[Ronin]

Hi Everyone!

All good things come to and end. Here in NJ we got a brief respite from the fall/winter weather that had begun with almost a week of mid-70's (Fareheight) every afternoon. This evening it changes back as the forecast for tomorrow is rain and behind the rain is a return to the seasonal temperatures (50 - 60) and they will get lower and lower as the daylight hours grow shorter.

The good news is that Linda and I are still logging the miles on an almost daily basis and still averaging 100-plus miles per week. The rest of the season we will be back in heavier jerseys, more layers, leg warmers and when the temps dip below 40 into our winter kits complete with face masks and booties when the temps drop below 40. Actually, below 40 is when Linda reduces her outdoor riding and my single gets more road time.

The up-side is that spring will come again.

[Gordonm]

Yes it has been nice. I rode one morning in the 40s and since then have been in my shorts and short sleeve shirt. I took a long 53 miler last week and it sure felt good. I have slacked off this week a little due to work but still got in a bunch of miles. It is getting tougher to ride.

I took a digger yesterday. 4 way stop and I am stopped and a car approaches slowing down. I get on and clip in and go. I think I make eye contact with her but she goes anyway. I yell, her window is down. Grab a fistfull of brakes and stop about a few inches from her door. Look right at her and she never even slows down. I turn my wheel so she does not hit me and she wizzes on by and I go down. Still clipped in. Laying in the road I look up and never even see brake lights even though I see her look in the mirror. She takes off. I'm okay so I hop on and start sprinting at her. Hoping for a red light or traffic to catch her. No luck! I pull into a Wawa and compose myself. Just a little road rash but no harm. I do not know what I would have done if I caught her but man it can happen in the blink of an eye.

I'll be back out tomorrow!

[Ronin]

Hi Gordon!

I know the close-calls all too well. I don't know what planet some drivers think they are on, but it isn't this one. Defensive riding is the only way to go and yielding to cars, even if they don't deserve it, is the only safe way to be on the roads.

I've often thought of purchasing a helmet mounted recording system (which are getting affordable) to record our journeys and, if something happens, having a record of the automobile involved.

Apologies for the delayed response, if you visit the Chit-Chat forum you already know that we had to euthanize our Male Cat Mr. Muggles today (Friday) as he was in end-stage Chronic Renal Failure and had a massive stoke that left him unable to swallow.

As we say to our tandem friends -- stay upright.

[Gordonm]

Soory to hear about your cat. Always tough to lose a good friend.

We just adopted a small male cat that is about 3 months old. A friend had a stray get pregnant and had 2 kittens under her shed. One died, this one is quite healthy and eats a lot. Our 3 year old female cat is not taking to well to the new company. Hopefully they will become friends before to long.

Good day for a ride today. Took my car in for service and put the bike in the back. Took the long road home and will ride back later to get the car. Always looking for an excuse to ride.

[dar917]

I am still riding to work, and it has been in the 40s and 50s here the past couple weeks. I intend to see if I can keep going until the snow gets too deep.

Originally Posted by Gordonm

I took a digger yesterday. 4 way stop and I am stopped and a car approaches slowing down. I get on and clip in and go. I think I make eye contact with her but she goes anyway. I yell, her window is down. Grab a fistfull of brakes and stop about a few inches from her door. Look right at her and she never even slows down. I turn my wheel so she does not hit me and she wizzes on by and I go down. Still clipped in. Laying in the road I look up and never even see brake lights even though I see her look in the mirror. She takes off. I'm okay so I hop on and start sprinting at her. Hoping for a red light or traffic to catch her. No luck! I pull into a Wawa and compose myself. Just a little road rash but no harm. I do not know what I would have done if I caught her but man it can happen in the blink of an eye.

I was riding downtown once, came to a 4-way stop. I was going to go straight, and this huge pickup to the left was signaling to turn left. So we both would've gone South. I go to start crossing, and the truck keeps going! People are such jerks to bicyclists.

So sorry about your kitty Ronin.

[Ronin]

Hi Everyone!

Well, Summer is definately over! The PM temperatures have dropped into the mid to low 50's and, just to make things more interesting, the winds have picked up -- nothing like making the daily ride more "charachter building."