I don't think it was raining so much as the trees were still dripping this morning. The weight of the water made some limbs droop so that I had to dodge them. There was not too much debris on the trail. There was one tall but thin tree laying over most of the trail in one spot a large, apparently dead, limb almost completely across the trail in another spot. The first one appeared to have just slowly bent to the ground. The second one looked like it would have killed you if you had been under it.
I ran into two women cycling. They were riding down a residential road that I cross. I quick shouted exchange determined that they were riding as part of Bike to Work Week, but I did not get a chance to find out where they were headed. The next thing up the road they were on is a Middle School. They could have been teachers or they could have been going somewhere farther.
They are having a road ride at lunch tomorrow where I work, but I am sticking with the Bike to Work theme. I don't think I can keep up with the advertised 18 MPH pace on my commuter. Maybe I'll go over for the start just as a show of solidarity.
The ride home was on the cool side. Where was this cool weather Saturday when I was cooking on a metric century ride? I had to leave early, so I didn't see any other commuters.
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Monday, May 17, 2010
Bike To Work Week: Monday
The Monday morning ride was a little wet but kind of nice. There was just a light rain and it was about 65 degrees. It makes for a nice ride given a rain jacket and fenders. The trails were nearly empty. I saw one dog walker and one jogger right towards the end. I saw one other bike at the gym and it was one I did not recognize, so maybe it was a new rider. It should be drier later in the week and hopefully I will see more riders.
The ride home was really wet. The rain started just a couple of minutes into the ride. It ranged from heavy to steady. I ride along a creek. I watched at each of the many crossings for signs that it was rising. But it was fine and I was heading upstream, so it only got better. The rain lasted until the final 2 miles (of 12.5 miles).
The ride home was really wet. The rain started just a couple of minutes into the ride. It ranged from heavy to steady. I ride along a creek. I watched at each of the many crossings for signs that it was rising. But it was fine and I was heading upstream, so it only got better. The rain lasted until the final 2 miles (of 12.5 miles).
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
DIY Light Bracket
I felt my handlebar was getting a little crowded, so I decided to build a bracket to hold two lights that would mount where a reflector currently mounted to the bolt through the fork. It came out lookling like this once I mounted my two headlights on it.
I built the light bracket from parts at Home Depot for a total of about $3. I found all these in the plumbing section.
With the plug partially threaded in and without the metal bracket it looks like this.
I trimmed the corners of the metal to round them a little. Then I had a friend with a drill press drill a 1/2" hole near one end. Then I bent the bracket and screwed the PVC plug into the tee going through the bracket. A little sanding (very little) and I started painting. First a coat of primer and then some black, both of which I had on hand.
I think this will soon be shown on BikeHacks.com.
 |
I built the light bracket from parts at Home Depot for a total of about $3. I found all these in the plumbing section.
- PVC tee, threaded on the single side
- PVC plug
- galvanized metal bracket
 |
With the plug partially threaded in and without the metal bracket it looks like this.
 |
I trimmed the corners of the metal to round them a little. Then I had a friend with a drill press drill a 1/2" hole near one end. Then I bent the bracket and screwed the PVC plug into the tee going through the bracket. A little sanding (very little) and I started painting. First a coat of primer and then some black, both of which I had on hand.
 | In the picture on the left you can see the tee and the bracket. On the back you can see the plug going through the bracket where it is threaded into the tee. |  |
I think this will soon be shown on BikeHacks.com.
Friday, May 7, 2010
Preparing for Bike to Work Week
I have volunteered to work with new bike commuters at my company for Bike to Work Week. So far, no one has contacted me, but I hope some will. Next week we will have a class on Cycling Safety by LCI certified cycle instructor, Ken Kaye of Bike, Walk Durham.
Click on the logo for more information on Bike to Work Week.
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Park Your Car and Ride Your Bike
Click on the logo for more information on Bike to Work Week.
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Park Your Car and Ride Your Bike
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Raven Rock Ramble
I was asked which I enjoyed more during the 105 miles, the wind, the heat or the hills?
Well I started with my team, the Spiritual Spinners, at we rode to the first rest stop together. That was a nice section. We made a good pace line into the wind and picked up a few riders. It is nice to ride in a line with people you are familiar with. Most of them were riding a shorter route and we went our own way from there.
I rode the next section solo. There were a few downwind sections but mostly headwind. I didn't see anyone else until I got to the second rest stop. I talked a small group into waiting a couple of minutes. I drank, ate, and filled up my bottles. I left with a small group.
