One of David's Bikes

Here is a pic of one of David's bikes. I had the privilege of riding to work with him on his first full day as an employee of Kiva. Everything went smoothly until we reached the block that the Kiva office was on, and he pulled to the center line to make a left and I followed and just as I did, the lock fell off the bike. (I was riding the Breezer; he was riding this one.) For some reason it seemed to have slipped out of the holder. Anyway, I turned around and rode back to pick it up, and a lady drove by and yelled out the window, "You can't do that!!" I was fortunate not to be hit by a car. So then I said goodbye to David and headed back to the house. David's cousins will appreciate the name of this bike.

Salem Lake

This is actually the best time I have turned in at Salem Lake!! 29:25.9!!!! This is really remarkable!! What is sad is that this is not my time for making it completely around the lake. Early along the way there was this big tree down across the path, so I went in the other direction and headed to Linville Road. And then I came back to where I started. So that is what this time is for.

Salem Lake

It was a beautiful summer morning. The air wasn't crisp, but it was fresh. You could hear the sound of the cicadas buzzing like a minature saw mill. People had come to Salem Lake for running, cycling, and one could see evidence that there were some horses on the trail, although I never saw one. The path was dry, and hardened from the lack of rain for weeks. Getting around the lake could have been tricky with all of the runners; they were running in herds. One particularly large group was heading up a hill as I approached, and I was considering how to navigate when a guy in the rear hollered, "Bicyler!!" Then everyone moved to the right, and made it easy for me. Now you know that I always call out, "On your left!" when I come up behind a group of runners, but this group startled me a bit. I was glad the guy bringing up the rear was watching over his shoulder. Well, anyway, I was glad to try out my new pedals that I had put on a week earlier. My tires were pumped and so was I. It seemed that I was riding at a fairly good speed, and although this 33:46.9 isn't a record, I can say that I am happy with it, and hope to better that in the days ahead.

Cycling

I went once around Salem Lake today; it was really a perfect day: perfect temp/humidity, and the path wasn't muddy at all. You can see that my time isn't any record, even for me, but I can say that I am just coming off of week of being a little under the weather. I must have had an unusual intestinal bug, but that is enough of that. I am sure you don't want any more details. I met a really nice guy named Tony at the end of my ride. He was just putting his red Schwinn S20 up on top of his car, and I commented that it looked like a nice bike to ride around the lake. He said that he really enjoyed it, having a front and rear suspension, and it wasn't too heavy. He mentioned a time (going around the lake,) and it was 31 something. I said, "My best time is 32:51, thinking that I was somewhere in his league. Later on he mentioned that he starts his watch at the top of the hill (from the parking lot) and stops it after climbing back up. Its only 1/4 mile, but its all downhill at the beginning, and of course when you finish, its all wrong. That kinda took the wind outa my sails. I hope that I have a chance to watch him ride sometime. I might have the pleasure of seeing his tail lights disappear.

Salem Lake Ride

Friday afternoon I had a decent ride around Salem Lake. Conditions were certainly dry enough, with the lack of rain in this area. (I will say that it was a bit dusty though.) This time of 33:43.6 is off a bit from my 2002 ride with Ben at 33:12, and a bit more off from my personal best from last summer at 32:51. I am pleased with the time since I intend to improve over the summer, possibly setting a new personal record. And I also intend to play some more tennis so that I don't become a one-sport wonder. And no, I am not talking about Wii.