Thursday, March 18, 2010
Done
Well, it took a while but I finally finished the Fargo. There were a number of issues along the way—some due to the uniqueness of the bike, some due to my retardation, and just some plain bad luck. I'll get into that more later, but for now here is the finished product.
Later.
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Choices
I had the opportunity to go mountain biking today, but opted not to. In order to pull off a mountain bike ride on Wednesdays, everything has to go right. If there are any hiccups—say a major mechanical or a couple flat tires—a little six-year-old will be standing in the parking lot after school wondering where his dad is.
While I have never been late, the slim chance of it happening sometimes makes the whole effort more stressful than it need be. Riding is supposed to be fun.
Also, mountain biking involves driving, which costs money and adds to the wear-and-tear on our already high-mileage vehicles. Since I would need the truck, the SUV (which gets horrible gas mileage and uses premium fuel) would be driven all the way to Sacramento by my wife.
Then there is the pollution aspect.
Sometimes it really bugs me that I have to add to the air pollution that this region suffers from, the same pollution I complain about when I'm riding, to actually GO riding. Sometimes. Other times the pull of sweet singletrack riding is stronger than my conscience, and I fire up the internal combustion engine and spew pollutants all the way to the trailhead.
Today was one of the days when my conscience and desire for a more relaxed ride won out.
I took the road bike out for a tour of all my favorite country roads. The tempo was comfortable, bordering on slow, with a few hard efforts thrown in here and there. I stopped more than usual for pictures. Without consciously trying, the theme seemed to be animals.
I have ridden by this fence for years and wondered why it's so tall. What are they trying to keep out? Or what are they trying to keep IN?
Suddenly I felt something looming above me and looked up to see this:
That pretty much explains the tall fence. The rest of the animals were a bit more common.
Equine:
Bovine:
Canine:
Anserine:
Struttin':
Mutton:
This shot begged for sepia:
This guy begged for food:
I put in 36 miles and enjoyed the mild temperatures, quiet roads and brilliant green scenery.
Later.
While I have never been late, the slim chance of it happening sometimes makes the whole effort more stressful than it need be. Riding is supposed to be fun.
Also, mountain biking involves driving, which costs money and adds to the wear-and-tear on our already high-mileage vehicles. Since I would need the truck, the SUV (which gets horrible gas mileage and uses premium fuel) would be driven all the way to Sacramento by my wife.
Then there is the pollution aspect.
Sometimes it really bugs me that I have to add to the air pollution that this region suffers from, the same pollution I complain about when I'm riding, to actually GO riding. Sometimes. Other times the pull of sweet singletrack riding is stronger than my conscience, and I fire up the internal combustion engine and spew pollutants all the way to the trailhead.
Today was one of the days when my conscience and desire for a more relaxed ride won out.
I took the road bike out for a tour of all my favorite country roads. The tempo was comfortable, bordering on slow, with a few hard efforts thrown in here and there. I stopped more than usual for pictures. Without consciously trying, the theme seemed to be animals.
I have ridden by this fence for years and wondered why it's so tall. What are they trying to keep out? Or what are they trying to keep IN?
Suddenly I felt something looming above me and looked up to see this:
That pretty much explains the tall fence. The rest of the animals were a bit more common.
Equine:
Bovine:
Canine:
Anserine:
Struttin':
Mutton:
This shot begged for sepia:
This guy begged for food:
I put in 36 miles and enjoyed the mild temperatures, quiet roads and brilliant green scenery.
Later.
Monday, March 15, 2010
Furlough Monday and Casseroll Update
I went for a nice road ride today courtesy of the governor. The weather was just about perfect, and the roads were quiet. I had a good time, but was it worth 4.6% of my monthly salary? Uh, no.
I have been riding the Casseroll for a while now, and I love it. I don't think there is anything I would really change about it, which is saying something because I usually find something I don't like about a bike. It's the perfect road bike for where I live and how I ride at this point in my life.
Most of the components from when I bought it in August are long gone, having found their way to eBay or other bikes.
I originally set it up with bar-end shifters because it was the quickest way to get it on the road. I didn't really care for bar-end shifting, though, and something didn't feel quite right with the handling.
