Tag: biking

  • Family Vacation — 2020

    Family Vacation — 2020

    This last week we had our yearly summer family vacation. This entry is as much diary as pictures.

    Friday

    After an atypical last workday before vacation day, we packed up and headed off to our family summer vacation. A couple of the kids had left earlier in the day, taking a kayak and a dog. We were left to transport the food and five bikes. With Jamison packing the car, everything we needed to take fit, but just barely. We arrived late in the evening at the same place we’ve stayed the last two years.

    Saturday

    Once again, I enjoyed my early morning walks with Gilligan. It’s a nice way to start the day for both of us. We walked together every day except the final day. Some days, we repeated our walk shortly after returning, joining Ashley and Mousse on their walk.

    Later in the day, we visited Crater Lake. I was the only one in the family who’d been there before,1Well, that’s not exactly correct. Jamison had been to Crater Lake about a month before. and yet, I have no memories of the lake itself. To be fair, it was a long time ago. My family wasn’t believing the two stories I told about my previous visit until brother Bob confirmed them via text. Maybe they still don’t believe…

    We drove to the east rim and watched the sunset. Mmm…

    Sunday

    On Sunday, most of us kayaked from La Pine State Park to Big River Campground. Allegedly, this can be paddled in a couple of hours. We prefer to float as members of the dry paddle club, nearly doubling the time.

    Monday

    Sparks Lake was on the itinerary for Monday. We played fetch with the dogs. We kayaked and Heather SUP’d. I read a John Grisham novel.

    Somehow I took no pictures of this scenic lake.

    Tuesday

    On Tuesday, Heather, Jamison, and I went for a short bike ride to the bridge that ended up going to the village and up the east side. Nice!

    Later, we all hiked the obsidian flow near East Lake.

    Wednesday

    Our kids

    On Wednesday, we biked and took our traditional family photo on the bridge. This might have been the day I did a puzzle.

    As you can tell, our days are packed with activities. ;-)

    Thursday

    Thursday, we hiked around Todd Lake. It was overcast and misting.

    Friday

    Friday, Suzi and I biked to the bridge. We returned to Sparks Lake for sunset. Ashley and Kevin rejoined the group.

    Saturday

    Benham Falls

    More bike riding, this time, to Benham Falls.

    Late in the day, Ashley, Kevin, and Jamison decided to kayak from Harper’s Bridge to below the Sunriver bridge. They could take out on the other side, accessible through forest roads.

    Unfortunately, the forest road was blocked by a closed gate and it was getting dark. Could a transfer happen on the other side of the bridge? Suzi’s text has the answer.

    Everything is going smoothly. It's dark and we are ninjas

    Sunday

    One last bike ride to the bridge, a trip to the village for a cool drink, and it was time to head home.

    • 1
      Well, that’s not exactly correct. Jamison had been to Crater Lake about a month before.
  • I got a new-to-me bike

    I got a new-to-me bike

    I got yet another bike. :-)

    It’s not as bad as it sounds. This summer, we cleaned the house.1Okay, just the garage. But that’s quite an accomplishment. I got rid of a road bike that I haven’t used in decades. I no longer want to wear spandex and have distracted drivers speed by me too close on two-lane country roads. I also got rid of Sage, a bike I commuted to work twelve months of the year2And lunch rides, and weekend rides, and ? and probably rode more than 6,000 miles. The number of components Sage needed to be serviced and/or replaced to get back to proper running order exceeded her value. So I donated her to a local bike center that repairs and sells donated bikes. I hope she finds a nice, new home. She deserves it.

    I had only my mountain bike converted to a commuter bike with fenders, rack, and non-knobby tires. It’s still a great bike, just not as comfortable as I’d like. I’ll be keeping it.3This last weekend, Suzi, Jamison, and I rode a new section of bike path in the Gorge between Wyeth State Park and Starvation Creek Park. As that’s my new normal for biking, I figured I needed a bike to match. And I still need to post pictures from the ride/day. Posted!

    Searching Craigslist, I found an Electra Townie in great shape and not too far away. I put one of our new roof bike racks on the CRV then Suzi and I headed out to take a look.

