Philippe Park, Safety Harbor FL

Philippe Park is definitely the park that I visit most often when I am in Florida. Average 3 times a week. It is about 7 km North from our condo to the park South entrance. This is where I like to do my cycling exercises. One loop, back and forth, is about 3.5 km. There is one decent hill on the North side.

Wooden bridge provide entrance to the South side of the park (not for cars).

The entrance for cars is on the North side.

This park was once where the earliest known Florida native American, the Tocobago, settled. Some artifacts were found as recent as 2010.

Around 1842 Mr. Odet Philippe acquired the land and established a plantation. His remains was buried in this park.

Odet Phillippe grave.

A private beach front picnic area. Good spot for fishing.

The East side of Philippe park is Tampa Bay. At the North end there is a motorized boat launching area, while the launching area for canoe and kayak is at the South side.

Motorized boat launching ram.

A large sheltered picnic area with barbecue grill overlooking Tampa Bay.

There are more than 10 sheltered picnic areas scattered around the park. Also several children playgrounds and washroom facilities.

This park is beautiful and well maintained. No entrance fee and free parking, except for the motorized boat launching area. There is a fee to park the boat trailer and towing car. I have enjoyed a picnic with the local Indonesian community here. I have also attended the early morning Easter mass in this park. The mass started at 6:00 AM. It was pitch dark as I entered the South entrance with my bicycle; I could hear footsteps and people talking but not see anybody. The sun rose around communion time behind the priest, it was a unique experience.

Branches reaching out from both sides of the trail provide shelter from the hot sun.

Learning to do SUP (Stand Up Paddle-board)

Kayaking and SUP, they are on my my to do list. New challenges....-:).
Those who have followed my blog are familiar with my view on 'How to enjoy life' - "Seek new challenges".

The Ladies at Indonesian community picnic, Philippe park 2011

After cycling 4 to 6 loops around the park, I found myself a quiet place to enjoy the scenery, have a snack and do some reading before heading back home. It was always time well spend.


  

Philippe park is one of my favorite park.

Exploring ........ - part 2

Hi, welcome to part 2. Glad that you can join me again. In part 1, I explored the South side of my neighbourhood, this time I am taking you to explore the North-East side.

It was mid November afternoon, the temperature was a little cool, about 25 C. The sun is about to set in one hour. I cycled on the sidewalk along McMullen Booth Rd going North. With Sedona's wide tires, front suspensions and seat post suspension the ride on the sidewalk was comfortable, the small bumps 'disappeared'.
About one mile North of our condo complex is Del Oro Park.
This park has a fenced in children playground, basketball courts, tennis courts and a sheltered picnic area. It is well maintained.

I cycled through Del Oro Park. The park looked deserted at this time of a working day. Then I cycled East on Ream Wilson Clearwater trail. This trail passes through the North side of Del Oro park. The trail runs mostly East West. Going East, about one mile, the trail crosses North Bay Shore Rd. then turns North towards the city of Safety Harbor.

Volunteer officers patrolling the trail on horse back - a rare sight.

A quarter mile North of the crossing is Cooper's Bayou Park. This park has a small lake and exercise stations scattered around to one side. It also has a kayak and canoe launching 'pad'. Cooper Bayou is a great place for kayaking, canoeing and fishing.

Motorized boat can not launch here; I like that. You can paddle for miles in this mostly quiet and calm water. 

One day I will get myself a kayak or (and?) a SUP (Stand Up Paddleboard) and enjoy the many beautiful waters around Clearwater.

One of several exercise stations that are scattered around one side of the park

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Do not go swimming, kayaking or canoeing in the lake; it is infested with alligators. Most, if not all fresh water lakes and ponds in this area have alligators as their 'tenant'.

She is way too close to her cute buddy. Those alligators can run as fast as 25 mph. Could she out run the alligator? (Picture taken last spring.)

Huge birds in this area. The wing span of this Anhinga is at least 4 feet. 

This Great Blue Heron is waiting patiently for a fish to surface.

I looked around a bit and took some pictures, then I decided to cycle back towards the west side; the trail further North is under renovations in the city of Safety Harbor.

Overpass bridge trail, crossing the busy 6 lanes McMullen Booth Rd.

The trail going West crosses McMullen Booth Road via an overpass bridge. I will tell you about the West side in part 3. See you............

Cycling in the rain

My recent bicycle tour around lake Ontario was cut short mainly because I failed to prepare properly to cycle in the rain. On the second day, I got soaked from the rain and my own sweat, head to toe, and got sick.

