More pics will follow of the finished product.
Peace and Phil Wood grease. Yes, there will be rides this weekend. Normal times. Normal places. As for me, I have a Ti bike to finish tonight. No ridey for me. You spend your rest days your way...
27 February 2014
Blah, blah, blah...
Nothing of any importance going on around here. Other than this, of course...
A 44mm headtube is, in fact, very big. It all looks standard, but it ain't...
Yes, those are Breezer-style drops, and yes, those chainstays are square...
Think you want to get a welder, and try your hand at this? Just don't...
More pics will follow of the finished product.
Looking at YOU Mr. Edwards!
Team Fluo/Neri upped the flouro game.
Lotto out for some Omloop recon...
Ride Roubaix they said...it'll be fun they said...
Roman Kreuziger's guns...left without comment...
The Cannibal counseling Tommeke? The Northern Classics might be fun this year.
Again...left without comment...
Peace and Phil Wood grease. Yes, there will be rides this weekend. Normal times. Normal places. As for me, I have a Ti bike to finish tonight. No ridey for me. You spend your rest days your way...
More pics will follow of the finished product.
Peace and Phil Wood grease. Yes, there will be rides this weekend. Normal times. Normal places. As for me, I have a Ti bike to finish tonight. No ridey for me. You spend your rest days your way...
25 February 2014
RIP Harold Ramis
A lot of my formative years were spent watching Harold Ramis movies. I wish I could say this was for reasons cerebral in nature, but it was because they were funny, had a bit of crude humor, and sometimes even some boobs. And we know where boobs rate on the scale of importance in a teenage boy's life.
Watch the movies again today, they are different. Still funny, sometimes crude, but actually a bit more cerebral and intelligent. And at 44, boobs are still important...
He spoke a bit about this to The Hudson Society a few years back. His reference in this case was "Groundhog Day".
His passing affects me far more than that of others who have passed simply because his work holds a lot of space in my addled little brain, and the fact that he wasn't a douchebag.
He never went "Hollywood". Never became the stereotype.
He stayed in Chicago...lived in the neighborhood...went to Cubs games...walked to the coffee shop.
Harold Ramis was wealthy and famous, but by all intents and purposes, he was a mensch.
Thank you Mr. Ramis...
24 February 2014
Cord wood
That's how I've been stacking miles lately. I was a little slack this weekend, only putting in 7:30 on the bike. Sorry coach...
I'm tired today. Thinking I'll ride Tuesday night, as it will be warm, then close the book on February.
My battered old body needs a few days of rest.
Saturday was a good ride out thru LR. A meandering loop on several roads that haven't been ridden in months, if not years. A little speed, some F-16s flying about, and a Veloflex tire meeting it's demise. That's pretty much the whole 80km in a nutshell.
Pretty great sky Saturday morning!
Yes, Outspokin' Bicycles, you many use this photo. You too Leventis and Ransom!
And some painted horses. Not a bad morning on the bike!
Sunday was warmer, but cloudy, and turned into a rather long ride. 4:30 to be exact. Our little group got to the turn, and decided to make a bigger loop instead of going up a climb of ill-repute.
We ended up riding some pretty brilliant roads, somewhere just South of the Middle of Nowhere.
So. Many. Cars.
And Roxy decided she wanted to be Victorian. Just a little skin...
125km later, I was home. We didn't ride particularly hard, but there were some fast spots, and it was a little breezy out in the country. And we've all called BS on the 2700' of vertical the mapping program assigned to the ride. No way...
Thinking it might be time to start putting some efforts into the mix...
I'm gonna need a minute...
Yes, Sagan is a better bike handler than you!
Euro CX -- Oostmalle
Not much else happening. The sun is out. The sky is blue. And it's almost lunch time.
I need to buy some bike stuff now, so...
I'm tired today. Thinking I'll ride Tuesday night, as it will be warm, then close the book on February.
My battered old body needs a few days of rest.
Saturday was a good ride out thru LR. A meandering loop on several roads that haven't been ridden in months, if not years. A little speed, some F-16s flying about, and a Veloflex tire meeting it's demise. That's pretty much the whole 80km in a nutshell.
Sunday was warmer, but cloudy, and turned into a rather long ride. 4:30 to be exact. Our little group got to the turn, and decided to make a bigger loop instead of going up a climb of ill-repute.
