Not riding, but I am still reading blogs. Here's some stuff I've ran across:
Get It Off My Chest--Bicyclist follows a driver on a very short commute... Ran across this link on the Commute By Bike blog.
This Kids Last Prank -- I thought about this for several days, if I really wanted to link to it. I feel badly about it, but on the other hand it couldn't have happened to more deserving jerk Saw this link on the Treadly And Me blog.
Got an e-mail from the fellow at Bikely. If you want to log your bicycle route, take a look at it. My famous Dam Ride is on there. He said that there is now a version for hikers and walkers, too, called Stepwhere. I've also used Gmaps Pedometer to record my Alpine ride.
Tuesday, February 27, 2007
Sunday, February 25, 2007
Sunday Afternoon
Finished Heft On Wheels the other day, now I'm trying to figure out what the message is.
One message was, there will always be someone who does it better than you. Yup, figured that one out a couple years ago. Of course, I am a couple years older than him. But I'm still trying to deal with it. He says, "Accept who you are. Accept that people will be better than you. This is ok, you don't have to be the best person to be a good person, and all people can reasonable ask of you is that you are a good person." Well, I'm working on it.
Now I have to get hold of Lummox, his other biographical book.
One message was, there will always be someone who does it better than you. Yup, figured that one out a couple years ago. Of course, I am a couple years older than him. But I'm still trying to deal with it. He says, "Accept who you are. Accept that people will be better than you. This is ok, you don't have to be the best person to be a good person, and all people can reasonable ask of you is that you are a good person." Well, I'm working on it.
Now I have to get hold of Lummox, his other biographical book.
Saturday, February 24, 2007
Saturday Sun
Mr. Temperature said it was 39.4 outside this morning when I left to do a Dam Ride. I left all my cold weather gear in the garage so it was nice and frozen to put on.
I saw a horse that looked like a dog in Fletcher Hills. Should have brought the camera!
Saw a strung-out group of bicyclists along Prospect in Santee.
Not so many people along the Father Serra Trail, but when I got to (finally, after granny gear Jackson Drive hill) there were ZILLIONS. Well, there were probaby 50 kids on bikes weaving around. And there were lots of dog walkers. Must have been Kids'n'Dogs Day at the lake. Lots of fisherpeople, too, including one guy in an innertube kinda thing.
Not a bad ride, 24 miles total, 12.4 miles in the first hour.
I saw a horse that looked like a dog in Fletcher Hills. Should have brought the camera!
Saw a strung-out group of bicyclists along Prospect in Santee.
Not so many people along the Father Serra Trail, but when I got to (finally, after granny gear Jackson Drive hill) there were ZILLIONS. Well, there were probaby 50 kids on bikes weaving around. And there were lots of dog walkers. Must have been Kids'n'Dogs Day at the lake. Lots of fisherpeople, too, including one guy in an innertube kinda thing.
Not a bad ride, 24 miles total, 12.4 miles in the first hour.
Wednesday, February 21, 2007
Reading List
Not riding during the week, of course.
But I AM reading!! Current book: Heft On Wheels, by Mike Magnuson
Bicycle Books I've Read In The Past (Title links go to amazon.com, hopefully!)
Miles From Nowhere, by Barbara Savage
Barbara and her husband bicycle around the world. I've read this AT LEAST three times.
The Great Bicycling Expedition, by William Anderson
Mr. Anderson takes his family to Europe for a bicycle trip. Very funny!
Tales From The Bike Shop, by Maynard Hershon
A collection of his columns. Some very good stuff in there. I want a Hetchins!
It's Not About The Bike and Every Second Counts, by Lance Armstrong
Inspirational books about surviving cancer, and bicycle racing.
The Big Loop, by Claire Huchet Bishop
Fictional children's book from the 50s about a boy who wants to race in the Tour de France.
Hearts Of Lions, by Peter Joffre Nye
The story of Amrican bicycle racing is the sub-title.
Bobke, by Bob Roll
The author tells about his adventures as a professional bicycle racer.
Dead Air: A Cycling Murder Mystery, by Greg Moody
It's a murder mystery.
Major Taylor , by Lesa Cline-Ransome and James E. Ransome
A picture book about the famous African-American bicycle champion from the 1890s.
But I AM reading!! Current book: Heft On Wheels, by Mike Magnuson
Bicycle Books I've Read In The Past (Title links go to amazon.com, hopefully!)
