Easy Wheelie

Now I know what my problem with riding a wheelie is, I didnt have one of thease on my Stingray as a child!

Broke one tool, found a new one

After spending the last couple of months trying to figure out what the weird rattle was that my bike was making and not being able to chase it down I finally gave up. Hey it really wasn't that bad and nothing  had exploded or fallen off, so i thought what the hell I'll just ride it till something dies.......

Fast forward to last Sunday afternoon; the sun was out, the roads were dry and Wangpig and his wife were going out on the tandem. Time to switch out the cross tires and wheels that had been on the bike all winter and put on something that rolls a little better. Out came the good old hand built commuter wheels with the 700 x 23 gatorskins. Installed them, and as an afterthought remembered that the spare tubes I had been lugging  around all winter were bigger 700 x 23/28's Opened up the seat bag, pulled out the tubes and with them comes a handful of parts. 

That's right, that's what happens to a multi tool that has never been removed from a seat pack in 4 years of riding some of the roughest roads that this part of Ohio has to offer. Chalk that one up to experience; remember boys and girls, keep a close eye on your tool.

Fast forward a couple more days. The weather has been excellent for this time of year; overnight lows in the high 30's or low 40's, a gentle wind out of the southeast, and it was time to explore some new roads and visit some good old ones.

Going around a curve in the road today we spied something orange laying on the side of the road; was it a a traffic cone? Was it a crushed traffic barrel? Nothing in nature is that color orange at this time of year;  what could it be?

Just what I always wanted and my dear wife has told me I have no use for; come on sweetie, everyone needs a chainsaw!!

The only problem was I had to drive back down and pick it up; I guess this will teach me not to carry some cord in my seat bag.

Frazz

Click on the comic to get it big enough to read.

The Most Important Part

Some people say that the most important part of a bicycle is the engine sitting on the saddle powering the cranks. Others will try and tell you that the bike is nothing without the latest and greatest suspension fork, or the latest group set. And yet another set of people will tell you that unless you have super lite and super stiff wheels set up tubeless with the best tires money can buy, you won't be able to hang. Let me tell you all right now: "THEY ARE WRONG!"

This little 16 gram piece of finely machined aluminum is the most important part. Just replace one of your 1 1/8 inch headset spacers with this little beauty and you're good to go. No more will you have to use some odd bike part to open your beer.  No more worrying that you forgot the opener and don't have twist off lids, and no more being disgusted when you find out that the people running the last race brought the wrong tap for the keg. And, when you're working in your basement you won't have to walk over to the workbench for an opener when you're working on your bike, because you will always be able to open your beer and those of your friends. 

Tucked away neatly you will never know it's there.

 

So lift your bottles high and toast your friends; it's going to be another great year of riding.

A Reading From The Book of Merckx 53:11

A reading form the book of Merckx (53:11)

“Whenever two or more Cyclists are gathered to Ride Ttogether in My name they shall argue. For, verily just as Night Follows Day and One Beer follows Another, There shall be no Agreement among the Two Wheeled Faithful as to the route or the pace of any Group Ride.

Bickering and strife shall be thy lot, Brother will smite brother and sister shall smite sister, and there shall be no peace.

For it is written that some shall desire to go short, fearful that they hath not the swiftness not the strength to persevere.

While others will desire to go long, thirsting for the understanding that comes with righteous miles and Holy Velocity.

And they shall not agree, and they shall remaineth forever in the Parking Lot of Despair, quarreling until the end of their days.

But I sayeth unto you: Fear not For a strong wind shall rise from the East, and on that wind shall come a Savior,

A Good Sheppard who shall gather unto Himself the fractious and disturbing ones,

And they shall fall silent, the fast and the slow and they shall be sore afraid.

For His legs are like the Mighty Oaks, His Speed passeth all Understanding, His miles are as uncounted as the grains of sand in the desert.

They shall name him”Pain Giver” or “The Really Fast Guy” And all shall doff their helmets at the mention of His name.
Fore none shall be worthy even to clean the greasy motes from His chain. He shall rise up from the flock because He Knoweth The Route’ The Faithfull shall trust in his wisdom to deliever them from the Desert of their Indecision,

And He shall lead them into an abundant land flowing with pastries and espresso.

For it is written in the Holy Cue Sheets:

There shall be peace in that abundant valley, And their Disagreement shall be no more.

The fast and the Slow shall rise up together in harmony all of their remaining days,

And it shall come to pass that the Two Wheeled Faithful shall honor his Mighty commandment:

Just Shut Up and Ride.”

AMEN

By Greg Taylor

No I didn't write it but I thought it was worth posting!

Things You Don't Want To See At Night

 

No, those are not the glowing eyes of a monster out to get me, they are the battery meters on my lights telling me that the life is quickly draining from my battery, and I am south of US 250. All sorts of things go through your mind when this happens; first and foremost is, when exactly was the last time I charged my batteries up? Running  the totals in my head, let's see, I've got about 8 hours of use on the big pack, and it went red on Emerson Road heading out. I switched to the small one at that time and thought I had it made. But wait, now that I think of it, there are 5 hours of use on that battery.

The second thing that goes through your mind is, if I have a mechanical problem, I'm screwed. I'm not sure that if I have to change a flat, I have enough power to do it and still get home.

 I guess I need to take a more proactive stance with keeping them charged . The back roads of Wayne and Holmes counties are rather dark places to be.

Luckily, as I rolled in the driveway the red eyes had just started to flash and the pure white LED started to fade to yellow. You can bet that from now on, I will keep better track of keeping the batteries charged.

Coming in on Kansas, I saw 4 sets of headlights going south. Smiling to myself, knowing that I'm not the only fool out there refusing to give in to the cold and dark.

Soon, night riding will be a thing of the past for me. I am due to go on to second shift in a week. Not my prefered shift, but after spending a good portion of the last year on unemployment, it's just plain out good to be working again.

A Monumental Beat Down

Well, I made my decision, paid my money and raced Sport. Talk about a step up! I thought my fitness and skills were improving, but nothing I have done this year could prepare me for racing one full lap at Mohican State Park. I thought about racing Clydesdale as lately I have been hovering around the limit. But in the end I made the decision to race my age group and be done with it.

When I race I tend to forget things, as in hold some back, remember, it's going to be a long race. No more of those short one lap novice races where I can go full bore the entire time. I need to learn to conserve some energy so there is something left in the tank for that second lap, or in this case the climb on the other side of the covered bridge. Also, I need to remember to drink. If I wait untill I am thirsty I'm screwed. there is no reason to ever come back in with over half a bottle left plus an almost full Camelbak. Also, I need to remember to eat. Keep the energy level up.  I know, I know it sounds simple, but this is what might have led to the cramps and serious suffering at about mile 20.

I did manage to accomplish what I wanted to at the start, and that was to use this race as a gauge for next year. Now I know what needs worked on for next year.

It was good to see so many Orrville riders show up and race. Besides myself, Tim B., Joe M., Ryan F., Michael G. and  Mark J. were there flying the Orrville colors. Also, there was the full complement of racers from Team Soupcan, and Wangpig and Chief were there.

In the end, all I can say about my finish is I was not the first one in my age group to come across the line, but damn it, I was not the last one to cross!

Photos taken by Bob (the picture guy) Grimm