15th outdoor ride of 2021 - Tuesday, March 30, 2021

2021 mileage: 2104.4

During Michelle's spring break this week, we are doing our first travel since COVID arrived and shut everything down just over a year ago. We are very excited to be leaving at midday today to drive over to South Haven, on Lake Michigan in the southwest corner of our fair state, renting a condo unit that we got through Air BnB, Since we are not coming back to Ann Arbor until Saturday,  and thus I'll have an extended stretch away from riding, I was eager to get out early today and do a ride.

It was a particular joy to ride with my friend John Huber. We have been trying to pull off a ride together since last summer, but have had to defer our plans several times due to weather, mechanical, or health issues. However, today our plans came to fruition. John had to leave his car at the shop to have some work done, so he did that and then  rode the several miles over to our home.

We got pictures of one another before starting out, and then pushed off.

We rode the Platt/Packard Square (13.8 miles in 1:40. The skies were clear and sunny, with a bit of wind from the southwest, but nothing too difficult to deal with, and brisk temperatures (40° at the start), which, however, warmed up nicely by the time we were done (54°). We also got action pictures of one another while riding, agreeing that pictures of us while riding are hard to come by. As we rode, we were able to have some (limited) conversation, as well. I told him about my "wind catcher" on the back of the trike, that he had admired, and how my grandson Danny calls it my 'tornado.' He laughed, and thereafter kept joking about having to dodge my tornado.

John is Head of Michelle's school (Emerson), though he has just recently announced that he is leaving. I don't know what impels this move for him, and I can't pretend that we have been close friends; nevertheless, I regret to see him leave, and will miss him.

We also got a selfie of the two of us after we had finished, and just before he pushed off to go pick up his car.

Relive video of today's ride

14th outdoor ride of 2021 - Monday, March 29, 2021

2021 mileage: 2090.6

This afternoon I went out at 3:00 and rode the Packard/Platt Square (13.7 miles, 1:43) in lovely weather—sunshine, climbing from 48° to 60° during my ride. I was glad to work in the ride, as this will be a light week—Michelle and I are leaving at midday tomorrow for a little expedition to western Michigan during her spring break week.

Relive video of today's ride

Sunday, March 28, 2021

2021 mileage: 2076.9

Today, because of weather (rain, and high winds) and schedule considerations, I had to ride our stationary bike, Early this afternoon I climbed on it, and did 24.7 miles in 1:34, while watching the 2004 movie The Passion of the Christ, which was very appropriate seasonally on this Palm Sunday, at the beginning of Holy Week. The movie was very controversial for the alleged anti-Semitism of director Mel Gibson. What struck me most forcefully, however, was the graphic depiction of the violence that Jesus suffered at the hands (and whips) of those who crucified Him. Critic Roger Ebert called it  "the most violent film I have ever seen." In an interview with Diane Sawyer, Gibson claimed, "I wanted it to be shocking, And I wanted it to be extreme ... So that they see the enormity, the enormity of that sacrifice; to see that someone could endure that and still come back with love and forgiveness, even through extreme pain and suffering and ridicule."

With dialogue entirely in Latin, Hebrew, and Aramaic (said to have Christ's first language), the movie was eventually released with English subtitles, though Gibson's first inclination was to avoid subtitles and "transcend the language barriers with visual storytelling."

Trailer for "The Passion of the Christ"

13th outdoor ride of 2021 - Friday, March 26 2021

2021 mileage: 2052.2

Going out a bit past 1:00 today, I started in 48° cloudy conditions and finished up at 54°, and rode the Platt/Packard Square (13.7 miles in 1:37). I was encouraged to be at an average speed of 10 mph through the first 10 miles, but then the stretch along Packard and Eisenhower always knocks me down badly, and today I faced the added challenge of riding it into a (modest) wind.

Relive video of today's ride

12th outdoor ride of 2021 - Thursday, March 25, 2021

2021 mileage: 2038.5

Operating on the principle that you ought to get right back on the horse that threw you, I set off at 10:30 this morning to ride the same route I had tried to ride yesterday—the Packard/Platt Square. However, unlike then, I glided smoothly right past the spot where I had the flat, and from which Dan later extricated me from my misfortune.

