Equipment Failure!

Well Used Biking Shoe
Tequesta, FL
August 19, 2026

 My bike shoes expired yesterday. 

It was not a pretty sight and, worse, it meant that I could not ride. I was not a happy camper. 

After doing some quick research, I was at the local bike store 15 minutes after it opened. I went home with a nice new pair of shoes. And I bought new cleats as well since the old ones were well worn. It took me about 30 minutes to install the cleats and then the new shoes ready for their first ride which was a only quick one around the community just to make sure that the shoes clip-in easily to the pedals and also, more importantly, release when required. 

Looking through the logs, I determined that the old shoes had about 6000 miles on them and one round of golf! Yea, I accidentally grabbed my biking shoes instead of my golf shoes once. That was an interesting round of golf! In retrospect, the golf round may be the reason that the right shoe failed since I'm left-handed and rotate on my right leg when swinging a golf club. 

Now I'm ready for the inaugural ride with my new shoes! But, that will have to wait for a few days since mornings are going to be busy for the rest of the week. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

It Does no Good to Complain

Flat Water but Ominous Clouds 
Loxahatchee River, Tequesta, FL
August 10, 2026

 It does no good to complain about the weather. Weather just is! 

I have been trying to get out onto the streets for a nice bike ride since we returned from the cruise. There have been passing rainstorms nearly every morning along with occasional thunderstorms. 

Yesterday looked different and I headed out. 

Sand Hill Cranes
Tequesta, FL
August 10, 2026

I enjoyed a nice ride or about an hour, and then the rain swept in and drenched me. There was nowhere to hide and I just had to keep riding and suck it up. It was funny as I passed a flag-person directing traffic through a construction zone and remarked to him, "This was unexpected." He smiled as the rain dripped off his helmet.

I enjoyed the ride, but I should have looked closer at the clouds when I snapped the image of the river in Tequesta, about 3 miles into my almost 18 mile ride. Would I have stopped? Not likely, but at least I wouldn't have been so surprised when I got wet. 

Drier weather is coming!

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Cranes, Lettuce and Travel Preps

Sandhill Cranes
Tequesta, FL
July 17, 2026

 Apparently, the sandhill cranes are enjoying the South Florida heat and humidity. Yesterday, I saw three of them on my ride. That is unusual. I sometimes come across two, but three is unusual. Perhaps the third was a chick of the pair, I didn't slow down to try and figure it out. 

Packing Preparations
Tequesta, FL
July 17, 2026

The cranes pretty much go where they want. They also are not too concerned about me and my bike, which is nice. They neither run nor attack--I am especially happy about the not attacking part. 

Lettuce Wars: I am glad that someone in authority clarified the source of the cyclosporiasis outbreak: lettuce! Let us stop eating lettuce! Funny though, we are being told that it is better to eat head lettuce rather than bagged lettuce. That seems a bit counterintuitive to me.

Finally, we began packing for our cruise which departs in a week. Chris wanted to get things laid out, and we did! Packing is incredibly stressful for some people. She also has commandeered one of the guest bedrooms and her dresses are hanging there, waiting for final packing into the garment bag. For me, however, I can pack in about 30 minutes, but I'm a guy. I'll begin laying stuff out maybe the morning before we depart. Fortunately, the cruise port and parking is only about an hour drive away. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Really Most Sincerely

 Happy Hump Day to all!

Boat Heading Down River
Tequesta, FL
July 14, 2026

I hope you partied hard to celebrate Bastille Day! Chris and I enjoyed some nice French wine last evening as part of our celebration. Really, and most sincerely, we had a very subdued celebration.

Some mornings, it seems that crises abound. Like this morning when one of the chargers failed to charge a watch and phone. I am sure it was operator error--but it still becomes a crisis. 

Yesterday, in addition to Bastille Day, I enjoyed a great ride. It was another nice day. 

I wasted a few minutes trying to capture the sun glinting off a spider's web. The camera would never actually focus on the spider and the images didn't work. 

I stopped to take the image of a solitary boat motoring down the North Fork of the Loxahatchee River. The river was pleasantly flat and I wished I had been in the boat rather than on my bike. But, I rode 19 miles and was able to enjoy the ride and the day. The weather was not nearly as oppressive as it had been which made the ride even nicer. 

As an aside, mangos are ripening and falling from the trees. They make a mess on the roads and sidewalks. Sadly, they usually do not survive the impact with the street or ground and so I have not collected any.

