Bent On Commuting

Not Recumbents and NOT Commuting

2007-06-12T21:04:00.000-07:00

The following posts are of the RAAM team racing across America for God's Glory and Organ Transplant Donations. These men and women opted to spend their time and energy to train for, and to participate in, the 2007 Race Across America. I'm very impressed with the commitment and the laying down of lives that this effort involves. I will continue to post whatever information and pictures I can throughout the race.

If you click on the pictures you can see 'em alot bigger.

Pray First

2007-06-12T21:00:00.001-07:00

Reverend Gerrit Buddingh', Associate Pastor at Grace Valley Christian Center in Davis, Ca., prays for Team Donate Life - Grace Valley before they leave for Oceanside on Sunday.

Spares

2007-06-12T20:57:00.001-07:00

Crew member Mark Thompson checks the spare wheels.

Looks Like Red Tape to Me

2007-06-12T20:52:00.000-07:00

There's always red tape. The team applies reflective tape to all the regulation spots on the bikes.

Does he have a boarding pass?

2007-06-12T20:46:00.001-07:00

Aliotsy heads for the vehicles, ready to crew and be our foreign correspondent.

Packin' to Go

2007-06-12T20:42:00.000-07:00

"Tex" Neptune enjoys a bottle of water as the team packs to go.

Greg and the Girls

2007-06-12T20:39:00.001-07:00

While his wife takes pictures and his daughters check out the inside of the RV's, rider Greg Chapla fellowships with other Grace Valley Christian Center folks who came to see the team off.

Chief and the Nurse

2007-06-12T20:36:00.000-07:00

Ken Jackura and Joan Roby go over last minute details before heading for Oceanside.

Adam 2 times

2007-06-12T20:31:00.000-07:00

Adam 'n' Adam ready to roll Sunday afternoon.

Sunrise Into Fog

2006-11-14T19:29:00.000-08:00

The sun rises into the fog over Sacramento on Tuesday morning. It looks as though it is sitting in the branch of the tree across the Causeway.

Fall Farmlands

2006-10-14T16:40:00.000-07:00

This was shot between Davis and Woodland. You can see the downtown Sacramento skyline in the distance.

Tug On The Sacramento

2006-10-14T16:35:00.000-07:00

I haven't seen a tugboat this far up the Sacramento before.

Another Sunrise

2006-10-14T16:30:00.000-07:00

Just before sunup on the causeway in early October.

Sunup on a False Horizon

2006-09-13T20:53:00.000-07:00

Sunrise on Tuesday, September 12. The air is heavy with smoke from the Ralston fire in the Tahoe National Forest. The fire was only 15% contained on Monday night.

At Wilkinsons

2006-08-12T22:48:00.000-07:00

For many years a group of riders who are also members of Grace Valley Christian Center in Davis, Ca., have ridden to Calistoga, spent the night and ridden back to Davis the following day. This is a photo chronicle of that ride for 2006.

Pray First

2006-08-12T22:39:00.000-07:00

We pray before the ride. All is by grace, the grace of God.

Up the road to the dam

2006-08-12T22:33:00.000-07:00

Scenery on the way.

Cross on the hill

2006-08-12T22:30:00.000-07:00

Why we are together. Christ our Lord.

Top of the hill

2006-08-12T22:26:00.000-07:00

The rest is easy?
If you dont' count Ink Grade.

Steve, Dwight and Ron

2006-08-12T22:23:00.000-07:00

Power Huddle.

Big 4

2006-08-12T22:16:00.000-07:00

The Big 4 at Moskowite.

Through a glass

2006-08-12T22:12:00.000-07:00

Pleasant times in the window.

Look Ma!

2006-08-12T22:10:00.000-07:00

Me? Out of shape? I can do this with no hands.

Andy's on the move

2006-08-12T22:08:00.000-07:00

He's a tough guy. Rode the whole thing.

Heading For Calistoga

2006-08-12T22:05:00.000-07:00

The Boys head up the hill toward Calistoga.

Lookin' Good

2006-08-12T22:02:00.000-07:00

Feeling Fine. It's a great ride.

Hot Doggin!

2006-08-12T21:59:00.000-07:00

Before Ink Grade.

Makin' the Hill

2006-08-12T21:54:00.000-07:00

Climbing in the heat.

Ballet?

2006-08-12T21:49:00.000-07:00

Strikin' a pose.

Want Support?

2006-08-12T21:29:00.000-07:00

Call the Best!

