more info regarding mondays ride

a mixed bag of gravel, dirt, and asphalt made up the route. surly pacer called up for duty once more. counterclockwise loop. rail trail flatness to start. onto dirt for a tour of neversink mountain. city riding followed. then a hefty elevation gain to the tipity top of mt penn. switchback descent. home in under two hours.


pick a gear and spin the gravel away


leaf cover hides all trail features. let the bike move freely beneath you.


a lone colorful tree. mt penn firetower looms beyond.


casualty of skinny tires offroad. hidden trail scree most likely culprit. casing is still intact however. not sure how much i trust it anymore. a cross bike might have been more appropriate. or at least a tire fatter than a twenty five. rocky trails take their toll unless prepared. especially when riding blind.

on a monday just before noon

on a monday just before noon
Originally uploaded by fxdwhl

sometimes you need to take a break
and it takes a loving wife to remind you

return of the flat bar

return of the flat bar
Originally uploaded by fxdwhl

it's that time of year again
colder temps are settling in
the need insulating layers increase
hands are the subject of today's topic
gloves are good till the mid thirties
colder than that and it's mitten time
you can try using liners with gloves
but snugness means less bloodflow
less bloodflow means cold hands
so give mittens a try
not lobster claw but real live mittens
dexterity be damned i want warmth
outdoor research make nice ones
comfy down to single digits
with room for an extra layer even
and a removeable liner for quick drying
toasty toasty toasty
now back to the bars
this is where the dexterity lose occurs
brake hoods on drops are tough to grip
flared dirt drops would work though
as would moustache bars
or a swoopy curvy city bar would be just fine
i've got an el cheapo flat bar
minimal sweep but pretty grips
mittened hands like it though
works like a charm for the daily ride

finding the good light

tuesday's sunset

illumination ruminations

i'm not pleased with the time change
the shadows look long already
even with three hours still left at work
i like dark morning commutes
I like light evening commutes
now it's murky for both
that twilighty glow where led's struggle
it's not light
it's not dark
it's just meh
guess i'll be setting the alarm earlier
so i can beat the sun to work

october wrap up

october wrap up
Originally uploaded by fxdwhl

orange = ride to work (22 days, 594 miles)
yellow = drive to work (0 days)
blue = dirt or road ride (2 days)
year commute stats = 184 days, 4,968 miles

the bike knows the way thru the rough

minimal asphalt. good dose of gravel. then onto dirt. returning via pavement.





wind was whipping. route kept us hidden most of the way. foreboding skies.





wet leaf cover. muddy trails. controlled drifts. skinny tires.





blue marsh lake. don't mind the wind. it was a fine ride indeed.

PIRATE!!!

PIRATE!!!
Originally uploaded by fxdwhl

today's route included dirt

today's route included dirt
Originally uploaded by fxdwhl

heading home late - lights ablaze

at least it wasn't raining anymore

for reverend dick

for reverend dick
Originally uploaded by fxdwhl

cold damp breeze
grey skies
pissing rain
dead looking trees
october at it's finest
you're missing out on all the fun

dark, moist, cool - pick any three

fall colors aren't so pretty
when it's dark and pouring rain
with temps in the forties
an early departure today
from the warm and dry home
yielded lite traffic at least
still dark now at seven am
still pouring rain too
clothes drying under my desk
bike dripping in the basement
this is the unheralded side
of fall commuting

though it does make for
excellent contemplative time
while perched on the saddle