Rev Rider

This Ride: 25.8 miles
Kona Distance: 5,204.4 miles
Month to date: 161.4 miles
2010 Total: 5,693.9 miles

What a pretty morning!  This was the Friendly Friday Ride into Annapolis for breakfast.

When Clint arrived at the Rusty Bridge, his bike was decked out in LED Christmas lights, causing quite a sensation.   (The photo needed image stabilization.  As you can see, it was dark at 5:45.  Clint got some better photos.)

Clint's bike dressed for Christmas

Seven us started out with temps at about 24 degrees F and had a great ride with a lot of conversation.  We avoided a stretch of Old County Road which Dan said has a sheet of ice across it, and instead tackled the hill in Round Bay again.  Only Dave did not continue on to Annapolis for Breakfast.  There was a lot of traffic in Annapolis, so we found some side streets and wound our way to the Hard Bean (Mike to Chick & Ruth’s) where Myna took care of our breakfast sandwiches and coffee.  While we were eating, we made the phone calls to MIA Chip and Jeff, leaving semi abusive voice mail messages  about their absences.

During the return trip, we discussed license plate holder “awards” we might make available to those who have ridden at least 10,000 miles and possible costuming for our upcoming Christmas Display Ride on the 18th.

I didn’t extend my ride this morning.  There is simply too much to do.  Wishing the DC Rand riders good weather for the Brevet tomorrow.  Looks like it will be a nice day.

This Ride: 21.6 miles
Kona Distance: 5,176.7 miles
Month to date: 135.6 miles
2010 Total: 5,668.1 miles

What have I gotten myself into?  This morning as I left the house it was 21 degrees.  By the time I returned, it was 19.  I’m out riding my bike with 8 other crazy people.  We were so layered up that it took us a while to recognize one another.  We are getting into the temperatures where we have to be careful of frostbite, especially since we are generating our own constant wind.

Did I say yet that it was fun?  There is a good deal of muffled conversation.  We are very aware that there are additional hazards in these temperatures.  Car drivers don’t expect to see cyclists out.  Damp spots in the road are sheets of ice.  A flat tire means getting real cold while changing it.  Ear coverings means it is harder to hear vehicles approaching.  But still, it is fun.

This morning I warmed water in the microwave before putting it in the water bottle.  It wasn’t hot, but it was warmer than room temperature.  I had ice in the bottle when I got back home.

Tomorrow morning is the highlight of the week.  Breakfast in Annapolis with the group.  The forecast is a balmy 22 degrees.

This Ride: 21.7 miles
Kona Distance: 5,155.1 miles
Month to date: 114.1 miles
2010 Total: 5,646.6 miles

At the end of this morning’s ride, I experienced a “rite of passage” of sorts.  My water bottle had a thick enough layer of ice that it was difficult to squeeze.  It looks like I’ll have to consider one of the many options to keeping the water ice-free.  (1) buy an insulated bottle, (2) use warm water to start the morning, (3) a little vodka into the water.  It is all going to depend on the ride.

It was 25 degrees (the bank thermometer read 19) when I pushed off this morning, and there was a steady breeze blowing.  Cyclists make our own wind chill, but the wind chill was 15 degrees when stopped.  Dave and I pushed off from the Rusty Bridge and soon picked up 3 other riders.  It felt like a much quicker pace than the 15.7 mph average I logged, but then that’s been true in the colder weather.  I can tell from my average heart rate that the morning was a good workout.

The cold weather is testing my ability to keep up with clothing and gear.  My feet were comfortable, and so were my hands.  The effort to keep them that way has been tricky.  This morning one brand new toe warmer on top of my socks and one used toe warmer between my sock and sole of the shoe was just the start.  Wool socks, Izumi Pearl Neopreme shoe covers, with a used hand warmer on top of the shoe and under the shoe cover completed the foot warming gear.  Much colder, and all warmers will have to be new.

(The life of the air activated hand and toe warmers can be extended to 2-3 uses by putting them in a zip-lock bag, pressing out as much air as possible, and storing them in the refrigerator.  Two uses of the hand warmer and the temperature is good, the third use and it is not quite as warm.  The toe warmers seem to be ok for a couple of uses.  I’ve ordered a case of the toe warmers.  They should be here next week.)

The ski gloves are working well for my hands.  They are big enough that I can wear open fingered cycling gloves and the ski gloves still fit.  That way, I have padding for my hands.

Underarmor tights and long sleeve “jersey” are still working for my arms and legs, but the first half of the ride they were chilly.  I’m thinking that these might take me to 20 before I have to figure out something else to add.

