bikejournal.com journal

11/3/2012
(Sat)

43.03

24.56

03:10:18

13.57

Road: Hills

Easy Racers Gold Rush Replica
LWB Bent

'BentRider Recumbent Club

Comments: Herd of Deer Ride. Phil and I met at Glacier Knoll this morning and rolled out just before 9am. It was pretty chilly to start but we warmed up quickly as the sun quickly made an appearance. We crossed over Abby Trails and turned toward Gender. As we made the right turn to go under the bridge we came right up on a couple of deer standing between the trail and Blacklick Creek. They froze as we got very close then bolted across the creek. As they turned and ran 6 more deer suddenly popped up out of nowhere and made a crazy scene as they all splashed across the water to their safe haven on the other side. Phil and I were amazed by the noisy encounter. We continued on our way talking technology, astronomy and politics as we rode. We got off the trail at Ebright and Phil mentioned that he saw what he thought was a completed trail near Groveport on the Columbus Bicycle Map he picked up earlier at the park. He said it was off of Sims Rd. I remembered Sims actually comes off of Ebright so we turned left when we got there to check it out. We rode to near Dills Nursery and the right on Rager. Then we saw the railroad tracks and figured the trail was near. It was. Unfortunately, it was just an unimproved right of way blocked off by gates. We then continued on to Groveport Rd and into Groveport where we crossed back over Ebright and back onto the trail. Then on down the trail to Oxbow Loop and under 104. There we looked down Alum Creek and spotted numerous white birds in the river. We thought they were egrets until we rolled closer to find they were a gaggle of geese with their white bottoms up and heads down in the water feeding. We got a good laugh out of that. Then on to Bexley where we crossed Alum Creek again on the bridge near the JCC. We rode down to COSI and stopped for drinks and a snack. Then back on the road to Wolfe Park now noticing the amazing homes overlooking the park on the hills to the east. We jumped back on the trail and headed for home. We saw a few other bikes including an ICE trike as we reeled the miles back in.

Today's route may be found here:

http://goo.gl/maps/pOqwy

Weather Conditions: Chilly start with cloudy skies and temps in the upper 30s. Becoming sunny and warming into the mid 40s with light winds.

11/7/2012
(Wed)

41.10

27.50

03:21:21

12.25

Road: Hills

Rans Screamer
Rd Bent Tandem

'BentRider Recumbent Club

Comments: Chilly Breakfast Ride to Nutcracker. We stayed up late to watch the election returns but wanted to ride today. We decided to head to Pataskala and have breakfast. We left about 8:30am and rolled out to Palmer. There we saw a lady who had stopped her car to pick up the many political signs just off the road. We continued on to US 40 and over to Red Chip where we came through the woods to find a doe prancing and leaping over the road ahead then off into the field wagging her white tail as she ran into the woods. Then over to the Nutcracker for a pancake breakfast and a warm up. Then out to Watkins and over to Heimberger for a very long downhill and wind aided ride all the way to Phil's house. There we stopped to chat before heading south to Basil Western and over to Diley for the ride home.

Today's route may be found here:

http://goo.gl/maps/J4fS4

Weather Conditions: Cold start in the mid 30s and cloudy with light winds. Warming into the low 40s with sunny skies after breakfast and winds out of the NE at 10 mph.

11/10/2012
(Sat)

