The River

 

Crab in the River
North Fork, Loxahatchee River
Tequesta, FL
August 8, 2023

I managed a 16.5 mile ride yesterday, before the heat became too oppressive. It was nothing special, except for my stop on the bridge in Tequesta which passes over the North Fork of the Loxahatchee River.

Looking South over
North Fork of Loxahatchee River
Tequesta, FL
August 8, 2023

 

The river was flat and inviting. I looked down into the water and found that despite the heat above, the river was full of life. I normally see needlefish and other small baitfish, but yesterday there was a fairly good-sized crab working the shallows.

There were also some larger fish in the area which I enjoyed watching. 

I make the stop on the bridge a regular water break. I love to watch the different characters that the river shows. And, just a few weeks ago, Chris and I were boating right at the entrance to the North Fork. We would have motored up the river, however, we were concerned about the dark clouds gathering between where we were in the river and our marina about an hour-and-a-half away.  

There is always something to enjoy about the river. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Back on the Streets

 After a couple days of false starts, Chris and I managed a 15.5 mile ride yesterday. We had headed out on our bikes on both Thursday and Friday only to have our rides shortened by passing rainstorms--on both days! It actually rained on us yesterday as well, but we pressed on sensing that it was only a light passing shower. That the road did not get wet, with the raindrops evaporating almost as soon as they landed, helped us to make the decision to press ahead. 

It was a good ride. We noticed that, in places, the rain had fallen rather hard with the road being wet. We took a comfortable pace and enjoying the ride and finally getting back out onto the streets. 

It is hard to ride when the heat stress index is touching on 100 degrees, which it has been doing by about 10 AM most days. Fortunately the winds changed from the West to the East and we are having more normal Florida summertime weather. That written, it also appears that there may be a potential hurricane lurking out. in the Atlantic--it may form in the next 7 or so days. Time will tell. 

I really don't need a hurricane.

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Stupid Driver Nearly Killed me!

Chairs on the Beach
Manatee Pocket, Port Salerno, FL
July 12, 2023

 I was nearing there end of a 17-mile bike ride yesterday and preparing to turn onto my street when a white van aggressively pulled into the crosswalk forcing me to lay my bike down to avoid being stuck.

It really sucks when that happens.

I have scrapes on my knee and arm, but no other damage. 

The chain fell off the sprockets and cassette of my bike, but I was able to get it put back in place to continue riding the short 2-tenths of a mile home. 

I was legally in a crosswalk, yes bikers can use the crosswalks in Florida and abide by pedestrian rules, when the van just pulled up to the intersection. It really sucked. I have clip-in biking shoes and while I always take may left foot out when stopping is imminent, I needed my right foot and I forgot to twist to release the snaps when trying to balance the bike. 

Down I went.

I guess I need to spend more time in my beach chair and less time trying to stay in good physical condition.

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL 

Sizzling

 When is hot too hot?

Chris and I discovered too hot yesterday during our shortened 13 mile ride. We started out planning for a 17 mile ride, but as the heat grew more oppressive we shortened it to 13 miles by cutting out a portion of our route. It is not just the thermometer temperature, but the stress index as well that affected us.

We both survived, but decided that we need to begin our rides earlier, like in the 7 AM hour rather than at about 9:40 AM.

Today, we are planning to be smarter. We are headed out onto the Intracoastal Waterway (ICW) boating again. Being on the water with a breeze should make the day less oppressive. I still require four boating trips before I can apply to take the open ocean safety course and be allowed out on the Mighty Atlantic. Then I will be truly dangerous.

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

South Florida in June

It is the stormy, wet time of year here in South Florida. 

The afternoon/evening thunderstorms are just a part of life and we are used to having them roll through. A particularly fierce storm with driving rain came through last evening as Chris and I were watching TV. We didn't even acknowledge it until be both heard the thunder. Looking outside, the driving rain and wind reminded me of the glancing blow we took from a hurricane, with the key difference being it only lasted a few minutes. 

