Birthday Ride 2008

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Every year, I go for a birthday ride either on or near my actual birthday. The rule is that I have to ride at least as many miles as my age, that year.




I started this on my 30th birthday, and I think I've hit every year, since.



Yesterday, I took the LeMond Zurich (originally my road bike, then a cross bike, now a fixed gear), and tooled around the bike path loop. I had thought of actually doubling my age, this year, but the bad knee started complaining at about mile 50. So, I cut it short and headed back to the coffee shop for a couple of Italian sodas.

The weather was pretty nice. I left the house with the temps in the upper 20s, but under sunny skies. As I rode, the temps warmed, and I stripped off a couple of layers as the day went along. I ended up in a wicking long-sleeved tee and a thin wool sweater, over cargos (with bike shorts and capilene under them). (I've become a proponent of wearing "normal" looking clothes, when on the bike. Of course, I still wear the shorts on longer rides; I just keep them out of sight.)

The only thing that could have made the ride better would have been some company. Unfortunately, no one was available, so I rode alone.

I used my new pedals, to see how they work. I like them, a lot, because they have a big platform like my BMX pedals I use on the commuters, but they weigh about a third as much. I got these with some of the money my parents sent for my birthday, so they are "birthday pedals".

I had tried to order these from Rivendell, a couple of times, but they were always out of stock. Richard, down at Cycle Analyst, had them in the case, Friday, so I bought them from him. Sorry, Grant.

Finally, I took the photos in this post with my new Nikon Coolpix camera, which I got for my birthday, as well.

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