Another night on the stairs...
8x20 stadium hops (that's right...160 hops)
8 sets running the steps...for form, not speed
Next week is 10 each...and will be there until January 1st. Every Tuesday night...
Il Professore says is masochistic, and he's right, but it pays dividends in the spring...
Did some much needed maintenance on the Salsa last night. The chain popped like an old prostitute's hip on the night ride last Thursday. I figured it was better to install a new chain than be stuck somewhere in the ghetto, in the dark, in lycra, pushing a $3000 bike! When I broke the old chain, I noticed that the rear derailleur had some serious character. I guess it got it's modified shape last Winter, on a night ride. My brother and I were WAY out and I got a large stick caught in the derailleur and it pretty much turned around on itself. Removal of the stick led to the thing flipping right back around and working properly for the remainder of the ride...and the last 8 months. That's why you put a MTB rear derailleur on a cross bike. A road unit would have never survived.
I cleaned everything, installed a new Mavic/Wipperman chain and it shifts perfectly, so I guess there's really no reason to mess with it. Of course, the damn thing will probably break off and leave me in the aforementioned ghetto one of these nights...
TVH and Il Professore both got their new Colnago bikes yesterday. I guess it's Mandrus' turn to upgrade his rig...! Seems like everyone is getting new bikes this winter. I'll be putting Il Professore's together this weekend, as he is going to Montreal. If you gotta go to Canada, at least go to English speaking Canada...jeez!
13 November 2007
12 November 2007
Night rides
The Palmetto Trail night rides will be starting in two weeks. Doogie finally quit waffling and pulled the trigger on a cross rig.
More to follow...
More to follow...
11 November 2007
I went to Charlotte
...and all I got was a lousy pair of socks.
Doogie and I rolled out early this morning to go to the swap in Charlotte. There were some good deals to be had, some average deal and more than a few headscratchers. I went looking for a few, very specific things and bought nothing more than a pair of socks. I spent more on lunch at a burger place in Fort Mill than I did at the swap. $6 at the swap...$7.25 on lunch...! There was a bunch of stuff to buy, but it came down to two simple questions...
Did I NEED any of it? No...
Could I live without it? Yes...
Doog bought a wireless computer for his non-existent cross bike...and shorted the guy 5 bucks.
Saw some friends I hadn't talked to in a while and met BIG BRAD...! He's a guy that races karts with Doog and YES, he call himself BIG BRAD...even though he's 5'7" at the outside...
I've been informed that's it's 'Bad Brad'...sorry for the mix up...! Kinda works either way though....!
Time to start getting my crap in a pile before heading to the spa to pick up #1.
Doogie and I rolled out early this morning to go to the swap in Charlotte. There were some good deals to be had, some average deal and more than a few headscratchers. I went looking for a few, very specific things and bought nothing more than a pair of socks. I spent more on lunch at a burger place in Fort Mill than I did at the swap. $6 at the swap...$7.25 on lunch...! There was a bunch of stuff to buy, but it came down to two simple questions...
Did I NEED any of it? No...
Could I live without it? Yes...
Doog bought a wireless computer for his non-existent cross bike...and shorted the guy 5 bucks.
Saw some friends I hadn't talked to in a while and met BIG BRAD...! He's a guy that races karts with Doog and YES, he call himself BIG BRAD...even though he's 5'7" at the outside...
I've been informed that's it's 'Bad Brad'...sorry for the mix up...! Kinda works either way though....!
Time to start getting my crap in a pile before heading to the spa to pick up #1.
10 November 2007
???
Kind of a weird ride...
90kms...
3+ hours...
A very close call @ 50kmh...
Too much whispering among some...get over it...!
I'm not even going to get into the ride itself or how a 'special guest' needs to shut the fuck up...
Don't tell people you don't know how to ride. Until you can hold the wheel of the guy you were yapping at, just be quiet!
As an aside, if you don't like something I write here, either have enough respect for me, as well as yourself, to talk to me about it like an adult, or just hush. Don't whisper to those that will listen...it isn't middle school. Or, don't come back to my little dirt road off the information superhighway! No one forces you to come here.
Done...
90kms...
3+ hours...
A very close call @ 50kmh...
