Velog

I just joined velog and you should too. It's basically twitter for cycling.

71 Degrees!

It was warmer this morning, about 31, when I left for work. But I didn't expect it to be 71 when I left work! What a pleasant surprise. No shell, no gloves, no baggies over my toes. It was a nice short ride home.

And, my odometer clicked up a zero. That's right, I finished my first 1000 miles on my road bike today. Hopefully the next 1000 won't take 6 months! Oh well, this means that even with the winter I averaged 40 miles a week in these first six months. I'm shooting for averaging 150 miles a week this summer. Since about 41 miles of that is a mandatory commute (I'm getting rid of ye olde car) that shouldn't be too hard. A group ride and a solo ride each week, and then another short solo or group ride.

Planning to go to my first group ride for '08 tomorrow night. You should go to! It's supposed to be in the 60's.

60 Degrees!

Saturday was gorgeous. I went for a nice 27mile ride which made me realize just how hard it's gonna be to get my miles back up. I actually felt fine to continue, but I had other things to get done and my back tire seemed low (pumping it up with a frame pump wasn't a pleasant sounding idea either).

I think I saw five child carriers.

The trails were just packed. So I gave up on them after riding some of the better ones. The newer trail out on the southwest side is pretty nice. It's sectional (complaint coming) but it's new enough that it doesn't affect the ride. And even though it's completely residential it doesn't see as much intense use.

Which brings me to my complaint: Why does Lincoln build trails like sidewalks? Do you build roads sectionally? No. So why would you build trails sectionally?

I actually think the trails are just missing the final step of road construction: The smooth top coat of cement or asphalt which can be stripped and replaced and repaired with tar many many times.
This seems to be how they build trails in Des Moines (they're all rail trails though).


The trail system here really is pretty cool. But it just doesn't cut it for a fast rider. I'm gonna be looking for new, non-trail, routes now. It's more stressful than busy roads (mostly because of the dogs) and you just can't keep any speed with all the thump-thump-thump-thump-THUMP-thump-THUMP-thump.