Blogging

Since it has been slow today at work, I have been able to do some updating on my poor, neglected blog. I am going to try to be a more regular blogger in the coming year.

Back to the norm

For whatever normal is, I am back to it following a whirlwind Christmas season. Didn't get to spend as much time with the family as I would have liked, but I did make it to all of the Christmas get-togethers-a feat I did not accomplish last year.

Campfire.....

What is it about a campfire that is so relaxing? While I was really looking forward to fishing last weekend, I think I enjoyed the sight, smell and sound of the campfire just as much.....maybe more.

Camping and Fishing with the guys

Last year, some of my pals and I went camping and fishing down at Montauk State Park for the weekend. This is the weekend this year, and I can't wait to get down there.

Our group will be smaller this year, but I know we will have a blast!!

Hopefully, we will catch our limit and I will be able to post some pics of our success.

Cats on horse drugs....

After vaccinating a barn of horses, pulling a coggins and doing a lameness exam this morning, I castrated 9 tom cats for a client. Worst part of it is that there are more her kids couldn't catch!

I do this for clients on occassion just to remind myself why I don't work on small animals for a living. Big animals can hurt you, but little animals will hurt you more often-I got scratched by the first one while administering anesthesia.

The photo is post-op recovery. 3 of the cats are in the feed cart.

Afternoon off work

The combination of a new jersey, a beautiful day and the afternoon off work made it very difficult to find an excuse not to get back on the bike. I was sucking wind for the first 8 or so miles, and then got back into the groove.

Rode the length of Rangeline and back-28 miles.

New bike jersey!!!

A friend of mine's wife works for the Missouri Electric Coop (she is one of the editors of the Rural Missouri publication that is sent to members monthly) and followed the Tour of Missouri with work. She and Rick gave me a Rural Missouri bike jersey! I love it!!

Back in the saddle

Finally able to get back on the road this morning. Temp at 6:20-about 10 minutes before sunrise-was in the low 50's. I was cold for about 10 minutes.

Rode up Rangeline and then 4 miles along the I-70 southeast outer road and back.

Just made it back to see the kids out the door. Unfortunately, my morning rides are about to end due to the ever shortening day length.

On another note, my chain is staying on and my front derailleur is working flawlessly!

3 day headache

After crashing Monday, I have not gotten to ride due to a variety of scheduling reasons. Wanted to ride over the weekend, but woke up Friday with a headache that didn't go away until Monday. Worst one I have had ever.....I really feel for those who suffer migraines.

Crash

I found out this morning that I should not drink water while riding close to the edge of the road. Dumped after falling off the road. Skinned elbow but no other damage to me or the bike. Of course I was 10 miles from home....

Made it home with mainly my pride wounded.

Chain stays on!

Rode my normal 21 before work and the chain stayed put. Shifted seamlessly!

New crankset!!

Picked up my bike this afternoon. It is now sporting a new Shimano 105 crankset. Can't wait to try it out tomorrow morning.

Monday morning

Ride started well and then quickly went south about halfway through.

I am still having problems with the front derailleur not shifting correctly-at least it was not throwing the chain this time. I don't know if it was an accident or me just testing the bike, but I downshifted out of the big chain ring only to find I could not shift back up. To make things worse, I could not keep the front derailleur from rubbing the chain and making noise.

So, long story short, I rode the last 10 miles of my morning ride in the small chain ring which was making an awful racket.....very frustrating ride!

While I had originally planned on riding tomorrow, the bike has to be fixed-I hope it is fixed right this time with the Shimano crankset.

Saturday afternoon ride

Rode 28 miles in the heat. Bike performed well after latest adjustments. Rode my normal morning route but added a south leg to the airport road.

Overall good ride.

Fog...

No riding the last two mornings due to severe fog. Visibility near zero is not a good thing. Will try to ride Saturday afternoon in the heat!!

On another note, Tryathletics called and they have my new crankset in! I think I will ride this weekend and Monday morning before going back on call Tuesday. I can drop it off Tuesday and let them work on it while I can't ride.

