"On your left"

“On your left” is meant to be a notification, a warning, to those on the trail that someone is passing on the left. The passer could be running, walking, cycling, etc. This helps to not startle those on the path that are moving at a different speed than the passer. These are words I don’t hear often on the trail. Not because I am super fast or such a great cyclist that I pass everyone and no one passes me.

I will admit that I don’t hear the phrase very often but when I do, I take notice of those passing me. I expect to see a super fit cyclist wearing a team kit and riding a ultralight bike with some aero wheels. This has not been the norm on the trail when I get passed. I usually see someone with an electric bike. Someone that is riding that doesn’t look like they’ve been riding much at all. It takes me a moment to process this and I try to push down the competitive juices of trying to track them down.

I read a recent article that electric bike popularity is starting to grow. I need to get on board and not be judgmental about those riding the electric bikes. The bike snob in me wants to say it’s not really bike riding. Their Strava times should not count, at least not in the regular cycling category. At the Sea Otter Classic this year, there was a category for electric mountain bikes. I think that’s cool. “Keep ‘em separated” - can you hear the music playing…. This helps me to know that people are paying attention.

Maybe I should just get an electric bike...maybe not. I like being the engine. My goal is to not judge and just be happy for those getting out on their bikes. After all, isn’t that’s what it’s all about. Get out. Do something. I’ll figure out a way to get faster and be able to call out “on your left” to the electric cyclists.

Revenge of the Sixth! The Day After Cinco de Mayo.

This last week, the weather on the ride in to work and back home has been grea - mid 60s in the morning and mid 80s in the evening. Great weather. Not today. Checking the weather last night I noticed the temp would be mid 40s at 7 AM so no early morning ride today. I waited till after 9 but still it was only mid 50s with a cold wind. Don't get me wrong, I am not complaining at all. This is better than cold and wet any day. I will admit that I did sit on my bike in the driveway, ready to go, contemplating just staying in the garage and rolling Zwift style for a couple hours. All I had to do was think of all those days in Oregon where I wished I could get outside - so I pushed off.

I love the ride around Lake Natoma. The trail, the flowers, trees, animals, river, etc. I was great to see all the boats in the water for a crew competition. That looked hard today as the wind was playing against them. I thought a lot about Craig today. He's got 5 weeks left - one hand counting. This is worse than Christmas. What I thought about is how much he's changed and how much I've stayed the same. His growth spiritually has been tremendous. His growth as a young man will be equal. And this is all I can see from e-mail. I am sure it will be much better in person. I remember that thought with Cassie. I continue to be impressed with my daughter. I love talking with her and seeing how her perspective and thoughts are growing, evolving, taking root. I am excited to see how Craig does when he's been home. I love my kids.

The ride back was a bit more challenging - up hill and into the wind. Yet, I still managed quite a few PRs on today's ride. That was a bit unexpected. I felt good but not that good. Maybe all that rice, beans, chips, salsa, and fajitas really powered the engine today, giving it an extra boost up the hills.

Who Let the Bugs Out? Who? Who?

Wednesday morning was interesting.

It was humid, real humid. Like riding through mist humid.

As I rode, I kept hearing rain like sounds coming from my jacket. You know the sound. The pitter patter of rain drops on a rain jacket on a bike. But I wasn't very wet. I was confused. Then I ate a few bugs and the sound momentarily intensified. I got it! The sound was of the bugs raining on me. Wow!

I guess the equation looks like this:

Humidity + Dawn + Spring = Lots of Bugs

Got it!

Don't Follow to Close - There Could be Ducks

It's been a bit since the last post. Yeah - like 4 years.....so I will repent. Here I go again.

I've really started to commute since moving South. The weather seems to be much more accommodating for a greater part of the year. My route is usually along the American River trail. I love the ride - vegetation, animal life, the sounds of the river, the river itself. Many days of the year I start in the dark and experience the sun rise during the ride into work. Joy!

Today was one of those days - start in the dark and experience the sun rise.

We all know how competitive we all can be - even cyclists. I passed a fellow commuter lugging a nice size back pack. I said "good morning" as I gradually rolled past him. As I got past him, I geared down and hit the hammer. Yep, I wanted to be sure he didn't jump my wheel. I was rolling 20+ MPH and letting my legs yell at me. That FTP last night on Zwift really did a thing on me. I still wanted to go fast this morning anyway.

As I got down the path a mile or so, I looked back, expecting to see the fellow commuters lights. I didn't. I thought I caught a glimpse of him on my wheel but it was dark so I kept on pedaling. As I rolled by the park, that I don't know the name of at mile marker 15.5, I saw some ducks up ahead on the trail. Most mornings, there are ducks on the trail so no biggie. They usually just sit asleep, not moving, while I roll past. Not today! The two ducks start moving in opposite directions across the path. I yell "duck" and stop pedaling to decide what to do. Next thing I hear is a "ping" on wheels. I look back only to catch my fellow commuter hitting the deck. Oops! I slow to roll, turn around, and go back to help out if I can. I inspect the commuter, the bike, asking a few questions only to not get a response. He could have been in shock or since he had head phones on that probably explains the non-responsiveness. Or he was extremely pissed off and not saying anything because of that as well. I know it hurt to go down like that but I could only see small scratches and limited clothing issues. I felt for this dude. Way to start your morning - from the possibility of a beautiful sunrise to hitting the deck and hoping your cycling clothes will work for the commute home and that there are no other unseen injuries. Bam!

I rode with him a short ways after he got back on the bike and then I continued the push into work.

Here's a reminder from this experience:
- Speak up when you decide to draft on someone. especially if you don't know them
- Know your surroundings, light conditions, time of day, etc. when determining following distance
- When drafting, take the headphones out, be aware
- Ducks are inconsistent in the early AM; they need their coffee too!

Stay Alert. Happy riding! Be safe out there.

Cans lose to Cars: 36-12

As I was riding into work this morning, I wanted to do something to keep my mind off of the climb. So as I started up the 219, I figured I'd host a competition. I have in the past counted cans on the side of the road to see how much money was just there to be had in terms of recycling. I have also counted cars that passed me to see how busy the road is at various days of the week and times of day. Nothing too scientific but it does help to pass the time. So, there it was, a competition of sorts that only I knew about. I'd count cans and cars and see who would win.

Cans started off strong at the bottom of the hill, getting out to a 3-0 lead. That did not last long as the cars started coming in waves. It was 3-3 in no time. When the cars went up 4-3, they never looked back. The cans tried but never really mounted a serious comeback to make it a game at all. Before I knew it, I was at the top of the high and rolling down the other side - competition over - Cars taking it 36-12.

There was a funny thing I noticed - almost all of the cans, 11 of the 12 were beer cans. Plus I remember seeing an empty bottle of Mad Dog 20/20. So either the can collectors don't like picking up beer cans or those driving and drinking beer are more worried about being caught than earning $0.05 for each can. I guess a DUI is a deterrent after all.

It is interesting the other things that are on the side of the road - clothing, papers, cigarette butts, food items, mechanical things, etc. I almost added to the pile but refrained. My rear derailleur cable broke on the way down the 219. I thought for a moment, "what would someone think if they saw a broken bike cable on the side of the road?" Who knows, it might just be enough to push the cables over the cars. Go Cables!