weather: 61, light SW wind, sunny
route: Donges Bay loop, W->E
time & distance: 1:39, 26.4
critter report: many ex-animals, 3 rabbits, 2 deer, 1 hat lady, 1 wanderin' pooch
Lovely, the sun warm and the air cool this morning, with only a light breeze not really kicking up till the home stretches of the ride. Critter action concentrated around Donges Bay and Lake Shore Dr, just after our customary lavatory layover at Virmond Park. First Owl did her level best to hoosh a pair of deer back from the road, who simply stood placidly and watched us pass, then went back to grazing. Then we passed a squat little terrier type dog trotting along happily at the roadside. We hope he was just a local pooch out for a stroll and sniff of his territories and that he made his way home safely.
En route home Owl observed a curious thing: apparently I, Monkey, have a Pavlovian response to the smell of bacon. We sometimes pass Pandl's on our way home, and it always smells richly of morning savor, bacon and sausages fried up for the breakfast-brunch crowds. Two or three times now when we've passed this way, Owl tells me, I've gone on to order bacon on one of my usual Sunday post-ride bagel sandwiches. Hmmm. I certainly have no objections to further investigation of this possibility!
-Monkey
Sunday, June 29, 2008
Saturday 6/28
weather: 67, 8 mph wind, partly cloudy
route: County Line loop, counterclockwise
time & distance: 1:16, 19.5
critter report: 2 rabbits, 1 musical dog-walker
A fine ride, weather very nearly perfect. I don't even remember the most noteworthy sight. Owl reports spotting a "mandolin-playing dog-walker in Whitefish Bay." Man what? Perhaps she'll chime in with a comment on that.
route: County Line loop, counterclockwise
time & distance: 1:16, 19.5
critter report: 2 rabbits, 1 musical dog-walker
A fine ride, weather very nearly perfect. I don't even remember the most noteworthy sight. Owl reports spotting a "mandolin-playing dog-walker in Whitefish Bay." Man what? Perhaps she'll chime in with a comment on that.
The thing is our rides and our gym workouts are my dedicated brainstorming time. I keep my mind busy with some notion or another, whether it be roughing out rap lyrics or places and plots for my WoAdWriMo project. All well and good, but sometimes I need to open up my eyes and see the world around me!
-Monkey
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Nemesis Hills #1
weather: 62, partly to mostly cloudy, light southerly wind
route: Donges Bay to Range Line (counter clockwise northerly meander)
time & distance: 1:28; 23.1
critter report: 4 bunnies, 1 deer, 1 smooshed baby raccoon (the same?), 1 disco cyclist
Ah, the first pre-work ride of the year...finally!
route: Donges Bay to Range Line (counter clockwise northerly meander)
time & distance: 1:28; 23.1
critter report: 4 bunnies, 1 deer, 1 smooshed baby raccoon (the same?), 1 disco cyclist
Ah, the first pre-work ride of the year...finally!
Near perfect weather conditions led Owl and Monkey on a northerly meander just before dawn today. Sheer delight.
Owl, feeling all cocky, decided it was time to hit the infamous "Nemesis Hills" - for Owl, it is what she refers to Church Hill on River Road next to St. Christopher's Episcopal and, for Monkey, Green Tree just north of Port Washington Road. These aren't that steep nor long and normally wouldn't bother the Intrepid Pair in the slightest. But, Owl theorizes that hers is due to the fact that Church Hill comes always at the end of a ride and Green Tree is so freakin' bumpy! Anyway, hatred of said hills was confirmed this morning...but they really weren't that bad. It's just fun to hate them so.
On the way to the Nemesis Hills, they encountered the Disco Cyclist - some older dude with really tricked out 3 blinking front headlights. Either he's a) had a crash or close encounter with a car in the early a.m., b) overly cautious, or c) just a little odd. Owl thinks it might be all d) all of the above.
