Posted On Thursday, February 24th, 2011 By David Veatch
Tonight was Jami’s school’s Annual Dodgeball Tournament. Yours truly was a referee, and it was a blast, as always. The drive home, however, was not. We’re in the midst of Pappa Winter’s last ditch effort to put as many drivers in snow bound icy ditches as possible. He almost got Jami, too. She was driving about 45mph north on I-35 on a sounding lead straight line, when out of the blue she starts careening off to the left and towards the concrete barrier. I’m driving a few car lengths behind her at this point and watch as she compensates properly against the fishtail to straighten out… and then watch helpless as she over-compensates and starts sliding sideways back towards the ditch on the other side of the road. Fortunately, there wasn’t anyone else around us, and the only thing she hit was a guide pole with her rear bumper, and that not very hard at all. I should point out that, aside from that slight overcompensation in straightening herself out the first time, she did everything right. She turned the wheel the right way, didn’t brake or accelerate, and she wasn’t going very fast at all to begin with. I more »
Posted On Monday, November 9th, 2009 By David Veatch
It’s a bit dark in the mornings these days to break out the camera and provide visual evidence of how gorgeous it is. Not that that’s anything new to the huge number of readers I have the pleasure of counting as my audience. I have really nice camera, but I just can’t seem to stop myself while riding long enough to take pictures. Maybe one day I’ll learn to slow down and enjoy the views a bit more. Maybe some day I’ll come up with a safe way to store the camera so that it’s easily accessible. Until then, my flowery language will have to suffice. At better than 60°F this morning, cloudy and just slightly damp, it was a truly spectacular 5 mile ride in to work. I couldn’t have driven even if I’d wanted to, as my car is in the shop getting it’s transmission and fuel system flushed, a tire repaired, and some drying and cracking belt that apparently runs lots of really important systems replaced. Would I have driven? Maybe. I might have driven and brought with me a week’s worth of clothes so I didn’t have to pack each day. Then I would have driven more »
Posted On Wednesday, October 28th, 2009 By David Veatch
Winter is approaching. It’s snowing in Colorado right now, so my friends tell me. It normally follows that whatever they get, we get here in eastern KS a few days later. We may not get the snow, but I’m sure it’ll get cold again real soon. Maybe not next week, or the week after, but it’s coming. So, it’s time to take stock and make sure I’ve got everything I need in order to weather the cold air on the bike. The Bike It’s a nearly new bike, with only a few hundred miles on it, so there aren’t any major issues, and all the components are in top shape. A Kansas winter will be a good test of it. Knobby tires: Well, sorta. The stock tires on my Kona Dew Drop are Continental CountryRide. They won’t do too well in standing snow, I don’t think, but they’re fine in wet conditions. With any tires, though, it pays to ride very carefully when it’s wet. Fenders: Check. I don’t have the rear fenders on, but the commuter panniers I got from NashBar serve the same purpose. If it’s crazy wet, I’ll bolster their water resistance by lining some plastic on more »
Posted On Friday, October 16th, 2009 By David Veatch
To this day, I very clearly remember the joy and relief I felt when the morning temperatures finally returned to the 40′s and 50′s last year. It was sometime in March, I believe, and it was a blessed relief after a couple months of temperatures below 10°F, and in the teens and twenties. It didn’t stay steady in the 50′s, but it was a wonderful sign of things to come. Now, I know it’s only going to get colder, so I’m enjoying the 40′s while they last. This morning, at 42°F, I was quite comfortable. Some thoughts about my equipment: Feet: Wool socks with plastic bags around my toes for wind breakage. And Shimano MTB shoes.Torso/Arms: A moderately thick wicking layer, a thin wicking layer and a wind breaker.Hands: Salsa N’AGUA™ Gloves.Head: A thin head scarf pulled down over my ears and the standard helmet. If I were to change a thing, it would be to eliminate the thin wicking layer. I got a touch warmish up top. I think it’s time for a new helmet, too. I’ve had my Giro Atmos for a few years now, and I hear it’s a good idea to replace them periodically. With all more »
