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Club Breakfast Ride
Ah...it's Saturday, I haven't been off on a Saturday to enjoy a breakfast ride with my club for a month and a half. I've really been looking forward to this, and made sure I wasn't working today. As a club, we switch to mountain bikes when the time changes, so I got my mountain bike ready to go this morning, throwing some rain gear and misc. stuff in my trunk bag. I didn't want to look out of place with the rest of the club. I left my house at 7:15am, and as you can plainly see, it was a beautiful morning..... IT WAS INDEED A BEAUTIFUL MORNING! Well, maybe it took a bit of imagination.......
But as I got to the main highway, things certainly squared themselves away.....
The ride downtown to the Bicycle Shoppe was uneventful, although a little damp. I was determined to ride to breakfast however, and was looking forward to a little company to be miserable with. Well, here is the big crowd at the bike shop at 8:05am....after waiting there 15 minutes.... we leave promptly at 8am...so at 8:07, we all left....all one of us.
The ride to Tecumseh was a rather pleasant one actually. I had on my light weight tights over my favorite riding shorts, a long sleeved jersey and my P.I. heavy vest, wool socks, and was toasty and warm the whole ride. At least I didn't have to be caught up in the usual "race" to the restaurant, and was able to stop when I wanted and take a picture or two.
I was confident that there would certainly be a rider or two at the restaurant in Tecumseh from the several who live over that way. So here we all are, our bikes lining the front of the restaurant......
Well, at least I didn't have to worry about having no one to talk to, the waitress wanted to know when everybody else was going to show up. I laughed and said I thought that this was pretty much it. Soooo... I enjoyed my breakfast, had an extra cup of coffee, and left, heading back a slightly different route just to mix things up.
I managed to find a spot where I could get my picture taken along the route by a cooperative self timer as there was no one else around to snap the shutter for me.
The wind started picking up a bit on the way home, but it was never an issue. I rode the rest of the way with the weather improving all the time. I took the short way back from my normal route, a total of 34 miles today. This turned out to be a very nice ride..... the other club members don't know what they missed out on. I really don't know when we became a club of fair weather riders.... but it seems so. So....I got my club breakfast ride, a fun time was had by all, the food was great, and I only got a little wet. "Is that a yellow streak runnin' up your back mister?" ...... "why no suh..... the yellow's in the front, it's a brown streak runnin' up muh back...a dedicated bikers streak that is".. Enjoy every minute you can, you never know when it's going to come to a halt........... Rik
But as I got to the main highway, things certainly squared themselves away.....
The ride downtown to the Bicycle Shoppe was uneventful, although a little damp. I was determined to ride to breakfast however, and was looking forward to a little company to be miserable with. Well, here is the big crowd at the bike shop at 8:05am....after waiting there 15 minutes.... we leave promptly at 8am...so at 8:07, we all left....all one of us.
The ride to Tecumseh was a rather pleasant one actually. I had on my light weight tights over my favorite riding shorts, a long sleeved jersey and my P.I. heavy vest, wool socks, and was toasty and warm the whole ride. At least I didn't have to be caught up in the usual "race" to the restaurant, and was able to stop when I wanted and take a picture or two.
I was confident that there would certainly be a rider or two at the restaurant in Tecumseh from the several who live over that way. So here we all are, our bikes lining the front of the restaurant......
Well, at least I didn't have to worry about having no one to talk to, the waitress wanted to know when everybody else was going to show up. I laughed and said I thought that this was pretty much it. Soooo... I enjoyed my breakfast, had an extra cup of coffee, and left, heading back a slightly different route just to mix things up.
I managed to find a spot where I could get my picture taken along the route by a cooperative self timer as there was no one else around to snap the shutter for me.
The wind started picking up a bit on the way home, but it was never an issue. I rode the rest of the way with the weather improving all the time. I took the short way back from my normal route, a total of 34 miles today. This turned out to be a very nice ride..... the other club members don't know what they missed out on. I really don't know when we became a club of fair weather riders.... but it seems so. So....I got my club breakfast ride, a fun time was had by all, the food was great, and I only got a little wet. "Is that a yellow streak runnin' up your back mister?" ...... "why no suh..... the yellow's in the front, it's a brown streak runnin' up muh back...a dedicated bikers streak that is".. Enjoy every minute you can, you never know when it's going to come to a halt........... Rik
Stealin' !!