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Sunday Morning

 

Sandhill Cranes
Tequesta, FL
July 12, 2026

It was a cloudy morning--and perfect for a bike ride. While the temperature was in the mid-80s, without the sun adding extra heat, the ride was one of the most enjoyable I've had in a while. I added an extra mile to my usual 18-mile ride just to revisit an area I had been ignoring. 

Construction in Progress
Tequesta, FL
July 12, 2026

I rode around Tequesta and stopped on the bridge peering out at the fairly flat river. There were more people out biking or walking than normal. One dog did not like me riding past and nearly pulled its handler into my path and that was a bit exciting, but overall traffic was light.

There are a number of houses in different stages of construction and I was able to see the progress. 

Getting out on the bike was a fantastic way to start a Sunday!

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Stopped at the Tracks

 

County Line Crossing
Tequesta, FL
July 9, 2026

As I was beginning my bike ride yesterday, I was stopped by a freight train. It is a bit frustrating when that happens because the freight trains take more than a few minutes to pass. 

My 20 mile Route
Tequesta, FL
July 9, 2026

As I pulled up to the tracks there was a boy there taking a video of the train. He was on an electric bike and had apparently crossed the tracks just before the train. He got bored before the train finished passing and continues on his way.  

While I was watching the train pass, I considered changing my route a bit. I decided to do a tour around Tequesta and down into Jupiter. It wound up being a nearly 20-mile ride, but it was also slow because it bordered some busy streets and I had to use the sidewalks more than usual. I was, however, able to ride the path through Limestone Creek Park again, which made me very happy. 

I enjoyed the ride and it was a great way to start the day. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Independence Day Bike Ride

 

New Observation Pier
Limestone Creek Park, Jupiter, FL
July 4, 2026

I managed to get out yesterday on my bike for the first time in a week. It was also my first ride during July. I have been sidelined with a flat tire and burned through three inner tubes before I sought professional help. 

I wrote earlier about my flat tire and lack of replacement inner tubes. My frustration continued as I bought a new inner tube, while waiting for my Amazon order to arrive, installed it and immediately it blew and went flat. 

Trail through Limestone Creek Park
Jupiter, FL
July 4, 2026

Being a bit slow, I replaced it again! Same result. I thought that I had thoroughly checked everything looking for sharps that were causing an almost immediate blow-out.

So, with the third time being the charm, I took the wheel to the local bike shop and expressed my frustration. The tech was very helpful. He looked at the blown inner tube an almost immediately knew the problem--the lining tape between the top of the spokes and the inner tube had failed. The top of one of the spokes was putting a hole in the tube just as soon as I inflated it. 

He re-taped the wheel and installed a new inner tube for me and the problem was solved. I never thought about a failure of the tape. But, the wheel does have over 7,000 miles on it. I guess it was time. I may replace the tape in the front tire, just because. 

That all happened on Friday and I was very much looking forward to my ride yesterday. 

And I was rewarded. I chose a different route on my almost 22-mile ride. This route has side ride through Limestone Creek Park in Jupiter. The trail through the park has been closed for a couple months while one of the piers into the creek was being reconstructed. Yesterday, the trail was open and I was also able to go out onto the pier. 

I didn't realize that I had started a video on my Meta glasses, but I was happy when I later discovered it. 

I had a great ride and made it home before the heat became too oppressive. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

The Ride that Wasn't

Wheel with Tube Removed - Waiting
Tequesta, FL
July 1, 2026

 I discovered that my rear tire was flat yesterday as I took my bike out of the garage for my morning ride. It was not just a little flat, it was really most sincerely flat. Not a good way to start a bike ride.

I had a replacement inner tube. For all the good it did me. 

Somehow, I managed to put a hole in it installing. Ugh! I guess it got pinched between the rim and the tire.

I had trashed my only spare inner tube.

I thought I had more, I usually buy multiples, but it has been well over a year since I had a flat and I guess I didn't realize that I was down to my last spare.

So I waited an hour for the bike shop to open only to find, as I pulled on the locked door, that it is closed on Wednesdays. Amazon will be delivering later today.

I didn't ride yesterday, nor will I ride today. This is not the way I envisioned starting my favorite month of the year.

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Early on the Street

View from Tequesta Bridge
Tequesta, FL
June 10, 2026

 I headed out on my first ride of June this morning, a bit earlier than normal. It was also my first ride since school ended and it was weird not to be dodging kids and school busses. It was a quiet overcast morning. 

