It’s a Fixie thing.
Those of you who have ridden only geared bikes may have a hard time understanding. I know when I’m riding geared, I’m shifting without even apparent conscious thought. There is a comfortable cadence and shifting up or down to maintain that cadence is second nature. Not so on the Fixie.
It is one gear, all the time, up hill or down. The trick is to find the right gear for the riding conditions and vary the cadence appropriately.
Last year, I chose a 46/16 gear ratio as I was contemplating a 115 mile ride across the Eastern Shore. It was a flat route and doing 20 mph with a 90 rpm cadence seemed just right. I continued to ride that gearing into the fall and winter, but have been struggling with it as of late. Friday, when I cleaned and lubed my bike, I flipped the wheel over to the 46/17 gearing and this morning’s ride was the first in this configuration for a while.
Most simply put, one extra tooth drops me from 20 mph at 90 rpm to about 19 mph for the same cadence. This makes uphill easier and downhill either slower or with a much faster cadence.
I liked the difference. Now, we had a fast pace this morning with 10 riders out, 40° F, and no patience for a “Mosey Monday”. I still achieved 35.4 mph on a fast stretch with my legs spinning to a blur (165 rpm). I drifted off the back at times, struggling with all this extra weight I’m carrying. But the result was that my legs felt the burn and I increased my overall speed from what it has been the past few months. That’s right, “shifting” down increased my speed.
It was a good morning to be out and riding.
This Morning’s Ride: 20.4 miles
Month: 100 miles
2013: 100 miles
Total since 1/1/2010: 19,872.9 miles
Let me first say, I love this jacket. I’ve used it now in the rain and it is my go-to jacket in colder weather. I’ve had it for about 10 months and I continue to be amazed at the quality and versatility of this jacket.
This is the description from Showers Pass:
Insanely light at 240 grams with a sleek, contoured, high performance fit.
Engineered with three-layer waterproof and highly breathable elite™ Fabric, combined with softshell side panels to keep you protected from the elements. Adjustable ventilating cuffs, water-resistant zippered core vents, asymmetrical front zipper and a rear exhaust vent keep you comfortable. Race, train or just ride.
- Ultra light Elite 3-Layer performance fabric for extreme breathability and top-notch waterproofing without bulk
- Seam taped construction for maximum waterproofness
- Two-way water resistant front zipper is asymmetrical for more comfort and reduced chafing at the neck
- Dual core vents and upper back opening for flow thru ventilation; and specially designed air flow cuffs
- Race cut and stretch sides for reduced wind resistance and contoured fit
- Reflective trim on front, back and sides
- Packable: stuffs into its own back pocket
My Impressions:
This jacket is very light and thin, but that doesn’t mean that it doesn’t cut the wind. I’m wearing it also as my winter jacket over a long sleeve jersey, and I’ve been very comfortable below 20° F in it. In fact, I’ve often had vents open slightly in the cold temperatures. I’ve also worn it in heavy rain during warm weather and stayed dryer than in anything else I’ve worn. There are some definitely well-designed features to this jacket. In particular, I note:
- Soft collar so that up against the neck this is comfortable.
- The zipper extends high against the neck but tucks into a little “pocket” to keep the zipper away from the skin.
- The zipper seals out the water.
- The sleeves are long (especially for my short arms). The sleeve closures take care of any excess length.
- The rear cut is very generous, keeping my posterior warm and dry.
- The underarm vents are easy to reach and operate with either hand! It seals the water out when closed.
- The upper back vent is generous and helps keep the rider cool. It also seals out the water when closed.
- There is a large single back pocket with a flap extending over the zipper to keep the interior dry.
- It looks good!
I was able to purchase this jacket on a sale rack at my local bike shop. I opted for the large after trying both the large and medium. I’m 5’6″ tall and weigh about 165 and I appreciate the little bit of extra room this gives me. As I said, I sometimes wear a long sleeve jersey under this in the cold weather and yet without that extra bulk this jacket doesn’t flap in the wind. It would fit a taller rider of the same general girth pretty well.
