Bike the Drive 2010

Sunday, May 30 was Bike the Drive. Perfect weather, 10,000 riders, Chicago potholes, who could ask for more? Sadly, there was one death - a gentleman from Dolton, IL. suffered a heart attack and passed. There were also several "accidumbs", a term I freely borrow from Tom Chapin (Harry's brother). One involved a young lady attempting to hold a conversation while riding, so, this one surely fit the accidumb category. Hey, I can get away with talking on the phone while riding, not that I am endowed with greater talent than other riders - it's just that balance is not an issue when riding a trike, but that still doesn't rule out riding into others, riding off the road (or path) or any of the other stupid things one can get into trouble with while riding a bike. Back to the young lady - sure 'nuff, over the handlebars she went, dropped the phone, lucky she didn't break her neck or her melon. Best of all, after being righted by volunteers, she started asking for her phone, wanting to finish her conversation. Priorities, please! Bad enough people have to talk and text while driving, now they gotta do it while riding a bike, in a crowd. I don't think of myself as being a crabby old fart, nor am I a daredevil or aggressive driver (any more), which I would like to attribute to maturity (or old fartism, if you so choose). I guess the closer you get to the end, the more you realize how foolish it is to do anything that would take away from what is left - something that youth has (painfully) yet to learn.
My friend, Earl Russell managed to do three complete laps - 90 miles in total. I've been tired all week just thinking of him doing that! More power to him! I was satisfied with doing 26.

Yes, it is riding weather!

We went from cool and raining to 90*+ and 80% humidity overnight! Not that I'm complaining in the least! It is great to be able to ride with minimal clothing and maximum ice in the water bottle and Camelback! Now , if I could only remember where I put my new stringback riding gloves. Stringback gloves have been a personal affectation of mine since I 'discovered' that James Bond wore stringback driving gloves (so did Sterling Moss, but I didn't want to be Sterling until . . . that's another ((boring racing)) story). Only Nashbar makes and sells stringback gloves, so, I guess it's order time! I suppose I could break down and wear those funky zebra striped gloves that my riding pal Butler wears. And I would if zebras had orange stripes instead of black stripes. Gotta match the paint job on the trike - another affectation! Never had these affectations when I was young!

On the "Chainlink" and a social commentary

Chainlink is a social networking website for bicycle riders in the Chicago area. I am prolly one of the oldest members, as most seem to be in the 20 - 30 y.o. range. They do a lot of neighborhood tours, and meet at bars for drinks and munchies, something that seems to work a lot better on a trike than on a bike, or maybe that's just 'old' age talking. Can't say that I ever remember riding a two wheeler 'under the influence', but as of late, I've been guilty of leaving 'Granite City' Mug Club parties after having been mildly overserved. One of 'our' societal social problems seems to be a willingness to foist off onto others, things we should accept responsibility for. Case in point - "overserved"! Just whose fault is it that I consumed too much excellent beer? The bartender, the server, the manager . . . . or is it my fault that I consumed too much and rode the trike into the pond (big mud puddle, really) on the way to the bike path? Very few people now 'days will step up and say, "No excuse, my fault entirely". I don't like to make mistakes, who does? People seem to be more willing to spew out some dumbassed excuse before admitting making a mistake. So, what is worse, admitting you are human and make mistakes, or puking out some lame excuse or redirecting the blame onto someone else? Sounds like "Dumb and Dumber" to me - like saying 'I'd prefer to come off like a total a**hole by making a stupid excuse before admitting I f*cked up!"

So, midyear New Year's Resolution on my part (knowing full well that few, if any will ever read this, and fewer still even care) - I hereby resolve to : admit my mistakes openly; never blame anyone else for my shortcomings (unless 'they' f*cked up worse than I did); continue to occasionally consume too much 'excellent' beer (or other alcoholic beverages) at Granite City (or elsewhere); continue to ride my trike (weather permitting) to and from Granite City in pursuit of those comestables; aim my trike AT the pond in hopes of thereby missing it; and finally - to get my buddy and 'drinking partner' Bob K. to join me riding.

On "Ride the Rock" and other things

"Ride the Rock" was, in a word, crowded! But, that's a good thing! Over 2000 riders of all sizes and ages were out, having fun, going through the food like they were starving . And, it didn't rain! The parking at the start was in adquate last year, so, the FPD mowed a huge field, which promptly filled up! The gnats were P.O.'d about having their homes destroyed, but can't please everyone!
Today was heaven on earth riding weather - warm and sunny! A little windy, but, that's OK, drys the sweat right up. A stop at Panera for soup and a 1/2 sammich and it was back riding - into the wind. But, it wasn't raining!!!!! Mpre of the same tomorrow!

April Showers Bring May Flowers

That's right! But what do May showers bring? Other than no riding? Sheesh, too deep for me. Saturday is "Ride the Rock", Will County (Illinois) BIG 16 mile ride. That's right! 16 miles, with 4 rest stops (5 if you count the finish), with food at each rest stop. Well, it is a family ride, after all, not aimed at 'experienced' riders. But we recumbent riders always manage to draw a group of kids over to look at our bikes and trikes. Kids seem to 'get' recumbents a lot more than adults. A kid will never ask "Is that comfortable?", they seem to know that if it was painful, we wouldn't be riding it in the first place. Instead, they say, "Cool bike!", and when asked if they would like to sit on it (a trike) they look to Mom or Dad for permission, and then get right on. Were their legs long enough to reach the pedals, I'd probably have to chase down a gew 'escapees". I've even had a few kids climb on the Scorp and make engine noises! Little do they know that the real engine noise sounds more like "Wheeze, wheeze, gasp, wheeze, snort, cough, wheeze, gasp" instead of the "Vroom Vroom" they like to make. If we could only capture the imagination and interest of more kids, the economy of scale of the recumbent business might allow more manufacturers (other than KMX, Catrike and WhizWheelz) to offer children's trikes. One thing is for sure, once kids become old enough, they don't want anything to do with df bikes, so, maybe if a bike was so cool and so much fun to ride (like a trike is) kids wouldn't give up riding and not pick it back up until 'exercise' becomes a necessity. Maybe if we do a better job of watering and fertilizing our flowers, they will grow longer.

Depression

I'm starting to get depressed! It's cold, windy, rainy, yucky - in other words, it's Spring in the Midwest! Got spoiled by a few weeks in the 70's last month, actually got a sun tan, even on my feet. Well, the weather should improve this week, I guess it is time to get over myself and get on the trike and ride!

Blue Lou at rest

Blue Heron at rest, on the nest on the Des Plaines River

Photo by Jim

Osprey

Osprey nesting at Hannah Marine on the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal

Photo courtesy of Jim

Cormorant

Cormorant on his fishing post.

Photo courtesy of Jim

Ah, Spring at last!

The past couple of days have been beautiful! Sunny and warm, although breezy. Saw Osprey nesting at Hannah Marine on the Sanitary and Ship Canal and Cormorants on the DesPlaines River and Blue Heron nesting about 4 miles South of Willow Springs Road. The rest of the week promises to be just as nice, so, riding is!

Spring, Winter, Spring Confusion in Chicagoland

Last week's weather was spectacular! Every day started out cool, but rapidly warmed up into the 60 degree range. I even got my first sunburn of the year, not a bad one, turned to tan by Friday! Weather peops said big change a'comin' by Saturday, great glory osky, woke up this morning and it was snowing! It's gonna stop tonight, tomorrow will be mid 40's, Monday will be mid 50's. Today's snow broke 5 straight days of riding for me - tired legs, but the spirit feels fine! Maybe tomorrow, if it does clear up and go into the 40's I can get in my first 30 mile ride! Won't that be special?

Changes to the Centennial Trail

Our "almost perfect" bike trail is about to change! The Centennial Trail runs between the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal and the DesPlaines River and connects at Rte. 83 with the North leg of the Illinois and Michigan Canal Trail. Both trails are paved, offering 38 miles of scenic trail with very few grade crossings where we are exposed to vehicular traffic - like three or four exposures total in 38 miles. Amazing! Flat and fast! And loaded with wildlife. In the summer, we regularly see blue heron (and greats, too), egrets, osprey, deer, hawks, other 'boids', and snakes, to name just a few.

The problem is the Sanitary and Ship Canal. It connects to the Illinois River, which connects to the Mississippi River, and both are infested with Asian Carp, an invasive species. The S&S Canal also connects to the Great Lakes, which are Asian Carp free. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers installed an electric barrier which, so far, has stopped the relentless Northward march of the carp, but, since the S&S C. is next to the DesPlaines River, which like all rivers, tends to overflow it's banks from time to time, a flood which would link the DesPlaines and the S&S C. would provide an unobstructed path for the carp to reach the Great Lakes. Supposedly, this would be catastrophic to the 'native' fish population. Once upon a time, 'our lake', Michigan, was infested with Alewives, a small, non-native fish that, after spawning, would die and wash up on Chicago's (and other Lake Michigan bordering beaches) and stink up things to high heaven. In their infinite wisdom, the DNR's decided to 'control' the aldwife population by introducing several species of non-native fish - salmon. So, we have great salmon fishing, or at least we did, until alewife population dropped. Genius!

Back to carp - they were introduced into the U.S. to control algae, and they do a great job of it, at the risk of everything else that depends on algae being somewhere in the food chain.

Back to the Centennial Trail - the Corps of Engineers has a brilliant plan to put up a 'fence' of sorts along the DesPlaines River to keep the carp from swimming from the S&S Canal to the DesPlaines in flood conditions. Brillaint! Have you ever seen a river clean, pristine river? Thought not! They are few and far between. Most drainages are filled with organic matter such as leaves, branches, trees. Most drainages are also filled with human trash - won't list that, you know what it is. The problem is when a river tops it's banks, it will flow nicely through the fence with little resistance, but then, the trash will begin to build up on the fence and block the free flow of water. Soon, the irresistable pressure of the water will push over the fence, and along with the water, will come the carp. So, $10,000,000 to put up a fence that will keep the carp out as long as there isn't a flood, and the trash that comes along with the flood.

Brilliant!

The more we think we know, the dumber we prove ourselves to be! Such is mankind!

Terracycle bits and pieces

It arrived Friday afternoon from the Hostel Shoppe, along with two fenders for the electric trike. It was installed by Friday evening! I suppose I could have simply rebuilt the bearings in the stock idler, but the lure of having my first Terracycle item on the trike with a titanium cog and ceramic bearings was just too powerful a lure. And it is 'purty', even though it is hidden away from admiring eyes, under the seat. Well, I know it is there, and I know there will be an immense improvement in pedaling efficiency . . . . just as soon as I am able to try it out! Rained all day yesterday, even a little this morning, and now, the wind is blowing just a bit. Well, there's always tomorrow.

Weather breaks

Low 50's yesterday, mid 50's today, then the rain came, but I got in 17 miles. Streets could use a good washing down, plus, it will melt whatever sonw and ice remain on the trails.

This Saturday, March 13 is the Oak Forest (Illinois) Fleadh (Flah) and they are going to have an Open Street from 9 - 10:30 a.m. - Cicero Avenue will be closed to all cars and trucks for 1 1/2 hours for use only by bikes, roller bladers, runners, walkers, stroller pushers. A parade follows, food and drink will be available, too. Should be fun, if the weather cooperates - 40's expected.

Riding - Finally!

I've managed four straight days of riding! Yes, the weather is breaking just enough to go out and ride, the snow is melting and it feels so good! Anybody that says that hiking is as good an exercise - well, maybe for them, but not for me! I keep thinking that maybe there is something wrong with the Scorp, but, no, it's just out-of-shape legs and cardio that are making me struggle to maintain an 8-9 mph average. That is just pitiful! Or, maybe I can blame it on being almost 62? Nah! Out-of-shape, fat, old - all together make for a slow ride. I'll ride Friday in the morning, take in a movie in the afternoon, go hiking Saturday with the group at Midewin and then, ride with Bob on Sunday and go to breakfast.

Think positive - can Spring be far away?

First ride 2010

Thursday, Feb. 18, 2010 for all of 10 miles! Can't get over how lazy I've become. Can't be the cold weather because it hasn't stopped me from going out hiking. But, it was good to get out on the Scorp again. Legs were weak, but didn't hurt this morning, no pain from PAD or varicose veins. Ah, old age's benefits. Winter can't last forever, can it?

Social Sites

Cancelled my Facebook account today. After getting a few "confirm that you know so and so" messages from supposedly "sweet young things" (prolly fat old men like me) that stated their interest was "men" and a slew from people I've never heard of before and never will again, I cancelled.

A friend is someone I do/have done things with IN PERSON more than once.

An acquaintance is someone I've only done something with once.

What is so hard to figure out about that? You need face to face time to make a friend. If you are a recumbent rider like me, a friend is someone I ride or hike with, someone I can help fix a flat for, kibbitz with over coffee and a cherry Danish, or help align the wheels of their trike.

Someone sending me an e-mail saying "be my internet friend" just ain't in the same league.

Who Needs California?

We got earthquakes, too! 4 something a.m., a 3.8 in near DeKalb. Didn't bother me too much, but woke the weather monkey outa a sound sleep and made a big mess for me to clean up on the floor. Poor little feller, still trying to get some warmth and feeling back into those 'nether' regions. Well, at least the snow is over for now. Only 12-14 inches. Coulda been worser.

Something New

Here, in Chicagoland! It is cold and it is snowing! To show you how cold it is, I've posted a picture of my weather monkey. Says it better than I ever could. It could be late Spring or Summer already.

Saturday Hike

6.08 miles all flat, thank G-d, because my legs were still wiped out from Thursday. Fellow hikers were Jimmy, Tom, Dave, Rick and Sue. Our route was the Rock Run MUP starting from Black Road access in Joliet, Il., North, and then South to the airport. Lunch followed at the "Greek Isles" in Shorewood, IL. where I made a custom sandwich of a cheeseburger with gyros and BBQ sauce. Yummy in the tummy. Maybe I can get out for a short ride tomorrow, Superbowl Sunday before I go over to Al's to watch the game. Got over 60 miles hiking so far, and it's only the first week of February!

A nice day for a hike

Thursday was hike day, so, Rick, Sue, Dave, Tom and I went for a long one in Palos. We went from the Little Red School House to "Site A" (the location of Manhattan Project's Argonne National Laboratory and the burial site of the world's first nuclear reactor, CP1/2 and the world's first heavy water reactor, CP3), "Plot M", a burial site of low level contaminated items and then back to Little Red School House. I had planned on a walk of just over 4 miles, it ended up being just under 7 miles, plus a vertical gain equivalent to climbing a 40 story building. Up the moraine, down the moraine, down the ravine, up the ravine, in the snow, walking on a trail covered in ice. To say I/we were tired afterwards is to put it mildly. After hiking, we rewarded ourselves with buffet lunch at House of Hunan in Palos Heights. I first found out about this site whole my wife and I were X-C skiing in the mid- '70's. At that time, there were still some structures standing on the site, most obvious was a Quonset Hut used as a garage. It was close to this garage that a hockey puck piece of enriched Uranium isotope (238?) was found in the leaf litter by State of Illinois investigators, which caused a major cleanup of the area by Bechtel Corp. and continued groundwater monitoring through a series of boreholes around the site by Argonne natl. Lab, State of Illinois, EPA and others. Radioactivity continues to be measured in groundwater. At "Plot M", which was the major burial site for low level waste, the Guv'ment genius's decided to be safe and enclose "Plot M" in a concrete vault with reinforced concrete ceiling and walls of either 12" or 18", depending on which authority is taken as gospel. Notice, no mention of a concrete floor to the vault! This is a burial site located in a glacial moraine, made up of glacial till - ie. sand, rocks gravel - highly permiable. All to keep the public from digging up radioactive items - clothes, instruments, filters, animal carcases, etc. Begs the question - who could be considered the dumber - those burying the stuff or those who would seek dig it up for trinkets?

