It was a beautiful Saturday morning and since we were attending a big family celebration in the afternoon, I just did a ride around the ‘hood. My first goal was to sign a referendum on Munich’s bicycle infrastructure. We want more and bigger and better bicycle paths!!! Not just for fun stuff on the week-ends, … Continue reading "Cycle Life Challenge Ride 5: A Referendum and a Flea Market"
Read More
Sunday, March 24, 2019 Last year I took a ramble that included the sweet-smelling apricot blossoms in the remnant orchards around this area. This year I wanted to get to the largest remaining local orchard that I know of on a property that happens to be owned by the Packard family. Because the blossoms were … Continue reading "CLC 2019 Ride 3: What Put the P in HP"
Read More
It’s the last day of March, so I can just fit in one last submission. Today’s ride took us to Zingaro Nature Preseve on the northwest tip of Sicily. The first designated nature preserve on the island, it seemed like a natural for a final flora/fauna post. The preserve is a roadless area, so we didn’t … Continue reading "One last set of flora and fauna"
Read More
Today was pretty stunning….60+ degrees, not so windy. Well at least while I was riding and sun ☀️ I decided to try getting across town on the streets and not the rec-trail…let’s see what happens. Also here is a memorial to Father Junipero Serra. He wasn’t all that nice to the first people’s. I like all … Continue reading "CLC Ride 5 with Flora and Fauna"
Read MoreI say hopefully because the Goddess may need to rule on this one. It wasn’t until lunch was done and I (with my friends) were preparing to leave that I remembered I needed a photo. I rode my bike along the trail to meet two non-biking friends for lunch at Universtiy Village. I am thinking … Continue reading "(Hopefully) CLC #5"
Read More
Challenges: flora, fauna and a haircut The cherry blossoms on the tree next to our building are lovely, I can touch them from where I stand on our balcony. But I can’t get a picture of them with my bike so I had to ride around a bit to find a view of the cherry … Continue reading "Cycle Life Challenge Ride 4: Cherry Blossom Time"
Read More
This might have been a CLC, if only I had remembered to buy something! But as it was, I was quite happy that Janos persuaded me to go for a ride, I was happy that I stopped for any pictures at all, happy that I got out although it was chilly and a cold wind … Continue reading "Challenge of the Month: Flora"
Read More
Hello Cyclelifers, Here’s my contribution for the three current challenges. I see all the northern hemisphere-ites are relishing some warm and sunny weather, I’m over it and looking forward to some rain and cold. Click here for the details
Read More
Saturday, March 16, 2019 A short ride back in time today. The ride was short but the time was longer than I’ve been alive. I rode to New Almaden, a small quicksilver mining village now subsumed by San Jose that is almost like going back to the 1800s if you squint well enough. Fans of … Continue reading "CLC 2019 Ride 2: New Almaden"
Read More
The frame pump I bought 45 years ago to go on the then new Huffy finally developed an aneurysm on the rubber connector hose (Why they don’t build these things to last Ill never know 😉 ) The pump still works fine, it wont pump to 100 psi, but the Huffy only needs 50, so … Continue reading "CLC Ride 4"
Read More
After physiotherapy in Albury on Monday morning, I stopped by the fruit market to do my veggie shopping. I love the market because it is super fresh, cheap, has a superb variety, and there is minimal plastic packaging. They don’t offer plastic bags at the check-out either – bring your own bag or box. It’s … Continue reading "CLC Ride 4 – Take two"
Read More
Today we were finally able to get on our bikes. We had a wonderful weekend of family with kids and Grandkids but no bikes. I was feeling the pressure of our current challenge as it seems everyone is finished or nearly finished. After “The Goddess” reviewed the rules with Rich the other day I … Continue reading "CLC Ride #4"
Read More
We leave for Sicily the day after tomorrow, and of course invite you to join us for our three month loop through southern Italy. Sharing a ride with us would be great, or surprising us with a cold beer at a summit somewhere along the way would be nearly as good. Barring that, it would … Continue reading "A few last flora and fauna before we leave"
Read MoreThese past two days I have had some nice riding with friends and have spied a few things that have fit past challenges — and a couple for the current challenge. I could not pass up posting those things here. There were two finds on yesterday’s ride… A sign I have never seen before… …and … Continue reading "Eclectic or Conglomerate (you choose)"
Read More
Morning of cloudy, damp conditions, but 42F, and little wind, so no complaints. Rain was moving in from the southwest, so get pedaling for CLC 3. Back to Casey’s on Route 9. Lady in the silver van took forever at the spot I wanted to select my purchase Diamond Back and poster for Blueberry Bliss … Continue reading "CLC Ride 3"
Read More
