and a Toffee & Milk Chocolate Scone. 

I didn't see any bike racks. The place was quiet and I just left my bike outside the shop.

While I waited for my tea to cool, I thought I would have a couple of bites of scones and save the rest for later. The scone was awesome and melted in my mouth. It was gone before I realized it. The tea never did cool down and I didn't want to wait any longer.

I rode back through a housing development. I had heard there was a bike path that went behind the houses. I looked for it but never found it. I did find another path to my friend's apartment. There was a boardwalk that had been recently been restained. I tried to slow down but it was very slippery and I wiped out.

I recovered and went home. On the first day, my back and head hurt. The second day, my should and arm hurt. The third day, my elbow hurt. On the fourth day, the bruises are starting to show.