My Atomic Dustbin

Well its been awhile. The ole commuting was interrupted by Beach vacation: good. And 10 year anniversary trip to Chincoteague: very very good. Thus it took a week or so to get back in the saddle and reset my internal clock sufficiently. Driving the car did make me appreciate both why people enjoy driving and why I like to bike commute. Driving long distance on the highway with good tuneage on the radio or ipod in light traffic is heady stuff. There's a bit of a power trip piloting a big steel churning machine at high speed down the highway, keeping that power under control. There is also frustration and stress when driving in rush hour traffic that makes me yearn to be smoothly pedaling home, powering up climb in the big ring where I used to use the granny gear. So it's good to be cycling when I can and driving when I must.

Of course, now they're planning to close the Jordan Bridge. Just as I'm getting pretty comfortable with my current route. A quick google map check shows that the next closest bridge (the Gilmerton) will double my morning commute distance to maybe 16 miles. On the one hand this sucks (as in getting up 30 min earlier sucks). On the other hand, I've been trying to figure out how to get in more miles. This may be the universe's answer. The Jordan Bridge situation also gave me another excuse to email HRT to complain about the Elizabeth River Ferry Scheduling. I've never understood why the earliest ferry from Norfolk to Portsmouth is at 7:15 am when the largest employer in Portsmouth (Norfolk Naval Shipyard) starts its day at 7:20 am. Back when Hurricane Isabel closed the Midtown Tunnel, they began running the ferry an hour earlier. Allowing lots of folks to consider an alternate route. I was able to bike to work for the first time. Of course when the tunnel reopened, HRT took the option away. Their response to my email was that there was not sufficient demand. Lazy thinking on their part IMHO. How do you know there isn't demand if you don't keep it going and promote it. I guess $2/gal gas at the time didn't give folks much reason to try. But now with more expensive gas, and more traffic congestion, HRT may extract head from ass and reconsider.

Well having mentioned my luck with flats in the wrap up, of course I get one on the way home Friday. But luckily it was a nice day and the hissing started as I was crossing the Hague footbridge. At the end of the bridge is a low wall and the perfect work area, not in anyones way, in the shade. Put bike up on the kickstand and pulled the rear wheel. Two different folks stopped to see if I needed help, offering use of patch kit, but I carry a spare tube (and 2 patchkits) so I thanked them and got to work. Tube changeout went even smoother than last time (although my CO2 seemed a bit low, but it was enough to get me home). I was only 15 minutes late. Hey that’s not Tour Day France fast but not bad really (for me). Speaking of TDF, in honor of the TDF rest day on Monday, I decided to have a rest day as well, sleep an extra hour, and drive in. I needed to replenish clothing, towels and such and the wife needs empty boxes. The real reason though was that I really needed it. I didn’t really get much muscle rest on the weekend (actually I over did the yardwork on Saturday and was paying for it in spades). Additionally, my bike was not in the best of shape either ( I think the flats were a cry for attention). So I took another rest day on Tuesday (for the bike you know). Gave old Bloo a good washing and lubing, patched up the old tubes to restock my spare supply and got a good nights rest. On Wednesday morning I discovered first hand what muscle recovery is all about! And rediscovered the adage about keeping tires tight and chains lubed. The old bike felt smooth as butter and the drivetrain was quiet as can be. I quickly found myself rolling several mph faster than I had recently without even trying. (Note: there was a slight tailwind in place of the headwind of past weeks). Still, the legs were feeling grand and I blasted up the climbs. I felt quite rejuvenated, looser, more comfortable. Stronger, thinner, faster, ok, let’s not get carried away. Let’s just say that Rest Days Are Good! I hope they go as well for Cadel Evans.

