On The Fly

In this episode, Ghost Town Before Christmas . . . According to the headlines, the world was jammed solid. Freeways locked. Airports bursting. Humanity is on the move in what the news helpfully labeled a Holiday Travel Apocalypse . So at 9:00 Sunday morning, we rolled out on our bikes expecting chaos. Instead, we found… Nothing . The San Luis Rey bike path was empty, as if we’d pedaled through a rip in the fabric of time. The air had that rare late-December clarity—cool, clean, almost polished. Trees along the path dropped gold and amber leaves that skittered across the pavement like small, polite ghosts. The sun wasn’t loud or demanding—just warm enough to make the world feel calm and contained—a private trail of asphalt and light. By the time we reached Oceanside Harbor, the travel warnings felt almost absurd. While the news promised mayhem, the harbor delivered stillness. The water rippled, reflecting the sun. The Pier stood against a deep sapphire sky brushed with thin, quiet cloud...

In this episode, The Sights of Summer: Chasing Miles & Unexpected Smiles . . . For Lori and me, the perfect summer morning isn't something you find marked on a calendar; it's a feeling . It's the refreshing crispness of the air on our faces, the gentle warmth of the sun on our skin, and the exciting anticipation of discovering new miles and uncovering the hidden "sights of summer" along our journey. A glorious California day returns with our weekly ride. We begin with a warm-up cruise around our neighborhood under a wide, cloudless, azure sky. With a smile, I’m thinking, " You know it’s going to be a great ride when even furry co-pilots are excited!"  We chuckled as a neighbor drove past, two white, fluffy dogs with their tongues flapping in the breeze and ears flopping wildly out the truck window. Pure canine bliss—an ideal sign for a fun day on two wheels. “Did you see those pups? They looked like they were smiling.” Traffic was blissfully light, ...

In this episode, Don't Just Pedal, Fly : Master the Art of Cadence . . . Welcome back to On the Fly. Today, we're examining the often overlooked yet critical element of cycling: Cadence. Let's start with the basics. What is cadence? In cycling, it's simply the speed at which you pedal, measured in revolutions per minute (RPM). A smooth, consistent cadence is key to efficient, fun, and powerful riding. Now, you might be wondering why cadence matters. Well, it's all about balance. A higher cadence can help you generate more power and speed, especially when climbing hills. It also conserves energy and puts less strain on your knees. The sweet spot for experienced cyclists is around 80-100 RPM, but it will vary based on terrain and personal preference. For example, I've been measuring my cadence this past month. My average cadence is about 75 RPM (cruising speed), with the highest consistent rate of 115 RPM when pushing it. However, I've been cycling for many ye...

Peter Sagan claims stage two of the 105th Tour de France following an uphill sprint win in La Roche-sur-Yon, 182.5 km (113.4 miles), after another hectic finale involved a major crash on the final bend and yet more splits in the field. Ah, Summer! Bicycling magic is renewed for millions when the voices of Phil Liggett, Paul Sherwen, Bob Roll, and Jens Voight grace the television airwaves broadcasting  Le Tour de France  (Le Tour). When you have the audacity to believe you’re an accomplished bicyclist, tune into NBC S N Sports broadcast of Le Tour in July (July 7 - July 29, 2018), this year on YouTube TV. Quickly humility sets in. This year marks the 105th Anniversary - 21 stages, a total distance of 2,898 kilometers (1,874 miles), and only two,  yes two , rest days - of this classic race that tours the French countryside with the finale in Paris on the Champs-Elysées. Bicycling magazine lists a few fun facts about Le Tour; racers will consume 16...

Look down at your feet, right now. What do you see? Are you wearing shoes? You might be wearing slippers, flip flops, running shoes, supple leather dress shoes, or your most comfortable everyday shoes? I’m looking at a pair of brown, soft  suede  leather, around-town walking shoes, they're new. My go-to, most comfortable shoes. As I was putting on my old faithful, worn out, daily shoes to run errands today a thought flashed into my mind. When your shoes wear out you’re simply back on your feet - right where it all started. It’s said, “A journey of a thousand leagues begins with a single step.” That quote is attributed to Lao-tzu, the ancient Chinese philosopher who wrote the Tao Te Ching, born 604 B.C. Imagine how worn his sandals must have been? But what about today? Your personal journey begins with a single step every day. Just how many pairs of shoes are in your closet, or under the bed? More than you think, I’m sure of it. I see you running off to count them, h...