With skies threatening rain we gathered at the Rusty Bridge and set off on a leisurely pace into the darkness. This was a morning for conversation, so two by two we rode, chatting it up about upcoming rides and plans. Vehicle drivers were challenging this morning. At one crossing, the car slowed, we proceeded into the crosswalk, but then suddenly the car accelerated through the intersection. In another place, an oncoming car was doing about 15 mph over the speed limit, but we didn’t realize that until they were nearly on us. That’s one huge advantage of following the speed limit … others can predict your arrival time pretty accurately. But no real near misses this morning, and for the most part, courteous drivers were encountered.
The rain held off until after the ride. The forecast is for clearing skies and lower humidity. A lot of bike projects are on tap for the day, including cleaning the bike, prepping for the ride, washing my cycling kits, and making sure all the paperwork is properly done.
This Ride: 21.1 miles
Month: 42.8 miles
2012: 4,402.4 miles
Total since 1/1/2010: 18,256.1 miles
Does that last post really read September 11th? Has it really been 3 weeks?
In that time I’ve ridden, worked very long hours getting ready to leave on vacation, and went to the Alabama Gulf Coast for a week.
I finally got back on the bike this morning.
I’ve also been prepping for the Epic October Ride. That’s where the focus is this week.
Epic October Ride includes:
- A Friday 7:00 pm start for an overnight 200k from Stevensville, MD to Salisbury, MD.
- Riding the Seagull Century on Saturday.
- A 130k return trip from Salisbury, MD to Stevensville, MD
That’s right, I anticipate about 315 miles by the time we are done Saturday evening. (That doesn’t count the 25 miles for the breakfast ride Friday morning.) By the end of the week I should have more miles in October than I accomplished in all of September.
I’ve made two purchases for this Epic October Ride:
First was the Axiom Atlas Handlebar Bag. I’m guessing I’ll need some carry space for 300+ miles with many of those miles without food or water service.
Second was this nice accessory mount from VeloOrange. It brings the Garmin and the headlight forward and up a little higher for better visibility and to give more room on the handlebars.
Now it is a matter of getting the bike cleaned up, new tires on, and install new brakes. I’ll be ready to go.
This Ride: 21.7 miles
Month: 21.7 miles
2012: 4,381.3 miles
Total since 1/1/2010: 18,235 miles
Late last week, when I determined I needed a “comp” day off work AND a September 200k ride, I determined that Monday would be the day. The forecast was for cool and sunny temperatures … perfect!
Monday arrived and dawned as promised. It was 59° F with a forecast high of 77. I delayed my start until Lori got off to work, and pushed off for a solo 200k on a route that was new to me. I had a Garmin file loaded up and the cue sheets were hanging from by brake cables. I opted for two water bottles and no camelback. That decision, more than any other, would come back to haunt me.
It’s Friday! That means Friendly-Fixie-Friday, breakfast in Annapolis and a gentle ride with friends. We get to watch the entire sunrise from the saddle of a bike on these mornings, and we were not disappointed. We were greeted by a spectacular blue moon before sunrise, magnificent color of the sunrise over the Chesapeake Bay, cheerful staff at the coffee shop, and gracious George, the crossing guard is back on duty now that school is in session. We’ve made George an honorary member of the club. While at breakfast we chatted by phone with Bryan and Chip who are finishing a 1200k ride in North Carolina today and learned that our friend Bill (riding a 1000k) was able to get a replacement bike for his that broke and he is back on track for completion of his ride.
On Fridays we have to be much more alert at trail/road intersections because we ride a little later than usual. This time, there were only two “challenging” encounters that were safely negotiated without anyone yelling or causing problems to one another. Mike C nearly joined the kill a squirrel with your bike club, but at the last moment, the squirrel pulled in it’s tail and not a hair on the squirrel was harmed. Can’t say the same for Mike though. He lost at least a minute of his life … as he saw his life flash before his eyes.
It was a good morning. I only got 30 miles in because of a long list of work and home responsibilities. I’m still disappointed with the month’s total mileage, but at least many of the rides were on the fixie giving me the benefit of more work with less distance.
Speaking of the fixie, this ends the riding of the first year of the fixie. I put it in service on September 2nd of last year. I’ve logged 2,300 miles on the fixie in that time, with two rides over 100 miles and a top speed of 37.5 mph. I expect my next milestone will be a 200k ride on the fixie in November.