52.04

22.50

04:13:24

12.32

Road: Flat

Rans Screamer
Rd Bent Tandem

'BentRider Recumbent Club

Comments: Bulls Butt Heads Ride. We met Phil and Janet on this warm and sunny November Saturday and rode to the new trail at Batelle Darby Park. We tried this ride earlier this year and our derailleur broke at the start aborting our ride. This time we drove to the park and arrived at 8:45am. We assembled our bikes and took off toward London. The leaves are mostly gone from the trees now and the corn and soybean fields are mostly harvested. We spotted two red tailed hawks flying low overhead not long into the ride. Then rolled on to London where the trail ends and a short tour of the Madison County seat ensued. We saw the amazing county court house and had to stop for a few minutes for a passing train on West High St. Then on back to the trail and a short stop at the senior center rest area. Then we shed some of our overwear as the temperatures began to climb. We rode along for a while until we approached a farm where we noticed something unusual in the field. Two bulls were fighting each other by butting heads and charging . We could hear them snorting and the cows in the paddocks close by were mooing away. We enjoyed the entertainment and then rolled on toward South Charleston. A few miles later we heard large numbers of cawing sounds coming from the trees up ahead. It turned out to be a murder of crows in numbers probably in the hundreds. It was eerie to see as many birds crossed over the trail and flew all around us. Then on to South Charlston where we stopped at the Purple Monkey restaurant for pizza and subs. After lunch we jumped back on the bikes and headed back. The wind that we fought coming west was now at our backs and we flew along for most of the way.

Todays route can be found right here:

http://goo.gl/maps/J1a5h

Weather Conditions: Near 50 to start and warming into the mid 60s with sunny skies and winds out of the SW at 15mph.

11/15/2012
(Thu)

0.00

00:00:00

0.00

Road: Hills

Rans Screamer
Rd Bent Tandem

'BentRider Recumbent Club

Comments:

Weather Conditions:

11/15/2012
(Thu)

42.09

20.00

03:16:56

12.82

Road: Flat

Rans Screamer
Rd Bent Tandem

'BentRider Recumbent Club

Comments: Hockhocking Trail Ride. A sunny day off beckoned and we wanted to try something different today. We hopped on US 33 and were surprised to find the Nelsonville bypass finished all the way to, um, Nelsonville. We parked at Rocky Boots factory and rode out along the parked train cars and over to Hocking College. Then a quick restroom stop at the Hospitality school and back on the trail. I wore my balaclava, heavy gloves , and toe warmers. We felt the significant temperature change when the hills to our left obscured the sun. We spotted a few pairs of bluebirds as well as cardinals, bluejays, and crows. We also saw a couple of red tailed hawks. The Hocking river next to us was very clear and reflected a mirror image of the opposite bank bathed in sunshine. We rolled on into Athens seeing just a couple of bikes and runners on the way. Part of the path in front of OU was repaved but much of the section along the golf course remains very bumpy. We headed on to the end of the trail and circled the medical center before heading back to Ruby Tuesday for lunch. Back on the trail after lunch I switched out to my ear warmers and lighter gloves as the temperatures rose a bit. We found the going pretty easy as this is a very flat trail despite the fact that it lies in a very hilly area. We could see the continuing construction of the US 33 bypass off to our right as we approached Nelsonville. Then back past the college and to the parking lot after a very nice ride.

Our route may be found here:

http://goo.gl/maps/rwmx5

Weather Conditions: Mid 20s to start and warming into the low 40s at finish with sunny skies and light winds.

11/17/2012
(Sat)

50.72

25.00

04:00:31

12.65

Road: Flat

Rans Screamer
Rd Bent Tandem

'BentRider Recumbent Club

Comments: The Marines Have Landed at Herons Pond Ride. We left the house at 9:30am and headed for the trail. Another beautiful November day but a cold start. We spotted a large red tailed hawk flying over a field on Long Rd on the way to the park. Then on the trail where there was still some ice on the bridges where the shadows kept the sun off the wood. We rolled along to Ebright and then on the road and back over to the trail. We passed a gentleman in a motorized wheelchair who was walking his dog. Then over to Confluence Park and on over Alum Creek. As we came into Herons Pond we noticed young folks all along the trail some carrying others on their shoulders in a fireman's carry. Their were orange pylons on the trail and some guys obviously supervising the operation. We noticed some had "Marines" on their jackets. We surmised a training exercise of some sort was going on. We smiled and they said hello as we passed. I told them it was much easier to carry their partners the way I was carrying mine. Then on toward Bexley as we saw one lone young deer right next to the trail just past 104. We had a chance to stop and see Marc as he was outside the house painting the railing on the front porch. Then on to COSI for lunch. Then back on the trail for the ride home.

