Ouch!

Sandhill Crane on my Ride
Turtle Creek, Tequesta, FL
September 15, 2025

 I stubbed my toe last night tripping over one of Finnegan's chew bones. 

Ugh!

So the injury didn't hurt all that bad last night, but today it is screaming at me. It does not appear broken, there is no swelling or blackness, but I jammed it good. Additionally, there is no sharp pain when it is moved--so no doctor, yet!

Yesterday I had a very enjoyable bike ride around Tequesta. The humidity is lower and that makes the ride more pleasant. I'm doing a better job deconflicting my ride with the school kids waiting for the bus. Often they lay on the sidewalk to read their phones and I have to be cautious when passing them. I had one boy, the other day, who I had to yell to not to back up because he was standing up and backing into my path in anticipation of the arriving bus. 

Well, it is Terrific Tuesday!

I am hoping the incendiary rhetoric regarding the assassination and the First Amendment cools a bit today nationally. We need to get back on a more even footing. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Moon and Palms

Moon and Palms
Tequesta, FL
September 8, 2025

 Yesterday morning, while taking Finn out for his morning  relief, I noted the Moon in the clear sky amidst the palms. I enjoyed the view and took an image of it to remind myself of the simple beauty of the scene. 

Shortly after the image was taken, the storms settled in for the day. It was damp, humid and rainy. I was not able to bike the streets and so I hopped on my recently repaired NordicTrack S22i and biked around Moorea in French Polynesia. I enjoyed the ride and the heat and humidity in my garage probably approximated the heat and humidity in Moorea where the ride I followed was videoed. 

I find that riding the S22i and following a video is tougher than actually biking because there is no coasting along allowed. The feet have to be pedaling all the time. As such, it makes the workout more efficient. But I miss seeing all of the activity around the my community. 

I am planning to ride this morning.

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Football Induced Haze

Hobe Sound National Wildlife Refuge Beach
Hobe Sound, FL
September 6, 2025

 I have been in a football induced haze since Thursday which is not expected to end until tomorrow night. The NFL season kicked off and I watched the Thursday and Friday editions of the NFL, then yesterday's storm-lengthened Georgia Bulldogs game, and I expect to watch three NFL games today and one tomorrow night. 

I am going to need a rest before beginning it all over again on Thursday.

I am not sure that I am ready for football season. The Ravens are the late game tonight.

It should be noted that the Orioles are still playing baseball and executed a stunning two-out bottom of the ninth walk-off comeback win last night over the Dodgers. They were no-hitter victims until the last out of the game--which, as it turns out, never arrived. Whew. 

Fortunately, I biked 23 miles yesterday and so I am physically fit and ready to tackle the sofa and watch the football games. My ride was one that I only do infrequently and usually on a weekend because there is less traffic. I biked to the Hobe Sound National Wildlife Refuge and stood on the edge of the sand to admire the beach. I noted that it was almost exactly 10 miles to the beach and then riding back along Jupiter Island's Beach Road adds about three miles. 

September is such a busy month!

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Back in the Saddle Ride

Loxahatchee River Bridge
Tequesta, FL
August 29, 2025

 I was back in my bike saddle this morning for an 18-mile ride around Tequesta. I usually take it easy after a weeklong layoff, but I was feeling good and did my usual ride without the recent 1.4 mile add-on that I have been doing to get over 19 miles. 

I made my usual quick stop on the Loxahatchee River Bridge in Tequesta for a quick image to record the conditions of the day. The temperature was 78 degrees when the ride began and 1h19m later, when my ride was complete, it was 81 degrees. I bested my usual time by 5 minutes--that is how good I felt and I spent 38 percent of the time in my peak cardio zone! 

I did not see my usual tortoises nor frequently sighted Sandhill Cranes. But I did enjoy seeing the changes in the short week since I last rode. 

Soon I will be ready for the remainder of the day and a trip to Costco!

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Getting over Hump Day

Loxahatchee Bridge
Tequesta, FL
August 20, 2025

 Well we I made it to the second half of the week. I did enjoy a nice 19-mile ride yesterday around Tequesta. It was my usual route, but I still enjoy getting out and seeing the changes. 

I snapped a quick image of the day as I traversed the North Fork Loxahatchee Bridge yesterday, just to remind me of the clear beautiful day that we enjoyed. It was cooler in the morning, yes all of 78 degrees, but it made the ride enjoyable. 

Tomorrow is another travel day. Chris and I are headed to Houston, OK, Weston Lakes actually, to visit and spend some time with Dad. Yes, this trip is somewhat sudden as we only returned from Maryland a week ago, but it happens. 

