Category: Biking

[Update 2012-12-27 08:12:09] If you came here looking for our pictures, they are on flickr.

I just wanted to post about an experience I had today with Rowletts Bike Shop in Richmond, VA.

Last year at the beach, I broke the pedals on my bike.  I wasn’t too disapointed….they were the original plastic pedals and had been used quite heavily.  When we returned, I went to the bike store to get some more.  The guy who helped me recommended metal pedals.  No problem…I figured they wouldn’t break as easily.  I bought a set, took them home, and installed them.

Fast forward almost a year.  The right pedal broke last week and the left was starting to (I don’t have pictures though).  I kept riding because I didn’t want to sink money into new pedals.  Well, the other day, I decided I had enough and would go back to Rowletts to see if there was a waranty.

Well, the guys (and girl) in the shop didn’t know, but they guy in charge said he didn’t see why the company wouldn’t replace them.  Partially beacause he had never seen pedals get in that shape (everyone was in awe) and partially because he wanted to do the right thing.

I talked to them for a while about pedaling technique, pedals, clipless pedals, etc….  Anyway, I have made up my mind to buy a set of clipless pedals, shoes, etc….. 

If you live in Richmond, I would highly highly highly (did I mention I would highly) recommend Rowletts.  Where am I going back to?  Rowletts.  Why?  They treat people right!

Here is a flyer for something I decided to do last night. I hope you will decide to support me in this. I hope to have an online domation option up soon. I'll also add 1/2 size flyers you can download and use as buletin inserts.

If you have any questions, e-mail me at mjncj (at) maxsons.org.

If you want to download a PDF Brochure for the 2006 Mission Century, follow the link.

Yes!  This is the first time I know that I have done over 100 miles in a calendar week.  125.3 to be exact.  It's even more if you look at the past 7 days (that would be 167!).

If you are looking for a way to get in shape and enjoy the outdoors, bike riding is it!  You may start off slow, or not feel like riding at the start, but keep going.  After 4 or 5 miles you will really be into it!

Oh, Sorry for the lack of tour updates….I've been busy and haven't had much time to write about it (I haven't even got to watch that much the last part of this week).  I'll try to post some updates today possibly.

I had today off work (it's the 4th of July) so I decided to start off with a ride.  I had an idea of where I wanted to go, so I surfed to maps.google.com to map a route.  I then went over to google pedometer and planned this route. 

One thing I noticed was the lack of a road on the google pedometer.  Interesting….they use the same data….

Notice the road on the google maps map and the lack of the road from google pedometer:

I decided that the google maps map must be right so I went on my ride.  When I got there, sure enough….there was road.  I went ahead and took it.  However, it turned out that Capital One has a gate across the road shortly after you cross 288.  ARG!  Now, I didn't know where to go.  I didn't have a map and only knew where I wanted to end up.

I turned around and rode out the other end of West Gate and out rt 6 for a while till I got to River Road.  Here is a link to the real route I rode on 4 July 2006.  It was still over 30 miles, soI was happy.

BTW, if you ever want a fairly nice ride in the Richmond area, River Rd is it.  There wasn't much traffic and the route was fairly nice.  On top of that, there were some nice church looking church buildings out that way.

If you want to see the details of my ride, look at my July 2006 Bike Stats.

I can only dream about riding this fast on my bike:

Shortly after the turn, I'm in a full sprint to keep in touch with the group and I hear the police siren behind me –

Brip brip, …….. Followed by the Megahorn…….. "Cyclists, pull over at the next crossroads, pull over"

…

We all got written citations of warning for, umm, running stop signs …. no, no, — going 35 in a 25 ………… yea that's it……….35 in a 25. HAH. All in a days ride.

Check out the full story at http://love2ridezzzzz.blogspot.com/2006/07/day-i-shoulda-been-dropped.html

The Tour de France prologue is over.  Thor Hushovd won with George Hincapie right behind (< 1 sec).  I didn't get to watch all of it, but it was a fairly straightforward way.  Something < 6 miles (probably 6km).  Everyone did it in about 8 min or so.  The only surprise was someone (I forget his name and don't want to look for it) showing up late at the starting gate.  That rider would have probably won (or been close) had he been there on time.  From what it looks like, the clock starts at your assigned time regardless of whether you are there or not.

I went for a bike ride this morning. I wanted to get in at least 30 miles, but I ended up with 42! When you look at the route, it looks funny, but that was because of how I rode. I went from the house to a friends. From there, we rode back by Cyndi and I’s place on the way to the office. From there, we went back to his place. From there, I took the “long” way home.

Here is a link to an interactive map of my July 1, 2006 bike route.

I don’t know how long the pedometer site keeps maps, so here is a graphic of it too:

I had some people ask…those blue things at the bottom are the estimated elevation of my route.  So, you can see the hills I went up and down.

You can also view the stats of the ride on my June 2006 bike stats page.

[Update 2013-01-06 09:39:13] Added Image to Flickr and added to post.

I thought I would post an image of my bike ride Saturday. It was the longest ride of the season so far, but very good. All it did was get me in the mood to ride some more.

For stats of the ride, refer to my June 2006 Bike Stats page. If you want to see a larger image of the ride, click the small thumbnail image below.

[Update 2013-01-06 09:43:48] removed link to bike ride stats and added image to flickr

…of a guy who rode his bike from Richmond, VA to Parkersburg, WV

I need to follow-up on this (especially for next year).

Bike Virginia