Just some funny thoughts on a cold day

These thoughts are not mine but they could have been.

A cousin of mine who was a casualty surgeon in Manhattan tells me that he and his colleagues had a one-word nickname for bicycle riders: Donors.

War does not determine who is right – only who is left.

No matter where you go – You’re always there! And you’re never there, because you’re always here!


What do sheep count when they can’t sleep?

When they first invented the clock, how did they

10132 miles and still cranking

Well folks I have traveled 10132 miles this year and with luck I will have an additional 40 today.  Weather has been cool but not cold.  Hope my family is feeling good enough that I can get out on the road again today.

I did it!

I passed the 10,000 mile mark sometime yesterday a full 10 days before the end of the year.  I passed 10,046 miles today.  I wonder how far I can go in the remaining eight days?

Only 152 miles remain

December 16, 2011 – I rode 44 miles on the 14^th but did not ride yesterday because it was very cold out, went to the tanning salon to attempt to get rid of the tan lines that Denise thinks are so funny.  Today was in the low sixties so I went for a 46 mile ride.  I only need another 152 miles to reach 10,000 miles this year.

It was cold again

Yesterday was cold but I did get a bicycle ride and I am now 40 miles closer to my goal of 10,000 miles for 2011.

Cold Today

It was cold, cloudy with a light rain today.  Normally I would not bicycle on a day like this but I had not been riding in two days and the end of the year is approaching quickly so I went for a ride.  By the time I arrived home I thought my ears, fingers, feet and a few other parts had developed frost bite and where going to fall off.  Other than that it was a good ride.  I hope it is warmer tomorrow and my parents are feeling well so I can ride again and maybe reach my goal of 10,000 miles by the end of the year.

No Ride Today

Other than it being cold out, my Dad had an elevated heart rate and was not feeling good all day.  I knew he would get no rest at all worrying about my Mom and her problems with walking so I went and spent the days with them.  I did so odd jobs about the place and baked 2 dozen Oatmeal Raisin cookies however Mom does not like raisins so I used chocolate chips instead.  Tomorrow I will be at their house again because the 49ers are playing.  Sure hope the weather is good and my Dad is feeling good on Monday.

Only 366.44 miles remain for 10,000 miles this year!!

Had a very nice ride today, zero wind and sunshine.  So there is a very good chance I will meet my goal.

I just finished Ghost Ship

I have always been an avid reader of Science Fiction and Fantasy.  This past March I discovered the Liaden Universe novels by Sharon Lee and Steve Miller.  The novel Fledgling was my first and I fell in love with Theo when I finished the tale I was pleased to see that it continued in Saltation which was every bit as good as Fledgling. The next book Ghost Ship was due in August and I waited on edge for two months. I kept going to the local book shop looking for Ghost Ship and finally got a copy the first week of December. While I was waiting I read Mouse and Dragon, which cleared up for me why Jen Sar Kiladi kept hearing a voice in his head and who he really was.   I know I could have purchased Ghost Ship sooner as an e-book but I am old school and like to hold a book in my hands and turn the pages.  As soon as possible I will be hunting for the older Liaden Universe novels while I wait for Dragon Ship a sequel to Ghost Ship and George "which sorta takes place in a pocket of Ghost Ship." Quote is from Sharon Lee and Steve Miller's site http://korval.com/

Wish I could have gone riding today...

The weather was a bit cold, but the sun was out.  However I had no opportunity to go riding.  Mom and Dad ordered some new window treatments for their house and they asked me to be there to make sure the installer did everything right.  My Dad also said that his hip was hurting real bad so could I take him to the grocery store. Being the dutiful son I arrived about 30 minutes before the installer was due.  He did not show up so my Dad called him and discovered he was not coming because not all the parts had arrived.  That really pissed off Dad to the point he could not remember if the installer was coming on Monday or Tuesday.  My Dad has a doctor appointment Wednesday, so it looks as if the first chance I will have for a ride is Thursday.  Maybe I will call the installer on Monday morning to find out exactly when he plans to show up.  I only need to ride another 465.35 miles to reach my goal of 10,000 miles this year.  So all I need is 10 days between now and the 31st to make it.

It was 66 degrees today.

