My Most Recent Ride 2013 (Part VI in a series)

6 miles in more snow, with a heavier load on the trailer. My road tires have adequate traction, but my boots don't fit in my toe clips.

 

The weather was both cold enough for icy wheel ruts and warm enough for a puddle where I fell. 4 miles with a loaded trailer on mostly plowed ground, with some walking in snow.

 

February E Tn Saturday

Today was "wunna dose dayz" that I had to pry my butt outta da house. Passed up free chance to ride w Don n Terry in Knoxville. Probably just as well. Wasn't nearly as nice out as it looked. Barely got to 50 deg and the east wind was COLD. Messed around locally & to CNU. A very slow pathetic 30 miles, where I almost bailed at 18 miles but couldn't stand the embarrassment. If I don't get some motivation soon this year will be worse than pathetic.

And no lectures about how 45 deg and a breeze "isn't cold." It's all relative. If I say it's cold, it's cold. No thermal underwear for me. If warm ups won't handle it, I'm stayin home.

Dave Samsel
Sent from my iPhone

 

Hey, At least you rode Dave. I hope to get out tomorrow.
Oh yeah, I think you ended up passing me last year in miles didn't you.
Well done!

 

Instead of biking I mulched and trimmed bushes. Beautiful day though!!!

 

The temp got up to 52 here however the wind blew very cold. I still got 12 miles in and enjoyed the sunshine. The first three days of next week are supposed to be rainy so i will try to get in a longer ride today. Anybody heard how terri and loke are doing?

 

Sweet of you to ask, Brick!

We're treading water as it were. I haven't been riding. I can only ride when Jens is home thanks to Loke freaking out with separation anxiety if he even has a fleeting idea I might be going out with the trike without him. The clothes, shoes and such all give me away.

I also fell and hurt my knee so needed to coddle it for the past 5 days.

Loke's toe is still being a mixed bag. He isn't limping (good), but it's still bent, twisted and slightly swollen (bad). The poor thing desperately wants to run, way too much energy, but I don't want to put more strain on the damaged ligament. Waiting on the results of the samples they took of the infection surrounding the bone. That will decide if he loses his toe or not.

So, our limbo will be going on until the results come back and we figure out what's gonna happen with the toe.

Terii

 

I will keep you both in my thoughts and prayers. I know Loke is important to you and your well being as you are in his. Very few things in life are as comforting as a pet. Be well.
Brick

 

Good ride today, about as flat as I have seen in a while. 36 miles with 1400 feet of climbing. A steady ride for the Venom right at 14 mph. Saw a group of deer on top of a ridge but they were not interested in me a bit. Watched a hawk grab a crow in midair and take off with it.

 

A hawk grab a crow?! Now that is incredible! I never would have thought that a hawk would go for a crow considering that crows are of the scavenger type. That must have been an eye catcher for sure.

 

Thank you, Brick!

And sounds like you had a good ride, Ward.

The hawk catching the crow reminds me of the time, I had a flock of kajas (little crow-like birds with gray heads) chasing a hawk. The hawk had a kaja flapping in it's talons and I guess the rest were trying to harass it free. It was right here in town. Amazing how nature adapts at times.

Terii

 

It happened so fast the crow never saw him coming. I guess he wanted breakfast and nothing else was around. I have never seen a hawk grab something that big before.

 

Another slow ride of lugging a loaded trailer, but with the sighting of a police car in the drive-thru at a donut shop.

 

I've been climbing the walls to ride. The past 2 weeks have been GORGEOUS out. We've not had this many consecutive clear days in... 8 months or more? Today was no exception. Dazzlingly clear, not much wind and 34 F. Yet, Loke still can't be left alone so, I'm trapped walking.

At least he's limping less today. *sigh*

Terii

 

I almost hijacked your thread the other day . I was feeling sad and typed a long response realized what I was doing and didn't post it . bypass surgery changes your life. Once again I will say I envy your relationship with. Loke and will continue to pray for his complete recovery.
Brick