Too much whispering among some...get over it...!
I'm not even going to get into the ride itself or how a 'special guest' needs to shut the fuck up...
Don't tell people you don't know how to ride. Until you can hold the wheel of the guy you were yapping at, just be quiet!
As an aside, if you don't like something I write here, either have enough respect for me, as well as yourself, to talk to me about it like an adult, or just hush. Don't whisper to those that will listen...it isn't middle school. Or, don't come back to my little dirt road off the information superhighway! No one forces you to come here.
Done...
09 November 2007
Wow!
It's almost unbelieveable, but I did a ride last night that was FUN. There was no complaining, whining, bitching, or moaning. Just riding and laughing...it was really nice!
Doogie had the afternoon free from the chains of Medical School, so he rode in the warm sunshine. No reason to ride in the dark with me just for the sake of it...! I, in turn, met PalmettoSolo and the HBW guys for their Thursday night urban assault ride. I rode the Salsa from the house and them at the end of the Greenway. Once the dozen of us gathered, it was go time. We rode up through the park and out into the Northside of town. After a short loop through Elmwood Cemetary, we made our way around into Cottontown and then downtown for some parking garage fun, including the Trek rep almost taking out half the group in the Gravity Race. A big loop around campus and a drop into Granby Park followed. At this point, I parted ways with the group to get home at a reasonable hour. I got home with 2:30 on the bike, a good workout and a big smile on my face. This ride is what getting on a bike is supposed to be about...having a good time. I'm glad I took the invite and will be going back throughout the winter. I'd forgotten how much fun night group rides really are...
9 a.m. tomorrow...and in the forties...over/under is set @ 8 again this week. Try to be on time too! Some of us are tired of sitting around until 9:15 for the ride to leave.
Doogie had the afternoon free from the chains of Medical School, so he rode in the warm sunshine. No reason to ride in the dark with me just for the sake of it...! I, in turn, met PalmettoSolo and the HBW guys for their Thursday night urban assault ride. I rode the Salsa from the house and them at the end of the Greenway. Once the dozen of us gathered, it was go time. We rode up through the park and out into the Northside of town. After a short loop through Elmwood Cemetary, we made our way around into Cottontown and then downtown for some parking garage fun, including the Trek rep almost taking out half the group in the Gravity Race. A big loop around campus and a drop into Granby Park followed. At this point, I parted ways with the group to get home at a reasonable hour. I got home with 2:30 on the bike, a good workout and a big smile on my face. This ride is what getting on a bike is supposed to be about...having a good time. I'm glad I took the invite and will be going back throughout the winter. I'd forgotten how much fun night group rides really are...
9 a.m. tomorrow...and in the forties...over/under is set @ 8 again this week. Try to be on time too! Some of us are tired of sitting around until 9:15 for the ride to leave.
07 November 2007
06 November 2007
First night
Tonight the off-the-bike workouts began. I'd forgotten how much running sucks. I mean, really...do people actually derive enjoyment from it. I went to the Statehouse to do my stadium hops/plyometrics and decided to run around the complex for a while. After my second loop, I went back to running the steps. There's just too much impact on the body. While doing plyos and running the steps has a degree of impact, it's far less than going for a jog!
I feel the workout in my legs already. I didn't do it last winter and paid for it in the spring. I'll be up there every Tuesday evening if anyone wants a good workout...
(EDITED FOR CONTENT)
The Big Stampede is this Sunday in Charlotte @ Lowes Motor Speedway. Hit up the bank machine before you go, 'cuz there isn't one at the track.
Yoga tomorrow night and night ride on Thursday...! Doogie and I will be heading out @ 5:45 from the gate for a loop. Bring your lights and some warm clothes and join the fun.
I feel the workout in my legs already. I didn't do it last winter and paid for it in the spring. I'll be up there every Tuesday evening if anyone wants a good workout...
(EDITED FOR CONTENT)
The Big Stampede is this Sunday in Charlotte @ Lowes Motor Speedway. Hit up the bank machine before you go, 'cuz there isn't one at the track.
Yoga tomorrow night and night ride on Thursday...! Doogie and I will be heading out @ 5:45 from the gate for a loop. Bring your lights and some warm clothes and join the fun.