Very unusual for December 2 no wind, no rain and hotter than 10 of the days in July!  It was a wonderful day for a ride.

66 Degrees at 2 PM on December 2, 2011

San Francisco Bay flat as a piece of glass

Tide Marsh at San Mateo Creek

Looking south from San Mateo Creek

A Beautiful December Day

On a hot December day

Its been very windy

Well the fog is gone, but the wind is here out of the North-East at 30 to 50 mph.  It was a hard pull going north but the return trip to Redwood City was a real rush, most of the way I was moving at 20 mph.

In a Fog

Today was so foggy on the bay trail I had to use my head light and tail light.  Not so that I could see better but so other people on the trail could see me.  Standing at the golf driving range at the end of Mariners Island Blvd. I could not see the San Mateo Bridge which was less than a mile away.  I was going to post some photos of the fog but all the camera recorded was a gray view.  It should be clearer tomorrow as the weather forecast is for high winds. * WINDS: SUSTAINED NORTHEAST WINDS FROM 20 TO 35 MPH WITH FREQUENT GUSTS AS HIGH AS 50 MPH ARE POSSIBLE AS STRONG WINDS BLOW THROUGH PASSES AND CANYONS OF THE COASTAL RANGE AND TOWARDS THE COASTLINE. A DRY WEATHER SYSTEM WILL SWEEP SOUTH INTO NEVADA ON WEDNESDAY AND THEN INTO SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA BY THURSDAY MORNING. THIS WEATHER SYSTEM WILL PRODUCE STRONG AND GUSTY NORTH TO NORTHEAST WINDS ACROSS THE REGION FROM WEDNESDAY THROUGH THURSDAY. STRONGEST WINDS WILL BE IN THE HILLS OF THE SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA. HIGHEST WIND SPEEDS ARE EXPECTED TO OCCUR FROM LATE WEDNESDAY THROUGH EARLY THURSDAY WHEN WIND GUSTS BETWEEN 50 MPH AND 70 MPH ARE LIKELY IN THE HILLS. WINDS AT LOWER ELEVATIONS ARE NOT EXPECTED TO BE AS STRONG AS IN THE HILLS... BUT LOCAL WIND GUSTS UP TO 50 MPH ARE POSSIBLE EVEN CLOSE TO SEA LEVEL.

I guess that winter is coming.

Since my last post the weather has been quite cold and the last few day have been very foggy.  I have had to dig out my winter cycling gear. However I only need 547.88 miles before December 31st to reach my goal of 10,000 miles of cycling during 2011.  So taking into account things like not riding on Sunday, taking my parents to their appointments, shopping for food and bad weather.  I should reach my goal by riding at least 30 miles every day I can.

Dressed for the cold and still feeling cold

It is almost Thanks Giving

Now where did that turkey get to?

The holidays are quickly approaching and my goal of 10,000 miles for the year might not be reached, but all in all I have had a very good year of riding.  I hope all of my friends and those of you that read my blog have a very nice Thanks Giving.

Ralston Avenue Bike Bridge Open

The Ralston Avenue Bike Bridge has officially opened today!  It has been ready for weeks but the ribbon cutting was today.  This allows easy walking and bicycling access for those traveling from the west side of Hwy 101, to the Belmont Sports Complex and trails on the east side of the freeway that lead to the bay.  The overpass in a bit on the narrow side so keep your speed down and watch of people walking and riding on wrong side of the road. The weather has been a bit on the cold side with light rain so I have not been riding as much as I would like, and in the process gained 3 pounds.  I was trying to keep my weight under 120 pounds because of the up coming holidays.  Sure hope I can because last year's new years resolution was to be at 115 pounds by December.

A Big Change

Since my last post the weather has been great for riding in shorts and a sleeveless shirt, however when I woke up this morning it was cold and raining so I decided to do some laundry and some other jobs that I had been putting off.  Hope the weather is a bit drier tomorrow as I would really like to take a bicycle ride and get some photos for the blog.  I mean text by itself is just so boring.

November and still warm enough for shorts

Some people might think I am just a bit crazy to be cycling in shorts in November, but I think I have adapted to the cooler weather because of the cool summers we have been having.  I have only been out three days this month because I have been running my parents to their doctor appointments and other places.  However the three days I have gone riding have been in the mid 60 degree range.