As far as critters are concerned, it seems like they always see a deer at this time near Donges Bay. Today was no different:
Sunday, June 22, 2008
How fickle is woman
weather: 61-57-63, partly cloudly-rain shower-mostly cloudy, 3 mph W
route: Highland, clockwise
time & distance: 1:45, 30.2 miles
critter report: 1 bunny, 1 deer, 2 smooshies (1 baby raccoon - so sad), 2 soggy cyclists
As previously noted, Owl has a strong respect for Mother Nature. However, she knew they were going to get bit this weekend - after a rather ominous green blob appeared on the radar and was on a crash course for Owl and Monkey's intended route on Saturday morning, the pair decided to forgo a nice cycle and head to the gym. Sure, it sprinkled a little on the drive in and the roads were wet for about 1/2 mile, but no rain all the while they were working out. So, when the radar was absolutely clear this morning, Owl thought to herself that, given Mother Nature's highly developed whim, it was sure to rain.
This real green blob captured over Lake Michigan is what had met the Intrepid Pair:
route: Highland, clockwise
time & distance: 1:45, 30.2 miles
critter report: 1 bunny, 1 deer, 2 smooshies (1 baby raccoon - so sad), 2 soggy cyclists
As previously noted, Owl has a strong respect for Mother Nature. However, she knew they were going to get bit this weekend - after a rather ominous green blob appeared on the radar and was on a crash course for Owl and Monkey's intended route on Saturday morning, the pair decided to forgo a nice cycle and head to the gym. Sure, it sprinkled a little on the drive in and the roads were wet for about 1/2 mile, but no rain all the while they were working out. So, when the radar was absolutely clear this morning, Owl thought to herself that, given Mother Nature's highly developed whim, it was sure to rain.
About 10 miles in on River and Dean Roads, Owl definitely caught a suspicious smell in the air. The sky was darkening. Could that have been thunder? No sooner did these thoughts pass through her head when the heavens let go a brief, but chilly shower.
This real green blob captured over Lake Michigan is what had met the Intrepid Pair:True, it didn't last more than a few miles, but the roads for the majority of the remaining 20 miles were wet...wet with a capital W. And, with the rain, the temperature dropped to 57 which, when dry, doesn't feel cold but when one's feet and hindquarters are absolutely sopped, every little degree matters.
Thank goodness for our little pit stop just north of Donges Bay and the hot air driers in the restrooms.
Naturally, the sun appeared and the roads were dry just Owl and Monkey cruised into Whitefish Bay.
Mother Nature rocks...and so does getting on the road.
Saturday, June 14, 2008
Lincoln Memorial #1
weather: 63, clear, 8 mph SSW
route: Saturday cycle up Lincoln Memorial to Schlitz Audubon
time & distance: 1:20, 18.6
critter report: 4 bunnies, no wild turkeys
A warm and sunny Saturday greeted our intrepid pair for their customary light workout day. After Owl's first flat of the season a few weeks ago (caused by a monstrous piece of glass), she's been experiencing slow leaks in the back tire. Until yesterday, she thought it was just bad luck but - when it happened yet again - it was time to head to Rainbow Jersey and ask the Cool Mechanic Dude. It looked like the glass shard made a hole in the tire and, with all of the debris in the road due to the recent heavy rains, every little piece of glass or pebble was getting caught up in it and puncturing the tube. So, without further delay, it was time to replace the tire with this - gotta love a tire that has triple puncture protection.
Otherwise, it was a very uneventful ride, except for Owl taking a little detour after descending Ravine toward Lincoln Memorial Drive. She attributes it to sun glare and a poorly executed snot rocket. For both Owl and Monkey, climbing Lincoln Memorial and Lake Drive hills was good and easy.
route: Saturday cycle up Lincoln Memorial to Schlitz Audubon
time & distance: 1:20, 18.6
critter report: 4 bunnies, no wild turkeys
A warm and sunny Saturday greeted our intrepid pair for their customary light workout day. After Owl's first flat of the season a few weeks ago (caused by a monstrous piece of glass), she's been experiencing slow leaks in the back tire. Until yesterday, she thought it was just bad luck but - when it happened yet again - it was time to head to Rainbow Jersey and ask the Cool Mechanic Dude. It looked like the glass shard made a hole in the tire and, with all of the debris in the road due to the recent heavy rains, every little piece of glass or pebble was getting caught up in it and puncturing the tube. So, without further delay, it was time to replace the tire with this - gotta love a tire that has triple puncture protection.
Otherwise, it was a very uneventful ride, except for Owl taking a little detour after descending Ravine toward Lincoln Memorial Drive. She attributes it to sun glare and a poorly executed snot rocket. For both Owl and Monkey, climbing Lincoln Memorial and Lake Drive hills was good and easy.
