13.5 miles.....actually on Monday the 29th. First time in weeks, and still a bit chilly.
I'm almost talked myself into buying an in-expensive road bike...the theory is to cover either more miles...or the same amount of miles in less time. Right now I'm looking at the Fuji new 4.0, but I haven't tried it or anything. Let you know!

About 5 miles. Running errands and taking the long way home.

7.9 miles...Up to dentist and some errands and back. Cold. Well, low to mid-50's. I need to get used to that.
Turns out Dr. Chipps is an avid cyclist as well. His big bike dream is to do a cross-country...told me to get in touch with him if I start planning on any long distance trks. Next spring, next spring.

17.1 miles. First ride in awhile, a couple of weeks, maybe? I could look back of course, but....

Right after turning on to Rucker (on the sidewalk) I swerved to the side to avoid a pedestrian and subsequently knocked myself off the bike. Not hard, but I'm glad I was wearing gloves. That's a life lesson there: Just because there are leaves doesn't mean there is solid ground under them.
First time I fell though since teenage years....not a good feeling.

17.9 miles. First really chilly day. Rode with leg warmers and gloves and skul cap under the helmet. In the week since I rode the GW it has totally changed as the leaves have almost all come down.
The chilly (low 50's) weather was tough at first. My lungs started to burn and I was really not into the wind, but after a couple of miles I got used to it and it was like any other day.
Plus, I learned that *bux can make de-caf cappacinos, something I never thought about before. That opens some doors, right there.
This is the sign that marks the joing of the the
Alpharetta Greenway and Roswell's Big Creek
Park.

16.3 miles. Not going to be able to ride again til next week, due to me having to fly down to Fla. I'm thinking about buying a $50 bike...something that could get trashed or is already trashed to keep down there since I don't drive any more with the bike.
I actually had the idea of biking down there some time. It's almost 500 miles exactly by Interstate, so I figure a week to get down there...a week to stay and a week back. I would have to do other trips before I try this one, but it's nice to think about.

22.3 miles....at a guess...I stopped at Best Buy for some coax and forgot to turn on the trip thing until Rite-Aid. Stopped at dilapidated house to snap some Olifaunt/Rigel Kent pics.

17.9 miles on Oct. 31, actually. The days before were nice, but I was too busy to ride. Got to press on before it gets really cold, and then figure out how much layering my bike will handle.

Yesterday 10/23 - 19.9 miles. Saw a *lot* of neat shit. They were moving a house thru downtown Alpharetta. Then further down the road, Alpharetta PD was conducting SWAT exercises and a little down the road from that I saw what must of had to been an eagle floating overhead. And a number of deer on the Greenway. And of course, me with no bloody camera. Gonna have to remedy that.

19.4 miles. Almost hit a rabbit on the GW :(

For Thurs. 10/16 - 23.9 miles. Which makes 74.9 miles for the week!
Definitely starting to get colder...need to start seriously thinking about cold weather wear...

31.2 miles. Got a lot done! B is looking at getting a new bike...with 21 speeds so she can get up the big hills towards her work. Problem is, Roswell Bikes isn't going to carry the Townies any more, so it looks like the closest thing might be the Giant Suede...which means, B might get a Giant before me, dammit...

19.8 miles....that was yesterday, Monday the 13.

17.9 miles....yesterday actually. Had a nice little surprise when B pulled up tho the *bux and joined me for a short coffee before I went cycling back home.


EDIT so that's 67.9 miles for the week. Cool.

29.5 miles. Going to take a few days off the bike....I may have been over doing it slightly. But its supposed to rain the next couple of days, so nice timing on my part.

17.1 miles. Did the old Webb to GW Back up Haynes Br route....

3.4 miles. Just to Downtown and back for errands and *bux.



So with the extended rides last week, the total is 105.1 miles! That is the farthest by far. Lord knows how I'm going to keep that up....it just takes so much time!

38.4 miles. Split up between the morning and late afternoon. I rode with B to work and wasn't planning on doing any more. Wanted to run out to guitar store, but B took her keys with her, so I was blocked in. No huh....got out and rode there, down to Mansell and to the *bux...again. Then met B after work and away home after a quick stop at the Publix.

32.2 miles. Basically a repeat of what I did Monday, with the change of riding to Performance Bikes on Alpharetta Highway and Hwy 92. I thought I would keep riding west up 92 towards Erin's old house, for the sake of a destination and memories...but a 20-25 MPH headwind changed my mind and I turned on to Crabapple, down a road that I can't remember (tiny firehouse on the corner), back to Apharetta Hwy thence back homewards.

Saturday I did about 1o miles, so that's 37.3 miles for the wee, more or less.



Today? 34.5 miles! I rode with B to work and after was just going to do my usual GW to Starbux and back but then decided, what the hell and kept going. So Old Milton to Haynes Br to Northwinds Pkw to Kimbel Br (b's work). Then up the GW, and back down to the *bux. Went to Haynes Br access and then turned around and rode to Mansell to Alpharetta Hwy to Upper Hembree to Harris (hit 44 mph down that hill!) to Rucker to home. *Then* went and rode back to B's office to picker up to Publix and back home. And it didn't hurt one bit!