Hopefully, today will be a bright and beautiful as yesterday was although the temperature is expected to top 95 degrees making it the hottest day of the year, so far. With the hurricane stoked surf, it will definitely not be a beach day. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Tuesday has arrived again

Antenna at the Space Force Station
Tequesta, FL
August 18, 2025

 It is good to be home in Florida. 

The weather is a bit uncomfortable because the stress index was 112 degrees yesterday, but the blue sky was awesome. 

I managed a bike ride yesterday and as I was hitting my last two mile, I saw something I rarely see. One antenna at the Space Force Station was being repositioned. The closest one was swinging almost right over me as I rode by on the sidewalk. It was fun to watch the huge antenna swinging. I don't get to see that often. 

Deer near Jonathan Dickinson State Park
Tequesta, FL
August 18, 2025

I also saw a deer during the ride. While I usually see gopher tortoises, I rarely see deer. It was near the boundary to the Jonathan Dickinson State Park. I have to write again, I really love my Meta glasses. Being able to take an image at a moment's notice is really great. 

Aside from the normal pace of life, we are preparing to head-off Friday for Houston to see Dad. That is a sudden trip due to his declining health situation. We don't normally like to travel back-to-back. It reminds me too much of traveling for work which is just exhausting.

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Finding Friday

Sidewalk Home
Tequesta, Fl
July 25, 2025

 Being on the cusp of the weekend again is amazing. It has been a busy week, even though I have not ridden since Tuesday. I'm not sure that I needed two days off. 

Watching the Republican Party implode over the Epstein files has been refreshing. It is weird that some try to blame the Democrats for the problem, but it is a self-inflected wound where many of the Cabinet-level leaders made promises to release the files before they wound up in their positions. It is almost funny if it weren't so tragic. 

I enjoyed a just short of 18-mile ride this morning. The wind from the East was tough, but I had a good time and crossed over 200 miles for the month. That is the most miles ridden in a month since I rode over 300 miles for the Cancer Society during October last year. 

And so, since it is Friday, Chris and I will be heading out to get some supplies for the weekend. That will be the big trip of the day, although we are looking forward to dinner tonight. We hope to try a new, as yet undecided, restaurant.

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

First 20-miler of the Month

Crossing the Southwest Fork of the Loxahatchee
Jupiter, FL
July 18, 2025

 I just completed a 22-mile ride. It was my first over-20 mile ride of the month. Even in the heat and humidity, it felt good and I checked out some side streets that I have not ever ridden. 

It seems that I am more and more crossing the A1A Bridge linking Tequesta and Jupiter as sell as the new US-1 bridge. But, the Loxahatchee River surrounds almost everywhere I ride, except when I go due south over the US-1 bridge.  

Today's Bike Route
Jupiter and Tequesta, FL
July 18, 2025

Because I toured many smaller streets, it took a bit longer than usual to complete the ride. 

Before the ride was complete, I crossed some portion of the Loxahatchee River six times. That is a personal, although dubious, record for a single ride. 

I don't see the need to complete many 20-plus miler rides as they take me away from Chris and the house for too long. The weather also gets very uncomfortable the closer to noon as I am completing them. Today's ride took just under two hours, and when I write just under I mean by less than a minute. It was the first day in a few weeks where I did not feel that I was trying to beat the rainclouds home. 

Well, I will have to see what else today brings. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Changing up the Routes

Juno Beach Pier
Juno Beach, FL
July 9, 2025

 I have been riding a new route using the US-1 bridge over the Loxahatchee River. I have only ridden it twice, but I do enjoy biking along the ocean, even though the breeze can be annoying when it is in my face.

One of the highlights of this route is the Juno Beach Pier. There is, it seems, always traffic and activity around the entrance to the pier. I took a moment to stop and take an image of it the other day. Funny, I have never walked onto the pier although I have boated around the pier. I guess I need to take time and actually visit the pier. 

Other highlights along the route include Carlin Park and DuBois Park. They each provide a nice biking diversion off the main streets. The only issues I have with this ride is that it is along busy streets, although there is a very nice and wide bike lane where beachgoers often leave their car doors open for me to avoid, and the natural route is a bit shorter than I would like and is not a circuit but more of an out and back. 

I am having a good biking month. I have biked 6 times in the first 10 days and am over 100 miles ridden. It has been good to get out in the saddle even when the morning temperature is 80 degrees with high humidity. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

A Surprise Blue Sky

Along Island Way
Jupiter, FL
July 4, 2025

 Taking Finn outside for his morning relief, I looked upwards and was rewarded with a blue clear sky! No clouds. 