Saturday, June 7, 2008
Saturday Cycle
weather: 62, clear, 10 mph SSW
route: Saturday loop (home to Schlitz via Ravine Dr. and Lake Dr.)
time & distance: 1:10, 18.6
critter report: 1 bunny, 1 used prophylactic on Lake Dr. (EW!), 1 overly macho cycling dude, 0 smooshies, 0 wild turkeys
A fine Saturday gave us our 2nd "easy day". Even though Owl didn't feel quite 100% both hills went just fine. On the way to Schlitz Audubon, we were met with this following message from the Bayside P.D.
Quite a nice thought, although the irony of having it smack dab in the middle of the bike lane did not go unnoticed.
On the way home on Lake, we were joined by a fellow cyclist who gives us riders a bad name. Donning one seriously stupid looking doo rag, he had to huff and puff to catch up with us and then proceeded to draft from me for a bit...which was a little annoying. I asked him if he wanted to pass and he just said, "No, thanks. I just wanted to catch up with you guys." After a bit he went by, weaving all over the road due to obvious strain to go faster than us (we were going at a good 18 mph). Of course, we eventually passed him with ease. Both Owl and Monkey felt a good amount of satisfaction at that point. This is what is particularly irksome: as we approached the intersection with Silver Spring, we saw him not only cross the street against a red light with cars around, but did so in the wrong lane. What a jerk! Owl secretly hopes he's good and sore tomorrow...
route: Saturday loop (home to Schlitz via Ravine Dr. and Lake Dr.)
time & distance: 1:10, 18.6
critter report: 1 bunny, 1 used prophylactic on Lake Dr. (EW!), 1 overly macho cycling dude, 0 smooshies, 0 wild turkeys
A fine Saturday gave us our 2nd "easy day". Even though Owl didn't feel quite 100% both hills went just fine. On the way to Schlitz Audubon, we were met with this following message from the Bayside P.D.
Quite a nice thought, although the irony of having it smack dab in the middle of the bike lane did not go unnoticed.On the way home on Lake, we were joined by a fellow cyclist who gives us riders a bad name. Donning one seriously stupid looking doo rag, he had to huff and puff to catch up with us and then proceeded to draft from me for a bit...which was a little annoying. I asked him if he wanted to pass and he just said, "No, thanks. I just wanted to catch up with you guys." After a bit he went by, weaving all over the road due to obvious strain to go faster than us (we were going at a good 18 mph). Of course, we eventually passed him with ease. Both Owl and Monkey felt a good amount of satisfaction at that point. This is what is particularly irksome: as we approached the intersection with Silver Spring, we saw him not only cross the street against a red light with cars around, but did so in the wrong lane. What a jerk! Owl secretly hopes he's good and sore tomorrow...
Sunday, June 1, 2008
Ravine #1
weather: 62, mostly sunny, 12 mph WNW with gusts to 20 mph
route: Saturday loop (Ravine Dr. to Schlitz)
time & distance: 1:18, 18.6
critter report: 3 bunnies, 1 wild turkey, no smooshies
Our first trek up the hill on Ravine Dr. was no trouble for both of us, but Lake Dr. was a bit tougher due to a pesky and gusty wind - it was one of those days so common along the lake when one always seems to be riding against the wind. I thought that once we made the turn-around and started back south towards home, we'd be able to sail with the wind at our backs. Not so!
We were lucky enough to spot one wild turkey at the entrance to Schlitz Audubon although he was very shy and dashed immediately into the preserve as soon as we rode up.
route: Saturday loop (Ravine Dr. to Schlitz)
time & distance: 1:18, 18.6
critter report: 3 bunnies, 1 wild turkey, no smooshies
Our first trek up the hill on Ravine Dr. was no trouble for both of us, but Lake Dr. was a bit tougher due to a pesky and gusty wind - it was one of those days so common along the lake when one always seems to be riding against the wind. I thought that once we made the turn-around and started back south towards home, we'd be able to sail with the wind at our backs. Not so!
We were lucky enough to spot one wild turkey at the entrance to Schlitz Audubon although he was very shy and dashed immediately into the preserve as soon as we rode up.
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