Ride To Conquer Cancer, Training Progress, Part 50

The Pig Skull Bike Team rides again! This is Nichloas' first time out since his July 20 accident and it's great having him back. We ride 27 miles today, Sept. 2, early morn before work. I show him a new route off of Biddle Pike. I take him down Indian Creek Road for 1/2 mile to Gaines Road which after 3 miles connects with Long Lick Pike. Gaines is a very pretty and HILLY road. I top out at 41 mph descending the hill that empties into Long Lick Pike. Man, I REALLY LIKE SPEED! Today is like a wonderful fall day--cool and blue. I even spy some leaves that have already turned red. The pic above is Nicholas on Locust Fork Road in Stamping Ground feeling glad he's back in the saddle.

Further north on Locust Fork Road approaching Long Lick Pike is this curious sign. Not too far from here I almost become a dump truck's new hood ornament when I encounter said truck while negotiating a curve on a steep descent. There are quite a few log cabin homes along this stretch of Locust Fork. Maybe some log cabin discount some years ago?

My vital stats from the bike computer: Speed (13.2 mph avg., 41.2 mph max.); Heart (112 bpm avg., 149 bpm max.); and Cadence (75 revolutions per minute avg., 119 revolutions per minute max.) I burn 590 calories. Actual pedal time is 2 hours, 4 minutes.

Ride To Conquer Cancer, Training Progress, Part 48

Quilts along Minors Branch Road seen on my Aug. 29, 50 miler.

I travel for the first time down Gaines Road connecting Indian Creek Road with Long Lick Pike. It's only three miles long but it's a pretty three miles. Rural Scott County is beautiful. Meet a guy at the intersection of Gaines and Long Lick across from Long Lick Baptist Church. He says he and his buddy run along Gaines. Och! That's got to be hard on the knees. I'll stick with biking.

Ride To Conquer Cancer, Training Progress, Part 44

Stranded again! Yesterday's early morn 13.7 mile ride before work turns into a lazy morn because I have another flat tire and again no spare tube. I phone my wife and she picks me up and shows me Gaines Road which is beautiful country road that I will explore when I get my bike back from the bike shop. My guess is that there is some pointy thing in the front tire, undetectable by me, puncturing the tubes. I am now a bike guy without a bike. These first two pics are at the intersection of Bond Pike and US 227 northwest of Stamping Ground. This is where my wife rescues me. The pic below shows my bike on Bond Pike facing US 227. Stamping Ground is to the left.

I have divine help today notwithstanding the fact that I am dead in the water...and these goats and old tractor today are the instruments of God's saving help. I like to say my morning prayers while biking these beautiful, peaceful country roads. I just finish my Guardian Angel prayer "Angel of God my guardian dear..." when I notice these goats and old tractor. I stop and take some pics and then notice that my front tire is flat. Flat tires are annoying but my goat-inspired photo op probably saves me from serious injury. Look at the pic below to understand why (left click pic).

This is a long, steep Bond Pike descent that empties into US 227. Last time I rode down this hill I did about 40 mph. It is just after the goats and old tractor.

Some people equate goats with the Devil. Not me.

My vital stats from the bike computer: Speed (13.6 mph avg., 37.7 mph max.); Heart (119 bpm avg., 146 bpm max.); Cadence (82 revolutions per minute avg., 111 revolutions per minute max.). I burn 329 calories. Actual pedal time is 1 hour.