Miles From Nowhere, by Barbara Savage
Barbara and her husband bicycle around the world. I've read this AT LEAST three times.
The Great Bicycling Expedition, by William Anderson
Mr. Anderson takes his family to Europe for a bicycle trip. Very funny!
Tales From The Bike Shop, by Maynard Hershon
A collection of his columns. Some very good stuff in there. I want a Hetchins!
It's Not About The Bike and Every Second Counts, by Lance Armstrong
Inspirational books about surviving cancer, and bicycle racing.
The Big Loop, by Claire Huchet Bishop
Fictional children's book from the 50s about a boy who wants to race in the Tour de France.
Hearts Of Lions, by Peter Joffre Nye
The story of Amrican bicycle racing is the sub-title.
Bobke, by Bob Roll
The author tells about his adventures as a professional bicycle racer.
Dead Air: A Cycling Murder Mystery, by Greg Moody
It's a murder mystery.
Major Taylor , by Lesa Cline-Ransome and James E. Ransome
A picture book about the famous African-American bicycle champion from the 1890s.
Sunday, February 18, 2007
Weather Is changing, AGAIN?
The weather people say it might rain tonight. It was clear and warm yesterday as I roamed around the city collecting cigarettes, a birthday card, and a couple libery books. I was better tired afterwards, and even thought I had been in bed all morning I went back to bed for the rest of the day and night, alternating sleeping and reading.
Today I finished one of the books (a Tony Hillerman) so I biked up to the libery on the SCHWINN to return it. I rode on over to a park (that I can't remember the name of, or I would tell you) that smelled of eculyptus, probably because of all the trees there.
It's overcast with those high thin clouds. There was a bit of a head-wind some of the time, but it wasn't totally constant. I really only noticed it when I came out of lee-side of a hill and it wapped me in the face!
As it were.
I felt pretty tired, but in an odd not-tired way. It's wierd. When I got home I clipped some weeds with the grass clippers, then I came in and typed this up.
The handlebars fall off, nor the fork, so I guess my repair is holding up.
As far as mileage, so far this week:
Schwinn -- approx. 6 miles
Jamis -- approx. 10 miles.
I don't have radiation on Monday, because of the holiday, so maybe I will do a little ride then.
If it doesn't rain.
Today I finished one of the books (a Tony Hillerman) so I biked up to the libery on the SCHWINN to return it. I rode on over to a park (that I can't remember the name of, or I would tell you) that smelled of eculyptus, probably because of all the trees there.
It's overcast with those high thin clouds. There was a bit of a head-wind some of the time, but it wasn't totally constant. I really only noticed it when I came out of lee-side of a hill and it wapped me in the face!
As it were.
I felt pretty tired, but in an odd not-tired way. It's wierd. When I got home I clipped some weeds with the grass clippers, then I came in and typed this up.
The handlebars fall off, nor the fork, so I guess my repair is holding up.
As far as mileage, so far this week:
Schwinn -- approx. 6 miles
Jamis -- approx. 10 miles.
I don't have radiation on Monday, because of the holiday, so maybe I will do a little ride then.
If it doesn't rain.
Sunday, February 11, 2007
Misty Morning
Rode over to El Cajon, going up Fletcher Parkway. I can't explain these vehicle tracks in the grass, it looks like they are going in the wrong direction.
Went down into The Box via Hillside Park, an interesting path with a nice pine tree smell. By now it was getting a bit misty, with a few tiny drops of water appearing here and there on the bike.
Saw a dead cat in the bike lane on North Marshall. Yuck!
This driveway looks pretty well blocked by the owner.
The mist never turned into rain, so it was a nice dry ride, but my glasses were misted up. Not that I'm afraid of rain, you understand, but I hate having to clean the grit off the bike.
Total mileage for the week was, oh, let us say 25 miles.
Finished the Maynard Hershon book, Tales From The Bike Shop. When I win the lottery I want a Hetchins. Started reading Lance Armstrong's second book, Every Second Counts. Thanks to Steve the L. for both books from his personal library.
I ran across an old friend on the shelves the other day, William Anderson's The Great Bicycle Expedition. It's the story of a man who takes his family on a bicycle trip through Europe. It was pretty funny, and it's based on actual events. He wrote several books that told of his adventures in houseboats and driving RVs, for example. I found that he died in 2003 and his papers are at the Albertsons Library at Boise State University. I also found that his family has started the Andy Anderson Stem Cell Research Fund to raise contributions for, well, stem cell research.
