If anyone needs an 18-month calendar, let me know. http://www.willowcreekpress.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=01974
Read MorePlanning Tool
Month: April 2019
CLC 2019 Ride 7: Playing Tourist
Tuesday, April 23, 2019 Crissy Field in the San Francisco Presidio, my happy place, was the start of my final Cycle Life Challenge ride this year. It’s where I can see the Golden Gate Bridge and the bay and the beach and the city all just by turning around in place. It was going to … Continue reading "CLC 2019 Ride 7: Playing Tourist"
Read MoreA Garceau and Honey Buckets
With an elegant title like ‘garceau’, I think this fits.. It doesn’t appear to be “public”, but I would use it in need as long as it was not locked (doors were open at this time). It is in a parking lot that seems to be Boeing related — like commuter buses — and there … Continue reading "A Garceau and Honey Buckets"
Read MoreRide of Silence 2019
This year’s Ride of Silence for fallen bicyclists will be held at locations around the world on Wednesday, 15 May. More information here: https://www.facebook.com/rideofsilence/
Read MoreChallenge of the Month: Bricks Near Home
I know it’s still April and “Bricks” is a May challenge, but May Shmay, I have pictures from today. Who knows when I’ll find time for taking pictures in the coming weeks, so feeling inspired and welcoming an escape from packing I shot some bricks. For this picture I even wrote a haiku, strictly according … Continue reading "Challenge of the Month: Bricks Near Home"
Read MoreMore Potty Pictures
Just doing errands on my bike this Sunday morning, all in preparation for our move, but it felt so good to be on my bike that I did a little extra cruising and had even thought to take my camera along. So here are pictures of two portable potties set up for workers on construction … Continue reading "More Potty Pictures"
Read MoreOur final April Challenge entry: video of bike/trike and riders
I didn’t have enough energy for an overnight ride this weekend, though the weather was very good. So the guys and I did two gentle 20 km rides instead. Well, the guys riding the trike may not have been gentle… they are absolutely animals on that thing. And no, there were no garceaus to be … Continue reading "Our final April Challenge entry: video of bike/trike and riders"
Read MoreBrick(s)?
This may or may not pass the rules of the challenge as it is not A brick, but many bricks. And a bird. I intend to continue on the look out for A brick, but today while on my meander through the Garage Sales, I thought these ‘bricks of many colors’ were rather interesting. … Continue reading "Brick(s)?"
Read MorePorta Potty
This is the weekend of the Annual Great Mukilteo Garage Sale. Many homes put out things for sale that it range from almost junk to high end goods. Some nice furniture and athletic equipment can be found here, as well as a lot of other items. We are NOT in the market for buying stuff … Continue reading "Porta Potty"
Read MoreCycle365 Challenge of the month (2019)
Test. Starting with this May’s challenge, we have a changing of the guard. Bill initiated this series and curated it for its first year, for which we all owe him a word of thanks. I’m taking on responsibility for the next year and will do my best to come up with worthwhile subjects. I’m open … Continue reading "Cycle365 Challenge of the month (2019)"
Read MoreAnother wheeled potty in a vineyard
Along the Greenway today, I spotted another wheeled potty in a vineyard for Greg’s challenge. Em noted that when detasseling corn, she was afforded no porta-potty. Perhaps the presence of portable johns in vineyards is simply a reflection of the changing world in which we live. On the other hand, by the time corn requires … Continue reading "Another wheeled potty in a vineyard"
Read MoreNorth Fork Garceau
2 Raleighs take a break at the North Fork of the Vermilion river east of town A surprisingly graffiti-free bridge railing View east, upstream, spring struggles to arrive in Vermilion County, Illinois A somewhat precariously tilted Garceau* at the North Fork Conservation Club The club is located at an abandoned gravel pit along a valley … Continue reading "North Fork Garceau"
Read MoreApril Challenge, You and your bike and some rides
Here’s some of my April rides and a video of me on my bike ‘Black Duck’ Click here for details
Read MoreHermit, part 1
Today’s the day my ace support crew emerges from the Grand Canyon after her backpacking expedition. I need to pick her up, and we’ve arranged a rendezvous point at Grand Canyon Village. However, it’s impossible to know what time she’ll climb out of the big ditch, and there’s no cell signal, which prevents her from … Continue reading "Hermit, part 1"
Read MoreHermit, part 2
The day was warming up as I pedaled slowly from Hermit’s Rest back toward the start of Hermit Road at Grand Canyon Village. My ace support crew could emerge any minute from the bottom of the canyon, or it could be a couple of hours. Read more at Bill Bikes
Read MoreCLC 2019 Ride 6: Goodwill Hunting
Sunday, April 21, 2019 The title of my post is a bit misleading. I had no trouble finding the local Goodwill. It’s right next door to my mother’s assisted living building and I pass it most days of the week. However, Goodwill provided me the opportunity for a little twist on the “supporting the local … Continue reading "CLC 2019 Ride 6: Goodwill Hunting"
Read MoreIlsanjo
Although I hike it year-round, I don’t get up to Annadel State Park on two wheels much in the winter due to wet, muddy trails. Many of the mountain bikers around here love rolling through that squishy stuff and emerging with bikes and selves caked in clinging mud. It tends to wreck the trails, it’s … Continue reading "Ilsanjo"
Read MoreSchultz Pass
I’m still undertaking day rides from basecamp in Flagstaff while my ace support crew backpacks the Grand Canyon. Today I’m riding a road I’ve already travelled by bicycle. In 2015, when RJ and I biked to the Grand Canyon, we went the long way around from Flagstaff to Bonito campground in Sunset Crater Volcano National … Continue reading "Schultz Pass"
Read MoreOn the Move: Going to Gauting
It seems moving toilets are all the rage these days. I have to disappoint you, when we move we are leaving our toilet behind (oops, a pun just happened). HERE is a link to my blog, though, to show you the loveliness of our future surroundings.
Read MoreCLC #7 Uptown Bessie goes Way Uptown!
It was sunny and NOT windy early this morning so we decided to get out early. Beat the tourist crowds and the wind….a win/win as they say.
Read MoreSo here’s the scoop
I’ve been focused elsewhere lately, so I missed the opening shot when the Great Portable Restroom Challenge was issued. It wouldn’t have mattered much though – I don’t recall seeing one here in Sicily, or feeling the need for one since we spend so much time on deserted roads with plenty of stone walls or … Continue reading "So here’s the scoop"
Read MoreGreat Portable Restroom Challenge
Towable porta-potty parked in vineyard off Stanly Crossroad in Napa County, June 2016. Note attached hand washing station. I briefly considered hitching up this beauty to the Long Haul Trucker and towing it home to Santa Rosa. Ace support crew would have been so proud of me!
Read MoreGobs of Garceau’s
Why settle for a stinky Hiltz when you can enjoy a clean garceau? Harrump! We resemble that!! A Garceau adorns a building site south of town — there are woods right over there ———> The Mother Lode! An assembly of impeccably clean Hiltz Garceaus The Hiltz Honey Wagon Not so impeccably clean One last look … Continue reading "Gobs of Garceau’s"
Read MoreThe Great Portable Restroom Challenge
Here we are in the beer garden at Schleissheim. We took Easter Sunday off from packing and running around like crazy getting ready for the move and cycled for a morning coffee in the beer garden in Schleissheim. This beer garden loo is rather big and was clean, but I don’t think it’s connected to … Continue reading "The Great Portable Restroom Challenge"
Read MoreColorado River
While the Lees Ferry site includes interesting old buildings and artifacts from the days when there really was a ferry in operation, nowadays there’s more. Lees Ferry is also the location where commercial and private rafting expeditions enter the Colorado River to float through the Grand Canyon. To that end, there’s quite a bit of … Continue reading "Colorado River"
Read MoreOne from 2017
I was on my first tour – in Victoria – when I can across this portable toilet.
Read MorePorta potty challenge
Here’s my entry for the Porta potty challenge. This one I discovered in the Barrossa Valley, South Australia a few years ago on a cycle and it would be used by the farm workers out in the fields. Imagine if they unwittingly hooked it up and drove off whilst someone was inside with their pants … Continue reading "Porta potty challenge"
Read MoreBelly of the Beast
Jeff has been recovering from his latest medical issues — we tend to keep the medical staff at Kaiser Permanente very busy — but he called me last night to let me know he has clearance to start pedaling again, and felt like he could handle around twenty miles. Cool! Read more at Bill Bikes
Read MorePorta Potty 2
The bank of clouds to the east stayed there all day — and so did 20-30mph winds Low pressure system may have become stalled by the Appalachians Near the High School baseball field At the softball field Hiltz is the Don’s Johns of N. Vermilion County Winds are to subside overnight, so tomorrow I can … Continue reading "Porta Potty 2"
Read MoreA GOOD DAY IS A 3-PORTA-POTTY-DAY
I dusted off the roadie bike today for my participation in The Great Portable Toilet Challenge. I needed to achieve maximum speed because three other Cycle365ers have already posted porta-potty entries ahead of me. I mean, this was MY challenge, and it sure wouldn’t look good if I was the last one to meet it. … Continue reading "A GOOD DAY IS A 3-PORTA-POTTY-DAY"
Read MoreLees Ferry
While my ace support crew backpacked the Grand Canyon, I established my basecamp in Flagstaff and planned to undertake a series of nearby day rides before our Sunday rendezvous. On Thursday I explored red rock trails near Sedona. Due to a cold, rainy forecast for Friday in Flagstaff, I drove a couple of hours north … Continue reading "Lees Ferry"
Read MoreCould have jumped the gun….