Justin's Belly

2006-08-12T21:24:00.000-07:00

It's so much better with that shirt open.

Jumpin' Justin

2006-08-12T21:19:00.000-07:00

Oh, did we ride somewhere? Justin hadn't noticed.

Ted n Mark Coming into Winters

2006-08-12T21:16:00.000-07:00

On the way home, Ted and Mark head into Winters.

Adam is the man

2006-08-12T21:14:00.000-07:00

The star strikes a pose.

Tracy's Puffin' Some

2006-08-12T21:11:00.000-07:00

Tracy's puffin' a bit but I believe he's gonna make it.

Tracy is SO COOL!

2006-08-12T21:08:00.000-07:00

Resplendant in green. Tracy ain't puffin' now.

Hey Dwight, tow me!

2006-08-12T20:41:00.000-07:00

Ted asks Dwight for a hand.

Dwight n Ted rounding the corner

2006-08-12T20:39:00.000-07:00

Dwight n Ted rounding the turn to Pardhesa.

Headin' Home

2006-08-12T20:31:00.000-07:00

Heading for Davis from Pardhesa store.

A Diversion From Commuting

2006-06-25T21:05:00.000-07:00

Our church's annual retreat to the west shore of Tahoe afforded an opportunity to climb from 6300 feet to 8800 feet up Barker's Pass. I made it 5 of the 7 mile climb two days in a row. Some in pictures below made it to the top.

Snow Melt

2006-06-25T20:59:00.000-07:00

My trike gets a drink.

A View From the Edge

2006-06-25T20:52:00.000-07:00

My GT3 sits on the edge of the canyon.

Road Drifts

2006-06-25T20:27:00.000-07:00

When they got about 3 feet high and 20 to 40 feet across I opted not to traverse with the trike.

Driftin' Blue and White

2006-06-25T20:17:00.000-07:00

I decided to stop here and wait for the 2 wheelers to come down from the pass.

Some 2 Wheelers went to the Top

2006-06-25T19:34:00.000-07:00

Jesse and I waited at the heavy drifts while some hopped the drifts and made it to the top of the pass.

David Set On Descent

2006-06-25T19:32:00.000-07:00

David remounts after negotiating another snow drift.

Larry and Marie Down from Barker's Pass

2006-06-25T19:30:00.000-07:00

Larry heading up the next drift with his wife coming along.

My friends descend

2006-06-25T19:24:00.000-07:00

Larry kickin' off the snow and Marie coming up.

Americana

2006-06-08T19:59:00.000-07:00

Strawberries, free enterprise... Rd. 31 in a field west of Davis.

Early Top Gun

2006-06-08T19:57:00.000-07:00

Shot while biking on Saturday near the Yolo County Airport.

Overnight Guests

2006-06-08T19:28:00.000-07:00

Every year the "Shore Birds" stop by on their way through. Here on the causeway we saw Pelicans, a couple of Herons, some Seagulls and some Avocets. A very different and pleasant site while commuting by recumbent bike.

Parking At the Confluence

2006-06-08T19:22:00.000-07:00

Anchored near the confluence of the Sacramento and American rivers by Discovery Park. Neat boat! Been there all day.

The 'Coon Hunter

2006-06-08T19:15:00.000-07:00

Met me a coon hunter
He warn't braggin'
Totin' them coon dogs in his little wagon
Hitched 'em to his bike an' headed down the trail
Findin' them 'coons an' ketch 'em by the tail.

He hunts him b'ar at times up by Forrest Hill
Livin' on nothin' like a mountain man will
But today he was headed home
Caught him shad for dinner
Met him on the Tower Bridge
What a tale spinner!

Memorial Day!

2006-05-29T18:32:00.000-07:00

Remembering our veterans. They died so we remain free.

Getting Ready

2006-05-29T18:29:00.000-07:00

A Memorial Day ride. The boys getting ready at Noe's.

Gabe Lookin' Good

2006-05-29T18:15:00.000-07:00

Shooting into the sun is never that good, but
Gabe's lookin' good on the little hills, getting ready for the big ones.

Boys on Bikes

2006-05-29T18:12:00.000-07:00

Rollin' west in Yolo County.

Looking East Near Dunnigan Hills Farms

2006-05-29T18:05:00.000-07:00

Some rolling hills looking east toward north Woodland.

