Out of it

It's incredible how reliant we (I) have become with the world wide web. I don't know why, but right now my internet is not working at home at all. Nothing. Nada. Zip. Also I'm not working now, so I can't even use the internet at the office. With 375 folks in my little town, there's no Starbucks with hotspots or anything like that. So, I just go without.

It's amazing how much you can miss when you're not checking in for a few days. Right now I'm on a little trip to Phily, so I can check in now and then.

Nothing like 13hrs of flying (love the milk run) for a 3 hour meeting tomorrow and then fly home, get into YYC at midnight and then drive an hour home. It used to be common place for me to make several trips per month, and man am I glad I'm not gone quite that much anymore.

Crappiest part of all, I missed my connections (delays adding up through the trip) and ended up getting into PHL very late. I was planning on reacquainting myself with the oldest beer in America, Yuengling Lager. Seems to be most commonly found here on the Eastern part of the US. Not an incredible beer, but just one I can't get often. Also the history is kind of cool. Oh well, maybe with lunch tomorrow!

Yay for beer. Boo for business travel.

Brotherly Love

On a bit of a hiatus right now.

For some reason, we don't have Internet at home right now(our high speed providor can't explain it), and I'm not working. Well sort of.

I had this week booked off as vacation to work on my house, but I'm in Las Vegas waiting for my connector to PHL. SWA ended up needing an emergency site meeting (never good) so I'm swapping two vacation days this week for two next week. No bike rides at all lately. Just a bunch of work on the house. 2/3 of the living room hard wood is done though! yay.

Ride safe, ride strong. Just ride. Peace.

Californication

NorCal: I had a meeting at the Oakland airport, and since I was in town, I figured I might as well see what Mr. Smudgemo was up to and if he'd be interested in a beer. He was more than interested, and after my flight got in, and him chasing me around the BART, we finally met up in Berkley. Mrs. Smudgemo met up with us also and we had a great visit and dinner. Here is Smudgemo and I saluting the camera.
Smudge, thanks so much for your hospitality and hosting and treating me so well. Much appreciated indeed. If ever you are up in the great white north, I'll be honored to show you around. I'm serious, you should come up here! Did I mention there's some great mountain biking???

Wednesday was more uneventful meetings, bla, bla, bla.

SoCal: Today I ended up making a last minute trip to Bakersfield to look at a possible project and maintenance contract. Looks promising, and the airport seems like it would be a very great place to work, and run by good people.

I think I ended up putting almost 600 miles today, and then all the meetings. Long Day.

One great thing about driving in California and not being from here, is that you can drive so much faster than everyone else....I don't know why I think this way, but I do. I've spent several years working in CA, and for some reason, I feel like I must drive fast when I'm here. Always, everywhere. I shot a quick clip to demonstrate. I won't say what my average speed was, but it was fast. Faster than the speedo on the clip? MYOB

Tomorrow, fly home, rush to pick up the RV, and head out camping for the weekend. I had tomorrow booked as vacation and we were going to go camping tonight, but, I guess that is work is sometimes.

Finish up with some fiddling with my camera pics, while driving at night.

The greatest thing since sliced bread

I don't actually like sliced bread, but this is kind of neat.

Getting down to buisness

I test rode a couple of Vik's low-racers when he was out last week. We are building a few brackets for fenders and this and that. I must say that the low-down style of these bikes feels fast. Just like if you're used to driving a big pickup truck, and then drive a little rice-rocket.

Cornering was the coolest feeling. I didn't seem to notice the lean angle as much, and the result is almost like you're skidding around the corners. Very cool.

Not that I can justify it right now, but I think one of these low-racers would be great in my future.




Thanks again for the demo Vik!

Once again, Thanks Vik!!

Last post sharing that name was just before buying my Volae. No I didn't buy another bike from Vik but he hooked me up with some great accessories.

I was still looking for a hauling solution for my commutes. Often I need to take a change of clothes and lunch with me, not to mention to minimum maintenance requirements. I tried several different setups, but wasn't quite happy with them and knew I wasn't done experimenting.