I tore the bike down and built it up with a nine-speed Dura Ace drivetrain. It was better, but still not there. The bike felt a little sketchy going through high-speed corners and very awkward when climbing out of the saddle. The handlebar position, while comfortable, was too high. I took about an inch off the steerer tube, dropping the bars down accordingly. That was the sweet spot.
Still, the bike felt a little lethargic. I swapped out the stock wheels for my old Dura Ace racing wheels, and immediately the bike felt stiffer and quicker. Even with the fat tires, the bike is now pretty zippy.
Anyway, this is how it currently looks as of today:
I saw Kowalski out in the middle of nowhere, obviously scouting out some mission for the Skipper. They're a long way from Madagascar. "Smile and wave, boys. Smile and wave."
I'm always commenting on how hilly it is around my house. Well, here's an example of how fast you can go down some of the hills:
Later.
I have been riding the Casseroll for a while now, and I love it. I don't think there is anything I would really change about it, which is saying something because I usually find something I don't like about a bike. It's the perfect road bike for where I live and how I ride at this point in my life.
Most of the components from when I bought it in August are long gone, having found their way to eBay or other bikes.
I originally set it up with bar-end shifters because it was the quickest way to get it on the road. I didn't really care for bar-end shifting, though, and something didn't feel quite right with the handling.
I tore the bike down and built it up with a nine-speed Dura Ace drivetrain. It was better, but still not there. The bike felt a little sketchy going through high-speed corners and very awkward when climbing out of the saddle. The handlebar position, while comfortable, was too high. I took about an inch off the steerer tube, dropping the bars down accordingly. That was the sweet spot.
Still, the bike felt a little lethargic. I swapped out the stock wheels for my old Dura Ace racing wheels, and immediately the bike felt stiffer and quicker. Even with the fat tires, the bike is now pretty zippy.
Anyway, this is how it currently looks as of today:
I saw Kowalski out in the middle of nowhere, obviously scouting out some mission for the Skipper. They're a long way from Madagascar. "Smile and wave, boys. Smile and wave."
I'm always commenting on how hilly it is around my house. Well, here's an example of how fast you can go down some of the hills:
Later.
Friday, March 05, 2010
Rare Friday Ride
I'm working after hours tonight, and a little more over the weekend, so I didn't need to go to the office today. This left left my morning open for a little ride.
I stuffed my pockets with enough food for a weekend camping trip and headed out the door. The temperature was only 41 degrees, so the first few descents were a bit uncomfortable. It gradually warmed up over the course of the ride, but it only topped out at 53 today.
I am quite tired of the seemingly constant barrage of storms, but all the rain has left the area very green. It's nice to look at, but I would gladly trade it for a more normal Northern California winter; I have done little mountain biking since December.
It won't be long until these rolling green hills will be a brown, thorn-filled hell.
You never know what you will see along these country roads. My friend Bill says he likes a little junk in the trunk. There you go, buddy.
I eventually made my way down to the bike trail, which was mostly deserted.
I rode over the new Folsom bridge, down the trail through Negro Bar, around Lake Natoma, and back through Old Folsom.
Then I made the long climb back home from Folsom through El Dorado Hills, Serrano and Cameron Park.
That snow in the Sierras will be there for a while. With any luck it might melt enough by the Fourth of July weekend to do some mountain biking.
I ended up with 60.5 miles for the day, a nice change of pace from the usual Friday work day.
Later.
I stuffed my pockets with enough food for a weekend camping trip and headed out the door. The temperature was only 41 degrees, so the first few descents were a bit uncomfortable. It gradually warmed up over the course of the ride, but it only topped out at 53 today.
I am quite tired of the seemingly constant barrage of storms, but all the rain has left the area very green. It's nice to look at, but I would gladly trade it for a more normal Northern California winter; I have done little mountain biking since December.
It won't be long until these rolling green hills will be a brown, thorn-filled hell.
You never know what you will see along these country roads. My friend Bill says he likes a little junk in the trunk. There you go, buddy.
I eventually made my way down to the bike trail, which was mostly deserted.
I rode over the new Folsom bridge, down the trail through Negro Bar, around Lake Natoma, and back through Old Folsom.
Then I made the long climb back home from Folsom through El Dorado Hills, Serrano and Cameron Park.
