getting humid

Feels like New Orleans again. The humidity is finally creeping up here. I haven't been this wet on a bike in since moving from NOLA. I was getting used to a somewhat dry feeling while riding. I was surprised yesterday at how much my face was itching due to the sweat dripping off. Finally feel like my legs are getting into shape. 5 commuting days last week with an average of 27 miles per day and a nice 35 miler yesterday. Gonna be an easy 25 today as I am all ready to go home and it's only 2. Bored at work, feel like I got to get back into the field. Nothing happening there either so maybe tack a few more miles on the commute. Just wish my bag wasn't so damn hot and heavy.

leave it for tuesday

Yesterday was a celebration of 8 years of marriage. So I decided to come to work, but only briefly. Had a nice ride of 29 miles and felt the relief of not carrying a messenger bag. Got home and began working on the steps for the deck. Stair stringers are a nightmare but I came up with a crafty idea of using a template with some cardboard. I ended up sweating my ass off in the unbearable sun. Feeling the effects today. Had a slow ride into work with the nice heavy messenger bag full of clothes and food. Looking forward to taking a nap without anyone noticing. Not too good on the green lights this morning, only 6 of 13.

Intervals

Can't seem to have a nice easy ride to and from work. Too many lights and stop signs. So I feel like I am doing intervals the entire ride. Reminds me of my swimming days. Start stop start stop. Today I actually caught a few greens in a row and had about a two mile stretch without stopping. Quite nice. Haven't had that feeling in a while of just cruising. Got to get out on the weekend and not stop by work. Today I had 8 of 13.

close call

Yesterday was very hot but I had a good day with the green lights 8 of 13 on the way to work. It got me to work a good 5 minutes earlier. What a difference 3 more green lights can make. I was doing really well on the way home also. As I was approaching 51st St at Guadalupe the light had turned green. I knew I had some time but I was turning left onto 51st. Green arrow was blazing! So I signaled to turn at 20mph and was leaning into the turn when this total idiot decided to run the red light for a right hand turn onto 51st. I made it through but braced myself for the impact on my rear wheel thinking I was gonna lose it into the curb. The impact thank goodness didn't happen. I was pretty furious at the time and needed to check my shorts at the next intersection. As the car finally caught up to me and was passing I yelled "Pay attention". She, go figure, slowed down and rolled her window down to say she stopped. Of course she was on her cell phone in which I answered "hang up your damn phone!" I guess she has never had that close of a call before and thought I was totally safe. Check the inside of my shorts dummy. I flew home after that. Some nice down hills where I was pushing 30. That felt great but it took me a 10 minute cold shower and then another 15 minutes to cool off. Temp outside 103. Whew....

Obscene traffic

Today's commute was uneventful, thank goodness. The traffic was incredible this morning close to our satellite campus at the Pickle. I was nearly unable to cross 183 and Burnet twice this morning. The ride on the other hand had practically no vehicles. Not sure why there were so many vehicles this morning but they were sure in a hurry to get to the next red light. I circled around in a parking lot for about 5 minutes before ditching the effort to cross 183 at the u turn before Burnet and crossed Burnet to get to the light to cross 183. Had to hang out in the turn lane for a minute or two before completely crossing. I swear there were hundreds of cars passing and not one had more than one person in it. What has our country turned into?
How about Tiger limping around the US Open and still making a playoff? Got to root for Rocco. Never won a major against 13 time winner. Go Rocco.

longer commute

Decided to ride a little longer today as I went out to the boat to pick up a log book. Turns out one of our grad students can't keep track of his days in the field. The ride ended up being 24 miles this morning. Nice little commute but that messenger bag gets a little heavy and sweaty after an hour. Lots of lights to go through also. I was only 9 of 25 this morning. Not a very good percentage for catching green lights. Yesterday was worse only 5 of 15. Wouldn't it be great if bikes ruled the roads and cars were asking to share the road? We may be getting there. Gas is above $4 a gallon. Who is actually profiting from this?

It pains me

Suffering from back pain sucks. It all started Friday when the boards for our deck decided to fall out of the back of my truck. As I was frantically trying to get them back in, I strained my back. Well it didn't stop me from working and not knowingly compensated all weekend with my lower back. Whilst lubing my chain for my ride to work yesterday morning just lifting the seat and twisting I felt the pop in my lower back. It almost brought me to my knees. I can't believe the irony of this. I am not sure what is hurting more. The pain in my back or not riding due to the pain in my back. Sure hope this Ibuprofen helps...

dropped chain

People are really strange here. Trying to figure out this biking community. I wave to everyone on a bike, so you would think the other would wave back? Does this fall into the lines of the timidness expressed in the TX driver? Can't take hands off the handlebars? Can't nod the head? Eyes must stay focused or can't focus? Bumper sticker say "Keep Austin Weird" Well guess what guys, that ain't gonna change quickly here. You all are weird....
Well I was approaching the 11th light today on my morning commute, having only caught 5 green. And I saw that traffic was moving toward me. This is a blind approach to the light and can only be seen about 100 feet before you get to the intersection. Since traffic was moving and looked as if it had just started I thought "Great a green light". So I start revin' it up and just past the tree that hangs over the road to obstruct your view I see Yellow then Red. Crap. I am in the big ring and 3rd. shift to the small ring so I can at least start on the uphill when the light turns green and low and behold the chain drops and no momentum to pick it back up. I nearly feel over getting my foot out. So stuck at the intersection on an uphill with no chain. Just had to get the hands dirty. Glad I did it since I have been neglecting maintenance. I will need to clean my bike up soon. Anyway ended up 5 for 13 for the morning commute.

10 to 2

Late start to the morning for me so I commuted with the 10 to 2 crowd. Less people but more need for medication. Wow, these people need to go to driving school. They always think they are doing you a favor by camping out at a stop sign to let you go when they have the right of way. Cars and trucks will hurt if you get hit. Efficiency is not the realm in TX. Gas guzzling SUV's and trucks is the way here. Oh Austin is so green, BullShit! They are still part of TX and texans could care less how much gas costs. They will keep buying it and parking on the interstate during rush hour everyday. I love riding across the interstate and seeing how many of these people are wasting time by sitting in their vehicles to get to work or get home everyday. No wonder our nation is obese. Lazy, lazy, lazy...
Enough of that. Had a nice ride home on Thursday 7 for 15. First 8 lights I caught green or somewhat green. Great ride on Saturday. 25 miles of undulating asphalt. I don't think I went a half a mile without climbing or descending. Just glad to be riding. 5 of 13 this morning, so the 10 to 2 commute is looking the quickest. Can't wait to ride home when it should be 100 F. At least it is dry. After living in New Orleans, it's weird to not be drenched after a ride.