No crossing.. here or anywhere

UA seems like a well-planned community, right? The houses are neatly arranged, the streets look nice, there are trees everywhere, people are friendly.

Well when it comes organizing and executing their road construction/patching/re-paving efforts UA has failed! There has been road construction "happening" on Fishinger Rd since early June. It is July 10th! And they seem to be working backwards. First two lanes were closed and the crew seemed to be patching the trouble areas. Then there was no action. Then the cones were all taken down. THEN on Monday they tore up the whole road completely, even the spots they had been patching the past month, and are laying fresh tar (or asphalt or whatever). This is just getting ridiculous!

So what does this have to do with cycling?!

This morning I head across Fishinger on Kioka towards McCoy (a road that was re-surfaced in less than a week, nicely done there UA) and on towards the Olentangy bike path. An hour later when I return the same route the trucks have just passed putting down the fresh black stuff. There is a useless cop sitting at my intersection doing nothing to help except throw his arms around at other cars. "Well balls" I think to myself. I do not want to ride across this stuff because I may sink in and it will stick to my tires and possibly ruin them. Also I do not think I can ride across without being signed and/or yelled at by the copper. So I head north to try to pass the trucks and cross in a spot they have not paved yet. Before long I end up at Mountview, a bit farther north than I had aimed but those roads wind too much, and cross without much trouble. I can't go down Edgevale because there is, and has been for a long time now but this one looked serious, a road close sign up. So I turn down Bristol following the detour sign. Before long I come to another freshly paved road. "What The Fuck" I think to myself! Now I just want to get home and am feeling defeated. Luckily a kinder man who must work for the city drove up behind me and told me the surface was probably dry enough to ride over. Although I was a bit hesitant b/c of the tar sticking to tires concern, I was tired and really wanting to ride the 0.2 miles to my house in the most straight line possible.

Today I got home without destroying my tires. What will tomorrow bring?!

It's my birthday!

Started the day off right with a bike ride. It is getting summer hot lately and I am missing the spring. Still trying not to turn on the AC. My bike ride was relaxing. Only one annoying minivan. Really ready for the Fishinger construction to be over. I stick it to the man by riding on the wrong side of the cones.

Time: 1:25
Miles: 21.6
Avg: 17 mph
Route: Rings Road

Expansion is cramping my miles

I haven't been a Columbus resident for terribly long and have only been cycling around these parts for about two years. But even in that short time I have seen Columbus suburbs expanding more than I think is necessary. Hilliard and Dublin are the areas I cycle through mostly and the new condo complexes and office buildings and shopping centers and gas stations seem a bit overkill. Hayden Run Road used to eventually turn into a nice country road. There were still what were once new condos but once you got past those it was nice and quiet. Then good ol' Lifestyle Communities started a new condo project over a year ago and it looks like hell! The fake ponds are neon green and the traffic is unnecessary. Then the extra road work and gas stations that get put in to accommodate the extra houses are even more of a headache. I really do not think that Columbus is expanding much at all and definitely not enough to warrant this many new houses. Rings Road is another.. So sad!

This expansion is sad because it is ruining nice country roads and land and it is also taking away valuable cycling routes. So all those people who get fussy when they see a cyclist in front of them should remember, we were here first!

Time: 1:15
Miles: 21.6
Avg: 17.8 mph
Route: Rings Road

Treks Rule!

I love my bike a lot but this is just about the sexiest thing ever!


mmm mmm mmm

If I only had an extra $3600!

This is the:

Trek Madone 5.2 Pro

Frame	OCLV Black Carbon
Fork	Bontrager Race X Lite, carbon w/E2 aluminum steerer
Wheels	Bontrager Race Lite
Crank	Shimano Ultegra SL 53/39
Rear Derailleur	Shimano Ultegra SL
Sizes	50, 52, 54, 56, 58, 60, 62cm
Color	Carrera Blue

Not a cloud in sight and warm enough for shorts and short sleeves!

Time: 1:26
Miles: 25
Avg: 16.5 mph
Route: Hayden Run, up bike path and back Scioto to Dublin

I know how far I rode today

I finally got a new battery for my computer. Not that I have been riding very far with the distance difference from last summer. Although the route up the bike path seems a more similar distance.

Today I rode to the top of the bike path and back. It is a decent ride. Luckily there aren't a lot of runner out yet or annoying school children.

So for today:

Time: 1:20
Miles: 20
Avg: 15.5 mph
Route: bike path

Back in the saddle

Yesterday was my first ride of the year and it was great! Except for forgetting to take water the ride was fantastic. Also my lungs were a bit out of shape so taking deep breaths was hard. It is never fun to breath in and have the breath just stop! I guess that is what a career in the internet marketing business does for you. Lots of sitting and staring into cyberspace. At least I have a flexible schedule and have my mornings. Still better than food service...

I need a new battery for my computer so am not entirely sure how far I went and how fast because I have a different starting point now. Yesterday I rode down Davidson and back on Scioto and Dublin. Last year that ride would have been about 20 miles but I think from Edgevale it is only about 13. Today I rode to the bike path and all the way up to the skating park (almost to 270). It felt like it should be closer to 20 but still may have only been 16 or 17. Curse being closer to my routes now. I will have to find an extra loop or just ride farther!

So glad cycling season is back! Now I don't have to feel guilty when those crazy winter cyclists ride past my window. Beck is back!