Tandem Pictures

This last week we took the tandem out for our first ride of the season.
On Monday, we went for a ride around Utica, cause it was supposed to rain, and we did not want to get caught far from home if it did.
Today, both Kate and I were off from work because we have to work this weekend. It was a beautiful day around here, with a high near 70 degrees and not a cloud in the sky. Late this afternoon, we took the tandem out again for a ride down to the Falls of the Ohio. The Canadian Geese were out enjoying the day too. And even the Belle of Louisville was out slowly putzing upstream.
All in all it was a great day.

May is one of the nicest months in the Tokyo area (when it's sunny, which is far too rarely!!!) and today was the best kind of day. Not too hot, not at all cold, sunny with big white clouds in the sky. And what better way to spend it than on a bike? Actually, the ground was wet from overnight rains when I woke up, and it was overcast when I left the house. Lots of people showed up for the ride today--thirty or more in all, I'd guess, though ten or so went on a longer course. Some new couples and some people I hadn't seen for a long time (have I been in Tsukuba long enough to have old friends?) We started off on a standard course and soon were snaking through the woods on roads most definitely not built with road bike tires in mind. I wished the whole time that I had a proper camera, instead of the one on my phone, as we passed by some welcoming meadows and lots of bright flowers. The pace was relaxed and everyone was in good spirits. And that's the way it was for about four hours (with an occasional sprint). Can spirits be anything other than good when the weather is so perfect?

A few side notes:

- Hello to Miyahara-san if you are reading this!

- Totally random, but useful: Did you know that if you hit Ctrl+Z in most programs it functions as an undo button?

- And some good news for all readers of this blog (except Britta, who's underage!): Beer is good after exercise! I was searching for recovery recommendations and I found this article...

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/main.jhtml?xml=/earth/2007/11/01/scibeer101.xml

The Sun, finally

Finally after what seemed like days and days of rain, the sun reappeared this afternoon, and it was just far too nice a day to not get out on my bike for awhile. I did one of my favorite rides, it has lots of short rolling hills, and goes past some nice scenery.

This last picture was an old farm gate that I passed. The flowers caught my eye, and I thougtht it would make a really nice photo, so I turned around at the top of the hill and rode back down to get this picture.

I am racing this weekend in Lexington, and maybe will try to get some race photos to post.

Ignore this message unless you are a bike nerd

Just thought that I would post some pictures of the new cyclocross tubular tires that I just got for the wheels that I build this spring.

The tires are new old stock Clement Griffo Neve, and are really nice hand-made tubulars. Clement went out of business years ago, but when they were around made some excellent tires.

I got these off of ebay, and while being quick narrow compared the modern cyclocross tires, they should do really well for a lot of the cyclocross courses that we have around here in the Ohio valley.

Saturday Ride

Just got back from a nice afternoon ride on a beautiful sunny May day. I rode out north of Sellersburg, and then came back on some of the country roads between Utica and Charlestown.
This first picture is from a clump of irises that were growing on a corner I passed.
My bike is taking a rest near a field of wild flowers, and finally here is a very happy cow out in her field.


Earlier today Kate and I, plus her dad, walked the Thru the Zoo 5K. It was a nice course, that went out away from the Zoo at first, wandered through a park, and then circled back into the Zoo to finish up. Kate and her dad had registered for it, but I walked it "bandit" (I didn't pay to do it).
Then we had softball practice, but only one other person showed up for it.
Then we just came home a took a nap, making for a nice relaxing day.

Family Ride

Here are some pictures from the ride that we did when Dad and B came down to visit last weekend.
They rode the tandem (first time on a real tandem for both of them), and Kate and I were on our own bikes.
We just rode out to the end of the road here in Utica and back. It was a short ride, but really great to be out on what was a beautiful day.
Unfortunately, about a mile and half from home, the tandem got a flat tire (there had been some major road work being done), and so Kate and I had to ride home and get the car to come back for Dad and B.
We had a great time with them this weekend, going to Zappos so B could get her shoe fix, going out to dinner at a pizza place with a great beer selection, and just hanging out.