Happy Halloween and National Friendship Week

Happy Halloween to all my friends, and remember even if you did not receive any treats for Halloween you can count yourself lucky if one person on this earth cares about you.

It has been great riding weather

It has been sunny and in the 70s since the 21st of October and I have had several great rides.  Most have been for over 40 miles.  With luck I will get another good ride in tomorrow.

Me

A little bird

A Big Bird

Mom's Birthday today

It's my Mom's birthday today and she turns 85 years old.  She is not as active as she used to be and tends to forget things from time to time however she is still my mom, telling me when I need a hair cut, reminding me to make sure to do my laundry and dust my apartment.  I hope I am still in good enough shape to be riding my bicycle when I reach 85 in another 25 years.  The weather has be a bit foggy for the past few days so I have not been getting any long bicycle rides.  Maybe tomorrow I will have a chance, because my sister and her daughters and taking mom and dad to a bar-b-que for her birthday.  If the do not expect me for dinner I will try to go 60 or 70 miles.

San Carlos Art and Wine

Sue and I went to the San Carlos Art and Wine Festival this past Sunday.  It was a really nice day, I guess we where lucky because it rained two days last week and again yesterday.  Enjoy the photos.

Rain in the first week of October

Normally the best weather is in September and October, however we have had rain on three of the first six days of October.  I sure hope it will be nice weather over this coming weekend as I would really like to go to the San Carlos Art and Wine Festival with Sue.

Those Ghastley Thorns.

Over the past three months I have replaced more tubes in my bike tires than I have in an entire lifetime.  It appears that there are these tiny plants that grow in arid areas like dirt trails and in pavement cracks that have rock hard thorns just long enough to puncher the inner-tube of a mountain bike tire and small enough that you can not see them without examining the tires really well.  I replaced both front and rear tubes yesterday, and picked up two self sealing tubes today to carry as spares.  Then I went for a 42 mile ride and not a single leak occurred while on the road.  If the tires are still inflated to 80 pounds tomorrow morning I missed the thorns.

It has been really nice riding weather.

Today I rode over the Dumbarton Bridge to Fremont, there is a lot of construction work happening on the Alameda Creek Trail so I do not think I will be back until the lower trail reopens on November 1 of this year.
 The weather has been in the 80 degree range for that past five days.  I have however only been out on two of the five days.  Saturday I took my Dad to the grocery store, on Sunday I watched the 49er football game with him and on Tuesday I took him to visit his heart doctor. I do not mind doing these things for my parents, I just wish that he would make his appointments in the morning instead of the middle of the afternoon.  I should be able to get out over the next 4 days.  I still need another 255 miles to reach 1000 miles for the month and there are only 7 riding days left. Hope I have a chance to use all of them or I might not reach my goal.

Some interesting finds.

Found a great on line store for cycling cloths it is called Voler.com the reason this store is so exciting is that they actually have men's cycling gear in size extra small.  Most of the time when buying gear I am forced to by boy's extra large.  I was so impressed with a close out item (tri-athlon skin suit) I purchased the last two they had in stock.
I have also found a very good local source for Nutrilite Products her name is Corina Mandrut of Aniroc International. Check out the Nutrilite Products on the Nutrilite Website and then if you are interested contact me for Corina's email address and phone number.

Silly Weather Report

The weather report from the national weather service said the wind would be out of the SSW at 10 to 15 miles an hour.  So I adjusted my route so that I would have a tail wind, however the wind all morning was from the NE so I spent the first half of my ride riding into a head wind.  When I turned around to head home so did the wind so all afternoon I was riding into a head wind.  Oh well, can not have a tail wind every day.  It reminds me of when I was younger and doing yard work around the town house Sue and I owned in Fremont. There would be no wind while I was mowing the lawn or trimming the bushes however the minute I picked up a broom the wind would blow counter to the direction I wanted to sweep in.  Life is full of little mysteries like that.  Saw something funny near Bear Island in Redwood City.  There was a family out for a bicycle ride and the little girl who was about 6 or 7 years old was looking at all the heavy equipment working there.  She looked at her father and said "Daddy what are all those dumb trucks doing out there?"  Her father said "Don't you mean dump trucks?"  She replied "That's what I said, dumb trucks!!"