We have also been experiencing somewhat unbearable heat. The stress index has been over 100 degrees every day this week limiting outdoors activity. That written, I did manage an almost 17 mile bike ride yesterday, but I was very hot when I returned home. I actually enjoyed the ride, but the stiff west wind make it a challenge in some areas. I added in a one-mile loop in the middle of the ride. I am thinking that this will become my new base ride. I look at the elevation data form the ride and it seems almost humorous when compared to the rides I made in Maryland. I mean, how can 51 ft descent and 41 ft descent compare to the last ride I took in Maryland with 407 ft ascent and 411 ft descent? Very different riding.

I just saw this afternoon's stress index forecast: 105-108 degrees! 

Hot! Thank goodness for air conditioning.

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Church at the end of the Road

Church at the end of the road
Odenton, MD
June 7, 2023

 I managed a bike ride the other day, before the air quality became dangerous to outdoors activity. I am expanding my network of roads and trails; exploring some of them to the end.

That is exactly what I found the other day as I rode down a dead-end road. I had checked the road out on my bike map and noted that a small church sat where the road ended. As I biked from the main road down this small paved road past the houses, I wondered how many other bikers had, like me, biked to the end of the road? It is mostly downhill, towards the river, and I began to wonder if I was going enjoy biking my way back to the main road. 

The church was how I imagined it to be: a small, active, country chapel, complete with a graveyard in back. The road ended abruptly at a pile of road fill preventing continuing onto the old roadbed which apparently was abandoned decades ago given the amount of debris.

I enjoyed biking around in front of the church and I believe that given its remote location I was probably being imaged as I rode my bike past the front doors being careful not to touch or disturb anything.  

The ride back up did not seem nearly as long as the ride down the hill to the church and it was not nearly as steep as I had feared. In just a few minutes, I was back on the main road and the trail after enjoying a short detour.

BTW, the air quality today is 70, down from 271 yesterday.

-- Bob Doan, Odenton, MD

The Saturday Ride

 

Snapping Turtle
Along WB&A Trail
June 3, 2023

Chris and I managed to bike yesterday. It was only our second excursion together and it was a fairly easy 8.75 miles.

Chris Making the Turn
WB&A Trail, Odenton, MD
June 3, 2023

We rode a portion of the WB&A Trail. It was an out and back ride since part of the trail remains closed. I imaged Chris at the turn where we began the return portion of the ride after we had stopped for water and to chat. 

The smell of the honeysuckle remains strong in the wooded areas. It is just enjoyable to be assaulted by such a sweet odor as we bike. 

We enjoyed a wildlife close encounter along the trail. A snapping turtle was meandering beside the trail and we stopped, along with other bikers, to view the animal and take a few images. The animal does not look happy, but then when does a snapping turtle ever look happy.

The generally gentle grade of the WB&A Trail makes riding enjoyable. Even with an elevation change of 330 feet, for the most part riding the trail is very enjoyable. There are only a couple hills which actually require a significant downshift.

It was a fun ride on a Saturday morning.

-- Bob Doan, Odenton, MD

Return to the BWI Loop

 Patrick and I enjoyed a "boys night out" last evening and started by riding the BWI Loop again.

We worked hard, lowering our actual workout time from 55 minutes to 48 minutes to complete the 10.6 mile loop around the airport. That raised our average speed from 11.6 to 13.2 mph. 

That was a fun way to begin an evening together that then moved to his basement where we talked for a couple hours and enjoyed some adult beverages together. 

I am beginning to appreciate my Bikemap App more since its recent upgrade. The mapping is better and the stats are easier to access and are more complete. One of the upgrades added 10ths of a mile for distances over 10 miles. In the previous version once I pedaled over 10 miles, the app only showed miles and not miles and tenths. The app recorded the tenths, but did not display them. I generally ride using Bikemap and the Apple fitness bike app together. It has happened that one of them failed during the ride, like because I forgot to charge my watch or I hit a button and killed the Bikemap, and so I get a record of the ride regardless of my inattention to detail.

Before riding yesterday, I had to work on my rear brake. For some reason one of the disc pads had become loose and I was not getting braking power on the rear. That is a bad and dangerous thing since using the front brake only on hills could be hazardous. I stopped by a bike shop, but they could not see my bike until the 31st. So I did "Bob doing Bob things" and took a look at the brake myself. With the help of the internet, I was able to adjust the brake and fixed the issue in about 10 minutes--the hardest part being finding the correct sized Allen wrench.