We had a lot of headwind and it was nice to have some company. There had been a few hills up to this point, but in this section I found I was actually fairly strong on the hills. But I was working to stay with the group on the flats and downhill. Still we pressed on and even rode along Broadway and to the next rest stop. Here I had my first bad sign from the heat. As I tried to bend my leg to swing it off the bike I got a cramp. I ended up laying the bike down and stepping over it.
I refueled, stretched and left with 5 other riders. We rode somewhat together but I started to loose contact. I could feel some more cramps and had to ease off but I was able to keep going. I caught up at the last rest stop. I again refueled and stretched. I was moving pretty good when I started on the final leg. It was on Old US 1 in an area I have ridden several times. It is mostly rolling hills. I has making pretty good progress. I caught and passed a couple of riders, but after a while I started feeling the ramps coming back. By pedaling very smooth and just spinning I was able to make it to the turn towards the finish. From there I stopped a few times to clear a cramp. It usually just took 30 seconds or so. I was passing another rider who was walking some, but if I stopped for a cramp he passed me back. In the end I was able to keep going and passed him for good.
I rode into Harris Wake County Park to the finish. I enjoyed an ice cream sandwich and plenty to drink before riding the mile or so back to my car. The ride home was uneventful, but once I got home I had trouble bending my legs enough to get out of the car. The cramps were back. I finally made it inside and some rest, plenty of water and finishing off my Shot Blocks cleared up any cramping feeling by bedtime.
The next few days I felt pretty good and the only real soreness I had was from some sun burn and the muscles that had been cramping.
I still enjoyed the ride. I am going to come up with a better hydration and electrolyte plan for the next ride.
Well I started with my team, the Spiritual Spinners, at we rode to the first rest stop together. That was a nice section. We made a good pace line into the wind and picked up a few riders. It is nice to ride in a line with people you are familiar with. Most of them were riding a shorter route and we went our own way from there.
I rode the next section solo. There were a few downwind sections but mostly headwind. I didn't see anyone else until I got to the second rest stop. I talked a small group into waiting a couple of minutes. I drank, ate, and filled up my bottles. I left with a small group.
We had a lot of headwind and it was nice to have some company. There had been a few hills up to this point, but in this section I found I was actually fairly strong on the hills. But I was working to stay with the group on the flats and downhill. Still we pressed on and even rode along Broadway and to the next rest stop. Here I had my first bad sign from the heat. As I tried to bend my leg to swing it off the bike I got a cramp. I ended up laying the bike down and stepping over it.
I refueled, stretched and left with 5 other riders. We rode somewhat together but I started to loose contact. I could feel some more cramps and had to ease off but I was able to keep going. I caught up at the last rest stop. I again refueled and stretched. I was moving pretty good when I started on the final leg. It was on Old US 1 in an area I have ridden several times. It is mostly rolling hills. I has making pretty good progress. I caught and passed a couple of riders, but after a while I started feeling the ramps coming back. By pedaling very smooth and just spinning I was able to make it to the turn towards the finish. From there I stopped a few times to clear a cramp. It usually just took 30 seconds or so. I was passing another rider who was walking some, but if I stopped for a cramp he passed me back. In the end I was able to keep going and passed him for good.
I rode into Harris Wake County Park to the finish. I enjoyed an ice cream sandwich and plenty to drink before riding the mile or so back to my car. The ride home was uneventful, but once I got home I had trouble bending my legs enough to get out of the car. The cramps were back. I finally made it inside and some rest, plenty of water and finishing off my Shot Blocks cleared up any cramping feeling by bedtime.
The next few days I felt pretty good and the only real soreness I had was from some sun burn and the muscles that had been cramping.
I still enjoyed the ride. I am going to come up with a better hydration and electrolyte plan for the next ride.
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Tarwheel Century
Besides commuting I also enjoy long road rides. This weekend I went to Elizabeth City, NC to ride the Tarwheel Century. I drove down Friday evening to the campground listed on the web site. I had not called ahead because my plans had been uncertain and I only knew I was going for sure at the last minute. That was a mistake. They had no tent sites left. I drove back into Elizabeth City to get data service. They could make a Verizon commercial in this part of NC. The AT&T coverage was not good even for phone service. Some searching found me no campsites and cheapest hotel I found was $75. So I took a cue from Chuck of COHO cycles and found a quiet church outside of town and camped in their lawn/parking lot. I was gone the next morning before anyone knew I was there.
