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G'Morning!

Yesterday, I looked at the temperature about 11:30 and it seemed about 86°F ... Warm and dry and sunny, yay! Time for a ride. :) At that temperature, I pulled on an exercise tank top rather than usual cycle shirt (cooler and I'm trying to roast in my upper arms a little bit to get rid of my 'farmer's tan' just for the heck of it, and off I went.

In motion, the heat seemed less significant. Traffic was light, but it's been getting a bit heavier in the past week. I'd arranged with a friend to meet at the memorial in Japan town for lunch so I had to stop for a sandwich. Running a little late, I took a slightly shorter route and made up five minutes time, picked up my sandwich, and arrived only 8 minutes behind schedule. My buddy was four minutes more behind schedule so he never knew the difference. :) Sitting at the appropriate distance on the memorial bench, we had a good chat and enjoyed watching some of the people and their kids re-surfacing on the streets in the neighborhood there.

It was hotter as we finished up and I started back, hotter enough that I checked the weather with the phone. Woof! Temps touch about 101°F for a short few moments! I took it easy and just made my way back on my chosen path, enjoying the heat in a way without stressing my body too much. I was dripping when I arrived home ...

As an aside, I ordered a new, heavy duty lock for SBG and it had arrived the previous evening. One of the Kryptonite chain locks with an excellent lock mechanism, fairly pick resistant, and about as strong a set of links as you can get in the size. I like it a lot ... But it's almost five and a half pounds to carry, and too bulky. Sigh. It goes back: I honestly don't want it on my back, and what to carry it in, and where, on the bicycle is too much of an issue. I've settled on using a lock I already had ... the Abus Granite Bordo X-6500 link lock, about 4lbs ... because it folds up tidily compact and its case bolts nicely to the top-tube on SBG. I might also consider swapping its position with that of the tire pump case—the tire pump weighs nothing by comparison—but I have to test whether I can get the lock in and out of the case in that position.. So many things to work out with this stuff!

I stripped off my cycle gear and tossed it directly into the washing machine with whatever other clothes I had in the basket, jumped into a nice cooling shower, and sipped an ice coffee. A nice 17 miler day. Should be cooler today.

Onwards, always onwards! G
 
I had a bad day today........ Out for a ride with my daughter on my Crosstrail. I felt good. We rode north and I wanted to ride some bridges for some work. Over the first bridge, no issues. Out Edgely Rd I warned my daughter there's a long incline and we turn and continue up at the intersection. I was doing well, made the turn and continued. I didn't recover as quickly as usual. I slowed and continued. It took a lot longer than normal to recover. I was wondering what the heck was going on. It took a bit an we headed down the slight hill. We pass the school and it slopes more and I usually run hard down this incline to the next bridge. I wasn't feeling right, a cramp in my left hamstring. I stopped to stretch and drink. As I stood up right from stretching I got very dizzy.

( I've been having this issue for a week or so lately. I've dropped some weight and my BP meds have my pressure way down. I usually run 130/ 80 ..... it's been at 90 / 60's. That's very low for me. I check it every couple of days. It's been happening out in the garden too.)

So when I could continue on we did. The next hill bothered me too. I wasn't having any chest pain or discomfort. We went on, near town I got dizzy again and stopped. I nearly blacked out here. I took us off the busy street into a section. I laid down to help recover and it did help. I got on the bike and we made it home. As we got closer to home I was feeling better. As always.

We got into the house drank some more water and got changed. I took my BP (89 / 58).... way to low. I waited a bit and took it again. It was a better, but still low. I called the cardiologist, got to his voicemail and left a message.

He called back just before 4pm, We spoke. He's reducing 2 of my BP meds and I have to call him next week to let him know how I'm doing. I think this will help and glad I called. I have a scheduled appointment mid month and I hope I can get in to see him and I'm doing better.

I'll reduce miles until this is figured out.

I hope everyone has a great weekend.
 
Oof, CHIEF! Yes, be careful! Those numbers are too low. Your 130/80 is about my average too and seem fine, but under 100 over under 70 ...? I'm glad you called your cardiologist.

Just back from my ride. Temps today are 25°F lower than yesterday, and the wind is up. So it was a pleasant, cool ride, down the quicker way to Japan town so I could catch a cup of coffee at Roy's, lunch on the memorial bench.

Oh yes: the Abus Bordo X-6500 lock. The top tube is the only place it fits well, so I left it there and was thinking about it when I was riding today. I think it actually improves the stability a little bit in the wind having that additional couple of pounds high up and forward.

I stopped on the way home and tested that it worked on these difficult to fit bike racks along The Alameda in San Jose:

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Works just fine, although it is a snug fit. Other racks are easier since most don't have that name plate in the middle of the hoop.

