The Mopac - Lincoln to Wabash

I took the day off to do some biking and began by taking a leisurely spin in town. I rode from 84th down the Mopac, around Oak Lake, to Roper Park and home. While on my morning ride Patches called and said he'd like to take his families' motor home to Wilbur for tomorrow's Fox Hole 100. I offered to follow him down and bring him back. We got back to Lincoln in time to meet up with Craig and Council at the Mopac trail head for a ride to the end of the trail in Wabash.

Since I'd already been to the West end of the Mopac this morning I'd be able to say I'd rode the full length of it today. I was still feeling a little ruff from having the flu earlier this week and was a bit dizzy and ready for a drink and some air by the time we got to the shack 1/2 way to Eagle. After that I was feeling strong and getting into a rhythm. We sped through Eagle and into Elmwood when Craig got bucked off in a washout on the trail. (stay tuned, this gets better)Council demonstrated his cyclocross skills as he shouldered his bike and smoothly crossed a nearby asphalt barrier.

The last few miles were easily passable, but littered with twigs and leaves from recent storms. Wabash is microscopic with no services. After touring the town we turned toward the setting sun and rode hard again.

As we got back into Elmwood Council hit the same rut that Craig did earlier and executed the most beautiful endo you've ever seen! Realizing he was unscathed other than his pride and reputation (thanks to me blogging about it) he checked his steed for injuries. It was ok except the wreck rearranged his brake/shifter lever. He was able to muscle it back into place and we were ready to go. That's when Patches realized he'd flated. The boys fixed it in a jiffy and we were finally set.

I was feeling the pain of our aggressive ride the last few miles before Eagle and we were about all dry. Thanks to our weekly Nacho Rides the staff at the One Eye'd Dog Saloon treated us like kings and filled our water bottles without flinching and sent us on our way. By this point Craig was getting some leg cramps and ran over to the store for a banana.

Back on the trail we hit it hard and were making good time. I stopped to finish off my water in Walton and Craig caught me. He was still fighting cramps and needed to stretch and take a break. Even though we'd each had trouble it was a great ride and a lot of fun. We got back to the trail head with 43.3 miles and I had a grand total for the day of 63 miles.

Better already.

After feeling like death warmed over lastnight I got up this morning pretty much feeling better.

I've always believed that acting like I was fine was the quickest way to recover. So I got up, got on the bike and headed into work. It was then that I noticed the Antelope Valley Trail's turtle had gotten a pedicure. By the time I went by again this afternoon maintenance had cleaned the vandalism off. I guess I'm not the only one out on the trails that got better fast.

Today's miles on the work commute = 19.8

One way to wellness?

It was raining hard when it was time to go to work this morning. And I don't mind getting caught in the rain. But seldom do I set out when it's really coming down. Today was no exception.

I had to go back to work this evening so I took the Felt then. Most of the day at work I felt fatigued and rotten. WTH? I never get sick. This evening I've gone downhill more with aching muscles, chills, and a blah feeling. Granted I'm the worlds biggest baby when I do get sick or hurt, but I'm hoping I'll come out of it and be fine to ride tomorrow.

Today's miles on the one way work commute = 9.9

Nacho Riders Count.

I neglected to snap a picture, but volunteers from the GPTN were set up at the trail head on the Mopac counting trail users.

The Mopac has had brush trimmed back, but last night's storms left twigs scattered along the way. Evidently Patches tried to clear off debris by picking up branches with his bike.

We pushed against a bit of a head wind and rolled into Eagle as the wind died down. There was a fun group out tonight and we talked about this weekends Fox Hole 100 ride.

I had fun showing off my new Felt ZA tonight and it seemed happy to be on the Nacho Ride.

Shortly after leaving the trailhead I hit my 5,000th mile for 2010, my goal is 6,000 for the year, it'll be close!

Today's miles on the work commute and Nacho Ride = 48.5

The Felt ZA's first day at work.

I rode into the office this morning in light fog and 100 percent humidity. The Felt is oh so sweet. I love it! The ride home was fun and easy too.

The Felt ZA's maiden ride.

Yeah! I'm loving my new Felt ZA frame and fork and the new drive-train is sweet. I finally got a chance to sneak out tonight about 7PM to try it out. Matt from Bike Pedalers did a great job building it and it is an amazing bike! I took it to Holmes Lake, then East out of town on Hwy 2. I got back after dark with a grand total for the day of 31.51 miles.

A midday ride on the Jamaica North Trail.

After the swap meet the wife decided she wanted to go for a ride too, so we hit the Jamaica North Trail and took it to Roca before running into Craig and Ashley out getting some miles on this perfect day. I rode the Austro-Daimler from the swap meet and just loved it. It's a sound bike and a lot of fun to ride. But I was still looking forward to trying out my new Felt ZA.

Bicycle Swap Meet.

Today was Lincoln's annual Bike Swap Meet. I've gone the last couple of years and picked up a T-shirt or something. But this year I scored a cruiser and a really super sweet Austro-Daimler 10-speed for only $30.00! I got there when the gates opened at 9am and it was full of old bikes, parts and friends.

The folks from Nowear were there too showing their stuff and selling threads.

I'm SO excited!

Look! Look! Look!!!

I got the call today from Bike Pedalers that my new Felt ZA frame and parts are in and ready. I picked it up, but had a busy evening with the family, so tomorrow I'll get to take it out. I can't wait!

I'm SO disappointed.

This is the stone picnic shelter at the intersection of the Rock Island and Billy Wolff trails on the North side of the zoo.

Their turning it into a storage unit for the parks department. They'll keep tools and such for the Sunken Gardens and Rose Garden in it. It'll save them trips back to the shop when they need something, but that shelter was always a good meeting place for cyclists to meet for group rides.

I rode my loaner Surly Cross Check from Bike Pedalers to work and back today and got 20.0 miles.

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