Wow! 17 (work) days straight. I’m somewhat amazed at myself that I’ve been able to keep it up. I’ve been blessed with good luck (only one flat through a sea of glass) and good weather (only caught in the rain once). No crashes (knock on wood) and only minor soreness. I’m no longer intimidated by any of the (arguably small) climbs on my route. I think this is more of a psychological gain rather than a real gain in fitness. My bike handling skills have gotten better (but still need improvement) and I feel much more confident in traffic. (I must admit Critical Mass helped quite a bit with feeling less threatened in traffic). Also “situational awareness” is better: though I still make some dumb moves no and then (usually involving peds), I’ve been able to avoid taking unnecessary risks. There is a heightened awareness that goes with cycling and most of my dumb moves have been when I’ve gotten complacent or over confident. Things to work on: Need to stretch more. My muscles are weird. They usually don’t hurt after a workout until two days later. So my quads, glutes and calves have been in a semi constant low level soreness for the entire month. I attribute this to muscle growth (as this makes me feel better about it) but I think being more consistent about stretching will help. Bike Maintenance: I know ole Bloo is basically a beater bike, and dings and scratches are joyfully ignored, but with the increase in mileage, I need to take better care of the ride (especially drivetrain). I’m also thinking full fenders will help (the rain won’t stay away forever). But all in all, it’s been a blast so far. And I’m already getting fitted for my very own cone of smugness.

Friday was kind of a strange day and I was indecisive as usual. I had an 0830 dental appointment so I new I wasn’t going to go in to work until after that. So my brain went something like: “Should I drive? Maybe just drive to the dentist? Long ride in after or take the ferry? It’s going to be hotter than normal since it’s later. You won’t have chance to shower when you get there” Body checked in a little tired: “ I’m a little tired.” Then I finally “woke up.” Are you a cyclist or what?!! Tossed on shorts and t-shirt and messenger bag, u-lock, basic toolkit and hopped on the Peugeot to go to the dentist. I mean jeez, it’s only about a mile. I took it slow and arrived still feeling pretty fresh. No trouble at dentist (they moved me out to 6 months, huzzah). Biking back, I’m thinking, if I take the ferry both ways today, I should be able to ride the Peug and if I take it easy, I won’t be too sweaty. To wit, I came home, changed into my commute clothes, packed up work clothes and headed to the ferry. The Peugeot is much faster and lighter than my regular converted mtb ride, but it’s still got crappie saddle problem and not exactly dialed in fit wise. Still it was comfortable enough to cover the 3 miles to the ferry, and just barely break a sweat. Pulled up just as ferry was loading at 13 min after. Ferry ride was nice, with bright morning sun (its 1020 by this time). Simple 1 mile ride in the rest of the way with very little traffic via the Pathway of History (echo, echo, echo) and I’m in. Quick change to work clothes behind the wall next to my desk and voila. Hauling the (comparably) feather weight Peugeot up the stairs was also a treat. I’m pretty proud of the Peugeot (since I saved her from the dumpster and rebuilt her myself). So I had been looking forward to bringing her in and showing her off a bit (although she is not a showy bike by any means). Still, nobody really noticed or cared. Whatever. Ride home should have been easy reverse of the morning. Checked the weather radar and noticed storms in the area, but seemed far enough off to make it home dry. Crossing on the ferry I could see the rain off in the distance. I was going to have to move pretty fast to make it. Spinning smooth on other side of the Brambleton Bridge, I felt the first rain drop. By the time I’m at Terminal Tower, it’s coming down steady and I see the first lightning. By Plum Point Park it’s a torrent and I’m soaked but laughing. Huge gusts of wind, sheets of rain washing over me, no fenders, but I’m not minding. I’m less than a mile from home, just got to keep my head up, watch my braking, stay upright. I got my shower today after all! After drying out I fit in Critical Mass between getting young one to swim team function and getting her fed and trying to figure out what I’m supposed to be doing to help out. Critical Mass was kind of small, maybe 20 or so. Many I suppose were spooked by thunderstorms.

