When I bought my Gios, I spec-ed out Campy Chorus triple. The guy originally wanted to get me Chorus compact. I didn’t know better. Next time, Campy Chorus compact 11s.
Now I have to figure out if they have the same rolling length. How do I do that?
Damn I want a new bike.
On the Fourth of July ride on the flat NCR trail, I flatted. Once again I am forced to ride back to the car on a flatted tire. No idea why it keeps flatting, but I have to avoid this as biking on a flat tire plain sucks.
Physically I felt good. Not as bad as the other days this past week. Maybe fitness is coming around. Need to go out again.
I can’t believe I hadn’t posted this as a cycling link before. They sell awesome bikes. Pricey, but I am wanting to get a Pegoretti.
Even I didn’t think that I could have a more pathetic ride on my bike than last Saturday, but I was wrong. I did 3.5 miles of really terrible biking this evening. Just got back.
The journey of a million miles always starts with the first few miles. I decided to try out a route that I want to do for an early morning quick work out. It’s just around the block using the cover of a park trail as a small bit. I wanted to see how out of shape I was. And I really am. I don’t have any power in the legs and applying what little I got hurts. Plus it took all my will power to keep the gearing in a moderate setting lest I resort to the granny gear for the flats. If not for the downhill run, this would’ve been a twenty minute outing.
I suck. Yet, I can only get better.
I haven’t really rode my bikes since 2009. Sure, I took a spin on it around the neighborhood twice last year, but I really haven’t spent time in the saddle.
This AM I took my Kona to the NCR trail trying to get motivated to ride. Was planning to go from Ashland to Monkton which is about 7 miles out and 7 miles back. I started out quick, but from Ashland it is downhill. Around 5 miles I was getting worried that I wouldn’t feel good enough to make it back. I was thinking that I bonked. What can I say, I didn’t make it to Monkton falling a stop short.
My legs felt as heavy as my body. There’s no strength in them.
I eased my way back to my car with my tail between my legs. What’s gonna happen when I really go out on a ride?
The Cyclotrope from tim Wheatley on Vimeo.
Cool! (ht cartoon brew)
I’m putting the bike back together. Bought in 2006, ridden until 2010, I hadn’t changed out the bar tape. It was ratty. So along with a new stem, I bought new bar tape.
Now I didn’t want to do it myself because I am pretty anal about things. If I don’t put it on right, I’m gonna be sad. But I can’t always rely on the angry dude in the bike shop to do everything. So, here’s a step-by-step.
First, remove old bar tape. You’re gonna have to remove the shifter hood or just move it aside enough so that it isn’t in the way. Then cut the old tape off. Usually there’s some electrical tape holding it on the bar. Cut that. Unwind the tape off. There’s also an extra piece of bar tape around the shifter. Take that off.
Next, clean the bar. I used some rubbing alcohol so that the tacky residue of the bar tape is no longer there.
After it’s clean get ready to wrap the new bar tape. Set up some electrical tape for when you get to the end. That way it’s ready to finish up the taping.
Start wrapping the tape around the bar. Start at the bar ends. Do one turn parallel to the end of the bar about 1/3 onto the bar. This will make it easier to put the bar plug over the tape to hold it down. Put the bar plug on. Start wrapping. As you can tell, do it from the bar end towards the stem. Pull as you wrap to make it tight. When you come to the shifter, put that extra tape on the backside then wrap around it. Make sure you give some space for the tape around the shifting mechanism. When you run out of bar tape. Get out the electrical tape to tape it down on the end.
So that’s it. I put on the bar tape. I didn’t leave too much space on the right shifter. There’s some bubbling along the curves. One side is shorter than the other. I think I’ll be fine with this for only one season. I’ll return to this post next year.
Because biking is awesome. And people on bikes is awesome.
It makes me want to commute to work on a bike.
Let’s all ride a bike!
Picture courtesy Mikael Colville-Andersen of Copenhagen Cycle Chic Blog
She takes her bike and paints it green. She hangs a white basket off the front and places a bell on the handlebar. She doesn’t wear spandex, but a flirty skirt. A smart, navy jacket rounds out the ensemble. Putting her bag in the basket, she pushes off towards her destination. The crisp morning air as she moves through it brings a slight blush on her cheeks. Her sunglasses catch the sun and she flashes that smile of hers as she enjoys the morning ride. Picture perfect.
Here’s to girls that ride bikes. The greatest invention. The bike. Plus, females. The two combine for beautiful motion. They are things to be happy about.
