33rd outdoor ride of 2022 - Tuesday, 5/31/2022

2022 mileage: 2756.9

This morning I left just past 9:00 and rode a round trip to Baker Rd. in absolutely gorgeous conditions -- unbroken calm sunshine that was 76° when I began and up to 85° when i finished. Because I went just a slightly shorter route on the outbound leg, I fell just a bit short of my usual 20 miles for that destination, ringing up 19.2 miles in 2:32.

Relive video of today's ride

32nd outdoor ride of 2022 - Monday, 5/30/2022 (MEMORIAL DAY)

2022 mileage: 2737.7

What a BEAUTIFUL way to begin the holiday! I left at 6:00 a.m. and rode a round trip to Marsh Park, along with a loop in Stonebridge on the way home, for a ride of 12.4 miles in 1:32, under unbroken early sunshine, 64° when I left, and 71° when I finished (with a high forecast to be in the mid-eighties this afternoon).

Relive video of today's ride

Sunday, 5/29/2022

2022 mileage: 2725.3

It's supposed to be into the eighties this afternoon, so I greatly desired to get my ride done early today, while it was still cool. Even though the sun rose at 6:02, I waited until 6:30 and then rode the Platt/Packard Square (13.6 miles) in 1:29.

Relive video of today's ride

31st outdoor ride of 2022 - 5/28/2022

2022 mileage: 2711.7

This afternoon I rode a round trip to the near edge of Saline (the intersection of Ann Arbor-Saline Rd. and Woodland Drive), for 11.1 miles in 1:29, enjoying beautiful brilliant 69° sunshine, It was a slow ride, but i just decided to enjoy the conditions and not push myself.

Relive video of today's ride

30th outdoor ride of 2022 - Friday, 5/27/2022

2022 mileage: 2700.6

Today was a disastrous day for riding. I began at 10:00 a.m. in pleasantly warm 66° conditions, but thick humidity that slapped me like a punch when I stepped out into it.

I decided to ride the Packard/Platt square, and it started fine ... but just beyond the 777 Building, when I was descending the big hill where the road crosses over a railroad track, I picked up enough speed to cause slack in the chain that allowed it somehow to wrap around the pedal crank, creating a terrible mess.

I tried tor a while to straighten it out, but it was beyond me, and my efforts were wholly unsuccessful. I texted Michelle, who was still at home, having no school today as part of the extended holiday weekend. She came and picked me up, and we put the rack on the car and went back and got the trike. Once we got home, we tried for 10 minutes or so to straighten it out, but it was beyond our combined abilities. I told her, "Let me contact Dan (my friend Dan Cogan, who has so often assisted me with mechanical trike issues)—he seems to be almost a specialist in untangling chain issues."

Dan was able to come help me, and at first he was inclined to say, "Oh, Allen, this isn't so bad." However, a short ways into it, he had changed his mind, and decided that I had a real big mess. He worked on it for a while as Michelle and I had, trying to leave the chain intact, but finally determined that it wouldn't work. He pointed out to me that the chain has a "quick link" that allows it to be taken apart, and asked me if I wanted him to try that. I quickly assented, thinking that I had neither the tools nor the knowledge to do it myself. He soon had it unlinked, and was able to unwrap the chain from the crank and then refasten the chain. He demurred modestly, "I'm not very good with chains, especially getting them back together." YOU COULD HAVE FOOLED ME, DAN!

While he was still there, I did a short test ride to be sure everything was OK for the long holiday weekend, but it was just fine. Though I feel as if I should go out and ride this afternoon, the drive has been sucked out me by this episode, and it's only continued to get warmer, so -- TOMORROW!

Relive video of today's ride

29th outdoor ride of 2022 - Thursday, 5/26/2022

2022 mileage: 2697.6

This has been a busy week. I have not been able to ride since Sunday as I've been heavily engaged in doing some music printing work for a friend.

I went out late this morning (beginning at 10:30 and enjoyed favorable conditions, with a temperature of 68° (that climbed to 72° by the end, a somewhat muggy feel to the air, and a relatively robust wind (14 mph from the southwest).

