Category: Bicycle Riding

In Iowa… the Next Florida.

The bicycle ride across Iowa (RAGBRAI) ends in the Town of Ft. Madison (11,000).  Each year towns go all out to support this ride.  41 years of rides and counting… it ends this year in the self-proclaimed Florida of Iowa.   Iowa which brought us “The Music Man” (…trouble right here in River City….) Where (if you build it… they will come) all started.  And the one I like most of all (is this heaven? No… its Iowa).  A place of open hearts… friendly folks… great food and lots of corn… hogs and farm land.  A mirror of America at its best (from the perspective of a bicycle seat). http://www.fortmadisonragbrai.com

Typed with ease on a 1961 Olympia Portable.
Typed with ease on a 1961 Olympia Portable.

1959 Pacemaker gets a fresher look…

Just starting to clean the gook off the Smith-Corona.  I’m beginning to suspect that this is nicotine and tars left over from a heavy smoking environment.  What I thought was light rust turned out to be a stain. Lot of effort to go… but it is starting to look decent.

1959 Smith Corona Pacemaker... Brooks 135 Saddle on a Worksman bicycle.
1959 Smith
Corona Pacemaker… Brooks 135 Saddle on a Worksman bicycle.

Thoughts after 17,817 miles of bicycle riding

I glanced at my bicycle log… my goal is 1,000 miles a year.  2014 will mark my 20th year of regular bicycle riding.  As of today my 19 year average is 937 miles per year… which at the end of this year will move up to 990 if I match last years distance (1,900 miles).  Deep down I am proud of the fact that for almost 20 years I have gone out and put in the effort to be a fitter, healthier person.

I used a 1925 Underwood Standard Model 5 to consider my bike miles.
I used a 1925 Underwood Standard Model 5 to consider my bike miles.