Road to Nowhere

While in quest to be thinner and more desirable to no one, I went back to "spinning". 

I have a bike, though it needs some decent amount of tune-up before it would even be street legal. But having Shep makes it harder for 710 and I to go out biking. Maybe next year we will try. 

In the meantime, I got on a stationary bike on Sunday and rode 10 miles. 

The gym has Lifecycles. In any gym I've been to, I have never been a fan. For the last few weeks I've been trying their recumbent bikes, but you know, it's just blah. Maybe I'm getting a workout, but I don't feel it. 

But my current gym has six Peloton bikes in a separate room. I've never been on one and honestly, I had no desire to pay for a Peleoon membership on top of my gym one. In the 4.5 months I've been there I have seen two people use them. 

My sister said, "maybe it's part of your membership already".  Maybe. As it turns out it was / is - and she's the one who had to tell me because she did the research. 

On a running break day, I went, "eh, why not".  So I did. 

Honestly, it took me as long to set up the account and pair my audio as it took to do my first ride. I kept trying to pair my phone and not my headphones, so it kept failing.  DUH. 

Then there was the workout / instructor selection.  I limited it to a 30 minute ride - as it had been a while - and tried to find a decent play list.  Out of frustration, I just selected one. 

The workout was in German.

My friends Jon and Meredity laughed and laughed at this.  Rightfully so. 

You'd think I would have stopped it and found something more up my alley than the warm tones of the Germanic people.  You'd think wrong. 

It turns if you're somewhat intelligent and speak little to no German, you can still figure it all out. I could see that during the ride my resistance should be at X and my speed should be at Y. At worst, come the end of the workout, I can count from 5 to 1 in another language. 

The ride was doable and sweaty. 30 minutes was a good intro and I think I can progress fro there on m non-running days. It's good to mix it up, I think. 

During my ride, it was difficult not to think back to spin classes and how much better some of the instructors - especially my fave, Andy.  I had such a man-crush on him, I'd have made-out* with him in a heartbeat. But he really was the hardest and best instructor at my former gym. 

I kid you not, when I walk out of the Peloton room and there doing fucking chin-ups is Andy. 

I'd say ' what are the odds ' but number of gyms divided by number of men in the 216 with the open earlier than x amount of gyms by y number of hours probably takes it to a high probability. 

I'd say we 'caught up', but I'm 99.97% sure he has not idea what my name is. He is nice and pleasant to look at, and talk to, but whatever lust I had for him no longer existed.  

It's called 'growth' people! Sheesh!

*'made-out' is for the PG-13 crowd, FYI. 

Song by: Talking Heads

Cycle

Tomorrow is National Bike To Work Day.

I'd love to, but my bike won't go up the stairs to my office. It is more of a walking / climbing commute.

To be fair, even when I was working downtown, I never participated in this event, though I always wanted to.

I could forgo the shower. I mean, if I was in town, I wasn't seen any clients - none of which are in Cleveland.  Only some co-workers might have to smell me. That is, if I ever smelled.

As it turned out, I was rarely in town for this day - always on the road. Actually, it is a full week, but one day is truly designated for the ride.

The one day I was in town for it, there was a deluge. And yes, I get that people on bikes ride in the rain all the time, but I'm not equipped for that - carrying a laptop and such. If I rode to work more often, I'd have the appropriate gear.

My biking is relegated to either neighborhood rides, long tow-paths and yes, the occasional ride downtown, but on the weekends.

Hell, I haven't even pulled my bike out this year yet. I have got to check the tires, gears, brakes and chain before I ever put one foot upon it.

But I encourage others to take their bikes out tomorrow, whether it be to work or for fun.

Like many biking events, including Critical Mass, the organization is fractured. While I linked to some article on Bike to Work Day, there are dozens out there - each for individual cites or areas. I get each city is different, but there should be one hub and some spokes in this endeavour.



Song by:  Beck

Bike

We have used bike sharing programs in Montreal, DC and Boston with nary a hitch.

The same cannot be said about Citibike in Manhattan.

What a piece of shit system.

Let's forget that there are no stations north of Central Park South.

Sure, you can ride anywhere you want, but you can't dock the bike as needed - or even get off it to do other things, since you can't park it.

But in those other cities, we never encountered full stations (20-30 bikes) that don't work at all - no checking in our out of bikes.  We have never encountered stations that have zero bikes.  We have never encountered racks of bikes where most, if not all, the bicycles are broken or have flat tires....or both.

