Cargo Bike

My local coffee shop is raising funds to provide cargo bikes to Rwandan coffee farmers. Apparently, coffee is the major small farm crop in the country.



I wonder if they will auction the bike at some point. Could be a nice ride in town.

The Tires Were Flat

Since I started keep detailed ride records, back in March 2005, I've ridden at least one ride each month. That is, until last month. Because of all kinds of reasons, but mostly mood issues, I didn't hop on the saddle once in October.

I've been fighting a lack of interest in riding since at least last fall, and it has been really strong this summer. I think my neighbor has given up on me and is once again riding alone. (Although, he did call this morning after I had left). Once last month, I was trying to talk myself into it, but the thought of actually riding a bike was repulsive.

Everything changed today when a rare intersection of good weather and good spirits saw me jump on the Trek 820 for my usual weekend visit to a coffee shop for hot chocolate and web surfing. The hill was a little tough for my out of shape legs, but overall the ride was good. I got warm enough to swap out the hot chocolate for a cold cream soda.

While I was online, my son sent an email wanting me to bring him food to his dorm room. I suggested a ride to the store, and he agreed. However, I could tell he thought I meant a ride in my truck, and not on bikes. He saw my cycling gloves as he came out of the front door and bolted back to his room.

On the way home, I saw a Purdue University Police patrol car, parked in a bike lane - totally blocking it, as the officer watched traffic go by. I should have stopped for a photo, but I chickened out.

So now, my consecutive month total stands at one and counting.

Miles Ridden: 9.3

Weekend Coffee Shop Rides

I like hitting a coffee shop on weekend mornings. I take my laptop, find a quiet table, and get some work done on personal projects.

This weekend I tried the Greyhouse in the village. Pretty nice place.

Saturday Miles Ridden: 8.2
Sunday Miles Ridden: 7.0

(This post was originally titled Weekend Coffee Runs)

Month of May

I haven't been writing much lately, because I haven't been riding much lately. However, there have been a few rides this month:



May 4: 9.0
May 4: 7.0
May 5: 6.5
May 11: 7.0
May 12: 7.0
May 29: 8.2



Total Miles Ridden: 44.7

Saturday Morning

Depending on the route, my ride to the Wabash Landing shopping center is about five miles. Since I've been spending my weekend mornings of late using the free WiFi at Panera to work on a programming project, I thought I could work a bike ride into the routine.

The weather couldn't have been better. Temps in the high 60s and a strong SW wind pushing me into town made for a comfortable ride. There was one less than pleasant occurrence when four unladen, speeding dump trucks passed me on the country road portion of River Road. The driver of the second truck (which I didn't realize was behind me at the time) thought it would be fun to honk and swerve towards me as he passed. I gave him a quick hand signal signifying he was number one and continued on.

Wabash Landing has many convenient bike racks located all over the grounds, it wasn't tough to find a spot to lock up while I was in the coffee shop.

Pedestrian Bridge

After a couple of hours, I packed up for the next leg of the trip. My truck was parked at my wife's clinic over in Lafayette, so I pedaled over the river to pick it up. The bike rode in the truck bed on the way home.

Miles Ridden: 7.7

Morning Commute Turns Into a Morning Ride

The plan was to ride to work today, maybe cycle somewhere for lunch, and then back home after 5:00.

Instead, I ended up leaving very late after chasing the dog around the neighborhood, and arrived about a half an hour past the start of the work day. Just 15 minutes later, my daughter called from her school to ask me to bring the important homework papers that she had left at home. So, I pedalled back home.

In the interest of time, I used the truck to deliver the homework and get back to work. Didn't sit at my desk until 10:00!

Miles Ridden: 7.0

How Do You Stop 'Em

Not much time after work today, but I was able to ride north on 400W up to US52 and back.



However, my heavy panting after climbing the small hill on 375W caused me to get hiccups. How do you get your mid-ride hiccups to stop? I tried holding my breath, but it's tough to pedal without oxygen. Next, I tried drinking water - no luck. Finally, I attempted what usually works at home, slow controlled breaths. Didn't work either. So, I gave up and pedaled through it.

Leave your suggestions in the comments.



Miles Ridden: 9.0

Take It Whenever I Can

With these early Spring days that are either cold and wet, windy and cold, or -um- windy and wet, I feel that I need to take advantage of every warm, dry, slightly breezy day that comes along. Today was such a day, and even though my schedule was rather tight, I was able to grab an hour for a quick ride to the bridge and a little beyond.

Not sure if this barn was renovated in 1984, or if the roofer was an Orwell fan

On this nice, sunny day, I wasn't the only one out for a ride. I saw many cyclists, including kitted up roadies and casually dressed 50 somethings. Others included several motorcycle riders, people in convertables, and a small group of teens on step-through scooters. Also, when I stopped at the top of a hill, these two horsemen came out of the trees and followed the side of the road to the north.



I hope to get a few days like this when my vacations starts later in the week.

Miles Ridden: 11.5

Jeepers, Creepers

The sound of Spring Peepers was all around as I rode past the Celery Bog and the golf course water hazard. There must be hundreds of those nasty little creatures all around me.

Because my daughter had to get to school early, I tossed the bike in the back of the truck and parked at the school. Apparently, they don't mind if I leave the truck for the day.

Miles Ridden: 11.2

Blue Sky Ride

It was raining this morning, but I was able to ride back to work after lunch. Another great day.



Miles Ridden: 7.2