The ride itself was relatively uneventful.  Our one “incident” was on B&A Blvd.  A school bus, impatient with our 25-30 mph speed (in a 35 mph zone), decided to pass when it was not safe to do so.  An oncoming car forced him to swerve back into the lane, nearly hitting our lead cyclist.  Then, 500 yards later, we are having to slow dramatically while the bus stopped and picked up students.  Chip chased the bus to a parking lot (where the bus sits for a few minutes because it is running early) and tried to engage the driver in a conversation about the close call, but the driver refused to open the window.  Chip was even trying to be nice about it.

The bike is working well after yesterday’s maintenance.  I need to do a little gear tweeking, but that’ always the case after it is in the shop.

Today was the day to complete some significant part replacement … at least significant to me.  Yesterday I measured my chain, and determined it needed to be replaced.  I called and made an appointment with Pedal Pushers, the local bike shop where I purchased the bike back in January of this year.  They could work on the bike and get it back to me by the end of the day.  That means that there was no down time for me.  I like that.

At the end of the day, more was done than I expected.  Rob said that the chain still had a little life in it, but he went ahead and replaced it as I requested.  He also replaced the cassette (the multiple gears on the back wheel).  He said a new chain would jump and cause me trouble in the 2 or 3 gears I use the most.  I saw the old cassette on the bench, and it had clear wear marks.  I was afraid of the cost when he said he replaced the cassette, but was pleased that it was half the cost of my expectations.

Rob wanted to replace the large chain ring (the gear at the pedals), but didn’t have one in stock and claims that mine will be fine until the next chain replacement.  He looked at the flat, couldn’t find the reason for the flat, but still replaced the tube.  He assured me that the rim tape was good and couldn’t locate any problem in the tire itself.  He fixed some cable adjustment issues and checked the bottom bracket and more.  I bought a spoke wrench and was still out the door under $110.  I won’t complain about that at all.

I also visited Bike Doctor, the other bike shop in town.  I tried on some Shimano shoes, trying to get an idea of fit and options.  It was there that I bought CO2 cartridges, a Continental Gatorskin Tire, and some toe warmers (to tide me over until the case I bought online is delivered).  When I got home, the new tire and a brand new tube were installed.  To the flat fairy: pick on someone else!  I also cleaned/degreased the new chain and used the Teflon lube I like rather than the quite sticky stuff Rob used.

I’m ready to ride in the morning.

This Ride: 10.4 miles
Kona Distance: 5,133.4 miles
Month to date: 92.4 miles
2010 Total: 5,624.9 miles

I’ve decided. It’s time for a new tire. This morning’s ride was interrupted with yet another flat, despite the care I took changing the tube yesterday afternoon and going over the tire with a “fine tooth comb”. I’ve carefully noted where the tubes are punctured, inspected and removed debris in that location, and still getting flats. It will be interesting to see where this puncture is.

It was 28 degrees when I left the house a little bit early, so I traveled an extra 2+ miles to the Rusty Bridge.  Three of us pushed off, and were soon met by 3 more.  My ride was aborted at the Ranger Station with a very soft rear tire.  I chose not to change it out, but simply rode home from there.

Once home, I climbed onto the trainer for a minimal 5 miles, just to salvage a little out of a very frustrating morning.

Finally!  Some bike maintenance.  This is what I accomplished this afternoon.

• Wash the bike.
• Remove rear tire and tube, find the deeply embedded stone, remove it, boot the tire and install a new tube.
• Clean the cassette.
• Clean & lube the chain.
• Replace some batteries (in heart rate monitor and cadence sensor).
• Adjust brake and shifting cables.
• Check the chain for wear.  Call the bike shop to get the bike in for a new chain and some other maintenance.

After tomorrow morning’s 5:45 ride, I’ll take the bike in to Pedal Pushers for a new chain and a “once over”.  The bike has been ridden over 5,000 miles, and the measurement of the chain this afternoon shows that the chain should be replaced.  I don’t know about the condition of the bottom bracket, large ring and other critical parts.  We’ll see what Rob says.  Hopefully I can get the bike back tomorrow evening as good as new.

This Ride: 9.2 miles
Kona Distance: 5,128 miles
Month to date: 82 miles
2010 Total: 5,614.5 miles

I deferred the planned maintenance on the bike this past weekend, and paid for it this morning.