A little colder today but still nice.

I wish I had a little more time to ride during the day, but I can not leave the house much before 10:30 in the morning, and I need to be home by 4:00 in the afternoon. If I could figure out how to get in another hour I could go 60 miles each day. As it is I am limited by trail length and time to around 48 to 50 miles.

September and Nice Weather

The weather has been great warm and very little wind.  I have been averaging about 45 miles a day since September first and completing the rides in about 4.5 hours.  My average speed has been about 18.67 KPH and my highest speed has been 35.24 so that made me feel really good then I watch the Tour of Spain on TV and tonight they rode a 120 mile stage in about the same time at speeds in excess of 80 KPH.  I would feel depressed except for the fact my mountain bike is at least 4 to 6 times heaver than their road bikes and at least 25 years older.  The riders are also half my age.  So I guess I am not really doing to bad.  However I would like to know what you think?

Labor Day Holiday

It was a great day weather wise for a bicycle ride, but because it was a holiday there where a large number of Cyclists (weekend warrior type) getting in everyone's way.  I still managed to ride 50.5 miles in just under 4 hours and 40 minutes.  Not race tempo but I think very good for a 60 year old cyclist.

Vuelta a España

I have been watching the Vuelta a España (tour of Spain) bicycle race. The race is 21 days long and has some massive climbs of Category 1 2 and 3 with some points of over 20% uphill. Most days are averaging 100 miles which the riders are doing in 4 hours at some points going over 50 miles an hour.  Makes my rides of 40 to 50 miles in five or six hours look pretty bad, but then the riders are professionals riding the latest custom built road bikes and are half my age.  I they also do not stop for a break.  Maybe someday I will try to ride the 20 miles to the San Francisco Airport without stopping except for traffic lights just to see how fast I can do it.

Just random pictures and thoughts.

I watched a water polo game this past weekend and I could not figure out how the horses could stay under water so long.  Today I saw some people with cameras near the San Francisco Airport.  I asked one guy why he was taking pictures of airplanes taking off but not taking any of the airplanes landing.  He told me he did not have enough money to go on vacation so taking pictures of the planes taking off made him feel like he was going on vacation but he did not want to come back from vacation so soon so no photos of landing planes.  The posted signs on my street saying no parking on street, road work planed for August 29 to August 31.  Nothing at all happened today beyond no cars parked on the street.  Had a nice bike ride of 42 miles.

Weather has been nice.

Over the past week the weather has been great for riding, today the weather was hot but I enjoyed it. Tomorrow if all goes well I will attempt to finish the Alameda Creek Trail and see how far it goes north.

No More Centuries

After Tuesday and the 75 miles I have been dogging it as I never even made it to 50 during the remainder of the week.  I still managed it pass 500 miles for the month in just 11 days of riding.

3/4 of a Century today.

I had a little extra time today so managed a ride of almost 75 miles in just under 6 hours.  Even stopped once or twice to take a photo.

Had a chance for a ride today

It was the first Sunday I had a chance to go riding in almost a year.  Almost wish I had stayed home.  Seems that there where several scheduled bicycle rides like the Tour De Peninsula and some family friendly bicycle rides going on today.  Way to many cyclists and most of them had no idea what the trail rules where and some that where all tricked out in fancy cycling clothes and fancy rode bikes that just did not care if they got in your way. I must remember to check event schedules before I go riding on weekends again.

It is cold again

I was planning to take the Alameda Creek Trail again to check out the parts I had not been on but for the last two days it has been foggy, windy and cold.  I really have not felt like riding over the Dumbarton Bridge in the fog and the wind.  So instead I have been freezing my ass off riding the bay trail from Redwood City to Milbrae and back.  Because of the wind it has been taking longer than normal so I have not been getting the distance I would like.  Hope it gets warmer and less windy soon.