Today's weather was pleasant for riding: starting at 53° and climbing to 58°, all under partly cloudy skies. I ended up riding 13.7 miles in 1:39.

Relive video of today's ride

11th outdoor ride of 2021 - Wednesday, March 24, 2021

202t1 mileage: 2024.8

Today was a disappointing day for riding. The weather was fine, but perhaps the last non-rain day to allow me to ride outside for a few days, so I set off at 12:45 under 63° cloudy skies (and spitting just a little very light rain when I began), intending to ride the Packard/Platt Square. And I was encouraged by the recent repair that Jack's Bicycle did to my right front wheel which had had several flats. Still, when I checked the air pressure before beginning today, and found that particular tire WAY down, I was puzzled.

Still, it was going fine for a while. But then, almost 4 miles into the ride, that same tire went flat again. I took Uber home, and contacted my good friend Dan Cogan, who has gone far beyond the call of friendship in helping me on numerous occasions, to see if he might be available for a consult tomorrow. When he indicated that today would be better for him, I explained that Michelle had our car today, and the trike was locked up about 4 miles from home and I had no way to get it today. He then volunteered to help me transport it on his car.

After we got it back to my garage, he helped me with the tire, first examining the rim and tire, and could find nothing that was causing the puncture in the tube. Anyway, we got a new tube put in, along with a new, more durable tire that I had (a Marathon Plus), which I hope will hold up better.

Relive video of today's ride

10th outdoor ride of 2021 - Tuesday, March 23, 2021

2021 mileage: 2021.2

Riding today at 1:30, I was pleased to enjoy lovely weather once again ... 67° and mostly sunny, up to 69° by the end ... but for the second straight day I made the error of wearing a hoodie, when I would have been much better served to have worn a t-shirt. Oh well ... I'm sure I sweated off some pounds.

My knee and back pain seemed to have abated somewhat today (though they hadn't disappeared completely), so I rode slowly but just kept going to ride the Platt/Packard Square (13.8 miles in 1:44).

Relive video of today's ride

9th outdoor ride of 2021 - Monday, March 22, 2021

2021 mileage: 2007.4

I set off today at 1:00 to ride in great conditions -- 66° sunshine (climbing to 69° during the ride), with a significant but not ferocious wind of 14 mph coming out of the south-southwest, so that I was riding into it during the first quarter of my ride, but had it at my back as I was finishing up. The weather led to a quick realization of an error in judgment regarding my wardrobe - I wore a hoodie, which was needed early this morning, but was much too warm for my ride, and I'd have been infinitely better off in a t-shirt.

As I rode, I experienced warring emotional states. On one hand, I was swamped by a bitter disappointment in being unable to ride the longer ride (20 miles) that I had originally planned, prevented by the knee tenderness I've felt lately (which has now spread from the right knee to include also the left), which has been joined by significant lower back pain the last couple of days, so that I can barely hobble around our home. It's as though, having turned 64 last week, my body just decided, "OK, that's it ... we're through now."

But even stronger than this disappointment was an overwhelming sense of gratitude to God that I felt for being able to ride at all. The combination of good weather, a working trike, and health sufficient to allow me to ride (albeit slowly) allowed this.

Finally, as I was finishing up, about two miles from home, I was happy to see my friend Jim Alvey, who came up behind me on the trail and called out a greeting. However confirming my physical condition, he blew by me like I was standing still.

So I changed my plans from my long round trip to Baker Rd. and settled for a single round trip to Marsh Park (10.2 miles in a glacial time of 1:18.

Relive video of today's ride.

8th outdoor ride of 2021 - Sunday, March 21, 2021

2021 mileage: 1997.2

Spring officially arrived at 5:37 a.m. yesterday, so today was the first full day of spring, and its weather was appropriately glorious! When I began my ride at 12:30, it was 59° and brightly sunny, and the temperature warmed to 63° during my ride.

Accordingly, I wanted to ride my 30+ mile round trip to Matthei Botanical Gardens for the first time in 4 months (since November 20). But my right knee remains tender, as it has been in recent days, and was soon screaming to me that carrying out this plan would not be prudent, so I cut my ride down and only went to the west end of Saline and back. At that, I had to take it pretty easy, and ride slower than I like; it was also shorter than I expected. I thought I remembered that ride being 20 miles, but it measured out at 16.5, which I rode in 2:09. I hated the fact that it left me just shy of 2000 miles for the year, but that should be easy to attain tomorrow.