Another day dawns.

-- Bob Doan, Odenton, MD

Expanding the Route

 

I managed a late morning bike ride yesterday, seeking to increase my distance by about 5 miles from the previous ride. I added a loop through Odenton which was almost exactly 5 miles and totaled 14.01 miles for the ride. 

14 Mile Ride
Odenton, MD
May 20, 2023

What really amazed me, however, when I checked the stats for the ride was the elevation change. That is something I do not get a lot of in Florida. On this 14 mile ride I enjoyed 570 feet of descent and 560 feet of ascent while achieving a max elevation above sea level of 224 feet. I was pretty much climbing or coasting for the entire route. By comparison on a recent 22 mile ride in Florida, I experienced 71 feet of descent and 73 feet of ascent achieving a max elevation of 30 feet above sea level. So biking in Maryland is a very different type of riding from Florida.

Crossing the Patuxent River
Odenton, MD
May 20, 2021

I enjoyed the long gradual descent of the WB&A railroad bed. It is also not too severe to return. The mapping program recorded it fairly well. It looks to be over a 100 foot elevation change.

As I crossed over the Patuxent River, I noted some people down one the banks with a fire and playing in the water. I was able to get the smoke in the image, but the people had moved out of sight by the time I stopped my bike and managed to get my phone off its handlebar mount to take the image. This area is one of the most scenic along the path.

It was a great day and a great ride. OK, it was a bit cool.

-- Bob Doan, Odenton, MD

Another Day, Another Trail

WB&A Trail Ride with Closed Area Marked
Odenton, MD
May 18, 2023

 I took off to explore another biking trail yesterday. It is part of the Washington, Baltimore & Annapolis (WB&A or WBA) trail network. The trail runs very close to where we are staying and looking at my biking app, which has the trail clearly marked, I was expecting a nice long ride. 

View from the End Point of my Ride
WB&A Trail
May 18, 2023

The trail, which mostly follows and old rail line, does not have severe hills but generally gradual and long grades. I picked up the trail up where it crosses Waugh Chapel Road in Odenton and followed it south, towards Annapolis. I had an enjoyable ride for about 4.5 miles until I came, abruptly, to an area where the trail is closed for both rerouting away from the railed and construction of a pedestrian bridge over the Patuxent River. I was bummed because the trail goes on for a great distance beyond the closed area, but I could not figure a route around the closed section.

In the end, I posted an easy 9-mile ride. It was an out and back ride, rather than the loop rides that I enjoy doing. The scenery along the way varied from forest and open fields to housing communities. At one point, I was perched on a small hill overlooking what seemed like rolling fields of houses. It made me sad to think about how the area used to be used for farming, but now was filled with houses placed too close together. 

-- Bob Doan, Odenton, MD

Riding the Loop

BWI from the Overlook
Baltimore, MD
May 17, 2023

 

The BWI Loop Ride
Baltimore, MD
May 17, 2023

We did it!

Last evening, accompanied by Patrick and Jen, Chris and I rode the BWI Loop. It was not a long ride, compared to many we have done, but the nearly 11 miles of Maryland hills made it challenging. Even more exciting was the ride through wooded areas and then to the overlook where the entirety of Baltimore-Washington International Airport was observed. 

We had a lot of fun, even with the hills. At one point I was going 25 mph down a long slope. I would have gone faster but I came upon some people walking and needed to slow to avoid them. 

Chris and I will definitely do the loop again, in fact we are already planning it with Patrick and Jen for next week. But, there are some other trails in the area that I want to explore. 

Looking forward to more fun on the trails.

-- Bob Doan, Odenton, MD

Geese in the Grass

Goose Family on an Outing
Odenton, MD
May 16, 2023

 One of the advantages of being back in Maryland for the late-Spring, is the ability to enjoy the animals as they tend their youngsters. Near us is a rainwater runoff pond which has a lot of duckweed and is the daily feeding location for two pairs of Canada Geese and their goslings.  There are eight goslings between the two groups. Three older ones and five younger. The geese are not nesting around the pond, they actually nest in another pond and walk through the forest every day. They spend the day feeding at the pond near us. 