We ended up riding some pretty brilliant roads, somewhere just South of the Middle of Nowhere.
125km later, I was home. We didn't ride particularly hard, but there were some fast spots, and it was a little breezy out in the country. And we've all called BS on the 2700' of vertical the mapping program assigned to the ride. No way...
Thinking it might be time to start putting some efforts into the mix...
Euro CX -- Oostmalle
Not much else happening. The sun is out. The sky is blue. And it's almost lunch time.
I need to buy some bike stuff now, so...
21 February 2014
Friday morning...
...and the weather is...well, iffy I'm quite honest. A big line of rain and thunderstorms is approaching from the West, and everyone is losing their minds.
It's a rainstorm people...it happens. Simmer down. Not every weather event needs "-pocalypse", or "-mageddon" added to it.
By 3pm, the sun will be out, and it will be pleasant once again. Of course, I say that, and lightning will probably strike my 100 year old Hickory tree, and drop the bitch on my house.
Another fun ride last night! And to be honest, the sunset was worth the price of admission. Nice to see the bike lane is so clean as well... (rollseyes)
And there's not a whole lot that beats leaving the house on a February night in just a jersey and bibs. Roxy said she felt "naked" which, of course, sent the conversation off the rails immediately.
Yes, I am a 44 year old manchild...
2.5 hours of warm evening on the CX is good for the soul.
Over the last few days, we've had discussions about THIS ARTICLE, which I am borderline loathe to link.
Click the link, read it, and come back...I'll wait...
Okay, not that you're back, dear reader, I'll opine for a moment.
Thru Axles on road and CX bikes are just another planned obsolescence solution, looking for a problem. It's another "Here, you unknowing simpletons, you NEED this to be better, and safer..."
I think we can all agree that certain technologies have their place on a subset of bicycles. Thru Axles are definitely good on several types of MTBs. They stiffen, and make safer, front ends that take abuse in myriad ways, on every plane.
On a road bike, not so much. It's over-complicating something that has been THE answer for several decades...The QR. Thank you Tullio Campagnolo, for solving the problem IN 1927!!!!!
People have decried, "QRs fail...". Sure, if you're an idiot, or if it's damaged, or if you are a dope who doesn't take care of your equipment.
How many QRs have I replaced when they got dodgy? A few. How many have I had fail in 25 years of riding? None.
Again, like disc brakes, or tubeless tires, when it comes to road bikes, thru axles are an industry answer, looking for a question.
And James Huang, the guy who runs BikeRadar, is little more than an industry shill at this point. He's never met a product he didn't like, and after gushing about it, it's funny how the manufacturer of said product pops up as a sponsor on his site. Curious, no?
"The chamois cream burned my flesh, and caused my scrotum to turn 4 shades of purple, but it protected just fine...now click the link and buy some..."
__________________________________________________________________________________
Moving on...
Custom builders, please give folks a canti option! If I was going to drop the coin on a custom CX bike, as beautiful as this one is, I'd move on to another builder.
Yes, that IS a large fin on the top of the saddle, right where your nethers reside. No, it's not April 1st. It's a real thing. The copy states the fin is supposed to increase pedaling efficiency. I guess they're using the same reasoning as :
The Heretic's Fork helps posture, or...
The Rack helps to decompress the spine.
"A large protuberance smashing me in the taint while I ride? Sure, I'll take two! Do they come in black?"
So dumb...
From the "Two Wheels Good" file...
It's a VERY limited edition custom done by Kodewa for Lotus. It comes in a few old school liveries. All are just sex...
And speaking of, how about the McLaren P1? A 903hp gas/electric hybrid. Dripping with power, tech, and stunning looks. And yes, that IS a blue flame shooting out of the exhaust as Monkey throws it into the corner...
Price? None of us can afford it...
Happy Friday people! It's supposed to be nice this weekend. Go ride/run/row/spin around in circles in the yard 'til you puke!
It's a rainstorm people...it happens. Simmer down. Not every weather event needs "-pocalypse", or "-mageddon" added to it.
By 3pm, the sun will be out, and it will be pleasant once again. Of course, I say that, and lightning will probably strike my 100 year old Hickory tree, and drop the bitch on my house.