The humid air was caused by rain moving in, and it started to fall very lightly a couple of miles before I finished. This caused me to settle for a shorter ride than I had wanted to do—a round trip to Marsh Park, augmented by a loop on Bicentennial Parkway (10.8 miles in 1:23).

Relive video of today's ride

Wednesday, 5/25/2022

2022 mileage: 2686.8

I am currently mired in an ABYSMAL stretch for my riding, as I have not ridden since Sunday. The last two days, I was deep into a Finale (music notation) project for a friend, and while I was gad to be able to do it, it ended up being much more complex and time-consuming than I had initially estimated.

Today, on the other hand, I looked forward to riding outside again. However, early today when the weather was agreeable, my schedule did not permit it; and now, midday, the rains have moved in. (Though I would not want to ride now anyway, as the Tigers have an afternoon game in Minnesota.)

27th outdoor ride of 2022 - Sunday, 5/22/2022 (LIFE DAY)

2022 mileage: 2686.8

I set off a bit before 8:00 this morning and did the route I set out to do yesterday (but had to truncate slightly then because of the weather), riding the 13.7-mile Platt/Packard Square in 1:47.

I was celebrating LIFE DAY, the name Michelle and I give to May 22, the anniversary of the May 22, 1993 accident that nearly killed me. While I was being initially treated at the hospital, Michelle was told there was a good chance I would not live the night.

It was a brisk ride, however! The sky was pretty thoroughly cloudy, with a bit of a breeze keeping the 56° temperature from getting too carried away! I was comfortable riding in shorts and a Hawaiian shirt, but I'm certain that some of the drivers who went by me must have worried about that looney nut on the funny bike.

(I still explain to people on occasion, but for the most part have given up on getting people to understand that it's a tricycle or trike, not a bicycle or bike, as tri- is Latin for 3, while bi- is Latin for 2.)

Relive video of today's ride

26th outdoor ride of 2022 - Saturday, 5/21/2022

2022 mileage: 2673.1

This morning I received a crystal clear demonstration of the fact that meteorology is not an exact science.

Based on the forecast last night, I was planning to wait and ride about noon today. Then, however, when I got up this morning, the forecast had changed, and it looked as if I had time to slip in my frequent ride of almost 14 miles, since they were calling for cloudy but dry conditions until about 11:00. So I set off a bit before 9:00.

About 6 miles into the ride, though, the rain began to fall -- light at first, but then harder and harder, with the wind picking up also. Shortly thereafter, I cut my plans back to a slightly shorter ride, but between miles 6 and 9 it was pretty miserable, and I was quite bedraggled, between the heavy rain, the strong wind, and the mud that was thrown up on me from the ground.

The last couple of miles, the rain lightened considerably, but still continued to fall. In the end, I rode the Platt/Ellsworth Rectangle (12.0 miles) in 1:23.

The good news, however, is that after Thursday's inexplicably slow ride, I took the trike back to Jack's (the dealer) in Dearborn yesterday. they replaced both brake cables, and that took care of the problem, so that I was able to ride at a decent speed again today. I had to be there long enough, though, that by the time I got back to Ann Arbor I decided to take the day off from riding.

Relive video of today's ride

25th outdoor ride of 2022 - Thursday, 5/19/2022

2022 mileage: 2661.1

Today's ride was highly challenging. I was experiencing issues with the trike, which made it ride quite slowly (and even that only with great effort). I was highly tempted to cut it short, but instead persevered and rode the Packard//Platt Square the slowest I've ever done it (13.6 miles in 2:11).

relive video of today's ride

Wednesday, 5/18/2022

2022 mileage: 2647.5

Today we are enjoying a pretty much daylong rain, so I returned gratefully to the stationary bike, and rode 26.2 virtual miles (in 1:55) while watching the movie Gigi, which won the Oscar for Best Picture in 1959.

I met my ex-, Deb, at St. Olaf College, where we were both music majors. In the spring of 1979, we shared a voice recital, each doing our own half, and then joining forces on the duet I Remember It Well—from Gigi. In the four-plus decades since then, I had forgotten all about it, and had not thought of it at all until I watched the movie today.

