2025 cycling week 14

March 31- April 6

The week started out a little iffy with the bike chain. I cannot ride in the two smallest gears as the chain will slip.

So I rode slower in the larger gear. Though sometimes, I did switch to my favorite gear if the path was straight and clear.

Since I had an appointment in the air, I called my bike shop to have the chain and cassette changed on Saturday.

I did a Target run early and came home to unload the groceries.

I went out again. I had to stop short at CLR. One driver thought to stop for me but no one else did so I waved her one. I went to go after traffic had cleared and lost my balance. It was a stupid slow motion fall that skinned up my knee. I got up and back on the bike and crossed the road only to find I couldn’t shift. Did ai damage the derailleur? I stopped and look but I couldn’t really see anything. I got back on the bike and rode as fast as I could in a middle gear. My average speed was only 11 mph. I was concerned I wouldn’t make it in time for my appointment but since ai usually give myself extra time, it was fine.

I rode on the MUP along BBD.i was reminded why I do not like riding there. When cars approach from the side streets, they are looking at on-coming traffic and never look at the traffic coming in the other direction on the MUP. At most of the intersections, I have to maneuver around the large poles for the traffic lights. Two bikes would have a difficult time passing.

I got to the bike shop with ten minutes to spare. I turned off my bike alarm then looked to clean up my bloody knee. It is mostly just skinned, and the wet wipes worked well enough. I have a first aid kit but the cheap bandages would not stick to my sweaty leg.

Randy saw me waiting outside and opened up the door for me. I explained what happened and he said they would look at it.

I went back an hour later after my hair cut and had to wait another hour. They changed the shifter cable and got that working again.

The total came to $189. My bike could probably use a tune-up.

The ride home was uneventful and fast.

On Sunday, I did a loop before going to Nutrition Smart for some laundry detergent.

This week 107 miles

This year 1,434 miles

Streak 1,863 days

2025 cycling week 13

March 24-30

It feels good to ride in the morning and get it done. I do miss the sun but I do not miss the traffic.

I had an eye appointment on Friday so I rode that.

I did my regular errands on Saturday.

One annoying thing is Flow App is having difficulty connecting with the Apple Watch. Sometimes it takes 5 minutes or more. Then the Apple Watch wants to start its own activity. Ugh.

I did a big ride on Sunday because I wanted to stop for ice cream. Storms were predicted so I stayed close to home then went to Cold Stone Creamery. I was worth the effort.

This week 110 miles

This year 1,326 miles

Streak 1,856 days

2025 cycling week 11

is this why it smelled smoky earlier this week?

Mar 10-16

On Monday, I didn’t ride in the morning thinking I had a dentist appointment in the afternoon. I realized my error and rode after lunch.

My dental appointment was on Tuesday so I rode to that.

I wimped out and didn’t ride in the morning even though the temperature wasn’t too bad.

tequila sunrise when i don’t trust the margaritas

I did my regular ride to Publix on Saturday morning then went out after lunch to meet friends at Wiregrass.

messy salted caramel ice cream at bruster’s

It was very windy on Sunday but I did a big ride through Flatwoods and Sprouts and treated myself to ice cream at Bruster’s.

This week 108 miles (on track!)

This year 1,107 miles

Streak 1,842 days

2025 cycling week 10

March 3-9

Monday, Thursday & Friday mornings were cold. I rode at lunch time instead of freezing. Each ride was just under 14 miles with the added miles through Live Oak.

Tuesday and Wednesday were my regular morning rides before work.

On Saturday, I did some errands to Nutrition Smart & Target. It was only 8 miles and I felt like I should go out again. But I opted the clean and lube the bike instead. I also added some stickers to the panniers. They are pretty much full now.

On Sunday, I just did a 21 miles ride around my “neighborhood.” I noticed the chained skipping if I tried to push the pedals too hard. I checked the last time the chain was replaced and it was in July, 3300 miles ago. (I have a haircut scheduled for April 5, I wonder if I can last that long?)

This week 104 miles

This year 998 miles

Streak 1,835 days

2025 cycling week 9

Feb 24- Mar 2

It rained all day on Monday. I opted for an early morning ride because there was less wind. I still got soaked and was happy for a warm shower when I got home.

The rest of the week was dry and not too cold in the morning.

I did three errand runs on Saturday and a very long errand on Sunday.

Saturday marked 5 years for my ride streak.

