Bike Mail

It's dark, windy and raining out today as shown by the weather map, but the soggy trip to the mailbox was totally worth it when I found my new bike gear waiting for me there!

Everything was on sale from Nashbar, Cannondale LE socks, DeFeet kitty socks and a De Marchi jersey.

Here's the official pic of the jersey that does it justice.

I hadn't seen these in person to try on before, but bought a red (muted raspberry shade)/gray one online a few weeks ago. I was so pleased with the great fit and feel of the fabric that I ordered another one in blue!

I frequently seem to have a hard time picking the right outfit for the temperature, especially when it's a transitional time of year like Fall. I tend to overdress and get too hot after I start riding. Recently though, I've been wearing the De Marchi jersey under a Pearl Izumi convertible shell (either with the sleeves or as a vest), along with shorts and feeling just right.

Wind

Here's a camphone pic to give you some idea of the wind I faced on my ride today.

I don't feel so badly about the prospect of a couple of rain days off the bike now!

20th Day of Riding This Month

I hope this weather lasts long into the fall! I seem to be back in the habit of riding most days. The view at the point today:

There was a flock of wild turkeys beside the road just hanging out, napping in the the grass, grooming and picking at things.

They didn't seem bothered by me taking pics!

Since I had the camera with me, I snapped a pic of these two donkeys. They are usually hanging out like this. They share a field with all kinds of critters like cows, alpacas, geese, mini ponies...

September Weather

The hazy days are fewer now and I'm feeling invigorated by the clear, crisp days of September. Here are some pics of the boat landing in Middletown, the top rows are from earlier this month showing a hazy day and a foggy day. The last row, brilliantly clear, was today.

The tourists have left for the most part and the animals have come out from wherever it is they hide most of summer. Yesterday, a buck crossed the road in front of me and lingered in a yard. A flock of turkeys were getting their morning dust baths at another point in my ride. Little garter snakes sun on the pavement and sandy roadsides. It's nice when there is so little traffic that most are not squished!!

I've mostly been riding X6, but am still getting out on some road bike rides too.

Cheering for Friends

Over the weekend, Jeff and I cheered on some friends in a couple of competitions.

Saturday, a group ride friend competed in the Bayside YMCA Triathlon in Barrington, RI. Here's a view of the swimming stage in progress.

And one of our friend zooming past us on the bike stage.

Sunday, we attended the popular Fall River Crit to cheer for Chris in the Cat 4 race. Although he's sitting in near the very back of the pack here, he earned a 3rd place finish.

There was even a podium ceremony!

What a fun way to spend a beautiful summer weekend!

Downpour!

Fast moving clouds blew in during my ride, forcing me to cut it short. I had a tough slog home, soaked, blinded, and pedaling through standing water, trying to remember where the potholes and things are!

When there was some lightning, I stopped briefly to call about a ride, couldn't get through to anyone and just took a quick pic and got back to pedaling again. Fortunately there wasn't much lightning after all.

It amazed me how people in cars can't seem to resist yelling out their windows things like 'Nice day for it!' and 'Great ride!' And one car load rolled close alongside me for a ways asking for extensive directions as I pedaled blindly though standing water! I'm still not sure if they were genuinely lost or just trying to torture me!

Despite all that, parts of it were actually kind of fun...guess that makes me nuts ;)

Jamestown Ride

Riding toward the Beavertail lighthouse today with Jeff and a friend.

The blimp flew right over us at one point and I managed to hold the camera over my head and get a shot!

Here's a better view from a few minutes later.

Don't you love new pavement? This is 'Hamilton' looking ready for the Jamestown Classic this fall. Hopefully they'll pave the north end of the island now...

Well, some new pavement is good anyway! I just wish I wasn't always going *uphill* on this stretch.

I got carried away and made a little video today which you can see on YouTube if you like.