Week 4

Another week in the books.  Didn't get nearly as many miles in as I would have liked.  Had a few family things going on so that cut along with the weather cut into riding time.  The end is in sight only 2 more days left in the challenge.  I can say that so far it has made me much less of a fair weather biker.  Still don't like biking in the rain but cooler temps are not so bad.

Photos form last week;

A few brand new GE locomotives waiting for their ride at the Erie PA Docks

Exploring some single track in Asbury Woods

Sunrise today.

only 2 days to go almost there,

Drew

Week 3

After 2 spins around the block to avoid the rain and cold I got in some much needed longer rides Thursday and Sunday.  My legs are feeling it today but over all it was a great week of riding.  So far I've ridden Right around 150 miles for the challenge.  9 more days to go and on May 1 going to be the first slow roll in Eire.  Perfect way to end the challenge.

Drew

Day 18

Cassie and I went out for a nice evening ride yesterday.  Got to watch the sunset over Presque Isle bay in Erie.

Drew

Day 17

With the day off and the weather almost perfect I headed out on a longer ride today.  There is a local park with some single track and I would like to leave my house ride there then ride around and come home.  Figured today was a good day to at least ride to the park.

The ride out was smooth with no major issues I decided to get in a quick dirt ride while I was there.  The schwalbe big apples that I run on the pavement did surprisingly well in the dirt.  Most the trails were quite wet from the rain and snow we had earlier in the week so I keep the ride shot.

Right after getting back on the pavement I hear the sound of air escaping one of my tires.  I look down and my rear is flat.  Oh well first real issue of the 30 days of biking challenge.  Luckily I keep a spare tube and a Park tools mini pump in my Camelbak pack.

After a quick roadside swap I was on my way again.  t All in all a great day with just under 20 miles of riding.  A little Urban, a quick spin on some dirt and event tied in and errand depositing a check at the bank.

#30daysofbiking Day 17

Drew

Day 9

Sunrise on Day 9

Week 2

I know its been a few days but life has been a bit busy.  Cassie and I rode together both Saturday and Sunday in great weather.  My Monday morning ride was more of the same high 60s perfect for biking.  Spring has finally sprung in Erie PA.  Well maybe, today's ride was in a balmy 33 degrees with rain.  Just a quick spin around the block.

At the halfway point of the Challenge I have logged 80 miles, explored two new trails and ridden in less then ideal conditions  15 days to go.

Drew 

Day 11

Today marks Cassie's and I 6th anniversary of when we met/first date.  What better way to celebrate that going for a morning ride together.  With Lake Erie still mostly frozen there was a good amount of fog along the lake shore resulting in a beautiful sunrise.

Drew

A dirty bike = a clean soul

Finally on the 10th day of the 30 days of biking challenge I was able to ride off pavement.  I decided to explore two areas I've never ridden.  The first was the Howard Eaton reservoir area in North East township PA The second was 6 Mile Creek park.  The teamps were near 70 almost perfect for riding if there wasn't 30mph wind gusts all day.  Still It was a great day to explore two areas I have never ridden.

The trail around the Howard Eaton reservoir is more or less a grass and gravel fire road.  Nothing challenging but riding right along the lake was very relaxing.  There are a number of singletrack trails off the main loop but they were all very wet.  Hopefully I can return in a few weeks after  the string thaw. and explore a little more.

Riding over the dam

Enjoying the great weather

The second trail I hit up was 6 Mile Creek park.  The area has 2 nice trails that drop into the creek area and offer a nice challenging climb back up.  Looks can be very deceiving.  While most of the trail was dry and in great shape a few patches hidden under leaves were very wet.  The bike got a nice mud bath.  Though its was perfect to get out and enjoy dirt for the first time this year.  

A dirty bike = a clean soul

Drew

and on the 8th day it rained

I knew my luck was bound to run out.  Today was my first ride in the rain.  A cold 36* rain as well.  Thankfully it came on one of my "rest" days.  Just did a quick spin around the block to get a ride in today.  Foul weather is part of the challenge.  Though the rest of the week looks decent I should finally be able to get off the pavement by Thursday.

Drew

Week 1

One week down  I've ridden a total of 35 miles so far for the challenge.  My goal for this coming week is to start upping my distance and my legs are feeling a lot better then they were a week ago.

Cassie I took advantage of a nice day yesterday and got just under 13 miles in.  Today I just got my short 2 mile ride in as Mondays and Tuesday are my rest days.  Also they are my longest days at work so I can't ride in the evening.

The weather looks promising for the later part of the week so hopefully I can swap out the tries and get some singletrack/dirt riding in.

Drew

Day 5

One of my main reasons for taking on the 30 days of biking challenge is to make myself less of a fair weather rider.  While the first few days have been a little cool today was real test for me.  Its only in the low 30s with a wind around 20mph.  At one point I almost felt like it was going to be going backwards on the bike.  I did manage to get 2 miles in.  The bike brand Niner's slogan is quite fitting "Pedal Damn It"

Drew

Day 4

Got lucky today missed the rain this morning when I went out for a ride.  The roads were a little slick but not too bad.  I think I have found my quick ride for the challenge just enough to feel like I did something but quick enough for the days I'm short on time.

The old East Ave bridge in Eire.  

Headed down east ave

I would have had a few more photos but the Go-Pro didn't like the low light this morning.

Drew

Day 3

With foul weather in the forecast I did a nice morning ride on my day off today along the bike path that parallels the Bayfront parkway in Erie.  Still no singletrack or dirt for me yet and with a good amount of rain coming looks like I will be pounding asphalt for the time being.  I also finally remembered to charge the Go-Pro and take a few better photos while riding.

I love the early morning sun and clouds on the ride up the hill

At the top of the hill by Penn State's Erie Campus

Headed back down

Home sweet home on day 3

keep the rubber side down

Drew

Day 2

I opted to get a quick ride in this morning as the weather forecast is calling for rain this afternoon.  While one of the main reasons I have taken on this challenge is to make me less of a fair weather rider I'll still opt for dry vs wet riding.

I headed down to Erie's bayfront area today and there is still a good amount of ice in the bay it is slowly going away.  There is hope for a spring yet.

The USS Brig Niagara resting for the winter.

Day 2 is in the books for me

Drew

Day 1

Happy April fools day and start to the 30 days of biking challenge.  For me Day 1 is in the books.  Got a 2 mile ride in this morning as the sun was coming up.  Hopefully I can get a little longer ride in tomorrow after work.

Photo taken on the old East Ave Bridge in Erie.

1 down 29 to go

Drew