T.G.I. Friday!!!

Even though it was a short week, it was a long week at work. Early to rise, early to bed and not much else going on. I did ride to work again toady, though.It is in the 80's and a tad humid. I slept in this morning and am taking it easy this weekend because next week will be busy at work, too. However, I can look forward to the Red Cross Ride for the Red on Saturday, 7 June 2008 out at Waymond Morris Park.

Today's Mileage: 3.2 miles
2008 YTD Mileage: 161.5 miles
Miles to reach 2008 goal of 750 miles: 588.5
Avg Price of Gas in the 'boro: $3.88

Bike to Work

It's been a while since I biked to work. There are many reasons for this, including not enough time in the morning, had to run errands during lunch, the weather wasn't very nice, etc. Sometimes, it is not possible, however, I try to not focus on the excuses and push through them and bike to work. Usually, it takes a little more planning the night before or in the morning. However, when I do bike to work, like today, I enjoy it. At 6:15 am this morning, there wasn't much traffic and the weather was perfect. This is much earlier than I normally go to work. After work, I biked home with a buddy, John, who biked to work 3x this week! Way to go John!!! On the ride home, I had a friend join me and the sun was out and the weather was warm. Nice way to unwind after a stressful day. Tomorrow, I'll be biking in again, 2 days in a row!


Today's Mileage: 9.6 miles
2008 YTD Mileage: 158.3 miles
Miles to reach 2008 goal of 750 miles: 591.7
Avg Price of Gas in the 'boro: $3.88

Memorial Day Weekend

This weekend, let's take a moment between family BBQ's, yard work, car washes, and other events during this 3 day weekend to remember those who served in the military and public safety, including police, sheriffs, firefighters, and EMS, and sacrificed for freedom and country.

Now back to grilling and car racing...

Today's Mileage: 5.1 miles
2008 YTD Mileage: 148.7 miles
Miles to reach 2008 goal of 750 miles: 601.3
Avg Price of Gas in the 'boro: $3.89

Ride of Silence

The Ride of Silence is a silent bicycle ride intended to commemorate and honor cyclists killed and injured while riding their bicycles. It is also intended to raise awareness of cyclists and cycling, and assert our right to be able to share the roads safely without fear of death and injury. Tragically, the Owensboro-Daviess County area is honoring one of our own - David Nuckols.

David was killed when his bike struck a dog while riding in eastern Daviess County on 29 April. This ride also raised money for the David Nuckols Memorial Scholarship Fund at OCTC. David began riding last fall as a way to stay healthy and spend time with friends and neighbors who also ride. The ride began at Panther Creek Park at 6pm. A spaghetti dinner was held after the ride and donations were collected for the David Nuckols Memorial Scholarship Fund to support vocational education, especially welding, at Owensboro Community & Technical College.

There were about 80 riders out tonight and we left the park entrance in pairs for the ride. Unfortunately, a woman who was out to commemorate David Nuckols and others who died or were injured while riding their bikes, had an accident herself. According to reports, she suffered a compound fracture to her arm, just as the memorial ride began. We keep the Nuckols family, all who have survived a bike accident and those who rode tonight in our prayers.

Today's Mileage: 10.5 miles

2008 YTD Mileage: 143.6 miles

Miles to reach 2008 goal of 750 miles: 606.4

Avg Price of Gas in the 'boro: $3.72

Tuesday Night Ride and Memorial Ride

Met at East View Elementary School on Highway 405. Rode the Yellow Route which is around 23 miles. A few hills but not bad. Well, I hung with the back pack for the first 18 miles, hills and all. However, the last 4 miles I was pooped, despite keeping a 19 mph pace. It was a good ride, though.

Tomorrow night, Wednesday 21 May 2008, the Owensboro Bicycle Club and friends and family of David Nuckols will hold a memorial ride in his honor. David was killed when his bike struck a dog while riding in eastern Daviess County on 30 April. This ride also will be a way to raise money for the David Nuckols Memorial Scholarship Fund. David began riding last fall as a way to stay healthy and spend time with friends and neighbors who also ride. The ride begins at Panther Creek Park at 6pm. A spaghetti dinner will be held after the ride and donations can be made to the David Nuckols Memorial Scholarship Fund to support vocational education, especially welding, at Owensboro Community & Technical College.