Others I ride with who have a Showers Pass jacket have a version of this that is thicker and warmer. They routinely tell me they wish they had purchased the lighter weight jacket.
I’ve not found anything I don’t like about the jacket, except the long arms. But then, I’m short and have very short arms also.
There you have it. While I’ve not tried a great number of jackets and therefore make no comments about comparisons, I like and highly recommend this jacket.
Note: I purchased this jacket with my own money and have not received nor do I anticipate any form of compensation for this review.
The alarm rings at 4:45 am.
It is dark.
It is cold.
I’m tired. I need sleep.
I don’t think I’ll ride.
I turn off the alarm, roll over, and my thoughts continue:
Those guys will miss you, and you’ll catch flack.
Mike B will hold you accountable.
It’s not that cold … wimp.
You will get behind in your miles.
You are in training for the Flèche.
If you don’t ride, you are restricted to 1400 calories today.
If you are going to lay here debating about whether or not to ride, you might as well get up and ride.
And so I climb out of bed, get ready to ride, and make it to the Rusty Bridge on time.
There are a total of 6 people out in the 23° F temperatures and we ride. We ride fast for a little while. We ride slow at times. And at the end of the morning another 24 miles have been logged. Conversations have happened. Friendships have been tended.
But more important than the miles logged is that I’m glad I made the effort.
It makes no sense to ride only when I feel like it … because those times will become more frequent the more I miss a ride.
This Morning’s Ride: 24.1 miles
Month: 44.3 miles
2013: 44.3 miles
Total since 1/1/2010: 19,817.2 miles
I’m putting 2012 to bed, but before I do, it is time for a little nostalgia and review of the year of cycling.
First, 2012’s Goals as stated in December last year:
2012 Goals
- Distance Goal = 7,500 miles
- Longest Ride = Successful completion of the Flèche (at least 360k)
- Randonneruing = I’d like to complete an R-24
- Blog = I want this to be much more than a simple ride report blog. I’m still working out that vision.
- Maintenance = I want to do even more of my own maintenance.
- Have fun = The most important goal of all!
I thought I had more goals than that! I guess that’s what I get for remembering and not actually consulting them.
Here is how I did:
- Missed the distance goal by a lot! I’d like to blame the foot surgery for the bulk of it, but there were plenty of other factors.
- Completed the Flèche! It was the #1 accomplishment of the year.
- The R-24 was an optimistic goal. My failure to complete a 200k in the 6 days before my surgery compromised the goal and recovery both physically and attitudinally took longer than I anticipated. I restarted my second R-12 in August.
- Good intentions. I have a new domain at revrider.net.
- Accomplished! I’ve done a lot more maintenance and have kept the bikes out of the shop, saving $$.
- I had a lot of fun on the bike this year.
Two friends had serious crashes this year. Bryan was launched over his bike and landed face first on the pavement. He has now been off the bike 3 months and recovery is taking a long time. Dan was hit by a garbage truck and has a fractured femur and clavicle. He will miss January completely. Two riders had injuries not related to cycling that cost them time in the saddle. I was hit with a bout of sciatica, and have been riding through the pain with the help of a chiropractor.
Big Accomplishments for 2012
- Completed the Flèche. This was no small task coming off foot surgery. Team Chain Reaction rode 237.8 miles in 24 hours on a very hilly route with some overnight rain in April. It was a great day.
- I rode to Ocean City on the fixie! In May I rode the fixie 115 miles solo (in the rain) for my longest fixie ride. Now that was an accomplishment! I had hoped for a 200k on the fixie, but that didn’t happen.
- I became a RUSA route owner. Over the course of the year, I developed 4 routes for RUSA and have had them ridden 31 times. The inaugural ride was our ride overnight to the Seagull Century for a 235 mile day. We had planned for many more miles, but this was enough.
