2026 cycling week 32

August 3-9

Monday morning I had another flat. This one was my fault. I forgot to check the tire and found the small bit of wire left in the tread. I ended up having to walk home 2 miles.

I removed the tube and made sure to check the tire before I put in a new one. I did find a small bit of wire and removed it.

I finally got my wheel back in the bike and did a quick ride around the block. But it started raining so I couldn’t really test it.

I woke Tuesday to threat of rain. Radar looked heavy rain was on the way so I made the decision to shower and start work early. Of course the rain fizzled out and I could have ridden.

I rode after lunch and noticed that the tire is not sitting properly. I just did a short loop of 7 miles. When I got back, I added more air to the tire hoping it might push things to the correct spot.

Wednesday’s ride was better with the tire at 50 psi. So I added even more air on Thursday, 60psi.

The ride was good.

On Saturday, I did the grocery shopping. The rear tire felt soft. I pumped it up between Publix and Target. It felt OK but I wonder if it is time to replace the tire. I replaced it in June 2025 and have ridden over 6000 miles on it. Bike Garage claims its max life is 3,728 miles. I know I rode the original tire almost two years but I also had plenty of flat tires. I wish the tires weren’t so expensive. Retail is $59.

Sunday was a bust. The tire was completely flat. I pumped it up and hoped I could get in a ride. I opted to stay close to home by riding back and forth along Mansfield. I got to 7-11, about 4 miles, and could hear the tire was going down. I stopped and tried to pump it up. I had the adapter but the VEVOR pump kept stopping. I even tried the gas station pump but the mechanism was too big to fit into the tight space. I walked home.

I tried to use one of the patches to mend a tube but it didn’t work.

The new tubes should be here tomorrow but that means no ride before work.

This week 96 miles (Strava 90)

This year 3,656 miles (Strava 3,498)

Streak 2,353 days

2026 cycling week 31

July 27 - August 2

Regular morning rides Monday through Friday.

On Thursday, I had an appointment at Oliver’s for a new chain and cassette. It was raining but I would let that stop me because I had n ended a new chain for weeks.

I went to Panera while they were working.

I returned after 90 minutes. (Panera was getting too loud to read.) The new chain wasn’t on yet. I reminded Randy about my doctor’s appointment. He had forgotten and I should have reminded him when I got there. They rushed to get it done and I raced to my appointment. (I was 20 minutes late and they have a 15 minute window I did not know about. I had called while at Oliver’s but no one answered and the call was cut off.) The chain was still skipping and I was hoping it was because of the rain. But the chain continued to skip the following day when everything was dry.

I was going to call Oliver’s on Saturday to let him know about the skipping so they could look at it when I went in to get new brake pads (they didn’t have the correct pads in stock.) I did two grocery runs and was crossing the busy road when my chain snapped. Fuck!

I contacted AAA for a tow. It was 9:30 and Oliver’s wasn’t open yet but I called and left a message.

it took longer for him to secure the bike than it did to ride to the bike shop

It took two hours for the tow.

Randy said that he chose a Shimano cable hoping it would be more compatible and last longer. But it uses a pin instead of a Quick Link and needs to be adjusted correctly. They didn’t get a chance to do this and this is why the chain skipped and eventually snapped.

Randy did recommend that I bring it in and leave it do they can thoroughly clean the bike. (the bike is too big to fit in my van.)

rain threatened but stayed away while i was on the bike

Once everything was done, I rode to Aldi and finished my grocery runs.

Later, I went out to get WingStop for dinner. I turned into our “village” and knew I had a flat. Dammit.

I changed the flat on Sunday then went for a ride. It takes so much effort to get the tire off the wheel that I forget to check for what caused the problem. Also, the tire didn’t seem seated properly. When I rode, I stayed closed to home so I would have to walk too far. Sunday was OK, but Monday…

This week 120 miles (Strava 114)

This year 3,559 miles (Strava 3,407)

Streak 2,346 days

2026 cycling week 30

July 20-26

The mornings are so warm and sweaty.

looks bland. tasted bland.

On Thursday, I road to get a fasted blood draw which means no ride before work. After the blood draw, I stopped at Panera for breakfast.

I did the grocery run on Saturday for 28 miles.

I rode my old regular route on Sunday for 16 miles. It felt good.

This week 110 miles (Strava 105)

This year 3,438 miles (Strava 3,293)

Streak 2,229 days

2026 cycling week 29

July 12-19

I rode every morning before work.

On Tuesday, I rode to get my haircut in addition to my morning ride. My legs felt it on Wednesday.

i am wondering why they haven’t cut down this dead tree yet

I went grocery shopping to 4 stores on Saturday for 28 miles.

I slept well and woke up a little late so I only did 11 miles on Sunday.

This week 121 miles (Strava 116)

This year 3,328 miles (Strava 3,188)

Streak 2,332 days

2026 cycling week 28

July 6-12

Monday through Friday, 13.5 miles before work.

i found bike gloves i bought years ago. you don’t realize how thin yours have gotten until you get new ones.

On Saturday I did errands. And I jinxed myself.

Since we went to Publix on Friday, I didn't need to go on Satruday. That meant only 11 miles which wasn't enough. So we I headed to Target, I took the long way up to SR56. And when I went to Aldi, I took the long way through Live Oak. This go me to 17 miles which was OK. But then Aldi only had 2 half gallons of chocolate milk so I had to go to Publix anyway. 24.4 miles

I did another regular ride on Sunday before the sunrise.

This week 105 miles (Strava 101)

This year 3,206 miles (Strava 3,072)

Streak 2,25 days

2026 cycling week 27

June 29-July 5

Early morning rides Monday through Thursday. I had Friday off so I did the grocery rides for 28 miles.

On Saturday, I rode around Meadow Pointe and K-Bar Ranch for 21 miles.

There was rain forecasted for Sunday. I decided on a shorter ride before sunrise of 11 miles.

This week 115 miles (Strava 110)

This year 3,100 miles (Strava 2,971)

Streak 2,318 days

2026 cycling week 26

June 22-28

I rode in the mornings Monday through Friday. Not much wind but lots of humidity.

My chain has started skipping some so I am riding in a low gear.

I did my grocery run on Saturday. I had to go to back to Publix twice for out of stock items. And because I wanted more miles, I rode to the one farther away and ended with 31 miles.

I had planned on two loops on Sunday and perhaps riding with Andy for lunch. But arrhythmia started about 25 minutes into the ride so I went home. And Andy chose to drive instead of bike. Oh well. It was still a good week.

This week 109 miles (Strava 106 miles)

This year 2,985 miles (Strava 2,861)

Streak 2,311 days

2026 cycling week 25

June 15-21

The weekdays were sweaty and uneventful. My sleep is getting better and have not had to have a recovery day.

rain threatened but held off until i got home

I did a big grocery run on Saturday.

My usual stops; Publix, Target and Aldi. But Aldi had no chocolate milk so I had to go back to Publix. Juice was also on sale so I loaded up my bike on the way to Sprouts. My bike was a bit wobbly. I probably should have done a third trip to Publix and will if this happens again.

It was over 28 miles but felt good except for the heavy load on the way home.

I did a recovery ride on Sunday morning. I did two loops in Cargo mode as the sun came up.

This week 114 miles (Strava 110)

This year 2,876 miles (Strava 2,755)

Streak 2,304 days

2026 cycling week 24

I haven’t seen any cows this week

June 8-14

The mornings are getting sweatier.

The hole in one of my pair of shorts is getting bigger. Too big to ignore. I tried riding on the saddle differently on Thursday and just ended up irritating my bits.

I did errands on Saturday. I also irritated my bits. This has never happened before. Getting old is such a joy. Not.

On Sunday, I woke up early enough to go for a longer ride but a low sleep score and forgetting to charge up my battery before meant a shorter and slower ride.

It wasn’t a bad week.

This week 102 miles (Strava 98)

This year 2,761 miles (Strava 2,645)

Streak 2,297 days

2026 cycling week 23

June 1-7

Mileage will be lower for the next four months. It is summer and that means swimming on Sundays. I will ride when I wake up and how many miles I get it depends on when I wake up. I could set the alarm but I won’t.

I did my usual rides during the week and errands on Saturday.

Sunday was my first sunrise ride of the year.

This week 102 miles (Strava 98)

This year 2,659 miles (Strava 2,548)

Streak 2,290 days