Another fun ride last night! And to be honest, the sunset was worth the price of admission. Nice to see the bike lane is so clean as well... (rollseyes)
Yes, I am a 44 year old manchild...
2.5 hours of warm evening on the CX is good for the soul.
Over the last few days, we've had discussions about THIS ARTICLE, which I am borderline loathe to link.
Click the link, read it, and come back...I'll wait...
Okay, not that you're back, dear reader, I'll opine for a moment.
Thru Axles on road and CX bikes are just another planned obsolescence solution, looking for a problem. It's another "Here, you unknowing simpletons, you NEED this to be better, and safer..."
I think we can all agree that certain technologies have their place on a subset of bicycles. Thru Axles are definitely good on several types of MTBs. They stiffen, and make safer, front ends that take abuse in myriad ways, on every plane.
On a road bike, not so much. It's over-complicating something that has been THE answer for several decades...The QR. Thank you Tullio Campagnolo, for solving the problem IN 1927!!!!!
People have decried, "QRs fail...". Sure, if you're an idiot, or if it's damaged, or if you are a dope who doesn't take care of your equipment.
How many QRs have I replaced when they got dodgy? A few. How many have I had fail in 25 years of riding? None.
Again, like disc brakes, or tubeless tires, when it comes to road bikes, thru axles are an industry answer, looking for a question.
And James Huang, the guy who runs BikeRadar, is little more than an industry shill at this point. He's never met a product he didn't like, and after gushing about it, it's funny how the manufacturer of said product pops up as a sponsor on his site. Curious, no?
"The chamois cream burned my flesh, and caused my scrotum to turn 4 shades of purple, but it protected just fine...now click the link and buy some..."
__________________________________________________________________________________
Moving on...
"A large protuberance smashing me in the taint while I ride? Sure, I'll take two! Do they come in black?"
So dumb...
From the "Two Wheels Good" file...
Price? None of us can afford it...
Happy Friday people! It's supposed to be nice this weekend. Go ride/run/row/spin around in circles in the yard 'til you puke!
19 February 2014
Misc. Ramblings
Fun little Urban ride last night. Good sized group, and everyone seemed to be there for a jovial time. Well, almost everyone...
If riding is a grand travail, and one derives little enjoyment from it, just stop. Riding b/c it's just something to do is not the reason to throw a leg over the top tube.
It should be a fun, happy, enjoyable time. Sure, there are parts that suck, but if one is truly passionate, those times are embraced.
Thanks...moving on...
It was nice to ride in shorts last night. Sort of an odd sensation after months of covering the legs.
A bit over two hours in the dark...rolling around. It was good.
Gilbert might not be the fastest guy on a TT bike, but the All-Belge set up just works...
Ducati. Hypermotard SP. Please. Just need the high-exit Termis, and we're all good.
Someone explain this to me. Sweet custom frameset, with custom paint. Custom handbuilt wheels. FSA cranks?
Page took the whole "...take the inside line..." thing literally here, eh?
Sophia, in her prime...on a bike. Enough said...
And a bit of a Pro-Tip :
If you go into a shop, and the "professional" manager tells you that you need a certain size bicycle because of your inseam, turn, and walk out.
It's barely a factor in properly fitting a road bicycle. Top tube length, head tube length, stem length and angle, seatpost setback, saddle placement on the seatpost, handlebar width/reach/drop, and handlebar height all do more to affect a proper fit than the old, "do-you-have-room-between-your-crotch-and-the-top-tube?".
That's some uneducated, amateur hour shit.
And we won't even go into frame geometry, and how all of the things listed above affect it, and proper fit. Nor will we talk about riding style, and flexibility...
Do yourself a favor. Find a shop that takes the time to ask the right questions, and fits you properly.
Thanks again...
The week is halfway over, and it's going to be pleasant for the next couple of days. Go outside and play.
Just sayin'...
It should be a fun, happy, enjoyable time. Sure, there are parts that suck, but if one is truly passionate, those times are embraced.
Thanks...moving on...
It was nice to ride in shorts last night. Sort of an odd sensation after months of covering the legs.
A bit over two hours in the dark...rolling around. It was good.
And a bit of a Pro-Tip :
If you go into a shop, and the "professional" manager tells you that you need a certain size bicycle because of your inseam, turn, and walk out.