A Wonderful Day on Cache Creek

2006-05-29T17:48:00.000-07:00

Looking West up Cache Creek, west of Woodland. What a day in Yolo County! This, and the 9 photos below, were all shot on a bike ride Saturday, May 27, 2006.

Yolo Skies

2006-05-29T17:45:00.000-07:00

I shot this on my trike, over my shoulder in a hurry. Not much chance it would be good. A little blurred but I was happy to get any semblance of this nice plane passing over me..

Working the Land

2006-05-29T17:43:00.000-07:00

Another day in the fields.

Did You See Him?

2006-05-29T17:40:00.000-07:00

Biking with your head down...
I love my recumbent bikes. I get to see so much more.

Home in the county

2006-05-29T17:34:00.000-07:00

Why I love biking the county roads.

Checking Me Out

2006-05-29T17:31:00.000-07:00

This guy wanted to see what I was up to.

Amber Waves of Grain

2006-05-29T17:28:00.000-07:00

From the fields to the mountains, from the mountains to the sky. What a gorgeous day in Yolo County!

Big Cat

2006-05-29T17:25:00.000-07:00

Caterpiller resting in a field.

Farming Yolo County

2006-05-29T17:17:00.000-07:00

An Oak stands watch over fields in Yolo County.

Early morning Freight

2006-05-26T07:20:00.000-07:00

Think of these (see Tower Bridge below) as rest stops.

Sunrise over Sacramento

2006-05-26T07:18:00.000-07:00

West end of the causeway at dawn.

Bridge to the Capitol

2006-05-26T07:15:00.000-07:00

Waiting as the Tower Draw Bridge grinds up and down to let the Spirit of Sacramento river boat through. I missed the shot of her flag going by just above the road.

Along The Sacramento

2006-05-21T16:51:00.000-07:00

As Big Injun and I roll towards Old Sac on our way home, The Spirit of Sacramento makes her way upriver, recalling another time.

I Steet Bridge

2006-05-16T15:29:00.000-07:00

7:15 a.m. heading north up the Sacramento River on the East side. I really enjoy the old bridges. This one is two levels with the railroad on the bottom and the other traffic on top.

The Mighty Sierra Nevada

2006-05-15T20:51:00.000-07:00

Up the road we can actually see the Sierras today! I remember being able to see them every morning not so long ago... About 6:45 a.m.

Trains 'N' Trike

2006-05-15T20:46:00.000-07:00

My trike keeping company with the big boys at the railroad museum.

Rampin' Up to I Street Bridge

2006-05-15T20:17:00.000-07:00

Heading south on the Sacramento River bike path, this is the north ramp to the I Street Bridge.

Headin' West

2006-05-15T20:01:00.000-07:00

Big Injun sets the course for home after a long layoff due to international travel and local weather.

A Beautiful Evening

2006-05-12T22:24:00.000-07:00

The clouds of evening draw us west, and home.

On Egret's Wings

2006-05-12T21:43:00.001-07:00

Okay, not commuting but still worth seeing. On road 29 one day when Discovery Park flooding kept us from the commute.

Ramp it Up

2006-05-12T21:34:00.000-07:00

I Steet Bridge from Jibboom. Sacramento River bike path in the foreground; Downtown rests in the background.

Discovery Recovery

2006-05-12T21:24:00.000-07:00

The park recovers from flooding. Dried mud roads and branches washed up everywhere.

Big Injun After the Descent

2006-05-12T21:16:00.000-07:00

Into Discovery Park we plunge. Yeah, it has the aroma of a river bed recently dried... but it beats the alternative - riding the freeway or not commuting at all. We're back on the road and happy to be so.

Back in Sac

2006-05-11T10:28:00.000-07:00

Old Sac in the morning. It's great to be back on three wheels on the way to work. Yesterday was my first commute in weeks. Discovery Park road finally dried enough to ride without getting wet on Tuesday.

Don't Fence Me In

2006-05-11T10:20:00.000-07:00

A FedEx Big Rig took out these sections of Cyclone fence along the Yolo Causeway this morning. I'm very thankful we got there after it happened. Had to walk our bikes (some carried them) through the glass, which was all over the bike path. I neglected to get a picture of the cab with gaping hole along most of the right side... didn't want to go back through the glass when I thought of it.

Back On Track

2006-05-11T10:18:00.000-07:00

Amtrak heading West. I'm peddling East on my first commute in weeks.

Water, water everywhere!

2006-05-11T10:15:00.000-07:00

Outside the west end of the Yolo Causeway this morning. Still alot of water for May.

