After School Ride

In trying to ramp up my miserly miles, I've tried to get out after school a few times a week, and before school (at 5:00 am) a few times as well. One of my favorite after school places is to ride the bike path that goes in front of the Grand Hotel along the Keelung (I think) River. It's easy to get to without having to navigate too much insane traffic, and after school it's not ridiculously busy. I was riding happily along two weeks ago when I saw these kayakers out practicing. I like the colors of the kayaks and Taipei 101 in the background.


And this is an amazing photo because there is no one in it! It is not often there is a stretch of clear pavement.

Weekend Rides

Talk about a weekend of contrasts. Saturday's weather was glorious and virtually wind-free. Two brand-new people joined our regular Saturday morning bike path ride, and one old-timer joined us, which gave us six riders for the morning. The bike paths weren't even too crowded, so consequently, we had a completely enjoyable morning. This first photo was taken "on the fly" and I was able to capture the group as they were rounding a corner passing a few other riders.


We found some rowers who had finished their practice, and one happily took this group photo of us. From left to right: Adelle, Brenda, Gretchen, Karen W., Karen J., and Karen P. This was under the bridge at the Dragon Boat racing/practice area.


And imagine our surprise when we came to the end of one path, only to find this blockade "preventing" us from crossing the intersection to get onto the path that connected with the one we just got off. Karen P. ran up ahead to see if we could go around three different barriers, and she happily reported that all was clear once we cleared them. Funny part? As we were going through one area, one of the construction crew members came and held the tape for us so we could get through easier.


Sunday is my solo, usually long-distance day. However, I settled for 30 miles today due to the crowds on the roads, the wind along the coast (and everywhere else), and the hills that crushed me. I am happy to say I kept a good attitude and just enjoyed the last of the ride once I decided to pack it in. I've been eying this rice for sometime, and today was the day to capture it with the camera.

Gave up on the Metric Today

I had fully intended on getting in 62.3 miles today for my second metric century of the year, but winds, traffic, and unknown riding areas kept me from completing my task. I had started out toward the National Palace Museum, but decided to change direction and go towards the coast. For some reason, I missed the turn to go in the scooter lane toward Tanshui, so I ended up going to Bali in the traffic over the Red Bridge. Not a task for the faint of heart!

Since I wanted to avoid bike paths as much as possible, I just went where the road took me. And it took me into areas I had not been in before. It did take me to a new to me bike path as well, which I followed to the very end. Got off to follow some bikers and rode the road for awhile and marveled at the insane traffic. The bikers stopped to drink and I was able to ask where the road was going. Inge? Nope, better not go there today, but it's nice to know where the road went.

I turned around and sort of followed my same way back, but stayed more on the road than the bike path, which was far too busy for my comfort. I wasn't entirely sure where I was, so when I came to the place where I needed to carry my bike up a ramp to get on a bridge that would take me to one of my normal bike path rides, I was pretty ecstatic. I did get off the path at Dadaocheng Wharf, and after stopping at a convenience market for a much-needed snack, proceeded to take the roads home.

I complain about the traffic a lot here, but today was one of the worst days ever. Yes, I had a few too close scooters and buses, but I made it home unscathed, and thanked God for the safe trip. I had one really hairy event when I was heading up a bridge in one scooter lane, which merged with another scooter lane, and as I was looking for traffic, my front tire got caught in a gap in a metal plate in the road. Since I didn't over-react and steered in the direction of my skid (think ice) I made it out of the situation easily. And luckily, there were no scooters close to me as I was swerving.

I watched these clouds for a long while before I finally found a halfway decent spot to take a photo.



I needed to walk my bike to the convenience mart because the traffic was so heavy and thought these Chinese mushrooms and other energy enhancers looked pretty cool.

Just a bit of riding...

Karen J. and Karen P. and I normally set out each and every Saturday morning for a bike path ride. Sometimes we just stick to the old tried and true areas, but sometimes we are able to find a bit more adventure. We didn't set out to discover new things this morning, but due to thousands of walkers all over our Bali bike path, we were forced to stay on the road. Karen was leading us around the Archaeological Museum when she noticed the throng ahead, and instead followed a small group of bikers who seemed to know where they were going. We found a new bike path, unfinished, but fun anyway. Coming back the other way (because the walkers really were blocking our progress) we went to the end of the unfinished path and found this canal.


