Friday, February 27, 2009
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Connecticut Challenge
After riding the Pan Mass Challenge for 6 years (2002 2007), I opted out in 2008 due to the extraordinary fund raising minimums. It was a huge void for me in 2008, and I felt that I was missing out on my opportunity to do something good for the world!
This year I have registered for the Connecticut Challenge. The CT Challenge gives anyone interested in raising money for a good cause the opportunity to do so without having to worry about being on the hook for $4000 in fund raising minimums.
I will be riding with my 16 year old nephew, and I am already totally psyched to ride, and to see how much money we can raise for those fighting cancer, as well as all those brave survivors out there.
Anyone interested in riding with us, let me know here on the blog. All the info on the ride is available here
Or, if you would like to contribute to my ride, you can click here
Thanks everyone, ride safe!
This year I have registered for the Connecticut Challenge. The CT Challenge gives anyone interested in raising money for a good cause the opportunity to do so without having to worry about being on the hook for $4000 in fund raising minimums.
I will be riding with my 16 year old nephew, and I am already totally psyched to ride, and to see how much money we can raise for those fighting cancer, as well as all those brave survivors out there.
Anyone interested in riding with us, let me know here on the blog. All the info on the ride is available here
Or, if you would like to contribute to my ride, you can click here
Thanks everyone, ride safe!
Stuck in a rut
Liz DiFebo - a writer for Bicycling magazine - recently posted a story which I found not only entertaining, but as I sympathized with her, I also took some level of comfort in knowing that I'l not the only one that often finds it hard to get back in the saddle.
Click here to give it a read, no doubt we've all been there.
Click here to give it a read, no doubt we've all been there.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Back on the bike
Well, our original goal was to commute on the bikes at least once every month in 2008, which we did. Unfortunately, January just didn't work out for us and for one reason or another we never rode the bikes to work last month (January '09).
Tomorrow it's back on the bike. I have clean clothes in the locker downstairs at my office, the bike is ready to go, I drove the route last night on my way home and aside form a bit of water, some new pot holes, and ocassional ice - I think we'll be fine!
While I have not been on the bike, I have been running to train for the Willow Tree half marathon in Providence which is coming up on May 3rd. I was never much of a runner but I have been slowly building up mileage over the past couple years and I think I'm actually starting to enjoy it. I still prefer the bike but the running is a nice change of pace. So, tomorrow I shouldn't be too sore, although the bike seat may take some getting used to after a month off the bike. We'll see soon enough.
Ride safe and keep warm!
Tomorrow it's back on the bike. I have clean clothes in the locker downstairs at my office, the bike is ready to go, I drove the route last night on my way home and aside form a bit of water, some new pot holes, and ocassional ice - I think we'll be fine!
While I have not been on the bike, I have been running to train for the Willow Tree half marathon in Providence which is coming up on May 3rd. I was never much of a runner but I have been slowly building up mileage over the past couple years and I think I'm actually starting to enjoy it. I still prefer the bike but the running is a nice change of pace. So, tomorrow I shouldn't be too sore, although the bike seat may take some getting used to after a month off the bike. We'll see soon enough.
Ride safe and keep warm!
Friday, January 23, 2009
My New Topeak Goodies!
I think it must say something about my life when I look at the things I now get excited about. This past weekend, my brother presented me with a new Topeak Beam Rack, Trunk Bag, and Seat Bag. He is pals with one of the guys over there and hooked me up with some deals. The Topeak stuff is really high quality and well designed product. Not exactly inexpensive, but from what I can tell, seems to be worth the price. At any rate, I was very excited!
The Beam Rack has a built in rubber bungee that seems pretty durable and keeps you from having to worry about how you're going to hold anything onto the rack, as well as all sorts of attachment points for additional bungees, lights, and panniers. It attaches securely to the seat post with a solid, well-engineered quick-release, and they include some rubber pads to ensure a tight fit between the rack and seat post preventing any swaying. It also works with their Quick Track attachment system which allows Topeak bags to slide right on and lock in quickly and easily. The Beam Rack I got is the V-type which angles down and away from the seat post putting the rack closer to the rear wheel and giving you more space for the rack. Another very cool and functional idea.
The Trunk Bag is also rather cool and full of features, as well as being well made. It fits nicely on the rack, attaching on the QuickTrack of the Beam Rack. They offer several sizes but this one seemed to suit my needs fitting a change of clothes and the basics when I commute. It is a semi-rigid shell with a zippered top and sides, and a bungee attached to the top allowing you to quickly stow a jacket, vest, etc. If I was to carry my laptop, I would still have to wear a backpack, but I try to avoid that!