This Ride: 29.9 miles
Month: 604.3 miles
2012: 3,967.1 miles
Total since 1/1/2010: 17,820.8 miles
The morning darkness was cool with much less humidity and the stars were shining bright as I pushed out the door for the morning ride. I left the fixie in the stable, and climbed aboard the Kona. She had been neglected for nearly two weeks, requiring some new air in the tires, a tool kit attached, a little chain lube, and light battery switched over. But she was ready to go and it felt good to spin her up for the ride.
I was later than usual getting out of the house, so my trip to the Rusty Bridge was cut short. Eight of us gathered and launched ourselves into an easy, early pace. Dan was anxious though. He’s been riding the fixie for a little over a week now and it felt like he had something to prove. As we came off Jennings Road, Dan put the hammer down and set a brisk 25 mph+ pace down the trail. The rest of us wheel suckers hung on and didn’t let him get away. In Round Bay, seven riders took off for the hill while I settled in for an easier route, attempting to keep the speed up and stay ahead of the fast guys. I kept checking my rear view mirror, but they didn’t appear until late in the ride down the trail. I kept pushing hard, maintaining a fast pace to stay ahead. I noticed one rider broke off from the rest and just as we got to the finish line, Chet passed, with Clint right on his rear wheel. I had stayed ahead of 5 riders, but not those two.
A quick turn around and we stayed together as a group. First it was Dan on his fixie who was in the lead, then Chet would ratchet it up a notch sending Dan scurrying to catch up. On the fixie, there just isn’t the acceleration there is on a geared bike. We were about 5 mph faster than usual downhill before Fishpaws. We were fast on the little uphill before Woods Church. We even kept a pretty decent pace back on the trail. Later, Dave P would note that he had his 3rd fastest time overall on the route. I had my second fastest time. On the 13.3 mile main part of the ride, I had an average speed of 19.7 mph. I also had my second fastest time on Jennings Road heading north helping boost my entire ride average speed to 19.0 mph, the same as my previous best back in June. My average heart rate was lower.
This was a fun morning. I was drenched in sweat at the end of the ride despite the 68° F temps. I’m glad I pulled the Kona out. Had I been on the fixie, the entire morning would have been different.
This Ride: 19.7 miles
Month: 551.9 miles
2012: 3,914.7 miles
Total since 1/1/2010: 17,768.3 miles
I get up. It is 0-dark:45. I check the radar. Nothing shows. I get ready. I remove my fender. I climb on the bike and push out of the house around 5:20 am. It is warm (75°F) and humid. I’m on the fixie for the 8th ride in a row. Arriving at the Rusty Bridge a little early I encounter one of our newbies. We chat a little as we remove spider webs that had accumulated across bikes, helmets, face, arms and legs. Soon enough, the group arrives and we push off for a relatively easy pace. I notice another newbie, Todd is riding slower than the rest, and so 1/3 of the way into the ride, I join Clint & Mike C with him. Todd came with no headlight and no taillight. He was surprised by how dark it was at 5:45.
We had nice conversation. The pace was easy off the back of the main group. Then, as we approached Severna Park from the south, we noticed dark, foreboding clouds, and soon enough encountered a light sprinkle. As we moved further north, the light sprinkle turned into a very light rain. Clint said he saw the little green blob on the radar before he left home, but none of the rest of us did. Oh well, a little unexpected rain at these temperatures near the end of a ride really doesn’t matter much.
It was a nice ride. It was good to share enthusiasm for this sport with a new (to the group) rider.
This Ride: 22.5 miles
Month: 532.1 miles
2012: 3,895 miles
Total since 1/1/2010: 17,748.6 miles
I’m waxing on sentimentality this evening as I attempt to kickstart a nearly two week drought of regular updates on my cycling. Although I’ve been absent here, the rides have continued as usual, including a 60 mile ride last Friday on the Fixie and a regular Mosey Monday ride today. Really nothing out of the ordinary happened either ride except;
- some close calls with traffic and resulting verbal sparring with drivers when appropriate
- encountering normal wildlife including squirrels, bunnies, and an emu/ostrich
- skidding to a sudden stop on wet pavement as a log the size of my thigh looms out of the early morning darkness and is seen to stretch across the entire width of the B&A Trail
- achieving my fastest speed yet on the fixie (37.5 mph) with my legs spinning at about 165 rpm (normal cycling is about 90 rpm)
- encouraging a couple of friends who are leaving for a 750 mile bike ride which will begin Wednesday morning at 4 am
That’s right, nothing out of the ordinary for a cyclist.
