Time Trial Results

I'm participating informally in a contest at www.fatcyclist.com. As
part of it, I needed to complete a three mile time trial. I biked from
the Betzwood Picnic Area in Valley Forge Park 1.5 miles and back - 38
minutes. Yes, it was in starts and stops.. Aside from having to stop
for groups of walkers and joggers that insisted on taking both lanes, a
large dog that took too much of an interest in me, and a turnaround at
the 1.5 mile mark, I was on two wheels most of the time. Not bad for a
275 pound first time bicyclist who is turning 41 tomorrow.

The contest, for most improvement in a time trial and greatest
percentage of weight lost, ends August 1. How much time do you think I
could cut off that scorching 38 minutes?

Neil
385/275/200

"The Historian" wrote in message
ps.com...
I'm participating informally in a contest at www.fatcyclist.com. As
part of it, I needed to complete a three mile time trial. I biked from
the Betzwood Picnic Area in Valley Forge Park 1.5 miles and back - 38
minutes. Yes, it was in starts and stops.. Aside from having to stop
for groups of walkers and joggers that insisted on taking both lanes, a
large dog that took too much of an interest in me, and a turnaround at
the 1.5 mile mark, I was on two wheels most of the time. Not bad for a
275 pound first time bicyclist who is turning 41 tomorrow.

The contest, for most improvement in a time trial and greatest
percentage of weight lost, ends August 1. How much time do you think I
could cut off that scorching 38 minutes?

Neil
385/275/200

If it is not too hilly you should be able to get down to between 15 or 20
minutes fairly easily. Of course if there are way too many walkers and
they don't move to their side when you call out "passing--on your left"
and ring your little bell, then that's another story.

del

Del Cecchi wrote:
"The Historian" wrote in message
ps.com...
I'm participating informally in a contest at www.fatcyclist.com. As
part of it, I needed to complete a three mile time trial. I biked from
the Betzwood Picnic Area in Valley Forge Park 1.5 miles and back - 38
minutes. Yes, it was in starts and stops.. Aside from having to stop
for groups of walkers and joggers that insisted on taking both lanes, a
large dog that took too much of an interest in me, and a turnaround at
the 1.5 mile mark, I was on two wheels most of the time. Not bad for a
275 pound first time bicyclist who is turning 41 tomorrow.

The contest, for most improvement in a time trial and greatest
percentage of weight lost, ends August 1. How much time do you think I
could cut off that scorching 38 minutes?

Neil
385/275/200

If it is not too hilly you should be able to get down to between 15 or 20
minutes fairly easily. Of course if there are way too many walkers and
they don't move to their side when you call out "passing--on your left"
and ring your little bell, then that's another story.

That was a problem today. Perhaps the low number of path users
contributed to the problem. When the path is busier, people stay in the
correct lane.

I did pass a couple of people, so I did get to ring the bell and call
out "left", but I didn't want to risk a spill or hitting someone. So in
the worst cases I quickly dismounted, got ahead of them, and took off.

Speaking of safety, I did wear my day-glo yellow jersey. Small aircraft
were buzzing the park thinking the bike path was a landing strip.....

The Historian wrote:

That was a problem today. Perhaps the low number of path users
contributed to the problem. When the path is busier, people stay in the
correct lane.

I did pass a couple of people, so I did get to ring the bell and call
out "left", but I didn't want to risk a spill or hitting someone. So in
the worst cases I quickly dismounted, got ahead of them, and took off.

Speaking of safety, I did wear my day-glo yellow jersey. Small aircraft
were buzzing the park thinking the bike path was a landing strip.....


And (sorry walkers), but what makes walkers think they can walk 3 in a
row??? They do this a lot. Sorry ladies (guys don't seem to do this),
but walk single file. I just got back from my 6 mile run and I don't
know how many times I had to actually get off the path at Ocean Beach
to pass them. There were maybe 3 or 4 groups of walkers taking up the
whole path. Grrr......

SFrunner wrote:
The Historian wrote:

That was a problem today. Perhaps the low number of path users
contributed to the problem. When the path is busier, people stay in the
correct lane.