By the numbers
- Miles ridden: 5942
- Days ridden: 191
- Miles on Kona: 3558
- Miles on Fixie: 2314
- Flats: 2, one on each bike
- Longest Day: 237.8
- Rides over 100 miles: 10
What’s next?
- Flèche 2013. The route is nearly done. We are looking for one replacement team member. April 6-7 is the date.
- 200k on the fixie.
- Develop a 200k from Stevensville to Ocean City so that when we do some of our long rides, we can get “credit” for them.
- Complete second R-12.
- Blog changes
- Mileage Goal: Can I make 8,000 this year? I’ll definitely complete my trip around the world this year. Only 5,106 miles to go!
- See sunrises and sunsets from the bike … and have more fun than I deserve.
Winter riding is pretty easy. You put on fewer clothes than you think you need, manage being cold for the first 5 minutes of riding, then be careful not to sweat too much as you ride comfortably in chilly temperatures. Zippered vents are the winter rider’s friend.
The real cold comes about 30 minutes after I stop riding … if I’ve not hit the shower yet. It doesn’t seem to matter if I strip off the damp cycling clothes or not. Dry clothing still doesn’t ward of the chill. About 30 minutes after the ride, I’m usually shivering and have goosebumps on my legs and arms. It doesn’t last long, and if nothing else, it drives me into the shower to get moving for the rest of my day.
This Morning’s Ride: 21.1 miles
Month: 235.8 miles
2012: 5,739.4 miles
Total since 1/1/2010: 19,593.1 miles
The seasons change … fall, winter, spring, & summer all take their turn. There are seasons for my cycling too. This year has brought very little variety in my riding compared to Year 1 when everything was new and Year 2 when I simply enjoyed cranking out the miles and had great variety in my routes. This year has had it’s accomplishments, including the Fleche and restarting another R-12, but it has also come with a price. I’m getting tired of the routine. Chip and I commented this morning about the same route the same time all the time. I know each ride holds different moments, but for the most part you could set a clock at our arrival times at any point along the route. I’m actually looking forward to some snow so that something will be different. Even the Fixie isn’t novel enough to keep my interest. Is this how “new bike fever” starts? I hope not … I’m not ready for another one yet.
Our rides begin and end in the dark for the next 6 weeks or so. It will be the end of January before we see more light in the morning than we do now. We have some regular riders on “injured reserve” and I miss their contributions to the rides. My sciatica pain has returned and I’ve gone back to the Chiropractor. Maybe I’m simply in a funk.
I will climb on the saddle. I’ll go to breakfast on Fridays. I’ll add the miles. Our SPP winter party will happen on Saturday and it will be a great time.
In any event, I’m looking for some extra motivation at this time of the year.
This Morning’s Ride: 21.2 miles
Month: 214.7 miles
2012: 5,718.3 miles
Total since 1/1/2010: 19,572 miles
Since completing December’s 200k a week ago today, I’ve ridden only 3 times, each of them in very different but wet conditions.
- Wednesday I rode in 60° F temps with a short sleeve jersey and shorts. As the rain started, the temperatures dropped and I became very uncomfortably cold. These temperatures are really the cut-off point for bare skin and rain on a relatively short ride.
- Friday, the return from breakfast in Annapolis was ridden in a light rain and 37° F. No ice formed. It was a comfortable and pleasant ride since I had prepared for the possibility of rain with my clothing choices.
- This morning, the fog was heavy and thick. Visibility was compromised. Everything was wet from last evening’s rain. While no precipitation was falling, the fog was heavy enough that my eye wear needed to be constantly wiped and soon enough water was dripping from my helmet onto my face. Temperatures were pleasant at 47° F. I wore my rain jacket with all the vents wide open and was relatively dry underneath.
I’m loving this Showers Pass jacket and will do a review of it soon. It has great flexibility and keeps me pretty dry and warm in weather most would avoid.
These were enjoyable rides, at an easy pace.
