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View Full Version : I Rode A Bicycle 40 Miles On Saturday In City Traffic.



Mister Mills
01-14-2020, 03:47 PM
I took off from near-downtown in St Pete, and I rode to south Clearwater, all of it in city traffic. And that passes for city survival in my world.
I went past a scene at Park Road & Bryan Dairy Road, or there about's, where a wreck had occurred. The right side doors of the car heading south, were trashed.

It was obvious what had happened, that car had turned into the path of a northbound car, and paid the price. So, someone had been killed, on a bright, fun day. I asked a civilian volunteer who was there, if there was a fatality, and he said that there was. So that is how I knew for certain, but just observing the car was instructive.

That very action, blowing lights, and turning into oncoming traffic; is something that seems to come naturally to the people here; they drive as if they can't die. Keep it in mind if you ever visit Tampa-Saint Pete-Clearwater, it may well save your life. They do not have a normal love of others here, they love themselves.

Anyway, I kept heading north until I reached East Bay-West Bay, that is naturally enough an east-west route. And the next part of my adventure commenced. I traveled east towards PIE, and when I got to Roosevelt, some subtle changes happened. It is close to PIE and the area attracts whores and their customers.

And I think that is where I took out my knife and hung it on my wrist; I have a lanyard on it, but It was buried in my pocket, where it could not be any more worthless. I rode on and got on Roosevelt, and was having a great old time, the whole trip was great to tell the truth. But, I do keep track of where I am and who is around me.

I rode down to Ulmerton and kept eastbound, and as I passes PIE, an Alligent aircraft took off, and I ws right under it. I love that too, I watch airplanes like a kid would.

The state is building an expressway over there, called the Leeroy Selmon Extention; and it is a pretty big undertking, with freeway type overpasses and stuff. It is about time friends, this place is way behind on freeways, expressways, and 8 lane roads. So, I kept going and I headed towards home, and I thought that I was going to die.

Between taking care of dropping blood sugar and crashing salt levels, I had my hands full. But I made it home, and I am going to use that route as my double set. That is, it will count for 2 sets of work outs. But, I am going to have to take some groceries with me next time. I drank 3 liters of soda pop on that trip, as a for instance.

I have a nice tan, and I fell a whole lot better about my manhood now.

KnuteFartne
01-14-2020, 04:07 PM
Excellent! Not sure of your age but I know you're not a kid so 40 miles is a good trek. I remember riding my bike 50 miles when I was a kid to earn my cycling merit badge in Scouts.

Good job. Hope you have many more safe rides.

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

Mister Mills
01-14-2020, 04:12 PM
Excellent! Not sure of your age but I know you're not a kid so 40 miles is a good trek. I remember riding my bike 50 miles when I was a kid to earn my cycling merit badge in Scouts.

Good job. Hope you have many more safe rides.

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

I am 64, and I thought that I was gonna die, at a few points in my escapade. But I done it. There is something in me that won't relent, that is all I know.
Note: I was a Boy Scout myself, it really helped to set me on a good path. And it matters to me, to this day.

Sasquatch
01-14-2020, 07:05 PM
I am 64, and I thought that I was gonna die, at a few points in my escapade. But I done it. There is something in me that won't relent, that is all I know.
Note: I was a Boy Scout myself, it really helped to set me on a good path. And it matters to me, to this day.

You've got about 20 years on me and I don't think I could currently ride that many miles so more power to ya!

Slippy
01-14-2020, 07:29 PM
Great job Mister Mills!

StratBastard
01-14-2020, 07:59 PM
I am 64, and I thought that I was gonna die, at a few points in my escapade. But I done it. There is something in me that won't relent, that is all I know.
Note: I was a Boy Scout myself, it really helped to set me on a good path. And it matters to me, to this day.

Cub scout, Webelos, and Boy Scout myself. I still have my old Webelos "Wolf" card knocking around somewhere around here. Even did a stint in the "Indian Guides" (anyone remember them?). The only good thing about living in Eugene Oregon: the bike paths! I would routinely use them for shopping... and if I needed so much as a jar of mustard, I would ride to the neighboring town (Springfield) to buy it... getting a nice 30-40 mile round trip in. Did that maybe 3 times a week. They are situated along the river most of the way, goes right behind Autzen Stadium, and you will see deer, pheasant, ducks of course, Herons, Osprey, Nutria, and the occasional snake. It's a beautiful ride... although now the "homeless" are camped along there ruining an otherwise pretty view with their tarps, needles, and garbage. Anyway , so glad to hear you are remaining so mobile and fit! I am 62 myself, and it's a challenge.