Of course, I couldn't help but take another beauty shot at that point:

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It's a pretty bike, to my eye. Subtle, not blingy like the Fatboy was... :)

A fine 14 miler!

Onwards! G
 
G, the bike looks great. Not flashy, it's solid looking.

Yeah I knew I was having issues every now and then but the last week or 2 since I dropped the weight it's been pretty prevalent when I bend. Yesterday was the first time it ever bothered me while riding. I'll take it easy today with a ride with my wife just around town later today.

They are having a BLM march through our little town today. Lots of businesses are boarded up. It could get interesting if individuals that want to start trouble come in. We'll see how it goes. I'm hoping it goes well and there is no destruction.

Up and out to check the yard the humidity is 97% and the dew point is 70 degrees.
 
Thanks, CHIEF! SBG is a joy! :D

BLM ... I started to say a simple thing and seven paragraphs later I realized I was in a rant and I was crying and angry. This is not a simple thing. What it is like to live a marginalized existence, to have to hide, to fear; to have to think twice every time you step outside your door? I'm gay: I can't change what I am any more than a black person can change what he or she is. I can relate to the pain, to the anger, to the sense of disenfranchisement and oppression. I hate seeing the rioting and the violence, I wish that it didn't happen, but I know the reasons, the emotions, and can empathize if not sympathize.

I hope we can all come together and change the world, do what the ideals upon which the constitution of the United States is founded say and make ALL lives matter, ALL persons equal under the law, and to each other. Will it happen in my lifetime? I can only hope for that. It is so hard. I sit at the memorial in Japan town most days this past couple of months and meditate on exactly these thoughts, these ideas. On purpose, so that I continue to hope. :(

the humidity is 97% and the dew point is 70 degrees...
Humidity like that would give me trouble without needing any other provocation...! Yikes!

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Saturday Morning Ride

For the first time since March 17, the Saturday Morning Ride and Breakfast with the Boyz resumed! The day broke cool and delightful, with light, high overcast, temps around 63°F. Over-jersey and gloves for the ride down were called for, and it was really nice to pound along at speed. I've done this ride so many times now it just flashes by in a moment, really, but I try to mentally slow down and observe, experience every moment of it anyway.

Regardless, the time flashed by and I was in the park. I noticed that there'd been a fire in the area right by the entrance where I usual come into the park off of Hedding. An old favorite tree has been damaged by the fire and looks sad. Hmm, have to go back there and make another photo. I hope it survives.

The boyz showed up on time, and I set off again, this time up to the northern part of the park at the edge of San Jose airport, then back, past the meetup point, and to the Panera where we meet. I stopped on the trail and used their app to pre-order my breakfast.

The Panera cafe that we breakfast at is reopening and following the guidelines, with take out and open-air patio tables available. All protocols to help reduce transmission of COVID-19 are in place ... face masks when you go inside, no more than 25 people at a given time in the patio area, seats and tables spaced apart appropriately to stay safe. And even with all these restrictions, it is a delight to see my friends again, in person, and have our usual banter and conversation.

I arrive, say hi to the couple or two folks sitting outdoors that I know. I used the new link lock to secure the bicycle to a rack while I was there, my breakfast was brought out, and the usual banter and mayhem commenced as another friend arrived and told his story of how he returned home from the South Pacific seas after the lockdown began. The rest of the gang arrived a little later, and we had a merry (and properly socially distant) time. :D

Afterwards, back on the bike, I did my usual run back up through the park, off on Hedding, east to Japan town and thence through downtown San Jose, back onto Park Avenue, and home to Santa Clara. For the second half of the ride, gloves and over-jersey all went into the backpack as temps were now in the low 70*F range: perfect riding weather.

The day's tally was 17.5 miles at an average speed of 12.3 mph; a lovely ride. The link lock works great, and sits very nicely on the top tube. SBG works perfectly and feels great. Life is good.

"And so it begins anew." All things come and all things go, the interruption posed by COVID-19, by the days of tumult and the foolishness of government, they will all pass once more.

Onwards! Always onwards! G
 
It sure is a sad thing that there is only tolerance for one batch of lives and all the others are marginalized. I was admonished for pointing that out on another forum where the slimeball moderator claimed it was thinly veiled, I replied with what about Asian, Hispanic, Eropean and other regions that people come from. Pathetic!

I spend quite a bit of my time being of service, hanging out with and riding with many different folks of various descents. I don't see skin color, I see my friends, my community members and future friends. We have a good thing going on and demand to keep it that way, come hell or high water.

Just remember, the genuine people do not follow such divisive activists, they are above that!
 