It is the first time in about two weeks that the sky was blue and clear. It changed my mood.

I am looking forward to a bike ride in a few minutes and Chris and I will definitely plan some outdoors activities today. Maybe a visit to the beach!

My most recent biking adventure was along Island Way and into Jupiter on Indiantown Road--the busiest road in Jupiter. It is the main East-West road from both I-95 and the Turnpike. I use Indiantown Road so I can make a circuit and not just an out and back. I enjoy the ride along Island Wyoming because there is a lot of open area that has not been developed, yet. I am sure there are plans to cover the natural Florida growth with a sea of houses at some point in the future. 

Well, it is Sunday. The sky is blue and the streets are calling to me. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Across the New Bridge

Control Center
US-1 Highway Bridge over
the Loxahatchee River
June 28, 2025

 I rode across the new US-1 bridge over the Loxahatchee River yesterday. It was exciting and I have wanted to ride the bridge for a while. I made the ride whilst completing a 16+ mile ride. 

Riding across the new bridge was a lot easier than the previous bridge. The bike lane is wide. The previous bridge didn't to have bike lane and I had to ride next to (or in) traffic. I remember sitting in traffic when the bridge had opened and nearly suffocating from the exhaust of the car next to me. The span is easier to ride across as well because it is fully concrete as opposed to the open metal grates of the previous bridge. 

I enjoyed riding over this bridge as opposed to its predecessor. I think I may develop a regular route that includes this bridge into my riding plans because it will allow me to ride along the ocean. While the breeze was in my face heading out yesterday, it was as refreshing as a breeze at 85 degrees could be. 

I videoed of a portion of my ride across the bridge.

 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Friday Ride

Crossing A1A Bridge
Tequesta, FL
June 20, c2025

Happy Summer Solstice

It happened quite suddenly. I was reviewing email and the news from overnight when suddenly I was invited out on a Friday morning ride which ended up at over 20 miles.

We rode across a bridge over the Loxahatchee River that I had only ridden once before and then down through Jupiter before crossing back into Tequesta. I realized that I had not fully regained my biking stamina from the nearly two weeks I since I was riding regularly. Yea, I was sucking wind by the time I got home. It was a great training session however. I spent 48 minutes exercising in Zone 1!

For a mostly unplanned Friday morning ride, it was great and it felt good to get a some significant mileage accomplished. Yea, I had to drink two bottles of water when I got home because I didn't drink enough while riding. It was about 86 degrees when we finished the ride. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Ahead of the Storm

Storm in the Distance
Loxahatchee River Bridge, Tequesta, FL
May 28, 2025

 I managed a solid bike ride yesterday around Tequesta. I was concerned about the storm clouds that I saw, but as it turned out they remained in the distance and I enjoyed the ride. 

I imaged the clouds from the Loxahatchee River Bridge in Tequesta and at that time I wondered if I was going to get rained on during my ride. I kept a close eye on the storm and was a lucky that it remained in the distance and eventually dissipated. 

May has not been a great biking month, as I am only at about 130 miles total for 8 rides. I have had some short rides and have not logged any 20-milers during the month. I have enjoyed my rides as they allow me to watch the summer creep into the area. During my rides I do my tortoise count and focus on the areas where I know there are tortoise dens. I also watch the houses which are being constructed. Construction is a very slow process and at times the contractors forget to allow enough space for two vehicles to pass on the streets--which is frustrating. I have had to dismount and walk my bike through adjoining yards to pass the areas. 

Hopefully, June will be a better riding month!

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL 

Riding and Walking

Flower on the Grass
Tequesta, FL
May 7, 2025

 I pushed Chris a harder yesterday on our bikes. I added a two-mile loop bringing her up to 12 miles on the ride. That she was tired at the end, but she made the ride and is getting back into riding shape.

I enjoy our rides together. They are slower than when I ride alone, but it is nice to be with someone and we stay connected on our cells to communicate during the ride. That makes it nice as we can discuss what we are seeing or warn each other of traffic situations.

The real challenge is after the ride. Finnegan needs to be walked. I have to admit I am not interested in walking the dog after riding for more than an hour. But, it needs to be done and so we do it. We definitely get our exercise in for the day. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

The Fragrance of Gardenias

Gardenia in Bloom
Tequesta, FL
March 29, 2025

 The fragrance of gardenias was everywhere yesterday during my almost 18-mile ride. 

The gardenias have been in bloom for a couple of weeks now, but yesterday they seemed to be at their peak. The sweet fragrance was everywhere and it was very enjoyable. I enjoyed the sweetness around every curve. 