MountainGirl
01-14-2020, 08:14 PM
"Indian Guides" (anyone remember them?)
I do!! My little brother was one, I always stole his headband/feather. :)

Slippy
01-14-2020, 10:16 PM
Even did a stint in the "Indian Guides" (anyone remember them?).

Haven't thought about Indian Guides in YEARS!

Dad and I did some time in Indian Guides. If memory serves it was Father and Son Indian Guides associated with the YMCA. I was probably 7 or 8 years old and we built a Totem Pole. We met at one of the neighbors garage, and our Dads drank beer and whacked away at an old telephone pole with hatchets while us boys got to play with our pocket knives and whittle and shit.

Then we ran around like wild ass banshee Indians wearing our headbands until our Dads got tired of our bullshit and we all went home.

Wish my Dad was around so I could give him a call and laugh about that.

Inor
01-14-2020, 10:44 PM
An excellent feat Mr Mills! Atta Boy!!!

When I was a kid I used to LOVE riding bicycle. Every week I would ride to and from my grandma's house (22 miles each way) to mow her grass. Even at 14 riding 44 miles and mowing an acre of grass was humping dogs.

I would not dream of doing that at 52 now. You are much man!

Sasquatch
01-15-2020, 03:04 AM
Haven't thought about Indian Guides in YEARS!

Dad and I did some time in Indian Guides. If memory serves it was Father and Son Indian Guides associated with the YMCA. I was probably 7 or 8 years old and we built a Totem Pole. We met at one of the neighbors garage, and our Dads drank beer and whacked away at an old telephone pole with hatchets while us boys got to play with our pocket knives and whittle and shit.

Then we ran around like wild ass banshee Indians wearing our headbands until our Dads got tired of our bullshit and we all went home.

Wish my Dad was around so I could give him a call and laugh about that.

Not sure if your Indian Guides had Indian names but my Dad's was "Big Canoe" and I was "Little Paddle". Which is kinda funny now since my Dad only made it to 6' and I am 6'4". Little Paddle ain't so little anymore. I still have my garb somewhere. If I can't find it during my move I'll post some pictures.

MountainGirl
01-15-2020, 07:46 AM
Not sure if your Indian Guides had Indian names but my Dad's was "Big Canoe" and I was "Little Paddle". Which is kinda funny now since my Dad only made it to 6' and I am 6'4". Little Paddle ain't so little anymore. I still have my garb somewhere. If I can't find it during my move I'll post some pictures.

Hope you find them Sas!
T'was never privy to dad & bro's Indian names... and Slippy described the meet-ups perfectly!
Ah...StratMaster, what a great bunch of memories you've stirred up. :blow:

LivoniaDan
01-15-2020, 11:54 AM
Had to look after your post.....
one of my favorites in Florida is Ybor City.
50 miles round trip from Downtown St. Pete across Gandy Bridge.

Treat yourself to a fresh rolled Cigar in the tourist area and lunch at the Columbia Restaurant.
Oldest continually operated restaurant in Florida (1905). Spanish Cuisine.

I am probably being Captian Obvious to you :)
But a PSA for others

Inor
01-15-2020, 10:33 PM
Had to look after your post.....
one of my favorites in Florida is Ybor City.
50 miles round trip from Downtown St. Pete across Gandy Bridge.

Treat yourself to a fresh rolled Cigar in the tourist area and lunch at the Columbia Restaurant.
Oldest continually operated restaurant in Florida (1905). Spanish Cuisine.

I am probably being Captian Obvious to you :)
But a PSA for others

I LOVE Ybor City! There is a GREAT Cuban restaurant there where I have to go for supper at least once every time I am in the Tampa area. I cannot remember the name of it. For all I know it might be the Columbia Restaurant you referenced. (The sidewalk in front of the place has all kinds of plaques embedded in it of local dignitaries or some such thing.) Then come out of the restaurant, hang a quick right and go down the street about a block to the cigar shop and have a pretty little Cuban girl hand roll a stogie for me on her thigh.

shootbrownelk
01-16-2020, 05:09 AM
I LOVE Ybor City! There is a GREAT Cuban restaurant there where I have to go for supper at least once every time I am in the Tampa area. I cannot remember the name of it. For all I know it might be the Columbia Restaurant you referenced. (The sidewalk in front of the place has all kinds of plaques embedded in it of local dignitaries or some such thing.) Then come out of the restaurant, hang a quick right and go down the street about a block to the cigar shop and have a pretty little Cuban girl hand roll a stogie for me on her thigh.