Meanwhile, I’ve been busy finishing up three courses for randonneuring. Last Friday, I had my first route approved, a 200k from Stevensville, MD to Salisbury, MD. It will be part of the 3 leg October Epic Ride of 2012 (OER-12).
Leg 1 of the OER-12 will begin with an overnight 200k (124 miles) ride. After breakfast (and maybe a short nap) participants will ride the Seagull Century (102 miles). The 3rd leg will be an 81 mile ride back to Stevensville. Legs 1 & 3 will be official randonneuring “permanent” rides. We’ve got up to about 10 possible riders doing this crazy “event”. It should be a lot of fun.
My bikes are dirty. Both are in need of maintenance. I may have time this week to clean and maintain them … and maybe not.
This is the way it has been.
This Ride: 22.5 miles
Month: 509.6 miles
2012: 3,872.5 miles
Total since 1/1/2010: 17,726.1 miles
Someone asked me today if I had been riding since I last posted here nearly 2 weeks ago. Answer, “Yes”.
Anything significant happen on those rides? Answer, “Yes/No”.
There are a few stories, but they will go untold at this point.
The sun is rising later meaning we are riding in darkness longer. Many of the other trail users have not yet adapted to the dark so those of us with lights have to be more alert. Spider webs are ubiquitous, with some of them nearly having the strength to stop a bike and rider (if for nothing else than to brush the critter off your body).
Since last Friday, every ride has been on the fixie as I begin preparations for a 300+ mile “day” of riding in October.
And I’ve been extremely busy at work and busy getting randonneuring routes worked out.
I’ve not got the miles in that I wanted to this month. It is a good thing months are only around 30-31 days long so a fresh start is available.
Month: 426.9 miles
2012: 3,789.8 miles
Total since 1/1/2010: 17,643.4 miles
Eventually you will cycle in the rain. Whether you get caught unexpectedly in a shower or whether you plan a ride into the rain, it will happen. Here are some things that will help keep you reasonably comfortable.
Temperature management is everything. Rain has the ability to chill your body into hypothermia and this can be dangerous. Unless it is warm and the rain is warm & the time of exposure is short, keeping yourself relatively dry can be the difference between a reasonable ride and hospitalization. If you start shivering, immediately take shelter. It is one of the first signs of hypothermia. Get out of the rain, get as dry as possible, use whatever is available to re-warm yourself, and call for help.
The Body
A shower cap on the helmet looks silly but does a great job at keeping your head dry. A headlamp will shine through the clear, cheap, hotel shower caps. Pick one up the next time you are at a hotel and save it for a rainy day.
A plastic bag stuffed into the top of the helmet above your head will also keep your head dry. You may get rivers of water down your face or neck if you allow a pocket to form where water can collect.
A cycling cap (short brim) or other brimmed cap not only will help hold in heat, but will also protect your eye wear from excessive moisture allowing better visibility. Besides, as the water drips off the bill of the cap, you will have some indication of how much water you are picking up.
Eye wear to protect your eyes from the rain is important. But then, you should always be riding with eye wear.
A rain vest or rain jacket is essential depending on the temperatures. If you are caught without one, a garbage bag can double as an improvised “poncho”. Just make a hole for your head and arms.
If you need more coverage for your hands and arms because of the chill, plastic bags work well there too. Insert your hands into the bag and grasp the handle bar with your now plastic bag “gloved” hand.
Rain chaps are available if you would like them. I’ve never ridden with chaps.
Wool socks can keep your feet warm even when wet. Some friends ride with plastic bags around their feet. If I think I might get wet and cold, I use a shoe that is water resistant.
The Bike
Remember, your stopping distance will increase when your brakes are wet. Some brake pads are designed for wet weather and have better stopping power.
People driving cars in the rain have reduced visibility and don’t expect to see cyclists out on the roads in the rain. Be sure to use whatever lights and reflectors you have. I like my headlight to be flashing (in daylight) and at least one red flashing light on the rear. I’ve been known to ride with two flashing red lights. Work to be seen!
