Sunday, July 13, 2008

Spills and thrills

Versus has an ad for the Tour de France targeting a low-road demographic. "Next time you're in your car," an English-speaking rider intones, "at 50 mph, strip down to your underwear and jump out the door — and that's what it's like to crash in a professional bike race."

[Update 7:20 a.m. July 14: I have since learned that the intoning voice belongs to Jonathan Vaughters, directeur sportif for Garmin Chipotle.]

This afternoon I performed the extremely slow-speed equivalent. At this left turn, which I've made dozens if not hundreds of times, my back wheel slid out and I bit pavement. So what if I was going 1/10 as fast as the rider referred to in the ad. My road rash is still impressive even if it's not uncomfortable and my kit was appropriately underwear like. My right foot popped out immediately and my left came out with little effort. Only one water bottle came out that I was able to quickly grab and run to the curb. Evans Road is not heavily trafficked so I was not at risk of having any body or bike parts crushed.

The frame, tires and wheels appear to be fine. Road conditions were great. I wasn't on paint (Phil Liggett warned about that during Saturday's rain-soaked stage), the weather was dry, dry, dry and the surface on this recently repaved road is practically virginal. The intersection is near the more or less flat top of a long hill and I had slowed considerably to let a car pass before I turned. The only thing I can think of is that I dropped too far left for the turn at too slow a speed.

Friday, July 4, 2008

Suckin' wheels

I did the 100K Firecracker Ride this morning in about 3 1/2 hours, thanks to the people in front of me. As I rode I saw a few other folks I know but no groups I'd ever ridden with. So I'd catch the end of a paceline, let them tow me along in their draft and then move forward to another group when the line came apart. This is a very rude way to ride, but I did it anyway. Some of the pulls I got were incredible and I would've been happy to reciprocate but I was only allowed the front a couple of times. Anyway, when I got home I was comparatively fresh as a daisy. Lesson? If a solo stranger can catch your line, let the stranger pull when his or her turn comes.

Tuesday, July 1, 2008

Just like in the movies

I may live in a Bicycle Friendly Community but it may also be a cycling culture backwater. The Triangle is more than 500 miles from the closest venue for the Bicycle Film Festival. Full programs have been announced for New York, Toronto and Minneapolis. Two historical films, "Road to Roubaix" and "The Six-Day Bicycle Races" and lots of the shorts look real interesting. Fortunately for rustics such as myself, both of those features are available on DVD. It's not just racing documentaries. There are also classics such as "Breaking Away" and what appear to be nice bits of nonracing movies and advocacy. In short, something for everybody — as long as you're there. Thanks to Savant Guardian, who lives close enough to go, for the tip.

Sunday, June 29, 2008

Impending disappointment of Olympic proportion?

This post may be premature as the Olympics are still six weeks away. The word now is that NBC will put the squeeze on online content from the games to keep people glued to their televisions. What concerns me is that, even with DVR, I won't be able to get wall-to-wall cycling. NBCOlympics.com and the official Olympics site appear to be intensely uninformative about what will be broadcast. Perhaps my anxiety will be for naught but I am waiting to be convinced. If you've got better information about anything from keirin to the road race, please share.

Saturday, June 28, 2008

On the road again

Of the 400-plus miles I've pedaled this month, the overwhelming majority have been cranked out in the privacy of the garage on the trainer. So today was something of a novelty as I was illuminated by sunshine, buffeted by wind, restrained by road resistance and humbled by hills. In other words, it was a real, normal ride. But enough has changed that I could tell it had been a while since I'd been out. Some roads have been repaved. Tobacco is maturing. The blazes for next Friday's Firecracker Ride are already down. That reminded me to practice signalling in case some group lets me catch a wheel — and to hope I catch a wheel to make some of the more inclined sections more tolerable.

Thursday, June 12, 2008

Rained out

As prepared as I was for the time trial, it was no surprise that I arrived at Lowe's Motor Speedway just more than four hours before my start time. No shock, either, that I was the first person with any connection to the race to get there. So I changed a tire, set up my trainer, rearranged other items to maximize efficiency, checked messages and read for a little while. About 5:40 p.m. I went for a lap to see if my freshly purchased time-trial helmet would cause my head to explode. No, but the wind is loud when it can go between your ear and the helmet.

When I got on the trainer about 5:50 p.m. I could see from my garage bay that the big flag was blowing south. Hard. Fifteen minutes later it was blowing north. Hard. Ten minutes after that a race official told everyone to get in the garage and said a decision on whether to start would come at 7 p.m. Then the sky opened; thunder, but none of the promised hail. I stayed on the trainer for a few more minutes but only pedalled distractedly. The race was cancelled at 7:05 p.m. The latest is that race officials are working with the track to see if a makeup date is available.