A couple of miles into the ride, I had just made my decision to shorten my plans, when I was delighted to hear a car honk gently and then pull to a stop, with the driver hopping out. I should have recognized the car immediately, before even seeing the driver, as it was my dear daughter Christy, but I was caught off guard seeing her near us, as she lives about 11 miles away. After explaining why she was in the area, she said, "What caught my eye was your tornado!" This is what we call my spinner flag on the back of the trike—a few years ago, when he was quite small, we asked her son (my grandson) Danny what he thought it looked like, and with a smile, he said, "A TORNADO!"

                 Relive video of today's ride

Finally, on the second half of the ride, shortly after I had turned around and was heading back into Saline, I encountered a friendly grandmotherly type on the sidewalk. She looked to be well into her eighties, and was walking slowly, with a cane. Seeing me approaching her on the sidewalk, she pulled over and waited for me to pass, which I did slowly. As I made my way by her, her face crinkled into a big, friendly smile, and she pointed her cane at me and said, "That thing's a pretty nice way to get around!"

7th outdoor ride of 2021 - Saturday, March 20, 2021 (First day of spring)

 2021 mileage: 1980.7

I had at one point considered doing a long ride in the afternoon, perhaps returning to my 30+ mile round trip to Matthei Botanical Gardens for the first time in many months. But I had forgotten ... Michigan's first appearance in the 2021 NCAA basketball tournament (also known as March Madness, or "the Big Dance") took place. So, after that, with a satisfying Wolverines victory to reflect on, I set off at 5 p.m. in glorious 55° sunshine, with diminished plans, and rode a single round trip to Marsh Park (10.2 miles in 1:09).

Relive video of today's ride

6th outdoor ride of 2021 - Friday, March 19, 2021

2021 mileage: 1970.5

After the flat I experienced on Wednesday, I had hoped to change it yesterday. But I never got it done, and it's good that I didn't, as it would have done no good. Since that right front wheel has been problematic several times recently, I loaded up the trike and took it to the dealer (Jack's) this morning, along with a note explaining the
situation, and that I had ridden a short ways on a flat a few weeks ago, and was afraid that I damaged the wheel, so I asked them to put on a new wheel for me.

They checked it over, and found that, while the wheel itself was fine, my rim strip (a kind of plastic liner between the metal wheel and the tube) was damaged, and, in fact, largely gone, and it was this that was causing my repeated flats. So they put a new one in for me, and in very short order I was on my way.

I waited until after picking Michelle up to do my ride today, as this was very feasible with the extended daylight we are enjoying since last weekend's switch to Daylight Saving Time. I did a limited ride (the Packard/Platt Square—13.7 miles in 1:37), enjoying the bright sunny 46° sunshine. I was happy, too, as I neared home, to see my good friend Doug Franklin walking on the trail (as I had seen him also this past Sunday afternoon).

Relive video of today's ride

Thursday, March 18, 2021

2021 mileage: 1956.8

Today is spitting rain and high winds pretty much all day, so I decided to concede to the elements and ride on our stationary bike. While riding, I watched Nights in Rodanthe, a movie I had watched a couple of weeks ago, which is based on a 2002 novel by Nicholas Sparks which I read in 2007. After my recent viewing of the movie, I got the book from the library and am rereading it, enjoying it greatly, so I decided to rewatch the movie. Thie gave me a 22.7-mile ride, which I did in 1:34.

Nights in Rodanthe - trailer

5th outdoor ride of 2021 - Wednesday, March 17, 2021

2021 mileage: 1934.1

This is my birthday. At one point, I had hoped to ride 64 miles today for my 64 years ... but it became clear quite some time ago that that wasn't going to happen. For one thing, the longest ride I have ever done so far is 50 miles. And, on top of that, our persistent cold so far in 2021 has meant that today was only the fifth outdoor ride I've been able to do, so my stamina is badly lacking.