Posted On Tuesday, October 13th, 2009 By David Veatch
I had no idea that it’d been that long. The last time I rode my bike to work was October 3rd, 2008. Well, unless you count today, that is. I dressed well for the chill 44°F air, and 12mph ENE wind. Naturally, I’m heading SE, so it was a head/side wind. The wind will undoubtedly shift so that it’s a head/side wind this evening. The only thing I’d change is the panniers. The TransIt Garment Bag is a great bag, and I’d recommend it to anyone, though I would stress trying it on for size first. On every back stroke, my heels scraped the front of the bag, and it’s set on the rack about as far back as it’ll go. Were the strap on the front of the bag that ties it to the seat tube a little longer, it might work better. As it is, though, it’s going to scrape. So, tonight I’ll bring clothes for the rest of the week in to work (I have to come back up here anyway – and yes, I’ll drive due to the schedule and the various buildings I have to visit), and try to figure out something to do with more »
Posted On Friday, January 30th, 2009 By David Veatch
Tomorrow morning, if the weather forecast proves true, I’m going to take the Dew Drop out for a spin. Probably only 30-40 miles or so. 2-3 hours, tops. It’s a heavier bike, and so will go slower, but that’s not a bad thing as it builds endurance and strength that much more quickly. I’ll be leaving from my house at around 9:30 or so, and probably running the standard Shawnee to Lenexa to Johnson Drive and back route as seen here. Or something very similar to it. I’ve thought about taking her out on the trails, but I’m still a little leary of those for some reason… I’d take advantage of the best weather of the day for a ride, but that’s reserved for walking the Plaza with a Very Special Person (henceforth to be known as VSP). I’ll brave the cooler morning temperatures to make room for that.
Posted On Friday, December 19th, 2008 By David Veatch
Posted On Tuesday, December 9th, 2008 By David Veatch
I’m home again today on account of throat crud. About halfway through my ride home yesterday, I felt a familiar soreness when I swallowed. I rejected it it out of hand. Nope. Not going to happen again, not so soon. I can’t remember the last time I was sick, but I don’t think it was that long ago. Blah. Doesn’t matter. I’m home now, and it’s snowing out. Today would have been a fantastic day to ride! But the way it’s snowing, I’m sure I’ll have tomorrow as well. BTW, the answer to yesterday’s question is Steven Brust. I *love* the communication style between his characters.
Posted On Wednesday, October 29th, 2008 By David Veatch
The Dew Drop is about a week away, and I’m chomping at the bit. I’ve hardly ridden at all this month. Looking back, it’s been almost as slow as February, and I was sick and out of town for much of that month. And perhaps most distressing is that somewhere in there, I missed Fall. When I tore down the Fire Mountain (pics), it was warm. I was wearing shorts. When I pick up the Dew Drop, it’ll be cold, and I’ll be wearing long layers. That’s really only a shame for my fan club here at work that likes to watch me ride off… they’ll have to wait until Spring for the Good Stuff again. Back to the point at hand, what happened to it? Where’d Fall go? Granted, I’ve been a little bit preoccupied with personal stuffs around here, but still… I thought I’d notice when Fall stepped aside for Winter. One day it was nice, the next it was freezing at night, and barely hitting 60 at the height of the day. And here I was, completely oblivious. I mentioned to a friend, aghast, that it had hit 27°F the night before. She looked at me, clearly more »
Posted On Wednesday, October 22nd, 2008 By David Veatch
My 5,000 mile goal for 2008 is looking… dicey. Cold weather approaches. A couple of trips out of town coming up. A certain lack of a commuting bike at the moment. It’s a perfect storm standing between me and safe harbor. Perhaps worst of all, Noah is slated to pass me TODAY! Gah! And I love that windbreaker too, btw… it’s brilliant! Tell me… Loading…