I check on the two families throughout the day, counting the goslings. Sometimes they come outside the fence surrounding the pond, as they did yesterday. There are actually four geese in the image. The two parents are close together. 

We are careful not to disturb the families. The pond also hosts other visitors, one of which is a large groundhog. It is humorous to see him running up the hill when people approach. He gets to the top and then looks back to see if he is being chased, which he is not. 

Today, we are planing our first bike ride. We will be joining Patrick and Jen and friends for a ride around the BWI Loop. Surprisingly, I never ride the loop last summer as I was too busy downsizing our house and selling it. 

So we have another busy day planned and are already enjoying our time in Maryland.

-- Bob Doan, Odenton, MD

Angry Ocean

 

Arriving at the beach near low tide
Jupiter Island, FL
May 6, 2023

In the aftermath of Cinco de Mayo and the coronation, I managed an 18.2 mile bike ride which ended in a driving rainstorm. It was not my first time getting soaked while riding, but I find that I enjoy the experience less and less. It is awful to arrive home with water dripping off. And the breeze makes it feel cold! Yes, even at 82 degrees the movement of the bike with the wind made me cold! Ugh!

Later on the Beach
Jupiter Island, FL
May 6, 2023

As the very localized storms passed through, Chris and I noticed a break and took a walk on the beach. As we arrived, the day was pleasant, but the ocean was rough from all of the passing storms. There was a goodly amount of sargassum on the beach, but still not the mountains of sea grass that had been predicted, although a lot more could be seen heading for the beach in the waves.

We were not on the beach very long before we noticed that the white broken clouds had given way to dark and foreboding ones. The clouds at this time were not just over the ocean, but they were behind us over the land. We were surrounded and some of the clouds seriously looked like rain clouds. In the image to the left, the clouds behind the one at the center top appear to be raining. Fortunately, we did not see lightening or hear thunder. 

Out of an "abundance" of caution, we departed the beach and returned home. We had only been walking on the beach for about 30 minutes, but it was clearly time to leave. 

We headed home and arrived without incident.

All-in-all, another great South Florida day. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Back in the Saddle

Bike Route
Tequesta/Jupiter, FL
May 2, 2023

 Chris and I rolled out the bikes for a morning ride yesterday. We have a base route that we go which has been about 15.6 miles. It tours through Tequesta, parts of Jupiter and stretches into Martin County. 

Yesterday, I added a roughly one-mile loop into the route. I am trying to increase our workout length and get Chris comfortable riding over 20-miles. I circled the new loop. Our ride takes us around two golf courses through the residential neighborhoods.

The first time I rode the new addition was yesterday. As can be seen, we ride a similar, but shorter, loop on the north side of the golf course. I usually try to preview routes before I take Chris on them, but I decided on the spur of the moment to add it yesterday because the ride was going very well. Unfortunately, there was an unusually large amount of truck traffic in the neighborhoods and one big truck surprised me causing me to stop quickly. I had a bit of trouble getting my shoes off the pedals which somehow caused my chain to come off the cassette. That was easily remedied except for the grease on my hands for the remainder of the ride. I guess I need to carry some wipes in my saddlebag. 

What is a cassette? Well, I learned a few weeks that cassette is what the cluster of cogs (gears?) is called on the rear wheel of a bike. Who knew? Check out the bike part diagram for more info on learning the names for parts of a bicycle. 

Yesterday was a special day for my biking experience. I have ridden over 2,000 miles since purchasing my bike during February 2022. Yay me! And I only have a few new scars to show for it!

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Super Saturday

Clouds from the North Fork Loxahatchee River Bridge
Tequesta, FL
April 22, 2023

Saturday arrived and I admit that it felt like a weekday. I have trouble distinguishing weekdays from weekends anymore. I placed a call to an insurance company and was surprised when they advised me to call back during normal weekday business hours. 

I began the day by enjoying a pleasant almost 22 mile bike ride through Tequesta and Jupiter. As I stopped on the Loxahatchee River North Fork Bridge in Tequesta, I took an image of the scene looking North. The reflections of the clouds on the water caught my eye, like an impressionist era painting. 