The day was nothing close to a total waste. Even though I didn't get to learn the advantages of the helmet and shaved legs, I get more time to just get used to the helmet. Plus I got to eat at Steak n Shake and enjoy my monthly cheeseburger ration. I'll probably go out along Old U.S. 1 over the next couple of weekends and see if I have the helmet positioned and sized correctly.

Monday, June 9, 2008

Cycledork is coming to town

My race day No. 2 is Wednesday. Now, about 44 hours before the time trial, is when I need to start figuring out what to take. That's what the list is for. The list is comprehensive and meant to include everything that I normally would take for a ride or would not have in the car with me under normal circumstances. For instance, in day time I always wear sunglasses when I drive but since they're critical for the time trial, they go on the list.

It's a big, big deal for me to make a list. Some of you may know that I keep all my phone numbers, appointments and directions in my head and can drive myself crazy enough about work that I don't forget assignments. But the potential freakout-to-time-and-distance ratio involved with this exercise is too great for even me to trust to memory. In other words if I got to Charlotte and realized my skinsuit was in Cary I'd be fucked and very angry; I'd so much rather that didn't happen. The list I made a list before the last time trial that had 33 items on it. This time around, since I know a little more and circumstances are a little different, 34 items, a few of which are different, will go with me. They are:

1. bike
2. trainer
3. trainer wheel
4. skinsuit
5. helmet
6. gloves x 2
7. socks x 2
8. rules
9. seminar notes
10. aero shoe covers
11. shoes
12. iPod
13. shades
14. short hair ties
15. shorts
16. jersey
17. tools
18. torque wrench
19. pump
20. saddle bag
21. split sheet
22. allen bits
23. safety pins
24. fan
25. turn over watch
26. move up watch wrist strap
27. set watch to stop watch
28. lunch
29. fig newtons
30. water
31. pillow case
32. blue bin
33. CDs
34. list

New to this list are the aero shoe covers that I didn't have last time and the fan. The fan was a bit of wisdom shared at the seminar in February. It will help keep me cool on the trainer since it will be about 500 degrees at Lowe's even in the garage. Missing are zip ties, which I might throw in with the tools anyway, and a second stop watch, which I don't need since I'm going solo this time. The torque wrench and allen keys might seem to be tools (and they are) but since I store them separately from my bike tools I account for them separately. Some of these things are not things but directions, such as turning my watch (so I can see it when I'm in the aero bars). Every item has a function. The hair ties hold down the flappy parts of my watch and helmet straps. The pillow case contains all the clothes. The blue bin is home to the tools in the broadest sense, the pillow case and contents, iPod and papers. Why CDs if I'm taking an iPod? The CDs are for car use; the iPod and headphones are for the trainer.

About 37 hours remain before I head to Charlotte. During that time, I will check the list twice. At least.

Sunday, June 8, 2008

Chains of fool

I pulled the 2100 off the trainer yesterday morning so I could do two hours in the 100-degree heat. My chain squealed so badly after 3/4 mile that I turned around. The sad, embarrassing fact is that I'd rusted out the 113-link heart of my drive train. The 2100 went in the back of the car to The Spin Cycle. My hope was to have it back by Wednesday — no bike, no time trial. Carl was pedalling a beach cruiser outside the store. I sheepishly admitted my problem, expecting rolling eyes and a stern "maybe" for Wednesday. Instead, what I get is an enthusiastic $3 fix: a couple of chain pins and a pint and a half of kerosene. After all, I have all the tools, only needed a few dollars of parts, so why not? I left the shop as pumped as Carl.

I got home, used the chain tool on my Taco Tool to pop out a chain pin and get the chain in the coffee can full of kerosene. Popping out that chain pin all the way was a big, big mistake. Leave that chain pin in until you are ready to insert the new chain pin. The new chain pin, will, after all, drive out the old one and the chain will disassemble with the old one flush to the edge. Otherwise it's impossible to determine the orientation of the chain when it was taken off. That's critical so that you get the chain back on the drive train the same way it came off. Realizing this morning the magnitude of my error I went to the local Performance Bicycle and bought an SRAM 991 chain. Fortunately I had enough points on Performance Club card that I got the chain at a huge discount. Part of the SRAM magic: not only is it Shimano compatible (it mates with my chainrings and cassette) it comes with a manually assembled "Powerlink" so I don't have to drive another chain pin.

When I got on the 2100 late this afternoon I could not only hear but feel the difference. Ahhhhh. And should this ever happen again, I have a clean, clean, clean Shimano chain waiting — if I can ever figure out how it came off. Even a spare chain into the adventure, I'm ready to go for Wednesday.