It's barely a factor in properly fitting a road bicycle. Top tube length, head tube length, stem length and angle, seatpost setback, saddle placement on the seatpost, handlebar width/reach/drop, and handlebar height all do more to affect a proper fit than the old, "do-you-have-room-between-your-crotch-and-the-top-tube?".
That's some uneducated, amateur hour shit.
And we won't even go into frame geometry, and how all of the things listed above affect it, and proper fit. Nor will we talk about riding style, and flexibility...
Do yourself a favor. Find a shop that takes the time to ask the right questions, and fits you properly.
Thanks again...
The week is halfway over, and it's going to be pleasant for the next couple of days. Go outside and play.
Just sayin'...
17 February 2014
Full weekend was full...
What happened to Saturday and Sunday? I know they (who is "they" anyway?) say time moves faster the older one gets, but I feel like it was just Friday.
Saturday was Mr. Bristol's USC team ride. Nice big group. Good fun. One big effort. HUGE wind. So much wind that a rain/aero cover went flipping off of a helmet at high speed.
Looked sort of like Mark Webber flipping off track @ LeMans in '99...
More on this below...(part 1)
A few of us went longer...all of 30-ish minutes longer...but it got me to 3 hours. I also flatted just before entering the neighborhood. Old, cut, worn out Vitt OC SC tires don't not make for good post-snowstorm, all-the-crap-washed-out-into-the-road, Winter tires. More on this below...(part 2)
Quick change, and home. Errands, and cleaning the Ridley consumed the remainder of my day. Who thought it was a good idea to get a white frameset?
The usual suspects met for the usual loop out thru Swansea and back. It was breezy, but nothing compared to Saturday.
We came home the same was a Saturday, and after I little slowing down, and scanning of the fields next to the road, the aforementioned rain/aero helmet cover was found, and secured. Sweet...
Another 3.5 hours on the bike...then my day got started...
Tore out the sink and vanity in the bathroom, then discovered that the battery in The Beast was DEAD, thus the new vanity was being held hostage in the truck. Dammit...
Pulled the battery, ran and procured a new one, installed...and freed the vanity...
Then the plumbing began...which I honestly quite enjoyed. Everything went in smoothly, except for having the entirely incorrect piping for under the sink.
Hi ho Hi ho, it's off to Lowe's I go...
Sink buttoned up...no leaks, thank you very much. Also picked all of the new baseboard necessary to finish off the meat of the project.
Then haircuts for Junior Management.
Everything was wrapped up @ 8pm.
#Done
Good weekend, albeit a quick one.
And now for the (More below part 2) :
I received some Conti latex tubes to test. They suck. When they become widely available, don't waste your money.
They feel like hospital surgical tubing, and hold air just about as well. I put one in a brand new Vitt OC CX, put the Super Pista on the valve, and fired 100psi into it, then BOOM!
The tube let go while airing it up. Split 2cm down the seam, right next to the valve.
Never even got a chance to ride the damn thing. I have more, but am as nervous as a caffeine-addled housecat to ride them. No one needs a failure like this at high speed.
When it comes to latex tubes, stick with Michelin or Vittoria. Accept no substitutes.
1990 called...they want their stuff back...
Hincape Devo's new rig. And racers everywhere are forging their birth certificates...
Missed it by THAT much...
Pssst...Stybar didn't invent getting rad on a CX bike...
Not cycling...but cool anyway...
CX is winding down in Europe...
Here's Middelkerke...
And how to get back to the bunch...by UHC...
Nervous shit right there...
Now get to work!
Saturday was Mr. Bristol's USC team ride. Nice big group. Good fun. One big effort. HUGE wind. So much wind that a rain/aero cover went flipping off of a helmet at high speed.
Looked sort of like Mark Webber flipping off track @ LeMans in '99...
More on this below...(part 1)
A few of us went longer...all of 30-ish minutes longer...but it got me to 3 hours. I also flatted just before entering the neighborhood. Old, cut, worn out Vitt OC SC tires don't not make for good post-snowstorm, all-the-crap-washed-out-into-the-road, Winter tires. More on this below...(part 2)
Quick change, and home. Errands, and cleaning the Ridley consumed the remainder of my day. Who thought it was a good idea to get a white frameset?
