OEF meeting coming up

Oklahoma Earthbike Fellowship is having a membership / club meeting on September 6th. I am not a member yet, but I definitely support their objectives.

Cheers,

Difference between road biking and mountain biking

Oh man. There is a noticeable difference between road biking and mountain biking when you are talking about which part of your leg you use most. I've been road biking primarily for the last month and a half. I went and road the Bluff Creek mountain bike trail today and I feel some differences.

For the last year I've been primarily mountain biking. During good weather I would go to the Bluff Creek trail 2-3 times a week. Around the time I started this blog, a month ago, I changed over and started road biking more. I noticed my calf muscles really had to work much harder than before. But over the last month I got used to it and almost forgot about the difference.

After just a mile and a half of the Bluff Creek trail I could tell that my quad muscles were weaker from not mountain biking as often. I realize the importance of doing a lot of different cycling.

- Road biking builds calf muscles & high repetition endurance
- Mountain biking build quad muscles & power endurance

Cheers,

Sent request to Mapquest for OKC Map

I submitted a request to Mapquest this week for the OKC map. I am hoping to get it so I will not have to cut and paste a bunch of snapshots together. I am getting to the edges of my map more and more quickly each week. Mapquest actually had the nice request page and everything. Hopefully I will get a positive response back.

Mapquest Content Usage Request Form

Cheers,

Wednesday ride

Today, I just ran route #001. Nothing fancy. Just a nice easy day.

Route #001 map

Cheers,

Route #012 - errand run

Tuesday, with the correct address in hand, I took off for my "new" bank/credit union. I went north to the lake and went around the southern section of Lake Hefner before taking Britton road west to my Credit Union. I took Britton back to the lake and then did the northern section before heading back to home base.

Route #012
Distance: around 18 (total guess)
Travel Time: one & 1/2 half hours (including sitting and waiting at bank)
Level of Difficulty: (1:easy - 5:hard) 3



Some notes on the ride
1) Longer than anticipated. But very fun.
2) Britton Rd. - some good hills and light traffic
3) Always take an opportunity to go around the lake

Trouble Spots:
1) Time - 1 & 1/2 hours is a bit long for a lunch ride. I would like to keep the rides between 30 - 50 minutes.

Geez, it is nice getting out at lunch. I'm addicted now.

Cheers,

Route #011 - still a rough draft

Route #011
Distance: around 9-10 (total guess)
Travel Time: one hour (20 minutes probably checking the map, 10 minutes at stoplights)
Level of Difficulty: (1:easy - 5:hard) 2



Some notes on the ride:
1) Nice neighborhoods - Crown Heights (between Western and Shartel, north of NW 36th St) and Cleveland (between Linn Ave and Villa, south of NW 30th St.)
2) Passed by the college - OCU
3) Lots of parks!

Trouble spots:
1) My map was way too twisty turny - I had to spend way too long looking at the map to determine where the next turn was going to happen
2) Getting south east of I-44 is quite busy
3) I passed by Topping Park but saw no park. Just a patch of tree. The entrance must be off of N Santa Fe.
4) Crossing I-44 - none of the side streets that appear to cross I-44 actually do. I ended up using Penn and May.
5) Share the Road - from 3:30 to 4:30 - it killing me I didn't have my camera and all I had was my phone. But checkout the picture below. There is the typical Share the Road sign with a bicycle symbol. But below it is a time frame. All it says is "3:30 - 4:30". So only share the road between those times. I understand that it is to raise drivers awareness when kids are out of school but it cracked me up.



Overall, I really need to work on some north-south and east-west roads in the area that do not require a lot of turns. It was interesting and a saw a lot of town that I do not normally see.

Also, an hour does not seem to be enough time anymore. I need to get more focussed on my routes and pick out spots to sprint and those to relax to get a full work out.

Cheers,

Route #009 & Route #010

I've been off for a week and I must have really been ready for a ride today. I planned to take this route here:

Route #009
Distance: around 12 (total guess)
Travel Time: unknown
Level of Difficulty: (1:easy - 5:hard) 3



But I ended up going here:

Route #010
Distance: around 18 (total guess)
Travel Time: Too Long!
Level of Difficulty: (1:easy - 5:hard) 3



There needs to be some explaination. I was planning on running an errand to my bank. I ran to the wrong bank. DOH! But the bank I needed to go to was already around my originally planned route. No problem! Right? WRONG!

The FAA Credit Union address on NW Expressway in the phone book is wrong. I can't remember which phone book I was using, whether it was Feist or the SBC Yellow Pages. But needless to say, if you are running an errand on a bike, make sure you have the correct directions.

Cheers,

Colorado Pictures - 4th of July Weekend - Part 2

Here are a few more photos from my trip.

