Hiking the OPRT

A good way to stay in shape over the winter, is to walk the OPRT. My favorite section is from downtown Frankfort, to Ridgland Ave. This is a wooded section, offering some protection from the wind. The trail takes on a different look without the leaves on the trees, as it reveals the terrain, not normally seen in the spring and summer. It has a beauty of it's own. I always take a camera, since the wildlife is abundent all through the OPRT corridor. Deer frequent the trail, and can show up at the oddest places.

Hiking in the winter can be fun, but it's the time to take certain precautions. The trail is usually far less traveled. Always dress in layers. Wear the proper footwear, gloves and headgear. Hypothermia is always a threat in the winter months, and it can happen at 50° so beware, it is a silent killer. Many outdoorsmen, hiker, and hunter, have succumbed to hypothermia. Take along some snacks, like jerky, Power bars, cookies, etc. It pays to eat properly to fuel your internal furnace. It keeps you warm, and energetic. Fluids are also recommended, There are insulated water bottles available. I prefer and small thermos with warm liquids. A small day pack is recommended if you are going on a long day hike. It can be filled with, food, water, extra socks, gloves, just to mention some useful items.

Some basic surival gear is always a plus. Just because you are close to town, doesn't mean you can't get into trouble. A twisted ankle, can keep you from walking, which can strand you a mile from any crossroad. A survival whistle, can warn others close by that you are in trouble, or need help. I use a fanny pack with basic survival gear all year long, it's just good old common sense. Another suggestion is a mini survival kit. These are constructed using an Altoid Mints tin case, and can be made up at home. Search the internet using Google for "Mini Survival kit", or "Altiod tin survival kits", and see what is recommended it these kits. One can be tailored for your use.

Cell phones are another plus, but always know where you are located. This helps in an emergency. Between what roads and near what milepost? There are markers on the trail, and a good two section map is available on http://oprt.org/ . Study the map, it is most useful in knowing your location.

The most important thing is to have fun and enjoy your hike. It can be a rewarding experience, and keep you in shape for the upcoming year of cycling!

See you on the trail...

Survival Kit Ideas - http://www.equipped.com/1personkits.htm Hypothermia - http://www.abc-of-hiking.com/first-aid/hypothermia.asp

I have busy with work and other situations, and have neglected this blog. For that I apoligize.

Winter is upon us, and except for only the extremely brave cyclists, most of us are warm and toasty inside, hiding from the effects of cold and snow.

Now is the time to properly store the cycle.

1. Clean it thoroughly, and lubricate it to keep any rust from working it's magic!
2. Give it a good inspection, and consider replacing any wore parts before spring.
3. It's best to hang your cycle from the frame, and keep tire tires off of the ground, or invert it and place it on the handlebars and seat.
4. Try to keep the tires inflated to 80% of their normal pressure.
5. If you store your cycle where it is unheated, you can cover it with a old bed sheet or blanket, but I would not recommend using plastic sheeting or a poly tarp. If mositure from condensation appears under the tarp or plastic sheeting, it will not disipate, and the mositure will wreak havoc on your cycle. It's best to cover your cycle with a breathable material.
6. Pray for spring!

Winter is a good time to plan your 2006 cycling activities! The internet is a excellent place to find new trails, explore new cycling events, and to keep abreast of new products. I enjoy reading "Cycling Weblogs". These are maintained by individuals who have gone the long distance of riding across their state, across the country, and even around the world. I started reading "Show Me America" by Jim Damico, who took a 10,000 mile journey, to raise money for an Endowment fund, named after his cousin, who passed away while Jim was hiking the Appalachian Trail.

Google is a good search engine to look for cycling events, and trails. Or use your favorite search engine to keep atuned to the upcoming year, it will get here sooner than you think...

Back from Vacation

Back in the saddle again! Tripped 3100 miles and have returned. Eight states, and two weeks later. Almost caught up on sleep and rest. Fuel prices are up and this slows down my trips to the Old Plank Road trail. :-(

Tomorrow I ride, either the OPRT or the I&M Canal trail.

