White Mound Lake Ride

More Rain

Goggles, balaclava, hat

Today is Sunday, March 10th, the day after the time changed. Spring should have been here by now. Last year, spring, or dare I say summer, was here in March! Last year, this week began in the 60's and ended in the 80's. Today, I woke up and the temperature was 40 but then dropped into the 30's by the time I left for my bike ride. I didn't leave with the goggles and face mask on. When I left, there was no rain and I rode with the wind as I turned south at Lime Ridge. 

Treacherous ice along the North side of a hill

I decided to ride down to the lake today. White Mound Lake is about 11 miles south. I can ride there and back in 22 miles, or more when I choose longer routes. Today, I chose one of the longer routes through Sandusky down to Croal Hollow Road before heading east to the boat landing on the north side of White Mound Lake. Along the way, I came across this ice covered section of road that ran on the north side of hill. It was glare ice and wet. I found gravel when possible regardless of which side of the road I was on, but for much of the way I just road gingerly across the ice. Only one car came by while I was on this stretch so the most danger came from me dumping the bike, but I was able to avoid that.

White Mound Lake is melting

Finally, I arrived at White Mound. There was only one person out on the ice fishing that I could see and one pick-up truck sitting in the parking lot with someone sitting in it. I imagined that the person in the truck was the wife of the idiot out on the lake! Ha!

Old concrete bridge covered with moss

As I left the boat landing area, it began to rain. I already expected to have to ride into a fairly strong northeast headwind on my way home, and now I would be facing cold rain as well. I was about 5 miles from finishing the 24 mile ride when I had to put on the balaclava and goggles. After that, I no longer had my glasses-mirror to see behind me, and I really didn't care much as I was on some secluded back roads. Behind the goggles and beneath the other head-gear I wore, I retreated into my own cozy world as I put one foot down and then the other. I was surprised that the lens of the goggles didn't fog up at all the way my glasses had done. The rain beaded up and blew away so I could see pretty good.

I got home, striped, and threw everything into the washer. What wasn't wet from the inside from sweat was wet from the outside from rain. All told, my wet clothing weighed about 15 pounds! oh! for spring to come. Better days and better rides...

When I finished, I completed a 24 mile ride. It was raining and the temperature was in the 30's. My blood sugar had dropped to 114 or so, still too high! This is my forth day of getting in good bike rides but not getting the sugar readings that I want. Maybe tomorrow?

I

Blustery Day in Wisconsin

Trees today, October 8

Same Trees September 21

It's a windy day in Wisconsin, too windy to ride bike. It's hard to photograph the wind, but the bare trees tell the story of what's happening in Wisconsin today. The large cottonwood tree in back is bare, the maple trees are half stripped of their leaves, but the evergreens and lilacs hold on. Autumn has arrived!

Maybe tonight, if the wind dies down, I'll go for a ride... that would be fun! If I do, I'll add to this blog posting. If not, I'll work indoors and workout in the exercise room downstairs.

Tyranena Oktoberfest Bike Ride 2012

Riders getting ready....

The 2012 Tyranena Oktoberfest Bike Ride was the first group biking event that I've been involved in. Up until now, with only a couple of exceptions, I've riden solo for the entire 1400+ miles that I've traveled this summer. Today was a very different experience; I was rider number 1466 out of the event's 1750 participants! I didn't get a photo of the line of bikers out on the highway but believe me when I say it was impressive.

Plenty of port-a-potty's and outdoor tables.

My tag number

I set my alarm for 6:00 am, as I had to finish packing, load up the bike, and try to imagine how to dress and what to bring with me on this ride. The morning was cold. Overnight lows were in the 30's and by the start of the ride the temperature had only climbed into the low 40's.

I thought I would ride the full 70 miles, if possible, but three things got in my way: hills, wind, and cold. Although over the summer, I have riden 50 and 60+ miles in a day, I think the 25 miles I rode today was pushing my limit! Where I ride in Sauk, Richland, and Juneau counties, we have hills... plenty of them. I had hoped that the Lake Mills, Wisconsin area might be a little flatter. Not so! They have hills too! The second curse of the day was wind. Predictions were for westerly winds of around 10 mph, turning northwesterly by afternoon. I left Lake mills around 10:00 or later, and headed what seemed north towards Waterloo and I swear the wind was in our face the whole way! The third curse was that being so cold and having to dress warm, and then working so hard against the wind, it resulting in becoming overly hot and sweating profusely. On our first break, at the Trek facility in Waterloo, I quickly became cold although I was wearing Under Armor clothing. I was soaked inside!

Riders at the first rest stop. Food tent and a bike repair truck.

