It was bound to happen, the rain has decided to show up and say hello. I would rather it rain during the week and leave my weekends dry. Don’t like riding in the rain.

Lately getting a fix gear bicycle has been running through my head. I’m tired of dealing with derailleurs especially when I have a rear flat. Most of my flats happen because the presta valve doesn’t hold air. I never had problems with a schrader valve. I just like the lower maintenance of a fixed gear bike.

I took out my Brompton a few days ago. I really need to get it tuned up. I haven’t rode it much. Since my hours changed at work I don’t ride during lunch like I use to. Lunch is shorter and I get off at noon. I have plenty of time to ride after work and I usually ride my Safari.

I might sale it, but I keep deciding not to because in some instances it is really nice to have. Put it in the car and then explore other areas. Easier to transport.

I know people tour on a Brompton but I don’t think I could ever do it. Though I have considered it. Hopping on a train could come in handy. But the hills are torture, even with low gearing. But my thoughts on this could change.

As much as I hate riding in the rain I’m glad it doesn’t snow. I would hate to hit some black ice and take a tumble because it can happen quick. I still remember walking out of the dorm when I was in Missouri and hitting some ice. Next thing I knew my head was resting on the bottom step. I didn’t even have time to react because it happened so fast. If that happens on a bike and riding in traffic I could end up under a truck.

At least I can hop into a coffee place or the library and sit around to dry and wait out the rain. Hopefully it doesn’t last long but I have nothing but time.

Well the rain has stopped and I see blue skies. So I will hop on the bike and see what happens. Life is an adventure.

The weather is nice. Had some rain last week and the smoke has cleared. So it is time to hop on the saddle and go for a ride.

So I was by Crockett Hills Regional Park and this sign was on the bathroom door. I find it kind of messed up because smoke does not stop bicycle riders and they still need to use the bathroom. Bicycle riders know where the bathrooms are.

Good thing I didn’t need to use the bathroom, it was my snack time. There are a couple of picnic tables so I can sit and enjoy.

A bicyclist couldn’t believe what was posted, but found it funny so he had to get a picture. I’m not the only one who had to take a picture.

Did a quick ride to Vallejo and then headed home. Just wanted to ride and be able to breath clean air.

Stopped at Hercules Library for a break before the pedal home.

Always nice to be in the saddle.

Continue reading →

California is burning again. It means I’m bicycle riding in a smokey haze. Wonder what damage I’m doing to my lungs. California burning is happening too much lately.

There is a conspiracy theory out that where the fires are burning Governor Brown wants the highspeed rail. I wouldn’t put past the corrupt California government to pull this off. Using PG&E to set off the fires and then pass a bill to let them go unpunished. Good play California.

Been a dry year so far so it has meant for some good riding. The weather has been warm so that is always a plus.

Recumbent bicycles are pricey and can be a pain if I want to hop on public transportation but seeing this guy reading and relaxing on his has me thinking it still can be doable. Something I have to give some thought to.

I will be glad when January comes and the road work on San Pablo Ave by Hilltop District will be finished. I hate riding through the construction during the week and end up taking a route around it which means a longer ride. I hope a bike lane is created.

Wednesday has been by go to for a day off. I don’t take long vacations so taking Wednesday off to do something works for me. Nice having a four day week. If I have to work I’m going to do it my way.

I like how the bike/walk trails are coming along in California and other in other states. I makes bike riding easier. Nice to be out of the way of cars.

Time for lunch.

While on my bicycle ride at Bayfront Park on San Pablo Bay there were some pelicans. I never seen pelicans out here. Was great to see.

My after work bicycle ride is the best time of the day. The weather was warm but I’m enjoying it while I can. The cold weather is right around the corner.

A woman rode up on her bicycle and told me she hasn’t been on the bike in fifteen years. The new Pinole Shores to Bayfront Park trail got her back on the bike. That is the good thing, getting people on their bikes.

Just pedal on.

Some days it is hard to get motivated to hop on the bike. Lack of sleep and when I wake up I look out the window and the fog is here. The fog has a name, Karl. Yep, it has been Fogtember.

Nothing too crazy for my ride. Off to Barnes and Noble for green tea and a grilled cheese sandwich. Then wandering around looking at books. Didn’t see anything interesting. At least next month the new Haruki Murakami book comes out. Might have to take the day off.It is kind of like a holiday.

Today hardly anyone out. The parking lots were empty and the stores I stopped in were empty. Weird to have the Barnes and Noble Cafe to myself.

Maybe my break at Starbucks in Point Richmond will have to come to a stop. Their food selection is pretty slim on Saturday afternoon.

By the afternoon it started to get hot. So basically chilly in the morning and by the time I got home I was burning up. Life on the bike.

Still it was a fun time pedaling around.

Finally the new Pinole Shores to Bayfront Park bike/walk path opened on 12 September 2018.

It is a nice path. Has a bridge to go over the railroad tracks so it is a little uphill. There are good views of the bay and seats to relax and enjoy the view.

It is so nice not to have to ride on San Pablo Ave. I can pedal at a slow speed and not get in the way.

I can ride longer after work and have to worry about beating traffic. Only have to worry about walkers and joggers which isn’t much of a problem.

I might have to add Friday bike rides now. Ride four days, two days gym and one day hiking. Sounds like a good plan. My schedule would look like this:

Mon & Tues; bike ride, Wed & Thurs: gym, Fri & Sat: bike ride and Sun: Hike.

