An eerie feeling I haven't had in years, since living in the Pac NW, on a beautiful, warm day, low humidity, yet the air is thick, smokey. This morning I thought a neighbor was burning stuff, a perfectly normal way to spend Memorial Day here in Northern New England. Perhaps a lot of brush, or a lot of neighbors, like a neighborhood burn day, all burning big piles of brush and broken furniture. Turns out all the smoke is from Canada, which is apparently on fire in a serious way.
My good intentions to leave by 9am on this first day in weeks I've had time to ride, were thwarted by my efforts to install a newer generation VDO wireless cadence computer on the Langster. The computer was given to (the shop I was working at) in an effort to convince we at the front lines of bicycle retail, that they had taken care of all the bugs they had been known for in the past. At least that is my excuse. Without the manual, the confusing VDO set up proved to be a momentum destroyer. I started looking for support instruction PDFs or whatever online for the computer. Not finding that, I somehow ended up on Craigslist looking for all the answers to other questions. Add talking to Tom about his trip to Missouri, making a sandwich, making another sandwich and eating it, I rolled out at quarter to noon.
Remembering a ride I had to abandon just outside South Berwick this last winter, I decided today was the perfect day to hit it. Out past Spring Hill, to Blackberry Hill, Berwick, Long Swamp Road, etc. After that I was lost and can only attempt to reassemble my route looking at the maps. I got a little too lost, running out of water lost, wondering where the hell civilization was lost. I made a few good guesses and found myself back on School Road Rte 9 headed back towards Berwick. A few more guesses got me to North and finally South Berwick where I knew the Nature's Way market would most likely be open. I limped into town and sure enough the OPEN flag was flying. I ordered a sandwich, grabbed a banana and an orange juice. Out on the sidewalk at a table, I took my shoes and socks off and ate. It felt so good to eat.
With the bottles full, I headed back out towards Emerys Bridge Rd. I was pretty beat. Ogunquit Rd would have been easier on the legs and head. But Belle Marsh would cut miles off the final leg. Belle Marsh it was, climbing, dirt road, Belle Marsh. I did not allow the bike to scream down the descents. Instead, I held back, resisting the momentum of the pedals turning to keep things manageable.
Turns out I just got off a 74.25 mile jaunt through the countryside. According to the VDO, I averaged 24.5 mph with a max speed of 38mph. I know better though. At least the cadence was accurate: Average 75rpm cadence with a max of 158rpm.
Check out the route, click here!
Monday, May 31, 2010
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Specialized Mondo Tires SUCK SUCK SUCK!!!
When I EP'd the Langster, I also ordered some upgrades to their not very attractive component package. Sworks post, Tarmac Expert fork, etc. I also ordered A PAIR of Armadillo Elite 700x 23c tires, the best tire I've ever rolled on. What I got was all my goodies and ONE Armadillo tire. So I swapped the Mondo cheapo tire on the rear rim for the Armadillo and figured I'd replace the other tire later. I was reluctant to BUY another Armadillo just yet because I had already ordered TWO. Why would they think I only needed one tire?
So today, my first day off since building up the bike, I went out to ride the usual roads; the dirt, the potholes, hills, and dales. I got about 7 miles from home before the front tire went flat. That's about 30 miles on that tire before it went flat, my first in over 2 years. And no, I didn't have anything to fix a flat with me. I've gotten lazy with all the non-flat luck I'd been having.
I took my Specialized Pro mtn shoes off and started the 4 mile walk home barefoot. After fuming for 15 minutes about how Specialized has fucked up the last 4 out of 5 orders I've placed with them, I realized the air was just warm enough, smelled sweetly of flowers, and it was all in all a beautiful day. So I didn't really mind a little walk. Although after just a mile of barefoot hoofing on the paved shoulder my feet were getting sore. Luckily for me, a large pick up pulled over and a nice gent leaned out to ask if I needed a lift. He got out of the truck with a Trek jacket on: one of us. A mountain biker in the past, Mike was just the rescuer I had hoped for. We talked bikes and he drove me right up into the driveway. Thanks again Mike!
If your new Specialized bike came with Mondo tires, I'm sorry. See if the shop you bought the bike from will credit you for them while they're still new and buy yourself a pair of pricey but well worth it Armadillo Elites. Trust me, worth it. I have blisters on my feet now and it's a bit late to head out again today. Rain tomorrow, I guess I'll wait until the next day off to try again.
So today, my first day off since building up the bike, I went out to ride the usual roads; the dirt, the potholes, hills, and dales. I got about 7 miles from home before the front tire went flat. That's about 30 miles on that tire before it went flat, my first in over 2 years. And no, I didn't have anything to fix a flat with me. I've gotten lazy with all the non-flat luck I'd been having.