I set off, though, at 12:30, in glorious weather (48° sunshine) for what would have been a substantial ride ... my 20-mile round trip to Baker Rd. But I was stymied in that plan, too, getting a flat tire in front of Pioneer High School on my way home. I took Uber home, and will go back to get the trike this evening so I can fix it in our garage tomorrow. I thought later (after I had already contacted Uber) that, given the weather, I should have just told myself to "man up" and change it right there, but I ended up taking the easy way out today. At some point, though, I am going to have to change one out away from home.

This alteration in my plans meant that I rode 17.2 miles in 2:05. I was very grateful for the weather, too ... my birthday always brings a wide range of possibilities here in southern Michigan. A little over a decade ago, shortly before I had to stop running (due to arthritis) I did 5 miles in jaw-dropping 72° sunshine. But, on my 16th birthday, the state was hit by "the great St. Patrick's Day blizzard," and at Devils Lake, where I grew up (about an hour southwest of Ann Arbor), we got over a foot of snow.

Relive video of today's ride

Tuesday, March 16, 2021

2021 mileage: 1916.9

Today I would not have had to brave brutal, bone-chilling cold in order to ride outside (a little under 40° late morning; 45° at 1:30), but having gotten it into my head that I would ride indoors, I did that (26.3 miles in 1:49), going over a new mileage milestone for the year (1900) for my last ride as a 63-year-old, and treated myself to a viewing of my all-time favorite movie during it, 1981's On Golden Pond.

On Goden Pond - Trailer

Monday, March 15, 2021

 2021 mileage: 1890.6

Winter hasn't quite given up its hold on us yet. As today remained cold (currently, at 4:00 p.m., it is 35°), I opted to ride our stationary bike, and did 32.7 miles (2 hours 17 minutes) while watching Mary Poppins.

This song from the movie is performed on a much more recent television presentation, with a delightful appearance by a considerably older Dick Van Dyke.

Step in Time from Mary Poppins

Sunday, March 14, 2021

2021 mileage: 1857.9

After the problems I was experiencing with my chain made me unable to ride Friday, I followed it up by taking the day off yesterday, too. So I was desperate to ride today.

However, Sundays are sometimes problematic, and this one promised to be, as our handbell choir is having a recording session at church that will take up a good chunk of my afternoon. Our unseasonable warmth is beginning to abandon us—right now, a little before 9 a.m.,  it is 36°, and this afternoon's high is forecast at 46°, in contrast to the readings of over 60° or one day even 70° that we enjoyed this past week.

Accordingly, wanting to ensure that I got some riding in today, I went in to our stationary bike this morning and rode (24.5 miles in 1:40), while watching Godspell (as a nod to it being Sunday morning 😎).

AFTERNOON

The church handbell choir I play in (Rings of the Lord 😁) had a 1:00 recording session at church this afternoon. It was such a TREMENDOUS joy  to be together, since all of our meetings save for one during the past year have been by Zoom.

At any rate, when I returned home mid-afternoon, the lure of the 47° sunshine was absolutely irresistible, so even though I had done a brisk 100 minutes (24.5 miles) on the stationary bike this morning, starting at 6:45 a.m., I climbed on the trike this afternoon for a brief ride—only a single round trip to Marsh Park (10.0 miles in 1:07).

Relive video of this afternoon's ride

The temperature was balanced, however, by the feisty wind. It surprised me, because I've ridden in much windier conditions than today's 12 mph wind out of the northeast. But it was all I wanted to handle today. And I was extremely grateful for the dealer (Jack's, in Dearborn) having straightened out the issues I was having with my chain on Friday.

Friday, March 12, 2021

2021 mileage: 1823.4

Today is a day that leaves me with decidedly mixed feelings. It is a beautifully sunshiny day (and now, at 3:30 p.m., 54°), so I had hoped to do my long (30+ miles) round trip to the Matthei Botanical Gardens, on the far northeast side of Ann Arbor. For good stretches of 2020, that was my usual ride ... but I haven't done it since November 20.

After my ride yesterday concluded smoothly and without incident, I rolled the trike into the garage as always and left it undisturbed overnight.

However, when I went out at noon today to ride, I could not pedal it, and quickly saw that the chain was twisted/tangled onto itself in front. I spent about 10 minutes trying patiently to straighten it out, but it was clear I was only making things worse. So I contacted my dear friend Dan Cogan, who, though he was a lawyer professionally, is not as mechanically challenged as this poor musician.