This is a photo from last week's ride in softly falling rain. Bikes were a total mess, as was the back of Karen P.'s jersey. Pretty sure mine was too, but I didn't even bother to look.


This last photo shows Karen and Karen at the end of what will be a nice addition to the bike paths in Bali.

Bikejournal

Where are you this morning? I've got some time on my hands before I need to get ready for our normal Saturday bike ride, but you aren't here. How am I going to start my day without reading new posts by cyber friends? I guess I am well and truly addicted to the site. Guess I'll go clean some of the muck off my Saturday bike, air up the tires, eat some breakfast and get ready to ride. And hope bikejournal.com is up and running by the time I get home.

Yeah, Me.

Another restless night...man, I just can't seem to sleep through the night any longer. I hit the snooze button on the alarm three times, then shut the annoying thing off. Darn near decided to just go back to sleep, but I actually crawled out of bed, got dressed, and went out for a decent little bike ride. Rode up and over Jianaan Road, a small 500 foot climb, which darn near did me in, what with the ridiculous headwind and my lack of conditioning. However, I DID make it over without stopping. From there I headed downhill around all the switchbacks to the Grand Hotel bike path, and back to Tienmu.

The wind was fierce again today, but the temperature was great and I even needed a light jacket. This was a good biking morning. Now I get to spend the day at school sans students because it is the last professional development day of the school year. What does that mean? Moronic meetings and lots of nonsense. Speaking of which, I guess I'd better get a shower and head to school.

Ramblings

I am very much behind in my miles compared to the previous three years. I'm trying to play a little bit of catch up because of my late start due to the knee injury, but have discovered that I'm lazy right now. I should be able to go out most days before school from 4:45-5:45 and get in a decent 10-12 miles. I should also be able to go out some days after school for 15-20 miles each time. So what do I usually do? Yep, I wake up, look at the clock, and reset the alarm for an hour later. And after school, I come home, take a nap, or watch really bad tv.

I'm not giving up on myself just yet, though. I did ride Tuesday morning before school, and today after school. I would have ridden this morning, but a rare thunderstorm was still in existence. Even though I managed just 15 miles after school today, I was still pleased because I fought the wind all the way out past the Grand Hotel and then some.

My knee seems to have mostly healed, but I am still bothered by either plantar fasciitis or fat pad syndrome on my right foot. That's been going on for a long time...probably half a year or more, and is a result of wearing LL Bean summer sneakers everywhere for months on end. Yes, I knew they didn't have enough support, but I liked them enough I wore them anyway. Nope, haven't seen a doctor about the foot, but have been doing some stretching and icing. I also have started wearing Birkenstock's, which seem to help a bit. I can't seem to stop walking and carrying bunches of stuff in my backpack, so until I'm able to do that, I don't think I'll have good healing.

Back to my original thought...my mileage. My goal for the year is still 5,000 miles, and if I reach that, it will be the most miles I've ever ridden in a year. And if I am to reach that goal, I had better get off my duff a lot more often.

A Break from Taipei

The EARCOS teacher conference for 2008 was in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and since one of my very dear friends had moved there, I thought it prudent I go. Karen J. was kind enough to be my partner in crime, and David J. showed us a lot of places around the city. The first picture is of a little known Malaysian delicacy, KFC. Wonder if I can get that in the states this summer?


This photo is of myself, David, and Karen at an outdoor market in Mont Kiara, the suburb of KL in which David lives.


I took this shot so Karen and I would have a point of reference to find our way back to the rapid transit system. It also shows some of KL's nutso traffic.


At the Shrangri-La Hotel, one of the most interesting items for breakfast was fruit dipped in chocolate from this fountain. Nope, neither Karen nor myself had this treat for breakfast.


After the conference, I headed to Hua Hin, Thailand to a quiet hotel to spend some time with friends currently teaching at TAS, and friends who retired last year. The next two shots are of some of the goodies at the wet Thai market where we went for sublime mangoes and sticky rice.



I had a rough time looking out my second floor balcony at the sunrise over the ocean.


The hotel was a sweet little place, right on the beach, laid-back, and inexpensive.