Amusingly (in retrospect, though at the time it was NOT so amusing), I forgot some of the lyrics during the recital (I did NOT remember it well), and had to make some up on the go.

I Remember It Well from Gigi

Tuesday, 5/17/2022

2022 mileage: 2621.3

I took my trike to the dealer in Dearborn this morning, and was happy to learn that I wasn't going crazy, after all, when I experienced such difficulty riding yesterday. I took a note with me suggesting my thought about the problem (that something was impeding the free turning of one or more wheels). It didn't take them long at all to find and correct the problem. The right brake cable had pulled out of the housing the holds it to the handlebar, and this had shortened the cable and caused the brake to apply constantly against the tire. When I asked why this had happened, the technician said it was hard to say ... it could have happened, for instance, when I was sitting down on the trike, if I had bumped the cable.

Anyway, I was soon taken care of and back on my way. I experienced a bit of adventure on the way to Dearborn, too. Looking in the mirror, I saw my pannier (the bag that clips on to the back of the trike and holds my tools and parts for changing a tube when needed) come unclipped and fly off, onto the highway (I-94), It took me about a half hour to get off the highway, get back to the place where it came off, and pick it up. I was surprised that I was able to find it, and that it was undamaged!

I had hoped to do a short ride this afternoon now that I have a restored trike available to me, and I hate to waste a glorious sunny, warm day. But I'm going to skip a ride today, and go crawl in for a nap instead, in preparation for this evening. I have a big, important event -- an audition for the Detroit Handbell Ensemble -- and I want to do everything I can to enhance my chances.

24th outdoor ride of 2022 - Monday, 5/16/2022

2022 mileage: 2621.3

Before I ever went outside to ride today, I had planned to keep it short. I'm so glad this was already un my mind, because the trike was extremely slow and difficult to ride, and I am going to have to take it to the dealer in Dearborn (Jack's) tomorrow to see if they can figure it out.

Conditions today were lovely, though - 73° aunshine.

Relive video of today's ride

23rd outdoor ride of 2022 - Sunday, 5/15/2022

2022 mileage: 2615.4

Today, after not riding Friday because of mechanical issues with my brake cable with which my friend Dan Cogan helped me, and not riding yesterday because I went for a good hike with my friends Tom Brown and Tom Clark, and allowed that to suffice for my daily exercise, I was eager to get back to it today. However, I allowed myself to settle for a single round trip to Marsh Park (in resplendent conditions; 67° sunshine).

As I neared the Park, I passed a runner, who called out cheerfully, "Enjoy your ride!" And when I paused briefly at the park, I saw that I had a text message from Michelle, who told me, "Enjoy your ride!" So, even though I was feeling mildly disappointed or even embarrassed by the short ride, I took the hint and adjusted my attitude, feeling more gratitude on the way home. 😊

Relive video of today's ride

Friday, 5/13/2022

2022 mileage: 2605.1

This morning I was busy with other tasks, and by the time I could ride this afternoon, I didn't really want to.

it was already over 80°, which is entirely too warm for my liking. However, I was going to push myself to ride anyway.

When I got out to the garage, I had to park the trike on the driveway momentarily, so I set the brakes to prevent it from rolling into the street. But when I went to release them, the left one gave a loud CRACK. I tried a short ride, but it was squeaking badly, and grabbing the wheel so it didn't turn freely.

Though I hated to bother him, I contacted my friend Dan Cogan, and Dan came right over to help me cheerfully (as he always does). Though he couldn't figure it out initially, eventually he was able to sleuth the fact that something was wrong with the connection between the brake cable and the wheel, and was able to set me right.

However, between the heat, and the way this episode has drained my gumption, I've decided to wait. When I texted Dan my thanks, "He said, "Believe it or not, I haven't ridden my trike yet this year! Maybe tomorrow?" So I replied, "To put a twist on the musical Annie, "Tomorrow, tomorrow, we'll both ride tomorrow, it's only a day away!"

