Posted On Thursday, July 31st, 2008 By David Veatch
In the 7-8 months I’ve been getting to and from work by bike, I’ve tried three methods of getting my work clothes to work, clean and ready to wear. Method, The First: Involved packing the next day’s clothes each night (or frantically in the morning) in the panniers and carrying them with me every day. This worked out well for the most part. Pros: I got a full 5 commuting days in every week. I drove *very* rarely, which meant my gas savings were high. Cons: It was tiresome having to pack every day, and had to remember everything I needed to pack every day. I didn’t have my car with me at work, and there were times I needed it. Summary: This method is completely workable, but the impetus to try other things came from having to pack every day, and not having my car at work. There are times when I need to go somewhere, and getting out on the bike in the middle of the day just isn’t an option for me where I work. Method, The Second: I tried driving a week’s worth of clothes into work Sunday night, and then exchanging them for another weeks more »
Posted On Thursday, July 31st, 2008 By David Veatch
It’s been quite some time since I slid through fog to get to work… almost 6 months, in fact. As a nice follow-up to the rain yesterday, the fog provided me with a nicely muffled ride in. Plus, I was on the Torelli, so I was doubly happy. I’m looking at getting a digital camera. Instead of the Portland, which would be an additional to things I already own, a digital camera would be brand new. I really wish I’d had it out in Colorado, so it makes sense that it be my reward to myself for finishing the Triple. Aside from the reward idea, there are lots of reasons, not the least of which is to punctuate these trite posts with equally trite images. But I want it for other reasons as well, having nothing to do with riding. No, having nothing to do with pr0n, either. That’s what the dedicated video camera is for, silly. I’ve always been of the mind that if you’re going to get something, don’t settle, but get what you want. I’ve just started looking around, so I haven’t really even narrowed the field down yet, but I’m sure I will soon.
Posted On Wednesday, July 30th, 2008 By David Veatch
It was raining fairly hard and steady the whole way in this morning. In fact, it’s been raining fairly hard and steady since around 8 last night. We noticed it while playing pool, and it just hasn’t let up. I, of course, love riding in the rain. Sure, it means more maintenance on the bike (extra lubing and whatnot), but the joy that is a ride in the cool rain, especially after so many tortuously hot days is indescribable. So I won’t bother trying to describe it. That would be silly. I took the Kona in, because it has fenders, and it’s proven itself in the rain. I’ve been told that the Campy Record Triple bottom bracket that I had installed on the Torelli has sealed bearings and is OK to ride in the rain, but I just don’t trust it. It was hella expensive, and I’d rather just ride safe than sorry with it. When I first contemplated the Kona last night, I had a moment of regret. I’ve been spoiled with the Torelli, but the truth is (and this happens every time I switch out) once I get on the Kona, it’s like putting on an old pair more »
Posted On Tuesday, July 29th, 2008 By David Veatch
After the slide yesterday across the asphalt, I wasn’t sure what to expect today. How sore would I be? A little? A lot? At all? Here’s the scoop… My fingers that were torn up a bit are tender, but typing isn’t that bad. My shoulder and back are tender where they slid across the pavement. My hip is still swollen and tender, as well as being stiff after inactivity of any length of time. Oddly enough, my neck is a little sore. I can only imagine that I grimaced quite dramatically as I fell and slid, using muscles that I rarely use. I really do wish I had a video of it. From the front so you could see my face.
