It didn't look much like rain today, so I rode.
Saw that skateboarder again, in another place, this time he was on the correct side of the road. Of course, there was no bike lane on this particular street for him to be in, or I'm sure we would have met head-on, again...
Maintained the 12+ mph average for the day.
Left work a few minutes early so as to get to the dentist on time. The hygienist said she was thinking about getting a road bike. We couldn't talk much, what with her fingers in my mouth. I would have told her I think the most important thing is to find a shop that will take the time to fit the bike to you. Funny: the dentist using your chest as a mouse pad for the digital x-ray displayer. Not Funny: Most of March and a bit of February will be spent at the dentist. Two crowns, some fillings, and two wisdom teeth to be pulled. Yikes!
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
No Rain Today
Rode the bike today, as there was no rain and it was fairly dry. The thermometer indicated it was 42 degrees Fahrenheit outside, so I bundled up and hit road. Turned on the Big Headlight, the Strobe, and BOTH LED blinkys, front AND rear.
I attempted to maintain a 12 mph average for the commute.
While I tire of CONSTANTLY having to complain (whine?) about peds and cagers, today's crop of silly buggers must be recognized.
Plus work was rather aggravating, more so than usual.
Managed to achieve a 12.5 mph average for the day.
I think it's going to rain tomorrow.
I attempted to maintain a 12 mph average for the commute.
While I tire of CONSTANTLY having to complain (whine?) about peds and cagers, today's crop of silly buggers must be recognized.
- The jogger whose jay-walked (jay-jogged?) across a four lane road, IN THE DARK, to intersect me. I let her procede.
- A few yards further, the fellow skate boarding the WRONG WAY in the BIKE LANE, also IN THE DARK. I held my line!
- The lady in the SUV this afternoon, crossing on the side street while I was turning left then right. I let her slide, I've done it myself.
Plus work was rather aggravating, more so than usual.
Managed to achieve a 12.5 mph average for the day.
I think it's going to rain tomorrow.
Saturday, January 26, 2008
Sunny Sat.
BIG RAIN COMING this afternoon/evening (that REALLY means tomorrow.) , so a I took this opportunity to go for a little ride, the first this whole week.
Being too lazy to oil the chain on Jamis, I pumped up the tires on the Schwinn (slight leak in the Schraeder pump head, but vigorous arm action overcame THAT!) and headed out.
I'm sad to report that all the trees are gone, as I prophesied, along the new section of bike lane blockage on Fletcher Parkway. Go going, La Mesa! Stay classy!
Pedaling up the grade northish on Fletcher Parkway I came upon a woman walking southish, yakking (is that pejorative?) on a cell phone (is there another kind of cell device?), walking, as I said, in the bike lane. Against traffic. I pointed out, to her, that there was a sidewalk (in case she hadn't noticed.). She yelled something in a sentence form, but, as the Fat Cyclist points out in his article, eventually, we cyclists cannot really hear what people are yelling, usually. You know, my hard-earned taxes PAID for those sidewalks, those foot-travelers need to GET OFF THE ROAD and OUT OF MY WAY!!
I rode, or, actually, coasted, which is possibly different, down Swallow to El Cajohn, rode over to Gillespie Field, then, let me tell you, THEN, I made a very big decision, as Lou Reed sang, but in a different context, but still vaguely relevant, if you've been reading the OTHER blog. Instead of climbing back up to Fletcher Hills via Fletcher Parkway, I decided to hump it up Swallow. A very steep hill. I am reminded of what The Big Swede, Steve the L., related to me, about when he introduced Ryan to Swallow. Ryan said, and I may be misquoting here, "Aaaaagggghhhh!"
Thank goodness for the granny granny 24/34 gears on the Schwinn. Saved my life. That and it being a fairly short hill, a few hundred yards, I guess. I was wheezing to hard to take note of the odometer. I'm still coughing a little as I type this!
Well, that was the climax, in more ways than one, of the ride. The ride hope was uneventful, except one little interesting, to me, observance. I was going along on a fairly flat, but slightly dowhill, part of the Fletcher, at about 25 mph, when I thought, "I really never pedal if I'm going over 25, I just coast." Then I thought, "Hmmmmm, what if I did pedal, how fast could I go?" Well, I shifted higher into the 46/16 and got it up to 28.something mph. So, I just thought that was interesting. UPDATE: The Bike Analyzer tells me I must have been in the 46/13 combo and pedaling 100 RPMs to have achieved 28 mph. I can't dispute Science, but I would have SWORN I was in the 46/16...
The average time on the ride stats assures me that I CAN ride faster on the Schwinn than Jamis. Makes sense.
I am hereby setting myself up for a fall, and making a New Year's Resolution/Goal.
There, I've said, it is cast in stone, and I must abide. And how hard can it be? It'll be like a time trial, and all I need is a nice, flat, piece of road somewhere.
Being too lazy to oil the chain on Jamis, I pumped up the tires on the Schwinn (slight leak in the Schraeder pump head, but vigorous arm action overcame THAT!) and headed out.