Again, I don't think these are a bargain necessarily, but certainly seem to be worth the money. The under-seat bag uses their quick release system which I love. I now have the quick release portion on the seats of 5 of my bikes, so when I ride a different bike, I just unclip the bag and move it from bike to bike. I keep one bag outfitted with Mtn. Bike tubes, tools, and another one outfitted with road bike tools, tubes. The bags also have an expansion zipper giving you some extra room should you want to jam something in mid-ride.
I can't wait for the roads to clear somewhat so I can get back on the bike and start using this stuff regularly. The trunk bag also has a shoulder strap so once I get to the office I can throw it over my shoulder and head up to my office!
Happy Riding everyone
The Beam Rack has a built in rubber bungee that seems pretty durable and keeps you from having to worry about how you're going to hold anything onto the rack, as well as all sorts of attachment points for additional bungees, lights, and panniers. It attaches securely to the seat post with a solid, well-engineered quick-release, and they include some rubber pads to ensure a tight fit between the rack and seat post preventing any swaying. It also works with their Quick Track attachment system which allows Topeak bags to slide right on and lock in quickly and easily. The Beam Rack I got is the V-type which angles down and away from the seat post putting the rack closer to the rear wheel and giving you more space for the rack. Another very cool and functional idea.
The Trunk Bag is also rather cool and full of features, as well as being well made. It fits nicely on the rack, attaching on the QuickTrack of the Beam Rack. They offer several sizes but this one seemed to suit my needs fitting a change of clothes and the basics when I commute. It is a semi-rigid shell with a zippered top and sides, and a bungee attached to the top allowing you to quickly stow a jacket, vest, etc. If I was to carry my laptop, I would still have to wear a backpack, but I try to avoid that!
Again, I don't think these are a bargain necessarily, but certainly seem to be worth the money. The under-seat bag uses their quick release system which I love. I now have the quick release portion on the seats of 5 of my bikes, so when I ride a different bike, I just unclip the bag and move it from bike to bike. I keep one bag outfitted with Mtn. Bike tubes, tools, and another one outfitted with road bike tools, tubes. The bags also have an expansion zipper giving you some extra room should you want to jam something in mid-ride.
I can't wait for the roads to clear somewhat so I can get back on the bike and start using this stuff regularly. The trunk bag also has a shoulder strap so once I get to the office I can throw it over my shoulder and head up to my office!
Happy Riding everyone
Monday, December 08, 2008
Color Choices
Over the weekend I put the final coat of clear on the frame for my single speed project bike. As much as I tried to keep the fumes out of the house with a huge fan placed in front of the bulkhead doors, when I got upstairs my children looked to be a bit glossier than usual. Perhaps my efforts to blow the fumes outside were not as successful as I had hoped. At any rate, now the assembly begins and I need some input. My friend Gary has suggested a white seat, and white handlebar tape, and that is what I had in mind all along. I already have the white seat and handlebar tape so that theme fits in nicely with my budget as well!
Now, I have been planning on using a set of 700c wheels that I have at home for this bike, but closer inspection of the original 1980 something wheels on this bike show that they are 27's. Apparently, I may have some issues with the brakes if I try to use the newer 700c wheels? Who knew? So... this all leaves me with tires choices. Assuming that I can use the newer 700c wheels on this bike (and get the brakes to work), do I go with Orange and black tires which would match the paint? Or, do I go with solid white tires that would match the seat, bar tape and chain? I think that white tires look pretty rad on a bike of this type anyway!
Let me know what you think. Orange or White?
Click "Post a comment" below and let me know your opinion.
I'll be dropping the bike off at the shop pretty soon for final assembly. Cant wait to see how it rides!
Thanks.
PO
Now, I have been planning on using a set of 700c wheels that I have at home for this bike, but closer inspection of the original 1980 something wheels on this bike show that they are 27's. Apparently, I may have some issues with the brakes if I try to use the newer 700c wheels? Who knew? So... this all leaves me with tires choices. Assuming that I can use the newer 700c wheels on this bike (and get the brakes to work), do I go with Orange and black tires which would match the paint? Or, do I go with solid white tires that would match the seat, bar tape and chain? I think that white tires look pretty rad on a bike of this type anyway!
Let me know what you think. Orange or White?
Click "Post a comment" below and let me know your opinion.
I'll be dropping the bike off at the shop pretty soon for final assembly. Cant wait to see how it rides!
Thanks.
