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Welcome!
Hi,
If you're a newcomer, thanks for stopping by. If you're new to Eons as well, click on the 'Files (x)' icon (to the right). In the file 'New to Eons?', you'll find answers to some basic questions and learn about a few Eons features. The 'Bicycle group links' file has numerous internet bookmarks to a wide variety of biking information.
We think you'll find this to be one of the most informative bicycling groups on Eons and undoubtedly one of the friendliest.
There's an online calendar that's available for use by anyone in the group. Use it to post anything related to bicycling or put in the month and day of your birthday. For help, click on the calendar's 'Help' button or view the writeup in the 'Files' section. Click here to access the calendar.
If you're a newcomer, thanks for stopping by. If you're new to Eons as well, click on the 'Files (x)' icon (to the right). In the file 'New to Eons?', you'll find answers to some basic questions and learn about a few Eons features. The 'Bicycle group links' file has numerous internet bookmarks to a wide variety of biking information.
We think you'll find this to be one of the most informative bicycling groups on Eons and undoubtedly one of the friendliest.
There's an online calendar that's available for use by anyone in the group. Use it to post anything related to bicycling or put in the month and day of your birthday. For help, click on the calendar's 'Help' button or view the writeup in the 'Files' section. Click here to access the calendar.
Only in CO.
Been riding in Denver all this week the weather has been in the 70's ; last week we had a foot or more of snow, and I put my bike away. ???
Oy Vey! The Wind!
We don't have hills to climb in South Florida, unless you count the Key Biscayne Bridge, but we do have wind. In spite of the predictions of 20 mph winds with gusts to 30, off we went this morning. It was like eating dessert first and then being faced with a plate of lima beans. We ride about 20 miles south of us to have breakfast at the only Rexall Drug Store around. They still have booths as well as counter service. After breakfast we knew what was coming--wind from the ENE. Just the direction we had to go to return home. At one point, heading straight east, I thought I was actually moving backward. Home safe and sound, no worse for the experience, but glad we went. I'm not sure if this is just a front moving through or if our weather is being effected by Ida, but this type of wind is not unusual in the winter.
Tour de Trees
After agonizing for a while as to whether I wanted to do a club ride, or the Tour de Trees ride put on by the Oklahoma Bicycle Society, and and held in the Lake Eufaula area....I finally decided to go out to Eufaula. Boy was I glad I did, what a wonderful ride this was.Beautiful, challenging, and long enough at 66 miles, especially given the hills. There were so many hills.....did I say hills.... I didn't want to forget to mention that there were hills. Ah but I'm getting ahead of myself here, so lets start at the beginning...Dogwood Campground at Eufaula State Park.....8:45am and 43 degrees....
Would you take my picture please...."Sure Hon....Hey Jackie, go stand next to that fellow and look pretty". "Sure....that I can manage"
And I thought she did an admirable job at that.
A pretty little pond on the way...
The first look at the lake......
After we crossed the bridge over the lake...we wound on through some pretty countryside and finally up into the hills..
The view from the top of the first hill was wonderful...
As promised, a few pretty trees although most had already went past their prime..
Then more Idyllic countryside until we came to the Eufalua Dam.....I was on the lee side of the dam and the water rushing down made for a nice photo...
The Arkansas River after leaving the Dam...
After a bunch more hills and valleys and weaving in and out amognst the mountains I took a little rest stop along with a nember of other cyclists at a gas station in Porum....It was time for a cup of HOT java.....it had warmed up to 48 by then, but the wind chill moving through the air was still pretty cool. Another bunch of hills.... and then....TA DA........ Booker Mountain Road.....from the bottom....
Half way up looking back down....you can see the lake in the background..... I was lower than the lake below the spillway just a short half hour before...Jim Bangs... I did NOT average seven miles an hour going up this thing... you could have walked up faster than I went...
Three quarters up and looking back toward the lake...
and a pretty tree near the same spot....
After I reached the top finally.... I was going to have a snack, but decided to wait a bit.... it's a good thing I did because it wasn't the top yet.... just a short respite from the initial climb and then we went back up some more...and some more....finally our smooth road turned to rough and washouts, and mud in places, and I knew I had reached the top....then pick my way over the meadows at the top
being careful not to disturb the local residents
FInally I ate my Lara Bar while I was talking to the horse....she wanted some too....but I declined.....I made her watch as I scarfed it all down, poor thing.