I'm sad to report that all the trees are gone, as I prophesied, along the new section of bike lane blockage on Fletcher Parkway. Go going, La Mesa! Stay classy!
Pedaling up the grade northish on Fletcher Parkway I came upon a woman walking southish, yakking (is that pejorative?) on a cell phone (is there another kind of cell device?), walking, as I said, in the bike lane. Against traffic. I pointed out, to her, that there was a sidewalk (in case she hadn't noticed.). She yelled something in a sentence form, but, as the Fat Cyclist points out in his article, eventually, we cyclists cannot really hear what people are yelling, usually. You know, my hard-earned taxes PAID for those sidewalks, those foot-travelers need to GET OFF THE ROAD and OUT OF MY WAY!!
I rode, or, actually, coasted, which is possibly different, down Swallow to El Cajohn, rode over to Gillespie Field, then, let me tell you, THEN, I made a very big decision, as Lou Reed sang, but in a different context, but still vaguely relevant, if you've been reading the OTHER blog. Instead of climbing back up to Fletcher Hills via Fletcher Parkway, I decided to hump it up Swallow. A very steep hill. I am reminded of what The Big Swede, Steve the L., related to me, about when he introduced Ryan to Swallow. Ryan said, and I may be misquoting here, "Aaaaagggghhhh!"
Thank goodness for the granny granny 24/34 gears on the Schwinn. Saved my life. That and it being a fairly short hill, a few hundred yards, I guess. I was wheezing to hard to take note of the odometer. I'm still coughing a little as I type this!
Well, that was the climax, in more ways than one, of the ride. The ride hope was uneventful, except one little interesting, to me, observance. I was going along on a fairly flat, but slightly dowhill, part of the Fletcher, at about 25 mph, when I thought, "I really never pedal if I'm going over 25, I just coast." Then I thought, "Hmmmmm, what if I did pedal, how fast could I go?" Well, I shifted higher into the 46/16 and got it up to 28.something mph. So, I just thought that was interesting. UPDATE: The Bike Analyzer tells me I must have been in the 46/13 combo and pedaling 100 RPMs to have achieved 28 mph. I can't dispute Science, but I would have SWORN I was in the 46/16...
The average time on the ride stats assures me that I CAN ride faster on the Schwinn than Jamis. Makes sense.
I am hereby setting myself up for a fall, and making a New Year's Resolution/Goal.
I will do a ride with a 15 mph average, of at least ten miles, this year.
There, I've said, it is cast in stone, and I must abide. And how hard can it be? It'll be like a time trial, and all I need is a nice, flat, piece of road somewhere.
Ride Stats
Trip Mileage 13.6 miles (21.9 km)
Trip Time 1:01:13
Avg. Speed 13.38 mph (21.54 km/h)
Week Stats (so far)
Schwinn: 13.6 miles
Jamis: 0 miles
Week Total: 13.6 miles
Odometer
Schwinn: 6,809 miles
Friday, January 25, 2008
Dry Dry
It totally didn't rain today!
So I feel somewhat depressed that I drove today.
But, not TOO much!
Today's vehicle music was: a Velvet Underground mix tape.
The other day The Fat Cyclist answered common questions asked of bicyclists by non-cyclists. There is a nice pic of his hairy legs, and his shaved legs. You may not want to see that...
I told The Big Swede, Steve the L., that the reason I don't shave my legs is because I never crash (HA!!).
He said someone once said he had organic leg warmers.
He does.
So I feel somewhat depressed that I drove today.
But, not TOO much!
Today's vehicle music was: a Velvet Underground mix tape.
The other day The Fat Cyclist answered common questions asked of bicyclists by non-cyclists. There is a nice pic of his hairy legs, and his shaved legs. You may not want to see that...
I told The Big Swede, Steve the L., that the reason I don't shave my legs is because I never crash (HA!!).
He said someone once said he had organic leg warmers.
He does.
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Rain II
If I was Twittering, I would have Twittered this morning that the sky was completely clear and there were no clouds, so I should have ridden the bike, even though I STILL haven't oiled the chain.
If I was Twittering, I would have Twittered this afternoon the it is clouding up nicely.
If I was Twittering, I would have Twittered this evening that there were actual drops of water in the air, and I had to, as California law requires, and so many folks do not seem to know one must, turn on the headlights when the wipers are wiping, even intermittently every ten seconds, as mine were, and that I am COMPLETELY vindicated in choosing the drive, rather than bike, as I feared I might.
But I'm not Twittering...
If I was Twittering, I would have Twittered this afternoon the it is clouding up nicely.
If I was Twittering, I would have Twittered this evening that there were actual drops of water in the air, and I had to, as California law requires, and so many folks do not seem to know one must, turn on the headlights when the wipers are wiping, even intermittently every ten seconds, as mine were, and that I am COMPLETELY vindicated in choosing the drive, rather than bike, as I feared I might.
But I'm not Twittering...
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Rain
It rained yesterday.
It rained this morning (a little bit).
I swear it's gonna rain tomorrow.
I don't want to get the bike wet, I'm driving the vehicle.
It's warm, it's dry, and there are tunes.
See you next week.
It rained this morning (a little bit).