The usual suspects met for the usual loop out thru Swansea and back. It was breezy, but nothing compared to Saturday.
We came home the same was a Saturday, and after I little slowing down, and scanning of the fields next to the road, the aforementioned rain/aero helmet cover was found, and secured. Sweet...
Another 3.5 hours on the bike...then my day got started...
Tore out the sink and vanity in the bathroom, then discovered that the battery in The Beast was DEAD, thus the new vanity was being held hostage in the truck. Dammit...
Pulled the battery, ran and procured a new one, installed...and freed the vanity...
Then the plumbing began...which I honestly quite enjoyed. Everything went in smoothly, except for having the entirely incorrect piping for under the sink.
Hi ho Hi ho, it's off to Lowe's I go...
Sink buttoned up...no leaks, thank you very much. Also picked all of the new baseboard necessary to finish off the meat of the project.
Then haircuts for Junior Management.
Everything was wrapped up @ 8pm.
#Done
Good weekend, albeit a quick one.
And now for the (More below part 2) :
I received some Conti latex tubes to test. They suck. When they become widely available, don't waste your money.
They feel like hospital surgical tubing, and hold air just about as well. I put one in a brand new Vitt OC CX, put the Super Pista on the valve, and fired 100psi into it, then BOOM!
The tube let go while airing it up. Split 2cm down the seam, right next to the valve.
Never even got a chance to ride the damn thing. I have more, but am as nervous as a caffeine-addled housecat to ride them. No one needs a failure like this at high speed.
When it comes to latex tubes, stick with Michelin or Vittoria. Accept no substitutes.
CX is winding down in Europe...
Here's Middelkerke...
And how to get back to the bunch...by UHC...
Nervous shit right there...
Now get to work!
14 February 2014
13 February 2014
Helmets...
Now normally, there is good, and bad, to most things we talk about on this little un-paved road, just off the information superhighway...
Today, however, it is only good.
There can really be no argument that helmets save lives. I could link myriad articles next, espousing the virtues of wearing a helmet. Sorry, not happening.
We all know they work. We all know they lessen the severity of head injuries. We all know they've saved our craniums, and very well-being, at some point in our cycling lives.
Is it your choice to wear a helmet? Sure. It's also your choice to have a head injury.
Why a serious post on a not-always-serious cycling page? Well, times and tech are changing. Cagers are growing increasing ambivalent to cyclists. Rides are getting bigger and faster. Skill levels on some of these rides are not commensurate.
There's no real need to begin wearing hockey equipment, but anything one can do to increase one's chances of continuing to draw breath is a good thing.
Personally, a helmet is ALWAYS on my head when ass meets bicycle seat. Same for my kids. Sure, we all survived reckless childhoods without bike helmets, but that's little more than proof of the old adage that God protects fools and children.
In April of 2009, I augured into the ground head first. Knocked out. Grade 2+/3 concussion. Serious cognitive issues for a solid week. Confusion and a foggy head followed for about 6 weeks. To this day, I still have bouts of confusion that did not occur before the head knock. I'm also right at double digits for concussions, and the prospect of CTE, frankly, scares the shit out of me.
The Giro Atmos above gave it's life so I could have mine. It took the hit. So much energy was dissipated that there were two cracks in the very front of the helmet, above my eyes. I did not hit the front of my head.
Stories such as mine abound. Anything can happen. Race crashes. Crashes on group rides. Dogs running under wheels in the neighborhood.
Sure, a helmet is little more than a glorified beer cooler on your head. I understand that. And it used to be that the real differences between helmets amounted to little more than design, weight, and venting.
Well, times...they are a-changin'...
While the standard bicycle helmet still does an admirable job of protecting one's head/brain, there's a new Sheriff in town. His name? MIPS.
MIPS = Multi-directional Impact Protection System.
Boiled down, MIPS protects in a better, more efficient manner, due to the ability of the helmet to react to oblique impacts. Ostensibly, the MIPS system absorbs much of the rotation caused by an oblique impact. This rotation of the brain inside the skull is what causes damage.
There are a few manufacturers on board at this point. While several are "bicycle-related" helmets, only a very few are suitable for road cycling. Scott and POC are leading the way with MIPS cycling helmets, and Lazer has integrated MIPS into a kid's helmet.