Posted On Monday, July 28th, 2008 By David Veatch
I took the Indian Creek trail from 101st and Lamar to Pflumm today. The impetus being that I like riding the trail. It’s very curvy, which is perfect since I generally find long straightaways pretty boring. It’s also made of fairly smooth asphalt which, when wet, is very slick. I bring that up because it rained today, which, of course, made the trail surface wet, and thus very slick. I knew this, so I took it pretty easy. I was still going at a good clip, pushing 18-22mph through a lot of it, slowing down for tighter curves, and speeding up for areas with more visibility. Don’t worry, I made sure to look ahead and leave plenty of room for oncoming traffic. Unlike, for instance, the choad-head riding a hybrid that looked up as I approached and, already on the wrong side of the path, went to the farthest edge of the wrong side of the path, looking at me, mouth agape, like some toothless baboon as I rode by him, myself also on the wrong side of the path b/c he gave me no choice. Aside from him, traffic on the trails today was law-abiding, polite and sparse. I more »
Posted On Monday, July 28th, 2008 By David Veatch
You know, I registered for this a while back, and completely forgot about it amidst the Triple Bypass hoopla. So the Cider Mill Century is this weekend. Registration starts at 06:00 in the morning, and the ride begins at 07:00 at, appropriately enough, the Louisburg Cider Mill 3 miles west of US69 and K68. I hope to see some friendly faces out there, as I’m going solo on this one.
Posted On Friday, July 25th, 2008 By David Veatch
So there I was, about a mile from the Trek store on my way for the fitting, and ready to place an order for the Trek Portland when I had a voice in my head yell “No!! Don’t buy the bike!!” It was so loud and compelling that I actually pulled over and stopped the bike at a curb in a residential neighborhood. I was confused. I even called the GF, but she couldn’t offer any advice one way or the other. This was my decision. I’ve been drooling over this bike for a few months now. I’d decided, I thought with certainty and commitment that it would be my reward for finishing the Triple Bypass. I’d test ridden it. I’d spent countless minutes pouring over the minutia of it’s components, staring at pictures of it. I love the look. I love the components. I love pretty much everything about it. As much as I wanted to give in, something inside me was very insistent that I not indulge this desire. I have bikes. I have bikes enough that there’s no weather (*safe* weather, that is) that I can’t ride in. Do I really need another? Do I really need more »
Posted On Friday, July 25th, 2008 By David Veatch
I woke up this morning at about 4:20. I’m not sure what woke me up, but I had a feeling that if I didn’t get up, I wouldn’t. Having gone to bed last night at 9:30 or so, getting up that early really wasn’t a big deal. So I got up, checked my phone (which serves as my alarm clock) and it was dead. Plugged into the charger, and yet dead and not charging. Very odd. I plugged it into another wall socket, and it started charging just fine. Very strange. Getting up that early gave me plenty of time to putz around and switch everything I needed over to the Kona. Why the Kona, and not the Torelli, you are certainly asking? Rain. Glorious, cooling rain. Those of you that pay any attention here at all know that I love riding in the rain. Given the heat we’ve had the last week or so, the rain this morning was even more fantastic than normal. I got out at around 5:50 or so and thoroughly enjoyed myself, taking it easy and enjoying the ride. I saw no other bike commuters, but was a little surprised at the number of cars more »
Posted On Wednesday, July 23rd, 2008 By David Veatch
Because someone requested it, and because I originally intended to put them out here but forgot… so, here you go!
Posted On Wednesday, July 23rd, 2008 By David Veatch
On Sunday, and then again yesterday, I went out and rode the Indian Creek trails. I’ve become far more comfortable on the streets lately, and didn’t want the hassle of dealing with the tight corridor when extra traffic (other cyclists, pedestrians) is involved. But, the GF wants to get more riding in, having been inspired by the TPB, and wants to start easy, which is to say, with hills numbering very very few. I’d ridden the Indian Creek Trails years ago before I picked up the Torelli, and only remember one little hill that gave me trouble. Bear in mind, that was back in my days of “Granny Gear is for Wussies” thinking. Now, I’ll hit Granny Gear without a second thought if it’s necessary or appropriate. I’m still trying to get the GF to appreciate it’s benefits. Once she truly does, she’ll find that she’ll go farther with less effort and generally train better with a full range of gears at her disposal. Both rides were very hot. At least while I was on the streets getting to and from the trail. Once on the trail, the temperature cooled down dramatically. Between the creek and the trees, it almost more »