Someone once said: "There is no bad weather, just inadequate clothing". There is some truth to that. We must wear proper attire to protect ourselves from the elements, especially seniors like me. Our immune system is not as good as it used to be. I could not 'play' in cold, windy, and wet weather without any consequence on my health anymore.

I now realized that the rain jacket and pants that I had during the tour were inadequate and not suited for long distance cycling. After some research I went to MEC (Mountain Equipment Coop) in Burlington and bought a rain jacket 'Shower Pass Elite 2.1', a pair of rain pants 'MEC Secteur' and a pair of shoe covers 'MEC Drencher'. I could have ordered them on line, but I wanted to make sure of the fit. Turned out that medium size for the jacket, 32 waist for the pants and medium size shoe covers fit me best. As I left the store it started to rain. "Perfect, I will try them out as soon as I get home."

I went for a half hour ride in the rain wearing my new jacket, pants and shoe covers. I also had a shower cap on. After the ride, my shoes and socks, shorts and jersey were completely dry. Not only did those new jacket and pants protected me from the rain, they also let my body moisture escaped. They worked together well. The jacket provides ventilation and the cut at the back is much longer than the front, ideal for cycling. The pants also provide ventilation and the inseam is extra long so they stay over the shoe covers while pedaling.
I was very pleased with my new attire, but my head and hair were wet from my own sweat. Putting on a plastic shower cap was not a good idea. My hands and cycling gloves were also wet and cold. So I ordered on line (www.mec.ca) a 'MEC Drencher helmet cover', a pair of  'MEC Drencher gloves', also a pair of pedals 'Victor VP-196' and a kick stand 'Filzer KS-1' to replace the broken ones.

The following rainy day, which was on Tuesday September 18, I rode for one hour in the rain. My order for the helmet cover and gloves, had not arrived. Again I put on my new rain jacket, pants and shoe covers; but this time I put the shower cap over the helmet, just like a helmet cover, and I used rubber gloves instead of my regular cycling gloves. I rode faster and pushed a bit harder than last time.
After the ride my legs and body felt a little damp, my hair just slightly wet, but my hands were very wet from my own sweat. From this ride I learned that I should ride at a leisurely pace in the rain; first for safety reason and second to minimize sweating.

My on line order arrived on Monday September 24. I installed the new pedals and kick stand, but I had to wait for a rainy day to test the helmet cover and gloves.

The kick stand and pedals looked and worked great. The pedals have sealed bearings; these should protect the bearings from dirt.

Finally on Wednesday morning, October 3, I had a chance to try out all the rain gears together. It was raining lightly and the temperature was 18 C.

The helmet cover was a little difficult to put on, because it had to stretched over the visor of the helmet. Putting the shoe covers and gloves were easy. The gloves went over my regular cycling gloves without any problem.

The jacket sleeves covered the gloves as nicely as the rain pants legs covered the shoe covers.

I rode for one hour at a relax pace in the rain. I felt comfortable after the ride. My body, limbs, hands and feet stayed dry and warm. I was very pleased, everything worked together nicely. Having fenders installed on Shadow help a great deal in enjoying riding in the rain. Also Shadow's hydraulic disc brakes gave me confidence riding in wet weather, they performed amazingly well.

Now a rainy day will no longer stop me from riding Shadow. I actually enjoyed it. The air seemed fresher and cleaner, and the trails more deserted. 

I am so looking forward for my bicycle tour around lake Ontario next year............END.

Bicycle tour around lake Ontario.........cut short

One week before D-day I started collecting stuff that I needed to take with me on the tour. Checking against the list that I had made as I went along, and storing them in the paniers. Chris gave Shadow a thorough check up. He tightened a loose stem to fork connection - a potential problem. Tightened other connections, checked the shifters and brakes, and test rode the bike.
Itinerary for the tour was revised and ready by Wednesday August 29. The tour was planned for 16 days, including 3 rest days. Google maps directions for the routes were printed and organized.
On Thursday I loaded Shadow with all four filled paniers, the tent and sleeping bag and cycled to Ian's house, 3 km from my house. This was to test out the load distribution and practice setting up my new tent in his back yard. It turned out to be a useful exercise as I learned a few thing from it.
One day before D-day, most stuff were loaded on the bike. Total cargo load was around 55 lbs. I was ready to go.

As expected, I did not sleep well the night before the trip. I felt the excitement, apprehension, worries and expectations of others as well as my own. Many years ago I felt the same thing a few times, each time, the night before I flew overseas for a long term (3 to 4 months) work assignment. This time I can see that Theresia was even more concerned and worried. She made me promised not to push and put my health and safety first. Of course I agreed. This tour is an adventure and not something to die for. It is something to enjoy and have fun with.