I posted on BROL, and Vik saw my post and came to the rescue. He gave me a great deal on a Hostel Shoppe Euro seat bag he wasn't using, and then started thowing in extras! Lake SPD sandals, Volae T-bar light mount, Volae kickstand adaptor with kickstand do-hicky and a even a kick-stand for it. Vik, I truly appreciate you generosity. Many thanks!

The great thing I've found with the Euro seat bag is that is simply slides over the hard-shell seat and slide off again. Every other option I've tried was not easily removed from the bike so I ended up having to unload everything from the bike, and then clumsily climb the stairs to my office hoping my underwear didn't fall down. This bag has a handle on the top and simply grab it, and off you go. Great option for if you have to leave the bike locked up and run in for a few groceries. I must say I really like this bag.

The T-bar light mount works really well also. Now in the mornings I do need to use a headlight to be seen, but even to see. This works the same as a threaded headset stem, but it mounts in the derailleur tube up front keeping the head light out of your field of view. Very nice.

I need to pick up some SPD cleats and install them on the sandals. Many bents riders it seems are big on the sandals, and why not? When it's 30 C outside, it sure would be nice to put some tan lines on and keep as cool as possible. Can't wait to give them a try.

The above picture gives you an idea of the lighting I'm now running in the back. I seemed like only a few days ago when I didn't need any lights on my bike. The Planet Bike super-flash is amazing! it's got a .5 watt strobe that is very effective. The two others were on clearance from a sporting goods shop that was going out of business. Up front on the handle bars I've got a planet bike front LED headlight. Not much of a headlight, but it has a blinky mode which is all I use it for. Seems to be pretty good. The headlight I'm back to using is one that my wife bought me for Christmas 2 years ago and it's a very well made light. It's a 15, 12 and 9 watt light with varying battery life per light setting you choose. 15 watts will give about 1.5-2hours. 9 watts I've had last as long as 5 hours of use. The smart charge battery is nice because you don't have to worry about over charging. I've used this light in -37C once for 45 minutes and it's flawless. I can't say enough good about this light. The batter pack slides into a bottle holder, or can simply Velcro to the bike.

All in all I think this bike is getting dialed for where I want it to be. I'll be installing the fenders again shortly and probably switch back to the wider continental tires, but for now I'm enjoying the 'performance' setup.

You've got to be kidding me....

Where would you go if you wanted a nice full carbon, Dura-Ace road bike? Walmart of course. Don't believe it?

Believe it.

Good news is they still carry $17 helmets.

Busy

Life is a bit crazy for me right now. Work is really heating up again, and with mi casa in progress, I'm finding myself needing every last minute of the day. Many times this means that I don't have the time for riding to work. An extra 2 hrs per day can really take away. I know it's a season, but I tend to think that if I want to do something, I need to be doing it now. Like riding to work.

It's very hard for me to say, next year I won't be so busy and will have more time for riding. I've found that very often those that put things off until next year or next month, seem to consistently do so. Over and over again. Myself included. If I want to do something, I've found that I need to be doing it now. Within reason of course.
Early morning starts is what it's been taking and will continue to take for me to maintain my prerogative to ride my bike to work as much as possible. I honestly don't do it for the environment, my health, or financial reasons. The one and only reason I ride my bike, is because I enjoy it. The other benefits of bike commuting are just a bonus to me.
The days when I ride my bike to work, there is a noticeable difference in the way I feel, the way I attack whatever tasks lay before me. So much more energy, and oddly, relaxation on the days when I ride in. I wouldn't have thought that I would be more alert after getting up and leaving an hour earlier every day, but I am. I'm more relaxed in front of the computer or on the phone. Somehow my body just feels, good all day. There is a sense of calmness about my whole person after I ride to work.

This is why I can't leave it until next year. Sure things might be busy now, but making time for doing what I truly enjoy, makes me more productive, and more satisfied with the state my life is in right now. Busy isn't necessarily a bad thing, but letting that keep you from what you know you should be and want to be doing is.
To quote Mark Rehder, "Ride yer bike."

