Due to laziness, I have pasted everything in one entry here.
Thursday, August 16, 2007
Bike to Work #31 - Free Baby
I forgot to mention: on my way to work about two days ago, I spotted a baby in a stroller looking back at me. I didn't see anybody else around, so I got a bit nervous. However, as I passed the house that the baby was parked in front of, the mother came out of the side door. No free baby today.
Hot and windy, but made it to work in about 46:30, an extremely good time. Not sure how I did that one. The days I feel slow, I'm actually fast, and vice versa.
Permalink: Bike to Work #31 - Free Baby
Posted at 7:43 PM
Categories: Biking
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
Bike to Work #30 - Thirty Days!
Amazing that I've completed 30 days on the bike. Still got more in me, but it's amazing. If I multiply my trip, around 20 miles round trip (actually, a bit more, but I'll play it conservatively), this comes out to 600 miles! If my car gets 10 miles to the gallon, and gas is about $2.60 now, that comes out to $156 saved. Now that I write it down, it doesn't sound that great, does it? But think of the health benefits! Plus the lack of wear and tear on my vehicle.
It's really hard for me to go back to the car these days. I used it yesterday, and I felt guilty.
Permalink: Bike to Work #30 - Thirty Days!
Posted at 10:29 PM
Categories: Biking
Bike to Work #29 - No Sushi
I was going to stop for sushi on the way home, but the parking lot was full.
Permalink: Bike to Work #29 - No Sushi
Posted at 12:05 AM
Categories: Biking
Monday, August 13, 2007
Bike to Work #28 - Mixed Tires
I got a pair of slick (treadless) tires for my bike. After some screwing around, I ended up with one in the front, and my regular, knobby, mountain bike tire in the back. It performed a lot better than it did with the knobby tire in front, and was much smoother with vibrations. I could really feel the water on the ground, and only had trouble when I turned too hard on a sandy patch. Otherwise, the one in front works wonderfully. I'm still going to change out the back one eventually, but after blowing a tube within 5 minutes of changing the tire, I'm still a bit leery. I got the el-cheapo slicks from Performance Bike - About $5 a piece. I know, I know...big spender. Works for me, though!
Hats off to Tom J., Darren G., and others at work who are starting bike commuting as well! Spread the word!
Permalink: Bike to Work #28 - Mixed Tires
Posted at 9:03 PM
Categories: Biking
Sunday, August 12, 2007
Visit to Axe Murder Hollow
Went on a bike ride today, and met a fellow and his wife who were looking for Axe Murder Hollow. I've never found it myself, but here is my best guess where it's supposed to be, by using the limitless power of the internet!
Map
For my money, the spooky abandoned house at the corner of Pinetree and Thomas Road is much more thrilling.
Permalink: Visit to Axe Murder Hollow
Posted at 6:31 PM
Categories: Biking, Outdoors
Friday, August 10, 2007
Bike to Work #27 - Roar on the Shore
On the way back home along the bayfront, I noted a high number of people sitting for no apparent reason. I asked an older couple what was up, and they let me know the Roar on the Shore motorcycle rally was taking place. I parked on the side and waited, and got to see Peter Fonda bike past, plus several hundred motorcycles, mostly hogs. My favorites were the Indians and the one fellow who had an inflatable doll (you know the type) as his biker chick. Biked down to Saras for a burger, then back home.
Got some slick tires, but I can't get the thorn resistant tube in the back tire -- it's just too thick. I may try riding with one slick up front, and leaving the knobby mountain bike tire in the back. I figure I'd rather play it safe with the thorn resistant tube in the back - those have saved me far too many times - rather than get a minute bit of speed increase with a thinner tube and tire.
Now to put everything back together again.
Permalink: Bike to Work #27 - Roar on the Shore
Posted at 8:57 PM
Categories: Biking
Wednesday, August 08, 2007
Bike to Work #25-26 - Rainstorm
Got caught in the rainstorm on Tuesday. It actually wasn't all that bad...I biked 7 minutes, then it was sunny out again. I had plenty of time to dry off. As long as it's not raining when it's time for me to commute to work, I'll definitely consider the ride.
Well, I made my goal of 25 rides for the year. Now to see how far I can go before it gets too dark or too cold.
Permalink: Bike to Work #25-26 - Rainstorm
Posted at 3:52 PM
Categories: Technology
Thorn Resistant Tubes
I replaced my son's back tube with a thorn resistant tube after the patch repairs (with Slime patches) didn't take...they still leaked out air. Not sure what I did wrong, but it obviously wasn't working, even after I tried fixing it a second time. His tube had two small holes from rose bush thorns, so hopefully this will stop that kind of stuff in the future. After I changed out my wife's back tube and my own, I haven't had the same troubles.
Permalink: Thorn Resistant Tubes
Posted at 1:23 PM
Edited on: Monday, August 06, 2007 7:16 PM
Categories: Biking
Bike to Work #24 - One Week!
Well, I completed 5 days in a row to work. I think 3 days would be nicer, with breaks in between to let myself recover. Definately not a bad experience. Plus, I only have one more day to meeting my goal of 25 rides to work. Of course, I'm going to keep biking as much as possible. Yes, it takes a bit longer, but it's more like fun, and something to look forward to at the end of the day.
I'm thinking about starting another website devoted to bicycle commuting, but there are plenty of those around already. I just don't really like them. ☺
Permalink: Bike to Work #24 - One Week!
Posted at 12:55 PM
Categories: Biking
Thursday, August 02, 2007
Erie Bayfront Commute Made Nicer Thanks to the Convention Center
Not being a supporter of the new Erie (PA) convention center, I did find one thing in its construction that made my life easier: the path along the bayfront has been paved across the train tracks! No more getting my teeth jarred when crossing the two sets of train tracks by the old GAF plant during my bike commute. Go Erie!
Permalink: Erie Bayfront Commute Made Nicer Thanks to the Convention Center
Posted at 11:07 PM
Edited on: Thursday, August 02, 2007 11:13 PM
Categories: Biking
Bike to Work #23 - Four Days This Week and Counting...
Awfully rough this morning, but it was a decent ride overall. I got kind of lost on the way home on 16th street, but survived the experience. The desolation made me a bit nervous. The oil on my chain is holding nicely. I think it's making a good difference.
I think the ladies in Frontier Park do yoga on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, but I didn't see them on Monday.
Permalink: Bike to Work #23 - Four Days This Week and Counting...
Posted at 9:59 PM
Categories: Biking
Wednesday, August 01, 2007
Bike to Work #22 - Exhausted
Three days this week. And the ride home was hot and humid, and I felt totally exhausted. The only thing going for it was that I oiled my chain and it is a lot smoother.
Don't know if I'll bike in tomorrow or not...too tired.