Day-1, Monday September 3, 2012.
Brampton to Burlington, distance to cover, about 60 km. Weather forecast, warm and sunny.
I took my time getting up and ready. I could comfortably do 60 km under 5 hours, so I was not in a rush to start the tour.
                                                                                                                                                                                   

Turned on the GPS tracker and reset the cyclometer to zero; and off I went. It was 11:00 AM. I had a big breakfast, and Theresia packed some fried banana with cheese for snack.
 The ride out of Brampton was easy and traffic was light. It was Labour day holiday.

 

Once I reached Cawthra Rd. in Mississauga the traffic became rather busy. Took my first break at a church on Cawthra Rd. under the shade of a tree. The place was deserted; I enjoyed my short rest. Checked the bicycle, the load and other equipments. Everything seemed to be fine. The GPS tracking light was blinking. I knew Theresia and Elaine were tracking my movement from their computer at home. Elaine and Chris bought and subscribed to the tracking service. They insisted  that I took along and use the GPS tracker. I mounted the GPS tracker on top of my handle bar bag; it works best when it has a clear view of the sky. We have tested this tracker on my ride from Toronto to Niagara Falls just over a week ago.

About halfway, at Southdown and Lakeshore, I took another rest. I sat on a bench under the shade of a tree in a corner of a plaza, and enjoyed the banana snack that Theresia had packed for me.

While I was riding along Lakeshore in Oakville, a young cyclist on a road bike caught up and rode along side for awhile. Curious about all the stuff I was carrying on the bike, he asked where I was heading. We had a nice conversation for a few minutes. After satisfying himself that I carried spare tubes and some tools, he wished me luck and took off.

I got lost in Burlington, not too far from my destination for the day. I turned around and cycled back to my last turn. Three cyclists were coming towards me. I stopped and asked for directions. The first two very young cyclists just ignored me. The third one, a senior, stopped and after acknowledging my destination he told me to follow him. So I followed him and cycled the QEW overpass for the 3rd time. He was impressed that I could keep up with him climbing the overpass with my loaded bicycle. We rode side by side on the wide bicycle path and chatted for the next 5 km. He is 62 years old, retired 7 years ago from the Provincial Government after 30 years service. He loves stand up boarding, a new sport that he just learned last year. He likes new challenges. My kind of guy.

At about 3:30 PM, I arrived at my host, Alfred and Bernice, house. Alfred is an old colleague.

I was received warmly and treated royally. Bernice prepared delicious and healthy meals. I had plenty to eat and drink, more than I could handle. Thank you very much for your kindness, Bernice and Fred.

I went to bed early, just after 10:00 PM. Before bedtime I drank Neocitran; I felt a bit of pins and needles pain at the back of my right ear. Just in case. I felt a little tired but no sore muscles.
Day one went very well. I did not encountered any problem; just got lost once. Met interesting people along the way.

Day-2, Tuesday September 4, 2012.
Burlington to Queenston Niagara, distance to cover 83 km. Weather forecast, cool, windy and rain.

The sky was cloudy and there was some breeze. I put the rain covers on the panniers and covered the handle bar bag with a shower cap, but did not put my rain jacket on, I felt it would be too warm. Said good bye to my generous hosts, Alfred and Bernice, and went on my way close to 10:00 AM; Fred suggested to start around 10:00 AM to avoid the morning rush hour traffic.

About twenty minutes later it started to drizzle, I was riding on a trail and did not see any where to shelter from the rain. I cycled faster, a few minutes later I saw stores across the street with overhang in front. By this time my jersey and undershirt were already damp. While I was putting my rain jacket and pants on, the sky opened up, the rain poured; good thing that I was already under the overhang.

I continued on my journey when the rain changed to a drizzle. Riding on the trail I came to a Y junction, after consulting my compass I choose the left one, which went South West. A few minutes later I end up in front of the store I seek shelter earlier. Bummer! Wasted time, wasted energy. Back on the trail, this time I took the right turn.

The rain stopped and the sun peeked a little. I felt uncomfortable with the moisture trapped under the rain jacket and pants, so I stopped and took them off. I was securing the jacket onto the rear rack when the bicycle stand collapsed. It just buckled under all the weight. Not good, but not a show stopper.

Burlington is really a bicycle friendly city. It has shoulders and or bicycle path along its major streets. I felt safe riding on any street in Burlington.

Bicycles must use the old draw bridge to cross the Burlington Bay. On my previous ride to Niagara Falls we use the 'bicycle friendly' stairs to go on the bridge. The Google map directions also showed to use the stairs. I did not want to do that with a loaded bike. Yesterday, Fred drove me to this bridge to scout around for another way. We were convinced that there is a way to go on the bridge without using the stairs.
As I cycled approaching the bridge I still could not see the trail path that will lead me on to the bridge. A local guy walking towards me, showed interest in my loaded bicycle. I stopped. We had a chat and he showed me the path way. I had to cross the street, continue to a dead end street and the entrance of the path is there.