Getting It

I think that Raleigh might just be picking up what so many cyclists are putting down. The 2008 One Way is rumored to come stock with a Brooks leather saddle and Brooks leather handle bar tape. Looks like the beloved B-17. Sweet. I'm quite interested in this bike. A bike, off the self that looks this good, with the big B goods. Nice.

No word on price yet, but I'm sure it'll follow the current model and be reasonably priced. After all, it's a fixie right.

Spy photos from the Raleigh Commuters Blog.

Getting Skinny

Me, nooooo. I'd have to lay off doughnuts and beer for that. Not something I'm willing to do right now.

My tire's, yes.

Vik included a pair of Hutchinson 26" X 1" racing slicks when he sold me his Volae, and it was time to give them a try.

They certainly are quicker, and that is very important to me. Less comfortable? I suppose in theory they are, and I might actually notice it over several hours of riding, but really, with 1 1/2 tops at a time I don't really notice it. They are noticeably faster rolling though. There was a point during the commute today where I held 63 kph for over 3 minutes! That felt great. Okay, it's a very steep downhill, but it still felt great. On the Continental Sport Contacts that were on the wheels previously, I'd do about 55km on that stretch. Sure some of it might have been that I was feeling strong today, but the tires did make a difference. My average speed was up almost 5 kph for the trip. I think I like these tires.

A cool thing I found out is that my el cheapo bike stand works for my Volae also! I started working off the ground and remembered how miserable it was and why I bought a stand in the first place. Figured I might as well give it a try, and it worked. Sweet.
In even less exciting news, I found my tube inventory that I had packed from the move! Nice not to fear the flat again! Woot!

Get Bent! no...I mean it, get bent!

The recumbents are under attack! What's new? Nothing. I think I just notice it more now that I actually ride, and like riding a bent. Why are they not considered bicycles by so many cyclists? I've only recently owned one, but I've always given them credit. They are bikes, just a different style of bikes.

Tim had a crack on his recent post. Very last sentence. I think it's kind of funny. Bike Snob of course is the usual cynical yahoo. These are what he posted for comparison for recumbents to what's found in nature:


I think it's kind of funny too.

Anyway, I think it's stupid when cyclist draw a line and segregate themselves from other forms of the sport. I used to be really into trials, and then downhill. I remember reading an article in DIRT magazine on the merits of full suspension bikes and the vast leaps and bounds in the use of technology they have over the roadies. They were knocking road bikes all over the map. Why then are you so hard pressed to find a mountain bike over 3k, when 3k only buys you a decent road bike? 10k on a roadie, 14? I see them in local shops often. Mountain bike technology, is just different. Who gets the best materials first (carbon fiber, titanium, etc)? Roadies. I'm not knocking mtb riders either, I've got two mountain bikes. It's just really stupid for cyclists to act this way.

There's the whole thing with fixies, how they're just a fad, cruisers, they're just a joke. I own 1 of each of these style bikes also.

I think that one of the reasons I am so open to all different types of bikes, is because I've ridden them before passing judgment on them. Cruisers have a place that can't be filled by a fixie and visa versa. Recumbents have a place that can't be filled by roadies and visa versa. That's one reason I give when people hound me about having so many bikes. Not one is a duplicate in it's purpose. You can't single track on a carbon road bike, and you're wasting time commuting 26 miles on a mountain bike or cruiser.

I think that we all ride bikes. You may not dig what I dig, and I might not be as cranked on what you're riding as you are, but we are all riding bicycles. Plain and simple.

And yes, a recumbent has two wheels and you peddle it. It's a bike.

The Power of the Blog

Bloggers are really gaining ground in becoming the "news". I see the day when big broadcast companies completely lose footing to the bloggers. Not blogs like this of course. My blogs and others are personal, about whatever we want them to be. I guess all blogs are, but I'm not trying to get out some truth, or make the public aware of issues affecting the nation. Mine is obviously just about bikes and a way to spread info and gain tips. For fun and directed to my own personal hobbies and interests. I guess it has no real point or mission.