That snow in the Sierras will be there for a while. With any luck it might melt enough by the Fourth of July weekend to do some mountain biking.
I ended up with 60.5 miles for the day, a nice change of pace from the usual Friday work day.
Later.
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Strange Brew
Like beer? How about coffee? Then try this:
It's a Lagunitas seasonal brew. I was only able to get two after I discovered them at the local grocery store. Then they quickly disappeared, probably until next Christmas.
It's a smooth, tasty stout with a hint of chocolate and coffee. I like it enough to where I will drop in to a few local stores to see if I can get more.
Make sure you are in for the night before cracking the cap. The ABV comes in at 9.2% and I definitely noticed it.
Later.
It's a Lagunitas seasonal brew. I was only able to get two after I discovered them at the local grocery store. Then they quickly disappeared, probably until next Christmas.
It's a smooth, tasty stout with a hint of chocolate and coffee. I like it enough to where I will drop in to a few local stores to see if I can get more.
Make sure you are in for the night before cracking the cap. The ABV comes in at 9.2% and I definitely noticed it.
Later.
Monday, February 22, 2010
Weekend
The weather wasn't very cooperative this weekend, but I managed to get in a 50-mile ride on the bike trail on Saturday. Sometimes I like to get off the road and not have to worry about cars, the idiots who drive cars, potholes, dead animals, thorns, broken glass, or the idiots who break glass. On the bike trail you can just spin your legs and shut down your brain for a while.
My intention was to take it slow and easy, but that never seems to happen. I had only been on the trail for a little over three miles when a guy rode up beside me. Although it was overcast and cool, he was in shorts and a sleeveless jersey to show off his guns. No helmet on his shaved dome, because he's obviously too cool for that. He has the $6,000 bike, $500 shoes, fake orange tan, and other than his eyebrows, there isn't a single hair visible on his entire body. (Yeah, he even shaved his armpits.) He looked like a creepy alien dipped in Tang. Motioning towards my bike, he said, "What is that? Road bike? Cyclocross? Touring bike?"
"Road bike, mostly," I replied.
"The tires are freakin' HUGE," he said. "Must be slow."
I shrugged. Like I care what some androgynous dick on a carbon bike thinks.
Later.
My intention was to take it slow and easy, but that never seems to happen. I had only been on the trail for a little over three miles when a guy rode up beside me. Although it was overcast and cool, he was in shorts and a sleeveless jersey to show off his guns. No helmet on his shaved dome, because he's obviously too cool for that. He has the $6,000 bike, $500 shoes, fake orange tan, and other than his eyebrows, there isn't a single hair visible on his entire body. (Yeah, he even shaved his armpits.) He looked like a creepy alien dipped in Tang. Motioning towards my bike, he said, "What is that? Road bike? Cyclocross? Touring bike?"
"Road bike, mostly," I replied.
"The tires are freakin' HUGE," he said. "Must be slow."
I shrugged. Like I care what some androgynous dick on a carbon bike thinks.
I let him ride away, though he kept looking back—the way they always do—hoping for a race. I wasn't warmed up, and I wasn't in the mood.
About five miles later I had warmed up. Cruising along at a nice tempo, I passed some people; a few people passed me. Everyone was friendly and saying hello. Nobody was being competitive. Just a nice, quiet Saturday ride.
I came around a corner and I could see E.T. up ahead pedaling in squares, orange knees jutting out. Money might have bought the fancy bike and clothes, but it didn't buy that ugly pedal stroke. No, that was pure natural talent right there.
I rode my own tempo and closed the gap in a little under a mile. He looked surprised to see me as I passed, and immediately jumped on my wheel, as I knew he would.
I like to toy with these guys, especially the ones who make assumptions about my "slow" bike. I let him sit back there for a while as I rode at a comfortable pace. After a few minutes, I slowed noticeably. This makes the rider behind you think you're tiring.
I was not.
He came around and I slipped onto his wheel. Trying to drop me, he put the hammer down, peeking beneath his arm every once in a while to see if I was still there. After a couple minutes I let a little gap form to let him think it was working. As soon as he noticed, he accelerated again. I easily got back on his wheel and let him make his run. Fish on.
I think the most interesting aspect of sports is the psychology. Many times I have been on the winning or losing side of these mind games in real races. Unfortunately, only one guy wins a race, so you spend a lot of time learning lessons from the losses.