Monday awoke to dark clouds and rain. Weather check showed me that the rain was going to move off, so I skipped the rain jacket, but knowing that I’ll be dodging puddles and probably get a bit damp anyway. Compared to Friday’s drenching, I don’t see a problem. Legs feel a bit hard to get up to speed, but once I get them spinning, they seem to come back to life. In fact I’m feeling so good at the foot of the Berkely Bridge, I decide to really power up it with a bigger gear than normal. This is a mistake I realize as I near the top. This is Monday you dope! I just powered through bunches of fresh glass from the weekend over hard to see wet surfaces. I decide to stop at the top to and do a tire check. Tire check seems clean, butt wet tires make it hard to see shiny stuff. Made it across Jordan bridge ahead of what looked to be a waiting bridge lift. Huzzah, I will be early this morning, Coming down the Borum Overpass, something does not feel right. Jumping the tracks, No definitely wrong. Tire going down, which is it? Rear feels ok I think, but I don’t want to turn to look at it. Front seems a little low but…making turn is super squirrely. Keeping straight seem ok…definitely the front is in trouble, but not completely flat. I’m half a mile from office. I slow way down and limp in. Almost wipe out on last set of tracks, mostly due to sliding rear on the wet track. Well crap, my first flat. Likely wont’ be my last. After shower damage report: Rear is intact, dried tire and did more detailed search for embedded objects. Pulled off the front, inspection found small 1/8” wedge of glass shard. I bet that’s the culprit. Marked the spot with hi-liter. Pulled one side of tire off rim. Yanked out the old tube. Finger inspected the inner tire and sure enough I could feel where it just barely pushed past the fabric. Well do I leave the tiny hole, or throw a patch over it? Decided to put a patch inside with its backing on just to be safe. Spare tube installed. Rolled tire bead back on (it was surprisingly easy this time. Always had trouble in the past. I think keeping my gloves on and using the rolling motion was key). Well almost a month of daily commuting before my first flat. I hope that wasn’t all just luck. Ride home was broken up by the ferry. But not per usual. For the first time, I've encountered, it was late. Evidently some problem with the dollar eating machine. Some HRT technician kept breaking it down and then running out to his van for parts. Meanwhile the Ole Capt. was getting anxious, calling down to his crew (of teenagers) what's going on? gotta go! Finally left High St at 10 after. I know 10 minutes is not that much but usually I can set my watch by the ferry. Folks were getting kind of antsy. Took it slow rest of way home due to only 50 psi in front tire.

The following is posted with apologies to Phil Liggett, Paul Sherwin and BikeSnobNYC. It is the product of a deranged mind.

Phil: Well it’s a marvelous smokey morning here at the Tour de River Commute. The sights and smells are making it extra special.
Paul: It sure is Phil and I hope the riders are ready for what may prove to be an intense effort for today’s stage. The Queen stage of this year’s River Commute Tour promises fireworks aplenty.

Paul: The riders are well underway and we already have several dogs on the course.
Phil: Yes it’s a beautiful sport, but a shame the crowds can’t respect the rider’s safety and leave their pets at home!

Paul : And there’s an attack at the first intermediate sprint. A rider in red has soundly defeated the Grandeur of the Seas.
Phil: Why that wasn’t even close, Paul, perhaps that ship is conserving its energy for GC.

Paul: The speed is increasing as we approach the major climb of the day.
Phil: Our leader on the road is dancing on the pedals, motoring up the climb like a man possessed. He passes a rider who was in the early break like he was standing still!
Paul: Well, Phil, that may be because that early break rider was off the bike and walking it up. That just goes to show the incredible intensity of today’s test.

Paul: And he’s taking enormous chances on the downhill descent. I think he going to have a go at the next intermediate sprint. And there he goes!
Phil: Where is he getting this energy from? I haven’t seen a solo attack like this since Landis on Stage 17.
Paul: More like a Jens Voigt or Cancellara to me Phil.
Phil: That’s right Paul, we probably shouldn’t have mentioned that embarrassing episode.