The sun disappeared, rain came and went for the rest of the day, courtesy of hurricane Isaac remnants. I was on Hamilton Beach trail when I decided to put on my rain jacket again. I was already wet, but I felt cold and the wind gave me chills.

At a stop sign on North Service Road, as I stepped down hard on the right pedal to start moving from a full stop, I heard a sickening creaking noise. Soon after that, the noise was heard almost at every down stroke of the right pedal and it felt a bit more harder to pedal. This was not good at all. I must find a way to replace it to be able to continue with the tour. While I continued pedaling, I considered my options.

By the time I reached Grimsby it was after 1:00 PM. I had 53 km to go to reach the campground in Queenston Niagara. Considering the weather, the damage pedal, wet clothing and my shivering body. I decided to stop here for the day. I had cycled for 3 hours and covered 36 km. So I checked into Super 8 hotel. They gave me a ground floor room and allowed me to take Shadow in the room. I called Theresia and told her where I was and what had happened.

After a warm shower and changed into dry clothing I felt better but hungry. There are several fast food restaurants nearby but the constant rain prevented me to go there. I could order in pizza but I decided to consume the emergency food that I carried with me. Very carefully, I boiled water using my home made camping stove. I had hot chocolate, miso soup, a can of tuna flakes with crackers. After lunch I took a nap.

I woke up feeling feverish. I realized then that I would not be able to continue with my tour unless I rested for at least a couple days and have the pedal replaced. I also realized that I was not well prepared to cycle in the rain and had not managed it well today. After discussing with Theresia, I decided to go home and postpone the tour.

Wednesday morning Theresia, accompanied by Ian, picked me up by car. We drove home to Brampton.

Day 2 did not go well at all. I did not have fun and did not managed it well. Lessons learned.
I went on this tour alone, but I did not go completely unsupported. There were people at home keeping track of my where about. Elaine tried to arrange for a replacement pedal sent to me at the hotel. Theresia was always there to 'rescue' me. I was grateful and felt a little guilty about it.

My dream to cycle around lake Ontario is postponed for now. I will analyzed this first attempt, change strategy and try again. Perhaps at the end of May next year...............END.

Toronto to Niagara Falls

Early August I received an  invitation from Kristian to join him and his friends for a bicycle ride from Toronto to Niagara Falls and return to Toronto by train. The ride was to take place on Saturday August the 25th.
After checking with Theresia if she would be available that day to drop me off and pick me up, I happily accepted the invitation. I had never cycled this far, 140 km, in one day. The furthest I had cycled in one day was 100 km. So it is a new challenge -:). This would also be a good opportunity for me to become familiar with part of the route that I will take for my upcoming tour around lake Ontario.

On Saturday, August 25th at 7:40 AM, Theresia dropped me off at our meeting place, in a restaurant parking lot in High Park, Toronto. I carried 5 water bottles with me, 2 on the bicycle frame, 1 on the handle bar and 2 strapped on the rear rack, for a total of 3.5 liters. In the handle bar bag I carried a camera, a cell phone, a GPS tracker, some snacks, id's and money. In the frame bag I carried first aid kit with polysporin spray, some imodium and ibuprophen. Finally in a bag strapped to the rear rack I carried 2 spare tubes with tools, a set of change clothing and food (lunch). A bicycle pump is strapped on the left seat stay; as with a cyclometer and a bell on the handle bar, this pump is a permanent fixture of Shadow, my touring bike. I was well prepared for this long distance unsupported ride.

A few minutes later, Kristian, Eddie and Felix came. They rode the subway to High Park. After visiting the washroom, we all rode off south to meet up with Larry and Clayton at Colborne Lodge, just at the bottom of the hill. I added a strap to my bag as it was about to fall off the rear rack. This was the first time I use a cargo net to hold down a bag. At a little pass 8:00 AM we all rode towards Burlington.
Lost one water bottle as it fell out through the cargo net when I made a left turn onto Lake Shore Blvd.
About half way to Burlington, Eddie, who was riding behind me, warned me that I was about to loose my bag. I made a mistake by going to the side and stopped without warning the riders behind me. Eddie almost ran into me from behind. We all stopped for a sort break and gave me a chance to fix my cargo. This taught me a lesson on using the cargo net.




