Bike Geek

…including 13 miles running errands today on the bicycle, my total mileage for 2008 will be:

2,393 miles with a net elevation gain of over 108,000 feet

This is quite an improvement compared to last year’s total of 1072 miles.

The difference is easy to identify. Since June, I’ve been using my bicycle for commuting to/from work and for errands. Commuting miles alone were over 1,000.

I’m looking forward to 2009. The mileage will go up since I’ll have a full year of commuting.

I wish you all a Happy New Year. If you’re already cycling, keep the wheels spinning and be safe. If you’re not riding a bicycle right now, why not? Do yourself a favor and hop on a bicycle. You might be surprised as your reaction! You might just find it a little addicting!

On Monday, I used my bicycle to commute to/from work. I enjoyed a solid workout and was rewarded with a 101 degree fever.

Wait a second. That wasn’t the plan.

No, it wasn’t.

Most of the day at work on Monday I felt “off my game” – it was hard to describe how I felt. The phrase that seems most appropriate was feeling “under the weather”. I was not aware, however, that I was probably running a fever for most of the day.

Well, it’s Thursday evening and I sound like crap. Sinus congestion and constant throat-clearing have really done a number on my voice. In the evening, it sounds like a sick ward. I’m coughing/clearing my throat and so is my wife (she’s been struggling with this bug as well). When my daughter’s awake, she’s coughing to, but usually because she hears us coughing and is giving it a try. She’s almost 2. She’s in the “do everything mom and dad does” stage. She’s the healthiest human in the house right now.

And downstairs, near the doorway, my bike waits patiently. It’s truly wondering what is going on. Depending on its personality, it might even be paranoid. It could be downstairs talking to itself.

“Oh my. He hasn’t ridden me since Monday. Are these low gas prices luring him back to that monster truck in the garage? Is this the end? Am I going to be moth-balled? It’s dark and lonely in the garage. I’ve really enjoyed being in the living room next to the front door. Say it isn’t so. Oh, my…”

Bike, hear me now, quit worrying.

We’ll be rolling again soon…

…for the first time in three days. Picked up some kind of virus or sinus infection that had my head spinning for days. Sinus pain, congestion, runny nose – the full gamut.

Doctor visit yesterday earned me some medicine and “official” permission to resume normal physical activities since I no longer had fever and the congestion had not moved into my chest.

Hoping to commute to work by bike on Friday and get a nice weekend ride in.

The weather has been perfect.

Mmmm…

The sweet taste of a perfect Hazelnut Latte.

This was my experience after my father and I biked to Wildfire Coffee – a round-trip distance of around 10 miles.

About three weeks ago, I started a weekly “explore San Antonio by bike” ride that occurs on either Saturday or Sunday morning when traffic is less of a factor. Over that time period we have visited LoSoya’s Mexican Restaurant, Wildfire Coffee and most recently, Benny’s Bagels.

Dad rides his 24-speed Elektra Townie and I take my commuter bike (a converted 2005 Gary Fisher Tassajara). We plug-in our destination in my Garmin Edge 705 cycling computer and usually follow its recommended route. It usually does a superb job at creating a route that keeps us away from the worst traffic.

It’s a ton of fun to explore our city on two wheels, give some local restaurants (especially the small “mom and pop” establishments) business and to take things at our own pace – there’s no race here, just a fun bike ride somewhere new each weekend.

Here are some outstanding resources online that I highly recommend and are definitely worth your time:

Bicycle Safety: How To Not Get Hit By Cars
http://bicyclesafe.com/

Team Estrogen Bicycle Forums (for you ladies out there)
http://forums.teamestrogen.com/

The Bicycle Tutor (great how-to videos)
http://bicycletutor.com/

Bike Commute Tips Blog
http://bikecommutetips.blogspot.com/

Bike Forums
http://www.bikeforums.net/index.php

Once again, several members of my family plan to participate in the Conquer The Coast bike ride. Last year, we survived a literal deluge of rain and had to admit that it was the coast doing the conquering.

We hope to settle the score in a couple of weeks!

David and I will be participating in the 65 mile tour. I’ve heard this is a challenging ride due to segments that usually involve cycling into a brisk headwind. That said, I think David and I are ready. Just recently we completed a brutal 40 mile, hilly ride from Bullis Park to Boerne and with three or more days each week commuting to work on our bikes we’ve both noticed notable improvements in our cardiovascular health, overall endurance, etc.

My nephew Tanner, brother Jason and father Jack will be tackling the 25 mile route and I am certain that they are going to have a blast.

My wife Shannon and daughter Sara will be there to cheer me on.

It’s a blast to have a cycling event that literally will involve almost every member of my family and then some!

Wish us luck!

Not even a mile and a half from my home this morning and I’ve suffered yet another flat in my rear tire. This is three flats in as many days.

So, I’m taking the gas-guzzling F-150 into the office and will need to spend some time this evening trying to find out what’s going on with that rear tire. The last flat replacement was done by the bike shop so I’m starting to veer away from “bad installation” being the culprit.

Let the investigation begin.

Bummed about driving to work. Bad weather and other commitments kept me off the bike this weekend and now this.

UGH!