I took my Specialized Pro mtn shoes off and started the 4 mile walk home barefoot. After fuming for 15 minutes about how Specialized has fucked up the last 4 out of 5 orders I've placed with them, I realized the air was just warm enough, smelled sweetly of flowers, and it was all in all a beautiful day. So I didn't really mind a little walk. Although after just a mile of barefoot hoofing on the paved shoulder my feet were getting sore. Luckily for me, a large pick up pulled over and a nice gent leaned out to ask if I needed a lift. He got out of the truck with a Trek jacket on: one of us. A mountain biker in the past, Mike was just the rescuer I had hoped for. We talked bikes and he drove me right up into the driveway. Thanks again Mike!
If your new Specialized bike came with Mondo tires, I'm sorry. See if the shop you bought the bike from will credit you for them while they're still new and buy yourself a pair of pricey but well worth it Armadillo Elites. Trust me, worth it. I have blisters on my feet now and it's a bit late to head out again today. Rain tomorrow, I guess I'll wait until the next day off to try again.
I have found the future of Fixie Road Bars!
Previous searches for a 31.8 clamp diameter flat bar with lots of forward and back sweep ala Soma Clarence or OnOne Mary, I found the Ritchey line of 10deg. flat bars. For some reason I can not determine, carbon varieties of this specimen are not yet available through the regular channels. I was able to appropriate an older model, the Ritchey Pro alloy 10deg. flat bar.
Although superior to the regular drop bars that twist arms and make for less torque when ascending grades perched on a fixed cog bicycle, the 10 deg. sweep on these bars seems less impressive in person than did illuminated on the screen. I am even reluctant to cut them down to a respectable size from their massive 770mm width as I may just enter them into stock or offer them up on EBay.
Searching the web to see what was out there, peaking in at the various sites of the major players in the MTB handlebar market, I came across these beautiful things:
31.8 mm clamp diameter, a heafty 25 degrees sweep, carbon option on the way. Modern efficiency realized. I'll be watching closely for these to hit the streets. Stay tuned to the ever winding saga of Decking Out the Langster...
Although superior to the regular drop bars that twist arms and make for less torque when ascending grades perched on a fixed cog bicycle, the 10 deg. sweep on these bars seems less impressive in person than did illuminated on the screen. I am even reluctant to cut them down to a respectable size from their massive 770mm width as I may just enter them into stock or offer them up on EBay.
Searching the web to see what was out there, peaking in at the various sites of the major players in the MTB handlebar market, I came across these beautiful things:
31.8 mm clamp diameter, a heafty 25 degrees sweep, carbon option on the way. Modern efficiency realized. I'll be watching closely for these to hit the streets. Stay tuned to the ever winding saga of Decking Out the Langster...
Saturday, May 15, 2010
Langster Arrived
Finally my 2010 Specialized Langster has arrived. It showed up at the shop Thursday. We were wicked busy and I tried not to think about it too much, sitting in that box, waiting to be built.
Friday was my day off. I got into work at quarter to 8 am hoping to build 'er up. Only to find out somebody needed to go do 40 tune ups at Timberland company headquarters starting in an hour.
I got done at 7:15pm and headed back to the shop. I got the lights on in the shop and finally dug the box out of the pile of boxes in the garage. In the stand, I noticed the Langster and Specialized logos and in fact, all markings on the frame were sort of cheap looking adhesive decals. That was a bit of a disappointment. They had to come off. They looked so... flimsy?
I started swapping out OEM parts for my preferences. Sugino Messanger cranks off. FSA Pro Carbon crankset with Sugino Black Zen chainring, gold Sugino chainring bolts on. Langster fork off. Specialized Tarmac Elite fork on. Aluminum seatpost off. SWorks carbon post on. I'm waiting on gold spoke nipples and a track cog. EAI Gold Medal or VeloSolo gold anodized aluminum?
Pictures will follow soon...
Friday was my day off. I got into work at quarter to 8 am hoping to build 'er up. Only to find out somebody needed to go do 40 tune ups at Timberland company headquarters starting in an hour.
I got done at 7:15pm and headed back to the shop. I got the lights on in the shop and finally dug the box out of the pile of boxes in the garage. In the stand, I noticed the Langster and Specialized logos and in fact, all markings on the frame were sort of cheap looking adhesive decals. That was a bit of a disappointment. They had to come off. They looked so... flimsy?
I started swapping out OEM parts for my preferences. Sugino Messanger cranks off. FSA Pro Carbon crankset with Sugino Black Zen chainring, gold Sugino chainring bolts on. Langster fork off. Specialized Tarmac Elite fork on. Aluminum seatpost off. SWorks carbon post on. I'm waiting on gold spoke nipples and a track cog. EAI Gold Medal or VeloSolo gold anodized aluminum?
Pictures will follow soon...
Sunday, May 9, 2010
Silent Action Ride No. 1: Sunday May 9th
Well I waited at (Bike shop previously employed at) until 9:30 to see if you'd show up. Perhaps you were persuaded by the 25+ mph winds out of the WNW to enjoy breakfast a little longer, maybe read the paper, do the crossword.