August Evening Ride

I finally had time to try out my mount after having the bottom bracket replaced. I usually ride in the a.m. but since this was Sunday I decided to try an afternoon/evening ride. Very few people were on the trail, and the weather was picture perfect. The photo was taken heading west from Ridgeland Ave. towards Harlem Ave. showing the tree tunnel that surrounds the trail.

The signs of fall are on the horizion. Apples and choke cherries litter the trail. Soon come the dreaded walnuts in there green husks. Dangerous to the welfare of all cyclists, either by being crowned on the head, or hitting one on the trail. I've listened to a few stories from seasoned riders, on their meetings with these hard rock like hazards. Many a fall is attributed the mighty walnut. So beware!

Down Time

Well I found the problem as to why the chain kept rubbing the inside of the front derailleur, on my main mount. The bottom bracket has play in it, so it is at the shop for repairs. With all of the other project bikes that I have, it seems like I better get started on them! I hope to document these projects, with the ups and downs of repair...

Fanny pack and toolbag...

I wear fannypack for my personal accessories, and valuables. I carry my wallet, cell, and sunblock for convenience. This way they stay with me, and I don't have to "dig them out" of my seat bag when I need to use them. You don't have to carry a wallet, maybe you only need an ID. I like to carry a little cash, for a Power Bar if I need it, and some extra water when necessary. When my soul mate rides with me, it's used for butter pecan ice cream inside a chocolate waffle cone, at "The Creamery" in Frankfort. They have some good tasting ice cream!

I think my tube and toolbag, cost me $3.00 on sale at Dave's bike shop. Shop around, I do. It was a small seat bag, and I placed it on the handlebars, and wrapped the strap around the headset, as pictured above. I do not promote any one bike shop. I was there and it was a reasonable buy. It worked for our two bikes at a total cost of 6 dollars. I think all of our LBS have something to offer, and I visit them all, from time to time. Nashbar and REI are also some good on-line web sites to shop at. Looking doesn't hurt.

What I mentioned here works for me, you might have different needs, and ideas. Make a list of what you think you need, and then figure on how to carry it. Basic things at first. Find a bag to fit these items into. Your needs will probally change as you ride more often.

I truck my bike to the trail, and keep a towel inside for the unexpected times in the rain. Keeping a clean t-shirt handy is also a good idea. Extra water in your vehicle is also a good idea. If you get wet on the trail and have to drive home, you will really appreciate the towel and extra shirt. Nothing like wet clothes to have on, when you sit in you seat to drive home. The trail tracks up your back does wonders for the upholstery. :-)

Don't get stuck on the trail with out a plan. Now is the time to think about it. Not when your broke down. Good planning gives you ease of mind, and makes the experience more enjoyable. most of all have fun!

Flats are a fact of life

Flats are a fact of life, I use heavy duty inner tubes, and they are three times thicker than a standard tube. Thorn resistent is their claim. I haven't had a flat in over a year since I started using them. I had two flats in two months before switching.

Keeping your tires inflated to the proper setting is a key to less flats. Many come from pinching the tube inside the tire/rim, from improper tire pressure. If the pressure is too low, it allows the tube to become pinched between the tire and rim when hitting a bump, pinching a hole in the tube. Besides it makes for more rolling resistence of the tire. I.E harder to pedal. I ride at least ten miles out, and am restricted to a time limit, since I work in the afternoon. I ride in the mornings, and if I get a flat, I do not want to have to walk 9 miles to get back to my vehicle. Pushing a bike with a flat tire, could get real tiring after the fifth or sixth mile...

A new spare tube, tire levers, and a patch kit are in my bag, along with Allen wrenches to fit the bolts on my mount. A small flat hex handle screwdriver, with a phillips at one end, and a slotted tip at the other. And of course, a small open/box end wrench to fit the ajustment nuts on my cables. Everything else is quick release.

