Breaking Away From 2010 And Attacking 2011
Ending 2010 On A Positive Note!
We're having another rough winter. Riding outside is occasional because of the terrible temperatures. We've had a lot of snow and ice. Precipitation and freezing temperatures mean low turn-outs for rides.
We make a really great attempt to finish 2010 strongly though.
We also strive to start the new year of 2011 with enthusiasm.
The links forCarolina Tarwheels bike rides, photographed by Micky Dee for all of 2010, are at the bottom of this page.
Let's seize 2011!
To better "attack" 2011:
check out this hub for- Dressing For Cycling In Cold Weather.
Or put your bike on the rollers: Cycling-How To Ride Rollers
Or check more hubs that can help with the new year:
Instructions For Having A Bicycle Ride
Yearly Cycling Training Regimen
Beginning Competitive Cycling- Keys To The Kingdom
Breaking Away-Trailer
It's hard to stay motivated during these off season cold months.
I try to stay in the same physical condition in winter as in June but that's not totally realistic. I ride rollers and get out most days that are safe enough.
But many will relax and/or cross train.
Try some cycling motivating movies such as Breaking Away. I love the beginning of all the cycling movies and possibly dislike all the endings because there is no ending.
The trailer above is for "Breaking Away". It speaks of the 1970s. This is how it was for some of us.
Campagnola equipment on an Italian bicycle frame was the dream for many racers- and pretenders like me. Cycling was/is a hard but beautiful, exciting life. Many of us lived those days of the 70s on bicycles.
is a very inspiring movie for me. It has the solid gold cast of Eddy Merckx, Filice Gimondi, Bataglin. This is a documentary of the Giro De Italia or Tour of Italy. The film shadows the Bianchi team and shows team structure and roles of the members. It shows the old school of mechanics. Very inspiring.
For fun, try . Mickey's Favorite Bicycle "Descending" Videos. But remember to never do anything you don't feel good about.
12-03-10 found me a little reluctant to ride but friends started out from Harry's Market and I rode out to meet them.
I remember icy roads and a very strong head-wind.
My friends Eric and Cynthia put this together and it helps when others ride too.
This is the corner of Orange Grove Road and Dodsons Crossroad.
My route was mostly out Orange Grove and left on Dodsons.
This is only 7 miles. I follow Dodsons to NC 54 where I meet the gang.
You may as well put some heavy tires and tubes on the bike for this time of year.
Our bikes are strongly attracted to Cup-O-Joe's Coffee Shop!
We backtrack back to Hillsborough on the route I took out.
Temperature Assisted Photographs
These above and below, were three separate pictures.
The camera was too cold to process them separately.
The three pics should be about 2800 pixels each,
The three pictures are fused together for 6000 pixels.
The edges are perfectly, artistically "jagged" except for where the upper middle and upper right pictures are joined with a straight line.
I could use a tool to blur that part but I like the true explanation.
We leave Hillsborough on Ben Johnston Rd. to I-85 Connector, to West Ten, to Mount Willing.
We were soon on Oak Grove Church Rd., to Bradshaw Quarry, to Arthur Minnis, to Dodsons Crossroad. It was here that I parted with my friends and took Dodsons to Orange Grove to Hillsbro.
December 8, 2010 was our Wednesday ride from Union Grove Church.
However, when I rode near the church, I had pain that made my bicycle ride past the church and I wound up riding a version of the Crawford Dairy Loop.
So this is a "solo ride".
Cycling
It is easier to ride with a club or group.
Most things become easier with the addition of companions.
I found some pictures on the shoulder of the road so I picked them up and dropped them on the steps of the church here.
Things like this occur frequently enough.
Or, there could be some debris on the road that we remove for the safety of everyone. So cyclists help although their "help" may go unappreciated.
My friend Cynthia needed about 40 miles to make 4,000 for the year.
So we're nailing it down with this ride on December 9, 2010!
It is hard to achieve a milestone like 4,000 for a year when you have few responsibilities. It's harder when you're a parent, you're married, and you have a career.
Oak Grove Church Road is a classic.