We reached Burlington, close to 10:30 AM. Here we took a break at a restaurant on Lake Shore just East of Brant St. and waited for Julian to arrive by GO train and join us for the ride to Niagara Falls. At about 11:30 AM, our party of 7 left the restaurant and rode towards Niagara Falls.

We had to climb a bicycle friendly (?) stairs to cross the water via a small bridge parallel to the Burlington Skyway bridge.

 Eddie and Felix were riding a single speed Dahon folding bikes. I love those bikes, except for the one speed. They commute to work on those bikes. Bravo! The bikes were folded and stored safely in their office.
It must be very hard to ride those bikes for140 km from Toronto to Niagara Falls.
Inspite of  the famous Brooks seat Felix suffered from sore bum. Eddie did not seem to have that problem. I always wear bicycle shorts whenever I cycle for more than 40 km.

We had a lunch break at Harvey near Cassablanca Inn. This area is about half way to our final destination and the last available fast food before we reach Niagara Falls.

Julian posed at the Welland canal trail. A cargo ship was slowy moving towards us.

Along the way Clayton and Felix experienced flats. Clayton had his front tire side wall punctured. It was a bit of a struggle to replace the tube. His was the skinny road race tire. Felix had no problem replacing his tube by himself. Another neat feature I discovered about Felix folding bike was that the seat post and the seat are actually a pump. Isn't that cool?

Close to the end of the ride we encountered a long steep hill. Only 3 of us could ride up that hill. Kristian and the two marathoners, Larry and Clayton. I would be really amazed if Eddie and Felix could ride their one speed folding bike up that hill. As for Julian and I, two seniors, we were almost out of 'gas' when we were faced with this hill. So we walked our bicycles up the hill. Everybody waited for us and were having a break under some shades a little further up. After a short break we were on our way again.

About one hour later we arrived at the GO station. It was about 6:30 PM. Julian and I decided to stay at the GO station. We were concern that we may slow down the group and not be able to make the 7:20 PM train back to Toronto. So the rest of the group continue onto the Falls, which is about 2 to 3 km further south.
I washed up and changed clothes. Bought a ticket to Port Credit station, the fare was $8.85 for senior.
While I was enjoying my snack and a V8 the group returned from the Falls. They quickly changed. With just a few minutes to spare we all board the train at 7:10 PM.
This 7:20 PM train from Niagara to Toronto had a special car to carry bicycles. Isn't that cool?
Theresia picked me up at the Port Credit station.The rest of the gang continued on to Union Station. Thank you Felix and Kristian for helping me unload Shadow off the train.

This bicycle ride was a great experience fo me. It made me realized and be more accepting of our aging process. I will prepare and plan more wisely for my upcoming tour around Lake Ontario.
Thank you to all for the good company, especially to Kristian for inviting me; showing and leading the ride to Niagara Falls. Till next time.

Cycle Caledon Challenge

Saturday, July 28 2012, I participated in a charity ride called 'Cycle Caledon Challenge'.

Chris, my son in law, informed me about this fully supported bicycle ride. I decided to participate as a training ride and a test of my readiness to tour around Lake Ontario.


 The information provided mentioned that the route challenge cyclists with the rolling terrain of the Hills and Headwaters of the region. Great! Is this not what I need to practise for the hills (gremlins) around Oswego, NY? So, I registered to do the 100 km distance, which consists of 2 loops; loop 1, 40 km, and loop 2, 60 km. This distance is the maximum distance that I plan to do for a one day ride on my fully loaded bike. Doing this on a non loaded bike should be much easier, right?

Chris, Shadow (my bike) and I, at a rest stop just before embarking on the second loop.

One of the many beautiful landscapes along the way.









Hills? No kidding!!!
Look at that hill beyond the trees,.... close to 'heaven'..... I just climbed that one.

 More hills in front. They just kept appearing one after the other.

After climbing uphill, going downhill was fun. I did over 60 km per hour going down this relatively short but steep hill.

I started the ride before 8:30 AM and I completed after 2:00 PM. I took many breaks because of the never ending hills. Along the way I did not overtake a single cyclist, but many passes me with ease. Many of them are half my age and rode a road bike that is half the weight of my touring bike. I did not feel bad.

I had one small incident. An insect, most likely a wasp, stung me just under my right eye. How did it fly and get behind my sunglasses? I stopped and applied polysporin spray right away. It happened near the end of my ride. Looked like I had a botox treatment under my right eye.....-:).

This ride was a good training and test for me. I had cycled each and every hill, sometimes at 6 km or less per hour using Shadow's 'granny' gear. It was tough and very challenging. The weather was perfect and the event was well organized by SUL (Shut Up Leg) bicycle club, all kudos to Ben and his team of volunteers. See you guys next year........