Category: Publicity

Tim and I met for a ride out to the Long Run / Floyd’s Fork area.  This is series of parks being connected by new sections of the Louisville Loop.

Unfortunately, being at the eastern edge of the Metro means it’s a rather urban ride to get there.

I met Tim for coffee to start our trip.  Within ten miles I was feeling weak.  I considered bailing on the ride.  Tim cajoled me, and we continued.  I tried to keep my whining to a minimum.

Once we arrived and rode some of the paths, we took a short excursion on foot through the brush to enjoy a view of the creek.

We looped around and headed to the southern end of the finished section of path.  There’s a fence up, but I figured we’d get around that, and check out the new construction.  Unfortunately, a park ranger was there (on his bike), locking the gate.

We eventually headed back, and again I struggled on every hill.  At one point Tim told me he couldn’t ride back at 10 mph, but that 13 mph would be okay.  We almost immediately came to a hill that brought me to 6 mph.  Ugh.  I was not strong today.

Tim didn’t leave me far behind, so I struggled on.  Eventually, once back on the busier roads, my speed went back up (adrenaline from traffic?).  We finished up the ride with another coffee.

I got 45 miles in, but never felt like a cyclist today.  Some days are good, some are not.  I’m still glad I got out and exercised.  I’ve been using Google Fit on my phone recently.  It thought I was walking for 70 minutes of today’s ride due to my slow pace.  Yikes.

My wife met me at The Post, a local pizza place, where I had a sandwich and iced tea to drink.  It was difficult to not order a beer.

Now that I’ve showered, I’m finding all of the sore spots from today’s ride.  Ugh, again.

Download file: 2016-01-03.gpx

I had planned to ride most, if not all, of the workdays this week.  That didn’t happen.  I did ride the full commute on Monday, and the full commute and then some today.

The city of Louisville was hosting the Bike to Work Day today.  I rode from my house in Charlestown to Seneca Park, then on to Fourth Street Live, and eventually to work.  During my lunch break I rode back down to Fourth Street Live for the festivities, and the disappointment of not winning anything in the drawings.  🙂

After work I headed straight home, as the return to Seneca would have been a bit pointless.  The festivities are already over.

To make it Seneca early enough, I left my house a 5:00 a.m.  That meant getting out of bed at 3:30.  I don’t want to do that again anytime soon.

The early part of the ride was incredibly nice.  There isn’t much traffic at 5:00, and the ride was peaceful and quiet, but dark.

After getting to Louisville I took Frankfort Avenue out to Stilz Avenue, and wound my way down to Seneca Park.

WAVE3 and WLKY both had news crews there.  WLKY interviewed me, and I’m quoted in the story, and make a brief appearance on the video.  WLKY was also taking video from a helicopter.  You can see me in the aerial footage also, because I stick out well on my ‘bent.

There was a photographer there who may have been with the Courier-Journal.

The weather through the day was perfect.  The forecasts had been calling for a chance of rain, but all morning and early afternoon was beautiful.

On the way home, still about five miles out, the skies opened up.  I rode the last five miles in a downpour.  This was my first “warm rain” of the season.  It was actually rather pleasant.  Some guy in a truck honked and made the “crazy gesture” at me.  I found that amusing and well worth getting wet.

I ended up with about 47 miles for the day.  Not bad for just a commuting day.

Tomorrow will be 62 miles for the Tour de Cure.  However, I am driving to that event.

The “exciting news” I alluded to in my last post is obvious now.  WAVE3 wanted to do a story on bicycle commuters, and they found me.  I really hate seeing myself in video, but I have to admit that this is cool.  I’m just glad that I’m in touch with my geek side, as this news piece really shows it.

Read the story.

See the video below.

Thank you for the comments and email that I’m still receiving.  I just got back home, and it will take me a while to read all of my email.

Damon asked what the bike costs.  That bike retails for $1300-$1400.  I’ve got quite a bit into accessories also.  However, a recumbent bike isn’t necessary for commuting.  I like it, but it’s probably not for everyone.  The bike I originally started commuting on was a $225 hybrid bike.

Whatever bike you use, I recommend a helmet and lights.