September 12th Rides!

[Fredwina]

I forgot a book I had borrowed from the Library
So I rode my bike to drop it off

The library is at the mall. I know you're saying why take picture of the mall
Victoria Gardens is an outdoor mall with a Faux Main Street theme. It does have some neat stuff:







Then I went by Bass Pro Shops next door:

[mudmucker]

Interesting pictures. I do like the Grant Wood-like painting in the 2nd one. Gotta love regional contrasts across the country... that is so unlike where I live.

I had some business travel Mon-Wed and put in some intense 40 hrs in those 3 days. Instead of $$ I took Thurs and Fri off as that is more valuable to me now, so I have a nice 4 day weekend. Yesterday I had grand plans of doing a long ride out to the Quabbin but I was very tired so I did a short ride. Today I tried to get out before the predicted rain - I did a short 15 mile ride, came home and then about a half hour later went out for a 2.5 mile run. The first 1.5 miles was a trail run and the rest is pavement. By the time I emerged from the woods to the road it had started to rain pretty hard. Got everything in just in time.

Supposed to rain all weekend - there may be gaps of dry so I might be able to squeeze in a Quabbin ride later.

[wackyjacky1]

The mural of the orange grove is cool!

I did my little commute to work and back. It was hella humid! I was drenched with sweat by the time I got to work. The ride back home was just as humid, with the addition of the temp being in the mid-90s, and some occasional strong winds. (We're experiencing hot, humid, windy weather ahead of Ike.)

On the upside, the massive hill that kicks off my ride home usually forces me to take two rest stops -- today, just one! (Baby steps...!)

[Fredwina]

It's doesn't show up well, but the mural was done on ceramic tiles.

[rubysoho]

neat mural!


I had my first "sorta" ride today. Just test riding a few bikes. I wouldn't even mention it except earlier this morning I followed a link that someone had posted here to a traffic safety. On my first test ride I was just about to pass a taxi cab and UPS truck when I thought about the rule that states you ought to give extra room in case someone opens their door. So I cruise over a little farther left and just as soon as I am close enough, to not be able to stop, the taxi driver's door flew open.

Big thanks to whoever it was that posted that link! Otherwise I'm sure I would have had to buy a broken bike.

[Crankin]

I took my second ride on my new bike, feeling mostly recovered from my 2 day no sleep trip to AZ. It is supposed to rain almost all weekend and we had to cancel our TE ride for Sunday . I did a 15.5 mile loop around to Hanscom AFB and back through the Minuteman National Park. It's a loop that's flatter than most of my local rides, just one hill in addition to my street. I don't do this ride very often, since it's somewhat stop and go traffic on part of it at rush hour.
The new bike feels good and lighter than my old frame, even though it is actually a couple of pounds heavier. I think it's just that it fits me. I noticed that I am going up the little rollers and false flats faster. The shorter bars still feel weird when I am turning, but I guess I just have to get used to them. But, I am so happy that I can reach the brakes. Now I just need to work on descending in the drops. Last Sunday I went down a few small hills in the drops, but I just feel unstable enough to chicken out of using them on big hills. I really developed some bad habits and after 8 years, they are hard to break!

[Kvixen23]

After completing my first Century ride last Saturday I went out with my husband and did a short 13 mile ride.....While short, I still exerted some energy. Also, he hasn't been able to ride for several weeks so we had to take it slow

[BabyBlueNTulsa]

We are expecting a weekend of rain, so I took off in what I thought would be the only patch of sunshine for the duration.

I was having a great ride until I started up a hill where I've been greeted by dogs before. Last time I had been at the top of the hill and able to sprint away.. This time, I was about 1/4way up when they surrounded me. I did my stern "NO"s and it did not make them go away. Meanwhile I'm hitting the 10% part of this hill (it pitches to 12)... the noise of the barking and my NOs invites two more dogs. So now I have Mr Scrappy Doo's lookalike, a tall skinny whitish merle dog (blue eye, brown eye), and also a black lab and a chocolate lab.

I was afraid to try and dismount since I had a dog on every side, but at that moment, I felt a pain in my left gastroc. I was bitten! That danged little Scrappy Doo bit me! Little Sh*t...now I'm starting to worry...and getting flustered. I'm still giving them my NOs. That's about when the black lab crossed my front wheel and to avoid him, I go off the edge of the road and then fall over to my left off my bike. All the sudden the dogs disappear. I guess they figured they'd won.

Then I hear (presumably) an owner yell to me "are you okay?" as I'm laying out in the road. I laid my head back down on the road (I'm flat on my back). You know, I haven't really had a crash since my fusion surgeries and this "crash" wasn't as bad as it could have been. Since I was going so slow and up a steep hill, I pretty much just rolled off my bike. I hit the pavement with my palm and rolled over...unclipping in the process. Phew.

Well, so I get up and dust myself off...shaking. I try to check out my leg where I was bitten. That danged Scrappy dog is still barking at me about 20 ft away (and his owner is still calling to him. His name's Roscoe!). My leg seems to be okay. I guess it was a pretty good snap - but he didn't break my skin. I tell the guy who's still watching me that his dog bit me. He didn't say anything back to me, but looked like he heard me. He continues to try and recall Scrappy Roscoe. I limp to the top of the hill and check out my bike. It appears okay too. I consider myself lucky no real damage occured and quickly weigh my options.

Usually I would go over and demand to see a dog's rabies vaccinations. However, I know this dog is not a stray. I ride by this house repeatedly during the year (as do many other cyclists). My daylight is waining and any dallying here will cost me. (I'm a good 25 miles from home and its about 6pm). Since he didn't break the skin, I decided to ride home. That owner (?) kept watching me as I left. Before I mounted my bike, as Scrappy kept barking at me, I turned and made like I was going to walk towards him. He backed off... then I mounted my bike and rode on.

I WAS late getting back. I rode the last 2 miles in the dark! Ugh.

50 fought-for miles yesterday with about 2800ft of climbing...and one dog bite.

My leg is sore and feels bruised where he bit me, but its not red or swollen. I will be carrying my pepper spray the next time I ride this route. Little bugger will get his!!

[RoadRaven]

I went for an 8km blast on the flat... I only averaged 24km but I was really grunting into a strong head wind.
I had to get to the garage before it closed to collect the car after it had it WOF done.

Gargh... and glad the bite wasn't any worse... and hope it is feeling alright today and not too "nasty"...

[Kvixen23]

I'm so sorry to hear about your dog bite/crash. What a bummer. I'm glad you were able to get back on and finish your ride. You go girl!!! That took guts. I'm pretty sure I would have whipped out my cell phone for a ride and the police to make a complaint since we do have leash laws in Oklahoma.

Hope your next ride is better!!! Well wishes to all your bruised and sore spots

[mudmucker]

Usually I would go over and demand to see a dog's rabies vaccinations. However, I know this dog is not a stray. I ride by this house repeatedly during the year (as do many other cyclists). My daylight is waining and any dallying here will cost me. (I'm a good 25 miles from home and its about 6pm). Since he didn't break the skin, I decided to ride home. That owner (?) kept watching me as I left. Before I mounted my bike, as Scrappy kept barking at me, I turned and made like I was going to walk towards him. He backed off... then I mounted my bike and rode on.

I love dogs, but that story and the way owners are oblivious that their dogs chase, just pisses me off! I'm glad you're ok. You just don't need to think about rabies with a dog bite though, but also tetanus. Is your tetanus shot up to date? This may not be an issue in this case because you said the skin wasn't broken but just an FYI for future chases. But Ha! That's not going to happen. Let us know if you end up using the pepper spray along this route in the future.