Went down into The Box via Hillside Park, an interesting path with a nice pine tree smell. By now it was getting a bit misty, with a few tiny drops of water appearing here and there on the bike.
Saw a dead cat in the bike lane on North Marshall. Yuck!
This driveway looks pretty well blocked by the owner.
The mist never turned into rain, so it was a nice dry ride, but my glasses were misted up. Not that I'm afraid of rain, you understand, but I hate having to clean the grit off the bike.
Total mileage for the week was, oh, let us say 25 miles.
Finished the Maynard Hershon book, Tales From The Bike Shop. When I win the lottery I want a Hetchins. Started reading Lance Armstrong's second book, Every Second Counts. Thanks to Steve the L. for both books from his personal library.
I ran across an old friend on the shelves the other day, William Anderson's The Great Bicycle Expedition. It's the story of a man who takes his family on a bicycle trip through Europe. It was pretty funny, and it's based on actual events. He wrote several books that told of his adventures in houseboats and driving RVs, for example. I found that he died in 2003 and his papers are at the Albertsons Library at Boise State University. I also found that his family has started the Andy Anderson Stem Cell Research Fund to raise contributions for, well, stem cell research.
Saturday, February 10, 2007
Anticipating Rain
It's an odd kind of weather day. Lightly overcast, with a smell of change in the air. The weather guys are predicting a little rain tomorrow. Perhaps I should water the plant or wash (WARSH!) the car to ensure it.
I RODE THE BIKE TODAY (Jamis)! I rode to the cigarette shops and laid in some cigs for the spouse (meh), went to the ATM (machine!) and got her allowance. Along the way I got pooped on by a seagull (near Costco). I'm not recalling that ever happening before. It wasn't a BIG poop, but it sure made a big noise plopping!
I dropped of the supplies, then headed over to Ye Olde Bicycle Shoppe.
Life In A Fifth Wheel RV (Some pictures of the shoppe)
UCSD Guardian Online (Pictures and story)
SignOn San Diego (Story and map)
Very interesting place. They had the fork ready for the Schwinn and charged an extremely reasonable price. The guy came out and looked at my Jamis and asked about the headlight. I told him about the GIANT battery I usually carried (not this time) and how I COULD run a 55 watt headlight if I wanted to. He didn't say anything about the cobby appearance. I forgot to tell him that the main advantage of this system is that I can fix it myself.
Now all I have to do is mount the fork on the Schwinn! Another adventure!
I don't know if I can ride tomorrow, it might rain! Yikes!
I intend to ride to radiation on Monday, however. ON THE SCHWINN!
I RODE THE BIKE TODAY (Jamis)! I rode to the cigarette shops and laid in some cigs for the spouse (meh), went to the ATM (machine!) and got her allowance. Along the way I got pooped on by a seagull (near Costco). I'm not recalling that ever happening before. It wasn't a BIG poop, but it sure made a big noise plopping!
I dropped of the supplies, then headed over to Ye Olde Bicycle Shoppe.
Life In A Fifth Wheel RV (Some pictures of the shoppe)
UCSD Guardian Online (Pictures and story)
SignOn San Diego (Story and map)
Very interesting place. They had the fork ready for the Schwinn and charged an extremely reasonable price. The guy came out and looked at my Jamis and asked about the headlight. I told him about the GIANT battery I usually carried (not this time) and how I COULD run a 55 watt headlight if I wanted to. He didn't say anything about the cobby appearance. I forgot to tell him that the main advantage of this system is that I can fix it myself.
Now all I have to do is mount the fork on the Schwinn! Another adventure!
I don't know if I can ride tomorrow, it might rain! Yikes!
I intend to ride to radiation on Monday, however. ON THE SCHWINN!
Saturday, February 03, 2007
Headsets, Threat Or Menance?
Dutifully worked on the Schwinn headset today.
The old upper and lower cups popped out without too much trouble with a bit of persuasion from the wooden mallet and punch. The new Shimano 600 cups went in with just hand pressure, with a couple little taps on the the bottem cup with a brass drift and the mallet.
Does that mean they aren't tight enough? I don't know, they feel good to me.