PO
Thursday, December 04, 2008
Photos of my Single Speed project
Einstein was a cyclist!
Not sure what it is I liked about this anatomy drawing. Just thought it was kind of cool I guess.
One of childhood heroes Stu Thomsen! As drawn by Bob Haro (another childhood hero)
"MAN SIZE"
Cycling quotes were the idea early on, which later evolved into adding weird clipart.
Muddy Commute
I'm really not a miserable person! I like to think of myself of quite positive. I kept repeating that as Roger and I slogged through the mud on our slick tire equipped commuter bikes getting colder, dirtier, and more exhausted and frustrated. The commute started out quite nicely. We left the office a little after 5, the weather was in the high 30's, and it was a nice clear evening. We thought that to change things up we would seek an alternate route home which I love to do. We set out down the Fairhaven bike path - a route we know well - and followed that down to Mattapoisett Neck road where the bike path ends until they continue the project. We crossed Route 6 and worked our way over to North St. and then into the Industrial Park in Mattapoisett. We knew that the bike path has been cut, but not paved, and can be a bit messy, but we took our chances. Less than halfway down the 2.5 mile stretch things turned bad. Deep puddles, mud, leaves, mud, mud, and more mud. DEEP mud! The tires on my commuter are 1.25 inch slicks with 80 pounds of air pressure. Not exactly the recommended setup for mud. It became similar to surfing on a popsicle stick. Nearly impossible to even keep the bike moving forward. I found myself working harder and harder as we went slower and slower. Most of my energy seemed to be eaten up just trying to keep myself from falling over into a dark wet smelly demise. I even started to bitch and moan at one point, but somehow found my center (my inner Brad if you will). By the end of the path, we were covered in mud, the bikes were trashed, and I was ready for a hot meal and a cold beer. The boys got a kick out seeing me all muddy and thought it was pretty cool. That was until I took my booties and shoes off. The booties smell somewhat like walking past a dumpster behind a Denny's Restaurant on a hot summer day. Not sure how I'm going to handle those, not to mention what it is in that mud that could smell that bad? Not sure I want to know really. I do know that I'm keeping my distance from that part of the bike path until it is paved, plumbed and dry! Now how to clean my bike? (click here to see the complete route)
Wednesday, December 03, 2008
Commuting
For about 5 or 6 years now, I have been commuting to work with 3 or 4 other guys from my company here in Massachusetts. It has always been a fair weather affair, but this year we have taken it to another level. Two of us anyway!
My buddy Roger and I both converted old mountain bikes into commuters. I took my 1993 Cannondale Delta V 2000, added some WTB Slickasaurus tires, an old NiteHawk headlight, a ToPeak Seat and Bag, and finished it off with a Princeton Tec Swerve Tail Light. The tail light was the most important part of the bike from my perspective as that is how people see you at night. I had a couple of tail lights kicking around the basement but once you see a really good tail light on a bicycle, you realize what a difference there is. The Swerve is BRIGHT! I did a lot of research on the web, read a lot of posts from bike commuters around the country, and it came down to either the Swerve or the Planet Bike Superflash. For me it came down to the fact that the swerve was easier for me to turn on and off with gloves on, but I found them both to be equally as bright.
So far, I have seriously enjoyed commuting in the cold and dark. Last week it was about 18 degrees when we left the house, and that was pretty darn cold! I had a wrap around my head but nothing on top of head besides my helmet and about 5 miles in I developed a nasty headache. I have since picked up a great Sport Hill running hat that fits great under the helmet and pulls down nicely over my ears. I wore it this morning and love it. Of course, it was only 30 degrees when we left this morning.
I am going to keep up commuting for as long as I can this season. I just hit 1200 miles on the bike this season and provided the roads are clear, I'll keep riding the bike to work once or twice a week. Dressed properly it's quite comfortable, and it's like a bonus workout!
My buddy Roger and I both converted old mountain bikes into commuters. I took my 1993 Cannondale Delta V 2000, added some WTB Slickasaurus tires, an old NiteHawk headlight, a ToPeak Seat and Bag, and finished it off with a Princeton Tec Swerve Tail Light. The tail light was the most important part of the bike from my perspective as that is how people see you at night. I had a couple of tail lights kicking around the basement but once you see a really good tail light on a bicycle, you realize what a difference there is. The Swerve is BRIGHT! I did a lot of research on the web, read a lot of posts from bike commuters around the country, and it came down to either the Swerve or the Planet Bike Superflash. For me it came down to the fact that the swerve was easier for me to turn on and off with gloves on, but I found them both to be equally as bright.