Dan came over immediately, but after trying for a while, saw that he could not do it, either, and suggested a trip to the bike shop was in order (Jack's, where I bought it, in Dearborn). So I loaded the rack onto our car, and the trike onto the rack, and set out for Dearborn.

Upon my arrival at Jack's, one of the technicians was outside the back door, taking a break in the sunshine, and upon seeing my trike he asked if he could help me with it. I showed him a note I had written on my phone explaining the situation, and he knelt down and quickly said, "Hmmm ... I've never seen THIS before! But this should be a quick fix—just need to take the crank arm off. I'll be right back with the tool I need."

With that he disappeared into the building, and when he came back, he set in to work. At first I thought his promise of a quick fix was going to happen, but then eventually it became clear he was not able to get it, so we took it into the building, where Kevin, another technician (with whom I have worked several times previously) greeted us. Upon learning of the problem, Kevin explained the tool we really needed to remove the crank arm, and within 5 minutes he had it all fixed ... and when I asked what I owed, he waved it off and said, "Nothing this time!" (I'm there so much that I think they've come to regard me sort of as the shop mascot.)

At any rate, since we have late afternoon and evening plans, I now will not be riding today. But I'm OK with that, and am just extremely grateful to have the situation addressed properly, so that I'm all ready to go tomorrow.

Thursday, March 11, 2021

2021 mileage: 1823.4

Although our unseasonably warm temperatures persist (currently, at 4:00 p.m., it is 65°), much of today has featured showers and very windy conditions. I might have been able to sneak in a ride between the raindrops, but instead I chose to ride indoors on our stationary bike, and while riding I returned to my beloved The Sound of Music and watched the initial part (up to intermission), while riding 25.4 miles in 1:44, and surpassing a new mileage milestone for the year (1800).

The Sound of Music: Do-Re-Mi

4th outdoor ride of 2021 - Wednesday, March 10. 2021

2021 mileage: 1797.9

WHOO! Today was a day of great emotional swings. About a quarter of a mile from the end of yesterday's ride, I got a flat. Praying that I wouldn't damage the wheel, I finished the ride so I could change it at home this morning. And I successfully accomplished my first-ever flat repair (even though I found it highly challenging). Believe me, for the first few miles of my ride this afternoon, I kept a wary eye on it!

Leaving at 11:45, when it was already 60° (well above the average high for this date), I rode the round trip to Dexter (Baker Rd.) (20.3 miles in 2:33), for the first time since December 8. However, part way through the ride, I discovered that my wallet (which I had tucked into the pouch of my hoodie) was absent. So I shifted into intense Prayer Mode, and watched carefully for it on the rest of my way back.

I didn't see it while riding. However, when I got home and came into our building, there was a note tucked against our doorknob, saying that this person had found my wallet, and asking me to give a call. So, after I pick Michelle up this afternoon, I'll have her call, and see if we can pick it up on our way home.

MapMyRide is acting up, however, so I have no Relive video to share at this point.

3rd outdoor ride of 2021 - Tuesday, March 9, 2021

2021 mileage: 1777.6

Through much of 2020, my standard ride was the 30+ mile round trip from our home to the Matthei Botanical Gardens (Matthei is located in the far northeast part of Ann Arbor, and we live in the far southwest). I had hoped to return to that ride today for the first time since November 20.

I began at 11 a.m. in 50° partial sunshine, and all went well for a short time, but after a few miles I could sense clearly that (1) I am still very much engaged in the process of rebuilding my stamina for outdoor rides, and (2) my right knee was tender. In light of these factors, I decided it would be prudent to shorten my plans, so (like yesterday) I rode the Platt/Packard square, clocking 14.3 miles in 1:47.

I didn't ride down into Lillie Park like I did yesterday. However, today I  did lengthen the ride very slightly. When I reached the intersection of Textile and Platt, I turned right (south) and rode on the Platt Greenway down to Michigan Avenue (US 12), crossed it, and continued on the sidewalk for another quarter mile or so before turning around and rejoining my original route.

Finally—I'm sure this was not wise, and I hope I didn't damage my wheel, but just over a quarter mile from finishing, my right front went flat. Rather than attempt to change my first flat "on the go," as it were, I decided at that point to finish the ride, and will change it in our garage tomorrow before heading out.