I swear it's gonna rain tomorrow.
I don't want to get the bike wet, I'm driving the vehicle.
It's warm, it's dry, and there are tunes.
See you next week.
Sunday, January 20, 2008
Subdued Sunday
Rode up to the libery to get some supplies for the holiday tomorrow. Thank goodness it's open on Sunday now!
It was chilly in the shade, and warm in the sun, and chilly while riding. I wore shorts, a long-sleeved flannel shirt (green and blue plaid, with yellow pinstripes, FYI), and a helmet. And gloves.
It's going to rain tonight.
The odometer reads 54.9 miles for the week.
Time to earl the chain.
It was chilly in the shade, and warm in the sun, and chilly while riding. I wore shorts, a long-sleeved flannel shirt (green and blue plaid, with yellow pinstripes, FYI), and a helmet. And gloves.
It's going to rain tonight.
The odometer reads 54.9 miles for the week.
Time to earl the chain.
Friday, January 18, 2008
Friday the 18th
It was warm for a couple of days this week, but it's been getting cooler in the morning. It was 39 degrees Fahrenheit THIS morning. On the KGB Dave was saying that just because we live in SoCal doesn't mean we don't know cold weather. That's it's not ALWAYS 75 degrees Fahrenheit at 2 in the morning! And that many of us SoCalers come from distant lands where there is snow quite ab it of the winter. I believe Dave himself comes from WisCONsin, or maybe MinneSOta.
I, myself, have experienced sub-zero temperatures (Well, chill factors.) while visiting my uncle's place in Wichita Falls, Texas.
And I hear tell there might be some rain next week!
My bicycle shorts have split a seam, I thought I ought to share it with you.
It a little breezy down there, but nothing is revealed, as yet, since the Lycra is still in good shape. Do not be alarmed by what looks like a pile of, well, something. It's really a fossilized snail shell, probably fossil ammonite.
Managed to ring up 53.10 miles commuting this week on Jamis, at an average speed of 12.23 mph. I really had to push it to get the average that high, it was 11.2 mph on Tuesday. I noticed the Fat Cyclist averaged around 19 mph for the first 40 miles of his 100 Miles On Rollers epic fund-raiser. I am seriously depressed...
I, myself, have experienced sub-zero temperatures (Well, chill factors.) while visiting my uncle's place in Wichita Falls, Texas.
And I hear tell there might be some rain next week!
My bicycle shorts have split a seam, I thought I ought to share it with you.
It a little breezy down there, but nothing is revealed, as yet, since the Lycra is still in good shape. Do not be alarmed by what looks like a pile of, well, something. It's really a fossilized snail shell, probably fossil ammonite.
Managed to ring up 53.10 miles commuting this week on Jamis, at an average speed of 12.23 mph. I really had to push it to get the average that high, it was 11.2 mph on Tuesday. I noticed the Fat Cyclist averaged around 19 mph for the first 40 miles of his 100 Miles On Rollers epic fund-raiser. I am seriously depressed...
Monday, January 14, 2008
Long Pants
For some reason, like I couldn't find any clean lycra, I wore my work clothes as my bicycle-to-work outfit today. Long pants (black Dickies), short-sleeved cotton shirt, black socks, YELLOW JACKET, and a strap around a pant leg. Quite a sight!
It was relatively warm, so I didn't wear the helmet liner, nor even the glove liners. It was probably 60 degree (Fahrenheit). An occasional gust of wind, but mostly calm.
I also didn't put the BIG HEADLIGHT on, opting to use the blinky LEDs. Not the best choice, riding though a parking lot I nearly hit a parked car in the dark!
It felt like summer for a couple of miles, but when I got to Jackson and Fletcher I ran into a WALL of cold air. I said, "Waahht!" Eventually I climbed out of the little valley and warmed back up. But oddly, going down one street, a level street, I encountered "bands" of warm and cool air. Not wind, just "bands" of thermal difference. It was really weird!
What are the advantages of wearing street clothes?
Eliminates changing clothes two times.
Disavantages:
Butt sweat...
I forgot to change my shoes when i got to work, so I was wearing the bike shoes for a hour.
No one noticed.
It was relatively warm, so I didn't wear the helmet liner, nor even the glove liners. It was probably 60 degree (Fahrenheit). An occasional gust of wind, but mostly calm.
I also didn't put the BIG HEADLIGHT on, opting to use the blinky LEDs. Not the best choice, riding though a parking lot I nearly hit a parked car in the dark!
It felt like summer for a couple of miles, but when I got to Jackson and Fletcher I ran into a WALL of cold air. I said, "Waahht!" Eventually I climbed out of the little valley and warmed back up. But oddly, going down one street, a level street, I encountered "bands" of warm and cool air. Not wind, just "bands" of thermal difference. It was really weird!
What are the advantages of wearing street clothes?
Eliminates changing clothes two times.
Disavantages:
Butt sweat...
I forgot to change my shoes when i got to work, so I was wearing the bike shoes for a hour.
No one noticed.
Sunday, January 13, 2008
Keyed
Forced myself to get up and go for a ride this morning, after reading two more chapters of Charlie Bone And The Time Twister.
