Not the smartest thing to do today. I decided to go for a bike ride. It was so hot. The sun just beat down on me. Drink water they say, but I can only drink so much water.
The positive was that there wasn’t too many people out today. I guess they were smart and stayed inside. Some people don’t want to feel like a turkey in an oven on Thanksgiving Day.
At least Starbucks was empty so I got a seat and was able to get some reading in. Sometimes I also like to just stare out the window and watch life go by.
Get too hot it is time to go to my favorite place, the library. Sit in a comfortable chair and do some reading. Heat has me feeling tired so I just put my head back and get about a five minute nap. Not a lot of time but I felt refreshed. I recharge pretty quick. Always been that way.
On the way home I stopped by Bayfront Park and was shocked that no one was there. Just the me, the waves and the birds. Not bad company.
Time to relax at Bayfront park before the ride home. Blue skies and the bay is blue. Not a bad view.
Birds having a good time in the water. Good way to cool off in the heat.
Even with the heat it was a good day for a relaxing ride.
It was a windy day. Not a good day to be on the bike, but the kite surfers were having a blast.
I felt like I was pedaling uphill when the wind was blowing in my face. Then the wind would hit the right side. That wasn’t fun either. Had to fight the keeping the bike upright.
Having a tailwind was great. I just let the wind push me ten to thirteen miles per hour. I didn’t even bother pedaling. Yeah I know the racers keep pedaling because it is all about going fast.
I like the bikes coming out with a single chainring. I need to talk to the bike shop and see can I convert the Safari to a single chainring. Probably next year. Three chainrings seem to be a waste for me. Lately I have just been using the first chainring. I have been riding slower and just taking my time.
I was surprised on the way home. I was riding the bike/walk path along the Richmond Parkway heading to Point Pinole and two bicyclist were heading to Point Richmond. Think this is only the second time I saw bicyclist on the path.
Seems like Richmond makes the bike paths but seems bicyclist do not use them. Richmond residents don’t have the bicyclist mindset. but I’m glad they are there because it keeps me out of traffic.
At least I got a good ride in and got some errands done.
Had to take the day off. Sometimes work can be too much. The whining and temper tantrums from grown men is too much. Time for a bike ride.
June is going to be a rough bicycling month I can see. I’m enjoying my ride and it feels like I’m pedaling harder than I should. So I stop and my rear brake is rubbing against the rim. I have to try and adjust the brake a couple of times because when I squeeze the brake, the brake is rubbing. Nothing like doing work on the sidewalk and people walking by staring. I guess it is better than a bicyclist going by and asking, “Is everything ok?” I get the brake adjusted and back to my adventure.
Went to Barnes and Noble to have a look around. I love being off in the middle of the week because there are few people around. Nice not having people in my way. I have some tea and do a little reading.
I got a Nook Glowlight 3 and I like it. I like that I can turn pages with a button and don’t have to swipe the screen. My finger is right by it and makes turning pages easier.
I hit the trail by the bay to head home. Not too many people so the ride is easy. I don’t have to avoid people. The Richmond Ferry Terminal is coming along. Can’t wait. I can take a day off, wake up early and hop on the ferry to San Francisco and then the ride to Marin County. Anything to keep me off BART. Not a fan.
The only thing I want to see is the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge get a bike lane and then I can just ride to Marin County. For being in such a liberal and people worrying about the environment getting a bike lane on the bridge is a tough fight.
I like that Richmond keeps making bike lanes but the sad truth is they go unused. The people in Richmond are not going out and buying bikes to commute or run errands. There is not a bicycling mindset. But I’m glad the bike lanes are there even if most of the time I’m the only one using the bike lane.
It is June and the bike/walk path should from Pinole Shores to Bayfront Park should be completed. No more taking San Pablo Ave home. The ride up a hill that curves near the Post office going home is not my favorite. Cars get too close, three foot rule is ignored, and I’m surprised I haven’t been hit.
On 24 June the Pinole car show returns. That is great. Love looking at the old cars and seeing what people are doing to them.
Got home early to rest up because it is back to the gulag on Thursday.
The bike ride is was not a good idea. First of all it is too hot out here. I am not a fan of hot weather riding. Sun beats down on me and no matter how much water I drink I’m still thirsty and hot.
Bicyclist are passing me up and some ask, “Are you okay?” I answer, “I’m fine.” Give them the short answer instead of explaining how much I hate riding in the heat, but I just want to go for a ride. Besides they are in their element. I hear bicyclist complain about cold and cloudy days, my riding style.
Then it happens. I’m pedaling uphill. Then the tension from the chain is gone. My feet are off the pedals and they are spinning like crazy. The chain decides to commit suicide.