Given the high humidity, I was happy the sun was not beating down on me making me even hotter than I was. 

BIke Radar on Back with Light
Tequesta, FL
June 10, 2026

There was a relatively cool breeze when my ride began. That made the ride all the nicer.

I modified the attachment of my rear-facing radar to the bike. I have determined that I need to carry a saddle bag on the back with some of my repair gear in it. That meant that the recommended attachment for the rear-facing radar to the seat stem will no longer work. I managed a workable solution using cable ties. It isn't perfect, but it is functional. 

New Bike Seat
Tequesta, FL
June 10, 2026

Yes, I need a new back tire. I am procrastinating until it strands me somewhere so that I can swear at myself for procrastinating.  

This was also the first ride with my new bike seat. Wow! What a difference. I can actually sit straight on the seat and enjoy the ride. I don't think I realized that I wasn't sitting straight before. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Crossing a Level

Blowing Rocks Marina
Tequesta, FL
May 26, 2026

 I was shocked when I logged my almost 18-mile ride yesterday. I have ridden just over 7,000 miles on my bike. And in terms of miles ridden in a month, the over 175 miles ridden this month are my most in a month since July last year. I guess I have been slacking off a bit in terms of getting out on the streets.  

Chris at Tiki52
Tequesta, FL
May 26, 2026

I enjoyed riding yesterday, even though the winds were strong in my face for parts of the ride. The southeasterly wind gusted to about 30 MPH at times and that really added stress to a ride. But, I am getting into good shape.

For the evening, we headed off to $2 Tuesday at Tiki52 collocated with the Blowing Rocks Marina. With the temperature sitting at a pleasant 87 degrees and a nice breeze coming off the water, we enjoyed sitting under the Tiki for Happy Hour and dinner. We enjoy Tiki52 for its relaxed dining, good prices, and dog friendly atmosphere. Finn accompanied us last evening, as he often does. He really enjoys the Happy Hour wings!

It was an enjoyable day after the holiday weekend.

And now, on to Hump Day with a travel day looming on Friday. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

They Used to Chase Me

 

Dog not Restrained Playing in a Yard
Tequesta, FL
May 19, 2026

I grew up in a very rural area. A two lane road with wide shoulders passed in front of our house and once I learned to ride a bike, the shoulders were my ticket to freedom. 

I loved to ride my old coaster bike. I'm not sure they even make them anymore, but it was a single speed bike and to brake I had to push backwards on the pedals. I often biked on roads where there were no houses for long stretches though the hills of Upstate New York. I learned to change inner tubes and maintain the bike in rideable condition. It is crazy to think that I never even thought about communication although I might be a long way from help. We did not have cell phones then--they weren't even invented. If I broke down I would either fix it myself or knock on a door and ask to use the phone. 

Aside from inattentive drivers, the most dangerous thing that I used to encounter along the roads I biked were dogs. In our 1960s rural area, many people allowed their dogs to be in the yard without restraint. I used to tense whenever I saw a dog because there was a better than even chance that I was going to become prey in a game of chase. I have been chased by many dogs and, in total self-defense, I learned how to motivate a dog to leave me alone with my foot.

I recalled those times this morning as I passed two unrestrained dogs who ignored me because they were properly trained and under their owners control. I realized that times have changed in the intervening almost 60 years since I was riding the roads in Danby, NY. 

Even restrained dogs usually ignore me as I pass their owners. I no longer tense when I see a dog, I expect it to be calm and allow me to pass without more than a glance. 

They used to chase me, but no more. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Riding to Workout

Workout Effort Tracker
Tequesta, FL
May 12, 2026

 We were treated to a hard rain yesterday afternoon. I was fortunate to get out onto the streets before the wetness arrived. I have been working on conditioning and was very excited that 63 percent of my 18-mile ride was in the cardio or peak workout range. I crossed the 100-miles ridden this month mark with the ride yesterday. 

The skies were blue as I began the ride, but the gray storm clouds were already gathering as I pedaled into the driveway. I expected the rain to begin no earlier than 11 AM and I completed my journey just after 10 AM. The rain began about 11:20 AM.

I am planning to accomplish the three bridge ride again soon and am planning to add some additional streets to increase the distance a bit. The ride to Hobe Sound the other day crosses two drawbridges, but the three bridge ride, while having only two drawbridges, crosses much larger bridges situated on main highways. Larger means higher and harder.

Today there will be no biking as we are headed to the Titanic Exhibition in Boynton Beach. It is about an hour away, depending of course on traffic. 

