Velocio Coast2Coast East Ride

A friend of mine from work who rides told me about this ride and we signed up for it only he bailed the day before due to stomach issues. The ride started out at the Rise Donut Shop and included with registration was a free donut and coffee. The donuts were absolutely killer and I couldn't even finish mine. 

The Mary Tyler Moore Show

Two weeks ago RC Illumenati had a Wings and Rings ride in which we were supposed to visit the final resting place of Mary Tyler Moore but we discovered Oak Lawn Cemetery in Fairfield closes at sundown. We got another try this evening when we started our weekly ride from the Westport Observatory and headed over to Little Danbury.

KFB and the Three Bears Roubaix

Mike and I met at Roxbury Town Hall to do a quick gravel ride up to Kent Falls Brewing on a nice Friday afternoon around 3 PM. The last time we tried to ride to KFB we started from his house but one guy in the group ended up crashing in his driveway and needed Nurse Nancy to fix him up so he could ride but the delay meant we missed the brewery.

2023 D2R2 Pre-Game Ride

I was the first to arrive from the Team Karl's Sausage Kitchen at D2R2 and met up with Zac at the registration tent and invited him to camp with us.  Will arrived after I set up camp and the three of us set off on our annual Pre-Game ride.

Genny Screamo

 

Drove up to Rochester, NY to move my son into his apartment at RIT and since I was spending the night I brought my Trek so that I could ride the next morning.

2023 D2R2 - Team Karl's Sausage Kitchen Rides the 105K

From left to right: Me, Zac, Mike, Scott, Mark, & Will

We had two new riders join the team, Zac and Mark, as we lined up to start. Since there was no 115K route offered this year, I am glad because last year it nearly killed me, we all signed up for the 105K which according to the good folks at Franklin Land Trust promised it to be a new challenging route which has over 7,000 feet of climbing. One other team member, the other Will, already headed out on the 160K by himself.

Tour De Shepard on WNEG #7

After riding with my brother-in-law last weekend Shepard (pictured above in white) reached out to me saying we should get together for a ride and he would really like ride down along the coast. I planned out out a road ride that would follow the Route #7 of the Western New England Greenway (WNEG #7) starting in Bethel, CT. Little did I know, the route on Open Source Maps doesn't correspond to real life.

2023 Roe Jan Roubaix

I usually try to ride Mt Riga once or twice year to prepare for some really dirty, climby event. However, this year everything got screwed up with my back injury and I haven't been riding much gravel. However, my ride gravel ride last month on Father's Day was enough to prove that I am ready for some harder rides, now. 

Father's Day Dirty Thirty

Ridley Crossbow Mullet at the Money Shot

I figured it was about time I take the Crossbow on a real gravel ride, the kind of ride with a lot of climbing and see how it does. I checked with my friends to see if anyone wanted to do a gravel ride and Mike said he would join me.

We got off to a late start because I was taking my son out for breakfast, being Father's Day and all, he got up late, and we drove around looking for somewhere that didn't have a huge line but couldn't find one. We ended up going to Dunkin'.

Overlapping with Pride

If you have ever ridden with me you know I don't like to rider overlaps. I like my routes to be loops and this aversion to overlapping I call Cycling Route OCD or CROC'd. I had been asked to help set up my company's booth for Pride in the Park at Veterans Memorial in Norwalk on Saturday at 11:30 am and I figured I could work in a ride before hand.

The farmer said the road is washed out but you are welcome to try it.

I drove up to Durham, NH early for my son's orientation for University of New Hampshire and went out on the Ridley to ride a few dirt roads near the school. The first one was this Class VI road that checked on the NH Dirt Roads Website/Map as a through road but as you can see on the other side of that pipe it's just a choked trail that's washed out in many places.

Ride with Pride to OOF

 Mike showed up with to the Sunday Newtown Lunartics Ride to OOF with this absolutely fabulous cycling jersey.

Hopewell Junction on the Maybrook Rail Trail

Stephan and I met Saturday to ride the Empire State Trail, aka the Maybrook Rail Trail, from Brewster to Hopewell JCT and back.  I don't bust his balls too much because he is riding an eBike, except when he smokes me on climbs. He's rehabbing after heart surgery and needs the assist right now but he plans to transition back to his Specialized Diverge once he is up to it.

Rock and Roll, Hoochie Koo!

While researching famous people buried in nearby for another post I found out that Johnny Winter was a former resident of Easton, CT and was buried in Union Cemetery at the corner of Rt 59, Sport Hill, and Rt 136. Supposedly, this same cemetery is supposed to be haunted, too. This haunting sounds like people mistaking deer for ghosts.

