New Gadget

I just got a new "horn" for my bike. Two rubber bands and a one dollar air horn from Dollar Tree. LOUD>

Saturday Sedgwick Valley Center Loop 5-22010

Morning was VERY windy. South wind was cranking out at about 25 to 35 mph. The route is pretty simple and once I turned north, the ride was cool. About 4 miles south of Hwy 50, I passed 6 cyclist headed north on Ridge RD. They said something but were flying with the wind and I was working my ass off against the monster wind. When I took my restroom break at the convenience store, I saw another cyclist talking to some guy on a motor cycle. Turns out he was a part of the group I had passed. He had a flat and told them he would meet them in Sedgwick since he was driving his truck. I asked where they were headed and he told me Salina. He was waiting for his buddies. I had to break the news to him that they were way ahead of him. He was off to catch them in Hesston (in his truck).
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2010 school year closes

Tomorrow is the last day of finals and the last day for kids to attend at usd 373. I am looking forward to relaxing bike filled summer. Not sure if my Wife thinks I am going to have a vacation. I usually get a summer job but my steady gig for the last few summers is a no go this year. I worked a couple summers mowing grass for Restcare Inc. here in Newton. They own/run several group homes for adults with developmental disabilities. Last summer's recovery from spinal surgery kept me out of that job and doctors don't want me doing that job again. Riding mower was very rough on my back since it had no suspension.
I am doing some video editing for the school district that will last about 3 weeks with only about 30 hours of work. I am spending a week in KC, MO. for the national speech and debate tournament. Taking four brilliant students who make me look like I know something. I am also spending 2 weeks in Lawton, OK at Cameron University's Speech and Debate camp. I will be assistant coordinator for Advanced CX debate week one and assistant coordinator for Intermediate Div. for week 2. I am really looking forward to this trip. I get to take my bike and I am going to ride in the Wichita Wildlife preserve. I am toying with the idea riding to the top of Mt. Scott. Not a huge climb and not what most people would call a mountain but it is cool ride. I have a couple of riding buddies at camp and we are going to get in as many miles as possible. Best part is nobody will be there to tell me I am riding too much or ignoring them. I won't have to drop everything to sit at home with my wife while she plays FB games. I can't go ride since that is ignoring my family, but it si perfectly fine to play, Farmtown,Family Feud, sorority life or whatever annoying new game is pumped out by FB.

Well, I gotta go take my daughter for a practice driving lesson, or as I like to look at it, Screaming Father yelling at daughter to STOP....GOOOOOO....or not so hard on the brakes or gas....I wouldn't miss it for the world...

After School Ride

I emailed Ray Olais and Lu Ann Zook yesterday about riding after school. They were up for it but Lu could not make it after all. So Ray and I headed out. North wind was refreshing on an absolutely PERFECT day for riding. The wind was light enough for me but Ray is very sensitive to wind. Not sure why I like riding into the wind but I seem to make better time than my riding buddies when riding into the wind. I am about 75 lbs heavier than Ray so that is probably why. We rode north on K15 out of Newton on the normal route for us with a north breeze. We ride north to Old Dutch Ave and hang a left to Hesston. It was sunny and bright but still very cool. The warmed us but the breeze cooled us down. Normally the traffic on K15 is heavier than I prefer but most folks are very considerate and move way over. The shoulder on k15 is a good size. It is about 3 to 4 feet across and the surface is very smooth. Seems like all the quality surfaces are paired with heavier traffic.
The ride was overall a great time. Ray had tvo stop at a garage sale in Hesston but nothing cool. Bikes and robots are his passions. He is an artist and art teacher at Newton HS and is always looking for something to inspire his students. We turned south on Ridge Rd. and flew for about 7 or 8 miles to 12th street Newton. Only two negatives occurred on the ride, I ate about 10 bugs because I talk too much and a car almost ran into us on 12th. This tan old person car driven by an young person. You know the car type, four door, tan, mercury marquis type sedan. This woman was ON HER CELL PHONE and didn't give us the required 3 feet. She passed us so close, I really thought Ray was going to get hit. She had the entire left lane to pass. No other cars were coming but she chose to buzz us and stayed in the right lane barely. I try to be a good cyclist. You know, I try to follow the road rules/laws, be polite, make sure motorist are aware of me and be an ambassador for the sport. I have not flipped anyone the bird in a long time. I did however wave at her and say some select words. 22 miles at 15 MPH average was a great workout and I survived another wild ride in south central.....Kansas.

Skype

Skype is cool. I do not really know how to use it so add me and hit me up if you want to talk bikes or find out about when and where I am riding. User misterbeefenator