After my morning ride, Chris and I spent the day restocking the food supplies which we had drawn down during April due to our many travels. We expect to be home for most of May! Yay. 

Due to a dental appointment, I won't be able to ride today, but I am hopeful of getting out again tomorrow and enjoying the gardenias again. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Tax Day 2025

Blowing Rocks Marina
Tequesta, FL
April 15, 2025

Did you survive Tax Day?

 We are experiencing some absolutely fantastic weather. I remember other South Florida Aprils where the temperatures were already in the 90s and the humidity was oppressive. These days, however, the humidity is enjoyable and the temperatures are only now beginning to reach into the 80s.

I rode almost 22 miles yesterday and did not even really break a sweat because of the pleasant humidity. I did a longer ride through some areas that I only infrequently visit. It is nice to note the changes and the route I rode has a very nice wild area which is not unlike the trail I rode last summer on the Great Allegheny Passage. 

For the evening, Chris and I headed off to Tiki52 and $2 Tuesday. I think I am writing too much about Tiki52 because it seems to be getting busier even as the snow birds are departing. After enjoying some adult beverages and wings, Chris and I walked out onto the dock at the marina and stared longingly at the ICW. It has been too long since I was out enjoying it from a boat. 

Well, the big event was Tax Day--and while I had already filed my taxes the small fortune I owed the government was withdrawn from my accounts yesterday. Ouch! I did a little too good in my investments, of course that was before the tariff nonsense which has negated all of the gains on which I just paid taxes. I am pretty sure 2025 will not be a repeat of 2024--we have a long way to go to get back to where the previous president left us. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Another Beautiful Florida Day

Crossing the Loxahatchee River
Tequesta, FL
April 9, 2025

 It was a cool 63 degrees as I headed off on my bike yesterday morning. Having been away, it always feels good to get back out on my bike. Yesterday was no different. The wind was cold even with a sweatshirt, when I started the ride. I finally warmed about 4 miles into the 14-mile ride I had planned.

It was great to be out on the bike after driving over 2500 miles during the previous 9 days. What a trip! Tequesta to Elkridge to Ithaca to Elkridge and then back to Tequesta! Whew. And that does not include the travel around Maryland.

We are off to Tampa tomorrow for boating, a ballgame, and an overnight. I am excited to boat Tampa Bay for the first time. I hope the weather holds. It is supposed to be pleasant and sunny!

Today we have a few house projects that need attention and so I will be skipping my bike ride., It is amazing how things seem to go awry when we are gone. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Fighting the Wind

 

My last bike ride, which was Friday morning, ended with a rough climb up a small hill. I shortened my ride by three miles due to the stiff wind I was experiencing. I wound up only riding just over 14 miles instead of my usual almost 18. 

I forgot to look out the window and check the flag across the street to determine the wind speed before I departed. The first half of my ride was pretty good since I head west. It was not until I began to ride some of the east legs that I noticed the wind.  It was coming from the east at about 20 mph with higher gusts.  I had a lot of fun riding west, but paid a price when heading east. 

The worst part of the ride was the final leg led which is up a hill riding to the east  as I crested the small hill, the wind hit me full on and it almost felt as if I was going to be pushed backwards.  But of course I wasn’t  

— Bob Doan, Tequesta, Fl

Riding and Mondays

 Mondays are an interesting day to ride my bike around Tequesta. I chose to go a bit later in the morning due to some patchy fog, and I do not want to be riding along a busy street in difficult driving conditions. 

What makes Mondays interesting? 

The garbage trucks and the lawn maintenance vehicles. Yesterday, for instance, there was one spot where between the trash truck and the lawn maintenance vehicles there was no room to even ride a bike past. I had to dismount and walk around. 

But on a beautiful morning, such as yesterday, there are also lots of people to see and acknowledge. I try to say good morning to them all hoping that the greeting will brighten their day. 

I took a short video of riding across a bridge and saying good morning to a fellow biker on the bridge. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Heading Home

Headed Home
Girl Scout Camp Road
Tequesta, FL

 Yesterday was another great winter day in South Florida. Temperatures climbed into the mid-70s and I managed an 18+-mile bike ride. I chose an alternate route to my usual path just to see some place that I had not visited in a while. I took this image as I was about 3 miles from home near the end of my ride. 

I have been very encouraged by how quickly my body is responding to the increase in physical activity over the past relatively inactive two months. While I do not delude myself into thinking that I am back in shape, I know that with continued activity I will increase my stamina and lung capacity. 

Today is supposed to be another beautiful South Florida day. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL