Bike Week: Day 3

On Sunday KJ and I did what is currently our longest ride of the year. Over 32 miles on the Yough Trail, from the Greenock ballfield to Cedar Creek Park and back. Up until this point, our longest ride was less than 21 miles, so this is a major step up. This was something of a treat, because we actually drove to the trail rather than starting from the house. Because we were leaving early, we included "Lunchables" for our lunch break on the trail. These things are really handy, and they're a treat for the kids.


So Bike Week so far is:

8/15 9.03 miles Blue Slide Park
8/16 15.28 miles Schenley Park
8/17 32.67 miles Yough Trail

For a total 0f 56.98 miles.

Bike Week!

This week is going to be "Bike Week" in our house. KJ is finished with his camp, and doesn't start school until next week. Unfortunately, his aide, who normally would schedule extra time with KJ during this time off, will be away on vacation. And the Weather Channel is saying that the weather all week is going to be absolutely perfect, with highs around 80 degrees and no rain. So what we have is a "perfect storm", circumstances coming together to provide a unique opportunity. KJ and I will be biking every day for more than a week.

We actually started on Friday, August 15th, with a 9 mile ride to one of KJ's favorite places, Blue Side Park. Saturday we did a hilly ride to Schenley Park and back, which added another 15 miles plus.

I will update every day so we can track out progress.

Back in the Saddle Again

My apologies for having neglected this blog for so long! We have been bicycling quite a bit since my last post at the beginning of the year. Here's a few quick hits:

GREAT INVENTION: Whoever came up with the powdered drink mixed in the individual single-serving packets should be congratulated. Whether your tastes run to Kool-aid, Gatorade, Crystal Light, or Capri Sun, there is something there for every member of the family. The packets are easy to carry on the bike, and all you need is a water fountain or a water pump to refill the water bottle on your bike. As an added bonus, the kids seem to get a real kick out of pouring the packets into the bottle and shaking them up.

GREAT INVENTION II: The Hot Metal Pedestrian Bridge, which connects the South Side Trail and the Jail Trail, is a HUGE improvement to the usability of both trails. It opened in November 2007, and we didn't get a chance to ride it until earlier this year. Previously you had to go downtown and use the Smithfield Street Bridge to get from one trail to the other. The Hot Metal is a convenient shortcut, and even allows you to ride a loop if you want (Jail Trail to Smithfield Street Bridge, then to the South Side Trail, then over the Hot Metal to get back on the Jail Trail).

The Hot Metal Bridge isn't perfect; I absolutely HATE that stupid switchback they put in on the South Side end of it. If you are on a tandem. or towing a trailer (or both!), then you'll have to walk your bike up and down that switchback. And on the Jail Trail end that have what amounts to a T-intersection with very sharp turns. If two cyclists hit the intersection at the same time, one is going to have to stop in order to prevent a collision.