Write Away

On Wednesday I needed to head out to Tumwater again for a meeting. Given the time I decided what would be better then to head over that way on my lunch break. It was a beautiful day and I thought having lunch beside the Deschutes river at Pioneer Park.

I headed out at noon and at first took to the I-5 Trail. I didn’t stay on it long before heading up to Sleator-Kinney and then down to the Chehalis-Western Trail. The trail makes up almost half the distance. Despite the heat the trail was cool with plenty of shade along much of the length thanks to the trees rising overhead. There wasn’t much traffic on the trail so I made good time.

At Yelm Highway I turned and headed out along the streets. There are bike lanes the entire way out which makes the ride a little easier. I’ve been seeing more people out on bikes lately but it still surprises me when I see people riding on the wrong side of the street and riding on the sidewalk instead of in the bike lane or street. I guess I’ve gotten used to riding with traffic. On the big hill down Henderson Blvd I coasted and reached 29 MPH! No sudden moves at that speed. I don’t want another spill! I reached Pioneer Park without incident and headed down the park trails. There were other people around but I found a nice overlook by the river, shaded by a tree with a bench and everything. I sat and enjoyed my lunch.

After lunch I packed up and headed back out to the street. A slow climb up the hill in my lowest gear left me huffing but that was okay. I kept moving along. Then on out to my meeting. When I got off work I rode back the same way until I got home. Ended up with 23 miles for the day. Not bad.

Tags: Chehalis Western Trail, Deschutes River, I-5 Trail, Pioneer Park, Squirrel, Woodland Trail

My wounds are healing well. The worst spot, on my left hand is still sore but the big missing piece of my hand is slowly filling in with new tissue. At least the infection was stopped before it got bad. I rode the trike yesterday for the first time since the accident. Easier than driving! Steering is more comfortable on the trike. I didn’t ride far, just my usual commute. I’ll probably do much the same today despite the wet weather.

Tags: Healing, Scars

Wednesday, after work, I took the longer path home. It was a beautiful day to be out for a ride. I’d already done the longer route on the way to work and so I planned to get in some good miles (11.25 mi/54:56). There were many other cyclists out but none on recumbents or trikes that I saw. Still nice to see people using bikes. At the intersection on Pacific there were three of us waiting to cross.

Coming up the Woodland trail a couple quail raced me along the trail. They were funny, just running along next to me on the path. I was in a great mood and going at a good clip.

When I reached the Chehalis Western trail I took the ramp down fast and went too fast into the turn. I did brake — but not enough. The trike spilled me over onto my left side. It happened fast. I felt my arm hit and slide along the path behind me. I felt the pain. I got up right away and discovered a large patch on the heel of my hand was bloody where the skin and rubbed off. Scratches ran down my forearm. A few smaller scratches on my leg. Later, at home, I noticed I had bruises on my right arm where it had pressed against the side of the seat.

The rear light had come off. The left fender partially came off. My shoes and cover and sprung free. I picked up the pieces, righted the trike and checked it for damage. As far as I could see it was fine. I righted the fender enough to ride. I couldn’t find my helmet which was very confusing because I hadn’t hit my head. Finally I decided I must have left it behind in my eagerness to ride. I called home, then called work and asked them to check for my helmet on the table out back (it was there). Then I sat back down on the trike and rode home despite the pain. The trike seemed fine.

At home I endured the fun task of trying to clean the wound and dress it. Yesterday it started hurting more. It looked hot, red and had streaks coming off it. I went to the doctor and received a tetanus shot and antibiotics. It’s doing okay but very sore. Annoying, because it’s sunny and perfect weather outside. Oh well. As crashes go it wasn’t too bad. A pair of gloves would have helped me avoid the worst of the damage. Other things I should carry: first aid kit and my tools. I need to get my other pannier made so that I have more room.

Tags: Crash

This week I managed to get in two rides, both about 23 miles on back-to-back days. Either ride would be the furthest I’ve ridden on the trike, and particularly two rides one day after the next. I hope to do more such rides to get in shape for longer distances.

Tags: Service Center

When I finished the first pannier I took it out for a test ride, back at the end of April. I took it out on the Chehalis Western Trail on May 4th.

One difference between this and the cardboard mock-up was the stiffness - the pannier isn’t always stuffed full. I also had to figure out how to attach the pannier so it wouldn’t rock back and hit the wheel.

Tags: Pannier

I actually did this back on April 27th but I haven’t been posting. I need to work on that. Anyway, here are some pictures of the sewing of my first attempt at making a pannier for the trike.

Tags: Panniers