Alameda Creek Trail

As I said I have been riding a different set of trails just for a change of pace.  Today I followed Maple Street in Redwood City east past Kaiser Hospital and the Police Station then turned south on Blomquist Street, Blomquist becomes East Bayshore Road when you cross Seaport Blvd.  At Marsh Road East Bayshore becomes Bayfront Expressway with a bicycle trail on the east side. This trail crosses The Dumbarton Bridge and on the east side of the bay enters the Don Edwards Wildlife Refuge.  From the fishing pier at the bridge to Paseo  Padre Parkway the road is called Marshlands Road (but you will never see a sign).  Head north on Paseo Padre Parkway to Ardenwood Blvd and continue north to bridge over Alameda Creek (if you reach Lowry Road you have gone to far)  The trail on north side of creek is dirt and although great on a mountain bike road bikes should stick to the paved trail on the south side of creek.  Alameda Creek Trail will take you from the edge of the bay to the Niles District of Fremont. There are several off shoots from the north trail the I will have to take some day just to see where I end up.  Round trip is about 48 miles because of other demands on my time I have been forced to turn around at Rainbow Lake (Isherwood Way in Fremont).  I wish I could just stay out on the road for two or three days just to see how far I could get.

Trail on north side of Alameda Creek going west toward Bay

Paved Trail on South Side of Alameda Creek

Alameda Creek looking south-east from Isherwood Way Bridge

A bit of a change

Over the last four days I have been riding some new trails (at least new to me) across the bay from home. I start out riding south to Menlo Park and then across the Dumbarton Bridge.  Then turn north along Ardenwood Blvd. to the Drainage Canal and along the trail.  I was planning to take some photographs but forgot to recharge the battery in the camera.  If things go well I will try to get out to the same area tomorrow and get some photos.  So far this month I have ridden on 21 of the 27 days and have managed about 43.5 miles each day.  With luck I might get to 1000 miles this month.

July 23rd

It was another good day for a ride, however I got up late so only got in 38 miles.  Maybe I will get out the door earlier Monday.

Summer is half over

Time seems to pass faster and faster every year.  I remember when I was 6 summer seemed to go on forever. Now at 60 it seems to pass in the blink of an eye.  Does time ever slow down again or does it move faster and faster until you die.  I hope that even if it gets faster and faster as I get older and older that I will still be able to ride a bicycle in another 30 years.  It would be nice if it where even the same bicycle.  Then I could say to people I meet yes I am 90 and my bicycle is 60 years old, want to race?  Well anyway July has been an okay month for riding even if I spent time taking my Dad to visit his doctors and to the grocery store.  Have managed to get in 16 days of riding for a total of 700 miles.  With a bit of luck I will get in another 200 or 300 before July is done.

I do not feel like I'm 60 years old

Planes flying somewhere

Strange Weather Today

One minute the weather was cloudy, windy and cold the next minute the sun was out and it was warm.  I would think about taking off my jacket because I was too warm and as soon as I did the wind would come up and I would have to put the jacket back on.  I finally decided about half way through the ride to put on shorts and a light jacket and forget about how cold or warm I was.  I would like the weather to either be cold or be warm but not both.

Just like Mark Twain Said

The coldest winter I ever spent was a summer in San Francisco.  It has been so foggy this past week that I have been having a hard time finding the trail.  It seems that no matter what I wear the wind just cuts through to the bone.  The temperature has been averaging about 65 degrees, and some days quite a bit colder when riding into the wind.  I know that September and October are the hottest months of the year in the bay area but I would like to see at least 75 to 80 degrees for the remainder of July and all of August.  If the fog ever goes away I will take more pictures.

Just like last Summer

It is the middle of July and for the last four days it has been fog, strong west winds and temperatures in the 60s and 70s.  More like a California winter than a summer.  I hope that before summer is over the temperature warms up and the wind dies down so the bike riding is a little more fun.

July 5th

Very nice day for a ride.  I had to replace the front tire tube because it had a slow leak, which put me a bit behind schedule, but because of that I had a chance to see Rebecca at the surf shop.  I think Rebecca is one of the nicest people I have ever had the pleasure to meet and for sure she is also one of the prettiest.

Rebecca at work

Pretty Rebecca on the phone

North of Coyote Point

Nice place for a short break

No people out on the trail

Happy 4th of July