And I think all but once, the codes that were given to us for use, one did not work.

That said, when they did work, riding in the city is great. I thought the same of Montreal, DC and Boston. It's a great way to get around, to see things you cannot, or won't always, cover on foot.

The first day was riding though Central Park. Unfortunately, six minutes into the ride the skies opened up and we were caught in the middle of the park with no shelter.

I immediately thought of the amphitheater on the promenade, but that was full.  Ditto with the tunnel near Bethesda fountain.

Apparently I wasn't the only one with that scathingly brilliant idea. We just ended up riding back to the docking station, walked back to the hotel and dried off.

The next day was a bigger ride. We were down at the Highline and needed to get down to Battery Park. After hitting FOUR Citibike locations before we found two functional bikes, we were off.

Mind you, the ride down the West St is pretty much a breeze and New York has done a great job with bike lanes. At least on West St, you're not battling vehicle traffic. Riding on major streets, even with designated bike lanes can be a challenge.  It can be a free for all, and for g-d's sake, watch the opening car / truck / taxi doors.

However, on the way back, we rode the all the way back to our Central Park location. It was a little challenge, as we weren't in clothes meant for biking that far and in the heat of the afternoon, but we made it work.

Of course, a few minutes into my ride, I found I had no first gear and second resided somewhere between 2 and 3.  Bother!

I still think the bike share programs are great, but you can see with mismanagement they fail.

One could argue that NYC is a bigger city and would have bigger problems, but I don't think they face anything that those other places we've ridden have not seen.

I hope it succeeds, but they're making it difficult.



Song by: Pink Floyd

Home Again

We're back.

Glad to be home and in other ways, sorry to be home.  Vacation was great....as you've read along the way.

Now and again, during time away, 710 and I will even take time away from each other, just for space.

This did not happen this trip and all was fine, not that we anticipated strife.

Well, there was my drinks with BosGuy that we were apart, but that's it. ...and some bathroom time.  But that's it!

Our last day in Boston was beautiful. Mike or Peter asked if I was going to write about the three car accident we saw, but like I told them, it wasn't me having the accident, so no.....no I'm not.  (Two people walked away, one went bye-bye in an ambulance......that's all I know.)

But yesterday morning we were up at the crack of dawn in our great room at the Westin (I can't recommend the rooms enough - though the lobby was horribly crowded at all times!) at Copley Square. So it was out to b'fast. No worries, I'll be doing a blog post on vacation food soon enough.

Since we had hours to kill before our flight, we went back to the Hubway bike system and rode up to Harvard. Trust me, this is the only way I'd ever get to Harvard. Now I know just how Paris Gellar felt.

It was a nice 6 mile ride along the Charles River (each way), where we saw Harvard and Boston University rowing teams practicing. I so wanted to get a picture of a store in Cambridge called the Tennis & Squash Shop, but I didn't break my ride to do that.

Only at Harvard (or maybe Yale) would they have a shoppe for Squash (and, well, tennis).  Of course, you have to say 'squash' with that affected Ivy league voice that has your bottom chin moving more than ever parting your teeth.  You know the one.

Damn there are a lot of pretty handsome men in Boston what we passed on our bike ride. A LOT! Yes, most of them at the par course I mentioned a week or so ago, but damn!

Anyway, Sophie was very very very happy to see us. That my interpretation of her yelling at us for two hours straight. I'm sure she wasn't giving us lip (if cats had lips) for being gone so long. We'll see how she does today when we go pick up Petey. I bet she thinks she was rid of him, but she's not.

I'm very excited to get Petey and bring him home this morning. I hope he feels the same way.  But laundry is half done and grocery shopping has been achieved.

We're home.  Yayyy.............and bummer.



Song by: Carole King

Love is the Ride

You gotta love the ride.

Well, I suppose you don't, but it helps. It's hard to do a 34 mile ride just to do it. You kind of gotta want it on some level - whatever your motivation.

Once again, last Sunday, we hit the Cuyahoga Valley National Park to take long bike ride. Last time it was from near downtown Cleveland to Peninsula. This time, went from Peninsula to Akron.

Akron. Or Norka, as Morty would call it.

ἄκρον in Greek. Or "summit". Akron sits in Summit County. Akron is allegedly the highest point in Ohio. I suppose with background to its name, that would make sense.