04 November 2007
100 miles and 3200kj
That was my weekend of riding.
Saturday met us with lower temps. I refuse to say it was cold, because it just wasn't. We had a smaller turnout than usual, likely because of the mid-40s temp at start time. I guess some folks will stay inside when it's 38 and overcast this winter...
Those of us who rolled out of bed and braved the horribly frigid temps had a perfectly lovely ride through Lower Richland, down into Eastover, out to the Cricket Store and back the normal way. The wind decided it wanted to meet us when we made the turn at the store though. It wasn't a brutal headwind by any stretch, but made the ride more interesting.
I ended up with 100km at an average of right at 30kmh and clicked off 2000kj. I must have been on the front a lot during the ride, because that number is about 200kj more than I've ever produced on that loop, including some of the hard rides out through there. Il Professore made it the entire ride without breaking any parts...HOORAY. He did, however, bring his Dean SS over for me to look at the stem. The faceplate wouldn't tighten down on the bars. The reason? FSA stuff sucks...that's the reason. The threading for all four screws had been tapped incorrectly. Amazing...!
Then we hacked at his shoe for 20 minutes to change a cleat. I love using large, powerful, high rpm power tools on expensive bike parts!
We are also starting a betting line on what part he'll break next...
Crankset - 7/1
Handlebars - 10/1
Front wheel - 14/1
Doogie, NID and I met this morning @ 9. It was a bone-chilling 44 degrees when I left la casa.
We went out through the Fort and meandered around in Lower Richland for about 2:15. Another perfect day of riding. Very little wind, very few cars, and a great loop. 65km and 1200kj for the day.
I came home and immediately went to work in the yard, getting a jump on the infernal leaves. I'll be doing leaves from now until after Christmas. The big trees in my yard are great in the summer, but are the bane of my existence come fall and winter.
Doogie and I stopped by Crusty's later in the day and he picked up some Reynolds wheels. Crusty's lady is moving in with him, so the house actually looks presentable. It was a bit cave-like before...kind of dark and dank...
All in all, it was a good weekend.
We'll be riding Thursday night, with lights, on the Fort if anyone is interested.
Saturday met us with lower temps. I refuse to say it was cold, because it just wasn't. We had a smaller turnout than usual, likely because of the mid-40s temp at start time. I guess some folks will stay inside when it's 38 and overcast this winter...
Those of us who rolled out of bed and braved the horribly frigid temps had a perfectly lovely ride through Lower Richland, down into Eastover, out to the Cricket Store and back the normal way. The wind decided it wanted to meet us when we made the turn at the store though. It wasn't a brutal headwind by any stretch, but made the ride more interesting.
I ended up with 100km at an average of right at 30kmh and clicked off 2000kj. I must have been on the front a lot during the ride, because that number is about 200kj more than I've ever produced on that loop, including some of the hard rides out through there. Il Professore made it the entire ride without breaking any parts...HOORAY. He did, however, bring his Dean SS over for me to look at the stem. The faceplate wouldn't tighten down on the bars. The reason? FSA stuff sucks...that's the reason. The threading for all four screws had been tapped incorrectly. Amazing...!
Then we hacked at his shoe for 20 minutes to change a cleat. I love using large, powerful, high rpm power tools on expensive bike parts!
We are also starting a betting line on what part he'll break next...
Crankset - 7/1
Handlebars - 10/1
Front wheel - 14/1
Doogie, NID and I met this morning @ 9. It was a bone-chilling 44 degrees when I left la casa.
We went out through the Fort and meandered around in Lower Richland for about 2:15. Another perfect day of riding. Very little wind, very few cars, and a great loop. 65km and 1200kj for the day.
I came home and immediately went to work in the yard, getting a jump on the infernal leaves. I'll be doing leaves from now until after Christmas. The big trees in my yard are great in the summer, but are the bane of my existence come fall and winter.
Doogie and I stopped by Crusty's later in the day and he picked up some Reynolds wheels. Crusty's lady is moving in with him, so the house actually looks presentable. It was a bit cave-like before...kind of dark and dank...
All in all, it was a good weekend.