I rode back over the bridge to my studio in Kittery to dump off the Bailey bag before heading directly into the wind along Rte. 103 in Eliot. I figured this way I could take the brunt of abuse all in one lump, and then enjoy the reward of a tail wind for the return trip. When I tell people I really dig riding the fixie over dirt roads, and they think that's nuts, I reply that the dirt roads are often better groomed than the paved roads around here. See Route 103 through Eliot to illustrate this point.
And what a wind it was! Tucked down behind my flat 15 deg. bars, trying to push through. I made my way into Rollinsford and didn't intend to stop until I spotted my friend Peter in front of Black Bean Cafe with a cup of coffee. So I pulled in the reins and stopped to chat and drink a cup. While there I also ran into (previous employer) customer Terrance Parker with his daughter in for some breakfast, and SeacoastAreaBicycleRoutes member Sophia.
Coffee gone, I got back on the road headed for South Berwick and Vaughn Woods Rd. My plan worked quite well, with that same hard wind I'd fought on the way out, now on my side pushing me home at a good clip, spinning the cranks as fast as I could manage, ascending grades at over 17 mph.
All things considered it was a great day for a ride with the lilacs in bloom everywhere, the blue sky with soft white clouds floating on the current, the fields and countryside bright green with life. Sorry you missed it.
Portsmouth, Kittery, Eliot, Rollinsford, South Berwick. Total miles: 33.
Check the route details at Map My Ride.
I rode back over the bridge to my studio in Kittery to dump off the Bailey bag before heading directly into the wind along Rte. 103 in Eliot. I figured this way I could take the brunt of abuse all in one lump, and then enjoy the reward of a tail wind for the return trip. When I tell people I really dig riding the fixie over dirt roads, and they think that's nuts, I reply that the dirt roads are often better groomed than the paved roads around here. See Route 103 through Eliot to illustrate this point.
And what a wind it was! Tucked down behind my flat 15 deg. bars, trying to push through. I made my way into Rollinsford and didn't intend to stop until I spotted my friend Peter in front of Black Bean Cafe with a cup of coffee. So I pulled in the reins and stopped to chat and drink a cup. While there I also ran into (previous employer) customer Terrance Parker with his daughter in for some breakfast, and SeacoastAreaBicycleRoutes member Sophia.
Coffee gone, I got back on the road headed for South Berwick and Vaughn Woods Rd. My plan worked quite well, with that same hard wind I'd fought on the way out, now on my side pushing me home at a good clip, spinning the cranks as fast as I could manage, ascending grades at over 17 mph.
All things considered it was a great day for a ride with the lilacs in bloom everywhere, the blue sky with soft white clouds floating on the current, the fields and countryside bright green with life. Sorry you missed it.
Portsmouth, Kittery, Eliot, Rollinsford, South Berwick. Total miles: 33.
Check the route details at Map My Ride.
Friday, May 7, 2010
Silent Action Rides: No Coasting!
I should have posted this earlier. Oops I guess. I'm signed on to lead a monthly fixed gear ride through (Previous employers) bike shop in Portsmouth. The intention is not to alienate any non-fixed gear riders. The idea is to get cyclists to consider a fixed gear bicycle as more than just a novelty around town bicycle, and to introduce the idea of riding fixed gear bicycles to those interested in a new adventure.
It' a blast spinning down the country farm roads on a fixed gear bike; no shifting, no drivetrain noise, leveraging up inclines and spinning like mad down the other side. Riding a fixed gear bicycle is great training with the added resistance of having only one gear for all the hill climbing while improving cadence and efficient circular pedal turning on descents.
The rides will meet at 9am on the second Sunday of each month. The first in the Silent Action series will be this Sunday, that's two days from now. We'll go about 30 miles or so to start. I intend to introduce longer rides each month. If you want to come along, bring two water bottles, snacks, flat repair apparatus, your fixed gear bicycle, a helmet.
We're not racing and we're not putzing. We'll ride a comfortable pace averaging about 15-18 mph for a couple of hours.
It' a blast spinning down the country farm roads on a fixed gear bike; no shifting, no drivetrain noise, leveraging up inclines and spinning like mad down the other side. Riding a fixed gear bicycle is great training with the added resistance of having only one gear for all the hill climbing while improving cadence and efficient circular pedal turning on descents.
The rides will meet at 9am on the second Sunday of each month. The first in the Silent Action series will be this Sunday, that's two days from now. We'll go about 30 miles or so to start. I intend to introduce longer rides each month. If you want to come along, bring two water bottles, snacks, flat repair apparatus, your fixed gear bicycle, a helmet.
We're not racing and we're not putzing. We'll ride a comfortable pace averaging about 15-18 mph for a couple of hours.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)