The bottom race, on the fork, took a bit more pounding, but it finally came off.
Surprise, surprise, whoever put it on last time used a piece of a Pepsi can to shim it!
click on the images, zooomr.com has the big version. It's better!
Shades of Zen And The Art Of Motorcycle Maintainence!
Hey, it worked...
Now, as to putting the new bottom race on...not so much. It would only go on so far, and didn't seem to be a close enough fit so I didn't feel comfortable pounding it home. So there it sits.
click on the images, zooomr.com has the big version. It's better!
I also tried GENTLY threading the upper race on to the fork...no go. The old upper race goes on, but it's VERY loose. The old lock nut won't go back on, either.
How about those threads?
click on the images, zooomr.com has the big version. It's better!
They look a little wierd up at the top.
Here's the other side.
click on the images, zooomr.com has the big version. It's better!
I don't know what happened to the camera flash, but you can see the threads don't look wonderful.
I guess I'm going to have to break down and take the fork to a shop to be looked at. I don't want to spend a zillion dollers for a tool I'll only use once.
Oh well! Adventures in bicycle repair!
The old upper and lower cups popped out without too much trouble with a bit of persuasion from the wooden mallet and punch. The new Shimano 600 cups went in with just hand pressure, with a couple little taps on the the bottem cup with a brass drift and the mallet.
Does that mean they aren't tight enough? I don't know, they feel good to me.
The bottom race, on the fork, took a bit more pounding, but it finally came off.
Surprise, surprise, whoever put it on last time used a piece of a Pepsi can to shim it!
Shades of Zen And The Art Of Motorcycle Maintainence!
Hey, it worked...
Now, as to putting the new bottom race on...not so much. It would only go on so far, and didn't seem to be a close enough fit so I didn't feel comfortable pounding it home. So there it sits.
I also tried GENTLY threading the upper race on to the fork...no go. The old upper race goes on, but it's VERY loose. The old lock nut won't go back on, either.
How about those threads?
They look a little wierd up at the top.
Here's the other side.
I don't know what happened to the camera flash, but you can see the threads don't look wonderful.
I guess I'm going to have to break down and take the fork to a shop to be looked at. I don't want to spend a zillion dollers for a tool I'll only use once.
Oh well! Adventures in bicycle repair!
Friday, February 02, 2007
Summary Of The Day, Friday
Rode the bike two days to work.
Nice moonSET (the image title notwithstanding) this morning, managed to catch it just before it dropped behind Cowles Mountain.
(This image is MUCH nicer bigger, so click on it, you know the drill!)
I just KNOW you want to see the new mirror, so here's a couple shots of it.
I don't know who the chick is, she was just standing around...
Mr. Steve the M. generously gave me this headset, I think I mentioned before. I INTEND to install it this weekend. I say INTEND...
(ALL these images are clickable, it's my way.)
I also INTEND not to screw it up! I suspect I over-tightened the locking ring last time. I INTEND not to do that again! Blue Loctite could be my friend, again.
I've got around 19 miles so far commuting to work this week. The next couple months, not so much, as I have to visit the doctor every weekday for zapping. I'm not one of those super-dedicated bicycle commuters, I'm willing to drive for convenience. I spent many years not having a car, so now that I've got one I'm taking advantage of it. Plus, my work has been very generous in letting me go to the many doctor visits with no squabble , so I feel I owe them something time-wise, so I will drive to lessen the gone-time.
Nice moonSET (the image title notwithstanding) this morning, managed to catch it just before it dropped behind Cowles Mountain.
I just KNOW you want to see the new mirror, so here's a couple shots of it.
I don't know who the chick is, she was just standing around...
Mr. Steve the M. generously gave me this headset, I think I mentioned before. I INTEND to install it this weekend. I say INTEND...
I also INTEND not to screw it up! I suspect I over-tightened the locking ring last time. I INTEND not to do that again! Blue Loctite could be my friend, again.
I've got around 19 miles so far commuting to work this week. The next couple months, not so much, as I have to visit the doctor every weekday for zapping. I'm not one of those super-dedicated bicycle commuters, I'm willing to drive for convenience. I spent many years not having a car, so now that I've got one I'm taking advantage of it. Plus, my work has been very generous in letting me go to the many doctor visits with no squabble , so I feel I owe them something time-wise, so I will drive to lessen the gone-time.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Geocaching