This Wednesday, December 15, 2010, was so cold that two of us showed.
I think we were sorry that we did.
This was the last day I could ride before my operation on Friday the 17th of December.
Thoughts froze up! Brrrrr! I finished up with about 35 miles.
The temperature was below freezing, as usual.
This ride on the 22nd day of December was one in which I was not a participant.
My operation on the acorns was on the 17th,
I was still walking pretty funny so I drove over to Mebane in my pick-up.
I met the guys having their break at the coffee and pastry shop.
I was able to hold my camera out of the window as the guys rode by.
I was wishing I was one of them.
Union Groovin' To Mebane's Kaffeestube
Union
Grove Church to Mebane
At
Turn
Go
On…
0.0
L
0.4
on Union Grove Church Rd.
0.4 R 0.6 Arthur Minnis Rd.
1.0 L 1.8 Borland Rd.
2.8 R 0.9 Kimbro
3.7 R 1.4 Orange Grove Rd.
5.1 L 2.8 Dimmocks Mill Rd
7.9 L 1.7 Ben Johnston
9.6 L 0.3 I-85 Connector
9.9 R 0.5 West Ten
10.4 R 0.6 Mt. Willing Rd.
11.0 R 0.1 Forrest Ave
11.1 L 1.6 Brookhollow cross HI 70
12.7 L 2.7 Lebanon cross Efland Cedar Grove
15.4 L 1.9 North Frazier cross HI 70 & continue
17.3 L 0.1 Buckhorn cross RR tracks
17.4 R 2.2 East Washington
19.6 L 1.5 8th street * road turns right at end.
21.1 L 0.1 Mebane Oaks Busy road, 4 lanes
21.2 R 0.1 Fielddale
21.3 Kaffeestube
21.3 L 0.1 Mebane Oaks
21.4 R 1.3 8th Street
22.7 R 1.8 Oakwood
24.5 R 1.5 Mattress Factory-. changes to West Ten
26.0 R 5.5 Buckhorn
31.5 L 2.5 Bradshaw Quarry
34.0 R 1.5 Dodson
35.5 L 2.0 Dairyland
37.5 BL 0.5 Albert
38.0 L 1.5 Union Grove Church Rd
39.5 Union Grove Church
There seemed to be a lot of aircraft for the entire month or two!
New Year's Eve Day Ride
December 31, 2010 was a warm day and because of the warm prediction and the likelihood of many people having the day off - there was an emergency bike ride!
Many are staying in the area for New Year's Eve.
The roads look like they could be treacherous.
It could be very rough later in the day when the melting ice starts freezing again,
There is a great turn-out for this ride.
Union groovin' To Saxapahaw In Reverse
Union Grove Church to Wahapaxas
At Turn Go On…
0.0 L 0.4 on Union Grove Church Rd.
0.4 L 0.5 Arthur Minnis
0.9 L 1.0 Rocky Ridge
1.9 R 1.5 Dairyland
3.4 R 1.7 Dodson's Crossroads
5.1 L 4.7 Arthur Minnis changes to Bradshaw Quarry
9.8 R 4.4 Oak Grove Rd.
14.2 L 1.4 Mebane Oaks
15.6 R 0.1 Jim Minor
15.7 L 1.8 Mt. Willen
17.5 S 1.7 X NC 54 becomes Salem Church then Payne
19.2 L 1.9 Swepsonville-Saxapahaw Rd
21.1 BL 0.2 Saxapahaw-Beth Church Rd
21.3 Rest stop
21.3 R 3.6 continue on Saxapahaw-Beth Church Rd
24.9 S 1.3 X NC 54 changes to Mebane Oaks
26.2 R 6.5 Bradshaw Quarry changes to Arthur Minnis
32.7 L 0.7 Dodson's Crossroads
33.4 R 2.7 Borland 36.1 R 0.6 Arthur Minnis
36.7 L 0.4 Union Grove Church Rd
37.1 Union Grove Church
It seems that a few of us are glad to see 2010 leave.
We had a big group all the way to Saxapahaw.
As we were about 5 miles out of Saxapahaw, Blair got a quarter mile and more in front of the group.