I tried to amass a common sense approach, to being light weight. It took a while to figure what I needed to take with me, and I still learn from every ride. Experience is the key. There are some solid tips, from the more experienced, on the internet. Use your favorite search engine, and type in "cycling tips", or "bicycle tips". These web sites will give you many useful ideas, and start you on the road to "safe cycling".

Another New Experience!

Well it was getting pretty warm today, and like the forgetful old man that I am, I didn't pay too much attention to the wind direction. I reached the I-57 overpass and did a turn around. Stopped to stretch my legs and rehydrate.

Now I notice the wind, and it is going to be in my face on the way back. Funny it didn't seem this windy when I started. I noticed the clouds blowing straight up, but since we cannot seem to buy any rain I didn't think to much about it. So I mount up and start my trek back. Wind was a come and go thing, mostly come with a little go.

I had to drop down a gear while I was out in the open, moving through the Prairie between Central and Ridgeland Ave's. Once it the trees it died down and back up into the rhythm. It started getting dark ahead as I crossed Harlem Ave., I smiled and told myself I couldn't get that lucky. Down through "Troll Hollow" as I call it at mile post 7, I think it might blow over.

Guess again! I go another 500 yards and it starts to rain! Not a sprinkle, or a drizzle, I mean it rains! As I cross Pfeiffer Road there are three construction worker sitting under the shelter, and as I go pass one says, "feels good don't it", and I agree. I keep riding since I'm soaked and there is no need to stop now, and he was right, it does feel good! As I cross the next intersection at the housing area, Bam! Lighting and a close shot of thunder, it took me by surprise! Now I feel in danger, as I'm a sitting duck, so I speed up and the cadence increases as I head for shelter. Frankfort is close and I keep up the rhythm. Finally I reach the Train Depot, and lift my mount upon to the deck and under the roof, as it keeps raining.

I retrieve my cell from inside my seat bag. It is lined with a foam rubber sleeve and it seems to have kept the contents dry. I call my better half who is on her lunch hour , and she tells me it's sunny and hot in Shorewood, go figure. I inform her it's actually raining in Illinois! As the rain slacks off back to the trail I go to finish the ride. Low and behold as I get near Schoolhouse Road,the sun's out in full force and the heat is back. Trails dry and I'm heading for the landing pad.

I learned a few things today as to what's good the carry with you, in case of a sudden down pour. I will give my thoughts in a post later this week.

Good Rid'in!

Jim's New Ride

I ran into Jim, and looked over his new "Tri-Bent". Says he likes it just fine, but still rides his older two wheeler, when he rides with his better half. He's on his way back from the coffee shop in Frankfort. If you see Jim on the trail, give him a "Hello"! I met Jim last year as I was fixing a flat at Mile Post 7. Good people abound on the OPRT!

New Experience

Humid day with a mild breeze from the Northeast. Had some rain over night. Starting from Schoolhouse Road the trail was damp to wet in spots. As I progressed out of the tree tunnels, the trail became dry with a few puddles here and there. Some light derbis from the trees littered the trail. Nothing major.

I made my turn around at the I-57 overpasses, and was on my way back when I heard a decisive "Pop", and as I peddaled on my inner sense told me that that didn't sound good! Either something broke or I picked up something off of the trail and it got wrung around my rear wheel. So I stopped to find out what the sound was. I looked and didn't see anything. I lifted the rear wheel off of the ground, and spun it. Whoa, I said. The rear wheel was out of true, and on my pre-ride inspection it was ok. I started checking spokes and sure enough, one broke. I wrapped it around another two spokes and away I went.

I was 7 miles from my transportation, and was hoping that this didn't repeat itself on the way back. I didn't rip up the asphalt on the rest of the ride and slowed down, especially on the hard bumps. No problem, and off to LBS for repair. One thing to keep in mind about the summer moths is if you want it fixed at a LBS, it might be a couple of days before you get it back. Summer is premimun repair months and many are really busy, don't put it off until the day you want to ride. At least give them a call to see how long the repair will take.