Hopefully, other manufacturers will include MIPS in their helmet line-ups.
You listening Giro? Not everyone wants an Air Attack.
And I quite like the looks of the Scott Lin...
Much to POC's credit, their top of the line road helmet, the Octal, while it does NOT incorporate MIPS, it has been designed to protect the head better. It provides more, and added, coverage to the parts of the head that studies have shown are the most vulnerable in crashes. Namely, the temples/above the ear, and the back of the head.
Some say it looks a bit odd...
...but then again, what cycling helmet doesn't?
It's also more expensive than a "standard" helmet, but even @ $270US, it's cheaper than a hospital deductible, or extended-term care.
Pssst...if anyone from Scott or POC is reading this, I'll be glad to test a helmet for you...
What it boils down to though, is use. Wear your helmet. Ride defensively in all situations on the road. Ride like cars don't see you, because, well...they're not looking!
Be safe out there people. Head injuries are no joke. You want to get home to your loved ones.
Please, read up on the MIPS design. It's well worth the time!
Thanks
Now, I'm gonna eat lunch, then go ride my CX bike in the snow...
Today, however, it is only good.
There can really be no argument that helmets save lives. I could link myriad articles next, espousing the virtues of wearing a helmet. Sorry, not happening.
We all know they work. We all know they lessen the severity of head injuries. We all know they've saved our craniums, and very well-being, at some point in our cycling lives.
Is it your choice to wear a helmet? Sure. It's also your choice to have a head injury.
Why a serious post on a not-always-serious cycling page? Well, times and tech are changing. Cagers are growing increasing ambivalent to cyclists. Rides are getting bigger and faster. Skill levels on some of these rides are not commensurate.
There's no real need to begin wearing hockey equipment, but anything one can do to increase one's chances of continuing to draw breath is a good thing.
Personally, a helmet is ALWAYS on my head when ass meets bicycle seat. Same for my kids. Sure, we all survived reckless childhoods without bike helmets, but that's little more than proof of the old adage that God protects fools and children.
In April of 2009, I augured into the ground head first. Knocked out. Grade 2+/3 concussion. Serious cognitive issues for a solid week. Confusion and a foggy head followed for about 6 weeks. To this day, I still have bouts of confusion that did not occur before the head knock. I'm also right at double digits for concussions, and the prospect of CTE, frankly, scares the shit out of me.
Stories such as mine abound. Anything can happen. Race crashes. Crashes on group rides. Dogs running under wheels in the neighborhood.
Sure, a helmet is little more than a glorified beer cooler on your head. I understand that. And it used to be that the real differences between helmets amounted to little more than design, weight, and venting.
Well, times...they are a-changin'...
While the standard bicycle helmet still does an admirable job of protecting one's head/brain, there's a new Sheriff in town. His name? MIPS.
MIPS = Multi-directional Impact Protection System.
Boiled down, MIPS protects in a better, more efficient manner, due to the ability of the helmet to react to oblique impacts. Ostensibly, the MIPS system absorbs much of the rotation caused by an oblique impact. This rotation of the brain inside the skull is what causes damage.
There are a few manufacturers on board at this point. While several are "bicycle-related" helmets, only a very few are suitable for road cycling. Scott and POC are leading the way with MIPS cycling helmets, and Lazer has integrated MIPS into a kid's helmet.
Hopefully, other manufacturers will include MIPS in their helmet line-ups.
You listening Giro? Not everyone wants an Air Attack.
And I quite like the looks of the Scott Lin...
Much to POC's credit, their top of the line road helmet, the Octal, while it does NOT incorporate MIPS, it has been designed to protect the head better. It provides more, and added, coverage to the parts of the head that studies have shown are the most vulnerable in crashes. Namely, the temples/above the ear, and the back of the head.
It's also more expensive than a "standard" helmet, but even @ $270US, it's cheaper than a hospital deductible, or extended-term care.
Pssst...if anyone from Scott or POC is reading this, I'll be glad to test a helmet for you...
What it boils down to though, is use. Wear your helmet. Ride defensively in all situations on the road. Ride like cars don't see you, because, well...they're not looking!
Be safe out there people. Head injuries are no joke. You want to get home to your loved ones.
Please, read up on the MIPS design. It's well worth the time!