Here are Doug and Judy, looking totally relaxed as they enjoy both their vacation and retirement.


I'm looking pretty relaxed as well, although I have to go back to work on Monday.

The Last Time

When was the last time you
lifted your face to
the warmth of the sun?
Wiggled your bare toes
in freshly mowed grass?
Made an angel
in pure white snow?
Celebrated the warmth
of a family Christmas?
Shared a thought
with your far-flung sister?
When was the last time you
had a dream?
enjoyed a bear-hug?
had
HOPE?

Why did you make March 15, 2008
Your
Final
Last
Time?

Brothers Two

Brian and Bruce

There to greet your oldest brother,
you envelop him with love and acceptance.
Your velvet brown eyes lock onto his blue ones
as you renew the family bond
that had been severed
fourteen years ago when you, the fourth-born, succumbed to the year and a half long coma
and left Earth at a far too young 28.
Your oldest brother, the first-born, always remembered you with love
and wished he had spent more time
at your bedside.
He joins you now, (time stopped for him at 54)
his tattered soul completely healed and free.
Lead the way, Brian.
Show Bruce God’s peace.
The eleven years that separated your births
no longer matter.
They have disappeared into the
timelessness of eternity.
Dance and sing, brothers two.
Oh yes, dance and sing.

Changes

Guess it's time to do some changing to the scrapbook photo album I made for mom and dad a few years ago. Need to take out my brother Bill's ex-wife and add in his wife, Maureen. And I need to update my brother Bruce's page to reflect his last day on earth, Friday, March 14, 2008.

Didn't see that coming, so I was surprised when Russ called me while I was out with Karen and Karen on a Taiwan bike adventure. Am I sad about it? That's a tough question. Not sad that he is finally at rest. Sad that he never could break the cycle of addiction and really didn't have much of a life for quite some time. Sad for mom and dad to lose another son, this time their first-born. Not sad that mom and dad no longer have to wait for the phone call in the middle of the night. Sad that Bruce took his own life instead of being able to die from natural causes. Sad that he and I hadn't had much of a relationship for a long, long time, and that can never be changed.

Be at peace, finally, Bruce.

I hate it when I do that

It looked to be a decent riding morning when I got up and looked at the road five floors down. No rain. No wind. Excellent. By the time I got moving and out the door, the streets were wet. I figured I'd better show up at school anyway, just in case anybody else came for a ride. I was pretty sure Karen J. would snuggle back into bed, and the only other person who told me she was planning on coming was Karen P. I was a little surprised when she showed up, because by then it was raining a bit more than before. We decided to venture out anyway, and it pretty much dried out for us all the way from Tienmu to Bali.

I took it very easy on my knee, and didn't ride up any inclines. Karen, of course, with her muscles, powered up what few inclines we had. After riding around the Archaeological Museum, and back to the famous donut place, we decided we were still too early for the mango smoothie place. So, taking our fresh donuts, we bought a ticket for the ferry and headed across the river to Tanshui. At a diagonal. Instead of a straight line. Because the water was really choppy and the current was running really fast. Every once in awhile I wonder if the ferry will make it across the river. This was one of those times.

But it did, and so did we. Rode the short distance to Starbuck's where a hot latte was enjoyed by Karen and I gulped down a hot chocolate. From there, we took to the road for a bit before climbing back onto the bike path for the ride back into Tienmu. We were pummeled by some big raindrops falling sideways because of typhoonish winds. Still, we both enjoyed being outside, I was happy my knee was doing ok, and we were both laughing about the weather and the nutso drivers once we got off the path and onto the streets.

Well, laughing until one 285 bus driver decided we had no business being in front of him and blasted his horn in an annoyingly rude way.

So rude, that as he made his move to pull out alongside us, I waved him on, and then flipped him off.

I hate it when I do that.

Nice long walk this morning

Felt almost like a bike ride because I walked up just past the National Palace Museum, crossed the street to the "biker heaven" 7 Eleven, had a bit of a snack, and then walked back home. ( walked for about two hours) Was nice to see all the bikers out. The day was actually quite nice as well...the sun even peeked out just as I was about a half mile from my apartment. This picture is just off the main road to the museum, a path I used to walk regularly.

Farewell

The founder of the biking website posted this message and photo of Dave. It's a fitting farewell for a good friend.