Sunny and WARM, really warm. I left my gloves at home, my fleece cap for under my helmet, my down jacket, and just rode as-is. What a feeling! We took up our custom from last year and packed a small picnic lunch for a beer garden visit. As I’ve mentioned before, I’m sure, but I’ll … Continue reading "Cycle Life Challenge Ride 3: To a Beer Garden"
Read More
I’ve been out on my bike frequently the past weeks, but not calling the rides CLC rides and not taking pictures of purchases, if any. But now I see some people have already finished seven CLC rides (so competitive!) so I better get cracking. It doesn’t look like spring yet here in Munich, but it … Continue reading "Cycle Life Challenge Ride 2: To the North"
Read More
Thursday, March 14, 2019 The wife and I traveled to that tourist hotspot in Sonoma County known as Petaluma when we had a few days off. Why there? I have lots of rellies that live in Sonoma County, including lots of them in Petaluma, and we hadn’t seen them in a long time. Plus my … Continue reading "CLC 2019 Ride 1: Tomales, Chileno Valley, and Petaluuuuma"
Read MoreMy ride today took me to my WW meeting. I am a lifetime, card carrying member, and need not pay for meetings as long as I stay at goal, nor attend any. But I choose to attend weekly meetings as they help me stay on track and I have developed some friends that I like … Continue reading "CLC #4"
Read More
Oh, it was one of those weeks. I was fairly certain it would never end. Lots on at work and I’ve reverted to terrible sleep. My cortisol must be jacked up again. So when knock-off time rolled around on Friday, I could not get out of there fast enough. Plus, it was time to indulge in … Continue reading "CLC Ride Three"
Read MoreAfter a few days of these temps — 60s and 70s oh my —- the trees have found some oom-pah-pah to push out some blossoms. In a short time they will be full blown. I myself had a lot of oom-pah-pah this mid morning and wandered all around my neighborhood admiring the flora. Taking a … Continue reading "Flora is Bustin’ Out All Over"
Read More
We don’t have daylight savings time yet which means I would have had to get up at a very ungodly hour to catch the sun rising for the equinox challenge. Fortunately the setting sun qualifies, too. The sky was clear again today, yesterday I didn’t have time, and I was able to get out for … Continue reading "Equinox Challenge Munich"
Read More
Today’s ride started out as our submission for Rich’s equinox challenge, but Roddy and I soon realized that with an abundance of flora and fauna we could get credit for the monthly challenge; and by dropping a few bucks at JoLa Cafe we could spike the ball on our victorious race through the Cycle Life … Continue reading "A triple play on the first day of spring"
Read MoreHello Cycle365ers. Through some irregularity or severe lack of judgment on the part of the facilitators, I have been allowed to join in on the fun. I was a long time Portlander until last May, when Mrs.G and I embarked on a 2400 mile tour from Missouri to Oregon along the ACA Lewis & Clark … Continue reading "Introducing Mr. Grumby (aka The Singing Cycling Cowboy)"
Read More
Illinois and Minnesota completely obscured by clouds 20 March, 2019 🙁 It doesn’t look like parts of the West Coast or Western Australia are faring much better Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr Eastern Australia and Munich look clear 🙂 Not looking very promising for a sunset photo So . . . . . . . . . Out … Continue reading "Vernal Equinox Illinois — Photo Added"
Read MoreI was feeling pretty proud of myself when I woke up this morning and started preparing for my seventh and final CLC ride. After all, it was to be my ride to VICTORY–the ride that would bring me eternal glory before any of the other Cycle 365 challengers–especially my ultra-competitive friend from Portland. Yup, I … Continue reading "CYCLE LIFE CHALLENGE #7: The Loser Slumps Into Eternal Glory"
Read More
I win! Heh, heh. It’s the old hidden ride trick. I’ve been hiding my seventh ride, hoping that it would lull G-2 into a false sense of overconfidence. Oldest trick in the book. We had another fantastic riding day today, with full sun and a high near seventy. Probably not the natural place to go … Continue reading "CLC 2019, #7: Leif Erickson Drive"
Read MoreI see that Gregblood and Doris have upped their game and will complete their seventh ride tomorrow. Well, more power to them. I laud their competitive spirit, and don’t mind coming in second – which I’m sure to take, with only one ride to go. The ride’s the thing after all; and I enjoyed seeing … Continue reading "CLC 2019, #6: Sauvie Island"
Read More
Santa Rosa had a beautiful weekend, but I was out of town. I returned Sunday evening to a forecast of at least 75° and sunny for Monday. Naturally, when Monday arrived I hopped on the Ogre to see how everything looked along the Greenway. It looked like paintbrushes had touched the landscape with colors of … Continue reading "Colors of Spring"
Read More
No, that isn’t where I went on CLC Ride 2 — that is in “Dog River” Saskatchewan, and the set for a very good Canadian comedy TV show. This is where I did go — one of TWO Casey’s here in town. No thanks! Proof of purchase — Max isn’t the only one who got … Continue reading "CLC Ride 2"
Read More