We'll be riding Thursday night, with lights, on the Fort if anyone is interested.
02 November 2007
A bet...
The temp is supposed to be @ 45-ish at 9 a.m. tomorrow. How many do we think will show up for the group ride?
The over/under is set at 8. I think that may be a little high though...
Time to find the knee warmers and vest...
The over/under is set at 8. I think that may be a little high though...
Time to find the knee warmers and vest...
01 November 2007
History lesson
General Paul Tibbets died today...
If you don't know who that is, you should have studied your American History a bit harder in school...
For those of you who don't know...
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071101/ap_on_re_us/obit_tibbets
If you don't know who that is, you should have studied your American History a bit harder in school...
For those of you who don't know...
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071101/ap_on_re_us/obit_tibbets
30 October 2007
Damn it's getting dark early...
The H.O. came home from work at her normal time, so I jumped on the bike and did a loop around the Fort. I was out the door at 5:45 and on my way.
The sun was low in the sky, but still shining brightly! Man, was that short-lived! I was barely to the top of Hartsville Guard when it started to disappear behind the trees. I planned on doing a slow-ish loop, but chasing the daylight seemed de rigeur, so up the pace went.
I stopped at the top of the hill on Wildcat to make an adjustment to my new cleat and heard the telltale call of a coyote. That's right folks, Wile E. himself is evidently living with his peers out on the base. The call came from far away, but I wasn't going to hang around to see if any of his asshole buddies were going to return the call from my general vicinity. The pace went up yet again...
Once I turned onto Dixie, I clicked the new light on so that oncoming cars could see me. I can tell you, a good L.E.D. light is damn bright. As the light faded, I was really shocked by the output of the two tiny heads. I kept my newly accelerated pace on the ups and the downs. At the top of the penultimate climb, I saw a blinky ahead of me. So the pace went up again...
I stomped up the last climb and caught the rider just after Golden Arrow. As I approached, I noticed the guy's stroke was UGLY! Not that mine is a gift from the Madonna Di Ghisallo, but this guy wasn't even pedaling squares...more like octagons. As I went past, I could barely make out the shape of...wait for it...The Peanuthead. Riding in the Fort with a barely there blinky and no headlight...in the dark! I wasn't about to have him try to follow me, so the pace went up again...
I kept a hard, 38-40kph pace for the rest of the trip out of the Fort and it actually felt really good. Sometimes, going hard feels better than futzing around.
The Niterider MiNewt Dual X 2 light performed well. It's VERY small. The housings themselves are about the size of a walnut (and metal) and the battery is similar in size to a package of granola bars. The whole she-bang weighs less than a pound. Run time is 2 hours on high and 4 hours on low. I also will run for 8 hours on flash. Flash is a bit trippy though. It flashes as fast as a strobe light and the flash is high power. I turned it on in the middle of the neighborhood and almost had a seizure. The light system was great on the road...we'll see how she does in the woods.
Here's the whole system...(Powertap not included)...battery fits right under the stem!
Jonny5 aliiive...
29 October 2007
Tragic
http://www.wistv.com/Global/story.asp?S=7276426
This loss of life is just staggering. I knew none of them and am far removed from my days at Carolina, but my heart is broken this morning. Children just shouldn't perish in this, or any other, manner.
The ones that got out were extremely lucky. The ones that didn't are in a far better place.
Godspeed...
This loss of life is just staggering. I knew none of them and am far removed from my days at Carolina, but my heart is broken this morning. Children just shouldn't perish in this, or any other, manner.
The ones that got out were extremely lucky. The ones that didn't are in a far better place.
Godspeed...
28 October 2007
A mixed weather bag
Yesterday, I rolled out of bed at 7:30 to start my morning routine in preparation for the group ride. I checked the temp...59 degrees...not great, but not all that cold either. Then I looked out the front window! It was foggy. I don't mean just foggy, but horror movie FOGGY. The house across the street is 50-60 feet away and it was nothing more than a ghostly shape in the mist.
This thinned the group immediately.
I showed at 5 'til 9 and New Guy Rob and I were the only ones there. We ended up with a total of 8. The group sort of meandered out towards Hopkins, then towards Eastover and back to the G-Mart. A nice paceline developed on Airbase and we all stayed in a group until the end. I jumped for the sprint from way too far out, in way too big of a gear. Doogie got me at the line.