Mike Throop and I made the mistake of chasing him.
Soon the group would shuffle us back and forth toward the back.
Ouch! It was a hard effort but fun.
Most of us stopped for a few minutes and more.
A great time was had by all.
This was a fantastic ride and end for the year.
Happy New Year 2011!
Tour de France/American Flyers/Breaking Away
The video above is a blend of the Tour de France, the movie American Flyers, and the movie Breaking Away.
To someone unfamiliar to the "Tour de France and the two movies, the video can be confusing.
There reality videos mixed with fictional videos.
There is real commentary with fictional video and fictional commentary with actual footage of the Tour de France.
And it has comedy!
It was colder New Year's Day than New Year's Eve Day.
I met a pleasant group coming out of Carrboro led by Jeff.
I'm surprised to see so many hot air balloons on such a cloudy day.
Yes!
The New Years Day ride ends with a beautiful smile!
Cycling Fashions Of 1936
Cold days are all we have.
Today we're heading to Cup-O-Joe's for coffee.
We start at Union Grove Church.
I put in an extra 10 or so by riding out from home.
And everybody had a good time!
The weather is rough all the time.
I seem to get to the rides later in the winter.
It takes longer to dress and get psyched up for the winter rides.
I see the ride coming out from Carrboro and try to get the good picture.
01-08-11 The Carrboro Ride Gets Snow!
The Snow Ride Video came out pretty good. It's short - 58 seconds.
This Saturday Carrboro ride I started out with the A Ride.
But thinking that the B Ride was going to Hillsborough, I went back to Wilson Park to restart with the B Ride. However, neither ride went to Hillsbro. Very pleasant though.
My buddy TJ is the comedian today.
Let me help you TJ!
A tandem is almost totally hidden by the pines.
That looks like fun!
A "Tri-Sports" group has met us on the road.
Harr!
Most of our riding looks like this. Riders are single file.
Riders will take a turn pulling at the front and then peel off and drop toward the rear to keep a steady rotation.
We bunch up at intersections.
Soon, we're back in a smooth formation!
Yo Kent!
Single file.
It was a great gathering after the ride at Weaver St. Market.
Bicycle Safety
Union Grove Church to Mebane
At Turn Go On…
0.0 L 0.4 on Union Grove Church Rd.
0.4 L 0.6 Arthur Minnis Rd.
1.0 L 1.0 Rocky Ridge
2.0 R 1.3 Dairyland
3.3 R 2.8 Dodson's Crossroads
6.1 R 2.2 Orange Grove Rd.
8.3 L 2.8 Dimmocks Mill Rd.
11.1 L 1.8 Ben Johnson
12.9 L 0.3 I-85 Connector
13.2 R 0.5 West Ten
13.7 R 0.6 Mt. Willing Rd.
14.3 R 0.1 Forrest Ave
14.4 L 1.6 Brookhollow cross HI70
16.0 L 6.1 Lebanon changes to E Brown
22.1 L 0.1 5th St
22.2 R 0.1 Clay Ave
22.3 L 4th st Rest Stop at Mebane Express Coffee
22.3 R 0.1 Clay ave
22.4 R 0.1 5th st cross HI 70 & RR
22.5 L 1.0 East Washington
23.5 R 2.4 Mattress Factory rd changes to West Ten
25.9 R 4.8 Buckhorn
30.7 L 2.0 Chestnut ridge
32.7 R 4.7 Borland
37.4 L 0.6 Arthur Minnis
38.0 L 0.4 Union Grove Church Rd
38.4 Union Grove Church
We're Union Groovin' from the Union Grove Church.
We're on my favorite road, Ben Johnston.
This is my favorite stop.
Our hosts are selling the coffee shop and moving back to New Jersey to be closer to family.
We will certainly miss this great family.
Ahh! Another beautiful ride with the Carolina Tarwheels.
Come on out. All the rides are great!
The Wednesday rides are pretty special.
Today the temps skyrocket to 40 degrees!
But the sun is shining.
