family fun with knives

family fun with knives
Originally uploaded by fxdwhl

a thick cloud close to the ground

a thick cloud close to the ground
Originally uploaded by fxdwhl

(as seen from my desk at work)

it's been early hours on the bike this week.
the fog already had a heavy presence at 530 am.
replace the sun above with the moon and stars;
that made for interesting conditions as well.
too difficult to document before dawn though.
you really should have been there...

you are now entering...

you are now entering...
Originally uploaded by fxdwhl
thirty five miles on the fixed wheel.
two hours of quiet backroads
traversing rolling hills under sunny skies.
two bottles of water and one granola bar,
made it home just in time for a late lunch.

fall color

fall color
Originally uploaded by fxdwhl

cool air, warm river

cool air, warm river
Originally uploaded by fxdwhl
out for a frosty early morning spin

at least the sun was warm

at least the sun was warm
Originally uploaded by fxdwhl
first it was the 7am dentist appointment
and the 5 cavities they found.
.
then the new chain and old cassette
on the pacer didn't get along well.
2 miles from home and i had the
shits of a skipping drivetrain. derailleur
adjustment didn't resolve the issue
so it was turn around and swap bikes.
the fixed crosscheck never fails.
.
finally there was the wind. that wind.
hopefully it'll help on the way home
cause it sure hurt on the way in.
.
3 hours late but what can you do?

this evening

this evening
Originally uploaded by fxdwhl

a morning in the fog

a morning in the fog
Originally uploaded by fxdwhl

an afternoon in the sun

an afternoon in the sun
Originally uploaded by fxdwhl

reality vs. marketing hype

standing in the kitchen
rain can be heard in the gutters.
there's a heap of clothes
to be sorted thru
to find the proper combination
for a cool wet morning.
staying completely dry
is not an option
when pedaling with vigor.
a single lite layer
under the rain jacket
feels too cool to start
but quickly becomes sweltering
within a few minutes.
the jacket is partially opened up
vainly trying to balance
temperature and precipitation.
but after fourteen miles
in the pouring rain
warm but wet
is the best you can hope for.
i was successful today
but it'll still be a few hours
till all my gear dries out.

an anniversary

sold my car two years ago today.
we've been a single vehicle household since.
it's not so bad.
you just ride your bike a whole bunch
invest in some descent outerwear
and readjust your definition of "bad" weather.
yeah mt biking quantity suffers
but road and mixed surface riding
departing from and returning to the homestead
is the way to go when maximizing free time.
why waste it driving to a trailhead?
the daily commute keeps sanity in check
as you wake up to the pedaling
and wind down the work day with more of the same.
drove to work a dozen or so times since.
feeling guilty/lazy/lethargic each time
even if it was due to illness or injury.
are there times i wish we still had two cars?
yes, but not often enough
to justify leaving it parked for months
to just sit and depreciate
while i pedal to work.
that's why the civic got sold two years ago.

i really need to ride this bike more often

i really need to ride this bike more often
Originally uploaded by fxdwhl
the fixed dirt machine has returned.

traveling with a tricycle

traveling with a tricycle
Originally uploaded by fxdwhl

migration

migration
Originally uploaded by fxdwhl

it was dark

it was dark
Originally uploaded by fxdwhl
too early for the sun
parking lot lights
had to be a substitute

when in need of a wrench...

when in need of a wrench...
Originally uploaded by fxdwhl
the fifteen millimeter should travel.
its quite handy for chain tensioning
on the fixed or single machine.
fancier ($) options are available
and they even fit within a small saddle bag.
but the hacksaw makes
for a cheap solution too.
just remember to file the sharp edges.

on a sunday morning

on a sunday morning
Originally uploaded by fxdwhl

follow the goodness

follow the goodness
Originally uploaded by fxdwhl
take the long way home from work.
the one that weaves to and fro
following the little country lanes.
stay off the busy main roads.
that straight shot high speed route
is no good for enjoyment.
today it's about avoiding traffic.
muscling all the hills normally missed.
climb.descend.repeat.
good for the mind and body.
and it only takes ten minutes longer
than the previously mentioned trafficy roads.
priorities should be shifted.
today's route should become the norm.

current status of the commute

arm warmers
knickers
vest
full finger gloves
the seasons are changing over
cooler fall weather has finally arrived
dark chilly mornings the norm
riding under the still visible stars
led's ablaze on the fixed commuter
reflective gear for good measure too
arriving at work before the sun
.
everyone should enjoy some daily pedaling
this an excellent time of year
to be on the bike

there are perks to riding so early in the morning

there are perks to riding so early in the morning
Originally uploaded by fxdwhl

the drying rack

the drying rack
Originally uploaded by fxdwhl
a wet & cool return to the daily commute

heading home

heading home
Originally uploaded by fxdwhl

driving thru more of the rain

stairs up the side of a cliff

stairs up the side of a cliff
Originally uploaded by fxdwhl

standing under a waterfall

standing under a waterfall
Originally uploaded by fxdwhl

at the watkins glen

at the watkins glen
Originally uploaded by fxdwhl

torrential rain = roaring waterfalls

torrential rain = roaring waterfalls
Originally uploaded by fxdwhl

looking up from breakfast

looking up from breakfast
Originally uploaded by fxdwhl

nice little cottage we got here