It's been a busy last two weeks at work getting ready for our annual inventory that we did on Saturday. It was a nice day (for November) and it was tough to be at work again while a nice weather day went by. Yup folks, we count every board, 2x, nut, bolt, and washer in the place!
Woke up on Sunday to a beautiful sunrise and found it was going to be another nice day.
Another
So, after it warmed up a bit I got out for a ride to burn off some of the work cobwebs! Headed out to the north end of the valley until I got up to the switchbacks that go down to Glen Haven. I could not talk myself into droping down.
Turned around for the trip back to the south and home and you always get rewarded with the view coming back on Devil's Gultch Road!
And!
With the weather break of the last few days a day of riding is stealing a day from winter!
Normally the winter is for doing some maintnance on your bike. This is a work stand that I got the basic idea from a site on the net and then built using materials that we had laying around at the lumberyard and probably cost me less than $15. It works pretty well for me.
Here's how it looks with a bike. This is an old ridged mtn bike that I found at a garage sale and I am in the process (slow!) of stripping down and cleaning rust off parts and will eventually get put back together. I took this on because it is an extra large frame,(hard to find!) which makes it worth it for the tall guys like me!
Hope everybody has a GREAT week!
Ride safe and warm!
Jim
Woke up on Sunday to a beautiful sunrise and found it was going to be another nice day.
Another
So, after it warmed up a bit I got out for a ride to burn off some of the work cobwebs! Headed out to the north end of the valley until I got up to the switchbacks that go down to Glen Haven. I could not talk myself into droping down.
Turned around for the trip back to the south and home and you always get rewarded with the view coming back on Devil's Gultch Road!
And!
With the weather break of the last few days a day of riding is stealing a day from winter!
Normally the winter is for doing some maintnance on your bike. This is a work stand that I got the basic idea from a site on the net and then built using materials that we had laying around at the lumberyard and probably cost me less than $15. It works pretty well for me.
Here's how it looks with a bike. This is an old ridged mtn bike that I found at a garage sale and I am in the process (slow!) of stripping down and cleaning rust off parts and will eventually get put back together. I took this on because it is an extra large frame,(hard to find!) which makes it worth it for the tall guys like me!
Hope everybody has a GREAT week!
Ride safe and warm!
Jim
Breakfast Ride- Bike on a Truck Update
Remember this scene from Thislife's recent tour of the Delta. We passed it on our Thursday breakfast ride today and noted that it had been decorated for the season. By the way the College Cyclery as noted on the truck door is a still a thriving bike shop in south Sacramento.
Versatility
After looking at all the camping alternatives for bikes the last few days, I decided to add a bit of versatility to my own road bike.
The rack only adds about 170 grams extra weight to the bike, and the bag adds about 265 grams....empty of course. I'm sure by the time I add enough "stuff" to take me on an overnighter it'll add about 150 pounds. All kidding aside, I noticed more bikes with racks and bags like this at the "tour de Trees" ride than ever, and it seems to be a growing trend. Into these things disappeared all the extra cold weather clothing, food, extra gloves, rain gear, tools, spare tubes, spare parts, pumps, etc. I have a smaller bag as well, but it weighs empty a little more than this larger one does. It also has the added advantage of making a solid platform for my rear light. I got this with the idea that I would probably take the rack off and put it on when I needed it, but after lifting the bike with it on and riding it a short distance, I may change my mind and leave the rack on permanently. I can also attach the frame mounted pump to it and get it out of the way.
The rack only adds about 170 grams extra weight to the bike, and the bag adds about 265 grams....empty of course. I'm sure by the time I add enough "stuff" to take me on an overnighter it'll add about 150 pounds. All kidding aside, I noticed more bikes with racks and bags like this at the "tour de Trees" ride than ever, and it seems to be a growing trend. Into these things disappeared all the extra cold weather clothing, food, extra gloves, rain gear, tools, spare tubes, spare parts, pumps, etc. I have a smaller bag as well, but it weighs empty a little more than this larger one does. It also has the added advantage of making a solid platform for my rear light. I got this with the idea that I would probably take the rack off and put it on when I needed it, but after lifting the bike with it on and riding it a short distance, I may change my mind and leave the rack on permanently. I can also attach the frame mounted pump to it and get it out of the way.
For Cyclist Who Has Everything
Is it a bike, a trike, RV or what? Hope it has some granny gears for the hills.