Memorial Day ride with Will

BBQ plans were all askew this Memorial Day with family going all over the place but one thing was for certain, my brother-in-law, Will, and I were going to ride. He came out to Fairfield on Metro North and I planned a ride that pass by not just the usual three beaches that I always ride to, but a fourth one, too.

2023 Bloomin' Metric with Dad

 

My dad is 80 years old and he's still riding. Granted, he mostly rides in doors on a trainer but when I suggested we ride this year's Bloomin' Metric he started riding every day for the last two months just to get ready.  Back in 2010 was the first time I rode the Bloomin' with my daughter, Katie, on a Burley Tandem Bike that I borrowed from a friend and eventually ended up buying from him. I also rode the tandem with my son, Elliot, too.

Riding the Middle Finger

My Middle Finger Route is a 45 mile route from my house, or any point along the way, that is one loop. As some you know who ride with me, I have routing dysphoria in which I don't like having any overlap to my routes. You don't get that with this one, that's for sure. It's one of my favorites because of the many sights along the way and towards the end of the route there is an ice cream place, bakeries, cafes, and a brewery to replenish all the carbs you just burnt.

Don't you hate showing up to a ride and only discover that you have a flat tire? That's what happened to Scotty Friday when I invited him to ride from my house on my Middle Finger Route through the Litchfield Hills. Kind of apropo in a way, you just want to throw the bird at that tube!  I gave him a spare tube from my box of tricks and we got him rolling in no time.

Rabbi Hill

 

Friday afternoon concluded a long work week and I headed over to Mike's with Scotty with the intention of riding 40 miles from Mike's to Kent Falls Brewery for a beer and back. Just as we were leaving Mike's driveway, Scott was trying to start his Strava on his phone and ride at the same time. His front tire slipped off the driveway pavement and dished out causing him to fall over and he landed on his elbow.  The bike had a few scuffs on the bar tape but his elbow was a mess.

Run to the Hills

I needed some Hill Therapy to see what a lot of climbing would do with my current condition and I wanted to see how the Trek climbs, too, so I headed north from Chez Cyclesnack after work on Monday.  

Double Header

On Saturday I met up with the Newtown Lunartics for the weekly ride to OOF, aka Ovens of France.  I brought the Trek because I am still getting used to and wanted more time in the saddle before relegating it to its intended purpose as an indoor training bike.  Scott brought his neighbor Rich, who needs to start training for the Bloomin Metric in two weeks.  

May the 4th be with you!

RC Ilumenati's Tuesday night ride on Thursday started in Fairfield from the Metro North Station near Archie Moore's for a Rings and Wings ride.  We started a bit later due to traffic and meetings at the end of the day and you couldn't have asked for a nicer day. Although the weather apps were saying that ride was likely this evening.

New Bike Day: 2006 TREK 1500 SLR

 

I acquired this frame to replace the Voodoo and while I had a lot of Ultegra parts from the last bike I also had pair of SRAM Rival shifters that I wanted to use so I decided this would be a SRAM Rival build.

Ride after work for Ice Cream and Beer

 

Seeing I had no discomfort following Monday's ride I joined Riding Club Ilumenati's Ferris Acres season opener.  

A little more time in the saddle Monday evening

 

I was feeling short changed with the Riddley so I hopped on the Jamis and went out for a few more miles. This bike has some new parts, too, and it feels like a whole new bike. I replaced the Litespeed carbon fork with the EC90 Carbon fork from the Voodoo and then longer steering tube pushed the bars much higher and it felt so good. I also replaced the silver Durace brakes with Shimano 105 brakes so that now everything is black and looks cool.

First ride on the Crossbow

The issue with my back and spine is improving every day and was going to go for a ride on Sunday but the weather wasn't cooperating so I had to settle for a ride after work on Monday. It's important to not push it and go all out so I took the Ridley down to the lake where I figured I would get some nice lighting for some bike pictures.

Cycling Public Service Announcement: Don't buy cheap bikes from the internet!

Buying a bike from the internet may save you money in the near term but it's going to cost you in the long run.

Someone I knew from High School, who recently moved to my town, reached to me about assembling some bikes for her and her daughter that she bought off the internet. We have some great greenway trails in the area and she wanted to ride them with her daughter. She purchased two bikes from an online retailer that I will not mention the name but you can probably figured it out for yourself.

New Bike Day: Ridley Crossbow

I picked up this 2007 Ridley Crossbow for a great price on the day that I found out I won't be riding for the foreseeable future. Still, my excitement is through the roof.  I have been looking for a lightweight 58cm cantilever brake bike for the past two months for project as my friend Brad gave me a suspension fork with cantilever brakes to play with. I had found a few bikes in the area but they were all too big. I wanted a smaller frame because I wanted something nimble and fast.

