Perfection

Temps in the low 80's, light winds, long shadows and not a cloud in the sky. It was one of those evenings when I didn't want to stop riding. I did my recovery route and saw Lynne by the Depot just east of Hopkins. She rode back into the city with me down to the river, the falls, along the creek, to the lakes and home. We were moving along at a pretty good clip, but still managed to soak in all the scenery. The leaves on the trees changed the low evening sun to thousands of individual lights, that fell like yellow spears on all who dared leave the shields of their cars and homes.
33/18.0 and 7 more grocery shopping and 4 more for other errands.

TTT

So I agreed to race in a team time trial this Sunday. I'm pretty nervous. I haven't raced a TT in 6 years. I sold my TT bike a little more than two years ago, so I'll be racing stock. One more thing. I'm racing in the category where our ages totaled have to be no less than 160. There are 4 of us. Three of us alone meet the age requirement. I'm the second oldest.
We went down to Lilydale Road and practiced tonight. It was really fun. We just practiced our protocols in the line, and got a feel for what we can do. I feel much better after practicing with these guys. It's a 40k (25 miles) TT. We think it's reasonable to come in under an hour, and based on our practice tonight, it seems doable. I rode over there, then we did 4 out-and-backs along Lilydale, and then I rode home. Good looking view of downtown from the Hiawatha Bridge, with the sun setting tonight. 42/19.5

Even a Shiny Chain

Beautiful summer evening. Rode my Mendota Heights route tonight.
Cleaned up my bike before the ride, put on new tires, chain, cassette and greased the headset and bottom bracket. The Orbea was shiny, silent and squeak free. 38/17.9

A little recovery on a beautiful summer evening. 33/ 17.5

Slowing

A few more clouds today than forecast kept the heat down. I rode on my own, but did see the Bwood coffee riders coming up out of the fort by the falls.
I took it very easy today, and will be doing that all this coming week. It's the end of the season. It's always a hard transition, but one that I really have no control over. I mean I just run out of energy, and it's time to be slow. 54/16.5

Don't Panic

Slowest Saturday ride since April. I got out my records from last year, and found that I rode farther and faster today than the first Saturday of August in 2007. Whew! I guess the end of summer has kind of sneaked up on me.
I love this Afton route. Although, today I found my self wondering if there was a road or two that would just go around some of the hills, instead of straight up them. And I can now add Mrtyle Street hill to my list of Hills I Hate. There seems to have been a time in the not too distant past when I loved hills. Getting old sucks! But, it's nice to know that I was using the wisdom I've garnered over the years to look for roads less hilly.
Lots of cyclists out today, which is understandable, with the temps in the 80's and low humidity.
Tree lined roads breaking out into broad views, rivers, and lakes were all included in the packaged deal I got on this ride. Just some light feathery white clouds against a deep blue sky were the added bonus. Boaters, wind surfers, motorcyclists, barbequers all seemed oblivious to the fun they were missing out on not being on a bike. 96/18.6 another 7 around the lakes

Friday Pictures

I rode to the Uptown Art Fair, which is less than a mile from where I live. Walked around, ate some cheese curds, but overall wasn't too impressed with what was on display. Decided to cruise the lakes a little. There wasn't a cloud in the sky. I went home and got bored in about 10 minutes. I needed to be outside, so I ventured out around some other lakes. I guess it's a good thing we've got over 10,000. Like always I wound up at Lake Harriet, where there was a nice jazz concert at the band shell. Bumped into Cam, but didn't talk much. I also stopped by the Rose Garden.
This was a really nice day. I saw some simple things, that, to be honest, I see regularly; a little beach volley ball, some Frisbee throwing, some wind surfing, sunshine off the lakes, fat people, skinny people and some very good looking people, families, couples, but you know...made me smile.
I estimate I rode about 20 miles today, and probably averaged about 7mph.

Here's some pictures from the rose garden.