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Springtime Ride

Apr 24, 2017 | Hobbies | 0 comments

I biked with MapMyRide!

Distance: 4.51mi

time: 30:43

pace: 6:49min/mi

speed: 8.81mi/h.

http://mapmyride.com/workout/2148685373

The other and I went on the first springtime ride of the season today. Even with riding most of the winter it always seems hard to get started – maybe it’s the pollen, maybe it’s the muddy path, maybe it’s general winter laziness. Whatever it is, it’s good to get out and after the first 2.5 miles it wasn’t too bad at all.  I am looking forward to this riding season – wonder what my goal should be?

Review: At the Mercy of the Sea

Apr 5, 2017 | Literature | 0 comments

At the Mercy of the Sea
At the Mercy of the Sea by John Kretschmer
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

50% compelling story of 3 sailors who were lost at sea in a hurricane. However I think the author, maybe in an effort to make the story interesting, maybe in an effort to assuage any perceived guilt he had for his friends death, at some points seems to be victim blaming – either that the sailors did something wrong or went against a superstition.

Now I am sure lots of mistakes were made but at the same time there is a point where nothing you do is going to get you out of a hurricane. “If only they had called the coast guard 2 hours earlier, if only they had sailed north, if only, if only”. Yes some was bad decisions but some was decisions based on widely accepted sailing tactics and what many sailors probably would have done in the situation. The hurricane (Hurricane Lenny) was a freak occurrence that was not only travelling the wrong way but also was late in the season and unexpected, even for the weather service. At some point, there was nothing these sailors could have done to survive.

The other part – the superstition – maybe it was just being an element of excitement or interest to the book but I highly doubt these guys died because they renamed their boat or because they left on a Friday. However when you say it it pulls me out of the story because I have to analyze it – are you mentioning a superstition? are you saying this added to their misfortune? I felt it was jarring.

The audio narration was so so. Sometimes the technical parts were read in a different volume like they were recorded in a different studio. Overall through the narrator was clear and easy to understand.

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I really thought it was going to be faster.

Feb 12, 2017 | Hobbies | 0 comments

I biked with MapMyRide! 

Distance: 6.72mi

time: 52:12

pace: 7:46min/mi

speed: 7.73mi/h.

http://mapmyride.com/workout/2005833944

My goal is to get up to 10 mph on the fat tire. That is what the Internet tells me the average riding speed is. Right now I am the high side of 7.

I expect it to take time but I really thought today’s ride was faster. It was definitely colder and it felt faster so I was feeling pretty good when I got home. I hadn’t been as tired on the ride, I was able to push through more bursts, and IT FELT FASTER! 

But it wasn’t. It was almost exactly the same speed as my last ride. Oh well. There is always next time.

A little bit of snow

Feb 5, 2017 | Hobbies | 0 comments

I biked with MapMyRide! 

Distance: 6.76mi

time: 52:14

pace: 7:43min/mi

speed: 7.77mi/h.

http://mapmyride.com/workout/1993057076

Found some snow on the trail which was fun to ride on although probably not deep enough to take full advantage of the fat tires.

I also think I need to raise me seat a bit since my knees were hurting a bit after the ride. Not surprising since my initial adjustment was done super quick in the seller’s garage the day I bought the bike. Thinking about other things I was to add – maybe a different saddle and some fenders… but we will see where that goes

FedEx delivery!

Jan 31, 2017 | Hobbies | 0 comments

I biked with MapMyRide!

Distance: 4.62mi

time: 38:29

pace: 8:20min/mi

speed: 7.20mi/h.

http://mapmyride.com/workout/1983847205

I had to drop off a FedEx package so I decided to take the Pug. Google maps said it was only a mile so I figured I could do 2 miles np, but that must be. You car cause this ride ended up being almost 5 by trail!

Great ride even if it was pretty muddy. The bank is going to be pretty surprised when they get the paperwork all folded and covered in mud but, meh.😈
Bike did great and my new clothes were very warm. Almost too warm! Will definitely get a new saddle and maybe some fenders.  I think fat tires are like the docks of the bicycle world. I know they have a purpose but for most people they are just a glorified cruiser to trick out with crazy accessories.