Il Professore continued his streak of breaking parts shortly thereafter. Going down the concrete section of Old Garners Ferry, he hit a bump and the front bolt of his seat clamp sheared off. The nose of his saddle went straight up and turned out to be something of a divining rod for the rest of the ride. He stuck his bike in the biggest gear (50/11) and stood for the remainder of the ride. As he would swing the bike from side to side, the saddle would flop about, with the nose always pointing at his rear end.
It was a great ride with a great group. We ended with a touch over 50 miles in 2:45.
I got home a lazed about for the rest of the day. The house is almost too quiet when the H.O. and the kids are gone.
Doogie and I met this morning for a 2+ hour ride through the Fort and Hopkins. We had a great tailwind on a few sections and the sun was shining through the high clouds. When we turned onto Bluff, the head/crosswind started. It's always funny how the 130 pound guys climb like they have rockets up their asses, but they tend to turn into Remora when the wind gets stiff.
Doogie took advantage of my copious draft and diesel power at this point.
We cruised through campus and stopped at TVH's house for a short chat, and then contined on to pick up Mrs. Doogie's Touareg. She had a bit too much firewater last night and was forced to leave it in Shandon.
All in all, I had a good weekend of riding the new rig and got it a little dirty for the first time. Rest assured, it's clean now though...and it has a white saddle...
This thinned the group immediately.
I showed at 5 'til 9 and New Guy Rob and I were the only ones there. We ended up with a total of 8. The group sort of meandered out towards Hopkins, then towards Eastover and back to the G-Mart. A nice paceline developed on Airbase and we all stayed in a group until the end. I jumped for the sprint from way too far out, in way too big of a gear. Doogie got me at the line.
Il Professore continued his streak of breaking parts shortly thereafter. Going down the concrete section of Old Garners Ferry, he hit a bump and the front bolt of his seat clamp sheared off. The nose of his saddle went straight up and turned out to be something of a divining rod for the rest of the ride. He stuck his bike in the biggest gear (50/11) and stood for the remainder of the ride. As he would swing the bike from side to side, the saddle would flop about, with the nose always pointing at his rear end.
It was a great ride with a great group. We ended with a touch over 50 miles in 2:45.
I got home a lazed about for the rest of the day. The house is almost too quiet when the H.O. and the kids are gone.
Doogie and I met this morning for a 2+ hour ride through the Fort and Hopkins. We had a great tailwind on a few sections and the sun was shining through the high clouds. When we turned onto Bluff, the head/crosswind started. It's always funny how the 130 pound guys climb like they have rockets up their asses, but they tend to turn into Remora when the wind gets stiff.
Doogie took advantage of my copious draft and diesel power at this point.
We cruised through campus and stopped at TVH's house for a short chat, and then contined on to pick up Mrs. Doogie's Touareg. She had a bit too much firewater last night and was forced to leave it in Shandon.
All in all, I had a good weekend of riding the new rig and got it a little dirty for the first time. Rest assured, it's clean now though...and it has a white saddle...
25 October 2007
4 days off makes the legs stiff
Holy schnikeys! I must admit that I'm not at all fit right now and I'm very tired from my single parenting duties, but DAMN were my legs stiff tonight. I did a loop of the Fort and while it wasn't the slowest ever, it was close.
It was a good ride though. I needed to get out in the fresh air and get some blood moving around. And GD does the new bike ride GOOD!
Coming past the backside of the golf course, I looked up and there was a huge doe standing in the right lane. As I approached, she never moved. I swung to the other lane and rode past maybe 6 feet from her. She had zero fear of me on my bike. It was kind of cool. I looked back over my shoulder and she was watching me ride away. I guess the really have nothing to fear on the Fort, other than large caliber automatic weapons and Howitzer shells of course.
I left he Fort and rode up through Heathwood and across through Shandon, just taking it easy as darkness fell. As I crossed through OutJokin's parking lot, I noticed a huge rainbow out over Lower Richland. The news said it was raining out there. I felt a bit of a sprinkle on post, but nothing to get excited about.
The H.O. is taking the management trainees away for the weekend. There will be much riding and sleeping for yours truly while they are gone. I need some rest...
See you guys Saturday...
It was a good ride though. I needed to get out in the fresh air and get some blood moving around. And GD does the new bike ride GOOD!
Coming past the backside of the golf course, I looked up and there was a huge doe standing in the right lane. As I approached, she never moved. I swung to the other lane and rode past maybe 6 feet from her. She had zero fear of me on my bike. It was kind of cool. I looked back over my shoulder and she was watching me ride away. I guess the really have nothing to fear on the Fort, other than large caliber automatic weapons and Howitzer shells of course.
I left he Fort and rode up through Heathwood and across through Shandon, just taking it easy as darkness fell. As I crossed through OutJokin's parking lot, I noticed a huge rainbow out over Lower Richland. The news said it was raining out there. I felt a bit of a sprinkle on post, but nothing to get excited about.
The H.O. is taking the management trainees away for the weekend. There will be much riding and sleeping for yours truly while they are gone. I need some rest...
See you guys Saturday...
I found my new truck...screw a hybrid...
24 October 2007
Day 4 of 4
Today is the last day of my 4 day, single-parenting stint. The H.O. will be home tonight at some point. I say at some point because when she is out of town, she somehow forgets how to dial a telephone or use email to contact her husband and/or check on the management trainees.
Honestly, it's really not all that hard to wrangle two kids. It's the other stuff that suffers. I haven't ridden since Sunday, sleep has become a luxury which it seems I cannot afford and the house looks like a troupe of baboons has been living here. Well, maybe just one, 2 year old baboon who refuses to take naps and has too many toys...
Oh, did I mention it's raining cats and dogs? Pretty much shoots any outside plans in the ass.
It's 4 p.m. now...and I can tell you that the boys will be in bed in right around three hours.
Doogie Hammer M.D. is in for the impending night rides. I've put out feelers to the guys at Summit and Cycle Center. Contacting Outjokin' is fruitless, as the employees there don't ride during the day, but I digress.
If you have interest, shoot me a comment or email. I'm thinking the trail rides will be Thursday nights, since that night seems more open for a lot of folks. All are welcome, but you will need lights and some sort of off-road bike. The rides won't be test-fests, but your heartrate will go up and stay there.
I'm riding tomorrow night if anyone is interested. Either a loop of the Fort on the roadie or a road out, trail back on the cross bike.
If not, see you guys Saturday...
Honestly, it's really not all that hard to wrangle two kids. It's the other stuff that suffers. I haven't ridden since Sunday, sleep has become a luxury which it seems I cannot afford and the house looks like a troupe of baboons has been living here. Well, maybe just one, 2 year old baboon who refuses to take naps and has too many toys...
Oh, did I mention it's raining cats and dogs? Pretty much shoots any outside plans in the ass.
It's 4 p.m. now...and I can tell you that the boys will be in bed in right around three hours.
Doogie Hammer M.D. is in for the impending night rides. I've put out feelers to the guys at Summit and Cycle Center. Contacting Outjokin' is fruitless, as the employees there don't ride during the day, but I digress.
If you have interest, shoot me a comment or email. I'm thinking the trail rides will be Thursday nights, since that night seems more open for a lot of folks. All are welcome, but you will need lights and some sort of off-road bike. The rides won't be test-fests, but your heartrate will go up and stay there.
I'm riding tomorrow night if anyone is interested. Either a loop of the Fort on the roadie or a road out, trail back on the cross bike.
If not, see you guys Saturday...
21 October 2007
Two short days
Saturday was met with a larger than usual group, likely because the weather was pleasant. We'll see where most of them are when it's 42 and overcast...
Anyway, I rode the new bike and for the 30 minutes that it was working perfectly, it was easily the best bike I've ever ridden. The ride is very muted, yet the frame seems extremely stiff and responsive. I've said it before, but the ride quality can be attributed to the giant, round tubes. I liked the Damocles, but this is just a better ride. The ride feels more solid and the fork is definitely stiffer than that straight leg affair on the Damo.