Fast Times at Staples High

 

A last minute change occurred for this week's RC Ilumenati's Tuesday Night ride (on Wednesday) because one of our riders just celebrated his birthday. JB, 3rd from the left with the sunglasses, turned 50 and Ride Leader Mat O suggested that do wings or pizza after the ride.

2020 Frozen Apple - finally 3 years later

 

I signed up for the Frozen Apple right before the Global Pandemic shut everything down. I had heard some folks went out and did the ride on their own but I never got around to doing that. I met Dave (pictured above with the groovy glasses) at the Lent Cove parking lot in Peekskill, NY. Before getting on the bike I took off a layer and lathered up with sunscreen. It was going to be a glorious day.

Première balade à vélo a l’OOF en 2023

In case you don't speak French the title of today's ride and this post means: First bike ride to OOF (Ovens of France) in 2023. I am sure my waistline is thankful that I have waited this long to finally ride to OOF but I can't believe it has taken me nearly 3 months to ride there.

We made it!

 

Daylight Savings kicked in over the weekend which means the weekly RC Ilumenati rides will have more light!

Lunartic Dirt

Another cold spring Saturday morning and what was supposed to be a Newtown Lunartics ride to OOF became a push back and then most guys bailed, except Scott and I. Instead, we met up with Brad and to hit some dirt roads and single track around Newtown.

Back to the Grind for a Greis-n-shine!

After 8 days out west it was hard to get back to cycling and my first outdoor ride didn't take place until 4 days after my return.  Mornings in CT have been cold and Saturday morning the Lunartics were going to ride to OOF but the cold morning scared everyone off, including yours truly.  We did however do a Greis-n-shine from the Newtown Flagpole midday on Sunday.

The Best Day at Jackson Hole

Last day on the mountain and my father was rocking!

The temperature had really dropped overnight and it was -1 degree F when we got to the mountain but the sun was out and it really didn't feel that cold.

I decided to ski with my Dad and my nephew today because my Sister, her kids and some friends were headed out to do the difficult terrain, including the headwall.

Last day

And the ski gods were smiling with this view of the Grand Teton this morning.

 

XC Skiing Teton Pines

 Compared to last year, the skiing at Teton Pines was infinitesimally better.  

My father, Peggy and I went out for a loop and the track was outstanding!

Cache Creek from Cedar Lane

My ride couldn't get up the entrance road to Cache Creek today so I had to start from Cedar Lane. 

Fortunately there was plenty of snow and the trek up to the parking lot was smooth.

Skiing Jackson Hole Mountain

 

I am glad we skied Snow King yesterday because the people who were skiing here said the wind was brutal and Sublet was closed in the morning because of it. The snow squalls were limiting visibility but the wind wasn't blowing hard and when the sun peaked out it was quite nice.

Curiosity delay on the way to Teton Village

There's only one way in and out of Teton Village if you want to ski Jackson Hole Mountain Resort and that's Moose Wilson Road and it also common to see moose along this stretch of road. I had heard from someone who headed out there earlier that the pair was a bull and a cow and apparently the bull tried to get frisky earlier but the cow wasn't having any of it.

Snow King Mountain: Ski In and Ski Out

The weather on Friday at Teton Village was supposed to be really, really windy so my father and I decided to ski Snow King. It's so convenient. Just walk 50 yards, put on your skis and off you go.  On my first solo visit to Jackson Hole, I was off the plane and on the slopes in an hour! Last year, my flight was canceled due to equipment issues and I ended up flying to Idaho Falls where my Dad picked me up. 

Blue Bird day at Grand Teton National Park

We started from the Cottonwood Creek Parking area and you could not have asked for a better day. There was a slight breeze which made the standing temperature of 24 degrees feel like 24 degrees. My Dad, his girlfriend Peggy and I headed north towards Jenny Lake and compared to last year, there was a lot more snow. 

Good Morning Grand Teton!

When I got up Thursday morning and looked out the front window The Grand (Teton) was enshrouded by clouds.

American Airlines Flight Fiasco

The night before I was supposed to fly out to Jackson, WY, I drove down to Newark Airport and stayed the night at the Marriott Renaissance Hotel. They also have airport parking so it killed two birds with one stone, especially since I had a 5:30 AM flight the next morning.

First Nordic Ski this year

On the last day of February we finally get a significant amount of snow in Newtown to go cross country skiing. I broke out the back country skis because my regular skis were already packed for my upcoming Wyoming ski trip.

Blackbeard Pub Ride - 60 deg in February!

Unbelievable temperatures today!