I rode down a path through the Guadalupe River Park yesterday I hadn't in some time. It's an area that, a week ago, suffered a grass fire. One tree there I have come to know through many seasons and consider a friend.


It's suffered in the grass fire. I was greatly saddened to see this personality filled creature hurt so badly, but happy that it was still standing. I went back to capture a photo for my records.


Blackened - San Jose 2020

This living thing, suffering a serious collision with a local environmental catastrophe, seems a metaphor for our human world today. I can only hope that both survive and flourish once again.

Onwards, only onwards. G
 
G, I had a service call to go on today that per the corporate handbook required I take a bike with. When I stopped at the filling station, the windstorm hit in full fury. A steady 60 MPH wind began and held speed for 10 minutes straight. I could not open the damn car door due to the force of the stinkin wind!

Later in the day, I was able to get Sunspot out and play with him. Wind was still present, mildly with gusts from time to time.
 
:D Now that's wind, Wade! None of this little wimpy stuff... :)

I suited up and went out for a short ride. There was a lot of gusty wind, I just didn't feel like battling it for a long ride but for 8-9 miles it was a good spin.

On the way back, I noticed that the best ice cream store in the area—Rocko's Ice Cream Tacos—has re-opened now for take out and outdoor eating. Had to stop ... good people, excellent "their own recipe" ice cream. I had a split child's cup of banana cream and vegan dark chocolate: Delicious!

While there, a nice guy with his two young boys pulled up on their bicycles. It was a kick seeing the little guy (must have been 7 or 8) absolutely getting into his ice cream and enjoying the heck out of it. Dad was cool, the older boy (about 10 I think) was all excited about some television program he wanted Dad to see. Dad looked at me and rolled his eyes, the boy didn't even notice and just went on and on as youngsters do.

I laughed all the way home. All's right with the universe when young boys are young boys, and long suffering parents can't help but get a smile on their face as the kiddies get earnest.

Hopefully tomorrow will be a little less windy and I'll take a ride to Mountain View to buy coffee. :D

Onwards! G
 
I had a pretty good weekend. I spent Saturday morning volunteering on a trail maintenance day with Toledo Metroparks. It was a nice group of people all pitching in and the staff from the Metropark joined us. We focused on armoring soft spots. Sunday afternoon we had a small family gathering for my son's graduation and then Sunday Evening I went for a ride on the same trails. The weather was beautiful all weekend. Back to work on Monday I am still thinking about the weekend.
 
2 gorgeous days here in the east. Temp's in the 80's very low humidity a lil breeze oh what a day. I've been doing loops around town and doing OK. BP is up a little but nothing crazy, better than the low and getting dizzy.
I'm bored being off.
Good news, the BLM march was a success and non-violent ... a great thing.

Texmex, great job on the trails.

Out today and enjoyed riding by myself again. The turtles were out sunning today.



There were more but some bailed as I stopped for the pic. There were a few full floating logs today.

I sat in the backyard and watched all the birds hitting the birdbath we have out. One robin took full advantage.



I sat for a bit and heard a fire siren, I switched my phone to fire scan and listened. A confirmed fire a few blocks away. I grabbed my keys and went to see if I could help.
The house was well involved in the back, fire venting from the first floor rear .... 2 windows and a door and the back exterior of the row. I helped the first engine establish a water supply. Helped the crew pull a few lines and get set up. As the chief was on the porch and getting his mask on the fire flashed over out the front door. The chief got under the fire and fell backwards off the porch and laid on the sidewalk. I checked him and tried to help him up. He's a BIG young guy and he laid there a while. The line was laying there and another ex-FF grabbed the nozzle and we pushed the fire back into the house. The next crew arrived and we turned the line over to properly dressed firefighters and backed away. It was fun to be in the game again. I saw a lot of old friends and got to wave a say hi.



That's me with the gray sleeveless shirt and shorts.

Be well everyone.
 
Good job, CHIEF!

I've been retired long enough now that not having "regular work" to do doesn't seem odd any more. I'm always busy anyway. :)

I did a nice long ride today, about 24 miles worth. From home to Mtn View, to Cupertino, and back. Weather was beautiful, only a bit windy at the end.

I stopped in Cupertino to rest and chat with the guys at Trail Head Cyclery. New young guy working the counter there today ... must be a summer job, he's all of maybe 17yo. He was falling all over himself going gaga about my bike. The two regular guys I know there were giggling about him ... they've known me a while and know my bike well. His enthusiasm was so fun.

Famished when I arrived home, had a bowl of soup. Ah. I should have eaten the nuts I had in my bag but forgot: too into the ride.

Onwards. G
 
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