The rest of the trip was not too exciting, just ride the roads and put up with traffic. The traffic really got bad when we reached U.S. 69....a four lane freeway, busy with trucks headed north out of Dallas, but to be fair, only four miles, and the only way across the lake bridge and back to the campground. Then back to the campground again Tired for sure, muscles very sore after all the climbing, but one happy camper....
Would you take my picture please...."Sure Hon....Hey Jackie, go stand next to that fellow and look pretty". "Sure....that I can manage"
And I thought she did an admirable job at that.
A pretty little pond on the way...
The first look at the lake......
After we crossed the bridge over the lake...we wound on through some pretty countryside and finally up into the hills..
The view from the top of the first hill was wonderful...
As promised, a few pretty trees although most had already went past their prime..
Then more Idyllic countryside until we came to the Eufalua Dam.....I was on the lee side of the dam and the water rushing down made for a nice photo...
The Arkansas River after leaving the Dam...
After a bunch more hills and valleys and weaving in and out amognst the mountains I took a little rest stop along with a nember of other cyclists at a gas station in Porum....It was time for a cup of HOT java.....it had warmed up to 48 by then, but the wind chill moving through the air was still pretty cool. Another bunch of hills.... and then....TA DA........ Booker Mountain Road.....from the bottom....
Half way up looking back down....you can see the lake in the background..... I was lower than the lake below the spillway just a short half hour before...Jim Bangs... I did NOT average seven miles an hour going up this thing... you could have walked up faster than I went...
Three quarters up and looking back toward the lake...
and a pretty tree near the same spot....
After I reached the top finally.... I was going to have a snack, but decided to wait a bit.... it's a good thing I did because it wasn't the top yet.... just a short respite from the initial climb and then we went back up some more...and some more....finally our smooth road turned to rough and washouts, and mud in places, and I knew I had reached the top....then pick my way over the meadows at the top
being careful not to disturb the local residents
FInally I ate my Lara Bar while I was talking to the horse....she wanted some too....but I declined.....I made her watch as I scarfed it all down, poor thing.
The rest of the trip was not too exciting, just ride the roads and put up with traffic. The traffic really got bad when we reached U.S. 69....a four lane freeway, busy with trucks headed north out of Dallas, but to be fair, only four miles, and the only way across the lake bridge and back to the campground. Then back to the campground again Tired for sure, muscles very sore after all the climbing, but one happy camper....
Day of the Tread
I don't know where to even begin on this ride. We went to Albuquerque not quite knowing what to expect, but let's start with, it was a HOOT!
I have ridden the Bosque Trail many times, but that is about it. When coming up or going down Tram Way Blvd I would always see cyclists creeping up it or flying down and always wanted to do that hill. Here was my chance! The ride started at the Embassy Suite hotel right down town, so we figured we would just stay there as it would be handy. We woke up all excited to see what was to meet us. We had heard, and saw on the web, that you could dress up. Oh my gosh! Cyclists are such a creative group given the opportunity. Here are a few of the sights:
We of course were met by a few gouls, goblins, and a one lady with crows stuck to her....road kill gone bad I guess. But this lady was a great. Don't know if you can tell, but that bike has been completely covered with what looked like she took plastic bones, split them down the middle and reassembled them to her bike frame. Pretty cool, and pretty realistic!
To start off the ride a beautiful balloon lifted off flying the American flag from it's basket and a woman with a voice that was just as beautiful singing the national anthem. There were no words really for that site and the picture hardly does it justice.
The ride started off down Mountain, but as you got close to the Bosque these signs replaced others. What more can a cyclist ask for but their own Blvd!
Not to mention our own speed limit. Bet you won't see an 18 mph sign anywhere else.
Then it was onto the Bosque Trail. It ran about 10 miles before we tuned onto the street.
All along the route were musicians of all sorts. We were first met with a mariarchi group, then the Indian dancers (no pictures of the first groups as yours truly took a dead camera and had to wait until a convenience store popped up).
I have to say that the bagpipe fella was my all time favorite though.
This is one of my riding buddies, or Bird Man for the day. I couldn't pass up the Hummingbird road sign.