Busy times in South Florida. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Across the Dunes

Looking Across the Dunes 
Hobe Sound National Wildlife Refuge
Hobe Sound, FL
May 8, 2026

 I enjoyed a very nice almost 23-mile ride yesterday that took me north to the Hobe Sound National Wildlife Refuge located on Jupiter Island. October last year was the last time I rode to the beach at the wildlife refuge.

Route to Hobe Sound
May 8, 2026

The route north is tough as the first seven miles are along US 1. Traffic can be very disconcerting because about four of the mile are right on the side of the road on a too small bike lane. And the other part of the first portion of the trip is that it is mostly an uphill ride. Once off US 1, the ride becomes much more enjoyable and the southbound portion of the route is on Jupiter Island along the ocean or the ICW and among the high-end homes and of course, the Jupiter Island Club golf course, upon which I will never swing a club. My route takes me along a couple of the fairways and, infrequently, I actually see people playing the course.

During the Jupiter Island portion of the ride I usually encounter other bikers. Yesterday, they were all headed north while I was riding south. The northern end of the ride is the Wildlife Refuge and in addition to the beauty of the beach and the ocean, there are primitive rest facilities. 

I realized, this morning as I was writing, that I did not take as many images during the ride as I had planned. I had attempted to image the lighthouse while riding with my RayBan Meta AI Glasses, but I must have turned my head too soon and got a nice image of an automobile fender, but no lighthouse. Darn. 

As an aside, I have already ridden more miles this month than I did last month. Not traveling and having great weather allows me to get out more.. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Sliding through the Week

Celebratory Margarita
Tequesta, FL
May 5, 2026

Happy Hump Day

 We enjoyed a subdued Cinco de Mayo celebration. Chris and I wound up at home with a pitcher of margaritas and festive music provided by Alexa. We walked over to the Mexican Restaurant last evening, but it was overflowing with people waiting for a table and we walked back home and settled for a Southwestern-style pasta recipe, oh yea, and the margaritas. And just to clarify, knowing it was only the two of us, I only made a half-pitcher of margaritas. 

Out on the Street
Tequesta, FL
May 5, 2026

I managed a nearly 18 mile bike ride yesterday. It was good to be on the street. The morning was beautiful, although I was riding just after a passing rain shower. Although the day heated up, it remained cool and nice for most of my ride. 

In the I should have known it would happen that way department:

Now that I gained access to over-the-air television channels, Comcast and Scripps settled their contract dispute yesterday. The strange news is that Comcast sent me an email advising me that because of the loss of channel access during the dispute, I am getting a credit on my next cable bill! Yay! It's not much, but it is the thought that counts. And it happened without being asked!

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Tortoise Living Dangerously

Tortoise by the Space Force Station
Tequesta, FL
May 2, 2026

 I got out for a ride yesterday. I wasn't feeling great and so I only rode just over 14 miles. I have been not riding as regularly as I should due to the traveling that Chris and I have been doing. Last month was my lowest month, in terms of miles ridden, since December 2024. Looking back; between the weather and travel I have really been slacking off. I am not even riding my Nordic S22i to keep in shape. I need to do better. 

Tortoise Living Dangerously
Tequesta, FL
MAy 2, 2026

While biking yesterday, I happened upon a tortoise that seemed intent on living dangerously. It, apparently, was planning to cross the street and had already cleared the sidewalk. I was able to get a good image of the tortoise with the Space Force tracking station in the background. I hope it made it across and back because its burrow is on the other side of the sidewalk.

This morning, as there are multiple rain showers in the area. I likely will not be out on the streets. I will power up the S22i and pedal for a while in some distant land.

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Three Bridges and a Bike

View of US-1 Bridge from A1A Bridge
Jupiter, FL
February 27, 2026

Getting back out on my bike is almost a definite when the weather gets nice. And the weather was great yesterday.

I decided to try a different route and didn't really think about it in advance, but the route crosses three large bridges--two of them being drawbridges.

Older drawbridges, like the Donald Ross Drawbridge, can be problematic. Usually they have steel grates across the channel and road or racer bike tires sometimes slip. Fortunately, I have equipped my bike with all terrain tires which are a wider and do not tend to slip on the grates.  

I had ridden along the ocean to the southern point of my trek before. The new part was at the left turn onto Donald Ross. It was here the traffic got a bit tight as I was in the left turning lane to make the turn. I was very aware of the cars and went very wide to they could turn onto the roadway. I had never ridden the Donald Ross Bridge before and it has a pleasantly wide approach! The bridge has the aforementioned steel grates, but I handled them without issue. 