It was not TOO chilly by nine, so I didn't wear the saggy arm warmers nor the saggy leg warmers, nor even the helmet liner. And since I couldn't find any of my two Headsweats, I didn't wear those, either (BIRTHDAY GIFT NOTE: I could use some more Headsweats!).
You'll remember me ranting about the closing of the bike lanes on Fletcher Parkway in La Mesa for some construction. They are STILL closed, and now the next block is closed, too.
Are bicyclist supposed to be pedestrians now, and ride on the, in this case, un-sidewalk?
This is a 45 mph road. And it is REALLY busy any time except Sunday morning.
Looking back West from the other side of the blockage, I see trees. I have a bad feeling all these beautiful trees are going to be cut down.
Oh, well, what can I do about it?
Up at Fletcher Parkway and Navajo Road I found some keys. One belongs to a Lexus, two are house keys, I suppose.
Maybe I will cruise the mall parking lots pushing the panic button, get me a Lexus!
From the top of the Swallow Drive hill, we see a charming viewing of El Cajon on a Sunday morning.
Keeping a sharp eye out for thorns, I went along the Forester Creek bike path. the un-creek side of path was a plant that made cement stuff. It's being demolished. This is all that is left. There were trucks spraying water to keep the dust down.
And just to get it out of my system, here's the trash net across Forester Creek. Looks like it's doing its job.
Ride Summary: No flats, no car problems. Distance traveled -- 24 miles.
Week Summary:
69.25 miles traveled in 6 hours, 13 minutes, for an average of 11.11 mph with a top speed of 27.54 mph. Odometer reading at end of week: 4,357
It was not TOO chilly by nine, so I didn't wear the saggy arm warmers nor the saggy leg warmers, nor even the helmet liner. And since I couldn't find any of my two Headsweats, I didn't wear those, either (BIRTHDAY GIFT NOTE: I could use some more Headsweats!).
You'll remember me ranting about the closing of the bike lanes on Fletcher Parkway in La Mesa for some construction. They are STILL closed, and now the next block is closed, too.
Are bicyclist supposed to be pedestrians now, and ride on the, in this case, un-sidewalk?
This is a 45 mph road. And it is REALLY busy any time except Sunday morning.
Looking back West from the other side of the blockage, I see trees. I have a bad feeling all these beautiful trees are going to be cut down.
Oh, well, what can I do about it?
Up at Fletcher Parkway and Navajo Road I found some keys. One belongs to a Lexus, two are house keys, I suppose.
Maybe I will cruise the mall parking lots pushing the panic button, get me a Lexus!
From the top of the Swallow Drive hill, we see a charming viewing of El Cajon on a Sunday morning.
Keeping a sharp eye out for thorns, I went along the Forester Creek bike path. the un-creek side of path was a plant that made cement stuff. It's being demolished. This is all that is left. There were trucks spraying water to keep the dust down.
And just to get it out of my system, here's the trash net across Forester Creek. Looks like it's doing its job.
Ride Summary: No flats, no car problems. Distance traveled -- 24 miles.
Week Summary:
69.25 miles traveled in 6 hours, 13 minutes, for an average of 11.11 mph with a top speed of 27.54 mph. Odometer reading at end of week: 4,357
Friday, January 11, 2008
Silly Bugger
The mileage total for this week in commuting is: 45 miles.
Speaking of asinine cyclists, check this out. I'm stopped at a RED light, behind a car. We are both waiting to turn right. Waiting, because oncoming cars have the green arrow and are turning in front of us.
Mr. Red Jersey comes up behind me, and without stopping one little bit, swings around me, swings around the car in front of me, swings in FRONT of the car in front of me, and heads on down the the street we are waiting POLITELY (and safely) so to do ourselves. See the pic.
I'm the yellow splotch, the white car is in front of me, the green dots represent turning cars that I was too lazy to cut'n'paste in, and the red line is Mr. Red Jersey.
The aerial image is from Google Maps, in case you can't see the watermark.
I'm even going to describe Mr. Red Jersey's stunt at the next intersection, it being possibly legal, and yet stupid, in my opinion.
Picked up five cans so far this week. Slim pickens.
Speaking of asinine cyclists, check this out. I'm stopped at a RED light, behind a car. We are both waiting to turn right. Waiting, because oncoming cars have the green arrow and are turning in front of us.
Mr. Red Jersey comes up behind me, and without stopping one little bit, swings around me, swings around the car in front of me, swings in FRONT of the car in front of me, and heads on down the the street we are waiting POLITELY (and safely) so to do ourselves. See the pic.
I'm the yellow splotch, the white car is in front of me, the green dots represent turning cars that I was too lazy to cut'n'paste in, and the red line is Mr. Red Jersey.
The aerial image is from Google Maps, in case you can't see the watermark.
I'm even going to describe Mr. Red Jersey's stunt at the next intersection, it being possibly legal, and yet stupid, in my opinion.
Picked up five cans so far this week. Slim pickens.
Thursday, January 10, 2008
As requested, a pic of the new tea cup I received for Xmas!
To keep it bicycle-related, you can see the gel cell battery charger I constructed using plans from the Starlight 78 Bicycle Lighting System from Bicycle Lighting Systems, which is no longer available. But there is TONS of information there about bicycle lighting. I think I might try that Inexpensive 25W Helmet Mount Light, it looks like it might be just the thing!
I realized this morning, after I arrived at work, that I've been riding with the Jamis toolbag unzipped since I took those photos of the tyre levers. Good way to lose some tools!
Speaking of tools, I found a cheap but useful pair of gardening clippers this afternoon while riding home. Looked like they had been run over only a couple of times!
To keep it bicycle-related, you can see the gel cell battery charger I constructed using plans from the Starlight 78 Bicycle Lighting System from Bicycle Lighting Systems, which is no longer available. But there is TONS of information there about bicycle lighting. I think I might try that Inexpensive 25W Helmet Mount Light, it looks like it might be just the thing!
I realized this morning, after I arrived at work, that I've been riding with the Jamis toolbag unzipped since I took those photos of the tyre levers. Good way to lose some tools!
Speaking of tools, I found a cheap but useful pair of gardening clippers this afternoon while riding home. Looked like they had been run over only a couple of times!
Tuesday, January 08, 2008
Give Me A Fulcrum...
Unlike yesterday, it didn't rain today, so I rode the bike to work. It was in the low forty's, and quite dark, when I took off. A lovely sunrise was mine to see.
There are still some Christmas lights up on Dallas.
For your amusement, my collection of levers used for mangling tires.
In the Schwinn tool bag I keep these blue Quik Stik levers.
The Jamis tool bag has these black'n'yellow off-brand levers.
The big red Craftsman tool box bicycle tool drawer has these Pedro's Milk Levers that are made from recycled plastic milk containers.
This image seems to not be working in the "medium" size at the moment of posting.
The silver two drawer Craftsman tool box contains these Melco 8 inch steel levers, made in England! These are from my motorcycle days, but are useful for threatening recalcitrant bicycle tires as well!
All these levers work well, I have no complaints. One doesn't usually need levers to put a bicycle tire back on, but they are handy for taking one off.
There are still some Christmas lights up on Dallas.
For your amusement, my collection of levers used for mangling tires.
In the Schwinn tool bag I keep these blue Quik Stik levers.
The Jamis tool bag has these black'n'yellow off-brand levers.
The big red Craftsman tool box bicycle tool drawer has these Pedro's Milk Levers that are made from recycled plastic milk containers.
This image seems to not be working in the "medium" size at the moment of posting.
The silver two drawer Craftsman tool box contains these Melco 8 inch steel levers, made in England! These are from my motorcycle days, but are useful for threatening recalcitrant bicycle tires as well!
All these levers work well, I have no complaints. One doesn't usually need levers to put a bicycle tire back on, but they are handy for taking one off.
Sunday, January 06, 2008
Tubular
I popped the front wheel off Jamis this morning, while waiting for my ride to the Model Railroad Museum, he says pointedly, and took some pictures, as threatened.
The long Presta stem is pushed all the way into the tire, but still sticks past the rim, making a straight shot on the hole more harder.
The long Presta stem must be angled to fit between the tire and the rim, and is rather difficult to get the stem in the hole. Some forcing is required, and there is a fear of breaking the valve, which I have never done, but have heard about.
A short Presta stem, beside the rim for illustrative poiporses, pushed all the way into the tire, with great vigor! See the vein!
A short Presta stem, ready to be shoved through the rim hole, easily. A piece of the proverbial cake!
And a piece of the proverbial camera strap, as well!
From Geoffrey's second comment, from yesterday, I wonder if he is telling me to mount the tube BEFORE the tire, instead of having the tire half on, like I do? I've never tried that.
My ultimate goal is to be able to fix the tube on the bike. Without having to take the wheel off, the Pain-In-The-Patootie rear wheel, you know. Pulled it off, once! But you have to leave the tire half-on (hyphen or no-hypen?) the rim.
The long Presta stem is pushed all the way into the tire, but still sticks past the rim, making a straight shot on the hole more harder.
The long Presta stem must be angled to fit between the tire and the rim, and is rather difficult to get the stem in the hole. Some forcing is required, and there is a fear of breaking the valve, which I have never done, but have heard about.
A short Presta stem, beside the rim for illustrative poiporses, pushed all the way into the tire, with great vigor! See the vein!
A short Presta stem, ready to be shoved through the rim hole, easily. A piece of the proverbial cake!
And a piece of the proverbial camera strap, as well!
From Geoffrey's second comment, from yesterday, I wonder if he is telling me to mount the tube BEFORE the tire, instead of having the tire half on, like I do? I've never tried that.
My ultimate goal is to be able to fix the tube on the bike. Without having to take the wheel off, the Pain-In-The-Patootie rear wheel, you know. Pulled it off, once! But you have to leave the tire half-on (hyphen or no-hypen?) the rim.
Saturday, January 05, 2008
A Day Off
It's raining today. I'm not going for a ride. Or even outdoors.
Geoffrey has questioned my Presta Problems in a comment to the "No Rain Yet" post yesterday. I, in return, have threatened him with pictures, in effusive detail, showing the painful procedure.
Beware!
Geoffrey has questioned my Presta Problems in a comment to the "No Rain Yet" post yesterday. I, in return, have threatened him with pictures, in effusive detail, showing the painful procedure.
Beware!
Friday, January 04, 2008
No Rain Yet
I thought it was supposed to rain this afternoon, but none seen yet.
I wore long pants and rode up to Performance to get a couple tubes.
I'm not sure how buying tubes can turn out to be so aggravating, but it did.
I locked up Jamis (no bike racks, what's up with that?) and went in.
Stared at the display of tubes, because, you know, I can't see for beans, but mostly all those metric measurements confuse me. The Jamis tire is 700c x 28.
A guy comes over, asks me if I need a tube for the Jamis. I say yes, he says this is what you need. It's 700c x 19-26 (I think). The box indicates it's a LONG Presta stem. I say, I want a SHORT Presta stem, he hands me another box from the same bin that doesn't indicate it's a LONG stem. I said, but my tire is a 28, he says, this will work fine.
Ok, I buy two.
I get home and compare it with the ones one the bike. You know, the LONG ones. The ones that are so hard to get into the hole.
They're the same.
I dig through the trash, I find the SHORT Presta stem tube. It's a Cheng Shin.
It's the one on the left, below. The SHORT one.
Performance doesn't carry Cheng Shin, as far as I know. Apparently they don't have any SHORT Prestas, either. That Cheng Shin was the original front tube, by the way.
So now I'm p.o.ed at Performance for convincing me to buy the wrong thing.
I'm p.o.ed at myself for letting them.
And we won't EVEN go into the Not Returning Things phobia I have.
And we won't EVEN mention the different sizes.
I wore long pants and rode up to Performance to get a couple tubes.
I'm not sure how buying tubes can turn out to be so aggravating, but it did.
I locked up Jamis (no bike racks, what's up with that?) and went in.
Stared at the display of tubes, because, you know, I can't see for beans, but mostly all those metric measurements confuse me. The Jamis tire is 700c x 28.
A guy comes over, asks me if I need a tube for the Jamis. I say yes, he says this is what you need. It's 700c x 19-26 (I think). The box indicates it's a LONG Presta stem. I say, I want a SHORT Presta stem, he hands me another box from the same bin that doesn't indicate it's a LONG stem. I said, but my tire is a 28, he says, this will work fine.
Ok, I buy two.
I get home and compare it with the ones one the bike. You know, the LONG ones. The ones that are so hard to get into the hole.
They're the same.
I dig through the trash, I find the SHORT Presta stem tube. It's a Cheng Shin.
It's the one on the left, below. The SHORT one.
Performance doesn't carry Cheng Shin, as far as I know. Apparently they don't have any SHORT Prestas, either. That Cheng Shin was the original front tube, by the way.
So now I'm p.o.ed at Performance for convincing me to buy the wrong thing.
I'm p.o.ed at myself for letting them.
And we won't EVEN go into the Not Returning Things phobia I have.
And we won't EVEN mention the different sizes.
Thursday, January 03, 2008
Double Your Pleasure
It was surprisingly warm this morning when I headed out on a ride that would eventually lead to the dam. I thought.
I still wore the helmet liner, and the glove liners, but no saggy leg'n'arm warmers today!
I wandered around, not sticking to the Dam Ride route, but crossing it forth and back, picking up cans all the while. Ended with sixteen cans today, too!
Eventually got to Santee and headed west on Prospect. Near the trailer park I felt the front tire getting bumpy. A flat! Oh, well, it's on the front, that's much easier (and cleaner) to repair than a rear.
Took a look at the tire. Thorns! Yikes! Several! How did the rear tire avoid picking up any?
Took off the front wheel, sat on the ground and examined the tire. Noticed rear tire is now flat, too.
Took picture.
The front tube had four punctures, which took all my small patches.
The rear I replaced with the spare tube. Which was a long stem Presta. Very difficult to get in and out.
After much work, and fielding offers of assistance from passing cyclists, I finally got everything back together and pumped up. Love that pump!
I decided to pass on the dam, and take a shortcut home. The shortcut is dirt, but is not a problem, as long as it's dry.
There is a geocache there that I found, but have not found the log yet. I checked again, still can't find it.
I've seen three bees visit the BRIGHT YELLOW JACKET, apparently thinking it is some kind of GIANT FLOWER.
So, the mileage for today is just over twenty miles.
I still wore the helmet liner, and the glove liners, but no saggy leg'n'arm warmers today!
I wandered around, not sticking to the Dam Ride route, but crossing it forth and back, picking up cans all the while. Ended with sixteen cans today, too!
Eventually got to Santee and headed west on Prospect. Near the trailer park I felt the front tire getting bumpy. A flat! Oh, well, it's on the front, that's much easier (and cleaner) to repair than a rear.
Took a look at the tire. Thorns! Yikes! Several! How did the rear tire avoid picking up any?
Took off the front wheel, sat on the ground and examined the tire. Noticed rear tire is now flat, too.