Wednesday, June 4, 2008

I guess he'd rather be in Colorado


Some of you may consider John Denver that sappy '70s guy but hey, if you've ever spent any time in Colorado with your eyes open, the title of the song speaks for itself. Especially when it comes to cycling. First of all, I've recently been in touch with the author of one of my favorite books, Road Biking Colorado: The Statewide Guide. Michael Seeberg is as cool, and as pumped about life and cycling in his state, as his prose suggests. The photo included with this post (near the top of Trail Ridge Road) is one of a few that he took for the book that he was generous enough to share with me. Having actually e-mailed this man and received a response is one of the highlights of, at least, my cycling life.

Seeberg is the man who exclaimed about Rist Canyon, "Near the top, you'll ride 12-percent grades!" As it turns out cyclists are invited to join the exclamation June 21-22 on the Ride de Rist, which is for everyone from pros to, well, dorks. The idea of being able to wheelsuck my way up Rist Canyon is remarkably compelling. Instead I will probably spend those days crunching my way through the hinterlands of Chatham County not far from my current home. My Rist ride will most likely wait until September.

As much as I enjoy and respect Rist Canyon, Independence Pass is a whole other kettle of fish. Independence Pass peaks at more than 12,000 feet and is one of the few (shit, maybe the only) roads that I'm scared to drive dry and in the light. I've gone over Trail Ridge Road (even confiding to some that I had "crushed it" and I plan to go over again during this year's annual Colorado Cycletacular), which Seeberg rates as even more difficult than Independence Pass, but I still believe Independence Pass takes more rider than I can offer. But here we have video of people apparently cheerfully racing up. Note the depth of the snow on the roadside and that most of the guys you see are in shorts. No doubt it's a ride that'll warm you up. Fun fact about Seeberg: he's gone over Independence Pass "some 50 or 60 times." Talk about separating the sheep from the goats.

Sunday, June 1, 2008

What sort of trouble would this cause

Like our friend Curt DeForest Jr., it may be that Bob Maddox is a man ahead of his time. He may also have provided a possible solution to my commuting conundrum. I'm still figuring whether this approach would reduce or increase my cadence.

Friday, May 23, 2008

Rollapaluza

Now this is something I want to try. These sorts of races — basically, two bikes on rollers that drive distance calculators — have been around for decades. As reported in this month's issue of Cycling Plus (disclaimer: not identical to hard-copy version), Rollapaluza is catching on again in England. Basically it's a momentary stationary time trial. Really attractive elements: even the incredibly slow are done in less than a minute and lots of beer is involved. Now we just have to bring it over here.

Monday, May 12, 2008

What other people are doing

In some of the world's great cities, municipal efforts (be sure check all the links in that article) and people try to inspire us to pedal. Closer to home, the local daily tells us how foolhardy and dangerous such an approach can be. No doubt there's risk — and risk here — in cycling but if I let that paralyze me before I hit the road I might as well not get out of bed in the morning.

Sunday, May 4, 2008

Do as I say. Please.

Just because I'm not commuting, especially during Bike to Work Week, doesn't mean you shouldn't. Now's the perfect time to make plans for next week, as in May 12-16. Here's a good link for what's going on in the Triangle. I will go on the Ride of Silence but that's after work May 21. If you're not in the Triangle, check out Bike to Work Week, a site that James runs from Erie, Pa. How good is his site? It's where I found the information for what's happening here. Of course, if you know what's happening in your area and James doesn't, tell him.

Saturday, May 3, 2008

More about Aquaduct

Virtue may be it's own reward but it's gratifying to see that sometimes there can be more to it. As promised, here's some more information about Aquaduct, the pedal-powered system that not only transports but cleans water. Turns out my friend and I — and some of you — aren't the only ones who think it's cool. It won the grand prize of Specialized's "Innovate or Die" contest (be patient; this site takes a few seconds to load).

Thursday, May 1, 2008

My race against time


Lowe's Motor Speedway is the coolest closed circuit I've ever ridden a bike on. So what if it's the only one. The Charlotte sojourn for the 10-mile time trial with my buddy Matthew achieved all of my objectives. With a time of 26:01.4 — 23.06 mph — I came in 13th out of 20 in the age 45-49 age group and 163rd out of 291, crappy form and all. After my concerns of the business casual rehearsal, I was relieved that handling the bike was a piece of cake. The big lesson: I can go faster, perhaps fast enough to pull at least into the top half of my age group and overall. I wasn't breathing nearly hard enough when I finished.

