 I use my visits to the woods, to work, as a recovery day. I've noticed that now that I've been increasing my ride distances, standing all day in the woods, isn't allowing my legs to recover. I bought a cheap camp chair so I can sit more often, lol.  I got in a good, 61 mile ride that included the climb on Canyon Road, south of Granville. I also....  ....visited Moots Road just west of Granville to check the progress of the bridge replacement. It doesn't appear any progress has been made since my last visit. Too bad as this is one of our major ways of entering Granville. However...  .....a temporary bridge has been placed across the river so workers can pass. I appears that cyclists could cross too.  The obligatory pic of the bike leaning against a bucket. What a great bike, BH, has been. I'd like to acquire a new one but I'm emotionally attached to this one until it gives me a reason to retire it. It already has Di2 shifting so a new bike would not be an upgrade.  I'm making it a point to visit some of the Columbus Metro Parks so hiked around the Park of Roses. Beautiful!  Having ridden on a wide variety of roads, passing lots of people mowing their rapidly growing grass, I noticed something. No one and I mean no one is using the traditional riding lawn movers. Instead....everyone is using a 0 Turn Radius mower. Having previously used one, I understand why. They fly around the yard! 
0 Comments
 I got out for a 20 mile ride so I could visit the Intel plant. Wow, a lot of activity, many trucks and adjoining parcels seeing activity too. Part of Intel? Don't know. The other thing I noticed is the quantity of trees being planted, especially along Mink Road. Hundreds.  This being Thursday, after my short morning ride, I headed to the evening group ride where the usual suspects like (R-L) Scott B, Ken B, Nick, Brian & unknown guy in blue jersey.  Amanda getting her bike ready after having placed 2nd, in her age division) last weekend in a gravel race. Another of our regular visitors, Peggy C also podiumed. I brought a gravel bike from AZ but now I'm thinking I should sell it. The variety of paved roads is so great here.  Ride organizer, Don N sporting white socks and shoes!  The rivets get called out, than the A group and than the B group, as usual.  I did not intend to do the full route, considering I rode earlier in the day but it was kinda heartening that for once, I did not struggle to keep up prior to departing. Maybe making some progress???  Amazing cloud formations as I headed back to the barn.
 Best image of the northern lights I have seen with the "OHIO" signal.  Oh, so Sunday was a break from the rain and a beautiful day it was as I rode past the Hoover Reservoir.  Lots of water craft out. I only got in 21 miles because Monday was going to be a glorious day so that afternoon.....  ....I entered my son's creek and began cutting the trees and branches that have accumulated. I love using a chain saw! My only misstep was many years ago when the saw sliced through a pant leg but fortunately, my leg was to the side.  Lots more to cut but enough pieces have accumulated that we'll get a good fire going and dispose of the wood before I cut more.  On Monday, I put in a good, 55 mile ride, having a gentle tailwind going out and then a freshening head wind coming back. Good workout. Of course, two straight days of good weather just has to be followed with rain and so it did. I took my bike to Rick Miller's again for new brake hoods and enjoyed the drive to Utica. It appears the fields are about ready for the season's first cutting.
 My mother passed away last year at 103. As executor, my last act was disposing of her 2022 Buick Century, having only 54,000 miles.. I was surprised of the demand once I put it on Craig's List. Sure, the scammers came first (do you accept cryptocurrency and I'm a poor student at Denison U will you accept half price?) but it sold in one day for $4000.  Amy keeps me updated on the comings and goings in southern AZ, including pics of Jack.  Last week, this field was being disced and a week later, green shoots are emerging. Growing conditions were ideal during the week.  Other fields yet to be plowed or maybe laying fallow for this season. That's all folks. Rode Tuesday before the rain, then it rained every day but preparing to go out Sunday morning. It's weird but since I'm in Ohio, I expect this weather so don't get too annoyed.
 While mowing the trails, I pause, confronted by a thick patch of beautiful wildflowers. Nothing to do but keep mowing.  Sunday morning, I went on a 50 mile ride to Utica. Fantastic roads including Reynolds and later, that steep portion, ugh.  I made a loop out of the route so departed Utica via Homer Road and worked my way west and then south. Hardly any traffic and than, hustled to Newark so I could watch....  ....the finals of a soccer tournament in which Anthony was playing. They won, it was thrilling to be there as....  ....he had 3 goals! As an 8 year old in an under 11 league, that's pretty good.  Tuesday arrived and with the evening forecast looking iffy, I did a 40 mile loop. Dang, it is so green. I definitely miss the mountain views of southern AZ but this isn't a bad alternative.
 Near the intersection of Watkins and old 161, a home having signage that says "Pelican" has this odd arrangement of bottles in their front yard.  My beloved "BH" bike needed a tune-up, perhaps its efficiency could be enhanced??? So I visited Rick Miller's shop and had a great time getting caught up. Among other things, he installed a new chain. When telling that to someone later, they asked if it was an "echain", lol. I wish.  I typically arrive about 30 minutes prior to the ride so I can be the parking lot gadfly. Here rolls in Soka! Whoa, I was unaware of teammate Frank's alarming experience when they were in AZ for a training camp. Remarkable he survived the cardiac event.  Larry P and his new bike. I stated it was orange and he claimed it's not.  Paul Djupe made an appearance too for the first time this season. It's been great to see people I have not seen for 5 years but some notable absences too. Maybe more "old timers" will come out.  Around 55 people came out which seemed low considering the near perfect weather.  The Rivet group seems a mere shadow of its former greatness, in quantity if not quality. One Riveter, Ken Buddell, rode with the A group as this was his 3rd ride of the day, compiling 167 miles and 10k climbing following the completion of tonights ride....wow!  Mike Weber looks back as we regroup after the Alward Road climb. A friend observed, I didn't lose my cycling fitness overnight and I'm not going to regain it overnight either. I think I have made minor, incremental gains but I'm still one of the last ones to join the regroups.  It was an interesting route of 35 miles which included dismounting at a bridge to lift our bikes over a chain, walk a few feet and again, lift bike over chain and continue on. We continued on the counterclockwise route, reaching the long climb on Jersey Mill Road.  I was ok...almost to the top...slid back a bit...clung to the tail of the group while reaching the regroup point. There, Amanda Orr on the left talking to Andres. Amanda lost 15 pounds and coupled with lots of miles on the bike, is riding very well. Finished the 35 miles with a 19.1 average.
 All is right in our cycling world as Kristie, aka Cookie Lady has returned to the peloton having labored to make and offer us post ride treats.  Morning rain gave way to scattered clouds by the time about 40 of us gathered for our "conversational paced" B ride. Sure, lol, sure, quite the conversation one can have when the group average is 20+mph. Not complaining at all as it is the good workout I need.  Soooo, it doesn't take a genius to figure out that all the effort required by me to stay with the group for the first half of the ride, can't be sustained yet for 2+ hours. Therefore, as we entered Granville, I took a hard pass on the Jones Road climb and waited for the gang to emerge from that.  They began filtering in and all took a break with me. Then we sped out of Granville, cutting through the middle school, onto Raccoon Valley Road for the entrance into....  ....Alexandria. I was good to this point in the return but was aware that the long slog up Jug Street was coming soon. I was somewhat less than brimming with confidence that I would hang and....  ....I was not to be disappointed in my expectation but of course, disappointed nonetheless. As we approached New Albany, the sun nearly blinding us, I realized I had a shot at posting an average speed above 20 and so I did, at 20.2 for my 36 miles. It's been a very long time since I topped that number and at a conversational pace too, ha, ha.  Sure enough, Kristie threw open her trunk and we dove in. To be clear, these are not run of the mill snickerddoodles but bakery quality treats. Love these evening rides!
 My enjoyable cleanup in the woods continues with still more dead ash trees to cut. Even given 6 months, I don't think I'll finish this project, this year.  Partly of course cause I'm spending time with the 3 grandsons. I took for granted that I would win a chess match with Ben and almost lost. Then Anthony, above, beat me at badminton. I may have missed a shot or two on purpose but he was thrilled with the outcome.  I checked out Highbanks Metro Park and that has a good system of trails.  Then, my son asked me to look at the creek behind his house. He wants all this cleared, which doesn't look too difficult but looking the other way....  ....yikes! One of my stated reasons for coming back to Ohio was to help with projects and this is a biggie. Looks like fun so I said I'd take care of it.  Beautiful sunrise on Sunday where I....  ...headed south for a 41 mile ride to Baltimore. The farmers were out in force on this day, the fields finally dry. Also out in force were winds, gusting over 35mph, from the south. It was a good workout, forcing me to pedal all 20 miles south. Maybe, just maybe I'll experience some minor, incremental gain in fitness. And so, on to the Tuesday group ride!
|