4.5 miles...jjust running errands downtown.

16.8 miles. Nice weather. Put new tires on Blue...Kenda semi-slicks...much quieter then the Forte...I think....maybe its my imagination.

10 miles. Rode up to Harry's with that big fracking hill on Harris....is not large but it's *steep*....on the way back I topped 38 mph with out even trying...now that's some fun on ol' Blue.
Was going to ride the Silver Comet, but once again, events conspired to stop me. That and there have been reports of more muggings last week....although the perps (I never thought I'd use that word) have been caught, or most of them, since I'll be riding alone it gives one pause for thought. Or something.

22 miles almost exactly. Every way I chose seemed to have a headwind today, and the wind was pretty strong.

EDIT Actually did 3.5 more miles due that we rode downtown for dinner so 25.5 all together

18.5 miles. First time I had to wear my windbreaker this fall....or I guess it's still summer. Just standing the temp was fine, but sweating and with the wind it was right chilly.

4 miles. Downtown to run some errands and back. I *was* planning on riding longer, but I got caught up in something in the studio and didn't want to stop, but needed somethings from market.

16.9 miles. I haven't really been slacking off....due to some medication problems that are finally under control I haven't ridden since last Friday. But I felt good riding today so I'm going to make a renewed effort.
I also decided I need to find new places to ride around here, even if its the rural roads north of here....I think I'm going to need me a high visibility vest or something though. Blech.

19.1 miles. They opened up a wooden walkway under Mansell road (which means it'll prolly be just for walkers when it's truly finished) which extends the Greenway almost another mile. The plan is, I gather to connect with the Roswell GW, which at this point is still more Mtn bike trails then anything, but still worth a ride and a little more exersise. And a little more nature too.

21.3 miles. Lots of runners on the GW...almost no bikes. Humph.
Took the Kimball Br route.

3.2 miles. UP to Loco's and back. MAybe tomorrow I can talk B into riding the GW....Maybe try the route to her office again, that might do it.

18.3 miles.
It's been well over a week since I rode last....a mixture of all the rain from Fay and not wanting to interrupt creative bursts in the studio. This is not good...the not riding I mean...I basically rode the Academy Street route and was breathing hard within a few miles. Does your body really forget that quickly? The good news is I basically said the hell with it and rode almost the whole route (except) Haynes Br) on the road rather than the sidewalk...sorta taking my own space, such as it is.
The only miracle of nature was a sighting of a Fat-bellied Redneck(of the Loudmouth variety) at the Best Buy I stopped at to pick up a surge protector. And boy was he loud.
Next week, definitely doing the Silver Comet, rain or shine or volcano.

17.2 miles. B was home sick, so I took a short route and back to stop and get stuff at the pharmacy. Of course, because of their lunch policy it was locked up when I got there. So, back again.
Saw *four* deer today, and the GW was fairly busy too. I'm almost positive I saw a diamond back rattler on the sand at the side of the path....but couldn't see if it had a rattle, and it wasn't a good place to stop and look just in case. So I rode on and warned a couple of runners that were going that way.

Just a little over 4 miles. Had to do a lot of housework, so I took a break by riding out for some errands.
I might have to postpone the Silver Comet again....Tomorrow will be busy, but I might try for Tues. After that we may be getting a tropical system coming thru....

17.5 miles. A lot of people on the GW today. Almost got nailed by a hummingbird, or I almost nailed him. Weather is starting to get nice, and by that I mean cooling down.

3.4 miles....Loco's and back.
Tomorrow (Thursday) was the day I was going to go ride the Silver Comet trail, but I have some things to take care of non-bike-wise, so I'm going to definitely make it next Monday, rain or shine. Hopefully shine.

21.1 miles. Dropped off Brits phone at verizon then up and down GW.

7.3 miles. Brit and I out for errands, back, then out again for Thai. We tried to figure out where else we could ride to eat for dinner, but because of Alpharetta's rather limited selection....

That makes 48.9 miles this week.

21.3 miles. Dropped off a package on Haynes Bridge, then up (down?) Old Milton to Kimbell Br. where my left elbow was just *brushed* by the door mirror of some jerk in a PT cruiser. Lucky he was speeding too, otherwise I might have turned into him. Anywho, Kimbell Br up the GW and then Back down to Starbux (The manager, who is a neighbor, turned me on to the new Vivanno Banana Chocolate frozen drink, which I can actually have as part as my diabetic meal plan. Good and good for you!) Back up to Haynes Br, etc.
The last 2.5 miles were my fastest ride since about high school I think as the sky got dark and thunder from an approaching storm was almost continuous. I made it up the drive and into the garage not more than 20 seconds before it started pouring and a couple of minutes after *that* started hailing for a minute or two. I've been getting lucky missing rain...wonder when that's going to change. Not that I'm not prepared for it and better to be rained on in the summer then later this year.
Oh and I planned to ride at 10 Am, and actually made it out the door by 11...still pretty hot....it's going to be cooler the next couple of days since the storms rolled thru.

