It is a beautiful day for riding!

It was a very nice day, but I only went 14 miles.  I guess I have bike burn out.

Went to Lake Shawnee Today

I rode to Lake Shawnee and took some pictures at Ted Ensley Park. I went 18.5 miles on my mountain bike.

I froze my toze!

I left at 7:50, and I got to Church at 8:50. My toes were so cold they hurt. After Church I went to the wetlands and took some pictures.  I stopped at the KWICK shop and bought a 12 inch sub, and a pair of sunglasses. I went 48 miles altogether, and I feel just fine. It warmed up and it turned into a very nice day for bike riding.

Wetlands on Landon Trail.

I went 32 miles (round trip) on the Landon Trail. There is a wetland about 14 miles out. It's very scenic, and you feel like your in a wilderness. It was a rough ride, but it was worth it. I am going back. Here is a link:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AYteEjUVUDk

I had a couple of broken spokes...

I took my bike to the bike shop last week to have a couple of broken spokes fixed. They only charged me 20 dollars!  I went to see Mom, went to Target, went to Dillons and ate, and I went to the hobby shop and bought a battery for my Sukhoi. I rode 27 miles today, but  I did not ride at all last weekend.

I was late, so I kept up 13 mph and got there early.

I went to Linda's retirement thing on my bike yesterday, then I went to Dillon's.  It was a 22 mile ride. Today, I got up at 7:30 am, and I was out the door by 7:45. I tried to keep the speed up over 12 or 13 miles per hour so I would not be late to Church. I got there ten minutes early. The music at Church was too loud and I could not worship the Lord.

Early morning ride

I left at 7:45 and I got to Church at 8:50. After Church, I went down Wanamaker Road to try and find a different Church I had heard about,  but I could not find it. The traffic was not heavy, and I had no problems.  I went to Target and bought a cheap Polaroid camera. It takes great pictures and video too! Great camera for 59 dollars. Then, I went to Dillon's and ate.  When I came out, I discovered a flat front tire. I found 3 thorns in my tire. I switched out the tube and was on my way. I had a nice conversation with an elderly man while I was fixing it. He commented "it looks like you have done this before."  I went to Shunga Creek and patched 3 holes in my inner tube. It was very enjoyable for me. After that, I went looking for batteries for my new camera. I finally found a store that sold batteries, and I bought a nice pair of sun glasses too. I went to see Mom, and we had a nice visit.  I told her that I would not have enough retirement money if I lived as long as she did, but she does not think I will live as long as her, because I am not as healthy as she is.  As I was leaving she grabbed my bike rack, and I told her I would drag her if she didn't let go, so she pulled me backwards! She is strong for an 83 year old woman!

Bicycle date

I went on a bicycle date with a very nice lady.  I went 25.36 miles.

Routine bike ride

Just another bike ride to church. I went 23.25 miles. The weather was very nice, but there was a strong south wind. That did not bother me too much.

Visited Mom today

 I rode 24.51 miles today, and I visited Mom. The weather could not be much nicer. I got a nice picture of orange flowers. I don't know what kind they are.

Dirt Trails

I bought a cheap camera at Walmart. The pictures I took with it were so poor that I am not even going to post them.  I went to church, and Dillons.  I took the dirt trails going home, and I had a blast.  I got in about 24 miles today.

No flat tires!

I went to the bike shop and bought an extra inner tube, then I went around Shawnee Lake. I have my flat tire problem solved I think. I got in 30 miles today. It is not as hot today, and that help me a lot.

Flat tire saga continues.

Make sure the tire is seated properly on the rim before you air it up, otherwise it will go KA-BOOM! My neighbour commented "You put too much air in it Steve." It sounded like a shot gun too! I got in 24 miles today, with no flat tire!

Tiny piece of glass was causing my flat problems.

I got another flat, but this time I found a tiny piece of glass embedded in my tire. It was smaller than the head of a pin.  I had at least 6 flats from it. I felt the inside of my tire each time, but I could not feel or see it. I got lucky because the hole was lined up with the valve stem so I looked at the tire there. It was so small I could barely see it. I hope my flat tire problems are over now.

Two flat tires, and a malfunctionling pump! Barely made it home.