This Ride: 21.3 miles
Month: 193.6 miles
2012: 5,697.1 miles
Total since 1/1/2010: 19,550.8 miles
I didn’t ride this morning. It was a late night and my fatigue at 4:45 was pretty overwhelming. I got up and considered it for a little while, then I simply went back to bed for an hour and a half. It was a good decision.
That’s not to say it was easy. Dan put out an email yesterday.
Gentlemen and Janet:
Seriously, there will be no more excuses. Get your butts out of bed and be at the RB, or meet us as we roll past the RS, but be there! Harden up boys, it is just going to get colder from here and you need to be out, if not for your self, do it for the rest of us knuckle heads who managed to get up on time and who would appreciate your company. See you in the morning:
DD
Sorry to disappoint.
Yesterday’s ride was challenging. I rode the Kona since it was all ready to go. It was 60 at the start and I dressed for 60. By the time I got to the Rusty Bridge, it was sprinkling. By the end of the ride we had a steady light rain, roads were slick, and temperatures had dropped. While it was only a 5° drop in temps (combined with rain) it was pretty cold and I cut the ride short to head for home. I nearly cut the ride even shorter as I slid for about 20 feet trying to stop before hitting Ritchie Highway. I timed the light wrong.
This Ride: 18.3 miles
Month: 147.3 miles
2012: 5,650.9 miles
Total since 1/1/2010: 19,504.5 miles
It looks like I’m well on my way in pursuit of another R-12 Award (at least 1 200k rider over 12 consecutive months). Yesterday’s ride made 5 in this series, a total of 19 completed. But I get ahead of myself.
On Saturday, looking at the forecast for a gorgeous Monday, and knowing I needed to take a little time off work, I decided to ride the Sailing to Solomons 200k, a ride I last did in August of 2011. I put word out on the SPP email list, and shortly Clint said he would join me. It turns out his wife had commented about how nice it was going to be on Monday and that he should ride. Apparently she said that she though I would probably be willing to ride with him if he went. When Clint saw my email, he was in.
We were ready to go at the planned 7:00 am start time, and pushed off within seconds of the clock turning over. It was about 45° F and within a short distance we could tell that the sunrise was going to be beautiful. During the first miles of these long rides, it is not uncommon for some little thing to need to be adjusted or some kind of stop to be made. My reflective belt popped open and the trailing section threatened to get caught in my rear spokes. At about mile 12, Clint had a front flat, and although we could not locate the leak in the old tube or find the sharpie in the tire, the replacement tube held the rest of the ride.
Riding through horse country in some gently rolling hills on this warm December morning, we marveled at the fog lying in the valleys and watched as the world woke up and moved off to school & work. We were stopped by one school bus all day. I thought it would be more. The school bus driver seemed to be surprised that two cyclists would stop for his red flashing lights and tried to wave us along.
Clint announced that he was getting hungry, and so we stopped at about mile 36 at a Starbucks where I had a coffee and a cinnamon roll and he had a “peppermint mocha” and a breakfast sandwich. It was also time to shed some layers, since it was rapidly warming up. Leg coverings, toe covers, wind vest, long fingered gloves, & head/ear warmers were all shed. We kept the arm warmers on for a few more miles. Between my front bag and my pockets, I had just enough storage space for all this ballast, for that’s what it was the rest of the ride.
The ride south to Solomons and the turn around point is mostly on wide shouldered highways with gentle rolling hills … and yet mostly feels like it is downhill. It can be pretty fast. For instance, on one 20 mile stretch, we averaged between 18-19 mph. That really felt good. It was not unusual to look down and see 23-25 mph as we are pedaling along.
I was really starting to feel the sciatica pain in my left leg after about 40 miles into this ride. At first I thought I might be cramping, but the pain was different. We pushed on, got to the information control in Solomons before 11:00 and turned north for the trip back home. Where the ride south feels like it is mostly downhill, the ride north is quite different. It feels mostly uphill AND we mostly are on back country roads. That means that the hills are steeper and much more frequent. Remember, this is on the last half of the ride.
