Bicyclist Ticketed - in Tampa, FL

It's not bad enough that bicyclists in Tampa, FL need to put up with some of the worst conditions for bikers in the country, we also have some law officers who are ignorant of the law regarding cyclists, their rights and responsibilities. Key word here is RESPONSIBILITIES. Riding an average of 25 / 30 miles a day around Tampa and Hillsborough County, I have seen the best and the worst when it comes to drivers and cyclists. In my personal observations, both are at fault. Education of drivers regarding the presence of cyclists on roadways is a necessity. Observation of the laws, rules and responsibilities are the requirements of both groups. In any confrontations, the cyclist loses.
Read about Brad Marcels experience.
http://www2.tbo.com/content/2009/dec/03/cyclist-says-ticket-impeding-traffic-unfair/ww2.tbo.com/
Drop him an email of support at bmarcel@mail.usf.edu

Flat Tire?, Again?

Had to postpone today's ride. I had a difficult puncture last week and no repair items, 15 miles away from the house. Someday I'll learn to carry more than a can of Slime(which did not do the job). After an extended wait time from my support vehicle(Nancy was busy), I got back to the shop and did a repair. But, the repair patch let go the next day because of the Slime in the tube. This time only 5 miles from home. So I did a really great repair with a real rubber patch, and yesterday I took off, with hard wheels, for a 45 mile run to a winery in Plant City. Made it to the winery, they were closed, my tire was again flat, and I was #%&@**. So today I am not on a ride, I am headed to Wally World to buy a few tubes and a good tire repair kit and some compressed air in a bottle. Maybe even some of those flat tire rejection strips that go between your tube and tire. Anyway, it looks like rain. Maybe I should do like my Cardiologist says and walk instead of ride.

Ernest & Leana - Africa and Beyond

Many thanks to SMB Tech Geeks for the advice about the blog of Ernest and his biking partner Leana. http://ernestonbike.blogspot.com/ Click on Ernest's blog and you can also find a link to Leana's adventures. Gosh, what a great adventure. Leana also has a Facebook site. I have not had chance to read all the archives on their individual sites, but I will. Good reading, if you are a rider.

Gosh, How time flies

I need to find a way to do this daily. I am looking at the blog and see how long it has been since I posted anything. Maybe the key is to do it each day as I get back from my morning ride. I came across a cool blog for cycling called The Hungry Cyclist. http://www.thehungrycyclist.com/blog/2009/04/index.html It makes for some interesting reading but I prefer more road adventures. Maybe I just have not read far enough into the blog. I thought he was presently located in South America and was going to contact him and send him info to get in touch with Angelica and Claudio.
I was able to contact Ben Becker, cycling through South America. He was headed to the Galapagos Islands on a sailboat he hitched a ride on from the Panama Canal. His partner left him in Panama to head back home but has done a website at: www.lettherebmorebikes.com. if you are interested.
If anyone has any good road travellers websites or blogs, send them this way. Wish I was 40 years younger.