Diamond Back at IGA The one and only grocery left in town, aside from Casey’s or Dollar General — and to think at one time, we had 4 groceries and Porsche Dealership! (Among the first in the nation.) It is shop there or make a 50 mile round trip to other groceries in Watseka, Paxton, … Continue reading "CLC Ride 1"
Read MoreUnsure if I will get to fit in a CLC ride any other time this week, I set out to get one done today. And what a glorious day it has been. 65 plus degrees by mid afternoon??? Fantastic. And temp seems to be climbing before it falls again for the night. I first went … Continue reading "CLC #3 with bonus flora"
Read More
I see Scott has ramped up the race-to-the-finish with some more verbal taunting. That’s fine with me though, because if there is anything at all that my human alter-ego ever taught me, it would be how to respond to a challenge with even MORE smack-talking rhetoric. Just to be clear, I intend to win this … Continue reading "CYCLE LIFE CHALLENGE #6: Pothole Potpourri"
Read More
With the tread of G-2’s rear wheel fading into the distance, I’m starting to lose hope of breaking the tape on this spring’s challenge. Still, I’m in it to win it so I’ll plug away, keeping my chance alive. Maybe Doris will flatten or get waylaid by the midwest’s floodwaters and I can zip past … Continue reading "CLC 2019, #5: Slipping off the back of the pack"
Read More
So the guys and I had the chance to get in a short two-day ride on Friday/Saturday. I wanted to test my body on a ride of a little greater length and difficulty with weight than last time. It ended up being a bit too much because of the wind, but we still had a … Continue reading "2019 CLC Ride 2 + Flora + Fauna – A Ride Trifecta"
Read MoreThis challenge helps get me on my bike when I just don’t have the oom-pah-pah to take myself for a ride. I felt that way this midday but the challenge called and I answered. However, I wasn’t at all sure that I would be successful at a potential plan for a purchase today. And I … Continue reading "CLC #2"
Read More
Hello again one and all. Warmer temperatures have arrived and that ain’t necessarily a GOOD thing. Sure it feels better than frostbitten cheeks, but according to Channel 9’s morning weather personality, Keith Marler, our snow levels have gone down 17-inches in the last five days. He says flooding is imminent. I certainly don’t want to … Continue reading "CYCLE LIFE CHALLENGE #5: At Play in the Spring Thaw"
Read More
I really HATE IT when I’m in a race and don’t realize it until my competitor zips past with a well-timed taunt. Typically this happens with Rachael, who likes to sneak up from behind and then whiz by gleefully proclaiming “Race, I win!” So I’m understandably none too pleased when I read the comments on my … Continue reading "CLC 2019, #4: Saint Johns and Cathedral Park"
Read More
The Equinox is just a few days away — and as the Analemma shows, the direct ray of the sun is striking approximately 2 degrees south of the equator today (March 15th). Spring has been a real struggle to arrive here, not to mention Minnesota, but looks to be advancing nicely in Washington, Oregon, California, … Continue reading "Equinox Challenge 2.0"
Read MorePartly sunny today as days ahead are promised to get better and better. Still in all, this was a great ride up through the Skagit Flats. Skagit County is just north of our Snohomish County. A few bits of flora were about, but not much yet. Skagit County is more rural and has lots of … Continue reading "Flora and Fauna #3"
Read More
We’ve had two or three days to pretty to stay in. So yesterday we made a “drug run” north to Marina Walmart and today I decided to go to the gym ….which I haven’t done in nearly a year since my membership expired. Ride 3 18 mi ……Spa Day
Read More
Well, it’s settled, I’m going to blitz this season’s Challenge and strive to complete all 7 rides in the two weeks before we leave for Sicily. It’s all Rachael’s doing – she insists that I get this nonsense out of my system before we leave so that it doesn’t intrude upon our search for the … Continue reading "CLC 2019, #3: Steel and Willamette Bluff"
Read More
Two weeks after the big storms and flooding in Sonoma County while I pedaled through Arizona, everything here gradually returns to normal. The rainy season isn’t over by any means, and we’ll surely have more storms, more wind, and more rain in the next few weeks, but right now we’re enjoying pleasant weather. Earlier this … Continue reading "Desperately Seeking Spring"
Read More
Portland looks like it’s really landed in the sweet spot on the weather map this winter. Today was still cold, but once again beautiful. With a midday film on the day’s schedule I don’t have much time to spare for a ride, but it doesn’t take much to crank out a flat four miles and … Continue reading "CLC 2019, #2: Burnside and Old Town"
Read More
Well, against all disbelief, Gregblood actually followed up on his threat; he filed a lawsuit against me. Some guy brought me an envelope a couple of days ago and said, “You’ve been served!” I had a very clever response to that. “HUH?” The following document is what I was “served.” In my opinion, … Continue reading "CYCLE LIFE CHALLENGE #3: Gregblood v. G-2"
Read More
I have time for two more rides before heading to the Ferry on Saturday and this is one of them.