So last month, when I rode up into the bush on a short overnight ride, I stayed in an informal camping area. It was just flat, grassy ground in an opening of the forest. This is where I did not get a lot of sleep but got to enjoy some silence and solitude. I took … Continue reading "Could have jumped the gun…."
Read MoreRestrooms for Greg
Before I begin my own restroom hunting, my ace support crew offers these two, the first from backpacking in the Sierra and the second (frame grab from a video) from her recent expedition into the Grand Canyon. Perhaps these explain why I prefer bicycling….
Read MoreRestroom Challenge
That’s not a restroom, its a control shed for CSX railroad BUT A few days earlier, there was a portable potty just this side of the building — I thought,how nice of CSX to provide such accommodations for visiting cyclists. (You can vaguely make out the footprint in the gravel) Turns out it must have … Continue reading "Restroom Challenge"
Read MoreTHE GREAT PORTABLE RESTROOM CHALLENGE
Portable restroom, portable toilet, porta-john, porta-potty, happy can, gottago, doodie hut, crap cabin, shit shack, kybo, outhouse, Garceau . . . Whatever you call them, you’ve got to admit that portable restrooms are sometimes a godsend for us cyclists. Sure, they’re often smelly and unsanitary beyond belief. Sometimes they contain flies, cockroaches, millipedes, and other … Continue reading "THE GREAT PORTABLE RESTROOM CHALLENGE"
Read MoreSky Biking
Upon my return from Arizona, I washed red dust off the Ogre, cleaned and lubed the drivetrain, and made a few minor adjustments to enhance performance. Then I cruised over to Spring Lake to see if those modifications would help us get airborne. Read more at Bill Bikes
Read MoreVermilion Cliffs
From the parking lot and Interpretive Center at Navajo Bridge, where I left the Forester, I pedaled less than a quarter mile up Highway 89A, then turned right on Lees Ferry Road, which runs between the Vermilion Cliffs and the Colorado River. Read more at Bill Bikes
Read MoreSuccess. I made it from Melbourne to Adelaide
Hi Everyone. I haven’t been in contact recently because I have been riding the trike from Melbourne to Adelaide. I had hoped to keep up with Kathleen’s challenge and post a bit about the ride but it was all too hard just using a ‘phone !
Read MoreCLC #7 to complete the 2019 challenge
Cindy could not ride today so she drove and I rode my bike down the hill to meet her (and back up the hill after) for tea and crumpet at the Red Cup Cafe. There are some whimsical (funky) sculptures outside of the cafe that always capture attention. It was, as usual, a delightful … Continue reading "CLC #7 to complete the 2019 challenge"
Read MoreNavajo Bridge
With my ace support crew down in the colorful depths of the Grand Canyon for four days, I had several ideas for bike rides to keep me busy until I needed to pick her up. I completed a very introductory exploration of trails around Sedona yesterday. I also planned a couple of rides closer to … Continue reading "Navajo Bridge"
Read MoreCLC Ride 7
Taking the long scenic route to Ride 7 destination Purple weeds come up like crazy all over the place — nice background for the Raleigh For Em The “other” Casey’s on Illinois Route 1 aka Dixie Highway — the Chicago branch Word is, a 3rd Casey’s will be built as part of a truck stop … Continue reading "CLC Ride 7"
Read MoreCLC Ride #6 Urban Hazards and GPS Orienteering
Our ride on Monday was a mix of urban traffic, GPS snafus for BJ, concerns for the Goddess and the threat of impending rain. However, even with all that we managed to smile, laugh and roll our way through Monterey.