I find a nice shady spot off the road because if I got to deal with my chain it might as well be a cool spot away from everyone. That’s right, I’m hiding behind a tree while I deal with my chain so I don’t have to answer questions and deal with the comments.
Now I’m going to need a new chain. So I will ride to the bike shop at a nice slow pace and won’t do a lot of gear changing. If the bike shop has time I will just let them put the chain on. Personally I hate working on bikes. I can do some basic stuff, but I rather not do it if I don’t have to. Some people live for the maintenance on a bike. More power to them.
Bike is done so now it is time to get something to eat and then do a nice slow ride home. I could have stayed home but the chain would have probably broke on the next ride. But I survived and the ride goes on.
The wind has been crazy lately. Lucky me I get to ride mostly head winds. Does this mean the wind is happy to seem?
Still not as bad as riding in Wyoming. The wind never stops and it blows much harder. Wyoming has nothing to stop the winds so you get the wind full force.
Wyoming has the kind of winds that makes you stop on the side of the road to rest and wonder what the hell are you doing. I swear I heard laughter, but no one was there. Then I realized the bike gods were laughing at me.
It is said, “If you don’t have hills ride into head winds it is the same thing.” Ride up a hill into a head wind and you get double the torture.
I’m pedaling into a head wind and what do I see. There it is a Nations. I guess it is time to stop for a cheeseburger. I have no choice.
After I eat and rest it is time to go. I must be going crazy the wind seems like it got worse. Sometimes I wonder if it is really worth it. A car seems pretty good right now. But look at the traffic people just sitting. At least I’m moving. I wonder if the drivers are thinking, “I should get a bike.”
Looks like the wind is going to hang around the rest of the week. I should make peace with the wind and enjoy my riding.
Was a nice morning. The weather said, “Time for a bike ride. Get Pedaling.” Everything was going great until I had to go through a construction zone. Flying down the hill was great. But it all went bad when I got to the flat and by the oil change place. The rear wheel felt weird. You know what I mean if you ride a bike and had a back tire flat.
Got the tire off and there it was, a screw. I couldn’t just pull it out I had to unscrew it out. A big screw and it put a nice size hole in the tire. There goes the ride to Emeryville and across the Bay Bridge. There is always next week.
I have been putting off a tune up on the bike and the tires are getting thin, but I have been lazy and not making the appointment. I guess the bike gods decided to step in and have me make the appointment. So it was off to the Pedaler.
Every time I go to the Pedaler there are new people working there except for Ron, he is the fixture and a great mechanic. At least I got an appointment for 8 May. Can drop off the bike on 7 May. Hopefully I can get the bike back by Saturday. If not I will have to take the Brompton out. Always good to have a back up.
Rode along San Pablo Dam Road to Castro Ranch Road. I hate the climb but the easiest way to get to Hercules. Yep it is time to go to the library and do some reading.
I guess I wasn’t the only one who hates the climb on Castro Ranch Road. But I know the feeling. Sometimes you have to just get off the bike and walk. I’ve done it when I have gone on a long bike ride and heading home. The legs just don’t have the strength to get up the climb.
Ed’s on San Pablo Dam Road. Nice to see old dive bars.
Went to Hercules Library to rest and do some reading. Was pretty crowded today but quiet. The comfortable chairs are great when I want to rest and read. Was able to wash the grease off my hands too. I really need to carry plastic gloves for when I have to change a flat. But it seems to happen about every five years. I guess the flat protection gets weak when the tires begin to wear down.
This is my day, it was a Hiccup. Never know what I will see when the tanker trains are parked. Some of the graffiti is horrible. But sometimes there is some great art or word that fits my mood. Bike gods have a sense of humor.
All rides can’t be perfect. Sometimes flats happen but I survived and got some good riding in. So everything is good.
I was riding at Point Pinole. This trail will take me to the Atlas Road Parking lot and an easier ride home. Sometimes I like riding trails especially if there are a lot of trees. Gets me out of the sun especially on a hot day.
At the Richmond Marina there was a boat show. It wasn’t too bad. It was a good way to kill some time. Never know what I’m going to run into on a bike ride.
It was hot today and I’m not use to riding in the heat. Will take me some time to get use to. Problem with the SF Bay Area it doesn’t stay hot long enough to get use to. The fog rolls in and cools everything down.
Still my favorite resting stop is at Starbucks in Point Richmond. Get my final caffeine fix and snack for the final pedal home. Also I get some reading in.
At least Starbucks was empty so I got a seat and some quiet time. Playing good jazz so I was content.