I did pass a couple of people, so I did get to ring the bell and call
out "left", but I didn't want to risk a spill or hitting someone. So in
the worst cases I quickly dismounted, got ahead of them, and took off.

Speaking of safety, I did wear my day-glo yellow jersey. Small aircraft
were buzzing the park thinking the bike path was a landing strip.....


And (sorry walkers), but what makes walkers think they can walk 3 in a
row??? They do this a lot. Sorry ladies (guys don't seem to do this),
but walk single file. I just got back from my 6 mile run and I don't
know how many times I had to actually get off the path at Ocean Beach
to pass them. There were maybe 3 or 4 groups of walkers taking up the
whole path. Grrr......

The ring is very effective. People don't care for others. They think
they're alone. At the shopping center, when someone is blocking the
escalator, I get upset and climb up very fast, and make sure my elbows
hit them. Of course, I don't apologize.

wrote:

People don't care for others. They think they're alone. At the shopping
center, when someone is blocking the escalator, I get upset and climb up
very fast, and make sure my elbows hit them. Of course, I don't apologize.

I don't see how being an asshole is supposed to make anyone else realize
the error of their ways.

The Queen of Cans and Jars wrote:
wrote:

People don't care for others. They think they're alone. At the shopping
center, when someone is blocking the escalator, I get upset and climb up
very fast, and make sure my elbows hit them. Of course, I don't apologize.

I don't see how being an asshole is supposed to make anyone else realize
the error of their ways.

Am I supposed to educate people??? Especially when the guy is 50 and
does not know that some people would like to get to the next floor
faster? If he has not realized that in 50 years, what is going to
take???? Some people need a "physical shock" to understand. Words are
just words for them.

The Queen of Cans and Jars wrote:
wrote:

People don't care for others. They think they're alone. At the shopping
center, when someone is blocking the escalator, I get upset and climb up
very fast, and make sure my elbows hit them. Of course, I don't apologize.

I don't see how being an asshole is supposed to make anyone else realize
the error of their ways.

Here in Toronto, you are blocked everywhere!!! In the escalators, on
the highway, on the sidewalk, etc. People don't care. Just watch that
video filmed here in Toronto. No one is calling the police!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4aVbDpXd7A0

Sometimes you want to teach them the hard way like this:

http://www.tmz.com/2007/01/05/wilmer...-clubgoers-ass

wrote in message
oups.com...

The Queen of Cans and Jars wrote:
wrote:

People don't care for others. They think they're alone. At the shopping
center, when someone is blocking the escalator, I get upset and climb
up
very fast, and make sure my elbows hit them. Of course, I don't
apologize.

I don't see how being an asshole is supposed to make anyone else realize
the error of their ways.

Am I supposed to educate people??? Especially when the guy is 50 and
does not know that some people would like to get to the next floor
faster? If he has not realized that in 50 years, what is going to
take???? Some people need a "physical shock" to understand. Words are
just words for them.

Now, Mike, I do understand your frustration. I feel it, too. But do you
really think that they are getting the message you are sending? Or do they
just think you are a jerk? Saying "Excuse me...May I get by?" will give
them more of a message than elbowing them will, don't you think? It just
doesn't help you vent as well.

teachrmama wrote:
wrote in message
oups.com...

The Queen of Cans and Jars wrote:
wrote:

People don't care for others. They think they're alone. At the shopping
center, when someone is blocking the escalator, I get upset and climb
up
very fast, and make sure my elbows hit them. Of course, I don't
apologize.

I don't see how being an asshole is supposed to make anyone else realize
the error of their ways.

Am I supposed to educate people??? Especially when the guy is 50 and
does not know that some people would like to get to the next floor
faster? If he has not realized that in 50 years, what is going to
take???? Some people need a "physical shock" to understand. Words are
just words for them.

Now, Mike, I do understand your frustration. I feel it, too. But do you
really think that they are getting the message you are sending? Or do they
just think you are a jerk? Saying "Excuse me...May I get by?" will give
them more of a message than elbowing them will, don't you think? It just
doesn't help you vent as well.


Well, I know it's a bad idea. But I become emotional, I do things I
would not think doing. When I see that guy blocking the escalator, I
become like the bull who sees a red flag!