Read MoreRed Rocks, part 2
After completing the Bell Rock Loop, I was back at the trailhead. I peeled off some clothes, studied the map of the trail system, and applied a fresh layer of sunscreen before setting out on the Big Park Loop. This was also rated as a beginner trail, but singletrack with a few tricky sections, unlike … Continue reading "Red Rocks, part 2"
Read MoreRIDE # 50: 16 APRIL 2019
My last few Cycle Life Challenge 2019 rides have been much of a muchness, as my late mother used to say. In other words, same routes, same café. There was one thing different on this ride. I was on my travel bike. A Ritchey Breakaway. I have no countryside photographs to share. I do have … Continue reading "RIDE # 50: 16 APRIL 2019"
Read MoreRed Rocks, part 1
My ace support crew and her team departed Flagstaff before dawn to begin a four-day backpacking expedition in the Grand Canyon. That gave me four days to bicycle around Arizona to my heart’s content, as long as I was on hand to pick her up on the South Rim when the expedition emerged. To begin … Continue reading "Red Rocks, part 1"
Read MoreCLC 2019 Ride 5: Monterey
Monday, April 15, 2019 The wife and I had been itching for a day in Monterey. I contacted Our Good Friends Jack and Janet (TM) to see if they would be around for a CLC ride. They were. We did. While we cycled the wife drove and drove (which was not her plan). We managed … Continue reading "CLC 2019 Ride 5: Monterey"
Read MoreComing Attractions
I’ve been on the road. While my ace support crew has been backpacking in the Grand Canyon, I’ve been pedaling my little legs off in places like Bell Rock, Courthouse Butte, Navajo Bridge, Marble Canyon, Vermilion Cliffs, Lees Ferry, along the Colorado River, Schultz Pass, and Hermit’s Rest. They were all terrific rides, and I … Continue reading "Coming Attractions"
Read MoreApril Challenge and CLC Rides 6 and 7
Mind over body saw the guys and I get in a two-day ride this past weekend. We managed to get an unflattering pic of bike and riders for the April Challenge and two purchases for the two different days. The weather has been perfect, so we have been trying to ride as much as my … Continue reading "April Challenge and CLC Rides 6 and 7"
Read MoreCLC 2019 Ride 4: What Is Art?
Sunday, April 14, 2019 A nice sunny day and we’re off to the Bay Trail where we haven’t ridden in several months. But first we make a sharp turn off the Permanente Creek bike path into the Googleplex. Not much happening in the main courtyard but we say hi to T-Rex. A while ago some … Continue reading "CLC 2019 Ride 4: What Is Art?"
Read MoreHow DARE I Have the Audacity to Enter Another April Challenge Post Like This
I was almost certain the weather predicters had it wrong. Almost all of our snow was gone and here they were telling us that we’d be getting another 6-12″ this week. “You’re full of –IT,” I told Keith Marler on Channel 9. “I’ve been riding my bike in 60-degree air for the last couple of … Continue reading "How DARE I Have the Audacity to Enter Another April Challenge Post Like This"
Read MoreSaturday Morning Ride
Headed south on 1550E Corn stubble from last year’s crop Crest of the Ellis moraine, Vermilion Co, IL Winter Wheat beginning to grow Soybean stubble from last year’s crop Crest of Ellis moraine Raleigh arrives at destination — CSX railroad at 3800N Rail leads south to Danville, IL and well beyond Exposure of glacial till … Continue reading "Saturday Morning Ride"
Read MoreThrough Orchards of Eastern WA
Our weekly trip in Leavenworth offered the opportunity for us to extend a day or two, so we took advantage to add a longer ride to Cashmere. There is a busy highway that connects the two towns, but we were able to avoid all but three short stints of that and stayed on back roads. … Continue reading "Through Orchards of Eastern WA"
Read MoreI thought I was in Hastings….
…but I was really in Flagstaff, en route to deliver my ace support crew to the Grand Canyon for her backpacking expedition, when the weather turned all Minnesota on us.
Read MoreJoshua Tree, part 2
Joshua Tree, part 1
When I headed for Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument with the Ogre in February, I wanted to stop in Joshua Tree National Park and spend a day pedaling off pavement in some of the most interesting and remote parts of the park. However, due to rain and snow, the unpaved roads in J Tree were … Continue reading "Joshua Tree, part 1"
Read MoreRIDE # 47: 08 APRIL 2019
Three rides in three days. My legs don’t know what hit them. Especially after yesterday’s 114km jaunt. There has been no respite from the heat. 39ºC / 102ºF by the time we finished at noon. I needed a much gentler spin to stretch the legs this morning after the dehydration and cramps of yesterday. This … Continue reading "RIDE # 47: 08 APRIL 2019"
Read MoreApril Challenge – A bit of controversy
The guys and I went for a ride today. Just a short ride. They insisted that I get video of them riding their trike. I told them I didn’t think it qualified since it didn’t have pedals and needed some sort of assistance for motion. But Verne retorted, “There are riders on that site that … Continue reading "April Challenge – A bit of controversy"
Read MoreA challenging April
I’m not quite clear on the rules of this month’s challenge. Does the photograph need to be a selfie, or is it sufficient to have a photo that includes me and my bicycle? I’ll start early on this one, so I’ve still got time for another try if it’s needed. The photo of me, the … Continue reading "A challenging April"
Read MoreCLC in Reverse . . . . Ride 6? + CLC Real Deal Ride 6
Reverse in the sense that all the metal objects will be donated to JR’s re-cyling, to be, well, recycled The assemblage represents a long period of time removing the debris from various roads Not all the swag was as pictured, some good stuff too, lineman’s pliers, restaurant grade pizza cutter, a Budweiser koozie, and various … Continue reading "CLC in Reverse . . . . Ride 6? + CLC Real Deal Ride 6"
Read MoreRIDE # 45: 06 APRIL 2019
Greetings all. I haven’t been on my bike very much over the past month. In part because it has been either very hot or very wet. There were a few mornings where I went back to bed rather than ride out into the rain. There was a three-day credit card tour between my last post … Continue reading "RIDE # 45: 06 APRIL 2019"
Read MoreCycle Life Challenge Ride 7: Go West
Here a challenge, there a challenge, everywhere a challenge challenge … The first challenge was getting out of our driveway and onto the street. I started out going to the WESTpark and since I wisely remembered to take a tripod with me this time, I was able to take a picture of myself with my … Continue reading "Cycle Life Challenge Ride 7: Go West"
Read MoreCLC #6 in Leavenworth
That’s Leavenworth Washington, not the other one in Kansas, We are spending some time in this Bavarian themed town in eastern Washington for Susan to take a course in fly tying. This is about a two hour drive from home and the course is one evening a week, over a five week time. This is … Continue reading "CLC #6 in Leavenworth"
Read MoreApril Challenge
This is more of an experimental trial than anything — learning Video and Editing Bicycle and Rider actually riding A very short Out and Back Slow to load for some reason 🙁 (Neighbor has a bad cough, and Buicks are LOUD, and I don’t whistle so well) Riding north on 1550E aka 7th street … Continue reading "April Challenge"
Read MoreRain
I wanted to get out for a quick ride and snap some photos. My ace support crew warned me it would start raining soon. I started to put on riding clothes. My ace support crew warned me it would start raining soon. I checked the forecast on my phone, and it showed only a 15 … Continue reading "Rain"
Read MoreCLC Ride 5
John Deere Foundry from years ago — older JD equipment most likely has parts cast here Long abandoned — nothing to purchase here Destination on the far NW side of town Purchase completed 🙂 No purchase here 🙁 Scenic Route Home @ North Fork River/7th Street Yikes!!! Photo looks like me! Proof of Purchase Gen-U-Wine … Continue reading "CLC Ride 5"
Read MoreMy Rides in March – Cycle Days Challenge
IN LIKE A LION, OUT LIKE A LAMB …This proverb seems to apply more or less to March this year. Early in the month we still had snow flurries and some snow sticking to the ground for a short time, but as the days passed the air warmed up and nature seemed to come to … Continue reading "My Rides in March – Cycle Days Challenge"
Read MoreCycle Life Challenge Ride 6: A Palace, Two Toads and Sakura
A beautiful Sunday – yoohoo! We set our sights on Schleissheim Palace, the goal we gave up a few days ago due to the cold wind, and it was a glorious day to be out on our bikes. So as not to be too repititious, I am posting pictures of Schleissheim’s Old Palace, not the … Continue reading "Cycle Life Challenge Ride 6: A Palace, Two Toads and Sakura"
Read MoreCLC 2019: Ride 5 – A sweet (potato) treat
Oh, yes – the weather was no April Fools Joke on the 1st. It was PERRRR-FECT! 21C for a high, with clear skies and light, variable wind. The cruel April Fools joke was that it was a Monday. Normally, I don’t work Mondays. But this Monday I did have to go to work. That was … Continue reading "CLC 2019: Ride 5 – A sweet (potato) treat"
Read MoreTWO TALES OF WOE
MY TOWN’S WOE: A Flood Story About ten days ago, I rode my bike down to the banks of the Mississloppy River (as I often do) to take a few pictures. Those pictures were going to be part of my epic Cycle365 photo-documentary about the major flooding that the TV news was predicting would arrive … Continue reading "TWO TALES OF WOE"
Read MoreMug Shots
Where did the second half of March go? Family obligations. Ill-timed rainstorms. Home improvement projects. A lengthy, life-threatening (or so it seemed) onslaught of coughing, sore throat, congestion, and snot. But now it’s April. A new month and a new challenge. Thus, here we have mug shots of Old Grumble-Face and the Ogre, an album … Continue reading "Mug Shots"
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