We Ride for Dunkin'

September 3, 2012  PEDALS adventure: 

Hank, Louise, Jennifer, Karl, Ann, Alex and Tom
 

WE RIDE FOR DUNKIN’….donuts that is!!!   As we approached the final “summer” holiday of Labor Day, we again made plans with the neighbors, Alex, Jennifer, Karl and Ann,  to ride the YMCA path and Pufferbelly Trail (aka the Donut Trail) to Dunkin’ Donuts.  This would complete the  trifecta of celebration rides for summer 2012, Memorial Day, Independence Day and Labor Day mornings, all spent at DD (see "Spring Launchings" and "I Have a Need for Speed" postings )  This time, however, we had guest appearances by my parents, Hank and Louise, to join us at DD.   Of course, they weren’t really into the ride aspect of the celebration, so about 15 minutes after the six of us rode out of our cul de sac, they got in the car and drove to meet us.   We actually arrived at the same time, as they were getting out of the car as we rode into the parking lot. 

Three of the four people who ate the REAL Dunkin'!

To be sure, there was nothing momentous about the ride (we’ve all done it a bunch of times…no deranged squirrel or downed trees this time though..I Have a Need For Speed photos.), but the fact that we were able to actually do it, weather and schedules allowing it, for all the holidays this summer was a celebration in itself.  A lot of laughter, healthy DD eating by four of the participants, the eating of awesome donuts by the other four(it is called Dunkin’ DONUTS for crying out loud) made for a fun way to mark the end of summer.  The four that ate the donuts?  Let’s just say those four were related…you figure it out!

While Labor Day may be considered the end of summer, this is by no means the end of riding for 2012.  We look forward to  more fall riding adventures…hopefully on some new paths.

The stats: 8.6 (RT), Time: 54:21  , ODO: 416

Notable Nature Sightings:  none!  Just passing people we knew who were jogging the Y path.

I Have a Need For Speed

July 4, 2012 Independence Day PEDALS adventure: Make no mistake about it…it was hot!  But the Independence Day morning ride was not as bad as one would think, considering the day reached a high of 103 degrees.  In a reprise of our Memorial Day breakfast ride (see blogpost Spring Launchings) , two sets of neighbors joined us for an 8:30 am ride to Dunkin’ Donuts via the YMCA path, the Pufferbelly trail and a couple of neighborhoods.  By waiting until 8:30, the overnight humidity had burned off and the middle of the day heat hadn’t yet come.  Note to self, early rides are better if they are not too early.

As we rode on the YMCA path, we passed many people jogging the trail, looking (in my opinion) at us enviously as we sped passed them, wind whipping through our hair, quickly on our way to the end point of our ride.   I, on the other hand, did NOT look at them enviously, struggling with each step, NO WIND whipping through their hair  and far away from their end point.  That was when I realized why I like to bike;  I have a need for speed.  IF (and it is a big IF) I am going to expend the energy in an activity to increase my physical fitness, whatever activity I choose must give me the most bang for my exercising buck:  what can I do that covers the most distance with the least amount of discomfort with the greatest chance of natural and shaded surroundings (sounds like a bad story problem).  The answer of course is biking.   In the amount of time it took for us to ride to Dunkin’ Donuts, and back again (not counting the relaxation time and yummy donuts) we covered more miles and got out of the heat faster than most of those joggers…that’s a win in my book.  Yes, I did at one time train and complete the Indy Mini 13.1 mile race, after which I never really ran another step (so much for the philosophy that once you start running you become addicted to it) , which confirms my statement: I have a need for speed!

My fellow riders standing in front of the large tree blocking the path

The most interesting part of the ride was looking at the storm damage from the previous week’s 90+ mph winds.  In fact, the Pufferbelly trail at one spot was blocked by a very large tree, which we went around on the already well worn grass.  Other assorted limbs and trees were scattered about, reminding us how fortunate we all were that we suffered no damage.  Oh yeah, the demented looking squirrel who stood frozen on a limb, staring us down, was a pretty good laugh too!

Ride stats:  8.5 m (RT), Time: 59 min. 50 sec. (should have gone around our cul de sac a couple of times) ODO: 276 miles

Look carefuly for the deranged squirrel.
I'm glad he wasn't related to Rocky the flying squirrel.

Notable Nature Sightings:  Large tree covering the bike path, one slightly deranged (and too tame) squirrel.