Thanks
Now, I'm gonna eat lunch, then go ride my CX bike in the snow...
12 February 2014
Welcome to South Carolina!
The #icepocalypse has begun. Looks minimal at this point, but there's ice under the white stuff, and once it gets cold tonight, it will be a skating rink.
Advice? Hoard some food, and crank your heat until the power goes out. Oh, it's gonna go out...
We have food, drink, firewood, non-electronic entertainment, all high output bike light batteries have been charged, and the weapons have all been cleaned and are ready to go.
Let's do this!
No outside ridey last night, as it was raining/sleeting, and the masses were rushing about trying to buy every gallon of milk in the Metro. Pssst...it's gonna be in the 50s by Friday, and 60s by Sunday. Settle down...
One would think these people were reenacting Shackleton's ill-fated voyage...
I mean, I went to Lowe's yesterday, and people were buying generators. Really?
Anywho, in lieu of getting wet, and/or killed, I opted for the trainer. Yeah, it sucks, and I hate it, but sometimes, it's a necessary evil. The plan was to spin the garbage out, and it turned into something else.
Sure, I stayed in the 39x16, but the 1:01 was passed spinning at 101rpm. The first 35-40 minutes were pretty okay. Things went downhill from this point. The last 10 minutes really sucked. It was a struggle. Don't think it's difficult? Try it...please. Then get back to me...
How about a Women's track race? OK...
And from the "Two Wheels Good File" :
Ducati custom motos...
Me? I like this one...
Tomorrow/Friday may be the helmet discussion...depending on if SCE&G deems us all worthy of having electricity...
If you're in the SE, or up the East coast, stay inside. No reason at all to go out...
10 February 2014
Up and down...
Can the weather PLEASE figure out what it wants to do? Rainy and cold, or sunny and warm? This back and forth is killing me. 65 and sunny yesterday, and a call for ice/wintry mix Tuesday and Wednesday. Then 60s again next weekend....
My sinuses feel like Mike Tyson's old sparring partners....
Let's take Saturday for instance...
I rolled out of Service Course @ 8:45a under complete overcast and 38 degrees. After a big outside loop of The Powerstation, where it was colder yet...and spitting rain, I rolled home, ate a bite, showered, and took #2 son with me to run some errands.
By the time we got out of Target, there wasn't a cloud in the sky!
Ended up being a nice day. 55 and sun.
The ride was a tick over two hours, included 4x10s, and was quite fun.
Sunday morning was much the same. Overcast, damp, mid 40s. Oh joy...this again.
By the time the group got to Swansea, it was big sun, and the temp was climbing like Il Pirata in his prime.
The clothing worn at 45 degrees was entirely too much for the high 50s...and as always, a little effort was thrown in on the run home, which only exacerbated the problem of being over-dressed.
4 hours fell under wheels in non-dramatic fashion, and everyone had a good time. I think everyone was knackered, and ate the kitchen when they got home as well...
Kind of a nice sky yesterday, no?
That being said, I felt like dump. Before the ride, during the ride, and after the ride. Thank Dog the Boss and Junior Management went somewhere for the afternoon. I found a comfortable position, and stayed there until the Moveable Feast returned @ 5.
Didn't even wipe my bike down...so you KNOW something was up...
#SVENNESS
2.17
#SVENNESS 2.17 from In The Crosshairs on Vimeo.
Show up in this, and you will get made fun of. I don't care if you are the fastest person in town. People will point and snicker...
Speaking of helmets, our local celebrity Dan Wuori (Of Velonews fame) met a rather large dog at high speed yesterday. Smashed his helmet, and gave him this...
And of course, after finding out that he was only a little worse for wear, we made fun of him.
All he needs is the leather jacket...
Wear your helmet folks...and make your kids wear theirs...
Hey...this Saturday, there's a little ride going off from The Colonial Center. 0900. It's the road season kickoff ride for the USC Cycling Team. 30-35 miles. Conversational pace. There will be an option to do a little extra...
Back to the subject of helmets, we may have a serious post about them as some point this week. There are some changes coming down the pipe that pertain to helmet design, fit and safety. They are good changes...
My sinuses feel like Mike Tyson's old sparring partners....
Let's take Saturday for instance...