Took picture.
The front tube had four punctures, which took all my small patches.
The rear I replaced with the spare tube. Which was a long stem Presta. Very difficult to get in and out.
After much work, and fielding offers of assistance from passing cyclists, I finally got everything back together and pumped up. Love that pump!
I decided to pass on the dam, and take a shortcut home. The shortcut is dirt, but is not a problem, as long as it's dry.
There is a geocache there that I found, but have not found the log yet. I checked again, still can't find it.
I've seen three bees visit the BRIGHT YELLOW JACKET, apparently thinking it is some kind of GIANT FLOWER.
So, the mileage for today is just over twenty miles.
Shopping List
- 100 pack of Rema patches
- 1 can tire talc (I BELIEVE!)
Wednesday, January 02, 2008
Day Two
Finished From Lance To Landis, by David Walsh, this afternoon. It is about drug use in professional cycling. I guess I will go on record and say, and you may quote me, Drug Use Is Bad. In Sports.
But what is drug use? Aspirin? Coffee? Meth? Where do you draw the line?
But there ARE lines drawn, and they, at least, shouldn't be crossed.
And what of the men? Even if they are dopers, it doesn't change who they are, and what kind of people they are. I think if there wasn't any drug use in bicycling, they would still be the same people they are.
I mean, I respect Lance Armstrong, but he comes across as a jerk, to me. (What he would think of me, I don't want to know!!) But Floyd Landis, seems like a friendly guy with a sense of humor.
Yesterday I felt so good (on the flats) that I figured I probably was hopped up on beta HCG and had testicular cancer, having just read about it in this book. Never read medical stuff, you will think you have it!
Speaking of Polls, I think I might have one on whether the "Labels" section is useful, or if it just clutters the layout.
But what is drug use? Aspirin? Coffee? Meth? Where do you draw the line?
But there ARE lines drawn, and they, at least, shouldn't be crossed.
And what of the men? Even if they are dopers, it doesn't change who they are, and what kind of people they are. I think if there wasn't any drug use in bicycling, they would still be the same people they are.
I mean, I respect Lance Armstrong, but he comes across as a jerk, to me. (What he would think of me, I don't want to know!!) But Floyd Landis, seems like a friendly guy with a sense of humor.
Yesterday I felt so good (on the flats) that I figured I probably was hopped up on beta HCG and had testicular cancer, having just read about it in this book. Never read medical stuff, you will think you have it!
Speaking of Polls, I think I might have one on whether the "Labels" section is useful, or if it just clutters the layout.
Tuesday, January 01, 2008
It's A New Year
Rode up to Torrey Pines today.
It was a chilly 42º Fahrenheit (again!) when I took off at 7:38, but it warmed up as I approached State College. Nice, I thought, I'll be able to take off the saggy leg warmers.
No, No, No! When I dropped down Montezuma into Missing Valley the temperature dropped maybe 10 degrees. It was COLD! I stopped and put on my heavy duty gloves under the 805, but it took several miles until my hands warmed up.
Near Morena and Friar's Road there was a car facing the wrong direction in that goofy separated bike path, you know the one. There was a lady picking up car pieces from the road. The front right tire seemed to have disappeared, and I don't that rotor is ever going to brake again. The car had Oregon plates. A guy got out of the car, he said he fell asleep and hit the median, spun around, ended up where he did. He picked up some pieces of his car, then got back in. He said, "Oh f***" quite a few times. He didn't appear to be hurt, so I headed on my way. It occurred to me later that there is such a thing as shock, and I might have been of some help. Oh well, 'weak as water", as they say. And I didn't get a picture!
Oh, and I had only seen one bicyclist to this point.
Stopped at UCSD to take some pictures.
These comprise what I call the "Is This The UCSD Library, Or Is It Snot?" series. You surely will want to click on them to see the bigger, gooier, versions!
I changed to the mesh gloves at this point, as it was getting warmer.
Oh, and I had only picked up three cans to this point, which is around 20 miles.
It was quite warm (60º) at the top of the hill at Torrey Pines State Reserve. I rode the park road down to the entrance. There were many walkers and a several cyclists. It got cooler and cooler and I descended, and it was downright COLD again, and windy, down at the bottom.
Here's the Fat Cyclist Pink Jersey posing at the showers:
Who is that to my right? Are they making fun of me?
I started finding a LOT of aluminum cans now. Especially beer cans. And now the bike and my gloves stink of stale beer!
I felt pretty good going up the Torrey Pines grade. Stopping every hundred feet to pick up and crush a can is entertaining and restful.
Moving on, I noticed three riders following me down from UCSD, and just before we entered the Rose Canyon Bike Path they passed. It was Team DeWalt, resplendent in their black and yellow outfits. One of the women said "Good morning" to me. I wanted a picture of them as they slowly leaving me in their dust, as it were, but sadly the camera was in the rack trunk, and by the time I got it out they were LONG gone.
Coming out of the Rose Creek bike path (where a homeless person wished me "Happy New Year") near the golf course, I felt the rear tire softening. Another flat!
