Biking With Kids

I noticed that CCCP has a post about a new Maine Charity ride.

From the official website:

The Dempsey Challenge: A Journey for Hope, is a fundraising experience which benefits the Patrick Dempsey Center for Cancer Hope & Healing.

Here is a quick break down:

Date: October 3rd and 4th, 2009
Location: Central Maine Medical Center, Lewiston Maine

Events:

Bike Ride
October 4th
10, 40, 70 or 100 miles

5k Run/Walk
October 4th

Kids Fun Run
October 4th

Ride with Patrick Dempsey
for top fundraisers

I’ve added the ride to the Biking with Kids 2009 Events Calendar.
If you know of any other Maine rides (charity or not) please send me an email and I will add them to the calendar.

I decided to ride my bike to the post office today.  The temperature was a balmy 35 degrees and the sun was out.

Stepping outside I realized that the wet ice on the driveway was going to make things a little tricky.  When the temperature is well below freezing, riding on ice isn’t too bad. Your tires kind of stick to the ice if you make no sudden movements.  Today was warm enough to have a nice layer of water on top of the ice. I tried to ride it but every time my front tire hit a rut it would wash out.  I decided to walk the bike to the road…

Makes me wish for studded tires...

I checked out the snowmobile trail that leads to the other side of town.  A little test walk showed that it was frozen enough to ride on top..Nice.

Looks can be deceiving.

I was cruising along nice and easy at about 10 mph when all of a sudden my front tire broke through the ice, then the back.  I downshifted to try and dig my way through, but it was too mushy. I tried in vain to keep riding, but it was no use.

Look closely and you can see my track in the mush.

Luckily there was a side trail that leads back to the main road right next to me. I took a left and made my way back to the dry pavement.

Road riding it is.

I pulled into the post office just before closing and picked up the mail.  The most interesting mail item was a new Performance Bike catalog. I decided the catalog would be the perfect companion for a hot chocolate when I get home.

Destination reached.