July 29, 2008 - Bittern Lake + 2

Tuesday night was quite hot - 27c. I loaded up with water and headed West. Hwy 13 was very busy. I got a bit of a scare from one transport truck that didn't give me much room on the narrow shoulder by the merge lane just West of Camrose. I went 2km past Bittern Lake to where I left my helmet. I though maybe someone would leave a sign or something - just dreaming. I thought I was going upwind on the way there, but it turned out to be just as hard back. Upwind and Uphill both directions...... Anyway not a bad ride. No bike problems. 37km in 1.5 hours - no record..

Total to date = 389 km

July 26, 2008 What a dummy!!!

Decided to go for a ride. Lou had picked up some new tubes and two new tires at United Cycle earlier in the week, so I had repaired the flat and was ready to go. I loaded my stuff in the Van... where is my Helmet? where are my Gloves? WHERE IS MY GARMIN WATCH???
The thought struck me like a blow to the stomach...... I had left them on the shoulder of the road, when Louise had picked me up at Bittern Lake..... the more I thought about it, the more sure I was. I had had to walk 20 yards or so to the Van, Loaded the bike, changed my shoes, and drove off.... WHAT A DUMMY!!!

After I cooled down - and later in the day, I went for a short ride - 25km. From the Fitness Centre (Edgeworth) East on 26, then South to Legacy, then back to Edgeworth on Hwy 13.
Temp hot - 27c. Wind about 15km from East, so the first leg was a bit slow. Did my workout (less the leg exercises) when I got back to the fitness center. Nice ride, but.......


Total to date 352 km

July 19, 2008 - 1/2 a Bike Ride

I set off Saturday Morning to do about 50k. Thought I would go to Gwynn and back.
I left from the Edgeworth Center (so I could have a shower on my return), and had a good ride, although into wind, to Bittern Lake. About 6km after bittern lake I heard a SHHHHHHHH. My rear tire was flat. Furtunately I had a spare tube and CO2 inflation device. Unfortunately I must have pinched the tube when putting the tire on, so I couldn't inflate it.
I ended up having to call Louise to come and get me. Sat on the road for about 1/2 hour while waiting. One family stopped, but by that time Lou was on the way.....

18km for total of 327km

July 8, 2008 - 29km

July 8, 2008. I left after work - a bit of a late start 5:30. I headed for Bittern Lake, but storm clouds to the West made me turn North onto 21. The ride North was quite good with wide clean shoulders. I road out past Rogers house. The ride back was ok until near junction. Then a combination of mud on the shoulders and narrow shoulders made it a bit uncomfortable. Next time I will switch sides and ride against traffic for the last bit. Overall a good ride, I averaged almost 30kph once out of the City.

Total to date 309km.

2008-07-05 - Bittern Lake

Saturday July 5. After helping Louise with the grass, I headed in to Camrose around 11:00.
Road from City Hall to Bittern Lake and back. 32km. I had about a 25km headwind, so my speed increased quite a bit on the way back. Nice ride. My new gloves helped quite a bit - my hands didn't get as numb as they did previously. Bernie, Carmen, Pierre and Lynne were at the house when I got back. Nice visit.


Total to date 280km

July 2, 2008 - The County Line...

After work today, I headed West on Hwy 13, intending to go to Bittern Lake. There was a 20km head on cross wind, which made my cycling slow. As I approaced Bittern Lake, I could see the sign for Gwynn, so I decided to see how far it would be. Turned out to be another 11km. I decided I could go to the County Line (Camrose/Wetaskiwin), but didn't have time/energy/water to add 22km to my route.

As I approaced the County Line, I noticed a car pulled over ahead of me, with a Sailplane trailer attached. I road up to see if I could help.
He turned out to be the manager of the Alberta Soaring Council, and he was on his way back from a successful soaring competition in North Battleford. We had a good chat. He had made a temporary repair to his car so was ready to be on his way. His name was Phil Stade, and he is based out of Calgary. He took the position with the ASC after he retired. Nice fellow. http://www.soaring.ab.ca/.

The trip home was easier (downwind). Hit a high speed of 51kph on the Grand Drive hill - I guess I was speeding.... Round trip was about 40km.

Total to date 248km