Even if you aren't racing, it's always fun to battle wits with someone to see if you can outfox them. Feigning weakness is one the oldest tricks in the bike racing book, but this guy had fallen for it.
He rode all-out for about two miles, which was actually pretty impressive, but sitting in his draft was relatively easy. When he completely detonated, I rode away from him without much effort on my fat-tired, slow bike.
Right at my turnaround point, I saw my friend Curtis riding in the opposite direction. I turned around and caught up. We haven't talked much since I quit my road racing team, so it was nice to ride with him for a while and catch up. After 11 miles, he turned back for home, and I was alone again.
About nine miles from my truck, the weather looked threatening. It started raining about three minutes after I took this picture:
About five miles later I had warmed up. Cruising along at a nice tempo, I passed some people; a few people passed me. Everyone was friendly and saying hello. Nobody was being competitive. Just a nice, quiet Saturday ride.
I came around a corner and I could see E.T. up ahead pedaling in squares, orange knees jutting out. Money might have bought the fancy bike and clothes, but it didn't buy that ugly pedal stroke. No, that was pure natural talent right there.
I rode my own tempo and closed the gap in a little under a mile. He looked surprised to see me as I passed, and immediately jumped on my wheel, as I knew he would.
I like to toy with these guys, especially the ones who make assumptions about my "slow" bike. I let him sit back there for a while as I rode at a comfortable pace. After a few minutes, I slowed noticeably. This makes the rider behind you think you're tiring.
I was not.
He came around and I slipped onto his wheel. Trying to drop me, he put the hammer down, peeking beneath his arm every once in a while to see if I was still there. After a couple minutes I let a little gap form to let him think it was working. As soon as he noticed, he accelerated again. I easily got back on his wheel and let him make his run. Fish on.
I think the most interesting aspect of sports is the psychology. Many times I have been on the winning or losing side of these mind games in real races. Unfortunately, only one guy wins a race, so you spend a lot of time learning lessons from the losses.
Even if you aren't racing, it's always fun to battle wits with someone to see if you can outfox them. Feigning weakness is one the oldest tricks in the bike racing book, but this guy had fallen for it.
He rode all-out for about two miles, which was actually pretty impressive, but sitting in his draft was relatively easy. When he completely detonated, I rode away from him without much effort on my fat-tired, slow bike.
Right at my turnaround point, I saw my friend Curtis riding in the opposite direction. I turned around and caught up. We haven't talked much since I quit my road racing team, so it was nice to ride with him for a while and catch up. After 11 miles, he turned back for home, and I was alone again.
About nine miles from my truck, the weather looked threatening. It started raining about three minutes after I took this picture:
It was a light rain, so it wasn't a big deal. I got back to the truck a little damp, but it was a nice, relaxing ride. Just what I needed after a long week.
Later.
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Taking Shape
I'm gradually getting the Fargo pieced together. There is enough bike assembled to where I can roll it around on the driveway. The position feels pretty awesome. It's weird to have drop bars up where a typical riser bar would be.
So far everything except the frameset and brake levers has come out of the parts bin, so it hasn't cost me too much. I have to get a few things like a chain and cables before I can finish it up, though.
I intended on going mountain biking today, but my legs were still feeling the effects of Monday's ride when I woke up. I went on a short road ride instead. I felt pretty horrible for the first half of the ride, but perked up a little at the end. I'm looking forward to a day off the bike tomorrow.
The forecast calls for rain late Friday. I hope it holds off until the evening so I can ride home from work for the first time in a while. The sun is up late enough now to pull it off. Spring is coming . . .
That's it for now.
Later.
So far everything except the frameset and brake levers has come out of the parts bin, so it hasn't cost me too much. I have to get a few things like a chain and cables before I can finish it up, though.
I intended on going mountain biking today, but my legs were still feeling the effects of Monday's ride when I woke up. I went on a short road ride instead. I felt pretty horrible for the first half of the ride, but perked up a little at the end. I'm looking forward to a day off the bike tomorrow.
The forecast calls for rain late Friday. I hope it holds off until the evening so I can ride home from work for the first time in a while. The sun is up late enough now to pull it off. Spring is coming . . .
That's it for now.
Later.
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