STOP THE NOISE!

All caps in the title means I am yelling. The noise pollution in Taipei is my biggest complaint about the place. (the seemingly constant gray skies is my second biggest complaint) We just celebrated Chinese New Year, and if you know anything at all about Chinese culture, you know they shoot off firecrackers to ward off evil spirits. Most nights of the celebration found me listening to a plethora of noisy firecrackers and watching some pretty good fireworks. No problem, it's time to celebrate. What bugs me is the continuation of the firecrackers into this week, and at odd times of the day. Like 5:00 AM. Or 3:30 AM. Excuse me, but I need my beauty sleep.

I live across from a sports park. Nice place. Jogging track, trees, tennis courts, etc. And exercisers that crank up their music at 6:30 each morning. So loudly that I can hear it two blocks away when I walk to school. I woke up this morning around 5:30, and since it was Saturday, thought I could burrow back underneath my three blankets for a little extra shut-eye. Once I decided I couldn't block out the sound of the music, I decided to just get up and go walk the track at school for awhile. Needed to do that anyway.

Each evening, another group of exercisers lovingly shares their special music from about 8:30 to 9:30. Not to be outdone, there is usually a small group of folks meditating (and trying to get donations for their cult) with their music (that term is used rather loosely here) competing with the exercisers. So nice.

And most recently, the saxophonist has returned to the park. He so loves to practice each day after school, and on a good day, I don't mind the melancholy melodies. At least he departs before I go to bed.

Right now I've got the sound of bus engines straining to pick up steam after stopping to pick up or drop off passengers, scooters whose owners think the road is a highway, and the nightly firecrackers. Just a normal night around here.

I Are an Idjit

So I didn't exactly follow doctor's orders and now I can tell I got back on the bike too soon. (Stupid marble floors in Taiwan.) I will now force myself to ignore my desire to ride and instead do some brisk walking, which should lead up to some pain free jogging in the next few weeks. And, like the good doc told me, when I can jog for 15 minutes without my knee bothering me, then, and ONLY then, will I hop back on my two wheels. Yippee yay.

Went Out Anyway

Yep, the streets were wet, as were the bike paths, but the heavy rain had stopped, so I went out for a short bike ride. Just went out past the Grand Hotel a bit, then headed back in to Tienmu. Just before the baseball fields, my tire started to flat. The front, thankfully. This is the first flat I've had on the Freeda so it gave me a chance to learn how to disconnect different brakes than I am used to. Got the wheel off easy enough, tube out, tube in, then struggled with getting the tire back over the rim. Gotta get some hand strength going! At any rate, even with the little old man peering over my shoulder for awhile, I got everything situated just fine and continued on home.
Of course I had to take a photo of the bike, sans front tire!


Happy day...this is a new addition that will get us onto the bike path without having to go through one of our most heinous intersections.


I do hope the child who discarded this stuffed animal received a new one for Chinese New Year.


Uh, no, no idea what it says. Guess I should have someone translate it for me.

More of the Blasted Same

Yep, it's a week off here in Taiwan for the beloved Chinese New Year, and what has the weather brought? Rain. Rain. Oh, and more rain. Happens most every vacation. Which is why I have a bicycle trainer set up in the apartment. It's not the same as riding outside. And don't be fooled by the temperature here, either. It's cold. The dampness has a chill that goes right through. I've actually been wearing gloves and my heavy winter coat. And on the bed I've got a comforter and TWO blankets. I may have to break down next year and actually buy a heater. For this year, however, I'll just keep complaining!


Now here is what Russ has to contend with in the middle of Nebraska in the middle of the winter. Who's got the better weather???

It Can't Be True

No names just yet, but one of my favorite people suffered heart failure (at age 41) and died this morning while training in the ocean for a triathlon. We were just talking a few weeks ago about firming up plans to finally ride together before too much more time passed. Now I can ride with him in spirit only. Godspeed, my friend. My next bike ride is dedicated to you.

Looks Like Two More

At least the knee is improving, but no riding just yet. A week of 15-20 minutes brisk walking, then a week of flat surface jogging. Once I can jog for 15 minutes without my knee hollering at me, then I can ride. Got some ground to make up if I want to reach that 5,000 mile goal!