You are more likely to get a flat in the rain. Expect it and if it doesn’t happen, rejoice! You should know how to repair a flat and know how to do it quickly in the rain. Be sure to remove the sharp object from the tire. There is no need to double flat in the rain because you were careless. Careful with the CO2! With all the added moisture, you can freeze your hand to the canister if you don’t take precautions.
Protect your electronic gear. Most bike computers are water resistant. A small plastic bag over the bike computer simply is added insurance.
A fender is a wonderful thing. The rear fender is most important. Without a rear fender, you will feel water from the road streaming steadily into the part of your body where the sun does not shine. That cold water isn’t all that pleasant. (Your results may vary.) Without a front fender, your feet will collect a lot more water. There is nothing quite like having to pedal with a half a cup of water in each shoe.
Riding
Do not ride through standing water. You don’t know how deep the puddle is. It very likely could be a pothole.
Do not ride through flowing water. If it only takes a foot of flowing water to make a car move sideways, how much less does it take to move a bike?
If it is necessary to ride through standing or flowing water (I know, I said don’t do it), then be careful, and don’t make it a habit. Find a way around it.
Watch for spray from motor vehicles.
After the Ride
The front of your legs will be coated with road grime. Don’t drag that into the house. Remove your shoes and socks outside and use a broom, towel, or your socks to wipe down your legs and ankles.
Newspaper in your shoes will help dry them quickly. Stuff them with newspaper and check every few hours. When the paper is wet, replace with dry newspaper until the shoes are dry. Air drying shoes after riding in the rain can take days and create a funk that will get you thrown out of the house. Use newspaper. Paper towels will work in a pinch.
Wipe down the bike chain (and the bike if possible). When the chain is dry (that day) apply new lubrication on the chain and run it through the gears. Rust will set in on some chains very quickly, especially if you have been near salt water.
Throw all the clothing in the washing machine and wash it now. You might as well.
Pat yourself on the back. It is fun to ride in the rain.
This is not an exhaustive list. I may have forgotten something. You are welcome to add a suggestion in the comments.
I didn’t ride yesterday. I woke up in time, but was ill. I went back to bed and slept for another 2 hours. I was groggy all day.
This morning, I was better.
The forecast was for rain later in the day, but it looked to me like the Friendly Fixie Friday Breakfast Ride would be another good one. When only 4 riders were at the Rusty Bridge, something seemed curious. It was muggy. It was warm. It was cloudy. It was dry. But where was everyone? We set off on an easy pace and were joined by Chip. At the end of the trail, Mike B was waiting for us. He had decided on a few minutes extra sleep so didn’t meet us at the Rusty Bridge. Four of us made our way into Annapolis under dark cloudy skies and just as we arrived at City Dock, there were a few light sprinkles.
I do enjoy these breakfasts. Myna is gracious. Jeff joined us (he came by car saying something about some real rain coming). There is good conversation that is fast and free-flowing. Mike B bypassed his usual gathering of friends and joined us. We did notice that the sprinkles had turned into a light rain while we ate our breakfast.
About 30 minutes after our arrival, we decided to depart (begrudgingly, no one really wanted to go to work this morning). By now, the rain was a steady downpour. We made some adjustments, climbed aboard, and were the talk of the others in the coffee shop. This crazy bunch simply walked out into the rain with only two rain jackets between the four of us and we acted as if it were not raining. We climbed aboard and started up the slippery bricks of Main Street. Soon we were passing by the Governor’s Mansion where the smell of bacon was overwhelming. It is a good thing we had eaten. The rain continued pretty hard until we got to about Arnold Station, then suddenly it let up, dropped 5 degrees, and according to my Garmin we started a pretty dramatic climb. The barometric pressure dropped pretty quickly along with the cool air. Below is a normal ride elevation profile and this morning’s elevation profile for nearly the same route.
This is the normal elevation graph
This is the elevation graph for this morning’s ride. Notice the last part of the ride where the barometric pressure dropped.
I wasn’t in the mood to extend the ride, so I simply headed home and called it a day.
When I arrived home, I was soaking wet. I stripped off as much as I could without risking arrest for indecent exposure and hurried my way into a shower to wash the road grime off. Most of us didn’t see the rain coming, but it was an enjoyable ride none-the-less. Here is a shot of the radar for the morning.
This Ride: 27.5 miles
Month: 219.4 miles
2012: 3,582.2 miles
Total since 1/1/2010: 17,435.8 miles
Rev Rider 