(Relive) video of today's ride

2nd outdoor ride of 2021 - Monday, March 8, 2021

2021 mileage: 1763.3

It was absolutely GLORIOUS to be able to ride outside again today! I enjoyed a temperature of 53° when I began (at noon), climbing to 62° by the end, under partly sunny skies with a touch of wind (which was not burdensome).

Most of the snow is now gone, though a few patches persist where it was formerly piled high. But such spots are now few and far between.

I rode the Platt/Packard Square, and as I often do, I passed Lillie Park (near the intersection of Platt and Ellsworth), where Michelle and I walked yesterday. As I told her,  I am often tempted to ride down into the park. Well, today I did.

The only (mildly) daunting aspect was the climb back out, since hill climbing is considerably more challenging on a trike than on a bike. On a bike, you can stand, and gravity assists the downstrokes of your legs, but we trikers have to do it all with pushing forward. However, this challenge was met and conquered.

This gave me a total ride of 14.3 miles, in 1:46. The nice weather is supposed to continue tomorrow, and now I am already wondering whether I should try for the 30+ mile round trip to Matthei Botanical Gardens, or try for something more moderate first. At this point, I'm leaning toward Matthei.

(Relive) video of today's ride

Sunday, March 7, 2021

2021 mileage: 1749.0

During this morning's ride (1:42, 24.3 miles), I watched the 1939 movie The Wizard of Oz.

Its song Somewhere Over the Rainbow is greatly acclaimed. It won the Academy Award for Best Original Song. It was also given the Towering Song Award by the Songwriters Hall of Fame, and the Recording Industry Association of America and the National Endowment for the Arts ranked it Number One on their first Songs of the Century list.

It has, as well, a very special place in my heart. When my daughter Christy was an

 infant, I used to dance slowly with her cradled gently to my chest in the living room of our home in Minnesota, singing it to her, to put her to sleep each evening.

Somewhere Over the Rainbow

Saturday, March 6, 2021

2021 mileage: 1724.7

For today's ride (24.4 miles in 94 minutes), to accompany it I made an odd choice of movie, watching a 1992 film that had a huge impact on American pop culture, but which I had never seen, as I was deeply immersed in being a music professor at the time—Wayne's World. I suppose I'm glad to say that I've now seen it, but I can't honestly say that I was missing much in not having seen it for all those years!

                 Trailer for Wayne's World

I also reached a milestone of sorts, as now, after today, there are 300 days left in the year, which is slowly (but steadily) shrinking.

Friday, March 5, 2021

2021 mileage: 1700.3

Extremely weak effort on the stationary bike today (only 12.1 miles, in 49 minutes). while I watched the second half of Safe Haven, which I hadn't gotten to yesterday. But at least it was enough to snake me over a new mileage milestone (1700 for the year).

Thursday, March 4, 2021

2021 mileage: 1688.2

I didn't ride yesterday, as Michelle and I went to Hastings (southwest of Lansing, just a little over 100 miles) to get our second shot of the (Moderna) COVID vaccine. Then, today, I took it kind of easy on myself, too, just doing a brisk 70 minutes (18.5 miles) while watching the first part of a 2013 film based on a 2010 novel by Nicholas Sparks, an author I like very much. I had planned to do a 2-hour ride, covering the entire movie, but found my energy flagging, and in light of the vaccine, I saw no reason to push myself.

Clip from Safe Haven

Tuesday, March 2, 2021

2021 mileage: 1669.7

During today's ride on the stationary bike (36.7 miles in 2:34), I watched Funny Girl , the 1968 movie musical that presented Barbra Streisand the opportunity for her film debut, reprising her Broadway role, and playing acclaimed theatrical performer Fanny Brice.

"People" from Funny Girl

Monday, March 1, 2021

 2021 mileage: 1634.0

Ah—another mileage milestone for the year broken today (1600)! I was sorely tempted to ride outside this morning, due to the (rare) bright sunshine we enjoyed. However, a 36° temperature at mid-morning which was to fall throughout the day, coupled with a robust 20 mph wind, enabled me to withstand the temptation!

Instead, I went dutifully in to our stationary bike, and did a nice substantial ride (40.8 miles in 2:53), while enjoying a rewatching of My Fair Lady, which I had recently watched (a week ago today).