Haven’t done crap on or to a bike lately…..this so sucks.
So busy with stuff and will be for the foreseeable future. Going out of town here and there as well as torrential rainfalls over the last several weeks…leaves little to no time to get in the saddle.
Bummer….
Well, the weather didn’t disappoint. It was 69 degrees this morning when I rode out of my driveway. I hadn’t really decided on a course yet, I just knew I wanted to take my time and enjoy this weather while it lasted. Knowing I needed something to eat and drink, I headed to the nearest Starbucks. It’s a new one they just opened up. Took a little time to wake up, chat with a few other customers who were starting their day and nibble on a donut and drink a cup of coffee. After that I decided I would ride to the other Starbucks in town. I made my way down and around and through this and that and not really worrying about speed or cadence or heart rate. I just wanted to enjoy the sun coming up and the cool north wind blowing. About halfway there I really started to feel my back tighten up. I was thinking I should stop and stretch it out but then remembered that my gym is right around the corner from my destination and has massage chairs!
I arrive at the gym, place my bike inside and grab some coins from the clerk and proceeded to get my massage for the next 15 minutes. It did wonders for me.
I made my way to the second Starbucks around the corner and got my water bottle filled. The next few miles were really fun since I was going south and had the now 20 to 25 mph wind at my back. I wound my way around the outskirts of downtown knowing that my next destination would require a trip through the town square. The roads in and around the square are not really meant for bikes, no shoulder of any kind and all of them are curbed. No sidewalks to bail out to either. Luckily, a lot of drivers are used to seeing bicyclists and give plenty of room.
I made it to the square and as usual, an arts and crafts fair was in swing. I decided to take a look-see and get my pic snapped.
One happy cyclist.
After browsing here and there it was north into the headwinds for the last stop. Starbucks number 3.
Arrived a lot more tired and frustrated than I should have been. The time off the bike was showing.
Rested and chatted with a few people and then the final leg began, all north back home. I was not looking forward to this. Wont bore you with details just know that I made it home in good shape.
For the last few rides I have heard a clicking noise from somewhere on my bike. It sounded like it was coming from the front fork but logic say the BB is suspect. Will need to get that looked at. I say that to say this, I didn’t hear it at all today and I think it’s because I really wasn’t going for speed and ‘hammering’ the cranks. Again, will have to get it looked at soon, I don't like my bike making noises.
All in all, it was a good ride. Love my Jamis but on rides like this, I really would like the Vaya (see last post). The larger tires on it would make for a more comfortable ride. I took the 23cm off this bike you see above and put 28cm treads (the tires you see in the picture). Has made a big difference but the larger tires on the Vaya would be awesome! Think I just may have to pull the trigger on the Vaya here soon.
It’s been a while since I have been on the bike. With one kid going off to college for her first year, another going back to high school and the third coming home on leave from being deployed on a ship for the last 11 months, plus normal work and home chores and a bout with shingles has left little time for two wheeled fun.
But now, things are settling down and a routine is beginning to be established and the bikes are appearing on the radar.
Tomorrow will see temps reach no higher than 90° and so should be a great day for riding. I really enjoy Saturday morning rides. Easy going, stopping often to see or hear the sights and sounds. I am fortunate to live in a place where I can leave straight from home and either ride in the ‘city’ or out in the country depending on whether I go right or left at the end of my driveway.
It’s interesting to me that I tend to like the road better in the mornings and mountain biking in the evenings. Any of you that way? Have a certain type of riding you prefer to do at a certain time of day?
Stopped by my LBS on the way home from work the other night and rode the Salsa Vaya 3 (2011). 55cm and was PERFECT for me. Short legs and long torso makes it rather difficult to find a bike that’s just right. If I fit in the legs (stand over is good, seat to handle bar height ratio is good) then the torso is way too short. I end up feeling like my knees are hitting (and usually do) my hands when on the handle bars. If I find one that fits in the torso, it is usually way too big (tall) for me in the legs. So almost al of my bikes have really long stems on them. Which is ok to a point but I have to be particularly careful on the mountain bike as having my hands too far forward reduces my ability to handle the bike as efficiently as I should.
Case in point, my current and only mountain bike has a stem that is too long.
This is a Trek ST-120 (I bought it in 1996 – the only year they made this bike) size Medium and yes, that is a unified rear triangle. The stem, a Control Tech (http://www.controltechbikes.com/#) 110mm. I feel like my hands are too far out front and thus I am hesitant to ride down anything too steep for fear of going OTB. But, the bike fits great from the waist down. I fear that I will need a custom mountain bike made when the time comes to get a new one…of course I know what you’re thinking. “It was time to get a new one a week after you bought this one.” and you’re probably right but, when it’s all you got, you ride what you got. Plus, my attention in biking has been focusing lately on road and more specifically, touring. Thus my stop and testing the Vaya.
Pic downloaded from the web but this is pretty much how I would (will) set mine up only I would (will) add front and rear racks.
Looking forward to touring. I have a small, three nights, four days four state park loop tour already planned, just need the gear to do it!