Today's route may be found here:

http://goo.gl/maps/aNAcP

Weather Conditions: Cold start in the mid 20s then warming into the mid 40s with sunny skies and light winds out of the east.

11/18/2012
(Sun)

38.47

20.50

03:01:03

12.75

Off: Flat

Rans Screamer
Rd Bent Tandem

'BentRider Recumbent Club

Comments: Ride the B & O Trail. We planned a pre Thanksgiving trip to see Mom and decided to stop in Mansfield for a ride on the trail. We parked in the Dutch Heritage restaurant parking lot and headed out about 10am. We turned north on the trail and went under I 71 on what was obviously newly paved trail. They had paved north to the 10 mile marker and it turned out south all the way. Very little traffic on the path just a few early morning runners and walkers. Later we did see a few bikes including one couple on a tandem. We made our way north to Mansfield and the park where lots of geese were still snoozing in the lake. We circled the park and headed back south. We saw a number of bluebirds most in pairs in trees along the trail. As we approached Butler we saw a black dog by himself running on the trail coming at us. He ran up to us and we slowed. He gave us a look then continued on his way as if he were out for a morning jog. We continued on to Butler, turned around and headed back. At nearly the same spot at we saw the dog I now spotted a large deer right on the trail. He kick up his front legs and bounded onto the harvested cornfield. Then he ran into the distance at full speed. We continued on back to the starting point and finished up the ride.

Today's route will be found here:

http://goo.gl/maps/PXWdt

Weather Conditions: Cool start in the mid 40s then warming in to the lower 50s with clear skies and light winds.

11/20/2012
(Tue)

52.22

24.00

04:01:50

12.96

Road: Flat

Rans Screamer
Rd Bent Tandem

'BentRider Recumbent Club

Comments: Pileated Twice Ride. We arranged to meet Phil at Glacier Knoll and we took off at 8:45am. I was excited to see Phil and tell the story of yesterday's sighting of a pileated woodpecker in Mayfield Hts. As we turned on to Long Rd we saw a large bird fly in front and just above us and land in a tree across the street with a chatter sound. He was silhouetted against the sun and we saw his amazing crest and a large poop fly away from him. It was a pileated woodpecker. We got to the park and told Phil of our amazing luck at seeing 2 in as many days. We rode out on the trail and cruised along until we got to the bridge over Alum Creek. There we saw a faired bike coming at us. It was Tom Frazier who stopped to chat with us. No sooner did we pull over then Phil yells "Pileated" and wouldn't you know we saw one fly over the field next to us and land in a tree not far away. We were all laughing at our luck and said goodbye to Tom and continued on our way. We eventually ran into Chuck Frazier who is working on 7200 miles this year. I am in awe of this achievement and am amazed at his stamina. Then on to Bexley and looping down to Wolfe Park before heading back to Confluence Park for a break. As we pull into the park I hear "Hey, can we talk to you about your tandem?" coming from behind us. When we stopped we met Bob and Tommy who were on an upright tandem and wanted to know more about our recumbent. We chatted for a while then headed on back to Glacier Knoll. There we said goodbye to Phil and rolled on to Max and Ermas for lunch before returning home.

Today's route should be right here:

http://goo.gl/maps/Gj9or

Weather Conditions: Mid 40s to start with mostly cloudy skies. Then becoming cloudy and temps rising into the low 50s with just a few drops of rain and light winds.

11/21/2012
(Wed)