The experience was surreal and exhilirating. Richard Petty and I have shared the same track. And maybe the same garage. Want to warm up? Go to garage, pull the door open, set up your trainer. Who's been in that spot before? Dale Earnhardt? Bobby Allison? The sense of place is so strong that it's an inspiration to go fast but it is so intense that it was distracting. Maybe that sensation will pass with time.

Cool feature: high-end bike maker Cervelo brought every model of their bikes in every size. Before my warmup I got to do laps on a very expensive bike that I have coveted for some time (actually two, since I rode the aluminum and carbon models). Even though the fit was off, the performance was everything I'd ever read about. This experience was the equivalent of going to an amateur car race and having Ferrari say, "go for a spin in whichever one of our ridiculous and legendary vehicles you'd like." Indeed there was talk of loaning the bikes for racing.

I stuck with the 2100 because it fits so much better and I know it so well. We started early, with the slow riders, and passed a whole lot more people than passed us. When we crossed the finish line and started checking, one of the volunteers asked me what I thought. I said I thought I wanted to do it again. Next likely opportunity: June 11. Matthew has agreed to serve again as my second. So much for my assertion that I have no interest in racing.

Sunday, April 27, 2008

Training crisis averted


As I breezed along Old Apex Road just north of High House Road this morning, the zip ties on my cadence counter failed and the cadence counter dropped into the road. Within 10 seconds I was off my bike and moving back toward the flat, half-dollar sized device. I needed four cars to pass before I could retrieve it. Three cars went beside or over the counter. The fourth car, with me about 15 feet away, crunched it. Shades of the Garmin 301. I affectionately picked up the pieces, completed my ride and went immediately to Performance. Not only did they have a counter, it was on sale. Not having the counter would put a major crimp in my workouts, as I use it to determine speed and distance on the trainer. I also use it as a reminder for what gear I'm in on the road.

Saturday, April 19, 2008

Business casual rehearsal

I still have a lot left to learn about aero bars. My brother in law — props to him — and I went out this route so I could try 10 miles with the aero bars and skin suit. I also pulled off the seat bag and the bottle cages. My legs aren't shaved because over the 10 miles at Lowe's Motor Speedway the hair amounts to 2.4 seconds. If I come in behind somebody by 10 seconds or fewer once I've been to Lowe's, I shave. Also I don't have a time-trial helmet yet.

Anyway, the bike is harder for me to handle with the aero bars. I also came out of the aeros when I was going up hill or had a car tailing and not passing. I slowed myself several times by not shifting into a higher gear before I went back into the aeros. My posture was pretty crappy (evidence forthcoming) and the wind was not favorable. Bottom line: 27:41.1. I wouldn't have been last with that time at Lowe's but I know I can go faster than that — without aerobars. At least two more rehearsals are planned before April 30 and I hope at least one of them can be dress. The most significant variable is the bars so I'm convincing myself that speed is just a matter of settling in and learning how to use them.

Wednesday, April 16, 2008

Gearing up


I picked up and installed aero bars, Profile Design Airstrykes, today. The installation was cool because I got to use my torque wrench and buy some hex drivers for it. I also tweaked my seat height and position. The good news so far is that my hands don't fall asleep the way they do when I'm in the drops for prolonged periods. Nevertheless, using the bars will take some getting used to. Based on my trainer ride, I'm going to be slower before I'm faster. I also really notice when I'm not keeping my knees aligned. I also have no idea about my posture. For all I know I still look like Quasimodo. Anyway, it's pretty official now: I've spent too much money preparing to time trial not to do so. If I get anything else, it'll be shoe covers and perhaps a spare razor to shave my legs. The goal is still to not finish last in my age group. We'll see what happens. The next event is April 30.

Monday, April 14, 2008

Something cool

The title of this post is the subject line of the e-mail that provided this video below to me. I agree and, since it's cycling related, you get to see it here. I should do my homework to learn how I can contribute to help more. When I learn that I'll post here. Of course if you already know please give cycledork a spin. Thanks to the friend who sent the e-mail.

Thursday, April 10, 2008

Just try to find a gig bag

There was a time in my life when I considered buying an aluminum-bodied guitar but this one is beyond my scale, even in the upper register. Imagine the time and cost of replacing the strings. I assume the lack of commentary on this clip is because the BBC was left speechless, much as I am.

Tuesday, April 8, 2008

Your mouse click here

Few people are more suspicious, and more suspicious of internet chain letters, than I am. Thus it is with some sheepishness that I present this link. Essentially, it asks that readers add their names to a petition to Google to add a "Bike There" feature to Google Maps, similar to that application's "Drive There" and "Take Public Transit" features. A modest request given the company's resources and the features already available. Maybe I let my guard down too easily but I was signer No. 30210.