Read More
It’s been over two weeks since I’ve been on a bike! With Kansas and RAIN since we returned I was starting to feel like I would never ride again. Thankfully that’s not the case. I’m checking in for Cycle Life Challenge and Flora and Fauna ? I’ve decided I’m not going with a theme this … Continue reading "OMG……..Here Comes The Sun!"
Read More
It was raining in Sonoma County when I arrived home from Arizona. Since then, it has rained every day. Sometimes downpours, sometimes showers. Until today. Finally warm, sunny, and dry. Naturally, I climbed on the Ogre to explore the Greenway. Santa Rosa Creek running fast and high, its banks strewn with tons of debris. Standing … Continue reading "Large Yellow Orb in the Sky"
Read More
Well, I screwed up my courage and made a video for you – but mainly for the Goddess, bestower of Eternal Glory, because she likes videos and has been asking to see and hear us live for years. Not much to add to that. I rode to the gym, got rid of glass and plastic … Continue reading "Cycle Life Challenge Ride 1: Everyday Life in Munich"
Read MoreHaving successfully added my first post for the CLC, I took time on this ride to see some flora and fauna. In spite of the frozen weather, we have some nice color showing its shoulders. And I found this an interesting shape. A bit down the road from this last one I found some fauna. … Continue reading "Flora and Fauna"
Read More
We waited and waited and waited until we could wait no longer. It was mid-afternoon and there was still no snow, but we absolutely HAD to get out into the first above-freezing temperature we’ve had since well over a month ago. And even though we didn’t get to ride among snowflakes as big as … Continue reading "CYCLE LIFE CHALLENGE #2: The Snow Storm Didn’t Come, Yet Doris and I Rode Our Bikes Anyway"
Read More
I really look forward to the spring challenge, and am grateful to The Goddess for shoving us all out the door again this year. It comes at such an interesting time of year, when so much change is in the air with the onset of spring here and autumn down under. I haven’t quite figured … Continue reading "CLC 2019, #1: Hawthorne and Tabor"
Read More
Our theme for the 2019 Cycle Life Challenge is TREATS – those small indulgences that make life just that little bit more pleasurable. Our choice theme came about in a few ways: I have been on a very strict anti-inflammatory diet since late last August. I have had no red meat, dairy, wheat, alcohol, junk … Continue reading "2019 Cycle Life Challenge: Introduction and Ride 1"
Read MoreIt was colder than the forecasters led me to believe it would be, but not only was there no snow… there was full sunshine. It was good to ride and the ride had nothing special about it as it is a route I ride often when I am on a solo trip around home. I … Continue reading "#1 of 7 Cycle Life Challenge"
Read More
VIDEO INTRODUCTION A couple of weeks ago I tried to set up my own account on Cycle365, but something either went wrong with the registration system or else I was a victim of cardboard-cartoon-character-alter-ego discrimination. I guess it doesn’t really matter what the reason was for my rejection because I was able to hack … Continue reading "CYCLE LIFE CHALLENGE #1: Bicycles, Icicles, and Gourmet Eats"
Read More
After three days at Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument and a loop around Tucson, I drove up to Phoenix in order to pick up my ace support crew at the airport. She didn’t want to spend her life wandering around the desert in the Forester with Old Grumble-Face, the Ogre, and a bag of dirty … Continue reading "Take Me Out to the Ball Game"
Read MoreOkay, all youse guys in the Antipodes and in Asia – your time has come. Let’s see who not only rides first for the 2019 Cycle Life Challenge but who posts first! Extra eternal glory for those two categories. Good luck and have fun. Looking forward to everyone’s adventures. Yrs, The Goddess
Read More
After three days of camping and bicycling at Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, I had one more free day before I needed to pick up my ace support crew at the airport in Phoenix. I decided to expend that day pedaling around Tucson. The desert city has wonderful cycling infrastructure, with a great network of … Continue reading "Tucson Loop"
Read MoreI have had several nice rides this month (it is only 3/7). It snowed a bit yesterday and stopped with no snow on roads. This morning at 6:30 here is what it looks like out my front door. You may not be able to see that snow is still falling (a lot) but now the … Continue reading "OH NO!! More snow ;’-("
Read More
Today when I left home the sky was blue, when I came out from my class it was raining! Fortunately, it was never too cold or icy to ride my bike to the two-month tai chi course I was taking, held at the Arts Center/Musisches Zentrum. The course is finished now but I hope to … Continue reading "Challenge of the Month: Flora"
