Levee Ride

Today is Sunday March 30 2025 and yesterday i rode my Cyclo Cross Bike.

It's newly tuned up and good to go.

The big blisters on the back's of my heels were a concern because they've been bothering me since i got them, but some fancy bandaids did the trick and pedaling was pain free.

For the ride I headed north to the Kansas River and jumped on the levy after crossing the 12th st bridge.

This ride use to be sweet but recently they have been doing major construction to improve the levies and now the ride kind of sucks, at least temporarily. The construction isn't finished, although it seems apparent that when its all said and done the riding down there wont be as fun.

Nevertheless it was a great ride.

i was pretty pooped upon arriving home but it was nice to be greeted by the cat. He wanted me to let him in. i did.

Death March

Today is Wednesday March 26 2025 and yesterday i had a small free time window so i drove to a parking lot a bit closer to the trails and then rode my mountain bike to the trails and then walked jogged ran pedaled back because i got a flat tire.

Now i have the worlds worst blisters on each of my heels.

That trip back to the car was a death march, so much pain in my heels.

I was somewhat prepared for a flat tire, meaning i had a co2, goo stuff in my wheels, a plug kit thingy, and a pump... but either my technique wasn't good enough or the hole in my tire caused by a large piece of glass was too big to fix because after 10 minutes of fiddling with it it became clear that i was screwed.

So i accepted my fate and started the long journey back to the car.

About an hour and 10 minutes later i made it.

A few weeks ago i tried to ride 45 miles on my 45 birthday and despite coming up short i think that big ride was a good way to jump start the system. What i went thru yesterday could have a similar effect.

Shock the body into action!

Remember that Seinfeld episode where Jerry keeps commenting on how he always breaks even? At one point, to test his theory, he throws a $50 bill out the window and then towards the end of the episode he randomly finds a $50 bill. Proving his theory correct. Well yesterday i also stopped by the bike shop to pick up my tuned up cross bike... so even though one bike is now down and out with a flat tire (not a big deal but i'm bad at doing things, like fixing a flat) i have another bike primed and ready to go.

I always break even!

A Saturday on the Trails.

Today is Monday March 24 2025 and last Saturday i rode my mountain bike.

The weather was perfect and the ride was awesome. I'm not sure i've ever enjoyed riding my bike more than i do right now.

The flip side of that coin is that i'm developing some nagging aches and pains.

They say the human body experiences two distinct periods of rapid aging and the first of those happens around age 44. I'm age 45 and i can say that without a doubt i feel like I've aged 15 years in the last 24 months.

At 42 i felt pretty much the same as i always had... but that's no longer the case.

It's hell getting old... but i will ride my bike!

On another note i watched the Milan San Remo bike race and it was awesome.

That's it.

Birthday Bike Rides

Today is Monday March 17 2025 and last Saturday and Sunday i rode my bike.

On Saturday i rode my Mountain Bike to the single track and back and on Sunday i attempted to ride 45 miles on my road bike on my 45th birthday.

Both rides we're pretty great.

On Saturday it was a pleasant surprise when i realized i could go ride dirt singletrack, so that's what i did.

On Sunday i attempted to execute a plan i've been kicking around for a year or two, ride how many miles i am old, which is 45. i would have made it if my pedal hadn't broke at about mile 38. i could still ride good enough despite the broken pedal so i got home no problem but i was already late so i didn't have time to do the full ride. When it was all said and done i'd done 42 miles. 

Wanting to do a physical effort only to have it undermined by a broken part seems like the perfect metaphor for aging... so i kind of dug the whole scene.

Next year i'm doing 46, or maybe 49 to make up for the missed 3 miles from this year.

Ride Casual

Today is Thursday March 13 2025 and last Saturday, Sunday, and Monday i rode my bike.

All three days were on the road bike.

On Saturday i did about an hour 45 down to Union Station and back. I've always liked riding downtown and on Main Street specifically. Heading north on Main Street between Linwood and Emanuel Cleaver II Blvd is particularly fun. There used to be a bus lane that made cycling a little easier (less cars in the bus lane) but now they are expanding the street car so its gone from a bus lane to a street car lane. PSA don't get your skinny road bike tires stuck in the Street car ruts like i did. It happened twice and both times is scared the bejesus out of me but it was the back wheel so i was able to ride out of it pretty easily. I knew the rut was there and was hopping over it but my execution was poor, the past several years i've been doing that maneuver on a cx or mountain bike so the there was more room for error. 

But i like the challenge of riding a skinny tire bike over sketchy conditions.

Main Street is my Kessel Run.

Sundays ride was un eventful.

Monday i randomly had a small window and rode for 30 minutes. No zero days! Just kidding, lately i've had a lot of zero days.

p.s. i watched Strada Bianchi on tv, it was pretty great.

Weekend Bike Ride(s!)

Today is Monday March 3 2025 and i did ride my bike twice this past weekend.

Both rides were on the road bike and they were good.

i'm really digging riding the road bike. It wants to go fast and eventually i'll be in a position to oblige.

Besides pedaling i've done basically none of the off bike exercises i wanted to be doing when the year started. So im right on schedule!

Road Bike

Today is Tuesday February 24 2025 and yesterday i pedal my road bike around the streets (and salty sidewalks) of Kansas City.

Editors note: i'm using "Kansas City" liberally. As far as i'm concerned anything within an hour bike ride of downtown Kansas City is Kansas City.

The ride was pretty amazing. I was even able to go gloveless for a bit.

Plus i rode my road bike outside which is a rarity. Usually its in the basement hooked up to the trainer. But i think that's going to change. It's time for the road bike to get some fresh air.