We topped off water bottles in Solomons, and headed toward Chesapeake Beach. I passed the places I remember where I had bad cramping and my legs were fine … except for the sciatica.
I had earlier experienced some Garmin issues. My Garmin suddenly paused, while I was moving quickly, and I lost some recorded distance. On the way to Chesapeake Beach, both Clint and I had identical Garmin tracking issues … at exactly the same time. We figured it had to do with problems tracking the satellites, and I believe that to be exactly the reason. I later discovered that my wheel magnet was not located in the right place to keep the speedometer going properly when there was a temporary GPS issue. Clint doesn’t use the wheel magnet, and relies only on GPS. Note to self: Check the wheel magnet more often.
We moved up and down, and while not breaking any speed records, made it to Chesapeake Beach around 1:30 pm. Along the way, we looked for deer in the fenced in place we’ve seen them before, but it was evidently siesta time. We stopped at McDonald’s. Clint had wanted food for at least 10 miles. I putzed around with my bike after snarfing down some food, and finally got the bike to shift properly into the small chain ring. This bike has given me nothing but fits with that since I bought it. I really wanted the small chain ring for the hills that were ahead.
Whether it was the food sitting in my belly or dehydration or some other reason, once we passed the info control at mile 103, I could swear we had to cover every mile as if we were riding in mud. Time stood still. My ability to maintain the speed I wanted was limited. With about 10 miles to go I got some very severe cramps in my thighs. I couldn’t move my leg. We stopped, I popped more e-caps, chased it with diluted Gatorade, stretched, and climbed back on the bike with less than a 2 minute stop. We kept going, eventually picking up the pace once again. Turning onto Davidsonville Road was entering the home stretch and once again the speeds came up over 20 mph and there was a quick finish to a nice warm day.
We finished in 9 hours, 15 minutes. Not the greatest time in the world, but one that let us enjoy the day. Rolling time was 7 hours 34 minutes, meaning we were off the bike 1:41. That’s a little more than usual.
I recall seeing 6 banana peels. (I count them on SD2S rides). There was a lot of road kill, including skunk, raccoon, fox, and squirrel. We observed a person felling a large tree, groomsmen working horses, a lot of motorcyclists, at least half a dozen cyclists (including a person pushing a mountain bike up a hill), and a lot of curious people at our stops. At the end of the ride, a guy proudly guessed that we had ridden 25 miles. (Did I look that fresh?) We let him know it had been 128 miles and he had a little problem wrapping his head around that number.
This Ride: 129 miles
Month: 129 miles
2012: 5,632.6 miles
Total since 1/1/2010: 19,486.2 miles
The next two days could be the best weather it will be for December this year. Lows are in the mid-40’s to 50. Highs are in the low to mid 60’s. Winds are light and from the south. I’ve had a long 8 day emotional stretch of work with no time off. What can I do? Bike ride!
I started planning a ride a couple of days ago, but the ride I wanted was not to be. I settled for the familiar “Sailing Down to Solomon’s”, content to ride it alone either Monday or Tuesday. I settled on Monday. Crista, the route owner was very accommodating for a late registration.
Much to my surprise, Clint said he would ride with me. So, tomorrow we will start at 7:00 am in the fog that is forecast and ride all day as a recovery for my crazy week. It will be good to have company. It will be great to ride and focus on counting banana peels and managing my nutrition/hydration. I plan on traveling light. That means a front bag, and not much more. No rear “trunk”. I cleaned and lubed the chain. I found a front flat on the bike I’m riding, and replaced the tube. I’m ready to go.
December 2010, two years ago, was my first 200k. This will be my 17th ride of that distance or more. I really am looking forward to it.
Catching up with the stats:
Month of November: 528.2 miles
2012: 5,503.6 miles
Total since 1/1/2010: 19,357.2 miles
Rev Rider 