Paul: Incredible! A train has crossed in front of the race! The peloton is bearing down behind our man like a hungry pack of wolves. The race organizers should be red faced about this!
Phil: This will stop our man in front. Surely this will mean the sprinters will have their day.


Paul: The train is passed and he’s off again. Incredible industrial scenery today as the peloton powers over this ancient bridge in pursuit of our race leader.
Phil: Yes I rather think it reminds me of the gorgeous man made vistas from our recent Tour de Jersey coverage.
Paul: Right you are Phil, but the riders need all their powers of concentration to make this tricky narrow bridge crossing. A tremendous headwind seems to be holding them back.
Phil: And no way for the teams to organize their echelons. They may not catch him! Like Rasmussen at Tignes.

Paul: We shouldn’t mention him either Phil.
Phil: Oh right.

Paul: He’ll really have to dig deep into that briefcase of courage if he wants to stay away from that raging peloton.
Phil: I don’t know Paul, they seem to be having trouble getting organized at the front. He’s in the final kilometer, there’s the flame rouge. Just one more small climb and flat all the way in to the finish. His grimace turns to smile. A look back, yes no one will catch him now. Arms raised in victory. An impressive win.

POP!

Drat! back to reality. Well I shouldn't be kissing any podium girls anyhoo.

Same jogging group with Amish farm women in the “autobus” on Friday morning. Maybe they’re here for Bayou Boogaloo (note they seem to be gone by Monday) although if true that may be even more surreal. Amish Cajuns? Dutch apple jambalaya? Andouille sausage mit kraut?. What’s next, melting clocks? Monkeys with bleeding hearts? Outrageous mustaches? Unibrows? Actually, I would welcome them all. Life needs a little weirdness now and then. Had an interesting near miss (or near hit if you’re into VPP) on Friday. Coming down Bainbridge an older model Acura pulls up to stop at a side street that I am approaching. I watch him pretty close and as he does his “pre turn” I realize he’s moving at just the right turn rate that his A-pillar is continuously blocking his view of me. Just as I’m thinking, “man I bet he doesn’t see me” sure enough he starts to pull out right in front of me. Full brake, “hey, whoa, jeez!” war cry. He sees me now. I think I scared the crap out of him. I didn’t feel too bad about this guy since it was mere happenstance that he pulled up at just the right angle to block me with his A-pillar. But it made me more wary and thoughtful about making eye contact whenever possible and when I don’t I have to assume they don’t see me and be prepared. Another Friday, note to self: Heavy Mexican meal night before morning commute not the best of ideas.

Monday: Brambleton Bridge mystery seems solved (sort of). It has reopened with just a short section of sidewalk still closed on lead up to bridge. Seems they were digging out and regarding the area around the base of the bridge. They still have mystery holes and drainage pumps in the sidewalk, but it’s an easy curb hop to get around them now. That saves me ½ mile each way.

Tuesday morning had nice old cruiser guy coming down Berkley Bridge warn me about glass up the trail. Thanks man! I was able to spot it and got off to walk bike through. I need to get over my flat out fears. Maybe I’ll do some flat tire drills this weekend. Lots of puddles reminded me once again how much I really need to spring for some fenders. Got passed by roadie commuter past Jordan Bridge. Decided to see if I could chase him down. Made up some ground on the road up to the gate, but I couldn’t match his climbing speed over the overpass. Maintained the gap throughout the shipyard where he turned into the CIA. Still it felt good to open up and pedal hard. Working on doing more upstroke pedaling with the SPD’s. Less mashing, better for the knees I hope.