I saw this and thought it was quite interesting.

After watching that, if you haven't watched the Epic 2015 yet, check it out. It's been around a while, but if you haven't seen it, it's kind of cool.

Blog on.

Saved by the Bell

Man, I can't say enough right now about old modern technology. The phone.

I was scheduled to go to PHL this week for a meeting on Thursday. I've got two projects going on there right now, and the second is being held up from lack on information from the consultants. Just as I was booking my flight yesterday, I got a call saying that the consultants would only be available via conference call. So, me too. If the consultants make the effort to fly to site for a meeting, it looks bad if I don't do the same. What's more, SWA said they will have everyone in the project just conference in rather than wasting the time flying there.

What does this mean? Well, I had my laptop, and a bunch of drawings to take to work today, so the bikes were out. Tomorrow I'd have had to fly to Philly, meeting Thursday, and fly home Friday. No bikes all week!!! If you've ever tried flying from YYC to PHL, it's always a full day affair each way. I've lost many a good days of my life in airplanes, and have grown to really not like it. I'm not afraid of flying, it's just such a pain in the ass. Now, I'll just dial the numbers at the given time, have all my files, drawings and emails in front of me, and we'll get stuff done. Save my company a few bucks, more importantly, I'll be riding. Heck, I could even keep my Lycra and helmet head for the meeting and no-one would be the wiser. Man I love the phone.

I've even stepped up my commuting plan a bit. I brought in 2 changes of clothes to leave at work, so I won't carry more than the standard multi- tool, a tube, pump, and water to work. I shod the Volae with some 1" racing tires that Vik graciously included, and removed the fenders. It'll be nice to have a few days of unloaded riding to see what I think of the faster set up.

Late Start

I didn't ride yesterday. When I woke up, a down pour was just finishing up. Over the weekend I spend a good while giving all my bikes a love bath. You know the kind where you soap them all down, wash every spoke, every nook and cranny, rinse and hand dry so they shine. I wasn't about to ruin that before at least enjoying the show off ride.

I didn't ride Monday, as I needed my truck to pick up stuff for my house project.

Today I slept in. But I rode. I've got some flexibility in when I actually get to work, and usually it's before 7. Today I rolled in a little after 8. You know what; it was worth being tardy for! When I left Rockyford, it was 7 C, which is cooler than it's been in a long time. Part of the reason for me leaving late was digging up my cool weather cycling clothes that I hadn't used since I moved. So much fun rummaging through boxes of stuff that has yet to be unpacked. Makes you think why on earth you even own all that junk anyway.

The cool temps were a welcome change to the major heat that we've had lately. I think it's been a few weeks since the temps have even been as low as 20 here in the big R.

Made a few more adjustments on the Volae seat and I'm definitely getting closer to having it set up.

I was a bit trigger happy with the pic taker on the way in. Beautiful way to start the day.

Fixie Update

I made a few changes to the fixie over the weekend.

First, I added an 18t free wheel to the other side and thought that with my 45 chain ring, it might be a nice option for the big hills on my way to work. Also take advantage of those hills on the way home by actually being able to gain some speed by coasting down them. The cog is still a 16t which I've found to be great for flats.

Second was only logical. If you add a freewheel, you also need to add at least a front brake. I've resisted this as long as possible and probably have about 500 miles on this bike brakeless. But, my commute is much different than it used to be, and for this bike to makes sense using, I think a freewheel and brake might make the difference.

Third change was the drop bars. Just some old junk I had in the garage. I like the home-made bullhorns I had, but didn't have any brakes that would look good on them. So here they are with a vintage Dia-comp form my parts bin.

Last change was the saddle. Just a simple MTB speed-V. The other one I had on was not so comfy for 26 miles, and this was off another bike that won't ever see that kind of distance. I've found this to be a very comfortable saddle.

Now, I'll just wait for the day when I actually ride it to work. With my new Volae, that day seems far, far off. I'm sure I'll need a change sooner or later.