Friday Night Ride

“Evening Shadow” Cedar Park, 2020

Since I don’t go out socially during the COVID-19 pandemic, a typical Friday night is spent with a bicycle ride and a beer. Not at the same time, of course, but hmmm… maybe I could fill a water bottle with an adult beverage, or throw a bottle of wine in the pannier and head to the park? An idea worth pondering. 😀

I hope you had a nice end of the work-week!

Photo info: FUJIFILM X100T, 23mm, f/10, 1/420 sec, ISO200
“Friday Sunset” Cedar Park, 2020
Photo info: FUJIFILM X100T, 19mm, f/2, 1/100 sec, ISO2000
“Friday Refreshment” Cedar Park, 2020

If you are on Strava, let’s connect so that we can cheer each other on!

Local Explorations

“Evening Stats” Cedar Park, 2020

The northernmost boundary of my neighborhood butts up against a shopping/restaurant area, but there haven’t been an roads or trails that connect the two, even though they are a stone’s throw away. To get to the restaurants, you have to go a long way to the west or east, then north, then back east or west.

Tonight as I was riding around that boundary, I saw that there was a new neighborhood under construction, just a series of streets at the moment, being built in the no-man’s-land. The little bit of street connecting the neighborhoods had a temporary barricade, but plenty of room to walk or bike through, so I decided to check it out.

As hoped, I was able to get to the shopping area so I did a bit of exploring around that area, which included Torchy’s Tacos, Raising Cane’s and Dos Salsas. Traveling a little farther, I found my way to an older rural neighborhood that was populated with many deer. It was really cool to see them. In fact, a small group of them crossed the road in front of me, and I could hear their hooves clomping across the pavement. It was the first time I have heard that sound and it was really nice!

Photo info: FUJIFILM X100T, 23mm, f/5.6, 1/100 sec, ISO800
“youngsters” Cedar Park, 2020

I also rode past a nursing home, some office parks, and a brand new apartment complex. And I came across a really old-looking abandoned building surrounded by all the new buildings. It looked really out of place, but super interesting. I wonder what the story is behind it?

Photo info: FUJIFILM X100T, 23mm, f/7.1, 1/100 sec, ISO1000
“Strange Building” Cedar Park, 2020

It was super fun to explore these new parts of town, all thanks to finding the “Northwest Passage”. I hope they keep that passageway open to pedestrians and cyclists, but I think it might not be so great to open it up to cars since it would make that quiet neighborhood a busy shortcut for commuters.

Triple Exercise

“Evening Stats” Cedar Park, 2020

Wow, what an active day that I had! The weather was fantastic in the morning, so I headed out for a short 2.5 mile run. I often run (and bicycle) to the elementary school that Bay and Koa attended, and it is always a mental pick-me-up as I remember the good times watching them grow up. It seems like just yesterday they were attending Cox Elementary!

As I ran by the front, I took a photo of this sign, which shows the first phase of the re-opening during the pandemic. I hope this the the only time they will have a sign like this on display.

Photo info: motorola moto g(6), 3.95mm, f/1.8, 1/1200 sec, ISO100
“Reopening” Cedar Park, 2020

In the evening, I had to go for a bicycle ride around the neighborhood, and that included both Cox Elementary again and the other elementary school on the other side of the neighborhood and the football stadium that is used by the district’s high schools. At that time I was treated to a nice sunset:

Photo info: FUJIFILM X100T, 23mm, f/5.6, 1/1000 sec, ISO200
“Sunset” Cedar Park, 2020

On my way home, I received a text message from Koa asking if I wanted to throw the baseball over at the school, so I headed over to Cox for the third time today! We threw the ball until it got dark (and my arm was tired) and then came home to my second shower of the day.

It was a lot of physical activity (running, cycling, baseball) but I feel great! Thankful for my relatively good health as I approach age 52. Whee!

Bicycle Ride With the New Wheel

“Bike Ride” Cedar Park, 2020

My new bicycle rim arrived and I got to work replacing the old one, which entailed transferring the spokes over to the new rim and then truing the wheel to make sure it’s straight. I followed this video’s instructions, which proved invaluable.

I also followed the advice in this video to true the wheel, and got it in good shape. Next, I adjusted the rear brake and it was ready to try it out on the road!

Photo info: FUJIFILM X100T, 23mm, f/2.2, 1/100 sec, ISO2500
“New Rim” Cedar Park, 2020

I only intended to ride around the neighborhood to test it, but I wound up hitting the hike and bike trail and riding several miles. It was just so fun! It seemed like I was able to ride faster, accelerate quicker, and cruise at a higher speed with the new wheel. It might just be that I am getting in better shape, but I have heard that the bicycle upgrade that will make the biggest difference it to replace the wheels. Well, I’m not sure if my new $33 Sun Ringle rim is an upgrade or not, but the stock Mavic rims are generally regarded poorly. So I’m leaning towards the opinion that the new rim helps out a lot. 😀

Photo info: FUJIFILM X100T, 23mm, f/4.5, 1/1100 sec, ISO200
“At Brushy Creek Lake Park” Cedar Park, 2020

Later in the evening, Mariko mentioned that the sunset was probably pretty nice so I hopped on my Kona again and headed down to the place where I like to take sunset photos. Turned out pretty good:

Photo info: FUJIFILM X100T, 23mm, f/5, 1/500 sec, ISO640
“Sunset” Cedar Park, 2020

I’m so happy to have my bicycle back, and working better than ever!

またね~

When Interests Converge

Photo info: FUJIFILM X100T, 23mm, f/5.6, 1/105 sec, ISO200
“Sunset” Cedar Park, 2020

It’s nice when interests converge. For instance, I love bicycling, cameras, and clouds. So when I get to combine the three, it’s so nice! Of course, I can take care of the bicycling and camera aspect myself, but need a little luck with the clouds. It’s nice to be prepared, though! What’s the saying? “Luck favors those who are prepared”? Something like that. Anyways, one good thing to come out of the pandemic is that I spend more time bicycling than other activities to relieve the stir-crazy feelings.

Photo info: FUJIFILM X100T, 23mm, f/5.6, 1/100 sec, ISO320
“Bike Sunset” Cedar Park, 2020

またね~