Garden of the Gods, my favorite picture with my bike.




In Garden of the Gods. I can't remember the name of this famous rock. Sorry.




In Garden of the Gods, again. Pikes Peak is in the background. Pikes Peak is the one further away that is up from my back tire.



Cheers

I hate being sick

I have been under the weather physically and environmentally this week. I was a bit sick and not able to ride the beginning of this week. I have being sick. Iwould rather be in pain than be sick. I would rather have some sort of narly gash on my arm than be sick. Oh well. Back to it, eh?

Cheers,

Pimp my bike - Queens, NY style

Dude, Pimp my Bike Sound System

I can barely get my butt across town let alone tow some subwoofers with me. But I like it!

I'm going to stick to my MP3 player with one ear bud in. Yes, I listen to music when I ride. I know it is a great safety concern. But I only keep in one piece. I keep an earbud in my right ear, the one that is away from traffic. Although, big ole speaker might be a good safety feature... hmm....

Cheers,

Route #008 - around the lake and back

I've been meaning to see how nice the loop around Lake Hefner is now that the dam has been finished. I found a neat route that goes through a lot of neighborhoods with really smooth roads. No joking! Really good! I started out by going west and then north. Also, I'm adding a bit more comments on my maps. I'm going to start including a bunch of my ideas on these maps. The key will include:

- Gas Stations with free tire air pumps (for those of too cheap to buy a small air pump in case we get a flat. )
- Uphills (yes there are hills in Oklahoma! Little ones. But hills.)
- Bike Lanes
- Bike/Pedestrian only routes
- Bike Shops

Route #008
Distance: 12+ miles (total guess)
Travel Time: an hour
Level of Difficulty: (1:easy - 5:hard) 3 (due to pace for lunch ride)



Some Notes on the Ride:
1) I only had like 8 cars go by me in the entire route! Guess where they were? 4 were on the Lake Hefner Dam. 1 was on S Lake Hefner Dr as I'm going over Lake Hefner Parkway. 3 were on 50th St as I went west towards Portland. Very quiet & safe ride.
2) NW 46th St - very smooth East / West Route through Bethany except for on little spot
3) Bike Route - very nice surprise whne I crossed NW Expressway & Wilshire there was a little Bike Route that took me pretty close to Canal Rd.
4) Lake Hefner Dam - very nice road. It is so smooth after going on city streets for a couple miles.

Trouble Spots:
1) Edenborough Dr. - Road block for cars, but bike/pedestrians can get through. I was mad at first because it shows a through street on Mapquest.

DANG YOU MAPQUEST!

...but thank you for being free.

Overall, I had a good ride today. Definetely recommend it!

Cheers,

Colorado Pictures - 4th of July Weekend - Part 1

I took a trip to Manitou Springs, CO on the week of the 4th of July. It was a family gathering so there wasn't a whole lot of riding. I did manage to get some decent pictures of my bike in Colorado.

A typical sandy gravel trail around Manitou Springs.


Looking North from the west side of the valley:


I found water in all that dryness!


Bend in the trail:


Bit of a rocky part on my climb:


Cheers,

Route #007 - got lost in Nichols Hills

I wanted to take a trip over to Nichols Hills. Nichols Hills is a neighborhood in OKC that is full of really, really big houses and really, really nice yards. But there are some major downsides to pedalling in that backyard.

Route #007
Distance: 5 miles (total lost guess)
Travel Time: no idea. (guess: 40 minutes = 15 minutes looking at map + 25 minutes in the saddle)
Level of Difficulty: (1:easy - 5:hard) 2

Where I mapped:



Where I might have gone:

I started out by going North on Independence and headed east towards Nichols Hills. I got lost and ended up taking Pennsylvania south once I found a main road.



The blue lines are where I might have traveled.

Some notes on the ride:
1) Found a house in Nichols Hills that was 3 bedroom, 1.5 bath for $219,000. It is only 1500 square feet, but I was thrilled to see something that I could afford one day in a nice neighborhood that wasn't a half million dollars.
2) Really, really big houses. But they actually distract you from the ride. It would probably be a better place for a walk... with a camera.

Trouble Spots:
1) I totally got lost. There are few street signs in Nichols Hills. I would come to intersections in the neighborhoods and not see street signs. I marked the possible routes of where I got lost. I found Pennsylvania and ran back to home base.
2) Again, really nice houses. REALLY bumpy streets.
3) Drivers were less courteous in Nichols Hills than those in Warr Acres.
4) N. Villa and N. Penn Ave - very rough North/South streets. I just get bad vibes about them.

