Wednesday Dec. 13th RIDES

[Grog]

Had a fabulous time on the bike!

I just went out for an hour, I wanted to take advantage of a calm window in a nearly week-long wind storm we're having here in the PNW. I saw a few rays of sun shining through and rushed out of my office at lunch to go on the road.

Well I was not alone enjoying the fine(r) weather. I saw more bald eagles than I had ever seen around here. At first I thought they were following me - that's nice, I thought - and then I counted SEVEN simultaneously in one spot, and then a few duos and trios that I am quite sure were different from the first seven. Then on my walk back to the office after my shower I saw another group of six playing in the wind. My office is right by the Georgia strait and this is a typical hangout for eagles, but... wow!!

That was a happy moment.

[Bad JuJu]

That is so cool about all those bald eagles, Grog. We occasionally see one or two around here, but they're very illusive.

My own ride involved birds today, too.

I almost didn’t go—so much end-of-semester work to do. But it’s going to get worse before it gets better, since final papers are due tonight and I have to submit semester grades by next Tuesday. So I suited up and headed out on this unseasonably warm day for mid-December. I did my usual 20-miler from home, down to and over the Garcon Point Bridge and back. (Garcon Point Bridge crosses from Garcon Point to Gulf Breeze, at the confluence of Escambia, East, and Pensacola Bays.)

As I was heading over the bridge on the way out, I had the opportunity to race a flock of ducks, flying south, about 200-300 feet to starboard. They quickly left me in the dust, but I caught up with them when they stopped for a break on the calm waters of the bay, below the highest part of the bridge. They might have been hooded mergansers, but I couldn’t be sure from that distance.

Having crossed the bridge and made my u-turn, I headed back and found it pretty easy going. Usually at this time of the day, the wind is from the north so there’s a bit of a struggle heading home, especially scaling the high part of the bridge. I know it’s good for me, but it’s not my favorite thing. But today, it wasn’t so hard. I kept up a good, respectable pace, even on the uphill and into the wind. Saw what might be a shrimp boat capsized near the point at the north end of the bridge—it looks as if it’s been there a while, but I called the Marine Patrol anyway—yes, they already knew about it. As I reached the end of the bridge, more birds were pacing me--this time, three brown pelicans. They're so cool!

It sucks that I didn’t have my camera with me today, but it was a great ride!

[makbike]

The warm weather has returned to the Ohio Valley and I promptly left school at 3:30 so that I could get a quick ride in before the sunset at 5:30. I managed to get in 14 miles and though my legs were quick heavy from the trainer tour class last night it felt so good to be outside.

It is suppose to be in the 60's this weekend so I'm planning another quick ride Saturday after I leave the clinic and I have hopes of joining in the club ride Sunday afternoon. Part of me loves this warm weather and the other part (the kid side) longs for the cold and snow. I'm so torn!

[MomOnBike]

Today I got up before Dawn, and rode to work in the dark. It took me about 15 minutes.

Went in and slaved over a hot computer until lunchtime. At lunch, I looked out and there was my bike gleaming in the sun - tempting me to slip the bonds of work and go out and play. To my everlasting sorrow, I resisted and went back to a windowless office to move electrons around.

At the end of the day I rode home in the dark. It took me about 15 minutes.

Mom(the martyr)OnBike

[Geonz]

I rode to work on my fast bike, then dropped it back off at the shop (where I ride it on the indoor training rides) adn switched it with my Xtracycle, which FINALLY has its DISK BRAKES
It felt really good and right riding it. Not that there was anything wrong with the other bikes (especially doing 69 miles Saturday - good to have an aluminum bike then!) but ... it's so the right bike for right now. (The Christmas tree on the back and the strings of Christmas lights hlep)_

Left work and didn't know how many miles HOward had ridden. Had a 100 mile margin on him at the bike-switch (if I do it on a differetn bike, I enter it as a different ride)... but if he rode 70 miles... so I did a nice 7 miles of laps around campus (1.4 times 5). Hey, they pay all that money for the really good lighting - somebody should be using it!!!
Then off to the home front... 26 miles on the day... and Howard only did 40 Still have 73 miles on the man and only how many days left in the year ... and he goes on vacation on the 26 Thinking that maybe we'll cross 8000 for the year at the same time!

[suzieqtwa]

I just did my usual 11 miles in the dark. Saw a raccoon ,and lots of cars splashing dirty rain water in my face ,but it was still nice getting out. When I get my road bike I may start commuting which is about 6 miles each way.