More camp trailers
I loved the camp trailer posted by dstorm earlier. That got me to peekin' around on the web to see what was out there. Here you go folks, and yes its a bicycle trailer (Kamp-Rite Midget):
I had no idea this stuff was out there! And, you can even get it camo! I'm sure that will get my non-cycling, hunting enthusiast husband all excited to go biking with me! Get your Christmas list out and put it on it, its only $850. I'm thinking if my Yak can't handle my tent and sleeping bag, my credit card and a motel can!
Happy biking, or is that camping.....no its biking!
I had no idea this stuff was out there! And, you can even get it camo! I'm sure that will get my non-cycling, hunting enthusiast husband all excited to go biking with me! Get your Christmas list out and put it on it, its only $850. I'm thinking if my Yak can't handle my tent and sleeping bag, my credit card and a motel can!
Happy biking, or is that camping.....no its biking!
Es muy frío fuera de hoy
Seeing as how I have nothing better to do today, I thought I'd have a little fun with languages. It Is very cold outside today indeed, 43 degrees with a wind of 24-30 gusting out of the northwest. I took the mountain bike and rode east for 6 miles, this was a lot of fun as it felt almost as fast as a road bike. I wasn't even cold.....yet! I was dressed warmly enough with a base layer under my Adidas winter-weight jersey, my mid-weight Cannondale padded tights, winter weight gloves, skull cap, (I wished on the way back I had worn my balclava), and my feet were toasty in my DeFeet Wool Blaze socks. I should have been plenty warm enough, and indeed I was ...... heading east. Then I turned around for what turned out to be a very long and tiring trip the 6 miles back. The wind, that same wind I was loving on the way east, turned into a mean, bitter enemy on the way back. Not only was it strong, it was COLD. Biting into my face and making my nose run twice as fast as I was. See, this is why Dick posted his wonderful topic of cold weather riding. I should have known....right? My legs stayed warm, but my butt was cold, my face felt like I had stuck it in the freezer. Uphill for 4 miles, then down "My Intimidator", I actually didn't have to pedal, but never coasted more than 10 mph down that steep hill. Finally, up the short steep hill into my neighborhood, and the final half mile home. Then, for good measure I decided to take a couple laps around my lot..... 600 feet per lap, half down, the other half up. This turned out to be about as much of a workout as the ride back. Not only did I have the wind, but the recent rains made my ground very soft, and it was all I could do to come back up the uphill side. Well, I wanted a workout..... and I definitely got one. Out of breath, legs somewhat on the sore side, hey, I haven't ridden in a couple of weeks, but feeling happy anyway. I've been out the last couple of rainy nights walk/jogging, but it's just not the same. It's been the whole summer since I've been on the mountain bike and I had forgotten how much harder they were to pedal, and I have a very light mountain bike. At least I know the season isn't over yet! Going to have to do something about the cold butt though.
Cold weather riding tips
Looking thru this week's Road Bike Rider, I noticed an article by Davis Phinney who still lives in Boulder, CO.
I actually met him in Boulder a few years ago. He's a soft-spoken, very likeable guy.
(His parting words to me were "Keep on biking."
Here's an excerpt of his cold weather tips and followup comments from the RBR editor.
" Phinney's Tips for Winter Riding
* Ride with a friend or group. Sharing conversation as well as a draft helps the miles go by. But group rides must be cohesive. Don't let them degenerate into hammerfests. You shouldn't do any hard, fast riding when the temperature is below 50F degrees (10C). Instead, use winter to accumulate base miles.
* Don't overdress. If you're not chilly in the first few minutes, you have probably worn too much and will overheat.
* Start with hot drinks in freezing temperatures and use insulated bottles or covers to increase the time before liquids turn to slush.
* Be wary of shaded corners, which may hide ice.
* Wear light, bright colors to help motorists see you on dim days.
* Install rear reflectors or carry reflective ankle bands for times when dusk catches you a few minutes from home.
* Carry two tubes. Patching a tube with freezing fingers isn't easy, should a second flat occur.
* Don't stop for long, if at all. Resumption of the windchill will make you cold, and you may be unable to shake the shivers for the rest of the ride.
* Ride short on frigid days. As a rule, you can be fairly comfortable for 90 minutes in subfreezing temperatures. But things may deteriorate quickly after that, particularly if you have raised a sweat.
* Take time to recover after riding. Winter takes more out of you. Because of the elements and your lower fitness level, a 50-mile (90-km) winter ride feels like 80 miles (128 km).