Speaking of knees and mashing, I rode my Peugeot fixed/ss project bike a bit this past weekend to run some night errands (emergency mint chocolate chip ice cream request). I had been waiting to put lights on it, but I thought, “Well if I just rubberband a flashlight to the bars and use my messenger bag with blinkie attached, I should be good to go, hauling back whatever in the bag.” It worked great! I really see the appeal of the bag when used with a bike. I could carry a movie back to NaroVideo, pick up a half gallon of ice cream, various drugstore requests and u-lock and never take it off, just sliding around to get out money or lock and slide it back around, clip and go. (Checkout girl even commented on my “handbag or whatever.” I don’t think she really understood) Bag adjusts well to whatever odd sized load I have. Liked it so much, I got up the next morning and zipped out for a gallon of milk and a dozen (Do-nut Dinette) donuts (yum). (Ed note: for the family of course) I know my timbuk2 is not a “real” bike courier bag, but then again I am not a “real bike courier” and don’t pretend to be (as if this 43 yo flab machine could even think to pull off that masquerade). The bag works for me and I get giddy about simple designs that get the job done. Of the knee/mashing part, I’ve been riding the fixed gear a bit and was getting sore knee feedback pretty quickly. Switching to single speed mode has helped and of course I feel safer. I think this old dog is going to need work up some more leg strength and ride the fixed under more controlled conditions before I take it fixed onto the road (not to mention tackling the Berkley Bridge). The bike also needs a new saddle, but I’m loving how my handlebar tape with beer bottle cap endplugs turned out. Plus it feels like a rocket compared to my trusty (but heavy) steel mountainbike commuter. A more complete report on the Peugeot Project will be forthcoming.

Ran late and felt ragged. Legs felt ok, but had to stop to get out my badge (usually remember to stage it in pocket) and then I seemed to be hitting every little rock in the road. Crossing Brambleton, I hit one rock that did the tiddly wink thing and made such a load sound that I was worried that I may have pinch flatted. Kept checking the rear until I got to Freemason and stopped to see if I had a problem. No hissing, tire still firm. Houston we’re a go. Park closed again for Bayou Boogaloo. Detoured onto Waterside. Screw your festivals! I shouted as I passed a 13News truck setting up for some morning shot. Other side of Wachovia Tower I found myself heading into a increasing stream of fast walker/joggers. Normally there are a few of these folks here and there on my route, but this seemed like some organized large group. All wearing badges of some sort. Older couples, middle aged women, Amish people….what? A group of Amish folk jogging in the back of the pack! At least they were dressed like Amish straight out of Witness. Do Amish jog? Maybe they’re Mennonites. I resisted the urge to yell “GO FLOYD” at them. My morning had really turned very surreal.

Ride home involved bike shop to get red handlebar tape for the Peugeot project. Funny no numb or tingly hands today at all? Saw old biker dude again, this time on a road bike. hmmm. So the recumbent was not a necessity.

Have got to play catch up on the ole log. I think perhaps an every day log is not too practical, as some days there just isn’t time to find the time. And if I hold myself to that level of rigor, I’ll just end up beating the crap out of myself. I’m finally doing something that I’ve ached to do for years and I must not let my brain squish all the fun out of it! Okay, the rides:

Monday (Day 7) was smokey in the morning. The NC fires seem to continue on and on like some giant flaming tire mountain. Actually for us its more like a giant campfire, where you keep having to get up and move your chair when the smoke starts blowing in your face. Except you can’t move out of the way and just have to pray for a wind shift so it will blow on someone else. Biking in it wasn’t so bad, but my eyes were stinging and felt kind of out of sorts. Ride home meant going straight to the Mallory for miss A’s swimming time trials. She did well, but I was somewhat uncomfortable still in my work clothes in the afternoon heat. Monday night there were storms which I thought would take care of the smoke, but lo it was there more than ever on:

Tuesday (Day 8) morning. I discovered my route to be puddle strewn due to overnight rain. I avoided most of it but at Bainbridge and Poindexter, it covered most of the road, above my pedal low point. Nothing for it but to pedal through. I really only got one shoe totally immersed, but the flying spray was a messy reminder that I really need fenders. Ride home: decided to take advantage of my enforced detour (due to continuing Brambleton Bridge Sidewalk Closing mystery) and just continue into Ghent and run some errands (Bike shop, Drug store). It seems kind of silly to bike to and from work and then have to get in a car to run errands around my neighborhood.

