Feb 4 - ok, I think that I'm ready

Even if I'm not, the first brevet of MY season is tomorrow. 300k is generally not a problem, but the last time that I did a ride significantly longer than 200k was last August.

However, my right knee is sore this morning. I'll go around the block with it later this morning if it's still twinging, just to see if it will disturb my cycling. I hope that I have not overdone it ...

I've got my 70 mile rides down under 4:30 again. I'm nowhere near as strong (aka fast) as I was late last season, but that will have to do.

The wind was from the south yesterday, so that's naturally where I headed. As I got to the Kennedy Parkway I realized that I might not be able to get to my normal turnaround point, and sure enough, the "beach closed" sign was evident. Oh well ... I continued. There's a shuttle launch planned for 4:39 a.m. Sunday morning and they usually close the parkway that leads to NASA / Cape Canaveral just south of the Haulover Canal.

There's all sorts of activity taking place on the parkway. They've installed an additional dish of some sort at the doppler dome, or at least I think that It's a doppler dome. They built that the first year that I was riding down that way. There was another portable rig with cameras all over it ... not sure what that was for. South of the Canal, they had not closed the road yet, but they were setting up the booth. There was also another rig, something like one of those articulated arms that they use to trim trees, only this one self contained on a trailer. At the top, where there's normally a basket for workers, there was a little booth with darkened windows etc. Strange affair.

Lastly, the armadillos were everywhere. I lost count of them. They forage at the side of the road, usually within a foot or so of the pavement, looking, I presume, for tender grass to eat. They are so used to traffic that I ride by within touching distance and they don't even notice. If I shout, they lift their little heads and scurry away ... but I didn't disturb them yesterday.

So ... will the parkway be open tomorrow ? Our route takes us down there, past the normal point of closure. Since that point is 9.5 miles from the turnoff, I certainly don't want to do a "bonus" 19 miles and have to come back to U.S. 1 to continue south. I sent Tim Bol, the ride organizer, a heads up. This morning, while Sandy is at the gym, I may take a Harley ride down that way. Being open today doesn't guarantee that it will be open tomorrow, however.

Later, as I was heading back, a pair of armed forces helicopters was cruising south along the beach. They'll be out full time until the launch. Today the AWACS will probably be overhead, controlling airspace, with some very fast aircraft buzzing by occasionally -- you know, those Top Gun types. Just try and fly your little, or big, plane towards the shuttle on 39A ... just try ... make my day !

As for the ride itself, what a difference a day makes. What a difference a few degrees makes. I was able to shed my long sleeved jersey and enjoy the freedom of cycling in shorts and short sleeves. That won't be the case tomorrow, however, when we'll have a high of 62F and an 18mph wind from the west. That figures, you know, the 14 mile straight west to east shot along the Maytown/Osteen road that would be a wonderful trip with that kind of a tail-wind is of course the shake-and-bake road. There is no going fast along there, even with a hurricane behind you.

The first thing that I did yesterday, after Sandy got up, was finish the painting. The master bath looks good. Even the baseboard is in place, but not attached yet ... I know, I know, I'll get to it. A little while after I got home from my bike ride we went over to Norm and Patti's, returning the crib mattress that we'd borrowed for Emma, and then went into South Daytona with them for dinner. Song-something, a Thai restaurant, was our destination. It was good, not heavy. In fact mine was so non-heavy that I also ate most of Patti's steamed rice. Patti and Norm have just started the South Beach diet and are avoiding carbs as much as possible.

Sandy did her thing at the gym, and will be going back today. Today she expects to employ her personal trainer. Patti and Norm have also started at a gym -- the Nautilus place by Publix. All these gym types were comparing notes over dinner, while I can only talk of doing little circles with my legs.

A new day, it's 64F outside right now, warmer than the predicted high for tomorrow. 75F is the forecast for later today, with thunderstorms in the afternoon. If the doppler is clear when Sandy gets home from the gym, we'll go out in the boat. I think that I'll take the aforementioned Harley ride this a.m. down to the Haulover Canal and see what's up. Perhaps I'll bring the small camera, but of course I could be shot for taking pictures. That's the extent of our plans right now.

Next weekend is the 24 hours at Sebring. A number of the people that I ride with tomorrow will likely be there. The ride is in the Orlando area, starts at 6am Saturday and goes to 6am on Sunday. How many miles can you ride in 24 hours, is the goal. That's pretty simple ... This type of ride is done in a couple of other places in the country and is pretty popular. Perhaps I will go out and experience this craziness, perhaps not. We'll see after tomorrow.

Onward !