Perhaps I was more attuned to the view as it was Earth Day. It was also at about the 20 mile mark of my ride and I was a bit tired. April has been a light riding month. The almost two weeks spent in Maryland with no biking has reduced my miles ridden. When Chris and I return to Maryland next month we are taking our bikes with us. I have a number of trails that I want to ride. 

Jupiter Island Beach
Jupiter Island, FL
April 22, 2023

For the evening, Chris and I went to the beach for a walk. We were not sure what we would find with the sargassum, but the beach was not badly covered. We found optimist fishermen and boys enjoying the cool afternoon breeze while wondering why they were not catching any fish. We noticed significant beach erosion and there is an 8 foot wall at the base of the dunes. Fortunately the stairs come down to the current beach level. We both wondered how the sea turtles were going to find a suitable location to lay eggs. 

We enjoyed the walk on the beach, with Finnegan, as a way to close out the day. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Welcome April

 I am looking forward to April, and it has arrived. No that is not an April Fools Joke--it is true. After hiding our in Florida for most of the Winter, we are ready to venture north to enjoy Spring, Easter, and most importantly family and friends. 

While our travel does not begin until next week, the fun begins today with the arrival of Jeremy and his family for a few days of fun and sun. Chris and I will be making our first visit to Universal Orlando as Florida residents on Monday. I am not a huge amusement park fan because I would rather spend the exorbitant amount of money that the parks drain from my wallet on other adventures, such as a cruises. Seriously, what I am paying for one day at Universal is more than the cost of our entire 7-night cruise last November. Of course that was before excursions, the drink package, and internet--but still, food isn't included at Universal!

Next week we fly off to Maryland for almost two weeks to celebrate Easter and visit family and friends. We are very much looking forward to the adventure as it is the precursor to a longer visit during May into June which will allow us time to visit wineries and enjoy Maryland during the late Springtime. 

As an aside, Chris and I managed a 12-mile bike ride in the wind yesterday. I found it enjoyable, but the final leg home was directly into a wind of about 15-20 mph. The good news is that my newly-tuned bike was perfectly set-up and the ride gave me exactly 302 miles for the month of March! It is the second month where I managed to cross the 300 mile threshold. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

On the Bike Trail

23.24 Mile Ride
Tequesta to Hobe Sound, FL
March 29, 2023

 I decided to change up my ride yesterday and headed off to the Hobe Sound National Wildlife Refuge, just over 11 miles away. It is a tough ride and the route I take involves riding along US-1 for about six miles and crossing two drawbridges. No, not the same bridge twice, but two different as I ride a circuit rather than an out and back. There is a drawbridge on SE Bridge Road in Hobe Sound, it is a small one, and then nearing the end of the ride there is a larger drawbridge, Cato's Bridge, on Beach Road in Tequesta. Cato's Bridge has a significant hill to climb and no bike lane making it challenging with traffic. I had the opportunity to wait at Cato's Bridge for two sailboats to pass through. Being at the end of the ride with about 21 miles behind me. my legs were a bit wobbly when, after waiting for about 5 minutes or more, I restarted my trek to cross the span. 

The Atlantis from Hobe Sound
National Wildlife Refuge
Hobe Sound, FL
March 29, 2023

Yesterday was a beautiful day for a ride. I prefer a ride like this on a weekday as there is less traffic headed for the beaches along my route. Also, there are fewer bikers. On weekends groups of bikers ride Beach Road and that makes some of the truck and car drivers a bit impatient.

Although it is only my second biking trip to Hobe Sound, it is a beach that Chris and I very much enjoy and we attempt to get there every so often. Riding my bike, I take a few minutes to walk up the access ramps to stand and look out at the ocean to enjoy the scene. Yes, I did actually intentionally frame the tall grass sticking up in the image. 

The total time to complete the trek was 1h54m, of that 1h46m was actual time in the saddle. 

