bikejournal.com journal

6/5/2012
(Tue)

50.22

24.14

03:49:17

13.14

Road: Flat

Easy Racers Gold Rush Replica
LWB Bent

'BentRider Recumbent Club

Comments: A Pair of Singles Ride. With our Screamer's derailleur in the shop with another broken return spring we opted to ride our singles today. I cleaned up and prepared Mar's Tour Easy and loaded it into the van. She then drove to Glacier Knoll to meet Phil and Janet and I rode the Goldrush there. I say John Schlitt leaving for work and stopped to chat for a minute. He was having new windows put in on the house. We said we'd try to ride some evening this week. On the way I was passed by Bob Frazier in his van. He rode along side and told me he was meeting Chuck at the park to ride. Getting to the park I saw Mar, P&J, and Bob getting their bikes ready to ride. P&J were on their tandem. We took off on the trail and almost immediately noticed a superb example of animal scat on the trail. This was coiled in a lovely spiral almost 4 inches tall and had a nice little flip at its tapered end. Looking something like a Dairy Queen chocolate soft serve swirl it captured our attention and gave us a laugh. We rode on down to Bexley where we stopped to check in on Lori. Then over to Capital where the construction on College Ave is in full swing and blocking our way. We had to ride the sidewalks to Main and then over to the trail. On the way back the clouds really began to darken and we got a few sprinkles as we rode back to the park. Marilyn was really enjoying her bike today and said we should do this more often-but not all the time. Then back to Picktown and lunch at OBON. There we said goodbye as I left on my bike and the other three drove home.

http://goo.gl/maps/TtEZ

Weather Conditions: Cool and partly cloudy at start with temps in the low 60s. Then mostly cloudy with light sprinkles on and off with temps holding steady in the lower 60s. Winds out of the NNE at 5-10mph

6/6/2012
(Wed)

42.22

19.92

03:10:49

13.28

Off: Flat

Easy Racers Gold Rush Replica
LWB Bent

'BentRider Recumbent Club

Comments: Hockhocking Trail on Singles. I had the day off so Marilyn suggested we take the bikes to a trail. I thought we should do the Nelsonville to Athens path so off we went. We parked in the Rocky Boots employee parking lot right by the trains. The bikes came out and we were on our way on a beautiful day. We wound our way out of the lot over the tracks then onto the trail. It begins by running past a graveyard of old locomotive cars both passenger and boxcars. We also saw doubledecker passenger cars and cabooses and a track snow plow. Then on past Hocking College where we the rest stops for Pelotonia have been for the last two years. Then rolling down the trail with lots of amazing greenery and a flowery fragrance in the air. Along the way we saw 3-4 bluebirds and many chipmonks. We worked our way down to Ohio University where we saw lots of walkers and the pavement became very rough. Then to the end of the trail at the medical center where we turned around and headed back to Ruby Tuesdays for lunch. Then back on the trail where we spotted a life flight helicopter landed just in front of the hospital. A patient was being rolled out on a gurney to be loaded onboard. Then the return trip passing the motocross course across the river that we heard coming down. Students were getting out of class as we rolled by the college and many were walking or riding their bikes on the trail. While at lunch an email indicated that my replacement derailleur was in at BicycleOne. I decided to go after our ride and have them install it. I also am taking Mar's front wheel in for a loud ticking sound when she rides. Probably a bearing.

Today's route may be found here:

http://goo.gl/maps/4jCX

Weather Conditions: Partly cloudy with temps in the low 70s. Winds out of the North at 10 mph.

6/8/2012
(Fri)

15.57

20.49

01:23:29

11.19

Off: Flat

Easy Racers Gold Rush Replica
LWB Bent

'BentRider Recumbent Club

Comments: Evening Ride with John Schlitt and Hannah. John called me after work today and asked if I'd like to ride tonight. We met at Glacier Knoll and he was assembling the trailer as I arrived. We packed up Hannah and off we went on this lovely summer evening. We saw a soft shelled turtle near the bridge just after Winchester Pike and lots of baby bunnies. Hannah was smiling and enjoying the ride until she fell asleep about half an hour into the ride. John and I chatted about work both OSU and CVS and how his church is moving to Refugee Rd. Also about Danielle's school and their upcoming baby. Lots of folks walking and riding the trail tonight. An indigo bunting was spotted coming back and Hannah woke up in time to experience the last 20 minutes of the ride. We said goodbye and Hannah blew a kiss my way.

Weather Conditions: Warm lower 80s with bright setting sunshine and light winds.

6/13/2012
(Wed)

58.88

31.50

04:31:30

13.01

Road: Hills

Rans Screamer
Rd Bent Tandem

'BentRider Recumbent Club

Comments: New Derailleur Ride. A beautiful morning gave us the perfect opportunity to try out our new replacement derailleur. A few on bike adjustments as I rode helped to smooth out the shifting. We rolled out just after 8am and saw 4 small birds harassing a redtail hawk near I70 on Palmer. We really enjoyed riding along on a picture perfect morning taking in the growing corn and soybean fields, sun and cool breezes. In Hebron I pointed out to Mar that the famous "Purple House" which at one time housed an electronics store was torn down. We noticed that parts of the canal have started to dry up as we approached the fish hatchery. There we stopped to guess the temperature (Marilyn won for her guess of 69 degrees)which was 67 degrees. Then along the canal watching the fish jump, turtles sun on logs, and eventually, 4 heron including one who jumped up and flew right in front of us. Then on into Millersport where we were passed by a single upright who greeted nicely and scooted along down Millersport Rd. We stopped in town to mail a letter at the post office and said "Hi" to Terri who was sitting out front of the Olde Canal Restaurant. Then on into Baltimore and lunch at Subway before heading back along Basil Western and Diley.

Today's route may be found here:

http://goo.gl/maps/8xWe

Weather Conditions: Clear skies and temps in the upper 60s with winds out of the NNE at about 10 mph. Very low humidity.

6/14/2012
(Thu)

28.75

29.00

02:30:50

11.44

Road: Flat

Rans Screamer
Rd Bent Tandem

'BentRider Recumbent Club

Comments: Starting Out Flat Ride. I had lunch with David Tefft at noon today so we decided to ride for a couple of hours. A tour of the new trail along Tussing and Hines Roads was what we planned and we took off around 8 am. We zoomed down the first mile as always and just as we turned on Thoroughbred Way Mar said she heard a funny sound behind her. The funny sound was air escaping from the rear tire. I figured it would be easier to fix at home and I was thinking about changing out the rear tire anyway so we walked back uphill to our driveway. There I pulled the wheel and found a cut in the Comet with a little stone or glass in it. This tire already had quite a few cuts so I swapped it out for the Kenda Quest that David Vandevelde sold me a couple of years ago. I put in the tube and mounted it back on the bike. We set off again just before 9 am and ran out Palmer to Mink and up to Refugee. Then out Firstgate to Ridenhour and down Gilmore and through the neighborhoods to Main St. There we turned into the park and over to the trail. We road to the park entrance on Livingston and into Blacklick Park. Then on the park road for a couple of miles to the trail. Then under I 70 and Tussing where we picked up the brand new pavement on the south side of the road. Here we passed walkers and bikers who were already making good use of the trail. Then over to Hines and south until the trail crossed the road and heads into the woods. There we found the new bridge over Blacklick Creek with a "Road Closed" sign hanging from a cable across the entrance. We picked this cable up and ducked underneath. Then we hopped aboard and continued along beautiful new asphalt right along the creek and through the woods. Eventually, we came upon some workers who smiled as we went by. Then a front end loader came riding at us from down the trail. Needless to say, we got off the bike and over to the side as he approached. Mar thought he would tell us to get off the trail but he just smiled and said "Just one more week folks, and we'll have it finished for you!" We waved and thanked him and continued on a little further where the trail ended under the Refugee Rd. bridge. Then we walked under the railroad bridge and rode the dirt trail back to the paved end of the trail in Portman Park. There we saw the bridge over the creek has been completed. We then hightailed it over to Glacier Knoll and back home just in time for me to get ready for my lunch with David.

Weather Conditions: Mid 60s to lower 70s with clear skies and light winds out of the east. Low humidity.

6/18/2012
(Mon)

51.18

25.00

03:57:47

12.91

Off: Flat

Rans Screamer
Rd Bent Tandem

'BentRider Recumbent Club

Comments: Over the New Bridge on the Blacklick Creek Ride. This was a difficult day to get on the bike since it would be the first since we lost our grandchild on Thursday. We decided to ride to Marc and Jessica's house to spend some time with them. We took off about 8:30am and headed for the trail. We wanted to see where the new bridge over Blacklick Creek led so we rode over it and it had nice views of the creek and woods. It just goes into where old Long Rd was but allows access to that side of the creek. Then on down the trail to Bexley as we encountered a very light drizzle and heard some thunder. By the time we got to Petzinger Rd the streets and trail were soaked. We never saw the rain but just missed it as it poured down on Bexley. We got to M & J's and spent some time at the house talking. Then over to COSI for lunch. We headed back just after noon as the temperature and humidity climbed. We appreciated the breeze and noticed how smooth the wooden planks on all the bridges had become since the rain. The boards had dried out so much recently that they would rattle your teeth as they were ridden. We briefly saw a deer near Bixby and saw a redtail hawk and turkey buzzard fighting over something off to the side of the trail. After a brief break at Glacier Knoll we jumped back on the bike and headed home.

Today's route may be found here:

http://goo.gl/maps/T1kX

Weather Conditions: Warm mid 70s to start and low 80s at finish with high humidity. Winds out of the SW at 10 mph.

6/20/2012
(Wed)

51.82

25.50

03:49:54

13.52

Road: Flat

Rans Screamer
Rd Bent Tandem

'BentRider Recumbent Club

Comments: Pheasant on the Trail Ride. With a very hot forecast we thought we'd best get an early start so we were off before 8am to Glacier Knoll. Phil called to say he would be a bit late so we rolled on down the trail and down Ebright then turned back up toward US 33 at the park until we found Phil and to our surprise Chuck as well. We continued on down to Bexley where Chuck turned around and we continued our loop through Capital University and then back on the trail. We took a quick break at Alum Creek then on back at a quick pace trying to avoid the heat. As we were approaching Glacier Knoll I saw a large brown bird scoot across the trail in front of us then take off skimming the tops of the growth in the the field to our left. Phil identified this as a pheasant and we were excited to have seen it. Then we said our goodbyes and rolled on to Max and Erma's for lunch. Near the end of our meal Mar's phone rang. It was Marc who had cut his fingers while trimming his hedges. We rushed out and completed our ride so we could meet him at the urgent care facility at Tussing and 256. Luckily after a few stitches it looks like he will be fine.

Today's route may be found here:

http://goo.gl/maps/x8eq

Weather Conditions: Very warm low 70s to start then upper 80s at finish. Moderate humidity and mostly clear skies. Light winds.

6/23/2012
(Sat)

19.60

26.32

01:22:40

14.23

Road: Flat

Easy Racers Gold Rush Replica
LWB Bent

'BentRider Recumbent Club

Comments: Commute to CVS. Nice cool morning as I took off about 7:15am. Heading down Refugee Rd I waved at a recumbent trike and an upright road bike as they came at me. Saw 2 young raccoons climbing a small tree in a yard on Taylor Woods. Computer pickup came away from wheel magnet shortly after leaving work and had to stop to realign. Might have lost a half mile or so. Nice fast ride back hitting 25 mph a few times especially running from traffic on 204.

Weather Conditions: Cool morning in mid 60s and warm return in mid 80s. Partly cloudy and light winds.