Of course, that also means the closer you get to Akron, the more you are traveling uphill. Those damned mules towing those barges had it hard. Especially that last mile into town where it is a 5% grade - yes, uphill. The first 16 miles just was the warm-up for that last mile.

You'd think going back towards Peninsula would be easier as it is mostly down hill. It is easier, but now you're pushing towards 34 miles and your scrotum starts to burn a bit at this point - and you have to pass that sewage treatment plant.....again. I almost vomited the first time we passed it.

Columbus/Grovetucky had a treatment facility too, but I knew when and for how long to breathe through my mouth. This did not work here. The smell was too pervasive this time. The 95 degree weather and beating sun on processed poop did not help.

We did stop to fill our water bottles at one point and I stuck my head under an outdoor spigot to cool down. Unfortunately, my sweat and the sunscreen I slathered all over ran into my eyes. So, then there was more and more rinsing. However, at the rest room, there was this great sign between the Men's and Women's room (click to enlarge) that made me laugh.

Toilets and methane. No Smoking and the siren. Perfecto!!!!!

But the ride is nice. Great shade on this portion of trail. It is not as congested and when we got to downtown Akron, we just did a leisurely ride-around. The trail pretty much ends up at the Akron Aeros ballpark. While they are one of the Indians' minor league teams, they have about as many folks attend and a Tribe game. {sigh}

The trail alternates between cinder, new asphalt, older/broken asphalt, wood planks and when you get to Akron.....rubber. You know, Goodyear and Firestone and such. Akron is also Rubber City. ...no, not rubbers city. I think that's Cherry Hill, NJ. if the boxes are to be believed.

Yes, it was a good ride - maybe not a great one. 10 degrees cooler would have made it so much more pleasurable and I might have avoided the heat rash on my legs. No pictures of that - no one needs to see that (other than my dermatologist).....and it's gone now anyway. All better.

I envy Morty on his century rides. I haven't done one yet, but I'm looking forward to trying. Maybe later this year, or maybe early next.



Song by: Lucy Kaplansky

Wooden Ships

I totally stole the header image from my friend, Tom G's FB page. He's the only one I know who got a shot of one of the Tall Ships sailing into Cleveburgh. I'm hoping he won't mind and will one day forgive me.

We've had the Tall Ships festival (?) I don't know how often or for how long. I do know that we have never been. So we took the bikes and rode downtown.

On the way, I made Denton pedal and stop by the Cleveland Cancer Survivors Plaza. I figured we've been here almost 16 years and I'm now like 18 years cancer free. So I got a few pics in front of it. This is the only one that captures the obelisk like structure.


Not unlike the one in Columbus, this survivor's plaza is just not all that attractive.

Yes, I don't know why we hadn't done the Tall Ships before, but I'm thinking now I know why - or at least the reason(s) - we never need to go back.

Let's start with the $14 admission - each. Yes, I am cheap as they come, and yes we paid it, but there wasn't really anything to do except stand in line for up two hours to get on maybe one of the boats. The rest of the stuff there is typical festival crap: booths for basement waterproofing, food, bad food, worse food and lemonade stands.

As with Tom G's picture and this one, it is a scaled down replica of the HMS Bounty, which as you know did not go all that swimmingly.

I bet it would have been much much better had they had a crew that looked like this - especially the guy on the right. I'm just sayin'...........

Buffalo and Boobies

....and buns.

...and one last one of your smiling blogger amongst the masts and masses. Clearly my sunglasses protect my anonymity from my tens of fans.

Song by: Jefferson Airplane

The Warmth of the Sun

Yesterday we did a good 36 mile ride down to Peninsula. It was down the Cuyahoga Valley National Park. The towpath for the Ohio and Erie Canal runs through there. They have not built the entire bike path up to Lake Erie, but it is getting closer.

The thought was to go all the way down to Akron, but we had time limitations since I had to be at dinner for Father's Day.

We might had made it if not for the Sunday crowd on the path. The people who rent bikes and take leisurely rides (which is fine), and do it side by side so no one can pass safely, or at all (which is not). I've never said "on your left" so many times in my life.

We averaged about 15-16 mph on the way down and the weather was great for it. The heat index was not too high, nor the humidity. On the way back, it was a major headwind all the way. It slowed us down to closer to 12 mph.

At the half-way point (Peninsula) we stopped for lunch, because Blobby was hungee. I neglected to pack power-sauce bars with the awesomeness of apples, so we had to sit and eat.