I dawdled a bit before I left the Trek rest stop. Apparently, I lingered for too long. I wasn't sure how to read the map of the different routes, and then I misplaced my map, so I followed the line of bikers, not thinking about where the different routes split off. After a few miles though, I began to sense that I was no longer with the fast riders I traveled with before, so I pulled up to someone and asked which route we were on... the 25 mile one! I had missed the turn a couple miles back for the 50 and 70 mile route, but by then I also understood that time was going to be an issue. I average 10 to 12 mph and that's about the best I can do with my bike, this morning I came in at 11.?? which wasn't bad for me, but was way too slow for the longer courses. Had I maintained that speed and setled for the 50 mile route I wouldn't have finished until 4:00pm or later! At that point, I settled back to enjoy as much as possible the short run.

Very pretty in the tent and warmer than outside,
 but not enough!

A pork sandwich, fruit, potato salad, chips and cookies!

I arrived back at the tent and cashed in my meal and drink ticket. The food was good and so was the Blond and Porter ales. I would have bought a few 6 packs at $7 but didn't feel like trying to bike them back to the car... where ever that was at! Unfortunately, I hadn't gotten a real good sense of the layout of the town. My car was in a lot a few blocks away from the brewery but I didn't have a clue! At least when I forget where I pack in Wal-mart I know the car has to be somewhere in the parking lot, but now cold, tired, and just wanting to get into a warm vehicle... I knew I parked somewhere in Lake Mills! I took off on the bike and was actually heading in the right direction when I doubted myself and turned back to eventually take a back road, turn on my cell's Navigator, and finally find my vehicle.

It was a long day but a fun time. I hope to do it again next year. I hope the weather is better like it was earlier in the week, and I'll know how to watch for the route signage now. My bike is a good one, a Specialized, but old and heavy.  I watched the people who blew by me with their shinny Treks and Cannondales. Sure, they were probably in their 20's, 30's or 40's and I'm 61 going on 62, but I hope I can upgrade by next year...

For now, I have warm-weather clothing and maybe time enough left this year to achieve my goal of 2,000 miles for the year.

Vacation

Panorama photo taken near Ironton, Wisconsin.

I began my October vacation with a few days of beautiful weather, and some 20 and 30 mile rides in the autumn sun. I down-loaded a Panorama App for my cell phone, very cool!

Although the last couple of days have been wonderful, the weather doesn't look so nice for the October  Fest ride coming up on Saturday. Temperature between 26 and 50 degrees, northwest winds at 9 mph, 30% chance of rain!

Yesterday I passed 1,400 miles for the year. Woo hoo!

Falling like Rain

Leaves begin to fall

Leaves falling from trees.

A few days ago as I rode down a country road, the air around me was alive with falling leaves; falling like rain, but fluttering like little birds with each breath of autumn breeze through the trees. I almost passed by without a photo but the moment was so magical that I turned back. I never did catch the air as filled with falling leaves as when I first encountered the moment, but I did manage to photograph some.

At another point along the way, I passed a beautifully fenced pasture with the fall leaves changing in the woods along the edge of the pasture.

Today is Saturday, one week before the big ride next weekend. I can't wait. I hope the weather is as awesome next weekend as it is today, that would make a perfect day for the Tyranena October Fest ride. Although I've skipped riding Tuesday and today of this week, I have added 105 miles making my yearly total 1,350 miles. I'm getting closer to my goal of 2,000 miles for the year. I think I can... I think I can!

Preparing for Cold Weather Ride

Hat, helmet, mirror, windbreaker, and a red face as I come in from a 22 mile ride with temps in the 40's!

It's 2:00AM on Wednesday, September 26, 2012. I just got back from a 22 mile ride; the temperature was 41 degrees. I was very comfortable and wish I could have riden more!

I'm testing out new clothing I bought Monday as I look forward to the Tyranena October Fest bike ride October 6th. This will be my first group ride. The Tyranena bike-ride is limited to 1750 riders and when I registered it was 80% filled! I have the choice of a 20, 50, or 70 mile route. Since I just road 22 miles tonight, after work, for the heck of it...  it doesn't make sense to commit to a day's event for anything less than at least 50 miles, or, unless the wind is against me, 70. The big thing for me now is planning and preparing what to wear.

Clothing

Up until now, I've been wearing regular stuff. No spandex. No biking cloths, just regular duds.  But, as I thought about an October ride, I decided I needed to invest in cold weather, biking specific, clothing. 

Normal temperatures for October range from 40's to 60's. I bought Underarmour Compression Base-layer tights and tops, and outer Nike wind breaker jacket and pants. If the weather is anywhere near normal, I should be dressed adequately.

I'm experimenting with what regular cloths to wear in-between these two crucial layers. I think I know what bring... One thing worthy of note about the windbreaker pants is that I bought what I have used at a second hand store for $3. The other jacket and pants were $50 to $80 at Dicks sporting goods in Madison. I saved some big bucks on the windbreaker pants, but the zippers on the legs are coming undone, so I need to do some sewing there.

