But baby, it's cold ouside.

Saturday made for a bitter cold ride. I went out on the newly reconfigured Bridgestone. Reconfigured back to MB riding, that is. A new Dart classic graces he front wheel, some old Kenda mb tire on the back, new Exage Mountain rear derailleur. When I the the gumption, I'll put a flat bar back on it, and maybe, just maybe, the front derailleur, and if I'm feeling really into it, I've got an old Alivio crankset to completely regear the thing since I'm only running a 40t ring up front. Ah, but I digress.Last week on sunday, after my leg cramp inducing ride, I went out in the snow for 11 on the Bridgestone, the snow is what brought on this bout of wrenching, I am starting to remember how much fun offraod riding is and want to get back into it after 10 years of roadiedom.

When I set out I had planned to explore 2 dirt roads. Unfortunately, it turns out the Russel Road is what I had suspected, a summer-only road not plowed in the middle section that is like all too many back roads in Maine. The road was very rutty and made for a good work out with packed snow. That rear tire leaves a little to be desired in terms of snow traction but I knew that. I had one near miss with a rut on the side of the main road. It was a good reminder that you can't take the "surface" for granted in the winter. The wind did me in as I doubled back up Russel. On 126, the wind was so strong from the west, that I could barely pedal against it. I had planned a 12 mile ride but cut it short to 8 miles and change. It was 18°F, with the wind, I have no idea what it "felt like". I had on tights, Gore-Tex pants, Ski parka, fleece jersey, Duofold longjohn shirt, windstopper gloves, fleece balaclava, merino socks, and Salomon shoes. Feet cold, hands warm, head cold, chest warm, pants cold.

Winter's Here?

So yesterday I did 25 miles on the PB. I still love the big 700X32 Panaracers I put on last week the one extra gear inch it gives makes the gearing great. I set out on a circle of unknown distance; I was pretty sure it wasn't more than 30 miles. It was a good loop, I will ride it again, it provides a good mix of descents, climbs, a few short flat stretches but mostly the usual rolling terrain. The only problem was that it was 35°F and I was riding into the wind for 75% of the ride. The kind of wind Garrison Keilor quotes as saying, "I'm gonna kill you , Boy." I had to stop 3 times to stretch my calves due to the descents.
This was one of those rides that makes you feel old. Amanda dug out her old yearbook later on in the evening from her mom's house. Looking through at the photos from the year I was in the best shape of my life is not great for the ego, when you get back from a ride like this. This morning I feel like someone beat the crap out of me. I suspect it's easier to feel young when it's warm.

It was a good mind clearing ride and I did actually half-assedly invent a new piece of bike tech: A single sided hub that would mount both a freewheel and fixed cog on the same side. I'm still working out the details in my brain. I got the idea from the White Industries Dos freewheel unit. I doubt I have the technical capacity to create this from old parts. Though there is also the possibility of modifying a freehub to accomplish the same task via a locking pin(s). I need to disassemble one to figure this out. I assume I could modify a freehub easier than a freewheel mechanism. The idea would be so that it would be more practical to switch between fixed/free on a really long ride.

Global Warming

Yeah, it's here. 60°F this is January, in Maine. Today I changed the tires on the PB out in the garage. I put on some all black Panaracer Urban Max tires 700x32. This is notable more for the fact that I was not wearing gloves at the time and I was in the unheated garage. Even more notable was when I finished, I took the Raleigh out for 17.5 miles and I wore shorts and a longsleeve jersey! January! This is really just a bit ridiculous. I saw joggers, walkers, horse riders. It was like Spring. I'm enjoying being able to ride, this was my first ride of 2007, but jeez, this weather ain't right.

Happy New Year!

I was hoping to go for a ride today, but Old Man Winter finally delivered some serious anti-biking weather. 33°F and rain/snowing. I did get to ride yesterday. I took out the Bridgestone with the rear derailleur back on it making a 7 speed mtn bike. With the high limit pin gone (completely seized, had to drill it out) it makes for some twitchy shifting. Looking to replace that derailleur with an old XT model hopefully. The roads were completely covered with packed snow. I only rode up to the end of the road and back, but it was nice to get out. The new tires came in for the PB, 700x32, unfortunately, I bought the wrong size innertubes. Doesn't much matter, since anything but knobbies can't go for a while here. So here's to a new year. Happy riding to all.