Stormy Weather

Day 10:

Road to work and eventually brought the bike inside as a tornado warning moved in to Marion County.  What to do while waiting for the weather to pass?  Practice track stands with Tom!

Rode to O'Malia's on Bruce for some basic groceries and drop off some recycling.  Got a bit wet but didn't blow away.

To tour...

Day 9:

Today's ride was to work and back on Tom.  Brief, uneventful, but during an hour long conference call, it was decided what I need to do: tour

Paul gave me an excellent book on bicycle touring for my birthday and it would be a shame to waste.  It would be a bigger shame to spend much more time sitting in a cubicle.

Within the year is a fair plan.

Full Moon Ride

Day 8:

Tonight's full moon was the 3rd and final super moon of the year.  This made for an excellent Full Moon Ride.  Around the Circle, down the dark winding sections of the Wapahani Trail, and off to the Fountain Square.  I eventually broke off from the group to celebrate a friend's birthday on Mass Ave.  The only downside was my camera takes terrible photos in low light!

Bikes zipping around the Circle at the speed of light.

Stopping to take in the site and to reapply moonscreen. 

Filling up the racks outside Brass Ring.

Garfield Park

Day 7:

Out the door by 11am to relax in Garfield Park before filling up growlers from Fountain Square Brewery and winding up at the Piccadilly Penthouse for Dan and Kay's cookout.

Later that night I fired up the auto for it's weekly drive.  Wings from KSR... worth the fossil fuel.

Flat black Specialized 29er MTB, first appearance.

Disc brakes.  Almost flew over handlebars the first time experiencing them.

Colts 2014 opener is this evening, 30 years ago these beautiful trucks fled Baltimore to greener pastures.

Fort Ben

Day 6

This morning was overcast and dreary.  The news men insisted it looked worse than it actually was outside so we through with plans to ride.  Though I wouldn't call it rain, Courtney and I were greeted with a the steadiest of mists.  We road the Fall Creek Trail and cruised the loop at Fort Ben.

CT's Specialized and my Bianchi.  Soggy Saturday.

Pierre, the cocky French Pastry Chef, informed me of the 7 minute challenge to complete the 2.3 mile loop.  Definitely doable in less wet conditions.  Pierre admitted he couldn't quite make it.

runkeeper.com,  2.3 mile loop around Ft. Ben to be completed in 7 minutes or less.

Later rode Tom a couple blocks to Flat 12 and then to Al's place for the ND game (great times)!

Morning Loop

Day 5:

Using the 1/2 hour before work for a quick zip around Indianapolis via the Cultural Trail is a great way to start the day.  Showing up to work with a distinct sweat lines left from my shoulder bag creates an opportunity for ridicule.  Try to remember that after a 45 minute commute in a minivan that doubles as a toy box, I too may be ready to lash out.

You're not stuck in traffic, you ARE traffic.  photo from peci.org

Today debuts the latest addition to my fleet: 2002 Bianchi steel frame.  This was bought somewhat impulsively while mourning the loss of my 1984 Fuji (which was thankfully recovered, full story to come).  This is the lightest of all my bikes thanks to the carbon fork and Campy components.  While the paddle shifters make for smooth riding, the handlebars are a bit too wide for my taste.  This and possibly a Brooks saddle are the only adjustments I foresee.

Ride and Shine!

Day 4:

 7am trip to doctor's office to get a physical for work.  5 minute appointment.  Lost 3 hours of sleep...

Indy skyline from Highland Park on near East side.