Personal Stuff

I decided to drive up to Tahoe City, California, right on Lake Tahoe today and ride my bike about 25 miles round trip, which is a good workout for me considering my age and the fact the elevation is 6,200 feet. Some of the bike trail is right next to the shore, but there are also some McMansions and crap along the way. The one thing I don't care much for is the fact you have to cross from one side of the road to the other several times on the path. In any case, it is very beautiful and scenic. I didn't take any pictures this time, and the lake had haze over it. It still felt good though to cycle right next to the lake and get halfway cool.

The kicker is when I returned back to the car, I looked at the sign and realized I could have gone another five or six miles and reached the absolutely beautiful Emerald Bay. It would have been doable if I had done it. The round trip would have been 34 miles.

I may head back up at the lake area later this week and go for a hike. Maybe I will go over to Emerald Bay if the height doesn't scare the shit out of me.

I don't do these Tahoe rides very often; in fact, it has been years since I've done a Tahoe ride, and it was always on the Nevada side. The California side is better in terms of not hitting the traffic although it isn't as beautiful as the Nevada side (Emerald Bay excepted). Besides, I hate to have to take my bike apart and put it in the backseat. I shouldn't do it anyway because it damages the brake cables. The next car I get, which should be shortly if I am reinstated on my job or decide to take a settlement if I get a better job than what I had or if I win the $88 million Mega Millions lottery, I will get a bumper carrier for the bike. Rooftop carriers aren't very practical in my situation.

A Do-Nothing Day

My hits are at the lowest they have ever been since I started this blog 5 1/2 years ago. It doesn't break my heart too much, for everybody is on vacation.

This morning was ideal to go out on a bike ride. Amazingly enough, I have had my bicycle for twenty years. It is a Pinarello with almost all-Italian components. At the time this model was considered a so-called entry-level bike. It cost around $1,100 in 1988. I am sure a similar model would sell for twice that now.

It was worth the money, but I think once I get situated, if I ever do, I am going to get a new bicycle. I was looking at bikes the other day. I don't know whether I will get the same model, another Italian-made bike, or whether I'll spend the money to buy a Serotta, which has an American-made custom frame. A custom-fitted bike is the only way to go. That's what I had with my current bike.

I started cycling seriously 33 years ago. I used to ride every day during my youth, sometimes for HOURS on end (60 or 70 miles a day was nothing for me), but now when the weather is good, I try to do it a couple of times a week at least. I combine cycling with running and now hiking for more or less intense workouts. One has to do that as one gets older.