This was at the top of the climb at the base of the Sandia's. It was a climb, one of those 7 mph if you were lucky. Good thing I can ride slow, real slow. All I could think of was flying back down to the Bosque. But my dreams were quickly blown away....really. Somewhere between the bottom, getting to the top, sucking in some air, and scarfing down some orange slices the wind picked up, one of those wonderful cross/head winds. I had to work my tail off to get up to a whopping 26 mph while holding on. All went well though, and the bagpipe guy was still at the bottom.
Soon we were back on the Bosque with its yellow trees and underpasses.
Going by a park near the Old Town I spotted these two young folks on low-riders. If you haven't been around these bikes they are truly works of art. I have seen them for years and always thought it would be fun to build one, but oh well.
After seeing this pic, I decided I actually did dress up.....as a licorice jelly bean in beads! Those beads were doing some clacking coming off the top.
I saved my favorite for last to share with you guys. If this guy didn't win the prize, the judges were blind!
He had a nasal cannula, bandages, etc, even the ever present hospital gown with the 'fake' bum shinning through.
He couldn't have had a real hospital bed with more life saving equipment on it. He rode the same route I did with all that stuff flopping in the breeze. I can only imagine what the passer-by's thought!
I had to leave out the guys dressed up as bumble bees, the disco guys, the guys in bright tutu's, and the group of Queen of Hearts, King of Hearts, and one Joker, amongst others. I never would have gotten back to the hotel!
It was a wonderful ride and only 364 more days until the next one.
Happy Halloween, fellow biker's!
I have ridden the Bosque Trail many times, but that is about it. When coming up or going down Tram Way Blvd I would always see cyclists creeping up it or flying down and always wanted to do that hill. Here was my chance! The ride started at the Embassy Suite hotel right down town, so we figured we would just stay there as it would be handy. We woke up all excited to see what was to meet us. We had heard, and saw on the web, that you could dress up. Oh my gosh! Cyclists are such a creative group given the opportunity. Here are a few of the sights:
We of course were met by a few gouls, goblins, and a one lady with crows stuck to her....road kill gone bad I guess. But this lady was a great. Don't know if you can tell, but that bike has been completely covered with what looked like she took plastic bones, split them down the middle and reassembled them to her bike frame. Pretty cool, and pretty realistic!
To start off the ride a beautiful balloon lifted off flying the American flag from it's basket and a woman with a voice that was just as beautiful singing the national anthem. There were no words really for that site and the picture hardly does it justice.
The ride started off down Mountain, but as you got close to the Bosque these signs replaced others. What more can a cyclist ask for but their own Blvd!
Not to mention our own speed limit. Bet you won't see an 18 mph sign anywhere else.
Then it was onto the Bosque Trail. It ran about 10 miles before we tuned onto the street.
All along the route were musicians of all sorts. We were first met with a mariarchi group, then the Indian dancers (no pictures of the first groups as yours truly took a dead camera and had to wait until a convenience store popped up).
I have to say that the bagpipe fella was my all time favorite though.
This is one of my riding buddies, or Bird Man for the day. I couldn't pass up the Hummingbird road sign.
This was at the top of the climb at the base of the Sandia's. It was a climb, one of those 7 mph if you were lucky. Good thing I can ride slow, real slow. All I could think of was flying back down to the Bosque. But my dreams were quickly blown away....really. Somewhere between the bottom, getting to the top, sucking in some air, and scarfing down some orange slices the wind picked up, one of those wonderful cross/head winds. I had to work my tail off to get up to a whopping 26 mph while holding on. All went well though, and the bagpipe guy was still at the bottom.
Soon we were back on the Bosque with its yellow trees and underpasses.
Going by a park near the Old Town I spotted these two young folks on low-riders. If you haven't been around these bikes they are truly works of art. I have seen them for years and always thought it would be fun to build one, but oh well.
After seeing this pic, I decided I actually did dress up.....as a licorice jelly bean in beads! Those beads were doing some clacking coming off the top.
I saved my favorite for last to share with you guys. If this guy didn't win the prize, the judges were blind!
He had a nasal cannula, bandages, etc, even the ever present hospital gown with the 'fake' bum shinning through.
He couldn't have had a real hospital bed with more life saving equipment on it. He rode the same route I did with all that stuff flopping in the breeze. I can only imagine what the passer-by's thought!