I was at the start plenty early, but about 20 minutes before the start I made a strategic decision to visit the bathroom. I was not the only one thinking this. But I made it throughout the line and was on my bike with 5 minutes to spare. I was not alone but it turns out the main group had already started. Still I started out of town in a group of about 30. About a mile in the group was slowing. I was on the brake gently when the guy in front of my braked hard. Don't do this in a large group when you don't need to. I left a little skin from my elbow on the streets of Elizabeth City. To his credit the guy did come back and check on me and apologize. I was ok in general and soon caught up to 8 riders that were moving along pretty well.
A few of them slowed a little and soon I was riding with 3 women from the Outer Banks cycling. We were cruising along nicely and chatting even as is started to rain.The rain cleaned my elbow nicely but it kept anyone from checking their cue sheet. It seemed to me that the riders in front had ridden this before, but it turns out that was not right. When we figured out where we were and headed towards the course we ran into some road markings. We figured out we were at mile 98, but we needed to be at mile 23. Fortunately since we were now on the course we ran into a sag vehicle. It was even a pickup truck that could take all four of us. This is were riding with women paid off. They sweet talked the driver into taking us to the proper mile marker instead of the first sag stop.
We were soon at the second stop and from here on I kept an eye on the road markings and the cue sheet. We headed out at a good pace, a little over 20 mph. But my partners were worried about the time and decided to take the turn for the 66 mile route. I came to do the century so I bid them adieu and pressed on alone. In a few minutes I caught two more riders, 2 more women, Sharon and Jannine. They were going to ride the 66 mile route but Sharon grew up in Edenton and realized they were close enough to check it out. They turned toward Edenton and I continued solo again. The wind picked up and of course it was mostly a headwind. I passed 3 riders spending a couple of minutes talking to them before moving on.
The next rest stop was at the Edenton water front. There I met up with Sharon and Jannine again. They said they decided to ride the rest of the century route and asked me to join them. I agreed, there was no one likely to be much faster at this stage and I will take good company over a good pace any day.
We fought a 20 mph wind which was in our face quite a bit and even nasty coming from the side. But we cruised on and rolled back into Elizabeth City for my first century in over 20 years.
Now I have until Sunday to be ready for the next one - the Raven Rock Ramble.
I was at the start plenty early, but about 20 minutes before the start I made a strategic decision to visit the bathroom. I was not the only one thinking this. But I made it throughout the line and was on my bike with 5 minutes to spare. I was not alone but it turns out the main group had already started. Still I started out of town in a group of about 30. About a mile in the group was slowing. I was on the brake gently when the guy in front of my braked hard. Don't do this in a large group when you don't need to. I left a little skin from my elbow on the streets of Elizabeth City. To his credit the guy did come back and check on me and apologize. I was ok in general and soon caught up to 8 riders that were moving along pretty well.
A few of them slowed a little and soon I was riding with 3 women from the Outer Banks cycling. We were cruising along nicely and chatting even as is started to rain.The rain cleaned my elbow nicely but it kept anyone from checking their cue sheet. It seemed to me that the riders in front had ridden this before, but it turns out that was not right. When we figured out where we were and headed towards the course we ran into some road markings. We figured out we were at mile 98, but we needed to be at mile 23. Fortunately since we were now on the course we ran into a sag vehicle. It was even a pickup truck that could take all four of us. This is were riding with women paid off. They sweet talked the driver into taking us to the proper mile marker instead of the first sag stop.
We were soon at the second stop and from here on I kept an eye on the road markings and the cue sheet. We headed out at a good pace, a little over 20 mph. But my partners were worried about the time and decided to take the turn for the 66 mile route. I came to do the century so I bid them adieu and pressed on alone. In a few minutes I caught two more riders, 2 more women, Sharon and Jannine. They were going to ride the 66 mile route but Sharon grew up in Edenton and realized they were close enough to check it out. They turned toward Edenton and I continued solo again. The wind picked up and of course it was mostly a headwind. I passed 3 riders spending a couple of minutes talking to them before moving on.
The next rest stop was at the Edenton water front. There I met up with Sharon and Jannine again. They said they decided to ride the rest of the century route and asked me to join them. I agreed, there was no one likely to be much faster at this stage and I will take good company over a good pace any day.
We fought a 20 mph wind which was in our face quite a bit and even nasty coming from the side. But we cruised on and rolled back into Elizabeth City for my first century in over 20 years.
Now I have until Sunday to be ready for the next one - the Raven Rock Ramble.
Location:Sas Campus Dr,Cary,United States
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
1963 Bicycle Safety Video
Found this at Bicycling Las Vegas.
A little long and the style is dated but the message still works: 1963 Bicycle Safety Video
A little long and the style is dated but the message still works: 1963 Bicycle Safety Video
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