Anyway, about 1/2 way out of the Fort, my saddle slipped and the nose went up and I mean UP. It was a Selle Italia prostate exam. I made it to the gate, messed with it for a moment and just decided to ride home. There was no way that I could have ridden 3+ hours like that.
Upon retruning home, I went to Lowes and bought a ratching 13mm wrench to properly tighten the seat bolt.
This morning, the H.O. is leaving for Nashville, so I was up and on the bike early. Nothing clears your head like watching the sun rise from the saddle. 90 easy minutes later, I was back at the house. Nice way to start the morning, IMO. There's no better time to ride on Sunday either. There isn't a soul stirring at 7:30 on a Sunday in Columbia.
I'll be off the bike until Thursday as The Boss will be gone until Wednesday night. Single parenting...there's nothing like it.
My PT crapped on me this morning too. Time for new batteries in the hub methinks...!
Oh, and I saw PeanutHead riding yesterday...up Devine Street...in the middle of the lane...wearing his iPod...! I think I saw the Ghost of Charles Darwin drafting him. Not a bright bulb, that one...
Oh, part deux...
I want to get a night ride together for the winter. Maybe Wednesday nights (Tuesdays or Thursdays are fine too!) on the Fort, preferably in the woods. I've added an email address in my profile. shoot me ideas or comments about wanting to ride. Everyone is welcome. It won't be an aggro, testosterone-fest kind of ride. Just some good fun in the dark.
Anyway, I rode the new bike and for the 30 minutes that it was working perfectly, it was easily the best bike I've ever ridden. The ride is very muted, yet the frame seems extremely stiff and responsive. I've said it before, but the ride quality can be attributed to the giant, round tubes. I liked the Damocles, but this is just a better ride. The ride feels more solid and the fork is definitely stiffer than that straight leg affair on the Damo.
Anyway, about 1/2 way out of the Fort, my saddle slipped and the nose went up and I mean UP. It was a Selle Italia prostate exam. I made it to the gate, messed with it for a moment and just decided to ride home. There was no way that I could have ridden 3+ hours like that.
Upon retruning home, I went to Lowes and bought a ratching 13mm wrench to properly tighten the seat bolt.
This morning, the H.O. is leaving for Nashville, so I was up and on the bike early. Nothing clears your head like watching the sun rise from the saddle. 90 easy minutes later, I was back at the house. Nice way to start the morning, IMO. There's no better time to ride on Sunday either. There isn't a soul stirring at 7:30 on a Sunday in Columbia.
I'll be off the bike until Thursday as The Boss will be gone until Wednesday night. Single parenting...there's nothing like it.
My PT crapped on me this morning too. Time for new batteries in the hub methinks...!
Oh, and I saw PeanutHead riding yesterday...up Devine Street...in the middle of the lane...wearing his iPod...! I think I saw the Ghost of Charles Darwin drafting him. Not a bright bulb, that one...
Oh, part deux...
I want to get a night ride together for the winter. Maybe Wednesday nights (Tuesdays or Thursdays are fine too!) on the Fort, preferably in the woods. I've added an email address in my profile. shoot me ideas or comments about wanting to ride. Everyone is welcome. It won't be an aggro, testosterone-fest kind of ride. Just some good fun in the dark.
19 October 2007
18 October 2007
16 October 2007
Last of season
Seven of us showed up for the TNCWC tonight. We sat for a while and then pretty much just rolled around. BLK took off and we gave a half-hearted chase for a while. I quit chasing after I followed Ladd into the top corner and the cross bike did a two-step under me. I even had the soft wheels and tires on tonight and the damn thing still wouldn't turn. I sat up and rode tempo for about 20 minutes and then just stopped. A new guy and his girlfriend came out, so I stopped to chat with them. Nice kids...USC students...she looked like she was about 14...I felt old.
The Ridley will be here Thursday...yippee! I bought a ceramic BB(waiting for it), a carbon front derailleur clamp(waiting) and I fixed the rear Mavic brake. I decided to given the bolt another go and snapped the head clean off. I put the Channel Locks on the nub and gave it a big effort and the damn thing broke loose and came right out. Thank goodness! I hated for that one bolt to, A)kick my ass and B)make a high $ set of brakes into paperweights. They're rare enough as a set, much less finding just the rear!
