16 November 2005

Cold Day Riding My Bicycle

37°F Feels Like27°F
Updated Nov 16 05:45 p.m. ET
Wind:From West at 19 mph gusting to 23 mph
Humidity: 52%

My what a change in the weather for bicycle riding. Yesterday the temps were around seventy degrees and today much colder, 37 degrees cold to be on the money and the wind chill makes it feel like 27 degrees. Burr. But I went for a nice 18 mile cruise around the area, dressed just about right for the weather. The only things that got cold was my chest, which if I had thought about it, I should have worn another underlayer. The other place on my body was my face, but I'm used to that working outside all winter long. Once again the looks that people give you from inside their nice warm vehicles is priceless. Too bad, I had fun and know that winter will not stop me from riding my bike. Now for a nice long hot shower and a big bottle of Mackeson Triple Stout purchased at the evil Big Red Liquors in B'town for $1.39.
Cheers!

05 November 2005

South Carolina


Our family has always stated, that strolling twenty minutes on the beach is better than any therapy a person can receive by a professional shrink. That still stands. Given the nature of our visit to the South Carolina coastal community of The Isle of Palms, to be in the vicinity of helping our son move into his new home near Daniel Island, it was a good fit.
Having to persevere wonderful temperatures of the mid 70’s and sunshine, coupled with moving a lot of heavy ass furniture, we made out okay.

The mornings started as usual for me and my bride, coffee and local newspaper scanning. Then we head to the beach for a stroll or in my case this trip a ride on my old Schwinn Cimarron bicycle in the packed sand of the beach next to the water. Believe me when I tell you, that I had no bad thoughts at anytime during said riding, not even work entered my mind, just sand, sea and peddling. Best riding conditions were at low tide, but a couple of days riding at high tide was a plus with watching the local surfers trying to hang with the crashing of the waves was good company. Riding nothing more than 10 miles a day on the sand, the only exception was a trip to Fort Moultrie on adjacent Sullivan’s Island. I always like going to this spot because of the close proximity to view Fort Sumter out in the bay.

Our usual foodie and drinking spots-Poe's Tavern and Dunleavy's Irish Pub were had on the island. We like going to Dunleavy’s Irish Pub for Guinness and was there at the beginning of the Celtic New Year, although not sure if the locals or visitors would have known any such thing if I would have stood up and said, happy new year. I did not see a lot of my favorite locally brewed beer(Palmetto Brewing) this trip, but Yuengling Brewery has expanded its sales to the greater Charleston, SC area and most places had there good beers on special for $2.00 pints- yeah I drank a lot of it.

So here I am, back home and pondering where my next trip will take me. This year I have been to Florida,South Carolina twice, California and Brown County/Bloomington Indiana;for a long weekend. I am so proud to be able to say that bicycling was a good fit on two of those trips- one on each coast of the lower 48 states. Could not wait to get home and go for a long ride through the beauty of fall in Southern Indiana. Like saying says, there is no place like home.