I am close to logging my second over-300 mile month. I lack just under 11 miles to cross that goal, but my bike is in the shop for maintenance. I have ridden my bike over 1840 miles since acquiring it during February 2022. I have a few rides not included in the total, but I have good records for most months. Also, while we were in Maryland during April, May, June, July and August 2022, I only rode about four times. I had no idea how many miles I had ridden until I added up the numbers. I guess it was definitely time for some maintenance, especially since it was beginning to sound like a sewing machine when I pedaled. The shop tech said I probably needed to lube the chain. Who knew the chain needed to be lubed? I do, now!

Well, today is a golfing day.

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Rolling Along the Streets

Looking North on the Loxahatchee River
Tequesta, FL
March 23, 2023

 After our mid-week adventure on the golf course, yesterday was a biking day. Chris set a new personal record of over 17 miles. She bested her previous personal best by almost a mile-and-a-half. I was excited for her as we toured some different areas and pushed her endurance. I am hoping to get her over 20 miles soon and possibly begin some long distance and day rides. 

It was another perfect South Florida morning for riding. We rode along some undeveloped areas and enjoyed seeing the natural setting of wild palms and scrub. We looked for larger animals, but did not see any. I have seen deer along the route during past rides. Although the ride is along a well traveled road, the sidewalks are wide and smooth providing protection from the traffic. 

I always enjoy rides that take me across the Loxahatchee River Bridge in Tequesta and this route crossed the bridge near the end of the ride. Whether I look to the north or the south the view is always wide and open and inviting. Yesterday we were on the north side of the bridge heading into Tequesta and the river was flat and inviting. I sometimes wish that I had a boat so that I could explore the many areas along the rivers and channels. 

Maybe, in the future.

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Tuesday Blues and Bikes

 

Although the day started very cool, it developed into one of those breathtakingly enjoyable South Florida days. 

Ride Around Tequesta
March 21, 2023

We did not do much except to enjoy the day. Chris and I managed an almost 16-mile bike ride to start the day. We are watching a number of houses being constructed and we enjoy noting the progress. We also have had our eyes on one particular house that has been for sale for an umber of months that apparently has sold since the "for sale" sign was removed yesterday. It was a very nice house on a canal with a pool and a $1.9M price tag. Way out of my league!

The Loxahatchee River was very turbid yesterday, I think we caught it as the tide and the river flow were meeting. 

We enjoyed the ride and I told Chris I am going to expand her distance on the next ride. I checked out an 18 mile route last week that I plan on introducing to her.

Traffic seems to be very light this week. It is Spring Break in Palm Beach County and the kids have the week off and I sense that the "Snow Birds" have begun to head north for the season. Both of these may have contributed to much lighter than normal traffic. I will have to wait and see if vehicular traffic remains lighter than it has been. Alternatively, people may be avoiding the US-1 bridge closure by staying away from the area entirely.

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Biking through the Park

 Saturday's make for interesting activities. Chris and I have friends who work and so it is on the weekends that we get to enjoy daytime activities with them. 

Yesterday, Chris and I rode with a friend on a bike outing from Jimmy Graham Park through Sebranch Preserve State Park and then to Cove Road Park in Port Salerno, FL, returning via the same path. It was a short ride, just over 12 miles, but it was a beautiful day with a strong wind from the northwest. That wind made the return trip far easier than heading out. On the image at the right, we began at the dot near the bottom and rode Northwest until making a right turn to the Northeast where it ends at Cove Road Park. Then returned via the reverse route.

Dolphin
Cove Road Park, Port Salerno, FL
March 11, 2022

The highlight of the day was seeing dolphins in the Intracoastal Waterway from Cove Road Park. Just as we arrived a dolphin was just offshore and then we spied another somewhat further out in the navigational channel. I actually managed an image of that dolphin. It was something different as we do not see dolphins often. Aside from the dolphins we also saw some gopher tortoises and a lot of red headed agama lizards racing around. The lizards are an invasive species and their numbers seem to be increasing rapidly as I do not recall seeing as many of them as I have this year.

I have been doing a lot of biking and I am hopeful of riding the 150 mile Great Allegheny Passage (GAP) trail from Pittsburgh, PA, to Cumberland, MD, this summer and maybe following on to the C&O Canal Towpath from Cumberland to Washington, DC. Time will tell!

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL