Fitness by Force

This summer I again took a different approach to training.  Nothing organized except for my PT and core training.  Everything else was basically to workout when I have the time and feel like it.  Main goal is to stay healthy (and happy).  As you would expect, a person's form would not be the best using this approach.

I think sometimes events in life occur for reasons that are at first not realized.  This summer Christopher was involved in a crash while driving Carolynn's car.  Result was not good - Matrix was totaled leaving us with only one vehicle to drive.  Nearly two months and over 30 test drives later we still have not found a replacement.   I am currently thinking "it was just meant to be". 

Several years ago I used to commuted to work by bike.  I enjoyed it and got in a lot of training by choice.  Many close calls and the rapid growth of smart phones put an end to that.   It really upsets me when I see people texting and using  their phones while driving.  When you are riding along the road and you hear a vehicle hitting the rumble strips (thank goodness for them on 9 Hwy in the Northland) behind you it really makes you think about cycling on the road.  That is one reason we have been doing the majority of our rides off-road.

With us being down to one vehicle I decided to give commuting another chance.  I have been pleasantly surprised by the new bike lanes and signs up on my ride to work (down by UMKC).  The rides in have been without incident for the most part.  I do have a few close calls like the one this morning when a car failed to stop at a stop sign and just pulled out in front of me.  If I would not have taken evasive action (jumping up on the sidewalk) they would have hit me.  This at 5:30 am in the morning and I have several lights and plenty of reflective gear on.  If they were looking they would have seen me which make me believe they had their eyes on something else besides the road.

All this additional riding has had two effects.  My form is improving quickly which is a good thing because Cross is just around the corner.  The other effect is my appetite has been greatly increased.   You would think that cycling in to work would save you money but for me it has not.  Any money savings in gas is only used to purchase the breakfast special of the day.  Today was a delicious combination of biscuits, gravy, sausage and an egg.

Beware of Angry Drivers.

I do not know where to start other than WTF was up with all the drivers yesterday? O.K. it is raining and I am riding a bike. You most likely are thinking that one should not ride a bike while it is raining. Maybe I should not be riding, but that last time I looked I do have the same rights as you. I pay my taxes, I stop at all the lights and obey the traffic laws, etc.

Everything started well enough leaving work. There was only a light rain and the temps were great for riding especially with my rain gear on. For the first 5 or so miles things are fine. All the cars/trucks are passing with plenty of room. Then I decide to take HOA bridge instead of my normal (safer) Chouteau route. This may have angered the Gods or something because as soon as I got off my normal route and got closer to downtown KC all the drivers started to driver real aggressive. The worst being some guy in a white Ford Taurus. At 12th and Oak Street the light changes and I proceed North on Oak. The Ford Taurus then proceeds to pass me and comes so close to me that the brushes my elbow. This caused me to nearly crash as I am thrust into the curb. I turn into the curb and my front wheel slides along as I fight to stay upright. The wet roads/curb helped I think and I was able to stay on two wheels. I was very mad, but could not do anything about it. The guy kept driving like nothing happened. I still do not even know if he even saw me. I think he did because I could swear I saw him smiling in his rear view mirror.

After settling down some I continued on and one aggressive driver after another showed their ugly face. One would pass me then turning right directly in front of me. I had 3 cars honk their horns at me on Hwy 9 in North KC. I soon got off that road real quick (well, I guess it did take 3 honks to finally get the message). Things started to settle down some, then this crazy blind guy pull out in front as I approached on a downhill section at around 25 mph. It is very hard trying to stop a bike going that fast with wet rims. Scary to say the least.

I was a very happy camper once I got off the main roads and into some neighborhoods. This morning I had to think twice before I ventured out on the wet roads again but I knew days like yesterday only happen once in awhile. I decided to go ahead and ride and encountered zero problems (expect wet roads) on my normal route. I think I will take the extra time and keep it safe.

Sometimes it's a Lonely Ride

Have you ever got the feeling that you are all lone.....

Bike Week is in full swing, but where are all the cyclist in the morning? I have yet to see any on my way to work from the Northland. Maybe it's because when I leave home in the early morning it is still very dark outside.

The morning commutes are not like they used to be for sure. Especially since good ole' Dave took the high road and started his own consulting business. BITD we had good group that would commute in. I still remember waiting in the darkness for what seems like hours at the corner of 68th and Greenhills thinking if anyone would show up. Things would get real quite and you would be surprised what would show up. At that location it is a tie between a goat and a homeless person walking out of the woods. Both scared the crap out of me and I soon stopped waiting alone.

The commutes now are all solo. In the early morning I normally don't encounter anything but deer and an occasional dog chasing me. I actually look forward to these encounters because sometimes it's a lonely ride out there. Things pick up as the approach to Downtown KC brings out all sorts of things including those dreaded loud buses and trucks. At least they normally give cyclist enough space to safely pass.

Tonight's ride home looks like it is going to be a wet one just like Monday's commute in was. I got my rain jacket, but wish that I had my fenders back on. I will add that to the "Must Do" list because more rain is expected on Thursday and Friday morning. That first rain ride is fun, but they get old real quick...

2010 Car Free Challenge

Looks like Bike Week is here again. So far this year I have done a very poor job of commuting. Mainly because I am a creature of habits (bad habits mostly). The other is Carolynn does not like me riding on the road at night. I have to leave around 0515 in the morning to get to work by 0700. That means riding in the dark with lights on busy streets. Taking mostly residential roads really helps, but adds to the commute time.

The 2010 Car Free Challenge is almost here! Saturday is the first day to log trips, so make sure you get registered now. Just go to http://www.bikekc.org/bikeweek/challenge.php to sign in with your email address and last year's password.

Then come to the Old Northeast on Sunday for a great family-friendly car free activity. The third year of Car Free Cliff Drive is expanding onto Gladstone Boulevard for Sunday Parkways, Kansas City's first installment of the Ciclovia movement that is growing around the world. Streets will be closed to cars and open to people with bike rides, yoga lessons, face painting, history walks, free music, food, dog shows, and much more.

This year we also have some great additions to the prize list, including a bike giveaway at the Challenge wrap-up party. Be sure to check to Bike Week calendar for a wide array of car free activities all over the KC metro area.

Good luck!

Eric Rogers
Car Free Challenge organizer

KC Bike Week 2009

This year has really been flying by. I can not believe it is already May and Bike Week 2009 is around the corner. This years KC Bike Week is from May 9 to May 15. Have you registered yet? If not visit http://www.kcbike.info/bikeweek/ and get signed up.

Last years results. All commuters

1 Chris Locke, Cow Town Cycling Team, 331.00 miles

2 Tom Awe, The Wheel Cyclery Team, 306.51 miles

3 Steve Cosentino, DST ChainGang, 258.20 miles

4 Ray Craighead, RSG Rollers, 256.15 miles

5 Jeffrey Haug, Cow Town Cycling Team, 249.50 miles

I am still working building up my commuter bike for the challenge. As I mentioned above, time has really flown by this year. Guess I better get going as things get going on Saturday. I might just ride my single speed cross bike. Over 300 miles in one week on a single speed does sound exciting :-)

Need a team? Feel free to join Cow Town Cycling Team. Let’s see if we can bring down the monster Garmin….

Bike to Work Week - 2008 Commuter Challenge

I received an email from Eric Rodgers this week that planning is underway for the 2008 Commuter Challenge which is annual held during Bike to Work Week. Check out KCBike.Info for more information.

Last year I actually won the Commuter Challenge. Mostly because I was one of a few that rode everyday no matter the weather. There is always a day during the challenge that has really bad weather. This year I was one of only a few that rode on Day 2 which brought us heavy down pours and lighting.

The Commuter Challenge is held during National Bike Month. If you have never tried commuting before I recommend you give it a try. Not just for fitness, but to save money. I calculated yesterday that I save $49.00 a week in fuel (at $2.90 a gallon) by commuting to work. $49 x 48 weeks (4 weeks off) and I would save $2352 a year commuting. I am fixing up the old commuter rig this weekend....