Tour de Palm Springs 2015

I'll be riding the 50 (actually 54.6) mile route at the 2015 Tour de Palm Springs on February 14th 2015. Nothing like cool desert air to clear the head from what  hopefully will be a cold wet winter here in So Cal. 

While I ride Carrie will have plenty to do in Palm Springs.

Throwback Thursday - Betzi's First Ride

It's looking more likely that I'll be giving up my rides with Betzi so as not to wear down the new hips to fast. The trailer plus Betzi comes close to 100 pounds. There is also more rubber on the road with the two trailer tires. To be totally honest, I'm also enjoying the longer faster rides on my 700s without Betzi... now that I have hips that work. Don't worry girl we'll still play catch and start taking more walks.

Here's the post from a few years ago.

My original post from March 7th, 2010 - Betzi's Trike Ride

Betzi takes her first trike ride.

My son Byron and yours truly took Betzi on her first ride in her carrier. We went to the local school parking lot and rode about three miles around in circles to see how the ole girl took to her little adventure. All went well. We'll be taking more rides together.

Millennials Fail to Vote

As more cyclists combine cycling and mass transit it becomes increasingly important to support light rail.

More here at Urbanful

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Millennials demand public transportation, but lose out by skipping the voting booth On November 2nd, Urbanful put out an article on how millennials’ transportation habits are changing the way cities plan for the future; on November 5th, it became clear that millennial’s voting habits have an equally profound effect on public policy, in the opposite direction. High profile ballot initiatives on a proposed light rail in Austin, TX and increased funding for transit projects in St. Petersburg and Gainesville, FL went down to defeat amid low voter turnout from 18-29 year olds. Overall, it was a mixed night for such measures in cities across the country, and results were similarly ambivalent on the state level. This equivocal outcome for transportation policy would be of little note on an eventful election night had it not conflicted with the trend documented at the beginning of this article as well as preliminary poling.

The Right Hook

While I'm out on the road (3-4 times a week) the number one potential problem that my mental radar is always looking out for is the "right hook". The right hook is the most common situation I come across. The right hook is when a driver wants to and often does make a right turn directly in your path. For me it seems to happen most frequently when a driver wants to turn into a driveway. It happens less at intersections. At intersections with designated turn lanes I take up the turn lane or move over into the traffic lane (if safe to do so). At intersections without right turn lanes I make it clear, in a friendly sort of way, that I'm going straight by either taking the traffic lane or point that I'm going straight. Every intersection presents it's own little challenge and each rider must approach it in a way that's comfortable for them. 

It's pretty easy to spot the crazy or clueless drivers who are ready to pass you and proceed to turn in front of you. For the laid back rider it's easy to continually scan what's going on around you and act in a manner to save your hide by anticipating what a car is going to do. There's a lot of clues you start picking up on as you put on the miles.

A breed all their own the clueless drivers are easy to recognize by the uncertainty in their decision making capacity. These are the ones that tentatively approach from behind, pass you and then stop in mid turn knowing that they screwed up. Then it takes a bit of effort on my part to make it clear I don't want to go in front of them as I try to wave them on. The crazies are another story, they rev their engines in a attempt to beat you to where they want to turn. I let them win.

Beware the right hook and other assorted predators. Try not to be the one that rides in the gutter thinking that riding next to the curb is the safest place to be. Claim your right to be on the road and make your intentions clear but have a bailout option and be willing to swallow your pride rather then take on a 3000 pound SUV...you will lose.

Throwback Thursday - My First Catrike 2009

From my original post December 22nd, 2009 - my first Catrike

Catrike Expedition

I usually keep the the bags and panniers on. On family rides I'm the one carrying jackets, extra water, food and of course the picnic blanket. On local rides I'm always prepared to stop at a farmers market.

The bracket on the left is for GPS or any other cool electronic gizmo.

Delta Air Sound air bottle

Delta Air Sound Horn

Pepper spray

for the pup that shows its teeth

while coming my way.

Dual flag mounts.

I keep a DiNotte light on the trike at all times as a running light. Second lower bracket is for another light for night riding.

Before

After - All lit up with DiNotte lights and alot of reflective tape.

Betzi

Solvang Prelude 2014

The Solvang Prelude (starting in "Pea Soup" Buellton) is the "Prelude" to the larger ride event, the Solvang Century in March. It's organized by the SCOR (Specialized Coronary Outpatient Rehabilitation) Bike Club.  The Prelude takes you through the beautiful Santa Ynez Valley wine country. There was a choice of three rides Metric Century , Half Century and 25 mile ride. Not knowing what to expect, still taking it easy on my new hips and especially wanting to have time to enjoy the wine country with Carrie I opted for the 25 mile ride.

This annual ride is the perfect ride for us trikers. Easy to ride back country roads with great scenery that can truly be enjoyed while laid back.

The 25 mile ride was a little short but it left me plenty of time to be with Carrie (my non-riding best bud and wife). 

Where else would you stay in Buellton? Pea Soup Anderson's is a good clean motel at a reasonable rate (especially for us seniors). Just 2 minutes away from the event area.

Pre-ride action the day before with my beautiful wife.

Ready to go for tomorrow's ride.

Just starting off down Mission Drive (HWY 246) headed to Solvang.

A short ride through Solvang. Solvang is a full on tourist town but it's hard not to get a kick out of it and escape reality for awhile.

There was a few short steep hills that forced a handful of riders to end up walkers. Poor guy in green up ahead has to walk his ride, a necessity that doesn't befall a triker. 

In the heart of Santa Ynez Valley wine country.

A reminder to self to come back later in the afternoon with Carrie to enjoy some vino. 

Catching up with some of the other cyclists. I wasn't trying to go fast but I paced with and passed a lot of cyclists. I love my 700. I'm constantly getting underestimated. That's half the fun of riding the 700.

Yours truly riding by the auto camera.

Well stocked rest stop...

...with more then enough toilets. Now if only the guys would learn to aim better.

A short bike path (the designated route) towards the end of the ride. This was a pretty little path that paralleled Mission Drive. Most riders opted to ride on Mission. Is it an ego thing? Give me the choice between a quiet empty path with trees or a busy highway and you'll find me on the path

End of the ride beer with Carrie at the event festival. 

Now back to Buttonwood Farm. We skip the wine tasting ritual and go straight to a full glass of fermented grape goodness and find a place to sit and enjoy. Some wineries only offer "wine tasting" and don't accommodate us non-connoisseurs who just want a glass of wine to enjoy without  pretense.

This is how to drink wine. The Avant restaurant at the Terraavant Winery in Buellton gives you a wine credit card to use doing your meal. You put the card into the wine vending machines and poor a taste, half or full glass or mix up your wines (my option). 

The Solvang Prelude is the perfect event ride for trkers but I was the only trike...I was the only recumbent. It has good ride options and beautiful country to enjoy during while riding in laid back comfort. After the ride you can enjoy the Danish vibe of Solvang, wineries of the Santa Ynez Valley country or down some cold brews at the Solvang Brewery and Firestone Brewery.

That's One Large Chainring!!

From Ben Goodall's "One Good Run" Facebook page here.

Ready for fairing fitting

Gain Per Mile

This chart form last years Trans Am Bike Race is interesting. I keep a log of my rides and in that log is recorded my average gain per mile. Last year my average gain per mile was 83 feet. My average gain this year is 44 feet per mile. After getting my new hips I've been riding more miles on the flats.

Trans Am Bike Race 2013