I was glad to go out tonight and ride in the 40 degree weather in preparation for the Tyranena ride. The moon was bright and trafic in the country was extremely light. I think I could have riden for hours...

I think I've made good choices, and I am ready to ride regardless of the weather on the 6th.

Fall Showers

Corn fields have become brown, leaves are turning to fall colors and falling from trees, and the days have become windier. Bike rides are beautiful but sometimes excruciatingly hard. The last couple days have found me riding through some very light showers at times. The weather predictions are for snow any day now!

When I left at 9:00 am this morning, the temperature was still in the forties. Twenty six miles later, I rode into a brisk 50-some-degree wind. My inner cloths were soaked in sweat, my face felt wind-burned, and my legs, back and butt were crying out in pain. The wind-breaker jacket and Nike pants did a pretty good job of keeping my body warm... but my face. My head! Soaked in sweat and exposed to the wind; I was miserable! It was one of the first rides where I kept thinking of calling to be picked up. Instead, I kept thinking about the finish and finally it arrived.

My back has been teetering on a breakdown, and the last 10 miles I was afraid it might happen. My knees hurt and I was cold as I wobbled into the house. Slowly, I got undressed, drew a hot bath in the garden tub, and enjoyed my reward for a strenuous morning ride. I turned on the whirlpool and sunk into the luxury of the hot swirling bubbles...

Amazing things have begun to happen with my diabetes. My blood glucose was at 117 this morning when I awoke and 103 after the ride. I did the morning ride without breakfast, which is something that I need to stop doing. I did take my morning drink of 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder, 1 teaspoon (heaping) Ceylon Cinnamon, and 1 heaping tablespoon of orange flavored Metamucil.

My total miles since spring is 1231 miles. I'm wondering if I'll make it to 1,500 miles much less the 2,000 miles that I had hoped for.

Last night I got the packet from a friend to join her team riding next year in an MS fund-raiser. I'm looking forward to not only a strong finish riding for fun this year but maybe a new challenge in 2013... If anyone reads this and you are from the Western Sauk County/Eastern Richland/Southern Juneau county area, and up for some challenging fun on a bike... please contact me! Also, I've meet some friends that would bike, if they had a bike... I gave away my Raleigh on Friday.

"It's Gonna Happen"

"It's gonna happen..."

Ready to ride... except for helmet

That's what I said months ago when the subject of riding my bike to work came up, It's gonna happen! Before this year is over, I'm going to ride my bike to work! I had to pick the right day with the right temperature, the right wind direction, and the right moon! Monday, August 6, 2012 wasn't a 'perfect' day but it was a good one.

Small pond in LaValle, a village along the way to work.

One of the many problem with me biking to work is that it is a heck of a long ride! I work in another county, 28 miles away from where I live. Biking to work and back involved a 57 mile ride because I jaunted across town to pick up a sub sandwich before I went to my job. Another problem is that I work second shift. Riding to work mid-morning was not all that out-of-the-ordinary but when I finished my shift, I began my ride home at 10:00pm at night! Dark. The waining moon wouldn't crest the horizon for ten-minutes after my return ride began and it was in fact hidden under clouds for the first hour of my ride home on Monday night.

Crossing into Juneau County. The road had
safe shoulders but dangerous curves.

I rode the back streets and highways out of Mauston, Wisconsin as I began my treck home, but even there, I had more than a few cars and trucks pass me in the night. I use a flashing red light on the back of my helmet and a powerful LED light on the front of my bike and another LED strapped to my forehead to flip on or off as needed. 

I picked a good day as far as the wind was concerned. I enjoyed a slight tail wind while riding both to and from work. The temperature was great during the day, probably in the 70's and 80's, but it was slightly cool and damp on the way home.

Somewhere near the halfway point between home and Mauston is a county park along the highway. This was a great place to stop and stretch my legs for a bit and also use the restroom. 

Summit Park shelter... clean bathroom with running water!

As outdoor facilities go, the restrooms at Summit Park were awesome! Very clean and they had running water, hand soap, and paper towels. A very well maintained park. 

On my trip home, I stopped at a little bar near the park called the Little Summit instead of at the park. That too was a special place. I enjoyed a beverage and a free piece of cake from the friendly proprietor of the Little Summit. I was so impressed with the hospitality that I'll be returning this Friday, by car, for the Friday night Fish dinner. There is supposed to be an awesome view from the Little Summit's dinning room. I'm looking forward to that.

A stone fire place in the park

So, I can say... "it happened"!  I rode my bike to work and back, all 57 miles of it in a day!

The following days, after the Monday ride, I was naturally a little sore. But still, I was able to ride 10 miles on Tuesday, and 12 miles both Wednesday and Thursday.  My total distance for the summer is 894 miles.

Time out for Pizza

On a recent ride to Reedsburg, wi., I treated myself to a pizza...not something I usually do since one of the reasons for riding is to lose weight.