Clarification

Though I do not plan to commute for the foreseeable future, that does not mean I won't be riding. I plan to be on the trainer and on the road at practically every opportunity while I deal with the current hiccup. Despite the loss of the commuting miles, with the trainer time increasing, I expect my overall mileage to go up.

Monday, April 7, 2008

Streak over

In the one year, 10 months and 19 days of cycle commuting, I missed riding twice. In fact, the last time I missed was Tropical Storm Alberto, which came 31 days after after my commuting started. But I failed to ride today and I will not ride again for the foreseeable future. Both bicycle and cyclist are fine; details later.

Monday, March 31, 2008

This time — I'm serious — I think I mean it


Many of you know that I've been threatening to participate in the time-trial series at Lowe's Motor Speedway. Well, my skinsuit — the garment at right — arrived today. If nothing else I can say that I can fit into a men's extra small garment. The scientist said I don't even look close to ridiculous. Though very tight — there's reason it's called a skinsuit — it is amazingly comfortable. To supplement a response to ladymacsquish, the conventional wisdom about bibs and singlets fitting better is true. I wore it tonight while I did an hour on the trainer and it felt good even though it was straight out of the package. Getting it over my shoulders, both on and off, was a challenge but not even close to insurmountable. I have a few more investments to make and many more hours on the trainer and road before I spend a Wednesday in Charlotte but I think the day is approaching.

Sunday, March 30, 2008

Annual Colorado Cycletacular set


This year's event will be a little bit later, Sept. 12 through Sept. 20, than it has been the past few summers. That way I make sure that I avoid all of the airport nonsense that will be involved with the Democratic convention, among other things. Tourist traffic should also be significantly reduced by that time. On the preliminary agenda for this year are a reprise of Trail Ridge Road through Rocky Mountain National Park and perhaps two climbs of Rist Canyon. I'm hoping the weather holds.

Saturday, March 29, 2008

Alternative miles


Maybe not all miles are created equal but every mile has value. That's just another way of saying that I've started using my trainer again when the weather or clock don't suit my needs. Trainers, or at least my trainer, have downsides: no wind, no forward movement, no realistic road resistance, no mercy on tires, no easy way to measure speed or faux mileage. Advantages, however, include the abilities to: accurately start and finish rides at specific times, maintain specific cadences, use music as a training tool, avoid wind's less savory aspects.

The trainer is also an opportunity for recycling used or otherwise unusable gear. For instance, the tire problem can be alleviated by keeping a trainer wheel with a dedicated tire. The wheel is cracked and thus unsafe for the road; attached are an old cassette and a tire with a shim over a large puncture to go with a patched tube. Without the trainer those items would hold little value and the scientist would have strongly suggested I pitch them.

On my trainer at least, there is no direct and simple way to calculate speed and distance. Fortunately, my computer's cadence counter still functions, since it records pedal strokes and not wheel revolutions. Thus speed and distance can be inferred using arithmetic and knowing cadence and gearing.

Today's a perfect trainer day. It's raining, I have errands to run but I'm still itching to pedal. At 2:30 p.m. my iPod and I will mount up and crank out 45 to 50 "miles." Yes, I do count those miles along with road miles when the end of the month rolls around. Since I don't yet have a heart-rate monitor, I'll be shooting for cadence targets for certain lengths of time with the trainer set at a specific tension. Hüsker Dü and Led Zeppelin will be my companions as I spin.

Friday, March 21, 2008

Decent Friday


The clock was ticking on my beloved Trek Vapor 2 helmet. We had spent thousands of miles together and been lots of places. But at nearly four years old, it was due for replacement. So, with a day off, I spent the morning shopping for a new helmet. A deeply discounted Louis Garneau Oz-zy (right) came home. The afternoon was devoted to christening the lid. To complete the ritual, tonight I might bite the head off a bat.

Wednesday, March 12, 2008

It's only hoops on the surface

Cycledork aced the test and missed the point. Which was the point: pay attention only to what's expected and overlook things that are really worth seeing. Watch to the end — trust me, this clip may be manipulative but it's relevant. And the b-ball skills are really impressive. To see the video in its natural state or find out more about its backers, go here. Thanks to our friends at Peripheral Vision for the tip.

Monday, March 10, 2008

Cycling bloggers summit

The brain trusts of two leading cycling blogs in the Southeast, Cycledork and Unsquished, rendezvoused over the weekend in a large southeastern Metroplex. Much beer was had by all as the virtues of cycle commuting and two-wheel transportation in general were lauded. My hosts were also gracious enough not to insist Saturday on a century of any kind in snow flurries while I was feeling the side effects of the previous evening's carbo loading.