3.4 miles. Up to downtown for dinner and back. It was just too hot today to do any real riding. 97F. I'm going to start riding in the morning now, staring tomorrow....I hope.

16.9 miles. And 95 degrees. Ooof...

Just 3 miles yesterday as Brit and I went downtown for a few errands. That makes the weekly total 39.8 miles.
I've been giving some thought to the Cartersville ride I had been planning. The distance isn't bothering me so much as the fact that its going to be mostly heavily traveled roads and that maybe I should drive out the route before I attempt to ride it. I'm still hesitant (or timid, whatever) to ride the road around this area, no matter 40-50 miles away from home. This is something I'm going to have to get over and soon, especially if if I want to do any actual bicycle travel.
In the meantime, I think I'll go ahead and ride the Silver Comet Trail from Smyrna to Cedertown, maybe next week. That's just over 50 miles.I should be able to find a room and then ride back the next day. We'll see how it shakes out over this week.

17.2 miles. Basically the same route as last Wed. Saw two young deer on the GW.

19.8 miles. Did Academy to Greenway to Starbux. Back to Haynes Br to Publix. Did shopping then home. Later to Locos and back w/ Brit.
I need to take Blue into Performance to have them look at....well I guess the cranks....they have been creaking an awful lot, and its starting to make me nervous.

No miles this week. Well, I had to fly to Fla. to visit my mother so there you go. Did notice that the cyclists in Sarasota are a lot more reckless, but this may the difference between those who ride for fun and those who ride because they don't have a car.
In fact a cyclist was killed this weekend down there.....at 1:00 in the morning.
In other bike news, Sastre won the Tour. I missed the last 4 races so I could only keep up with reading the Live Updates on the BBC, which is a poor substitute. HAd a good time watching the earlier races on Vs. while I was home. Looks like the doping shit may finally be starting to get behind us.
My Fantasy Tour team on Performance Bikes had a total of 197 points:3253 out of 3842 Teams. This may have had some thing to do with the fact that I picked LEIPHEIMER as my big pick for my team with out taking in the fact that he wasn't racing this year because he is on Astana....duh.

8.1 miles. This was just from running around doing errands, biking home and realizing I forgot something and biking back.
But that's 68.8 miles for this rather arbitrary week!

3.4 miles. B and I just went up to Loco's for dinner and back. Nice cool night, too.

17.2 miles. Wills to Academy to Webb Br to GW. GW to Starbux. Then Haynes Br home.
Saw a young deer walk out to the middle of the path. It heard me coming, but didn't think to look behind him/her until I was almost on top of it, whereupon it dashed off, of course.

Well, Riccardo Ricco is the third racer so far to get caught doping with EPO on the Tour De France this year.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/cycling/7511518.stm
and his team has pulled out of the race.
That just sux because after the last few years of scandals, I thought that this was behind us. Hopefully these guys will be the exception and everybody else is doing their best the natural way...or at least the legal way.
As a Swiftian viewpoint, I think that they *should* have some sort of stage race done by racers who do nothing *but* dope, as long as they promote it for what it would be...a freak show. Then they could lay odds on whose heart would explode first.

19.8 miles. Old Milton to Kimbell Br. Up GW and then back down. Didnt stop at Starbux this time as I rode back to the HAynes Br. access and up to Sweet Tomatoes to meet Brit for lunch. Then across the street to Best Buy. After continued up Haynes Br to Milton and back home.
I would have ridden a different way, but its voting day and it was right on the way.
Nature-wise I saw two rabbits and a deer on the GW. I also got stung by something ( for the first time since I was 14-15)on the inner right arm right below the armpit and it still smarts something fierce.

20.3 miles. Old Milton to Roswell St to Main to Devore to Haynes Bridge to Westside pkwy to Kimbell Br to meet Brit at Verizon, North Point and Kimbell. From there to Kimbell Br to Green way, up to Webb Br then Down to the other end. Starbux. Back Greenway to Haynes Br, up to Old Milton to home.
I probably won't do this particular route, up Westside that is, because it was a wrong turn. I meant to ride up Northside to Kimbell Br. No worries, tho.
Finally starting to get comfortable with top gear, using it more and more even on the slight rises and a couple of the bridges on the GW.
Saw a black two+ foot snake sunning itself on the GW, pretty sure it was a garter, but didn't stop to check.

Paraphrase of a commercial seen while watching 2008 Tour De France:
While scenes of cyclists crash play a voice:
"Get in your car. Speed up to 55 miles per hour. Strip down to your underwear. Jump out.
"That's what it's like to crash in a professional bike race."

16.5 miles. Academy, Webb Br. Greenway. Haynes Br. to home. Rained some, but missed the worst of it.