Hope it works!!!

No ride today....

Bike has been adjusted again, and I will pick it up this afternoon. It has been raining all day so I really have not needed the bike today.

Made travel arrangements for some AVMA meetings. September 3-5 ECFVG in Chicago, September 14-18 COE site visit in College Station, TX. I have another meeting the weekend after the Texas trip back in Chicago.

I don't think I had better agree to anymore site visits in September!

Morning ride

Rode 21 miles this morning. Probably the most humid and hot morning of the summer.

Chain did not come off, but I could not shift up out of the small chain ring......

Back to the shop.

Incompatible crankset...

I have been having trouble keeping the chain on the large chain ring. It will come off for no apparent reason, but especially when I am climbing hills on a high gear. Came off twice on Saturday.

I took it to the shop Monday for an adjustment and front flat fix. The guys said they have another bike like mine that is having the same problem. They are in contact with Raliegh to solve the issue. They think the problem is that the hub and components are Shimano, and the crank is a Truvativ Elita 2.1 and that they are incompatible.

Anyway, they have ordered a Shimano crankset and are going to swap it out for me.

Sunny, hot ride

Rode Saturday afternoon after working all morning. Took what I think is part of the "Ashland Loop". Started at the end of my rode, south on Rangeline to Rt. Y. Through Ashland to Hwy. DD. North on DD to Minor Hill. East on Minor Hill, crossing 63 and taking the outer road north to Hwy H. Hwy H back to Rangeline north and then home.

23.5 miles in 1.5 hours. Weather was clear and sunny. I think the temp was only 83 degrees, but the humidity was a killer.

Dark, cloudy ride

This morning I did the Olivet loop-16 miles. Total time 45 minutes.

Was to have a riding companion this morning, but threatening weather caused him to back out at 6am.

His weather warning probably pushed my speed a little and I got home in the dry!

Olivet loop

Decided to try a little shorter loop today due to my oversleeping.

The Olivet loop is 16 miles if I ride past David Allen to AB on my return leg before turning back toward home.

Monday, July 14 ride

Took the same route as last Thursday but shaved off 5 minutes!

Not too sore after the Saturday ride. I guess I am a little surprised by this considering how bad I felt-half starved and exhausted-after the ride.

40 mile ride!!

Rode up Route Z from I-70 to Centralia and back, 40 miles in about 2 hours and 15 minutes. My longest ride to date.

Made the mistake of not taking any food with me. By the time I got back to the truck, I was pretty much spent and starving.

Weather was mild-mid 70's and no wind. I'm glad I got to ride this morning because it is raining now.

21 miles before work

Parked at the end of David Allen this morning and rode north to Richland Rd. Took Richland Rd. to St. Charles back to Route Z south.

Total riding time 1:15.

Monday morning bike ride

First morning ride and first ride with pedals/cleats.

Left the house at 5:40 am, got to the airport by 5:50 and was on the road by 6:00. Rode Rangeline south to Highway Y, turned around and rode north to Highway AB, then back to the airport. The stretch between the airport and Y is a little more hilly than the portion of Rangeline north of the airport, but nothing big.

17 miles covered in 1 hour.

I like the cleats and pedals. Not as scary as I thought they would be.

First ride....

I took the bike out on Rangeline Rd. from I-70 south to Hwy AB and back. Rode into a stiff wind which made the first leg pretty tough, but the return was pretty easy. Total distance 15 miles.

Bought a bike!

I finally found a bike in town that is in stock and fits. It is a 2007 Raleigh Grand Prix and I found it at Tryathletics here in Columbia. Louis fitted the bike for me and was very helpful in answering all of my questions.

I had originally planned on riding the trail on my mountain bike, but went to the bike shop instead just to test ride the Grand Prix. After the ride, I just couldn't resist taking it home.

Skipped the trail and rode the length of Chapel Hill Rd. between Forum and Scott Blvd!