Tis The Season

Christmas Day Cruising  

Enjoying the light traffic and cool crisp air

A "little" abode I rode by on my Christmas Day ride

Taking Pics

Taking advantage of a clear and warm Autumn day to hang at the park and take some pics.

Catrike 700 looking good as always

Selfie   

SL-K just keeps on cranking and...

...Chris Kings just keep on rolling

Long shadows, late into Autumn

Blowing Off Steam

With 5 kids ranging in age from 36 years down to 16 years and 8 grandkids life can get a little crazy. Right now to ease all the craziness I need a anti-depressant and anti-anxiety drug topped with a cocktail of adeline, endorphins and a shot of endocanabanoids (the latest compound associated with a runners high or rather a trikers high). 

THE PRESCRIPTION...a fast ride on my 700 to blow off a little steam and to sort out the craziness. I was blessed with a perfect day to put life back into a positive perspective.

The day was cool, crisp and sunny with gentle clouds speaking of better days to come. 

Taking a break from the road. A short paved trail through the hills.  

Feeling relaxed after a 700 fix. 

Things are looking brighter.

Picnic Meet Up

Another ride...another meet up with Carrie at the park

Three Tires Three Flats

Maybe if had my glasses on I could see what I was getting into. I pulled over onto the side of the road to take a picture. I thought I was pulling over onto trampled down dead grass. But no...I pulled over onto hard sun baked burrs. As soon as I recognized what I got myself into I knew I was in deep....

 All three tires blown. It took as long to pull out all the tiny burr thorns from my tires as it did to actually replace the tubes. With all three tires hissing I made to the other side of the road where grass, shade and a smooth rock to sit on awaited me. So I relaxed and committed to repairing all three tires. Lesson learned...stay on pavement while riding.

Back on the road. The burrs are laying low along the white fence on the other side of the road waiting for a clueless triker.

Souvenirs from todays flat tire ride. On the positive side, I got all of the burrs out of the tires (thanks to my  Leatherman Juice C2, 4.4oz, 125g). The tires held up for the rest of my ride. 

Catrike 700 With the Ones

The Schwalbe One tires are back on my Catrike 700 after riding with the softer Kojaks for awhile. 

Schwalbe One 23/406 on the front

Schwalbe One 28/622 on the rear

Water Bottles Left at Home...and it's Hot

What to do when you discover that you left your water bottles at home on a hot day? Call for backup. Carrie delivers my water bottles. Excellent service...thanks babe.

Finding Shade

The marine layer gave way to some warm temps and humanity. 

Oak Canyon Community Park duck pond. Oak Park

A 23/622 Day

A perfect day for a ride. Sundays are good days to be out on the road, low car traffic and high bicycle traffic. Add some sun and temps in the low 70's and you have it, a perfect day to be pushing pedals.

Feeling energized and wanting to stroke my ego a bit by showing up a few DF riding MAMILs (Middle Aged Men In Lycra) I left the Kojak wheelset at home and put on my American Classic, 23/622 Ultremo, wheelset on "Black" and took off on a short but fast (for me) ride. The little bit of extra speed I get from the 23/622 is just enough to show off what a old guy on a performance Catrike 700 can do. It's all in fun and I don't take it seriously. I'm just out having a good time and connecting with other riders.  One poor  lady had her MAMIL drop her to try and catch me. He gave up. Guys, don't ever drop the lady your with to chase down an old guy on a tricycle. Not cool. Especially if that old guy leaves you in his wake and you have to think of an excuse for your "poor performance".

Today's Stats
20.6 miles
14.1 average mph
912' gain

1st "Sunny" Ride of Spring

Actually today's ride was the 2nd ride of Spring but the 1st ride of Spring was cloudy. Today I meandered as evidenced by my slower average speed of 11.3mph. The total ride today was a sunny 23 miles with 1,300 feet of gain. My meanders are slower paced rides that often leave the main route. I take side trips on neighborhood roads, through parks and today rode a short trail. Generally it involves a little more climbing but I take longer breaks on my meanders and enjoy a little quiet time away from the busy roads.

My 700 parked at a local park

And a selfie of yours truly parked at a park

1st Ride Of 2015

Better late then never. My New Year Day's ride had to wait until today due to a pulled neck muscle (nothing to due with riding my trikes). After a heated debate with myself I opted to take "Red" with it's lower gears and get some climbing in.

Working my way to the top.

At the top.
Now a nice downhill run and then up another hill.