It was a late night last night, and I really wasn’t sure I was going to get up to ride the Mosey Monday ride with the SPP guys, but when the alarm rang, I had been awake about 5 minutes already and decided to get up and get ready.  All was proceeding well, until I pulled out the bike.  Rear flat.  I pulled it inside, changed it quick, and was out the door only a little late.  I got to the Rusty Bridge where I met Dave, we started off and gathered Dan at the Ranger Station and the three of us were on our way.

It was pleasant enough.  I tried ski gloves this morning, and my hands were a bit too warm.  I’m still trying to find the right combination for 30 degrees on the bike.  As we made the first sharp turn in Round Bay, I nearly fell because of a soft rear tire.  I simply pumped it up, the leak didn’t seem all that fast, and the guys offered to escort me home.  Changing a flat in the cold is not a lot of fun.  I couldn’t get my CO2 canister to work, so it was the hand pump, and when I released the pump, something didn’t sound quite right.  Sure enough, I was mostly flat again within a mile or so.  When I went to top off the air, the valve in the stem came right out.  That immediately emptied the tire, and now I had the choice of either changing the tire or calling home for the ride of shame.

Tire was changed promptly with Dave and Dan offering words of encouragement.  Cold hands do not make for a speedy repair.  Cold hands make for as quick a repair as possible.  No incidents to report on the way home. I got home earlier than expected.

This afternoon, I promise I’ll do some bike maintenance, including a thorough check of the inside of the tires for debris.

This Ride: 52 miles
Kona Distance: 5,118.9 miles
Month to date: 72.8 miles
2010 Total: 5,605.4 miles

This was my longest December ride ever … but that’s not saying a lot. Yesterday was my longest December ride to date also.  If the Severna Park Peloton has its way, I’ll do a brevet (200k) a week from tomorrow.  I’m still undecided about that.  Today was helpful in thinking about it.

There were 9 of us for the 5:45 ride this morning, and it was a warmish 33 degrees when I left my house.  Only Chip rode his fixie.  Six of us continued on to the Hard Bean for breakfast.  We had fairly slow service, and we lingered a bit more than usual, knowing that it would be chilly getting back on the bikes after our bodies had a chance to cool and we were still damp from sweating.  Indeed, that was true.  The first few miles after breakfast were pretty chilly.

Soon we were dropping riders as they headed for home.  Clint and I were the last two on the trail, and he jumped off at the Rusty Bridge.  I continued on and did the airport loop to end the morning with 52 miles.  I had one additional chilly stretch at about mile 40-42, but soon was able to warm back up by keeping the pedals turning and making sure I was hydrated.  I still could have consumed more water.  After leaving the SPP group, I saw no other riders (26 miles).  That’s a first.

This was my longest ride since the end of October (OC11), although I did have three rides nearly as long in November.  I really think these longer rides are important for the kind of learning that goes on and for increasing my stamina on the bike.

The bike is desperately in need of cleaning and some maintenance.  I hope to be able to get to that today or sometime over the weekend.

This Ride: 20.9 miles
Kona Distance: 5,066.9 miles
Month to date: 20.9 miles
2010 Total: 5,553.4 miles

We are now in a weather cycle where our morning rides will likely be below freezing consistently for several months.  Above freezing rides will be a treat.  This morning it was 29.  Yesterday morning it was 60, but high winds and rain (tornado watches) kept us all inside.  I think it was the warm temps the past couple of days that kept the water on the trail from freezing.  I saw a thin skim of ice on some puddles, but on the trail, there was just water.

Five of us rode this morning.  I tried a couple of new things with mixed results.  I pulled out the hand warmers I used on Monday and put them inside my shoes, on top of my feet.  (These can be reused if placed in a zip lock bag and the air removed from the bag.  Some suggest keeping them in the refrigerator also.)  They did great the first half of the ride, but the last half, my toes were cold.  Talking with some of the others, often two toe warmers are used on each foot.  One under the toes in the shoe, and one on top of the shoe under the shoe cover.  I’ll try that one on tomorrow’s ride.

I also tried some new wool socks.  I ordered 5 pair from Bonktown.com, (a Woot-like site for cycling gear) and they came in yesterday.  They are very comfortable, and short ankle length.  They are a little thicker than the very thin wool socks I’ve been wearing. There is an added bonus with wool socks that I’m really enjoying.  They fit.  I have size 8.5 – 9 feet, and almost all socks I buy from the store are a size too big, you know … one size fits all.  The wool cycling socks come in sizes.  It is a real treat to have socks that fit properly.  It is the little things in life that elevate all of life.

The Garmin data suggests I need to do something with my cadence sensor.  Battery?  Probably about time.

I’m looking forward to tomorrow’s breakfast ride.

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