My back tire went flat on the way to church, so I changed out the tube. Then, at the church my front tire went flat. The tire would not air up, and I was very worried. I prayed to Jesus for help. I noticed the head on my air pump was loose,so I tightened it and got it working again. The tube had a very tiny hole, so I had to used the sink in the Church to find it. After I patched it, I put it back on and I aired it up . But I did not seat the tire properly on the rim, and the tube poked out the side. I could not deflate the tube because the valve pinched itself against the rim. I had to force it, but I managed to get the tube deflated. Everything kept going wrong, and I thought I might have to call for help. I finally got the tire fixed. After that, I went to the bike shop ( I had to pedal up Quinton heights hill!) and I bought two inner tubes and a patch kit. I told them that the front bearings are lose, but the mechanic tightened the quick release and fixed it. The 104 degree temperature did not help either! I was so glad when I got home. I need to start a "STEVE'S FLAT TIRE BLOG."

I found a hobo camp

I went 26.55 miles today. I went to church and Dillons as usual. I found an abandoned camp where homeless people were staying. It had a mattress, and a make shift mosquito net. The net they made would have done a poor job keeping out the bugs. There was a small dump for old bottles and cans and such too. There may be still a homeless person staying there.

E bay purchase

I am living dangerously now! I bought a tire pump for my bike on E bay! This is only the beginning of my online shopping addiction.

Lost five pounds this week!

Checked my blood pressure this morning. 93/56. 54 heartbeats per minute. I lost 5 lbs too. I weight 150 lbs.

Hot, Hot, Hot!

I felt good this morning, which surprised me after having heat exhaustion yesterday. I went to church and Dillons. I wore a wide brimmed hat instead of a helmet, and I know that's a no no. But, it was HOT!

The heat can be dangerous

I rode 43.3 miles to my brothers house yesterday. I got heat exhaustion on the way home. I had a headache, and I was nauseous. It was no fun at all, but I got home. I had to stop several times to cool down, and I even took a nap. After the sun went down and it cooled off a little I felt much better. I had to get into some traffic and it was a little intimidating. On the way there, I passed a tractor. I don't pass many vehicles, but he was very slow! I walked through the fiesta on the way home.

At the Car show

I started out slow, but by the end of the ride I felt very strong. I went to Church,Dillons, and to the bike shop. I bought a replacement pair of gloves. I went the standard 27 miles today. The picture was taken at the Car show last night. I was there with Debbie, and Ed. Went to Ed's house afterward. It was a good time.

Quality time with my Sister

I got about 10 miles from home, and my sister called and invited me to a Car show. I turned around and met her there. We ate at Jersy Mikes then we went to Ed's house. It was a good time. I only got in 16 miles, but I was really tired for some reason.

I did 27.5 miles of rain riding today. It was a warm gentle rain, and I enjoyed it. I am normally soaked in sweat anyway, so I did not notice much difference. I went to church, went to Dillons, and went back to church. Then I went home. It was a very nice ride.

Lots of dust and corn!

37.7 mile bike ride on Landon Trail

37.7 mile bike ride today on the Landon Trail. I made it to 109th Street. I misplaced my bike gloves, and I could not find them. The trail ends at Ratner Road, so I went south to 109th. I barely made it up a very steep hill. I had to use the brake to keep from going to fast when I went down it. I thought I might lose control on the gravel. My speedometer still showed 22 mph!

I got quoted in a magazine article about the Shunga Trail.

Mini pump gets the job done.

25.9 miles on the Odometer today. I haven't talked to God for awhile, so I rode to church and then to Dillons. I got a flat tire from a thorn. I used the spare inner tube, so I could fix it fast and not be late. I pumped 150 strokes, but then I saw the tire bead was not completely on the rim. I had to deflate it, and pump it up again! It was hard work. I pumped 150 times, but it was not enough. So, I ended up pumping another 150 times before I got enough pressure, and after all that pumping I still only got 20 lbs of pressure in the tire! It got me home, so I really can't complain. Who says no upper body workout on a bike? The Landon Trail was too muddy today.

I have an odometer now, so I know exactly how far I have ridden. I went 33.65 miles on the Landon Trail yesterday. It was very hot, and I drank a lot of water. I went as far as I could on the trail, then I kept going on dirt roads. I went as far as 89th street before I turned around to go home. I went straight down Ratner road to get home.

It rained this morning and I could not ride to church, but it cleared at 1:00. I wanted to do the Landon Trail, but it was to muddy. I went to Dillons and ate instead. My new odometer shows 24.2 miles. I had a headache this morning, but I feel very good now.

Went to a car show by bike.

It rained this morning, but then it cleared and turned into a very nice day. So I went to the bike shop and bought a speedometer for my Gary Fisher bike. I want to know how many miles I am putting on it. Then I went to Dillons and ate. There was a car show in the parking lot. Wow! There were some neat old cars there.

Flat tire on Landon trail

This is a video of my flat ordeal on Landon trail last sunday. Looks like it's going to rain all weekend, so I proably won't get any riding done.

