Saving Daylight

Well, it's that time of year again. Wait a minute, no it's not. It's early for DST but what the hell, it just makes it so I can ride after work earlier so I'm not complaining one bit. This morning I took the Raleigh out for a good one. Did about 32 miles and change. Not many cars out and quite tolerable weather. Around 50 and overcast. Wet roads like crazy. I had this uneasy feeling that my tires were sliding out from under me a few times. I'm not sure if they were or if I'm jsut crazy, it was a quite unsettling feeling. I wasn't imagining it when I rode over the metal grate bridge at the Salmon preserve. I was distracted with nature and almost went down twice. That would not have been pretty at all. I've heard of people going down on those things and I know I don't want to do it. I guess I'm going to call this the official start of the riding season for me. DST will allow me much more flexibility in riding, and I should be able to start riding to work again this week.

On the wrenching side of things. Jim sent in measurements to Gunnar so now he's waiting in the verdict; custom or stock frame. I will likely soon move my moustache bars to the Raleigh, and I have decided instead of putting the triple back on the Bridgestone, I will probably get a Surly stainless single ring for the front, and run 1x7.

Calm before the [next] storm

Well, the last couple of days have been gorgeous, mid day temps in the 40s, bright sunshine, and clear roads. I brought in the newly reconfigured Pirate Bike. I changed the handlebar to a flat bar with Ritchey grips like came stock on my Mtn bike in 92, and changed the lever to a proper V-brake lever. I can stop like crazy now. So I brought the bike to work and rode at lunch the last two days, putting me over 100 miles for the new year. Unfortunately, there is a blizzard coming tomorrow, so I will likely not be able to ride again outdoors for at least a week or two. C'est la vie. I am considering changing the bar on the Raleigh tour bike to the moustache bar formerly on the PB, for some classic touring stylee. Though if I do that, I might want a shorter stem on that bike.

Also on the horizon is a custom build for Jim who is ready to upgrade his aluminum Cannondale, to a Gunnar Roadie, that we will assemble with a full Ultegra kit (oh baby). So we'll see what the weather brings us tomorrow. Hopefully I'll be riding more soon.