    I got a great deal.4Less than a third of its price new for as-new condition. Seems good to me. YMMV. The sellers have a little more space in their garage. And Darth5Still trying the name on for size, but it seems appropriate. I’m open to other suggestions. ;-) has a new home.6And a new bell. Well, it’s new to him. Used to be on Sage. Perfect! Tonight he’ll get Sage’s mirror and I’ll be ordering a rack. Ah… :-) Success!

    I’m looking forward to riding Darth this weekend.

    • 1
      Okay, just the garage. But that’s quite an accomplishment.
    • 2
      And lunch rides, and weekend rides, and ?
    • 3
      This last weekend, Suzi, Jamison, and I rode a new section of bike path in the Gorge between Wyeth State Park and Starvation Creek Park. As that’s my new normal for biking, I figured I needed a bike to match. And I still need to post pictures from the ride/day. Posted!
    • 4
      Less than a third of its price new for as-new condition. Seems good to me. YMMV.
    • 5
      Still trying the name on for size, but it seems appropriate. I’m open to other suggestions. ;-)
    • 6
      And a new bell. Well, it’s new to him. Used to be on Sage. Perfect! Tonight he’ll get Sage’s mirror and I’ll be ordering a rack. Ah… :-)
  • Why is it that?

    Why is it that normal traffic signs are perfectly visible on the far side of the sidewalk, but temporary construction signs have to completely block the bike path? :-/

  • Snow Dusting

    Snow Dusting

    Biking in the cold is a challenge.

    I’ve figured out how to stay warm. I wear my rain suit over my street clothes, a beanie under my helmet, waterproof, full-fingered gloves, and clear protective glasses. I’m plenty warm.

    That’s the problem. By the time I get to work, I’m too warm. I’m experimenting with unzipping my jacket and riding slower, but I still have work to do.

    One unexpected discovery: it’s easier to maintain cooler temperatures in the rain — the cool rain on my suit and face cools me quite nicely.

    If you’re biking this time of year, how do you regulate your temperature throughout the ride?

  • Biking in the New Year

    The New Year is here with beautiful weather: sunny and 50+. To celebrate, I rode my bike to Starbucks with my new Nook in my pocket. Woo hoo! A whole 4.07 miles on the bike on January 1. ;-)

    Because I know I’ll want to know what my bike odometer read at the beginning of the year, here it is: 71,758.1Yeah, I don’t know how the reading got that high. I’m absolutely positive I haven’t ridden my bike that far. I blame a cosmic ray, a glitch, or something. That means I rode 560 miles since July 23, 2011. This year, I expect to ride even more miles.

    • 1
      Yeah, I don’t know how the reading got that high. I’m absolutely positive I haven’t ridden my bike that far. I blame a cosmic ray, a glitch, or something.
  • Beauty in the Mundane

    Beauty in the Mundane

    This morning, while riding my bike to work, I noticed the beauty in the mundane. So often, I ignore what I’ve already experienced: the patch of pink roses Albertson’s tends next to their store, the clouds in the sky, the smells of flowers, and grass, and the pancakes, syrup, and bacon from IHOP.

    I find when I’m riding slowly on my bike, everything seems new.

    Maybe I’m just trying to justify taking (and posting) yet more pictures from my regular photo spot.

    Day 13 on the bike this year.

  • Biking in the Mist: Lessons Learned

    Biking in the Mist: Lessons Learned

    Even though today’s weather forecast is rain, I pedaled my bike to work. Along the way, hearing raindrops sprinkle on my helmet, I learned a few things:

    • When the weather rock is damp, the humidity is 100%. Don’t expect much evaporative cooling. It’s better to slow down.
    • Drinking an extra-hot white mocha while riding may save time over sitting down to drink it, but it made me hot. It’s better to keep the ride slower or take the time to enjoy it properly. Skipping it isn’t really an option. ;-) c[_]
    • Handlebars are not cup holders, but brake levers make great foam catchers.
    • Covered bike parking makes biking on questionable days worth the risk. Thanks, Intel!
    • Regardless of the weather, biking to work is fun.

    And worse weather makes for better bragging rights. Day 12 on the bike this year. 

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