Pretty young girls, bare thighs and stogies.....I bet Slick Willie Clinton would get all misty eyed thinking about that.

Baglady
01-16-2020, 10:28 PM
I took off from near-downtown in St Pete, and I rode to south Clearwater, all of it in city traffic. And that passes for city survival in my world.
I went past a scene at Park Road & Bryan Dairy Road, or there about's, where a wreck had occurred. The right side doors of the car heading south, were trashed.

It was obvious what had happened, that car had turned into the path of a northbound car, and paid the price. So, someone had been killed, on a bright, fun day. I asked a civilian volunteer who was there, if there was a fatality, and he said that there was. So that is how I knew for certain, but just observing the car was instructive.

That very action, blowing lights, and turning into oncoming traffic; is something that seems to come naturally to the people here; they drive as if they can't die. Keep it in mind if you ever visit Tampa-Saint Pete-Clearwater, it may well save your life. They do not have a normal love of others here, they love themselves.

Anyway, I kept heading north until I reached East Bay-West Bay, that is naturally enough an east-west route. And the next part of my adventure commenced. I traveled east towards PIE, and when I got to Roosevelt, some subtle changes happened. It is close to PIE and the area attracts whores and their customers.

And I think that is where I took out my knife and hung it on my wrist; I have a lanyard on it, but It was buried in my pocket, where it could not be any more worthless. I rode on and got on Roosevelt, and was having a great old time, the whole trip was great to tell the truth. But, I do keep track of where I am and who is around me.

I rode down to Ulmerton and kept eastbound, and as I passes PIE, an Alligent aircraft took off, and I ws right under it. I love that too, I watch airplanes like a kid would.

The state is building an expressway over there, called the Leeroy Selmon Extention; and it is a pretty big undertking, with freeway type overpasses and stuff. It is about time friends, this place is way behind on freeways, expressways, and 8 lane roads. So, I kept going and I headed towards home, and I thought that I was going to die.

Between taking care of dropping blood sugar and crashing salt levels, I had my hands full. But I made it home, and I am going to use that route as my double set. That is, it will count for 2 sets of work outs. But, I am going to have to take some groceries with me next time. I drank 3 liters of soda pop on that trip, as a for instance.

I have a nice tan, and I fell a whole lot better about my manhood now.

WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Last time I rode a bike was in physical therapy about 2 yrs ago. I looked like this;
9669
Way to go Mister Mills!!!

Mister Mills
01-17-2020, 10:33 AM
You've got about 20 years on me and I don't think I could currently ride that many miles so more power to ya!

I have done another 50 miles since then, I rode 2 separate 25 milers. I had to do something to break a cycle, I came down with the flu or something, and it busted my lights out for a month.


Great job Mister Mills!

Thank you Slippy.


Cub scout, Webelos, and Boy Scout myself. I still have my old Webelos "Wolf" card knocking around somewhere around here.
Even did a stint in the "Indian Guides" (anyone remember them?). The only good thing about living in Eugene Oregon: the bike paths! I would routinely use them for shopping...
and if I needed so much as a jar of mustard, I would ride to the neighboring town (Springfield) to buy it... getting a nice 30-40 mile round trip in.

Did that maybe 3 times a week. They are situated along the river most of the way, goes right behind Autzen Stadium, and you will see deer, pheasant, ducks of course, Herons, Osprey, Nutria, and the occasional snake.

It's a beautiful ride... although now the "homeless" are camped along there ruining an otherwise pretty view with their tarps, needles, and garbage. Anyway , so glad to hear you are remaining so mobile and fit! I am 62 myself, and it's a challenge.

It has been a back breaker for me, after being laid up for a month with botulism flu. I had some kind of Hellish fiend of a flu, and it was like I was half dead, so I kicked it into overdrive.
I did not think that I could do it 1/2 way, and make any progress. No, I don't remember Indian Guides, but I was a Tenderfoot Boy Scout.


I do!! My little brother was one, I always stole his headband/feather. :)
You should have gone for it, and just left him a dead mouse; and tell him the cat did it, and left a trade. That would give you plausible deniability.


An excellent feat Mr Mills! Atta Boy!!!

When I was a kid I used to LOVE riding bicycle. Every week I would ride to and from my grandma's house (22 miles each way) to mow her grass. Even at 14 riding 44 miles and mowing an acre of grass was humping dogs.

I would not dream of doing that at 52 now. You are much man!

I remember when I was young, 10 years old or so, and I would ride all over town, which was hilly. And all of the family would walk, because we did not have a car, and it made me stout.
And that is my measure, those things that I did in Wayne West Virginia as a kid, they have stuck with me.


WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Last time I rode a bike was in physical therapy about 2 yrs ago. I looked like this;
9669
Way to go Mister Mills!!!

That is pretty much how I looked after my flu ordeal, I don't know how many more of those nightmares I can live through. The last few years have been scary because of virus induced near-pneumonia.

Mister Mills
01-23-2020, 10:12 AM
I rode my bicycle 75 miles last week, through city traffic, and on the Pinellas Trail too. I flopped down on Sunday, and slept like a baby; and here it is Thursday, Jan 23 2020, and I am finally recovered.

Man, that was hard to do. PS: I consider riding through traffic in this county as survival training: these stupid bastards will run over a bicycle, or a motorcycle.
So every time that I live to tell about it, that is a time to be thankful.

Mister Mills
01-23-2020, 10:19 AM
Had to look after your post.....
one of my favorites in Florida is Ybor City.
50 miles round trip from Downtown St. Pete across Gandy Bridge.

Treat yourself to a fresh rolled Cigar in the tourist area and lunch at the Columbia Restaurant.
Oldest continually operated restaurant in Florida (1905). Spanish Cuisine.

I am probably being Captian Obvious to you :)
But a PSA for others


I LOVE Ybor City! There is a GREAT Cuban restaurant there where I have to go for supper at least once every time I am in the Tampa area. I cannot remember the name of it. For all I know it might be the Columbia Restaurant you referenced. (The sidewalk in front of the place has all kinds of plaques embedded in it of local dignitaries or some such thing.) Then come out of the restaurant, hang a quick right and go down the street about a block to the cigar shop and have a pretty little Cuban girl hand roll a stogie for me on her thigh.


Pretty young girls, bare thighs and stogies.....I bet Slick Willie Clinton would get all misty eyed thinking about that.

Ybor is still there men, and as far as I know you can still get a fresh rolled cigar, or good Cuban food. I went to a Cuban restaurant, here in St Pete and there was a pretty, smart young lady serving.

She was of Cuban descent, and she was learning French or something; and she was using Rosetta Stone to learn it. Anyway, I had some good chow there, and there are plenty of other Cuban places to pick from. Central Ave. has a lot of places to eat, there are restaurants for a couple of miles along that road.

PS: I rode my 10 speed to Ybor City once or twice, and that is a real hard trip to make. It is a long way to ride.

Mister Mills
01-28-2020, 04:24 PM
I walked 12 miles last week and rode 25 miles on a 10 speed; but I suspect that there is something wrong with my heart. I am getting some bad signals and data from it. I won't be stunned if I am diagnosed with CHF, because I really felt bad after my last 25 miler. So, I am in a quandary, and I am damned if I do and damned if I don't. I do not foresee myself stopping though, because I think that I would rather die than give up.

hawgrider
01-28-2020, 05:33 PM
I walked 12 miles last week and rode 25 miles on a 10 speed; but I suspect that there is something wrong with my heart. I am getting some bad signals and data from it. I won't be stunned if I am diagnosed with CHF, because I really felt bad after my last 25 miler. So, I am in a quandary, and I am damned if I do and damned if I don't. I do not foresee myself stopping though, because I think that I would rather die than give up.

Go easy on that ticker Mister Mills

Mister Mills
01-29-2020, 12:56 PM
Go easy on that ticker Mister Mills

It is my own diagnosis, and it is not from a doctor; but I know the symptoms of CHF and CAD, and I have some of them. My chest hurts sometimes, right in the sternum, and I get bouts of shortness of breath. I took a treadmill test about 7 or 8 years ago, and there wasn't any symptoms. That was then, and I have gone down hill since then; I am in the range of age where death occurs though. If it gets much worse I will take another treadmill test; I don't have a death wish, but I don't sit up at night worried about it either.

LivoniaDan
01-29-2020, 01:07 PM
It is my own diagnosis, and it is not from a doctor; but I know the symptoms of CHF and CAD, and I have some of them. My chest hurts sometimes, right in the sternum, and I get bouts of shortness of breath. I took a treadmill test about 7 or 8 years ago, and there wasn't any symptoms. That was then, and I have gone down hill since then; I am in the range of age where death occurs though. If it gets much worse I will take another treadmill test; I don't have a death wish, but I don't sit up at night worried about it either.
Probably should have Doc have a look anyway.....
He might not even have you do the Treadmill.
Better safe than Sorry.

Mister Mills
01-29-2020, 01:13 PM
Probably should have Doc have a look anyway.....
He might not even have you do the Treadmill.
Better safe than Sorry.

Thanks, and if push comes to shove, I will.