Unsquished (man and legend are one) declared that his next step in cycling advancement could be a trainer. He was also generous to indulge me gory views of the scar remaining from his broken wrist, from which he appears to be recovering well. Ladymacsquish demonstrated the many virtues of her Surly Cross-Check on a 25-mile ride — Sunday — to and from the world's largest monument to a bad idea. Monument notwithstanding, the setting is quite scenic and cycleworthy. For my part I cheerfully offered gratuitous and unsolicited advice.

In partial response to one of the issues raised, I offer this link, which I stumbled across only moments ago.

Wednesday, March 5, 2008

I really wasn't making it up

Some of you may recall that I ranted last summer about the habits of younger cyclists in Fort Collins, the northern outpost of the Cycling Riviera. Now Colorado State University concedes, based on a graduate student's research, that there is substance to my hopelessly antediluvian outlook. Only 9 percent of student commuters are wearing helmets? That's even lower than I expected.

Guess what? "As for the reason why students only wear their helmets for certain purposes, [pyschology doctoral student Itsumi] Kakefuda suspects a number of factors. She believes students hold a sense of invincibility as well as the perception that injury is less likely close to home."

Imagine my surprise at these findings. On the other hand, I suppose I should tone down the sarcasm, since someone has collected data to support my observations — and demonstrated that I was right all along.

Sunday, March 2, 2008

The size of your tube doesn't matter that much. Really.

Once again, a reader has come to the authority and asked Cycledork.

Dear Cycledork,

We've had an exciting weekend of assorted flat tires and tube mishaps, so now is a good time to ask a question about tube sizing. The tires on my Giant OCR3 are 700 X 26C. On getting home from picking up a replacement tube (and CO2 canister) at my friendly neighbourhood bike shop today, I noticed that the box says 700 X 23/25C. Now they definitely heard me when I said "26" and they always know their stuff, so I'm assuming that this tube is the right size. But what's with the confusing numbers?

Curiously,

H. Trouser

Dear Mr. Trouser:

I'm sorry to hear about your flats and tube mishaps. The good news is your latest tube should fit your wheel and tire just fine. According to Giant, the OCR3 comes with 700x25 tires so a 700 x 23/25 tube should be fine, even in a 26 . Tirewise, the "700" refers to the diameter of the wheel in millimeters (it comes out to about 27 inches) and the "23/25" refer to width, also in millimeters (a hair less than an inch). Tubewise, the 2100, not terribly different than the OCR3, came with 25s. I've been using 23s for several years. You can probably go as skinny as 23 or as fat as 28 or so. No big deal. Ride and be well.

Yours in velophility,

Cycledork

Tuesday, February 26, 2008

Cycling census

How many of us are there really? I've wondered this for at least a couple of years as I've watched other cyclists when I'm on the road. But when I'm on a bike or in a car keeping track of how many cyclists I see is usually a dangerous proposition. So I have two questions: 1) what is the best method for counting cyclists and inferring a larger total from that and 2) what's (or is there a) the best way to do that from a bike? My guess on No. 1 would be something akin to the Audobon Society's Christmas Bird Count. It would be nice to know who's out for what end — commuting, training, exercise and so on — and where they ride but I'll take a gross number for starters. And I'm happy to start real small, say for Cary or specific areas of western Wake County. I've done a quick and dirty Google search but didn't find much. Please speak up if you know of other such censuses or if you have a neato mosquito sampling method.

Sunday, February 17, 2008

Now all I need is a monkey

He may not know it, but I encounter Carl Fogel, an authority on early bicycles, several times a week in my listserv wanderings. He sticks to business with humor and shares masterpieces like this. Fogel first came to my attention when I stumbled across Ted.

Saturday, February 16, 2008

Jules Verne never imagined

The Guardian reported yesterday that Mark Beaumont had successfully completed his cycling circumnavigation and blown 91 days off the old record. Though cycling through Istanbul was "without comparison is the scariest cycling I have ever done," it appears the only place Beaumont was hit by a car was in Louisiana. Maybe David Zabriskie is on to something.