There are a lot of North/South roads. I will probably make a map that focuses more on finding a clear North/South route loop and will go East / West at a bit more plain and straight path. I'll probably go even farther North through the Village and hit up the Pied Piper Park. I saw that on the map and it cracked me up. I gotta go take a look.

Cheers,

Another cyclist worth reading

I'm just clicking around trying to find some other daily writers. Here is a good one that mixes a lot of cycling topics.



Reno Rambler

Cheers

Another lunch rider

I found another Blogger lunch-time cyclist. I'd love to be in Utah. Must be some awesome rides:

ride29er

Existing Paths in OKC

I'm all for project in OKC to get people outdoors and moving. Here is a project from OKC.gov about the paved paths in the city.

OKC Trails Project
"The Oklahoma City Trails will be a network of paved walking, running, bicycling and skating paths that will eventually stretch all across Oklahoma City and many of its suburbs."

List of other trails

Cheers,

Errand Run - Route #006

Bicycles are wonderful tools. You can use them for exercise. You can be more environmentally friendly by using them for errands. You can use them commuting. The even look impressive in your office. I had to run to the bank today. Here was my very direct route. Mind you there was no screwing around or joy-riding today. Just straight and back to work.

I found another great North-South street today. N Grove Ave was a nice quiet street with little to no traffic. I took me from NW 39th St to The Lake Hefner Golf Course.

Also, I think I really like riding through Warr Acres. The neighborhood streets are bit bumpy and old but the neighborhood is nice, clean and quiet. I like it better than my short trip through Nichols Hills. Nichols Hills was busy the one time I took a trip through it. Must have been landscaping/house-cleaning/college-kids-in-town/yuppie day.

Route #006
Distance: 8-9? (total hopeful guess)
Travel Time: ~45 minutes (first time, with a stop at the bank)
Level of Difficulty: (1:easy - 5:hard) 2



Some notes on the ride:
1) N Grove Ave - very quiet, safe street to take North or South
2) N. Cherokee Pl & NW Expressway - very easy stoplight crossing that runs right into the Lake Hefner bike trail

Trouble spots:
1) NW 63rd and N Grove Ave - was a little busy, not bad though

Cheers

Whoohoo! I made it! - Route #005

I finally got to try Route #005! No flat tire today!

I had my spare tube and liner to add to my front tire in case I had a pinch flat today. I still need to buy a small tire air pump that will fit in my camelback.

Route #005 map

I work in an office building that is 10 stories high. I ride the elevator down rather than carry my bike down several flights of stairs. I get the occasional question in the elevator. Here are a couple of them and how I answer:

What do you do about cars?

Avoid them! They are large pieces of metal that can hurt you! Honestly, I make routes that avoid major roads. I have very simple crossings and traffic is not nearly as bad as you would think.

There goes Mr. Healthy!

You should go to. I have really short printable routes. You don't have to go a long ways. You just have to get out everyday for 30 minutes.

Isn't it too hot?

I've ridden some days when it was 102' degrees out in the last couple weeks. Yes it is hot. I wouldn't suggest starting riding on days with that kind of heat. If you do ride, take plenty of water, go a bit slower, and go a bit shorter route. But if you are in a habit of going, 90-something degree weather isn't a problem.

If riding is a habit, then you know how to adjust for weather, traffic, exhaustion, etc.

Don't you get really sweaty

Uh, yeah. But you don't get as smelly as you think you would. And I don't cycle in my work clothes. Just dry off when you change out of your riding clothes. Extra clothing checklist:
- Shorts, Shoes & Socks, t-shirt, underwear (highly advised! besides your mother said so), stick of deodorant, & a bottle of favorite cologne.

How far do you go?

Alright, I added that question. But I go as far as I think my body should/can go that day. I usually build up steam through the week. Mondays/Tuesdays are my easy days and I plan a good long route for the end of the week.

Cheers,

NW OKC composite map - version #0008

I had a tough time trying to find the most user friendly map that I could use to mark up some different routes. Instead of hunting around a whole lot I just copy and pasted a bunch of screenshots from Mapquest. So...

THANKS MAPQUEST!

It may be the first time that I posted this map instead of just a route, but it is version number eight of my saved work. I've used 62 chopped up partial sections to make this thing.

Here is version #8 of my big 'ole map.



Cheers,

Seattle Urban Mountain Bike Course

I WISH OKC WOULD DO SOMETHING LIKE THIS!

http://www.youtube.com/user/mtbstevo

Looking at different bikes for city riding

The age old question:

"Do I buy a new bike? Do I upgrade my existing ride? Should I trade in my current ride or keep it and buy a new one? Will I continue to ride as much as I really would like?"