I wasn't actually sure of the distance I would ride, but I enjoyed the different scenery. The sidewalks along Donald Ross and A1A are very nice and kept me away from the traffic. Some drivers are not aware of the 3 foot rule and I really hate it when I think a bumper is going to brush my leg. 

The ride turned out to be a quarter-mile shorter than my usual almost 18-mile ride, but the elevation changes associated with the bridges made it a bit tougher than usual. I liked the ride and will keep it for the basis of another change-up ride in the future. 

-- Bob doan, Tequesta, FL

Great Morning Ride

Loxahatchee North Fork Bridge
Tequesta, FL
February 26, 2026

 Happy Friday! TGIF

The cold snap has passed and yesterday I was able to return to the street for a ride. It felt good to be back out there, even though I had multiple layers of clothing to retain my body heat.

Nicole, Chris, and Finn
Manatee Pocket, FL
February 20, 2026

The light clouds allowed the sun to keep me warm whilst riding. I was out early enough that I was surprised by the amount of traffic. I guess 30 minutes really does make a difference. I stopped for a moment on the bridge over the North Fork of the Loxahatchee River in Tequesta to document the day. The light ripples on the river made the reflection of the clouds seem like an impressionist painting.

It was a great morning for a ride. 

I was remembering last Friday as we set out on a boat from Manatee Pocket for an adventure on the water. We had a lot of fun with Nicole. I can't believe it had been already a week since we were on the water. Yes, Finn is in the image. Look under Chris' arm sitting next to her. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Across Tequesta

 

My Orange Bike Helmet
Tequesta, FL
February 12, 2026

I managed to get out two days in a row on my bike. I rode 18 miles again yesterday around Tequesta. That has been a feat lately with the cold weather. But the weather is becoming very nice, except for this morning with the threat of showers--it is supposed to be the dry season.

My Ray-Ban Wayfarer Smart Glasses have stopped accepting a charge and so I no longer have the use of the "smart' functions. They are effectively just expensive sunglasses. I miss listening to music and the news during my ride. This is the second pair of Wayfarer glasses that have developed the "will not charge" issue, but now I am out of warranty. there do not seem to be a lot of options to fix a bad battery, I am still researching. 

On a good not, however, I asked for and received a "smart" biking helmet for Christmas. I finally set up the Bluetooth and was able to get all of my media desires during yesterday's ride. I like my new helmet as it is very orange and had lights to increase my visibility to vehicles with which I am sharing the road.

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Happy Hump Day

 

View of the Marina
Tequesta, FL
February 10, 2026

We have again hit the hump of the week.

I continue to be amazed at how I wander my way through each week even though I do no longer have a job that requires my attendance. But, the day characterizations continue to help me stay cognizant of each day. 

Yesterday was a more normal South Florida day. The temperature reached a pleasant high of 77 degrees and the morning warmed into the 60s by about 9 AM, which allowed me to enjoy a very nice 18-mile bike ride. It was only my second ride of February, but it was definitely an enjoyable ride mostly because it was not cold. 

Chris and I also enjoyed our Tiki Tuesday last evening. The weather was almost perfect, it began with nice bright sun but it became a bit cool as the evening progressed. The marina was very quiet, probably due to the recent weather. 

Today is hump day! The week can only get better from here!

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Need a Little Springtime

 Temperatures are recovering here in South Florida. 

I managed an almost 18-mile ride yesterday, but it took over 6 miles for me to warm up and no longer feel as if I was cold. I thought I had dressed appropriately for the outing, but even with the temperature at 60 degrees, it was a cold ride especially when I was biking into the wind. That would be because of the "feels like" temperature of riding about 13 MPH into a 6-10 MPH breeze. Yea, cold! Roughly a feels like of 57 degrees. 

Tulips at Publix
Tequesta, FL
February 4, 2026

It was sad to see all of the annuals which succumbed to the cold in the flower beds along my ride. All the hopes for bright cheery colors lay brown and dead on the ground.  

When Chris and I later headed off to Publix for supplies, I spied some tulips in the flower section of the store. They made me smile. It was just the piece of Springtime that I needed, all the while reminding myself that we are in the middle of Winter. Of course, the temperatures are going to be more Florida-like soon, at least according to the weather forecast I found this morning.

We might even get some boating in next week!

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL