The Flatwoods Scenes

Biking to Flatwoods county park from my Seminole Heights home is nearly a daily rite. I love Flatwoods -- it's a natural setting that's stress-free without any cars around.

I don't bike pacelines. Nothing against the folks who do. I just like soaking up the views of the pines and the palmettos and open fields rather than stare at the back of a bicylist for lap after lap.

Day 2 For Ellen: Another Century In The Books

I'm happy to hear from my biking pal Ellen Pierson that she completed her second straight century plus day today as she joins some 16 other folks doing a long Police Unity Tour ride from Charleston to Washington, DC to memorialize law enforcement who have died on duty.

Ellen sends this nice shot today.


Ellen offers this report:

"Welllllllllll it's getting harder. 113.6 miles today. 16.8 average. Tomorrow will be very challenging with hills. The cue sheet says 96 miles but I learned along time ago, don't trust them.

"Down to 16 cyclists because 2 took off to do a triathlon. oh to be young........."

Be safe Ellen.

Taking The Bike To The Boat

Bicycle Stories correspondent Jose Menendez was at the Dragon Boat races today and noticed people coming by bike.

This Morning's SHBC Ride

The Seminole Heights Bicycle Club helds its monthly easy 5 1/2-mile ride this morning and we had about a dozen riders, including new riders Deborah who brought her foldable bike from South Tampa and Larry from the SH neighborhood.

Here, Pressley from a few houses down and dad Gene ride down 12th Street.


If there's a scheduled ride, chances are you'll see Jose in attendance. Usually Jose dons his bright lime-green safety vest, but today he wanted to show the yellow Ciclovia T-shirt he got at last Sunday's Ciclovia event in downtown Clearwater. Jose biked from Tampa to Clearwater and back on a hefty mountain bike complete with knobby tires. He logged about 80 miles by the end of the day.


We biked past hopefully a new future SHBC rider. Mom was teaching the little tyke to ride and hopefully the training wheels will be coming off soon.


Here's Gene the Bicycle Machine as we loop Lake Roberta.


We passed Lake Roberta and now heading home. Doreen is on her trusty single-speeder.

Fun Bike At Fun-Lan

In the Tampa Bay area, you're never disappointed when it comes to the array of bicycles out there. Everybody likes to put their personal touch on their chariots. Such as this two-wheeler and its owner.


Now there's one comfy seat.

Product Evaluation: Grease Monkey Wipes

With all the miles I log on my two road bicycles and all the sand, grit and dirt on the roads around here, my drivetrain components get choked up with gunk and grime in no time.

Today I tried a product called Grease Monkey Wipes, a non-toxic, pro-moistened, citrus-based wipe that's 8-by-7 inches and contained in a 2 1/2-by-4-inch packet. I used the wipes to clean my Trek 2200 road bike chain and rear derailleur and the dirt came off easily and kept off my hands and clothing.

They're also ideal to keep in a saddle bag when it's time to change a flat or adjust a stuck chain while biking on the road. The Monkey Wipes can be used to handle the bike parts while keeping the rest of your bike like your handlebar or clothing clean.

Each packet is $1 and I recommend the product. Grease Monkey Wipes are based in the bicycle town of Austin, Tx. and you can check out the product at www.greasemonkeywipes.com.

Getting Nailed

Bicycle Stories readers might be aware that I collect bolts, nails, nuts and screws at Tampa Bay area intersections when I'm at red lights. I collected three large jars' worth and sold the hardware for $5 on Craig's List.

We all know that there's all kinds of debris on the road and yesterday afternoon my rear tire on my errand bike caught this nail on Nebraska Avenue.

Check it out. Remarkable, the nail missed the tire tube. I pulled the nail out and continued pedaling away