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.

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.

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.

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...

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.

5.26 - the first real ride of the year

weather: 65, overcast, brisk 15 mph SSW wind with gusts up to 25 mph
route: northerly counter clockwise via Lake Dr., River Rd., Donges Bay (hill)
time & distance: 1:30; 26 (est.)
critter report: 5 bunnies, 1 wild turkey, 1 coyote, 1 male Eastern Bluebird, 2 ducks, Duncan the Chesapeake Bay Retriever, no smooshies

A warm Memorial Day afforded us the first "real" ride of the season. Despite a pretty stiff SW wind (which made for a more challenging ride home), we both felt good and the hills on Lake and Donges Bay went well. Monkey commented at the end that with five more degrees and a little more sunshine, the weather would have been perfect. Owl heartily agrees.

Judging from the amount of debris on the road (and, eventually, on the bikes and us), it sure seemed like the storms were more intense near Mequon - there were several large branches down along Dean and generally lots of leaves and twigs strewn all over. Unfortunately, as has happened in the past, flats can happen after riding over all those sharp branches and poor Owl got it but good after getting to know Duncan. Thankfully, we were at Bruegger's in WFB so Monkey was able to quickly retrieve the car with the bike rack which will make for an easier tube change in the comfort of our own garage and with the good pump.

Inaugural Ride

weather: 57, partly sunny, 11 mph NNW
route: Audubon via Lake Dr.
time & distance: approximately 1 hour, 15 miles
critter report: 1 kamikaze squirrel, no smooshies

While I've been on the bike-about-town these last two weeks and Monkey rode into work once, this morning marked the first ride for us - without a bike computer our #s are just estimates but, with an hour in, I figure we logged 15 miles to the Schlitz Audubon Center in Bayside and back (plus a few meanders here and there).

Despite a chilly wind out of the NNW, Lake Drive hill was absolutely no trouble for both of us and bodes well for a long and challenging biking season. Let's hope the weather starts cooperating a bit more regularly.

- Owl