This week 120 miles

This year 895 miles

Streak 1828 days (5 years 2 days)

2025 cycling week 8

Feb 17-23

The week didn’t start out well because I had to deal with the flat tire. Because the mornings were colder, I planned to ride after lunch. I figured I would have a short ride on Monday once I changed the tire. Except that it took way too long to get it done.

I had never removed a tire front my bike. I had to call the LBS to get some help on removing the axle. Unscrewing only got it to come out about an inch. Danny told me you just have to pull hard.

Once that was done, I couldn’t get the tire off the wheel. I went to a neighbor’s house and he tried but just broke one of my tire levers. I went to the LBS. Danny was at lunch but someone else showed me how to loosen the tire and get it off. Schwalbe tires are amazing for their durability but that are a bitch to remove and put on the wheels.

I got home just in time for a work call.

Later, I tried putting the wheels back on the bike. Why is it so hard? I called the LBS and got some pointers. Finally, it was back on and time to quit work (my afternoons are generally slow) and ride.

I decided to add a few more miles to my route so I could catch up to my weekly goal. I did the same route Tuesday through Thursday after lunch.

I had an eye doctor appointment on Friday so I rode there. I went to Target to get some of the grocery shopping done early.

i went to five guys on saturday. i rode to sprouts before even though i didn’t need much. i needed a longer ride to justify the fries.

I did two errand rides on Saturday and a longer errand ride on Sunday. I stopped for ice cream on Sunday and didn’t like the full feeling in my stomach on the way home.

frozen custard at rita’s ice on sunday

This week 110 miles

This year 774 miles

Streak 1,821 days

2025 cycling week 7

Feb 9-16

This week started out well. I rode each morning before work. It got warm on Thursday and Friday and I had to switch to shorts.

I did two ride of errands on Saturday. I was at 110 miles at the end of the day.

I planned on a short ride on Sunday then kept extending it. I think I extended it too much and got a flat tire at my last stop. Two and half miles home with rain starting. I called a neighbor and he happened to be driving by and picked me up.

Now I will have to learn how to change a tire on this bike. I haven’t done it yet.

This week 126 miles

This year 664 miles

Streak 1,814 days

2025 cycling week 6

Feb 3-9

I was back to riding before work. It was foggy which made it a bit cooler.

I did errands on Saturday. I went to Nutrition Smart to use my birthday coupon. I went to Sprouts then to Chick-Fil-A for another birthday treat.

As I was leaving, my crank fell off! I looked for the bolt but didn’t find it. I have no idea when it fell out. I walked over to Oliver’s and Randy put in a new bolt.

On Sunday, we were going to go by car to the bookstore but the battery was dead. I started the call with AAA. Andy didn’t want to wait and suggested bikes. What?! He hasn’t ridden in years! I had to pump up his very flat tires with my new battery pump. (It worked but I think the gauge is off.) I had to turn off my motor so I could ride slow enough for Andy. (I could have ridden one of my other bikes but I needed the hauling for groceries.) Andy was a trooper even though the ride probably exhausted him.

This week 113 miles

This year 538 miles

Streak 1807 days

2025 cycling week 5

clearing a site for new development. smoke hangs in the air.

Jan 27-Feb 2

It was cold for the first few days of the week so I rode after lunch.

On Thursday, I rode to my doctor appointment.

Friday morning wasn’t too cool but I decided to start the early morning rides on Monday.

I had 382 miles for the month of January. It was a little low but it was a cold month. There is plenty of time to get back on track.

I did a bunch of errands on Saturday. I had to go out for a second trip in the afternoon to get eggs.

I did a 15 mile ride on Sunday to end the week with 101 miles. My first week over 100 miles in 2025.

Next week will be warmer so I can go back to riding before work, in the dark.

I cleaned and lubed my bike when I got home.

This week 101 miles

This year 425 miles

Streak 1,800 days

2025 cycling week 4

Jan 20-26

Last week I said it was very cold. It wasn’t. I guess I didn’t know how cold it could get! It got downright freezing and rarely warmed up during the day.

If it were for that long cycling streak, I would not had ridden at all this week. But I rode and learned that I can handle the cold if I wear enough layers.

It got kind of warm on Saturday. Well, in the afternoon. I did runs to Target and Publix. The wind was still strong and cold but I could actually ride gloveless.

i only had one blue oval. i love the blue color and it tastes good.

firestone shrimp

roadster burger

I rode to Ford’s Garage for lunch. I got free Firestone Shrimp for my birthday treat.

This week 90 miles

This year 324 miles

Streaks 1,793 days