Today's Mileage: 22.5 miles
2008 YTD Mileage: 133.1 miles
Miles to reach 2008 goal of 750 miles: 616.9
Avg Price of Gas in the 'boro: $3.71

Bellevue Biathlon

Saturday was the 3rd annual Bellevue Biathlon. It started with a 5k run through the surrounding neighborhood and then a 11 mile bike ride out to Veach Road, South past the Owensboro Country Club to Sutherland road. It goes south until it hits a T intersection, when you turn around and ride back into town to Bellevue Baptist on Byers Avenue. I was able to run a 5k under 30 minutes and then caught and passed maybe a dozen people on the bike ride. Going south there were strong headwinds, so I only managed 14-15 mph. However, once I turned around and had the tailwind, I was going 21-22 mph! I felt fast and strong!!! I finished in about 1 hour 10 minutes. That was at least 10 minutes better than my time last year. Next up are some Owensboro Bike Club rides during the week, the Ride for the Red Cross on 7 June 2008 and then the LakeWood Valley triathlon the following week.

Today's Mileage: 11.2 miles
2008 YTD Mileage: 110.6 miles
Miles to reach 2008 goal of 750 miles: 639.4
Avg Price of Gas in the 'boro: $3.68

Happy Bike-to-Work week

Tonight's club ride was out at Panther Creek Park. There is a nice little loop out there that we ride. Since it is lighter longer, rides start at 6pm. This week is also Bike-to-Work week. Unfortunately, I'm not sure if I'll be able to do that. My mountain bike has a flat. I'm gonna try and repair it Wed, but the weather may not cooperate enough for me to actually ride to work. Oh well, I'll ride more as the weather stays dry. Gas will probably hit $4 by Memorial Day! UNREAL!!!

I'm going to try and figure out how to add a list of events to the blog. This past Saturday was the Bar-B-Q Fest 5k. I did pretty well. Up next is the Bellevue Biathlon this coming Saturday.


Today's Mileage: 15.2 miles
2008 YTD Mileage: 99.4. miles
Miles to reach 2008 goal of 750 miles: 650.6
Avg Price of Gas in the 'boro: $3.68

I had to work a little late tonight. I didn't join the Owensboro Bicycle Clubs Monday night ride at Panther Creek, but I did ride Monday night, just a little later. My mountain bike has a front flat tire, so I get to practice changing that sometime this week. I took the road bike out for a spin and was trying to push myself a bit in the higher gears. It felt good. It helped that the weather was perfect - mid 70's, sunny, not too much wind.


Today's Mileage: 12.6 miles
2008 YTD Mileage: 84.2. miles
Miles to reach 2008 goal of 750 miles: 665.8
Avg Price of Gas in the 'boro: $3.57

Another Sunday ride around the neighborhood. Went to the bank and the gas station to get my Sunday newspapers. Nice spring day with little wind and mid 60's. Monday club ride is tomorrow and it should be a nice day.


Today's Mileage: 5.6 miles
2008 Year to Date Mileage: 71.6 miles
Miles to reach 2008 goal of 750 miles: 678.4
Avg Price of Gas in the 'boro: $3.58

Owensboro man dies when bicycle strikes dog on Roby Road

From the Messenger-Inquirer 5/1/2008

"David W. Nuckols, 53, of the 6300 block of Kentucky 1389 died Wednesday afternoon from head trauma he suffered in a bicycle accident.

About 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nuckols was bicycling on Roby Road when he hit a dog and was thrown from the bicycle.

Daviess County Coroner Bob Howe said reports indicate the man was wearing a helmet.

He died at 12:01 p.m. at Owensboro Medical Health System, Howe said."

I didn't know David personally, but he was a neighbor of Joe Hayden, who lives out on Hwy 1389. Joe was nice enough to host rides on Tuesday and Thursday nights out there in eastern Daviess County. We would park in his side yard and there are 4 or 5 marked routes from his house, with hills. Tuesday was the first ride out there for the season and it is awful that it ended with such a horrible accident. My sympathy and prayers go out to David's family and friends and I know that this tragedy has affected all members of the Owensboro Bicycle Club and those who rode out at Joe Hayden's deeply.