17-Mar-24      SUN      Rockwall-Forney Ride

Had a good ride with my 2 ride mates, Eva and Carlos. The north wind (headwind on return) seemed like it would be pretty tough as we first left Forney but then it didn't turn out to be that bad. Thankful for that!
 
bike: Neuvation Road Bike; start time: 9:11; end: 12:46; avg: 14.6; max: 30.1; climb: 1617; miles: 43.74; mtd miles:473.33; ytd miles:1846.68
CLOUDY; wind: N 9; start temp: 56; end: 59

Tuesday 3/19/24 Clown Ride:
 
Participants: Daniel S, Larry K, Bob M, Butch Y, Don C, and me.
 
Daniel and Larry rode together. Don rode extra fast, solo, to get in some cardio. Bob led Butch and I on two lake laps and SoPac Trail up-and-backs for a total of 41+ miles. Butch, Don, and I rode to the Green Spot for lunch and conversation. Following lunch, Butch and I completed a fast counterclockwise lake lap. Don's motor was inoperable, so he took the short route back to Sunset Bay. My Garmin's battery failed and didn't record any info, so all I know is that I rode the usual 52 miles total.
 
During the 20-mile break at Sunset Bay, Daniel complained about excessive slack in his 700's chain and noise. A group gathered at his trike and a number of off the cuff opinions were given. Larry finally discovered why there was slack in the chain - the teeth on the derailleur cage pulley were worn down. As concluded in the above ride report, a worn-out chain ultimately caused the cage pulley to wear out.
 
After our ride, Don brought his ICE Sprint X Tour e-trike to the Mosquito Works so I could get the motor to operate. Both brake handles have magnetic switches on them that cut power to the motor when either brake is applied. The reason the motor was not operating is the magnet on one of the brake handles was missing. I used double-backed mounting tape to apply a double stack of ceramic magnets to the brake handle. The motor now operates when both brake handles are in the "not applied" position.

Eastside ride, Saturday, 03;23/24:
 
Heidi, John, and I joined Ferd this morning and did the North loop, as we were starting against a chilly wind.  The sun was out and roads were drying off, so we had a pleasant ride.  John and Heidi turned back from the water tower in Lucas, and Ferd and I tried to overtake them before they got back to the shop, but somehow failed to do that.  They might have altered their route back.  We got 32 miles for the day.

Thursday morning I came to the lake with a sore back.  Moving a bit slowly, I was late.  Kenny had started, and both Don and Lynn had afternoon appointments, so they took off together as I crept around getting ready.  Butch stayed and rode with me at a moderate pace.  Larry rode at the same time, but at  his own pace.  E Bob showed up later, as did John and Heidi.  The sun kept some of the chill off early on, and we completed 41 miles.  Jay showed up in time for a trip to the Spot.  He's been getting his house ready for visiting family

Lynn and Kenny were at the lake when I arrived, and soon Larry joined us.  Kenny started early, and Don came as we were about to start.  Don rode solo, and the rest of us rode together sometimes and untogether the rest of the time.  On the second lap Lynn and Larry ran off and left me, and I had an unusual moment.  Coming off the SPT alone as the clouds broke up, I pulled onto West Lawther in full sunshine with not a soul in sight.  No cars, cyclists, or pedestrians.  I was alone in Dallas in the middle of a sunny day!  I struggled on W. Lawther against the stiff wind so I switched to level three boost with immediate effect.  I got around to go with the wind and enjoyed 20 to 25 mph touring for a couple of miles before switching back to level two.  I collected 41 miles.  Jay showed up to go to the Spot with Kenny for lunch.

23-Mar-24      SAT      South Loop Velomobile Solo

Ride start in Rowlett and most southerly point reached was near Cartwright & Lawson in Mesquite. I wasn't feeling it on this ride. I was riding because it would have been a shame to blow off this beautiful day.
 
bike: DFXL; start time: 11:52; end: 15:35; avg:29.3; max: 39.2; climb: 1696; miles: 65.38; mtd miles:621.86; ytd miles:1995.21
SUNNY; wind: NNE 7; start temp: 54; end: 65

26-Mar-24      TUE      CLOWN RIDE

The ride was really hard. I don't know if that is because it was so cold; so windy; not much sleep last night; or not much to eat yesterday or today. I'm exhausted and sleepy. Rode with Larry. I also rode a different trike - my Bacchetta Carbon Trike. There's a bit of a learning curve riding that. Hadn't ridden it in months.  This is making me wonder if I should do the Velo Vets Ride tomorrow?
 
bike: BACCHETTA TRIKE; start time: 10:23; end: 13:36; avg:14.9; max: 24.6; climb: 650; miles: 40.2; mtd miles:705.46; ytd miles:2078.81
SUNNY; wind: NW 11; start temp: 45; end: 51