Mom called, and asked me to install her water filter. So I rode my bike to her place on my road bike. It is 16.81 miles to her place.

50 miles 1 flat

I went to Church, Dillons, and then I went to the end of the Landon Trail. I had a flat on the way back. I was on the other side of Berryton, so I was a long way from home. I patched the hole. I only got 20 lbs of air in the tire with my little pump, but It was enough to get me home. I feel really good now, but I think that is about my limit.

I went to the bike shop and bought a bike bag for my mountain bike. I was only going to the bike shop at first, but then I decided to explore Landon Trail. Wow! I was in bike heaven.I rode for 4 and a half hours! I did not bring enough water,so I stopped at the kwik shop and bought a couple liters. It was not enough, but it helped. I kept going and going, until I got to where the trail was closed. It was a good thing, because I just could not stop. I went past Berryton by a mile or two I think. Parts of the trail were very rough, but my Gary Fisher was right at home. It handled the trail very well. No place for a road bike. I saw some beautiful scenery. The old railroad bridges were cool. This was one of the longest rides I have ever done.

Fitness level went up a notch

My fitness level has gone up a notch, because I have been riding so much this week. I easily did 22 miles today. I put together a small video and posted it on youtube.

I had to do another 25 today

I just had to do another 25 today. I went to the bike project shop, the farmers market and Capps bike shop to buy a spare inner tube. It is starting to get hot.

I got another flat front tire, but I got it fixed pretty quickly. I found a thorn in the tire. Took 150 pumps on my little mini pump to get the tire aired up to 35lbs! I went about a mile, and I noticed my speedometer was gone! So, I went back to look for it. I thought it was lost for good, but I found it! 15.86 miles on the odometer, but I have some miles not logged.

Got 20 miles in today

I got a 20 miler on my Trek today.

I rode my mountain bike to the farmers market and bought some mustard greens,then I went to Dillons and bought a chicken dinner, then I went to the bike shop and bought a yellow bike bag. I got the itch to ride some more, so I rode my road bike another 20 miles. The wind is very strong, and I almost did not have to pedal home. I went around 45 miles today. The weather was very nice, but very windy. Last sunday I did a 25 mile ride on my Gary fisher. It was a cold and wet day. The trail was muddy and slick. I enjoyed it.

I could not get myself off the couch this morning,because it is cold, windy, and cloudy. Then the sun peeked out for a moment. I jumped up, got on my bike and went to church. I don't know what I will do when the Lord takes my bike from me. I guess I will die.

The front tire went flat on the way home from church. Of course, I decided not to bring any water to save some weight. Bad move, because I needed the water to find the holes. So, I had to go to a nearby creek and down a steep (and treacherous) bank. I almost fell in, but I did find the leak. I patched it, but the tube still leaked, so I had to go back to the creek again. It held after patching the second hole. I have a mini pump, and it took a lot of pumping to get enough air in the tire. The tire was cushy, but it was enough to get me home. I had a date at 3:00, and I was worried I would not make it, but it had a happy ending.

First I went to the farmers market and bought some spinach, onions and potatoes. Then I went to Moms and gave them to her. She was leaving for a week, but she said they would keep till she got back. I saw a couple of deer along the trail and, and I saw a family of Canadian Geese too. I took pictures of them, but I accidentally deleted them. Only 1 picture did not get erased. I had a very nice bike ride today!

Saturday was a washout, but today I did get a 25 mile bike ride in. It was a cool, windy, dreary day. I enjoyed it anyway.

I rode to church, and the seromon was about forgiving ourselfs. He made the point that we can't forgive ourselfs, but we need Jesus to do it for us. He is right! I have tried to forgive myself many times, and I can't do it. But, through Jesus I can have peace.

I rode with TCCP holigans on friday. I was supposed to meet them at a bar, but I went to the wrong bar! I hurried to where I was supposed to be. I think I went close to 20 miles. I went to the fairlawn dillons today. I suppose I went 25 miles.

I visited the Topeka Community Cycle Project, and I got to meet some fellow bikers. They invited me to ride with them tomorrow at 6.

Saturday, I rode to Moms, then I went to Dillons and got a chicken dinner. Today, I went to Church. I told Duane I was going to lake Shawnee after Church, and he wanted to meet me at the lake so we could ride together. I got there before he did! He had a cheap bike he bought for 69 dollars in 1976, but I was very impressed with it. He rode it around the lake with no problem! He said he put new brakes and tires on it. Brakes and Tires are very important. I guess I went around 30 miles today, but I am not sure.

Nice day for a bike ride.

Rode to chuch, then went to dillons and got a chicken meal. Very nice ride.