01 23 11 Paul Spinning On St. Mary
Paul is exhibiting great cycling spin. He's got a strong gear that he can spin.
Check it out.
So we're leaving Dave's house and riding northeast of Hillsborough.
The ride from Dave's will be 35 or so but Cy, Paul, and I ride a few more.
01 23 11 Sunday Dave Ride
Dave, Jose, Mike, Larry, Eric, Kent, and I had a great ride.
It's a great group.
These rides could occur on any warm Sunday.
Come on out.
Lance Armstrong Attack #1
2010-Tarwheel Cycling Through Micky's Camera:
What Happened To Wednesday's Ride? 01-12-10
The Playtex Cycling Team
March 2010-Almost Spring Bike Rides-Plus On The Road Bike Repair Tips
Marquis de Sade-Bob Scofield's Ride 2010
March 31, April 1, 2, 3, 4, 2010 Bike Rides-Carolina Tarwheels
April 7, 2010 Union Groovin' To Saxapahaw, Carolina Tar-wheels Meet Miami Biking Gang and Buena Vista Social Club
April 10, 2010-Two Rides-97 Miles But It Felt Like 98
April 17, 2010 Solo Ride, Tarwheels Ride, Solo, Time Trial, No TT, Solo
April 18, 2010 Hillsbros Playtex Cycling Team-Gets Juice-61 Hard Miles
April 23, 24, 2010 Carrboro Tarwheels and The Bicycle Wheel Of Adam O'Neil
April 28, 2010 Union Groovin' To Hillsbro- Tarwheels Salute Alan Schmacher
Cycling-May 2, 2010-Raven Rock Ramble-107 miles
Cycling-May 5, 2010-A Ode to-Union Groovin' To Saxapahaw!
Cycling-May 9, 2010-Hillsborough To Yanceyville-79 Miles
Cycling-May 12, 2010 Union Groovin' and Mebane Espressin'
What Makes My Saddle Sore, Poem & Tarwheels Union Groove To Eflin 5-19-10
Assault On Mount Mitchell 2010-A Virtual Tour
Cycling-May 26, 2010 Union Groovin'- Crawford Dairy Loop! With Cue Sheet
She'll Follow Me Anywhere! A Poem And A Saxapahaw Bike Ride June 2, 2010
Micky's Dominatrix-And A Tarwheel Saturday Bike Ride May 5, 2010
June 9, 2010-Tarwheels-Union Groovin' And Listening To The Fiddleheads On Lemon Grass!
June 12, 2010 Tarwheels & The Ken Har Memorial- Rawhide Bike Ride
Squirrel Nut Zipping to Saxapahaw-Tarwheels Ride Again! June 16, 2010
An Ode To Tarwheels! And The Union Groovers Meet the Mebanites! June 23, 2010
June 26, 2010- Chatham County Habitat For Humanity 3 Ring Cycle Bicycle Ride
Stem-O-Rama Bicycle Ride- July 17, 2010 Stem, NC
July, A Month Of Wednesdays (And A Couple Saturdays)
Bike Fest 2010- A Tarwheel Bicycle Ride -15th Annual Rural Heritage Tour
Tarwheels Biking And Union Groovin' In August 2010 And Terrible Jokes!
August 14, 2010-The Saturday Carrboro B Ride and Terrible Jokes!
August 15, 2010 Sunday DG Bicycle Ride- North Carolina Tarwheels
Labor Day Burlington Reservoir Bicycle Ride September 6, 2010
Sunday Morning Coming Down - CHAPEL cHILLin' With the Gravy Boys 9-19-2010
My Buddy Dave - The Birthday Ride - Whacky Facts
October Union Groovin' and Carrboring With The Tarwheels 2010
2010 Rivers Bridge Ramble Century- Orangeburg, South Carolina
Tarwheeling in November - 2010
Mountain Biking
Walking & Hiking Tours
Charleston Cycling:
Charleston. SC-Wonders Way-Mick's Pics
Charleston, SC-Mount Pleasant Memorial Waterfront Park
For short personal cycling videos Micky is also known as TheBikingDude.
Check out TheBikingDude's Channel on YouTube!