Tomorrow from Annie

22nd outdoor ride of 2022 - Thursday, 5/12/2022

2022 mileage: 2605.1

Yesterday I rode my 20-mile round trip route to Baker Rd. for the second consecutive day ... but on the way home, my thighs were burning, screaming at me, "What the hell are you DOING to us?" 😂 I wanted to do a third today, but in light of the circumstances felt I should back down, so I rode the Packard/Platt Square -- 13.5 miles in 1:49, in LOVELY conditions (sunshine, and 71° climbing to 81° during the ride).

During the first half of the ride, I listened to Handel Keyboard Suites again. However, during the second half I turned away from music altogether. The Tigers are playing a 1:00 game in Detroit today, and my sports-talk station (97.1, "The Ticket") had a table set up with their midday hosts, Doug Karsch and Scott "The Gator" Anderson outside the entrance to Comerica Park, and they were talking Tiger baseball, so I listened to that.

A couple of miles before reaching home, this view greeted me as I rode along the Lohr-Textile Greenway just east of Lohr Rd.

Then a little over a mile farther on, there was this, as I climbed the hill to our complex.

Relive video of today's ride

21st outdoor ride of 2022 - Wednesday, 5/11/2022

2022 mileage: 2591.6

After my positive test for COVID last week, I allowed myself to lay low for a few days, and am still in the process of rebuilding my stamina. Nevertheless, today I rode the round trip to Baker Rd. (Dexter) for the second consecutive day (19.1 miles in 2:38). The AQ (Adventure Quotient) of today's ride was quite modest, but something did happen.

At just before 8 miles into the ride, my pannier (the bag on the back) came unhooked, and I heard it fall to the ground. I was able to stop, pick it up, and quickly reattach it. Fortunately there was nothing fragile in there—only a spare tube, and the few tools I need to replace it if need be, including the small portable pump with which I inflate it On a few rare occasions, I've carried my laptop in there for a short ride if I were going to need it. But usually there's nothing in it beyond the items I've described.

Relive video to today's ride

20th outdoor ride of 2022 - Tuesday, 5/10/2022

2022 mileage: 2572.5

Another phenomenal weather day today‚ mostly sunny, and though I forgot to check the temperature when I left at 11:30, it was up to 82° when I finished. And on the way home, I stopped by Dairy Queen, put on my mask, and ordered my first Blizzard of 2022 (Mint Oreo).

I took advantage of the weather by doing my first round trip to Baker Rd. (Dexter) since November 9—20.0 miles, in 2:35.

However, though I did not ride fast, it looks even slower on the video. This is because of a faux pas on my part—when I stopped at Dairy Queen, I neglected to pause the MapMyRide app, and didn't catch this until I was just about ready to leave there, by which point an additional 20 minutes (approximately) had run off.

Relive video of today's ride

19th outdoor ride of 2022 - Monday, 5/9/2022

2022 mileage: 2552.5

Today's riding weather was the most gorgeous I can remember in I-don't-know HOW long. It was 71° and brightly sunny, with very little humidity or wind. Accordingly, I enjoyed a ride that was perhaps shorter than I could have done, but after my positive test for COVID last weekend, I'm still taking it easy. I went around the Packard/Platt Square (13.6 miles) in 1:35.

I always listen to music on my phone while I ride, and today's repertoire demonstrated sort of a schizophrenic musical personality. For the first half I listened to recordings of Handel Keyboard Suites, recommended to me by Paul Davoux. And then in the second half -- "Now for something completely different"! Back on February 7, National Public Radio did a piece on the Scott Joplin ragtime piece The Entertainer, which was featured prominently in the movie The Sting, and swept the nation in popularity in 1974, with seemingly every pianist in the country working on it (including yours truly). With their piece, NPR including a link to a Spotify playlist of numerous versions of The Entertainer—for large ensemble, for chamber ensemble, and many solo versions (quite a few, of course, for the original piano called for, several for guitar, and even ones for jazz piano, harmonica (!), accordion, and solo violin (featuring Itzhak Perlman!). I downloaded the playlist and find it quite appealing, but my daughter Christy is baffled by this tendency of her old man, and my wife Michelle is quite turned off by it. (Occasionally I will go to sleep listening to it, and she can't figure that out AT ALL!) Anyway, that constituted my listening for the second half of today's ride, providing GREAT contrast to the Handel!