Read MoreI bought my first road bike, a steel frame with carbon seat stays and fork, in early 2010 while I was living in Houston, Texas. (I used to wonder why Americans would identify places as e.g. “Paris, France” instead of simply “Paris.” That stopped when I found out that there is a Paris, Texas.) That bike … Continue reading "RIDE # 37: 03 MARCH 2019"
Read More
When planning my visit to Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, I considered riding a big loop of 40+ miles around the park on North Puerto Blanco Drive and South Puerto Blanco Drive. The rangers I spoke with warned me against it, because the big deluge (more than three inches of rain) a few days earlier … Continue reading "The desert’s quiet"
Read More
T.S. Eliot tells us that April is the cruelest month, but I think it’s March. Many of us up top are still waiting for the endless winter to finally thaw us out again (yes, even in edenic Portland it’s been cold), and here we are faced with two challenges to step up to. In the … Continue reading "Feeling a bit challenged"
Read More
We are visiting Mom and family in Kansas. When I booked the trip in November I was thinking “early” spring right?! Well not exactly……let’s just say there have been NO bicycles ? involved in this trip. We don’t seem to have what it takes to bike in 3-degree weather. We have walked and shoveled snow. … Continue reading "Spring In Kansas"
Read More
These days one of the big topics of discussion in the US of A is to build, or not to build, a wall, fence, or other barrier along the border with Mexico. A contentious topic to say the least. The southern edge of Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument abuts the international border, and one of … Continue reading "A Few Gray Federales"
Read More
As most of you may know already, the Cycle365 tech support team consists almost solely of the attractive lady in grey shown here, modeling her new leisurewear. She built and provides nearly all of the maintenance work for the site, with Bill supplying vision and backup support and me chipping in with moral support, encouragement … Continue reading "Some good news from the tech support team"
Read MoreSome negative-thinkers might have stepped outside this morning, looked at the three feet of snow on the ground, felt the -8 degree (F) temperature, and whined “springtime is NEVER gonna get here!” I, however, am a positive-thinker, and even though the official spring is still three weeks away, I consider this day to be my … Continue reading "SPRINGTIME IS A STATE OF MIND"
Read MoreAs this is not a post for any challenge, I don’t know really where to put it so have chosen “articles”. If that is the wrong place, please let me know at least for future ;’-) (I just changed it to rides in North America). After spending February in the Deep Freeze, the beginning of … Continue reading "Spring may just be in the air ;’-)"
Read More
Just wanted to make sure my pictures qualify, so I redefined the challenge a tiny bit. Not a whole lot of animals prowling the streets of Munich and the flowers are slow to come. I guess trees would qualify,too, but we’ve done that topic already. So here’s a lion – of sorts. And a horse, … Continue reading "Challenge of the Month: Flora, Fauna, Mineralia"
Read MoreI have been away from here for too long! Most of February had us weathered in from bike riding. My post about riding the Tunnel in Seattle and then home in the snow was the last ride I did until the very last week of February, and those were short and close by. But…. now … Continue reading "Flora (no Fauna)"
Read More
The campground at Organ Pipe, surprisingly, nearly overflowed with RVs, big travel trailers, camper vans, and a few folks—like me—in tents. Where all those vehicles went during the day, I don’t know, but I saw very few of them on the park roads. They were far outnumbered on the roads by Border Patrol pickups, SUVs, … Continue reading "Poncho was a bandit"
Read More
A Record Month … Here in Munich, February weather set records for being the driest, sunniest and warmest for decades. It wasn’t all sunshine though, we did have some snowy and icy days as well. But at the end of the month the mercury climbed to a cyclist friendly 15°C and we opened the touring … Continue reading "My Rides in February – Cycle Days Challenge"
Read More
Well,it’s not quite spring yet, but we are leaving February in the rear view mirror. Just time for one last look at the month’s weather, which on the whole has been pretty wonderful here in Portland. The last day of the month was brilliant, and perfect for a ride to Rocky Butte to check out … Continue reading "February challenge: Rolling into Spring"
Read More