So far, no two headed salamanders or deer have been discovered on site. Or two headed humans! Give it time!

Brachial - Ankle Index Test

Well, it was confirmed that I have a pulse in my feet! Next week, some time, I should have a report from the Quack telling me if I need further tests, or if the cramps I suffer in my calves and big toes are due to something other than poor blood flow.

Temps are supposed to rise to 31 degrees. I guess I could go for a ride or take a walk to the library, about 7 miles round trip. Or, I could do some housework, which is what my wife wants.
Well, that was easy to decide, I'm walking to the library. Bye!

Life as an Insulin-Dependant Diabetic

I've always had high blood sugar - almost high enough to become 4F - almost! For the past 20 years I've been diagnosed as a Type II (adult onset), the reality is that I've always been diabetic. There is no such thing as a "borderline" diabetic, either you are - or you aren't. I am! For the past 10 years I've been insulin dependant, befor that, pills alone did the job, then three years of shots, now, I have an insulin pump. Looks like a cell phone, costs $6000! If I had a choice, for the money, I'd rather have a new bike or, be still my heart, a velomobile! Some day! Lucky for me, I am not needle-shy, although the first time I had to give myself an injection before eating, I was 20 minutes late to arrive at the dinner table because I couldn't stick myself. Now, I even want to give myself flu and pneumonia shots in the Dr.s office and want to do the phlebotomist's job when it is time for blood tests. Cooler heads prevail, though.

All in all, I guess I've coped well with my disease. I still have both legs and feet and eyes, I can do everything I want - I ride, hike, walk, travel, and my wife has been supportive of my disease in the extreme. The difficulties in balancing blood glucose levels when riding or hiking has been a challenge. I can't go fast or hard anymore, although my friends still can. For a guy that used to do squats with 600# and was a martial arts instructor, it is frustrating. If I push too hard, down goes the blood glucose level, you learn to love glucose tablets, granola bars and, (shiver) Power Bars! Lucky for me, my friends are tolerant, and now (unfortunately), Jimmy, a riding and hiking friend, has the same problem. Two grumpy (blood glucose fluctuations do that) old men, always feeding their faces.

Latest hiccup in life is "night cramps" - cramps in the calf that can only be alleviated by getting out of bed and standing up, or cramps in a big toe, where the toe is standing up at a 90 degree angle to the other four toes. Now, imagine this pain, compounded by being totally wrapped up in bedding and waking you up from a dead sleep or a really juicy dream! Well, tomorrow, I find out if I have PAD (peripheral artery disease). When will it ever be Spring, so I can start riding?

Life goes on! At least it is interesting!

The times they be a changin!

In a little over a year, I've gone from simply riding a recumbent trike to having a homemade e-assist velomobile to driving a hybrid car. What I'd really like to move to is a commercial velomobile such as a Quest or a Mango, but for that to occur, I guess I have to go back to work or win the lottery, neither of which is likely to happen. In the meantime, my solar trike velomobile with the big hubmotor is blazingly fast, but with a lead acid battery pack, the range is dismally minimal. Hit the lottery time once again for a better battery! I also have found out that I don't think like a blogger, having completely forgotten about this site. Maybe I'll do better in the future? Remains to be seen. The good news is that I've rediscovered the joys of walking and hiking. Over 500 miles of walking/hiking last year! I've hiked old Army munitions plants, walked over the world's first nuclear reactor (and second reactor, too) and did not blow up or glow in the dark! Riding took a bit of a hit, less than 1/2 of 2008's 4400 miles riding were logged in 2009, but I guess I don't feel too bad about that since I described it as only "a bit of a hit". Well, there's always 2010 to look forward to for riding and hiking!