Alright. That was more than one question but I was just on a role and they are all related. I have an old road bike from the early 1970's and I have a hybrid/cross-over bike from the early 2000's.

Here is my Cannondale:



Pros:
- Slightly larger tires so I can go off road if necessary
- Quick enough on the street
- small shocks on front fork and on seat post - no overkill, just enough help
- sturdy frame

Cons:
- Slightly too large of a frame for me
- Heavy compared to a road bike

Here is my Gitane:



Pros:
- Light! Even for a 35 year old bike it is really light.
- Skinny road tires
- Upgraded Shimano rear derailer
- Cool ole vintage ride!

Cons:
- Tires might be too skinny for the incredibly smooth roads of OKC
- Slightly too tall of a frame for me, but I'm actually getting used to it
- 10 speed, which is actually okay. Because I never use the highest or lowest gears.
- Needs new brakes
- I'm wondering if I am putting too much torque and wear on the old welds and joints

Yes, I'm keeping the stock kickstand on the old Gitane. It is just too stinkin' handy! I can park it in my office and not have a scuff mark from me leaning it against the wall.

What are some of my requirements for city riding?
- Light
- Not many gears are required; I usually hit too many stoplights, intersections, etc..
- I can sacrafice the toughest frame, a light steel frame will take care of me.
- Some slighly larger tires than road bike tires. I've been alright with road tires but I'm finding that I might be getting more and more flats cruising around the city. I'm jumping curbs, going up and down grassy hills, and hitting the occasional pot-hole.

I always compare Specialized to Cannondale because the same shop usually carries both. I can't find if Cannondale owns Specialized or the opposite but I'm sure I can ask the local shop and they will tell me. But when I compare two equivalent bikes, one Cannondale and one Specialized, the Specialized always "feels" lighter. I guess I'm partial.

Here is the Specialized Tricross:



This is the kind of bike that immediately pops into my head when I spill out my requirements. It has the road bike geometry, handlebar and lightness but still has the slighly larger tires. The picture I showed is the triple gear front crank (I appologtize for my lack of bike terminology) but I would be happy with just the double. But both show as the same price on the website. Weird.

Another interesting ride, Specialized Sirrus:



This bike is about $700 cheaper ($1,300 compared to $590). It still has the lighter frame, slightly larger tires and a handlebar like a mountain bike for improved control. This looks like a great starter bike for city riding.

But wait... oh crap! This looks like my Cannondale! Ah poo! I wanted to go buy a new bike. Maybe I just have new bike fever. Maybe I don't need to upgrade. I just need some new pedals and a better saddle and I'd ride my Cannondale more often. I can deal with the weight for a while until I decide I really need to upgrade.

So, I have my city bike now I guess. Darn! I wanted to go shopping! I guess whenever I can actually find the time to get out of the city and go on some longer road trails I'll find reason to buy a decent road bike.

Cheers,

Road Bike Buying Plans

My old Gitane is a fun old bike. I changed the seat out on it today and it made a big difference. My dad was 6 foot 3 inches tall and I'm only 5 foot 9 inches tall. This ole' bike was my dad's road bike. He bought it new in the early '70s. It is a fun, kind of retro, hunk of metal. I can go as fast as I need. I really don't care about hauling butt just yet. But I am getting that urge to go find something really light and really fast. My only stipulation is that it has got to hold up to some really bad abuse.

I like to ride in the city a lot (duh). I jump up curbs, I go across grass, I jump down curbs, I jump speed bumps, I hit potholes on accident, & I go on Oklahoma paved roads (which are equivalent to gravel). I need to consider trading strength for weight. I need to get thick rubber that will not allow some broken glass to blow a tube.

The search begins.

Route #004 & Route #005

You ever have one of those days that didn't start out just right? Nothing too big happened, but you kind of felt a static that something bad might happen. Then I went for a bike ride.

I had a big ride planned. I had built up my steam this week for a good long ride. But it turned into a short ride with a bit of walking and a good lesson.

My planned route:

Route #005
Distance: unknown
Travel Time: unknown
Level of Difficulty: (1:easy - 5:hard) 2-3



I had hoped to do that route but I got a flat tires at Will Rogers Park. So I took this route instead. With a lengthy walk back to the my home base.

Route #004
Distance: unknown
Travel Time: unknown
Level of Difficulty: (1:easy - 5:hard) 1



Lesson Learned:
August 1st is the last day that I will ride a road bike without TWO extra tubes and a tire pump.

Well, at least Wheeler Dealer will get a bit more business. This didn't make me want to slow down at all. This just makes me want to investigate some thicker rubber. Maybe there is some sort of "city" tires that are a bit thicker. Something I can use on curb jumping and the occasional grassy shortcut.

Cheers,