This time is was caused by a tiny piece of glass. It took me forever to fix it, and I had to endure the loud voice of a guy on his trailer patio across the road explaining to someone on the telephone the state of the world, economics, and secret health cures through nutrition. Or something.
Now there seemed to be some kind of headwind, slight but there, but I was still clipping along at a good rate.
Three cyclists stopped at a red light on Mission Bay Drive that refused to change. I said, "Where is a car when you need one?"
The car wreck was gone. No picture for you!
Heading up Montezuma I saw these shoes:
Aren't they purty? What's the story, do you suppose?
Going up Montezuma in almost Granny I picked up a couple cans. Yes, that's the excuse, cans. Not resting. I had stopped picking up cans as the bag was getting FULL, but I couldn't resist a couple more.
There ended up being 35 cans in and around the bag today! A new high!
Did you take the Can Poll yet?
So eventually I got home, and I was not totally wasted, so I feel pretty good about the trip. It's too bad I couldn't power up the hills, but, there yah go.
RIDE STATISTICS
Ride Distance: 51.32 miles (82.5 km)
Ride Time: 4 hours 13 minutes 14 seconds
Average Speed: 12.16 mph (19.5 km h)
Highest Speed: 30.17 (48 km h)
Total Elapsed Time: 5 hours
Apparent Goofing Around Time: 45 minutes 46 seconds
It was a chilly 42º Fahrenheit (again!) when I took off at 7:38, but it warmed up as I approached State College. Nice, I thought, I'll be able to take off the saggy leg warmers.
No, No, No! When I dropped down Montezuma into Missing Valley the temperature dropped maybe 10 degrees. It was COLD! I stopped and put on my heavy duty gloves under the 805, but it took several miles until my hands warmed up.
Near Morena and Friar's Road there was a car facing the wrong direction in that goofy separated bike path, you know the one. There was a lady picking up car pieces from the road. The front right tire seemed to have disappeared, and I don't that rotor is ever going to brake again. The car had Oregon plates. A guy got out of the car, he said he fell asleep and hit the median, spun around, ended up where he did. He picked up some pieces of his car, then got back in. He said, "Oh f***" quite a few times. He didn't appear to be hurt, so I headed on my way. It occurred to me later that there is such a thing as shock, and I might have been of some help. Oh well, 'weak as water", as they say. And I didn't get a picture!
Oh, and I had only seen one bicyclist to this point.
Stopped at UCSD to take some pictures.
These comprise what I call the "Is This The UCSD Library, Or Is It Snot?" series. You surely will want to click on them to see the bigger, gooier, versions!
I changed to the mesh gloves at this point, as it was getting warmer.
Oh, and I had only picked up three cans to this point, which is around 20 miles.
It was quite warm (60º) at the top of the hill at Torrey Pines State Reserve. I rode the park road down to the entrance. There were many walkers and a several cyclists. It got cooler and cooler and I descended, and it was downright COLD again, and windy, down at the bottom.
Here's the Fat Cyclist Pink Jersey posing at the showers:
Who is that to my right? Are they making fun of me?
I started finding a LOT of aluminum cans now. Especially beer cans. And now the bike and my gloves stink of stale beer!
I felt pretty good going up the Torrey Pines grade. Stopping every hundred feet to pick up and crush a can is entertaining and restful.
Moving on, I noticed three riders following me down from UCSD, and just before we entered the Rose Canyon Bike Path they passed. It was Team DeWalt, resplendent in their black and yellow outfits. One of the women said "Good morning" to me. I wanted a picture of them as they slowly leaving me in their dust, as it were, but sadly the camera was in the rack trunk, and by the time I got it out they were LONG gone.
Coming out of the Rose Creek bike path (where a homeless person wished me "Happy New Year") near the golf course, I felt the rear tire softening. Another flat!
This time is was caused by a tiny piece of glass. It took me forever to fix it, and I had to endure the loud voice of a guy on his trailer patio across the road explaining to someone on the telephone the state of the world, economics, and secret health cures through nutrition. Or something.
Now there seemed to be some kind of headwind, slight but there, but I was still clipping along at a good rate.
Three cyclists stopped at a red light on Mission Bay Drive that refused to change. I said, "Where is a car when you need one?"
The car wreck was gone. No picture for you!
Heading up Montezuma I saw these shoes:
Aren't they purty? What's the story, do you suppose?
Going up Montezuma in almost Granny I picked up a couple cans. Yes, that's the excuse, cans. Not resting. I had stopped picking up cans as the bag was getting FULL, but I couldn't resist a couple more.
There ended up being 35 cans in and around the bag today! A new high!
Did you take the Can Poll yet?
So eventually I got home, and I was not totally wasted, so I feel pretty good about the trip. It's too bad I couldn't power up the hills, but, there yah go.
RIDE STATISTICS
Ride Distance: 51.32 miles (82.5 km)
Ride Time: 4 hours 13 minutes 14 seconds
Average Speed: 12.16 mph (19.5 km h)
Highest Speed: 30.17 (48 km h)
Total Elapsed Time: 5 hours
Apparent Goofing Around Time: 45 minutes 46 seconds
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