Relive video of today's ride

18th outdoor ride of 2022 - Sunday, 5/8/2022 (Mother's Day)

2022 mileage: 2538.9

After testing positive for COVID last week, I cut myself some slack yesterday and did not ride, even though I was not feeling poorly. Today, I was eager to get back to it, but thought it prudent to keep the ride short, so I just did a single round trip to Marsh Park.

I left at 7 a.m., and the weather was spectacular for this quiet, early Sunday morning. It was brilliantly sunny (even though only 41° which rose to 50° during my ride), and as I left our complex I was treated to this view of the flowering trees that line the drive:

I saw my friend Doug Franklin again today during his daily walk (twice, actually—coming and going), and I got in a good ride of 9.9 miles, in 1:17.

Relive video of today's ride

Saturday, 5/7/2022

2022 mileage: 2529.0

Having tested positive for COVID in the middle of this week, I am still mired in the 5-day self-quarantine recommended by the CDC. Although I am not feeling poorly (at all), I am using this as justification for my lazy decision to avoid riding today.

17th outdoor ride of 2022 - Friday, 5/6/2022

2022 mileage: 2529.0

I am currently stuck in an extremely and frustratingly unproductive stretch for my riding. Last Friday night Michelle got COVID at an evening school function that ended up being a superspreader, and since she lovingly passed it along to me, I tested positive this week. She urged me to curtail my ride today and be satisfied with a short one in order to guard my energy, so I just did a 4-mile round trip to the library to return a book (in a slow 31 minutes). The weather was on the cool side for this time of year (56°) and cloudy, but we're supposed to see dramatic improvement over the weekend, with Sunday (Mother's Day) being "spectacular."

Relive video of today's ride

16th outdoor ride of 2022 - Wednesday, 5/4/2022

2022 mileage: 2525.0

Today's ride was cool (51° when I started at 10:30, and up to 56° when I finished) and breezy (13 mph from the north). Nevertheless, it was great to be able to ride outside again.

I rode the Platt/Packard Square, for 13.6 miles in 1:40.

I experienced a nice surprise, too. At Lillie Park I was stopped for a moment, and a large man with glasses and a beard and a voice similar to my friend Jeff Flynn came walking toward me, held out his hand, and said, "Hi!" It was not Jeff, however, but a new friend. I showed him my card, and we conversed a little bit -- I learned that he lives in the country south of Ypsilanti, has several trikes, and comes into town occasionally to be able to ride on the trails.

Steve said that he had seen me earlier in my ride, then wondered whether he could catch up to me to chat a bit. I'm always happy to meet a fellow triker, and only kicked myself after we parted to realize that I had not thought to ask if I could get his picture.

Relive video of today's ride

Tuesday, 5/3/2022

2022 mileage: 2511.4

Today it had warmed up enough to make riding outside a more realistic option. But we were experiencing rain most of the day, so I returned once more to the stationary bike. After watching Fatal Attraction during my ride yesterday, today I returned to my survey of winners of the Best Picture Oscar, and watched Ordinary People, which won it in 1981, starring Mary Tyler Moore and Donald Sutherland. This gave me a ride of 30.0 virtual miles, in 2:04.

Trailer for Ordinary People

Monday, 5/2/2022

2022 mileage: 2481.4

After not riding on either day this past weekend, I was eager to get back to it today. I could have and perhaps should have ridden outside. But when I was outside doing errands this morning, the cold persisted (in the low forties) and it was spitting rain, so I chose to ride on the stationary bike this afternoon, even though temperatures had skyrocketed into the fifties this afternoon and I certainly could have tolerated an outdoor ride.

While riding, I watched the 1987 psychothriller, Fatal Attraction. At the time, I saw it in the theater, but haven't thought of it in the intervening 35 years. But when I saw an interview with Glenn Close on the Today show this morning, and she claimed that it was a key moment in her career, I decided to watch it again ... this gave me a ride of 30.9 virtual miles, in 1:59.

Trailer for Fatal Attraction