6/24/2012
(Sun)

23.95

24.61

01:39:22

14.46

Road: Flat

Easy Racers Gold Rush Replica
LWB Bent

'BentRider Recumbent Club

Comments: Sunday Commute to CVS. Decided to ride the new trail around to Reynoldsburg so left just after 8am and headed out Diley to Long and Glacier Knoll. Then over to the end of the trail at Refugee and off road through the field on a dirt path and under the railroad bridge over to the trail. Then in the woods over the new bridge and on to Hines. On Tussing and under bridges to Blacklick Park. Lots of walkers on the trail then over to the road and up to Livingston then Main. Then through the neighborhoods back to Main and CVS where Diane snapped my picture in front of the store. After work continued fast pace of the ride all the way home.

Weather Conditions: Warm low 70s on way in and mid 80s on way home with partly cloudy skies and light winds.

6/27/2012
(Wed)

57.40

33.60

04:21:53

13.15

Road: Hills

Easy Racers Gold Rush Replica
LWB Bent

'BentRider Recumbent Club

Comments: Meadowlark Ride. Started off on the tandem but after one mile Mar wasn't feeling well. We turned around and headed back. We were to meet Phil at Smoke and Palmer so I switched to my Goldrush and took off about 8:30am heading right up Milnor and 204 in rush hour. I got a call from Phil saying he would proceed along Palmer to Tollgate which is where I met him. We then rode to US 40 and straight across in hopes of accessing Etna Parkway from there but had to walk a bit on a gravel road to get there. We saw some birds in the field off to our left which Phil identified as meadowlarks. I hadn't seen them before (or at least not for a long time) and it turned out that we saw some again later on and I spotted two more myself on Basil Western after leaving Phil. We continued on into Pataskala and over to the cornfield at 158 and Palmer where Phil took my picture. Then on in to Hebron and along the canal where we spotted a heron, soft shelled turtle and some jumping fish. Then into Millersport and over to Baltimore where we stopped where the old Rosewood Cafe used to be. It was closed with a sign saying "Opening Soon". We heard a voice asking, "May I help you?" There was a woman in a truck parked in front telling us that she was the owner and hoped to have her soup and sandwich shop opened by this weekend. We rolled on to Bernie's Bar and Grill and got wings which we ate at tables using huge saw blades as tabletops. Then on down Basil Western as we finished up this beautiful ride on a day that was hot but had amazingly low humidity making it very comfortable.

Today's route may be found here:

http://goo.gl/maps/rzfl

Weather Conditions: Near 60 to start and low 80s at finish with low humidity and winds out of the WSW at 5-10 mph. Mostly clear skies.

6/28/2012
(Thu)

50.15

27.59

03:26:46

14.55

Road: Flat

Easy Racers Gold Rush Replica
LWB Bent

'BentRider Recumbent Club

Comments: Sunrise ride. Forecast today was for 100 degrees so Phil and I decided to jump off early and met at Glacier Knoll at 7am. While waiting for him I noticed a sign for a contest from the Nature Conservancy to win a hybrid car by submitting a self taken photo. I took one of myself and the bike in front of the picnic area. Phil showed up and we headed out with the temps still almost chilly. We chose to ride the trail over 33 first then come back on Ebright since it was still rush hour. We saw cowbirds, catbirds and maybe a kingbird. All the ponds have dried up to little puddles with the occasional heron or egret standing by. We got to Bexley and stopped into COSI for breakfast outside. Then back as we began to pick up a tailwind. We saw Tom and Chuck Frazier on the trail at separate times today. Tom was early and Chuck was quite late. Everyone wanted to move along due to the impending heat. I said goodbye to Phil at the park and headed home seeing Ed and Betsy Robinson walking through the neighborhood. It was warm but the early start paid off as it was never too uncomfortable today.

Weather Conditions: Upper 60s to start and upper 80s at finish with mostly clear skies and winds out of the SW late at 5-10 mph.