I had a wonderful day of riding. I met my co-worker on the trail and took a picture of him and his son. Then I went to Dillons and ate a chicken dinner. Food is so good when I am riding. I take a lot of bike pictures, but really I am taking pictures of places I have been. I hiked down to the creek and I hear a loud crack. It was a mini-alvalanche, and it starteled me. I loaded my bike pack with some rocks I got from the creek and took them home to fill a hole in my drive. Added a lot of weight, but the bike handeled just fine. My gary fisher reminds me of a pick up truck. Its not fast, but it can haul a large load.

Got my Road Bike out today

I rode to the bike shop yesterday, and I bought a rack for my off road bike. I went to mcdonalds and to the end of the trail. I estimate I went about 25 miles. I got my road bike out today and the odometer says I went 21.7 miles, and my top speed was 25.6 miles per hour. That is fast enough for me!

March bike ride

I have been a couch potato for a month, so I was not sure I could do a 20 mile ride but I did OK. I feel really good now. My arm ached a little after the ride, but It will be OK. It has been a long winter!

I like this picture so I decided to post it.

My toes got cold on this ride.

My toes got cold on my way to church. I felt so good even though I am not as fit as I would like. I walked my bike into church, but I think that they don't want me to do that anymore, so I will start locking it up outside. The pastor gave a sermon on how we can't be lone Christians. I am a lone Christian, because I am a sinner and other Christians shun me. I just imagine myself on the cross when I go and that helps. I stopped and explored the creek, and I took some pictures too. I got on top of a ledge that was there. Its a beautiful place, but there is some trash there that needs picked up.

I rode my Gary fisher to the bike shop, then I went to the end of the Shunga trail. I enjoyed it so much, because I have not been able to ride for weeks. I had to be very careful not to jar my injured arm or I would get shooting pains from it, but it is almost healed now. I found a neat place along the trail and it felt almost magical to be there. It is a cloudy day, so the pictures are not bright. I checked my blood pressure after the 25 mile ride and it was 110 over 80 and my pulse was 106.

Back in the saddle again

I got on my bike 2 weeks after crashing into a pile of snow and hurting my right arm. I could not put much pressure on it without sharp pain. I did get a half hour spin done today. I was lucky I did not hurt myself worse. I think I can make a full recovery, but I better not do any more falls like that. I am going to start wearing my helmet again too.

Bike accident.

I wrecked my bike today. I was getting my camera out, and I hit a pile of snow (see picture.) My ribs hurt, and I think I jammed my arm. A lady asked me if I hit my head, and she wanted to call for help. I said no, I didn't hit my head and I will be OK, thanks. I bent the brake lever, and I scuffed my bike up. I have had two wrecks while handling my camera, so I need to stop doing that! I did get 20 miles in today.
Winter Bike Ride

I did an outdoor work out today. I warmed up with a half hour bike spin, then I did two sets of 10 with the eight pound dumbbells and two sets with the 20 lb dumbbells. I can only do 5 reps with the 20 pounders till I fail, but maybe I will get it in the next week or two. Dumbbell training will make it easier to start my lawnmower next spring. I like to do dumbbells when its cool, but when it gets warm I will do more bike riding. Dumbbells are a great way to build upper body strength. Biking does work the upper body a little, but not as good as dumbells! It is a very good way to cross train. I can't prove it, but I think that having good upper body strength makes me better on the bike too.

I did a half hour spin, and then some light dumbbell work. Not much to write about with indoor training. Sweat pours off my face when I indoor train, that's because it does not evaporate like it would in the wind. I lose some fitness in the winter, but I will have a head start when spring gets here.

Dumb bell workout

I did some bike spinning for about an hour, and then I did a dumb bell work out. I am only using 8 lb dumbells, but I am working up to 20 pounders. I warmed up on my bike first. I did a LOT of sweating! But that's a good thing. I had a head ache, so I drank a cup of coffee and did a workout to get rid of it, but I had to take some aspirin anyway.

Resting heartbeat of 61!

I bought a blood pressure monitor at Walmart. Its measures Systolic and Diastolic blood pressure with a cuff that wraps around the wrist. I checked my blood pressure before working out and it was 104 over 67, at 61 heartbeats per minute. After spinning for 40 minutes, and working up a good sweat, I checked it again. This time it was 113 over 78, at 105 beats per minute. I thought to myself this can't be right, so I checked it again and it was 103 over 75 with a heartbeat of 101! My heart rate was getting back to normal fast. I had a very bad cold and I did not ride for several weeks. I was afraid that I had lost my fitness. Having a resting heart rate of 61 is not bad for a 53 year old man!