Video of my bike ride from Bayfront Park to Pinole shores on the new bike/walk trail: https://youtu.be/g0P4o7YJyIY

Some pictures from the Pinole Shores to Bayfront Park bike/walk path:

The new bike/walk trail seems like it will work out really nice. So let the pedaling begin.

When Fogaust first appeared it was different, kind of fun. A few years later and it is a pain in the butt. I’m supposed to get my vitamin D this time of the year. Pop a vitamin D pill.

At least it cleared up on the ride home. Had a little break before my final pedal home.

I stopped by the Albany Library to catch up on magazines and finish a book. It is good to get to Albany Library early before the bicycle racks get full. Always good to see people riding to the library.

Stopped at REI to look at cycling gloves but all they sell is Pearl Izumi. I don’t care for Pearl Izumi gloves. They tend to fray at the fingertips and then I end up cutting threads off. I’ll head over to the bicycle shop but sometimes their choices are limited.

Still a nice day to be on the bike. Not a lot of traffic. I guess people decided to stay inside. Maybe the football crowd is getting in football mode. One good thing about football less people out.

Sometimes I wonder what have we created fighting for more bicycle access to roads. The SF Bay Area bicyclist wanted to be like Copenhagen or Amsterdam. Plenty of bicycles on the roads and bike paths everywhere.

On thing wasn’t considered, Americans rebellious spirit. Bicyclist don’t want to stop at red lights or stop signs. It is too much effort to stop and start again. Especially when the cyclist feet are clipped in.

People riding against traffic. Nothing worse than being in a bike lane and a bicyclist is heading toward me. I guess it is too much of a problem going with traffic because now the cyclist has to ride to the next intersection and have to make a left. Oh the pain.

Bicyclist on a bike/walk path that want to ride full speed and then get mad when a walker walks in front of them. Sometimes I think walkers feel like they are on the street with the way bicyclist ride.

I don’t like cars parking in bike lanes. I have to get into traffic and drivers get mad.

I’m not a fan of riding through construction zones. I will take a longer route to avoid them. But the SF Bay Area is one big construction zone. It seems like it will never end.

At least drivers are more aware of bicyclist. I haven’t had anything thrown at me for at least fifteen years. Still get the occasional honk, but the way I look at it is that people are honking crazy out here they will honk for anything.

I do like how the bike/walk trails are coming along, but I don’t like projects are not completed on time and at extra cost. In this day in age a company can program everything in and come up with how long it will take.

I like riding my bike while doing my errands. Stop for a snack or at the library for a break. There is nothing better than being on my bike. I get to see the sights and hear nature. Riding by the bay is the best. I love listening to the waves and watching the tugboats.

The best thing about being on my bike is I don’t have to search for a place to park. Some cities have plenty of bike parking, but some have very little. Now where is a pole. I can always lock my bike where I want to go into.

Now to go have a snack.

July in the SF Bay Area feels like winter and I dressed like it. Sometimes I think winter is warmer than July. But at least I wasn’t burning up.

At least the roads weren’t crowded. People must have decided to stay inside.

Good thing the roads weren’t crowded. There is nothing worst than riding in the bike lane and glass from a busted car window was busted and the glass is in the bike lane. Have to make a quick swerve into the car lane. Good thing no cars were around.

Bike lanes can be the worst part of the road. Sometimes pot holes can be all through the bike lane.

Walkers are becoming the worst. Now walkers got to walk in the bike lane. The sidewalk isn’t good enough for them. Now I got ride into the car lane and tick off the car drivers.

Still the best way to spend my day is on my bike.

Took the day off. Sometimes I have to do that to get away from the nonsense that is called a job. If I have to come back to this planet again as a human I want to be a trustfund kid.

So it is off on the bicycle. Might as well go see the sights and enjoy the nice weather. A ride to Crockett isn’t a bad way to spend the day. Then stop for a hamburger. Bike riding and hamburgers can’t go wrong with this combination.

The Pinole Shores to Bayfront Park bike/walk path still isn’t completed. So much for a June finish. As usual anything that takes taxpayers money projects are not completed on time and probably cost more to complete. Criminals.

In this day and age I would think that a computer program could come up with a cost and a completion date give or take a couple of weeks. But it is all about money and stealing money from taxpayers.

Probably won’t give the SF Bay Trail another dime. I already pay taxes, but I don’t like to think my donations are being wasted. Probably should be some accountability on their part.

I have other organizations that could probably use my money and it is not being wasted. Well at least in my mind.

Not fun climbing hills on a hot day. Can only drink so much water. But the coast down is always fun. I don’t pedal. Just enjoying the ride. I’ll let the road cyclist pedal while going downhill.

When I renewed for Bike East Bay the sent me a sticker that reads, “Bike Slowly, Snack Often.” That is my bicycle riding style. Not in a hurry to get anywhere. I have all day.

I have to give San Pablo California credit. They are doing a lot to create a safe biking and walking environment in the city. I like what they are doing. Makes riding a bicycle enjoyable. Who know one day San Pablo might be considered on of the great bicycle cities.

Problem is that Richmond California isn’t keeping up with San Pablo and when I hit the Richmond part it is back to full alert. No bike lanes.

Need to start remembering to bring my Chromebook when I’m on my bike rides. Doesn’t take up much space in my saddlebag but I keep forgetting to grab it. Always good to have it handy when I take a break.

Back to the gulag on Thursday so I guess I should begin the pedal home.