I almost called the post 'Sex on Fire' because my bike shorts were not holding up. My taint was a bit sore about a third of the way back. It wasn't long lasting - as an hour after stopping I was all good. I knew you'd want to know all of that.

This pic is mostly for Birdie. ...and Garkawe. Look. A smile. And more and more grey in the beard. Oh well. Look at this way: I don't have striped shirt and a goofy pattern on my shorts like this dude riding behind me.

Oh - and I'm wearing my helmet like a good rider. I'd say two-thirds of all the riders on the trail did not. What's that about?

Here I am at lunch. We just kicked back for an hour and tried to eat healthy but more importantly not heavily. I did not want to ride 18 miles back and be all bloated.

The one thing we also did not do before the ride: SPF - any number, pick one. Now look at that number and multiply it by 0. We fucked up and we fucked up bad. Actually, the ride just gave us colour and maybe a little redness. But where I am sitting at lunch, I was a lot more exposed than Denton. A LOT more.....

See? My left shoulder and arm took the brunt. The back of the neck isn't as bad as it could have been. The top of my legs are a bit red, but it will turn into a nice summer brown, as will my right shoulder and arm.

The left one, I am guessing the skin will start peeling off in sheets in about 6-7 days, after the bubbling and flaking gets going. Yes I will lotion and aloe, but I know the drill. The damage is done. I am so not looking forward to showers over the next three days. PAINFUL.

I'd say I've learned my lesson, but only time will tell on that one.

I really do love getting out on the bike and am looking forward to my next outing......along with Ms. Coppertone 45.

Song by: the Beach Boys

Wheels

As you know, I'm a big fan of spinning and bike riding, so it only stands to reason that when having an opportunity to either walk around a town, or ride around one, I'd pick the latter. Such was the case with us in Montreal yesterday.

Weather called for better than it turned out, but some things you cannot control. Life goes on. I know this does not sound like Blobby, but sometimes I am not so....me.

Montreal has this great system called Bixi. Basically it's a bike-taxi, and I don't mean a pedi-cab. They are basically bikes you rent for $5 a day, but only for 30 minutes at a time. Kind of. Let me see if I can explain it to you easily.

You go to one of the many Bixi stations that are all over town.....see.....?

Then you use your credit card to take out one of the many bikes at the station.

(if you belong to some kind of CSI organization, you can use your high-tech equipment to see Denton in the reflection in this picture. Good luck!)

All the bikes are the same, though some in a bit better shape, as I would come to find out.

You can ride for 30 minutes before returning it to one of the stations (any of the stations). If you do it in that 30 minutes, you can get another bike back out after 5 minutes, for another 30 minutes. ...and so on and so on. All on the original $5 charge.

If you do go over those half-hour increments, you get an additional charge. It's not much, but it would add up if you're not time efficient. The Bixi isn't meant for you really to keep the bike all day, just to use it in short spurts for a commute or errand. We kept it for a few hours (in those half-hour at a time) and while I like to ride at longer than 30 minute time frames, there was that pesky rain.

Twice we stopped because of the rain and just hung out under some awnings. I would have had to stop twice anyway because I got two bum bikes. One, the tire just scraped and rode horribly. The second one wouldn't stay in gear. After that, the bikes worked just fine and it was easy to swap them out at one of the many stations.

In the morning, I took off my sweatshirt because I was too hot. Here I am being careless and riding down Boulevard de Maisonnevue at a good clip, yet still taking a self-portrait. Stupid. Ballsy.

Yeah, Bixi doesn't rent helmets. Kids - do not try this at home. Seriously.

But then the storm came in and temps dropped. It did force us to stop in to eat lunch, then we'd get back on la bicyclette and check out more of the city. We were (in no particular order) down near the water; we were in Chinatown; we rode to the base of Mount Royal; over to some musees. No real rhyme or reason to our route. I'm sure we didn't do the most efficient route, but that's what makes exploring so fun.

I feel good about using Bixi for many reasons. One is, I didn't have my normal gym experience this weekend, so there's that. It's a great way to see more of the city than you normally would and you take roads a normal tour might not take you. And I love promoting such a program for the environment and just good health.

As it is, this is national bike month and this week is Ride Your Bike to Work Day. I'd love to, but I am only in the office one day this upcoming week. Weather permitting, I will ride to work on that one day. But if I can't - I feel I've done my part, not only riding in Montreal, but letting you know of National Bike Month and its associated programs.


Song by: Lone Justice