In case you’re a new reader of
Espresso Shots, or, perchance, it slipped your mind, my bike and I have an
engaging relationship. I’m not sure what
my bike calls me, perhaps lazy, neglectful, hit or miss, or other expressions
of that ilk but I named him Double Shot.
Double Shot derives, not from alcohol,
but from my favorite warm weather coffee drink, a double shot of espresso on
ice with no classic syrup (sweetener) as, clearly, I am sweet enough without
it. The Starbucks recipe calls for the
espresso shots (there may be 3 in a Grande) to be shaken with ice and then have
a bit of milk (a purist would have whole milk but I usually opt for 2%) floated
over the top. Lest you think I am a caffeine
addict I almost always order decaf (because I drink way too much coffee to do
the caffeine route).
Now that we have that out of the
way, Double Shot and I headed out for a ride today. I had some early things to take care of at
the church today but those responsibilities were completed and I was home by 9
a.m. Compared to the past few days, the
air seemed so light and unhumid, that it only seemed right to be out pedaling.
Besides, it was still early in the day so, on with the biking garb, one full
bottle of Gatorade plus a Camelback filled with the same nectar. I don’t like Gatorade very much – way too
sweet – but I had a dehydration issue a few weeks ago which gave me the
opportunity to experience Milton’s EMS people (outstanding) and Mercy’s main
campus ER (also outstanding). But that’s another story. Suffice it to say I am now much more careful
about hydrating.
I usually head north on the bike
trail but I had a Bible I wanted to deliver to one of the Brazilians visiting
here the past couple of weeks who was staying with that great 3rd
grade Milton West teacher, Jan Stoffel.
Jan lives in Janesville a couple of blocks away from the Creston Park /
Mt. Zion intersection so I decided I would complete my delivery by bike. Double Shot was ecstatic as we headed south
rather than north – new scenery not seen for quite some time. The route was from my driveway east on High
St. to the bike trail, then south on the trail to Town Hall Road. There I jumped on the road (just a little
dicey) to Rotamer, then used Rotamer’s bike lanes to Wright Road. I followed Wright to Mt. Zion and then back
toward Creston Park until I came to Jan’s house. I had the timer on my watch going -
registered about 40 minutes. Cleverly, I
failed to have my computer seated just right so I was registering mph but not
distance. An alert biker would have
noticed this right away but I didn’t until I was well into Janesville. Boy, it’s
hard to get good help these days.
Made my delivery and after a
couple of texts regarding my whereabouts, physical condition, etc. – we old
guys need to do this – started for home.
As Double Shot and I neared the Wright Road and HYW 14 intersection,
something took over control of the handle bars.
Lo and behold we ended up hitting the bike trail at that intersection
and the next thing I knew we were pulling in to Starbucks. A bit of respite at that point in the shade
of their patio was most welcome. Double
Shot was pleased that I was enthusiastically slurping his name sake.
From there we got back on the trail
behind Mercy North, Home Depot, and Walmart.
I decided to stay with the trail at Rotamer Road so used the bridge over
HWY 26. For those of you unfamiliar with
the trail, this way necessitates that you bike on John Paul Road for a bit as
it passes BMO and a string of houses.
Again, a bit dicey but okay. Then
you pick up the bike trail again which runs right along 26. Beautiful day, nice breeze, significantly
less humidity, all creating a great ride.
I did get my computer seated properly so it was working as it
should. The round trip was about 22
miles.
Biking is a great pastime for me
in many ways. It gets me outside where I can observe and enjoy nature. I can
physically do it (used to run but no longer can), it’s great exercise, I can
cover a fair amount of territory, the output is readily measurable so I create
a sense of accomplishment, I can enjoy a beautiful bike trail, It can easily be
done with others if I desire, and it provides a great time for musing and
thinking.
Most of you likely have better
exercise habits than me. I am hard-wired
with a psyche that nearly demands that chores & responsibilities must be
completed before exercise (or anything else for that matter). This quality is
both a blessing and a curse. It often gets in the way of regular exercise, or,
at least, that’s the excuse I am sticking by.
I do much better early in the morning but I need to make the decision to
go out (sunup is 5:30ish) the night before.
I sleep easier and am far more likely to follow through with my exercise
intention if I have made that decision – checking the weather forecast, laying
out clothes, planning the route, etc.
Completing these things makes it much harder to say “no” when morning
comes.
From my garage to the bike trail
at Storrs Lake Road is just one mile.
There are always many birds along the large retention pond that is
located right there. Often it can be
quite buggy there so you learn to keep your mouth closed. Depending on their nesting cycles, the Red
Winged Blackbirds can be quite aggressive.
I have been dive-bombed but never struck as has my friend Marissa
Bartels. I am happy to let her keep that experience for herself. Recently I have seen several baby bunnies and
some cranes. On today’s ride I even saw
a wooly bear caterpillar. Is fall that
near? Unfortunately, I have also
encountered too many dog feces along this section. My opinion only, but it seems to me that some
dog owners think of few others but themselves.
I didn’t have this experience riding south today but I did encounter at
least 3 chronically wet, slick, muddy spots.
This is not a new phenomenon – they have been there since the trail was opened. I have heard of no accidents on these places
yet but, if you bike out there, be careful.
You may recall that there was a chronically slick place just south of
Bowers Lake Road a year or two ago where several were injured before whoever is
responsible fixed the problem. Let’s
hope there are no injuries on these spots between HWY 59 and Town Hall Road.
Another observation I find
interesting is the mowing along the trail.
I am very happy that there are resources to mow the edges as it can get
very overgrown BUT, after the mowing, the trail is covered with matted
grass. This is also a hazard. In the city (Milton) you cannot blow your
grass clippings, etc. into the street.
Reasons for this are to keep this stuff out of the storm sewers &
for bicycle and motorcycle safety.
Interesting that the safety issue hasn’t been raised on the bike
trail. As I said, I am happy that mowing
is completed. Clearly I have never mowed
out there but it seems logical that after the sides are mowed that running the
mower along the trail itself might blow all this heavy grass off. Maybe it wouldn’t or maybe there aren’t
resources for another pass or two. Of
course some of us could also take our blowers out there after the mowing and
clear off the trail. While I am on a
rant, what about the section over in Jefferson County as you approach Fort that
has been torn up and only temporarily repaired for 3 or 4 years now? Oh well, I like to believe I am not a chronic
complainer so I’ll stop now.
I love biking and I love the
Glacial River Trail. It is a treasure
and one that I am happy to see being used more and more. Biking balances me and that is good. I just have to mention that today, I wore my
new Haleakala biking jersey I bought in Maui back in January. We were fortunate
to be there during the Polar Vortex. In
case you don’t know, there is a winding, switchback road that runs for 36 miles
and goes from sea level to more than 10,000 feet. This mountain is famous as a place to go to
watch the sunrise. There are biking
tours that bus/van people to the top, where they then use rental bikes to fly down. It is unfair and I mean no offense but I do
not call these people “real” bikers.
There are “real” bikers who do actually bike up this mountain – all 36
miles and 10,000 feet of elevation gain.
I will have you know that I rode up this mountain – from the back seat
of a car. I had altitude issues just
walking around up there at the top. So,
I admire these “real” bikers and resort to being a legend in my own mind. In their honor, and of course in no way to
have people think that I actually biked this, I purchased this great
jersey. You can see a depiction of the
road, the mileage, and the elevation gain on the back of the shirt.
Hey, Milton bikers, let me know
if you want to ride sometime, even spur of the moment, as that can work. If I can’t go, I can’t go but nothing
ventured, nothing gained.
Bikers Up & be safe out
there.
#cruzan4milton#WAM
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