* Be extra careful when you've been sick. Don't try to make up a week of lost training by riding before you're completely well. There is plenty of time to get back on track when spring arrives.
* Even if you live where winters are mild, you still need to go easy. Use winter for recovery. Don't get caught in the flying-in-January, dead-by-June trap.
That's useful advice from a true gentleman of cycling and one that all of us at RBR are pulling for. Ten years ago at age 40 Davis was stricken with Parkinson's disease, rare in such a young and healthy man. It changed his life for sure, but he hasn't let it stop him from riding, coaching and, along with wife Connie Carpenter, raising their son Taylor Phinney, one of the brightest young stars in bike racing.
Davis also devotes much of his time to the Phinney Foundation, begun in 2004 to improve the quality of life for Parkinson's victims. About 3 years ago he underwent an innovative form of brain surgery that successfully reduced the tremors caused by the disease."
I actually met him in Boulder a few years ago. He's a soft-spoken, very likeable guy.
(His parting words to me were "Keep on biking."
Here's an excerpt of his cold weather tips and followup comments from the RBR editor.
" Phinney's Tips for Winter Riding
* Ride with a friend or group. Sharing conversation as well as a draft helps the miles go by. But group rides must be cohesive. Don't let them degenerate into hammerfests. You shouldn't do any hard, fast riding when the temperature is below 50F degrees (10C). Instead, use winter to accumulate base miles.
* Don't overdress. If you're not chilly in the first few minutes, you have probably worn too much and will overheat.
* Start with hot drinks in freezing temperatures and use insulated bottles or covers to increase the time before liquids turn to slush.
* Be wary of shaded corners, which may hide ice.
* Wear light, bright colors to help motorists see you on dim days.
* Install rear reflectors or carry reflective ankle bands for times when dusk catches you a few minutes from home.
* Carry two tubes. Patching a tube with freezing fingers isn't easy, should a second flat occur.
* Don't stop for long, if at all. Resumption of the windchill will make you cold, and you may be unable to shake the shivers for the rest of the ride.
* Ride short on frigid days. As a rule, you can be fairly comfortable for 90 minutes in subfreezing temperatures. But things may deteriorate quickly after that, particularly if you have raised a sweat.
* Take time to recover after riding. Winter takes more out of you. Because of the elements and your lower fitness level, a 50-mile (90-km) winter ride feels like 80 miles (128 km).
* Be extra careful when you've been sick. Don't try to make up a week of lost training by riding before you're completely well. There is plenty of time to get back on track when spring arrives.
* Even if you live where winters are mild, you still need to go easy. Use winter for recovery. Don't get caught in the flying-in-January, dead-by-June trap.
That's useful advice from a true gentleman of cycling and one that all of us at RBR are pulling for. Ten years ago at age 40 Davis was stricken with Parkinson's disease, rare in such a young and healthy man. It changed his life for sure, but he hasn't let it stop him from riding, coaching and, along with wife Connie Carpenter, raising their son Taylor Phinney, one of the brightest young stars in bike racing.
Davis also devotes much of his time to the Phinney Foundation, begun in 2004 to improve the quality of life for Parkinson's victims. About 3 years ago he underwent an innovative form of brain surgery that successfully reduced the tremors caused by the disease."
No ride this weekend.
Well, rats! Woke up this morning and yesterday to icky weather, better known as non-biking weather. I guess I could bring my bike in and tune it up so I would quit mumbling ugly things when it changes gears while I'm riding, but that would require putting my shoes on and going out to the Suburban where it's cold. Then there's the fact that the stand is in the guest room where my brother-in-law is staying for the weekend. Guess I will try and finish up those two baby quilts before those two babies start college.
Hope someone got to ride out there!
Hope someone got to ride out there!
A Sunday Ride
Well, I can't remember a worse September/October in all my riding years. Most of my riding has been indoors. :( But this past Sunday I took a 32 mile ride on the most beautiful fall day I can remember in years. (Maybe it's just because I've been suffering from bicycle cabin fever.) All the leaves are mostly gone but that's OK; it might as well have been a green spring day. I rejoiced in the fresh air and the occasional leaf burning that was going on along parts of my country ride. My daughter was supposed to ride with me but she woke up not feeling well. I felt this would ruin my ride and although I really missed having her on the ride, I made the most of it. I had a lot of "meditaion time" and really enjoyed the day. I log all my rides but this one is a ride I won't have to look up to remember.