Saturday, February 9, 2008

My day at the speedway

The roar of engines is interminable at Lowe's Motor Speedway just outside of Charlotte, N.C. I spent five hours at the facility's media center this afternoon at a time-trial seminar sponsored by the Carolina Cycling Time Trial Association. For $27.50, I got a T-shirt and advice from pro mechanics and coaches. I've been to conferences that my employers have paid exponentially more for at which I which I have learned exponentially less. Not ever having participated in a time trial, I wouldn't know one if it bit me in the ass. Nevertheless, it was heartening to learn that I already knew to show up way early, strip my bike of all extraneous crap like bottles and cages and be pissing clear by the time I hit the track as well as the basics, if not specifics, of how to eat on race day (light and balanced). There was lots and lots of stuff I didn't know and probably won't know even if ran the whole season — which I already know I can't. Ignorance aside (or perhaps embraced), I believe that at this very minute I could turn in a time that would not put me last in my age category. We'll see about that. I think a cheapo heart-rate monitor and perhaps some coaching advice are in my future. After all, I want to know how to make the 2100 sound like what I was hearing on the track today.

Wednesday, February 6, 2008

Better links for Sheldon Brown

I'm probably the last cycling blogger to mention this, but Sheldon Brown, a man I never met and whose online encyclopedia I can no longer imagine living without, died Sunday. Doubtless his death is a huge deal for cyclists but his personal postings reveal an interested and interesting human being. Tales from people who knew him and who are affected even more than I am can be found here. Browse through the discussions or use the search feature.

Saturday, February 2, 2008

My newest hero …

Is The Bicycle Tutor, Alex Ramon. Ramon's site has videos showing how to perform bike maintenance and repair along with his concise explanation mostly in voiceover. It appears the site went up in December. Most of the current offerings are very basic — how to change a tire, how to adjust a derailleur and so on. The video arrangement indicates that the guidance will become more complex as time goes on. So far this is all stuff I know but it helps so much to see it and see it again. I breathlessly await the next installment.

Tuesday, January 29, 2008

The Kilmermobile

I hope that when Marco Facciola becomes my boss that he's merciful. Facciola, 16, has just designed and built an wooden bicycle. Not almost all wood or just a little metal, but wood except where he used glue. It includes a really slick looking ratcheting system intended to keep him from pedalling as he goes downhill. Now that he has finished the bike (a personal project needed for completion of an international baccalaureate curriculum) he plans to "focus on my schoolwork, my part-time job and sports." Since he's not at the office yet I at least have some time to look busy.

Saturday, January 26, 2008

Yield to Life indeed

Don't worry: Yield to Life isn't some cryptic attempt to proselytize. In the traditional sense anyway. Time-trial monster David Zabriskie has decided being hit three times by cars was enough. So he's starting a public-education campaign to educate both cyclists and drivers.

Such efforts are not new. The League of American Bicyclists, for instance, talks a lot about cycling safety and works to train members to train the general public about how to ride safely.

Zabriskie's message isn't just share the road, but "to promote positive attitudes toward cyclists and replace any hostility that exists between motorists and cyclists with understanding, respect, and appreciation for all life on the road. Safety for every cyclist is the top priority of Yield to Life."

He, and the rest of us, have a lot of work to do. When I talk with noncycling friends many of them believe bikes shouldn't be on the road. I can usually bend that attitude even if I can't break it. I hope Yield to Life can provide me more ammunition as well as leverage Zabriskie's stardom and experience as someone who understands better than most that going for a ride should not just be a desperate attempt not to die.

Tuesday, January 22, 2008

I like stopping

I pretty much quit using my front brake in November. When I would release it the caliper would not totally retract so I would have to pull the brake off the rim manually. Using the rear brake wasn't optimal but at least I slowed down. And I figured I'll get my bike tuned up soon enough. Last week I took the 2100 into The Spin Cycle for its +/-5,000 mile tuneup. Adjustments included new brake and shifter cables all around. Finding: now I can confidently go faster into a curve or turn knowing that I've got stopping power if and when I need it. I notice most at two spots on my commute, here in the morning and here in the evening. The beautiful paradox: by knowing I can stop, I go faster.

Friday, January 18, 2008

Some weeks never end

For some cycle commuters bike to work week is every week. Others stick to the stricter definition of the week that includes May 15. And some riders just do it when they feel like it. Bike to Work Week is open to all approaches. Check out the map, event listings and forums. See or discuss what your locale is or isn't doing. There's a lot to talk about and Bike to Work Week wants to get the conversation started.

Wednesday, January 16, 2008

Just give me that countryside

This question came in shortly before my extended holiday hiatus. Time to tackle it.

Dear cycledork,

What's the advantage of bib shorts over regular shorts? I'm willing to believe there must be one (other than looking like Eddie Albert in Green Acres), but I'm hard pressed to figure out what it is.