I also bought a new pair of shoes. Specialized Pro Road...! I've worn Diadora for so long and the new Diadoras fit differently, so I decided to try something new. I probably won't break them out until spring though. No reason to foul up new shoes in the winter.
No ride for me Thursday. The H.O. will be out of town, so I'm charged with heading up the management training program. When the trainees go to bed, I'll be building the new whip...
It will be road worthy and out on Saturday morning!!!
Saturday 9 a.m. @ the circle...
The Ridley will be here Thursday...yippee! I bought a ceramic BB(waiting for it), a carbon front derailleur clamp(waiting) and I fixed the rear Mavic brake. I decided to given the bolt another go and snapped the head clean off. I put the Channel Locks on the nub and gave it a big effort and the damn thing broke loose and came right out. Thank goodness! I hated for that one bolt to, A)kick my ass and B)make a high $ set of brakes into paperweights. They're rare enough as a set, much less finding just the rear!
I also bought a new pair of shoes. Specialized Pro Road...! I've worn Diadora for so long and the new Diadoras fit differently, so I decided to try something new. I probably won't break them out until spring though. No reason to foul up new shoes in the winter.
No ride for me Thursday. The H.O. will be out of town, so I'm charged with heading up the management training program. When the trainees go to bed, I'll be building the new whip...
It will be road worthy and out on Saturday morning!!!
Saturday 9 a.m. @ the circle...
14 October 2007
Another weekend passed...
Saturday, the turn out was very small. Half of our normal bunch is lounging on the beach in the USVI (yes, literally half...) and the remainder went to Greenville to race. The few who showed up were treated to a wonderful ride through Lower Richland, on a beautiful day. To say the loop chosen was a meanddering one would be a bit of an understatement. We ended up in Eastover and came back in the normal way. On Shop, Mandrus jumper across a fresh red light and attacked down to the sprint. That's called a "Poindexter" move and was the only way he was going to win it.
I ended up with 90km and some very tired legs. The Salsa is a touch harder to ride than a regular road bike. It's scandium and stiff and just kind of buzzes on rough pavement, which there is an abundance of around here. I sit up higher on the bars and my reach is shorter by 2cm. Needless to say, the back was a bit crunchy when I got home.
Doogie Hammer, MD and I went out this morning and did a short 90 spin out through the Fort into the NE and back through Forest Acres. We went EASY this morning...
I really like the new Ultegra SL pedals. They are very secure, yet my knee doesn't hurt. I feel much more connected to the bike than with the Quattros.
My new search is for another set of brakes for the new bike. The Mavics have a frozen bolt on the rear calipers, thus, it has been rendered useless. I guess I'll use the Cane Creeks until I find something else...
Last crit Tuesday night. 6:15pm!! I'll be out, but won't be racing. The cross bike doesn't like to be thrown into turns at high speed...
Speaking of high speed, Petacchi won Paris-Tours today with an average speed of 46kmh. That's 28.5mph to you and me. Five and a half hours at 28.5mph!!!??? Nah, those guys aren't on dope...
I ended up with 90km and some very tired legs. The Salsa is a touch harder to ride than a regular road bike. It's scandium and stiff and just kind of buzzes on rough pavement, which there is an abundance of around here. I sit up higher on the bars and my reach is shorter by 2cm. Needless to say, the back was a bit crunchy when I got home.
Doogie Hammer, MD and I went out this morning and did a short 90 spin out through the Fort into the NE and back through Forest Acres. We went EASY this morning...
I really like the new Ultegra SL pedals. They are very secure, yet my knee doesn't hurt. I feel much more connected to the bike than with the Quattros.
My new search is for another set of brakes for the new bike. The Mavics have a frozen bolt on the rear calipers, thus, it has been rendered useless. I guess I'll use the Cane Creeks until I find something else...
Last crit Tuesday night. 6:15pm!! I'll be out, but won't be racing. The cross bike doesn't like to be thrown into turns at high speed...
Speaking of high speed, Petacchi won Paris-Tours today with an average speed of 46kmh. That's 28.5mph to you and me. Five and a half hours at 28.5mph!!!??? Nah, those guys aren't on dope...
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