trike-ab-trike-2019

2019 mileage: 3341.7 When I left for my ride just before 8:00 this morning, I intended to ride the big loop over to and around St. Joseph Mercy Hospital (roughly 28 miles). However, it didn't take long to determine that I'll either have to wait on that long a ride until next spring, or else dress more appropriately. It was 38° when I began (though up to a toasty 41° at ride's end), and although my torso was OK (clad in a fleece over a hoodie), my extremities were quite cold. I need to trade in my cotton socks for heavier wool ones, and break out my heavier, quilted winter gloves - which are warmer, but considerably less comfortable, than the cloth ones I wore today (pictured below). So, instead of that longer loop, I rode the Platt-Packard Square (which I also rode yesterday), giving me 13.9 miles in 1:45. As I was finishing up, I passed a sign that I hadn't noticed before, which reminded me of my wife and daughter, as Michelle and Christy both work at Emerso...

2019 mileage: 3327.8 Today I bucked my usual preference of a morning ride, and left at 3:30 instead (by which time it had heated up to 48°, a temperature that remained constant throughout my ride). I did the Platt-Packard Square, a 13.8-mile route, in 1:35.

2019 mileage: 3314.0 Today I wanted to and fully intended to ride my 20-mile round trip to Baker Rd. But an unforeseen complication vexed me. When I got ready to go, my phone was only at about 70% battery charge, which is considerably too low to make that ride unassisted. So then I plugged in my auxiliary battery for is, which I carry clipped to my belt loop during long rides. However, it did not charge. I then realized the problem was either with the battery itself, or with the cable. So when I went out to the garage to get my trike, I stopped at the car and retrieved our other cable (which we usually leave plugged into the car.) This cable did not work either, though, so I figured I'd better limit myself to a more modes ride, and, accordingly, just did a round trip to Marsh Park (10.2 miles, in 1:12). It's cooling right down, too. I rode in good fallish conditions - when I started, at 9:45, it was only 44° (up to a toasty 47°, however, by the time I finished) MUCH col...

2019 mileage: 3303.8 I took Sunday off, and then was forced to take yesterday off because I delayed in the morning, and then rain moved in by the time I was ready to ride. So today, getting back into the routine, I rode a round trip to Baker Rd. (getting 19.0 miles in 2:28, as I shortened the ride slightly by coming south on Maple Rd. from Westgate). Today had its own weather challenges, however. When I began, at 9:45, it was quite sunny, and  49°. But clouds moved in steadily, and I battled a healthy wind throughout (about 20 mph from the southwest). I was tempted to describe it as a "ferocious" wind, but on reflection, I think it fell just shy of that. Link to (Relive) video of today's ride

2019 mileage: 3284.8 Did a modest ride today on a glorious fall morning. I left at 8:15 and rode a round trip down to the northern fringe of Saline (Woodland Dr. and Ann Arbor-Saline Rd.), for 11.4 miles in 1:25. It was brilliantly sunny, though a bit cool (36° when I began, up to 42° when I finished), making me very glad for my gloves. The changing colors are really spectacular right now, but I noticed them only minimally, as I tend to focus pretty intently on my ride and shut out most everything else. It's disappointing to me that I have just done my 100th outdoor ride of the year on 2019's 292nd day -- I like to think of myself as riding about 6 days/week, but clearly THAT is not happening!😎 Link to (Relive) video of today's ride

2019 mileage: 3273.4 This has been an awfully lightweight week for riding. After taking a rest day last Sunday, I was really exhausted on Monday and so gave myself that day off, too. Then, after doing a good ride on Tuesday, weather forced me in to LA Fitness on Wednesday, and then yesterday I allowed the cold, wind, and gloom to give me still another day off. Today  I made the wise choice to wait and do a later ride instead of the early morning one I had planned. When I was waiting for the bus at 7:30, in the still dark, it was a chilly 35°. So, I waited until 12:15 to start, by which point it was sunny and 49° (up to 54° when I finished),  I rode the Platt-Packard square, doing 13.9 miles in 1:45. Link to (Relive) video of today's ride

2019 mileage: 3239.5 BEAUTIFUL fall day today for a ride! I enjoyed bright sunshine throughout, and when I began, at 9:30, it was 41°, making my gloves feel good ... but I sure didn't need them by the end, when it was up to 59° I rode another round trip to Baker Rd., clocking 20.2 miles in 2:43. Link to (Relive) video of today's ride