I had to leave out the guys dressed up as bumble bees, the disco guys, the guys in bright tutu's, and the group of Queen of Hearts, King of Hearts, and one Joker, amongst others. I never would have gotten back to the hotel!
It was a wonderful ride and only 364 more days until the next one.
Happy Halloween, fellow biker's!
Bicycle Friendly
It has been rumored that Gainesville. Florida, is a bicycle friendly city. Let the quote read " The area around the city " is very bicycle friendly. In town, there are 'cyclers
but they skoot in and out of traffic, some being noticed and others observing the "same roads, same laws, same rules" sharing the space available. I'm out of the city and there are many bicyclers mostly from the city, using the roads and byways to
get their activity in. Some groups [as many as twenty together] travel past my homesite and it's great to see them. I would say that many are from the University of Florida and it's like autumn leaves as their colors go past.
but they skoot in and out of traffic, some being noticed and others observing the "same roads, same laws, same rules" sharing the space available. I'm out of the city and there are many bicyclers mostly from the city, using the roads and byways to
get their activity in. Some groups [as many as twenty together] travel past my homesite and it's great to see them. I would say that many are from the University of Florida and it's like autumn leaves as their colors go past.
Back from the East and NW
After 3 weeks of traveling we have returned to our hearth. It's good to be back. We went on a bus tour of the eastern US and visited many historical places (DC, Mt Vernon, Jamestown, Harper's Ferry, Gettysburg, etc), and no bike riding. At the DC Smithsonian Aerospace Museum we saw the original Wright Bros plane and one of only known remaining bikes that they made in their shop.
Wright Bros Bike
We then drove up to Seattle to visit relatives. The weather forecast was gloomy so I didn't take bike.
I went on a 44 mi breakfast ride on Tuesday...ouch...and am very sore this morning. Todays ride will be a slow easy recovery.
Wright Bros Bike
We then drove up to Seattle to visit relatives. The weather forecast was gloomy so I didn't take bike.
I went on a 44 mi breakfast ride on Tuesday...ouch...and am very sore this morning. Todays ride will be a slow easy recovery.
Making Cities Bicycle Friendly
Hey there sports fans,
Check out this story to hear what congress is doing to make our cities more bicycle friendly. First, we start with New York.....
view link
Check out this story to hear what congress is doing to make our cities more bicycle friendly. First, we start with New York.....
view link
Doing it Her Way: Story of Yan Yin Tsai
Hey there sports fans,
A friend sent me this amazing story of Yan Yin Tsai, a caring individual who participates in the City to Shore ride-- a 150-mile bicycle ride in New Jersey for the to benefit multiple sclerosis research . She has participated and completed this two day event every year for 26 years. But that's not the only remarkable thing about Mrs. Tsai. Read on and you will see what I mean...
view link
ride on,
tl
A friend sent me this amazing story of Yan Yin Tsai, a caring individual who participates in the City to Shore ride-- a 150-mile bicycle ride in New Jersey for the to benefit multiple sclerosis research . She has participated and completed this two day event every year for 26 years. But that's not the only remarkable thing about Mrs. Tsai. Read on and you will see what I mean...
view link
ride on,
tl
Guess Winter is Here
We planned a mountain bike ride yesterday. It was quite windy and pretty darn chilly, but even with Kris begging to go to the coffee shop instead, even offering to buy, we went.
.....after all, there are hills, sage brush, and a few cedars thrown in to hide behind. Sorry about the fuzzy, had to grab the camera to get this. Its a good thing we went because this is what we woke up to this morning:
So, it would seem winter is here, or at least close enough to count. I guess I will do something around the house like pack the summer riding clothes. But wait ..... there are those new winter tights and jerseys that I got at the end of the season that need to be unpacked. Life is good when you're a biker!
.....after all, there are hills, sage brush, and a few cedars thrown in to hide behind. Sorry about the fuzzy, had to grab the camera to get this. Its a good thing we went because this is what we woke up to this morning:
So, it would seem winter is here, or at least close enough to count. I guess I will do something around the house like pack the summer riding clothes. But wait ..... there are those new winter tights and jerseys that I got at the end of the season that need to be unpacked. Life is good when you're a biker!