Wednesday (Day 9), smoke gone for now. Hands have been particularly numb/tingly this morning. I fought it off as much as I could with changing hand positions, but it was bothersome throughout the ride. It’s weird, on some days I have no problems with my hands and on others it’s constant. Ride home was nice with temps in the low 80s. Passed and older gentleman going the other way on Mowbray Arch on a nice recumbent. He smiled and gave me the high sign and gave him my "chapeau" salute. I know recumbent bikes catch a lot of dorky grief in the biking universe, but it may well be my future one day if I want to keep cycling into old age. I'd rather be dorky but still cycling when I reach whatever age the good Lord allows. So rock on recumbent riders everywhere. I hear you are pretty fast!

It’s been a good week. I have learned much. My legs are surprisingly stiff and sore. Well I guess not SO surprisingly. Although I did not think that the 13-14 mi per day would be all that challenging, I should have realized that I hadn’t rode that much, consistently, everyday since I was a youngster delivering newspapers on my orange Schwinn 5-speed with the banana seat back in the 70’s. I’ve learned that six hours of sleep each night tends to counteract the energizing effect of cycling twice a day. I’ve learned my tires are tougher, and that I need gears on my “hills” more than I thought. I’ve learned that I fear getting doored or hit by someone pulling out of a parking space more than getting run down from behind.

I now see why cycling would be attractive to Buddhists. It is the middle path. I worry about hitting pedestrians, just as I fear being hit by a car. There is a constant shifting in the mind between not hitting and not getting hit. I don’t know enough about the fine details of Buddhist philosophy to go much further, but I think there is something about finding balance in life in its creed. What about cycling is NOT about balance in some form? The obvious about staying upright, the two wheels, finding the right gear, the right cadence, keeping the right tire pressure, tightening bolts, lockrings, headsets, seatposts, but not too tight. Finding the groove, the sweet spot, the comfort zone. This is what it’s all about: Literally, Comprehensively. I guess that’s why Buddhism works so well for so many as a guide to life

Trip in: 9.05 mi approx 40 min!

Cooler morning than I've had so far. Feels nice after all that heat and humidity before. Brambleton Street Bridge mystery has caused another problem. My detour route means having to cross Brambleton at Colley. I'm coming from the side (Fort Norfolk) that few seem to be coming from. Thus the traffic light sequence bypasses me. If there was an obvious cut or line for the induction coil, I'd try to run along it to get my bike to trip it, but they have hidden it well. Luckily I noticed that even though I had a red light, it had everyone stopped for traffic turning onto Brambleton from Colley. So as soon as that traffic cleared, I motored across no problem. Whew. I wish they finish tweakin' the freakin' bridge, so I don't have to use this much brain so early in the morning. I think I should ask the greater LJ universe, "How's my driving?" Here's how I am currently handling a tricky intersection. Going down S. Main St (which is a pretty wide two lane road) I have to make a left turn onto Bainbridge, which is right before the highway offramp. When I'm approaching my turn, I signal, check mirror, and do a lookback then move out to take the lane. Hopefully not too soon as to obstruct traffic, but not so late as to surprise someone. Then I signal my left turn and here's where I see a problem. I now have to check traffic from three directions (not counting behind me): Oncoming traffic, cars turning right from the offramp (and probably not looking my direction) and cars pulling out from Bainbridge. And it happened today that there was traffic in all three places. I pretty much just hauled ass to make my turn before anybody got close or did something stupid. But the timing might not be so good next time. Is there a safer, smarter way to handle this traffic situation? What do you in the universe think?

Trip home: 4.26 mi approx 45 min w/ferry

Here's something I noticed. Whenever I move to bike in traffic and go into "I'm a vehicle too" mode, I find myself unconsciously putting the hammer down, increasing my speed. I'm sure its a safer thing to do. The less speed differential the better. But I wonder if it is somehow triggering my competitive nature. "Pass me will ya! You big hunk of steel. I'll show you I can move pretty fast as well"