Flat City

2006-03-16T18:09:00.000-08:00

The bike lanes are currently so littered with glass, gravel and debris that it's a wonder one makes it a day without a flat. This is me fixing my tire for the third time on Wednesday. The next morning, a different tire was flat. I've ordered Schwalbe Marathons for both my recumbents and emailed the bicycling unit of Caltrans to ask if there is any way they can sweep the causeway and the county roads.

I'll keep you posted on both the new tires and the Caltrans response.

In Front of Raley Field

2006-03-08T11:52:00.000-08:00

A beautiful Wednesday morning between storms. West of Tower Bridge looking toward the downtown Sacramento area.

Spring Rain

2006-03-07T21:01:00.000-08:00

White puffs drifting
Under rain black clouds
Lightning forks
In the foothill shrouds

Rollin’ on the bypass
Floodin’ every place
Pumpin’ the 3-wheeler
Rain in my face

Causeway’s an ocean
The rain falls soft
Beadin' up my lenses
Til I take 'em off

Like a hot tub in winter
Rain gear sweat
Inside or outside
All gettin' wet

River gettin' higher
Close to the top
Levees are strainin'
Ready to pop

Beat the light at Richards
Movin' up the ramp
Rain's fallin' harder
Gettin' really damp

Rollin' on 3 wheels
Mergin' with the flow
Another lovely morning
What a way to go!

Rollin' on our "Golden Gate"

2006-03-07T20:52:00.000-08:00

Okay, so the German heritage shows but...
My family is not related to Hitler and the appearance of the mustache is simply a shadow; the grimace, well, yes, it's mine.

The "Golden Gate" is in fact Sacramento's own Tower Bridge since the voters elected to have it painted it's current questionable yellow.

Photo by my good friend and fellow commuter Mark Cameron.

Ballad of Ol' I-5

2006-03-02T18:38:00.000-08:00

Glass on the road
Lotsa trash n gravel
Winter's little residue
Rough way to travel

Flat on the causeway
Drat all the glass
Then the park's under water
I might still pass

Thought I'd try amphibious
Through Discovery Park
Cold on the gluteous
Trike's not an ark

Water on the Park roads
Ridin' I-5
Huggin' that wall
Just stayin' alive

Rollin' down the interstate
Playin' I'm a car
Bumpin' in the safety lane
Not very far

Ain't ridin' no freeway
Big Injun said
He druther to be outa shape
Than to be dead

So I'm flyin' solo
It's a real good draft
Even if the motorists
All think I'm daft

He says they think I'm handicapped
on my little trike
But they think he's a target
On His great big bike

They go way around me
Aimin' for him
But it's either ride the freeway
Or teach our bikes to swim

On the Way to Work

2006-03-02T18:25:00.000-08:00

I wish!

This is actually the windward side of Oahu. My family lived on Oahu for 6 years when I was a Kid. I love the islands.

After Dawn on the Levee

2006-03-02T18:04:00.000-08:00

This time, you get to see my feet!

Another View

2006-03-02T17:57:00.000-08:00

More after-dawn at the causeway.

A Favorite Shot

2006-03-02T17:42:00.000-08:00

Another Season, a favorite place. I like this shot of Sacramento off in the distance across the Causeway.

The Mighty Sierra Nevada?

2006-02-19T20:53:00.000-08:00

Actually, no. This was taken Sunday morning, February 19th. These are the mountains north of Lake Berryessa on up to Clear Lake region and beyond. These don't usually get snow but the cold front that has lingered the past few days lowered snow levels to 1,000 feet so we were treated to a rare and beautiful sight.

What Season Is It?

2006-02-19T20:50:00.000-08:00

This was taken about 100 yards from the ones below. The foreground is our church property. Further back is an orchard on the campus of U.C. Davis. The trees in the orchard think it's spring.

Farms & Mountains

2006-02-19T20:47:00.000-08:00

West of Davis toward Winters and the Capay Valley.

Old Oaks, Green Fields and Snow

2006-02-19T20:44:00.000-08:00

The grassy field and elderly oaks make a beautiful foreground to the rare snow in these mountains.

More Alternative Transportation

2006-02-13T19:09:00.000-08:00

Nope! Not likely, but it is an alternative.

Computer Vs. Commuter

2006-02-12T18:27:00.000-08:00

They tell me that a "computer glitch" caused Nimbus Dam to let out much more water than intended. Discovery Park is still partially under Water again as a result.