-lady macsquish

Dear lady:

Isn't looking like Eddy Albert enough? I do not own any bibs but I'll probably break down one of these days and buy a pair just to see how the other half lives. The magic — even greater than looking like America's most legendary lawyer turned farmer — is that bibs are widely felt to fit better and more comfortably than standard shorts. One review was particularly effusive about the Performance Elite Y Bib Short. It's hard to beat $40 for bibs, a price that's dirt cheap for any lower-body cycling wear. To give some perspective Bicycling magazine has had an award category for "Best Bibs under $200." The Elites probably merit my respect but it's hard to pull the trigger on something I expect would feel as good to wear as the other Performance shorts I have. My bet is that the closer I could come to that penthouse view bibwise the more likely I would be to ride in comfort.

Yours in velophility,

Cycledork

P.S. Any bib owners out there? Are they the Manhattan or Hooterville of cycling togs? We need to know.

Sunday, January 13, 2008

Talk sense to me — I beseech you

This is what comes of having customized Google subject feeds. Earlier tonight I saw an item about a rather ridiculous, obsessive event at Lowe's Motor Speedway in Charlotte — the Tar Heel state's time-trial capital — on Feb. 9 about hows and whys of cycling time trails. Moments later I pressed send to spend $27.50 to sign up for the the event. I'm interested in this seminar (?) even though I'm told there's no reason to bring my bike (which means a day off the road) and I'll get to drive 360 miles round trip. I really hope I can find time trials closer to home. If this isn't proof that I need to be saved from myself I don't know what is.

The hills are alive

A complete stranger, Sherri, has sent in this question:

Quit smoking in July after 35 years. Bought an entry level bike in Nov, Felt z100. Riding the trainer most days at 60 minutes with Reoch Zonneveld workouts. I've been riding outdoors temps are in the 50s (can't do much in lower temps).

I've been reading about this cadence versus wattage stuff. My big fear is hitting a hill. I know I just need to do it and stopping
wondering/worrying about it.

Question, is there anything specific I can do in my trainer to help when I hit that first hill?

Dear Sherri:

It's hard to express how thrilled I am by your question — and what a good one. First of all welcome to cycling. I started on a trainer for about nine months before I got my road bike in 2004. I am not familiar with Reoch Zonneveld but I'm sure I would have benefitted from 50 different workouts.

About the hill in your future and how to approach it. First of all, accept that you'll encounter one and that you will slow down as you ascend. There's no shame in that. The good news is that the more hills you encounter and more directly you face them the stronger and faster you will become.

Now how can you and your trainer prepare? The bad news is that there is no realistic trainer substitute for a hill that I am willing to pay for. That category does exist though and includes the Travel Trac Real Axiom V3 Trainer ($799.99, performancebike.com) and the TACX I-Magic Trainer ($649.99, coloradocyclist.com for starters with lots and lots of add ons available). These are systems that run through a PC and both include variable resistance. I sampled the TACX once and it has the capacity to be a real buttkicker.

For cheapskates like me, the first step is a climbing block ($15 and up). The block raises your front wheel and is supposed to simulate climbing. I keep telling myself that's what it does. The second step is to crank up the tension, or resistance, on your trainer (free). Resistance is the functional equivalent of gravity, which is what keeps us in one place longer than we want to be when we're going up hill.

Short answer to your question: Work on keeping your cadence up at higher resistance. If you're already maxing out your resistance it's time to hit the road … up hill. And grade be damned.

Yours in velophility,
Cycledork

Saturday, January 12, 2008

And now, closer to home

This morning I signed up for the Frostbite Tour. While still a haul — it starts in Johnston County — it's closer to home than the Bicycle Tour of Colorado. And sooner, since the Frostbite is Feb. 23. I'm shooting for 100 miles, as I did last year, but I reserve the right to bail out at 100k, as I did last year. Distance will depend on temperature. Last year the ride started in the mid 30s and crept up to about 50. Ten degrees warmer and a century should be a snap. Ten degrees colder and I'll probably bag it at 40 miles.

Thursday, January 10, 2008

Summer options

Several days of brutal climbs highlight the 14th Annual Bicycle Tour of Colorado. The brochure arrived today. The "Durango/Telluride Loop" comprises 403 miles from June 22 to June 28. Colorado cycling guru Michael Seeberg rates five of the segments (including two optional ones) as difficult. The highlight, which the brochure describes as an option and Seeberg calls a bonus, is the East Portal Road in Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. Draw your own conclusions about the challenge that seven miles of 16 percent grade would provide.

As tempting as the BTC sounds, I think I'll stick with northeastern Colorado in August or September. Trail Ridge Road through Rocky Mountain National Park has been resurfaced and I'm itchy to try it again. Call me a coward, but I'm rationalizing that 23 miles of climbing topping out at nearly 12,200 feet makes up for any grade deficiencies.