51.66

25.31

03:56:29

13.11

Road: Flat

Easy Racers Gold Rush Replica
LWB Bent

'BentRider Recumbent Club

Comments: Found a Rear Strobe Light Ride. Mar stayed home to bake for Thanksgiving so I took off on my own at about 7:45 am and headed for the trail. Plenty of traffic on Long today and pulled into Glacier Knoll feeling happy that I was riding the trail today. I rolled down the trail under Gender Rd and onto the bridge over Blacklick Creek. There I saw what I thought was a cellphone lying on the decking of the bridge. I stopped to find it was a TechAss Strobe rear bike light just like we have on our Screamer. It had an aluminum bracket on it that had sheared off of whatever mounting arrangement it had been secured with. I was pretty sure it was from Bob Frazier's Goldrush and had hoped he was ahead on the trail so I could return it to him. I picked it up and continued on my way. I rode down to Bexley seeing few other folks on the trail though this was a beautiful day. I wove my way around to Wolfe Park and stopped under the bridge that carries 104 over Alum Creek to take a picture. Then I headed back to Confluence Park. Just after taking off from the park I saw a recumbent with a fairing in the distance. This turned out to be Chuck Frazier. We stopped to talk and I told him about the bike light I found. He thought it was probably Bob's so I gave it to him to return it to his brother. Then back home to sample some delicious chocolate cupcakes that Marilyn had baked.

Today's route may be found here:

http://goo.gl/maps/BqmpA

Weather Conditions: Upper 30s to start warming quickly into the upper 50s with clear skies and light winds.

11/26/2012
(Mon)

51.32

24.00

03:57:02

12.99

Off: Flat

Rans Screamer
Rd Bent Tandem

'BentRider Recumbent Club

Comments: Squirrel Dangling from Branches Ride. We saw the temps were heading in to the 40s today so out we went. We left just after 9 am and headed for the trail. We changed up a bit and rode Wright Rd past Pickerington Ponds. The ponds were very low and one could see the retreat of the water from the original bank. We then hit Bowen and over to the park. We rolled on over to Ebright then back on the trail where we spotted the park worker riding the leaf blower tractor. The trail looked immaculate as we rode on down to Bexley. There we rode the neighborhoods over to Wolfe Park then back on the trail for the ride home. Just after Oxbow loop we saw a brown furry blob hanging on a branch almost over the trail. It turned out to be a squirrel on a precarious perch looking ridiculous. Then on to Herons Pond and back along the run up to US 33. There we saw a red tailed hawk swooping just overhead. We ran into Chuck Frazier and stopped to chat for a few minutes. Then back to Pickerington. We stopped at Pizza Hut for lunch before heading back home.

Today's route may be found here:

http://goo.gl/maps/9a8mh

Weather Conditions: Upper 20s to start then warming into the low 40s with clear skies and no wind.

11/29/2012
(Thu)

51.46

24.56

03:48:46

13.50

Road: Flat

Easy Racers Gold Rush Replica
LWB Bent

'BentRider Recumbent Club

Comments: Deer Clogging up the Trail Ride. Very cold start as I headed to Glacier Knoll to meet Phil. Riding down Diley I noticed cars on both sides of the road stopping. This was because 6 deer were crossing leisurely and then jumping over the path into the fields on the right side. Then on to the park where Phil pulled in just after I did at about 9am. We pulled out both adorned with balaclava, gloves and multiple layers. My glasses steamed up every time we stopped and I was glad to have my new toe warmers on my socks. There was frost on the bridge over the creek just past Gender and on the other bridges in the shadows up to Shannon. We rolled on to Ebright and then on to the trail near Groveport. Phil opined that he still hadn't seen any deer when just past Bixby we spotted 4 or 5 in the woods just next to us. We continued on down toward Heron's Pond where we saw something swimming in the water. The pond was about 75% covered in thin ice but a beaver or muskrat was swimming on the surface then dove as we watched. We continued on toward Bexley spotting numerous groups of deer now totaling near 20 or so. We remarked that we had seen more deer than people on this cold day on the trail. We stopped on Main St. at Bruegger's Bagels for a warm drink and snack before heading into Wolfe Park then back on the trail. We ran into Chuck back at Heron's Pond and stopped to talk for a few minutes. Then we rolled back to Glacier Knoll as we cooked up a plan for a possible century ride on Saturday where we will ride the Screamer with me Captaining and Phil stoking. We'll see...

Today's route may be found here:

http://goo.gl/maps/i8Nq0

Weather Conditions: Clear and cold to start with temps in the mid 20s and no wind. Warming into the low 40s with clear skies and winds out of the South at about 10 mph.