I rolled out of Service Course @ 8:45a under complete overcast and 38 degrees. After a big outside loop of The Powerstation, where it was colder yet...and spitting rain, I rolled home, ate a bite, showered, and took #2 son with me to run some errands.
By the time we got out of Target, there wasn't a cloud in the sky!
Ended up being a nice day. 55 and sun.
The ride was a tick over two hours, included 4x10s, and was quite fun.
Sunday morning was much the same. Overcast, damp, mid 40s. Oh joy...this again.
By the time the group got to Swansea, it was big sun, and the temp was climbing like Il Pirata in his prime.
The clothing worn at 45 degrees was entirely too much for the high 50s...and as always, a little effort was thrown in on the run home, which only exacerbated the problem of being over-dressed.
4 hours fell under wheels in non-dramatic fashion, and everyone had a good time. I think everyone was knackered, and ate the kitchen when they got home as well...
That being said, I felt like dump. Before the ride, during the ride, and after the ride. Thank Dog the Boss and Junior Management went somewhere for the afternoon. I found a comfortable position, and stayed there until the Moveable Feast returned @ 5.
Didn't even wipe my bike down...so you KNOW something was up...
#SVENNESS
2.17
#SVENNESS 2.17 from In The Crosshairs on Vimeo.
Show up in this, and you will get made fun of. I don't care if you are the fastest person in town. People will point and snicker...
Speaking of helmets, our local celebrity Dan Wuori (Of Velonews fame) met a rather large dog at high speed yesterday. Smashed his helmet, and gave him this...
Wear your helmet folks...and make your kids wear theirs...
Hey...this Saturday, there's a little ride going off from The Colonial Center. 0900. It's the road season kickoff ride for the USC Cycling Team. 30-35 miles. Conversational pace. There will be an option to do a little extra...
Back to the subject of helmets, we may have a serious post about them as some point this week. There are some changes coming down the pipe that pertain to helmet design, fit and safety. They are good changes...
06 February 2014
Crow...nomnomnom
So yeah, the weather guy was right yesterday. I was wrong. About an hour after I loaded yesterday's post, the sun came out, and it got damn nice!
Thus, Msr. Bristol and I decided on a little ride. I needed a spin, and he needed to shake down his new Felt MTB.
Two birds and all that...
Want to learn how to ride mud sections? Any mud sections? Head out to The Powerstation right now!
From the first K-Rail to the last intersection of new trail, the road has the consistency of peanut butter. Not the thick, chunky kind either. More like the "all-natural" stuff, after it has separated.
Worn out Clement LAS tires aren't exactly the best performers in that sort of thing. No crashing...not even close, as I actually know how to handle my bike, not just proclaim I do because I've just learned to ride with no hands.
Out and back, up thru downtown, campus, and the 'hood. A couple of hours on a pretty near perfect evening...especially for February. I mean, we rode in shorts....
#nofilter #nofocus either
The Statehouse is one of those buildings that makes it easy to take nice photographs.
Surely beat the hell out of riding the trainer...
I may have found HBStache's spirit animal...
Even I've raced enough to know that you gotta block the inside in the last turn! #guttershot
"Eh, Zdenek, I'm tell yous one lasts time. You touches me again, and I'm break off yours arm, and beats yous to death with..."
Weather today? Cloudy and 50. I think the weather guy hit that nail on the head. I should probably go charge my lights.
Time to start the day...
Thus, Msr. Bristol and I decided on a little ride. I needed a spin, and he needed to shake down his new Felt MTB.
Two birds and all that...
Want to learn how to ride mud sections? Any mud sections? Head out to The Powerstation right now!
From the first K-Rail to the last intersection of new trail, the road has the consistency of peanut butter. Not the thick, chunky kind either. More like the "all-natural" stuff, after it has separated.
Worn out Clement LAS tires aren't exactly the best performers in that sort of thing. No crashing...not even close, as I actually know how to handle my bike, not just proclaim I do because I've just learned to ride with no hands.
Out and back, up thru downtown, campus, and the 'hood. A couple of hours on a pretty near perfect evening...especially for February. I mean, we rode in shorts....
Surely beat the hell out of riding the trainer...
Weather today? Cloudy and 50. I think the weather guy hit that nail on the head. I should probably go charge my lights.
Time to start the day...
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