So far, I have seriously enjoyed commuting in the cold and dark. Last week it was about 18 degrees when we left the house, and that was pretty darn cold! I had a wrap around my head but nothing on top of head besides my helmet and about 5 miles in I developed a nasty headache. I have since picked up a great Sport Hill running hat that fits great under the helmet and pulls down nicely over my ears. I wore it this morning and love it. Of course, it was only 30 degrees when we left this morning.
I am going to keep up commuting for as long as I can this season. I just hit 1200 miles on the bike this season and provided the roads are clear, I'll keep riding the bike to work once or twice a week. Dressed properly it's quite comfortable, and it's like a bonus workout!
Single Speed Project
This past summer when the cycling season was in full swing I got the idea in my head that I wanted to build a single speed. Not quite sure what possesed me, I just thought it would be a fun project. I first set down some ground rules such as - I had to find a donor bike for free, and I would spend as little money as possible, which I looked at as part of the challenge.
As luck would have it, I found a pristine late 80's Schwinn Le Tour in my mothers basement which I quickly brought home, stripped and repainted. (photos to come I promise)
Well, I have since gone completely off the deep end on the paint job which originally was inspired by the old Ford GT 40 race cars of the late 60's - that cool light blue, orange ad black combination. All of which I found in spray cans at Lowe's i might add!
I then ordered up some decal paper and went to town. That's where I am at the moment. I need to clear the frame and fork and then of course, put the thing back together. I have the best of intentions, and consider myself a decent mechanic, but I wont hesitate to drop off the complete project to my local bike shop should the whole thing venture outside my comfort zone. I know my limits!
I'll take some photos tonight and get those posted.
As luck would have it, I found a pristine late 80's Schwinn Le Tour in my mothers basement which I quickly brought home, stripped and repainted. (photos to come I promise)
Well, I have since gone completely off the deep end on the paint job which originally was inspired by the old Ford GT 40 race cars of the late 60's - that cool light blue, orange ad black combination. All of which I found in spray cans at Lowe's i might add!
I then ordered up some decal paper and went to town. That's where I am at the moment. I need to clear the frame and fork and then of course, put the thing back together. I have the best of intentions, and consider myself a decent mechanic, but I wont hesitate to drop off the complete project to my local bike shop should the whole thing venture outside my comfort zone. I know my limits!
I'll take some photos tonight and get those posted.
Back in The Saddle
It was about 30 degrees when I got on the bicycle this morning to commute to work. As I rode the roughly 12 miles that lead me to the office I got to thinking that I should get back to blogging about cycling and my love for the sport. I have been riding bicycles as long as I can remember and while I have been through every fad, phase and boom, cycling has always played an important role in my life. My kids are going to start racing BMX on Cape Cod this spring, and I am as excited as a kid on Christmas. I have many fond memories of the time spent on my BMX bike as a kid, and I hope will carry on to my kids as well.
So anyway, that's my inspiration. Stay tuned.
Monday, January 30, 2006
Jan. 30th
So, last Friday I received the seat binder for my new LOOK frame that I ordered from Excel Sports. Saturday morning after taking the boys skating, we stopped at Tri Town and dropped it off with Mike in hopes of riding my newe bike later that day. Well, I must say I love when a plan comes together because I went back at 2:30 and picked up not only my new LOOK, but a Trek 1000 WSD (Women's Specific Design) for Kimberly.
First things first. My new bike is unbelieveable! I am often accused of going through bicycles like most folks go through socks, but it seems to keep me happy, and riding which is important. The new LOOK is awesome. To me, it gives a ride as stiff as aluminum with the smooth comfortable ride of carbon. I love it.
The Trek 1000 for Kimberly was also very well received! After a long decision process and much research, Kimberly and I are both happy with the decision. Se was initially set on a mire upright straight bar (mountain type handlebar) type bike. I convinced her, along with some research on the web, that she would be better served in the long run with a more traditional racing style bicycle.
Hayden is next as he spends a great deal of time on his bicycle and his Wal Mart Schwinn is a bit small. Hayden has his eye on a nice Redline at Tri Town for his 5th birthday in March. That will be bicycle number three that we have purchased from Tri Town.
All hail the Local Bike Shop!
First things first. My new bike is unbelieveable! I am often accused of going through bicycles like most folks go through socks, but it seems to keep me happy, and riding which is important. The new LOOK is awesome. To me, it gives a ride as stiff as aluminum with the smooth comfortable ride of carbon. I love it.
The Trek 1000 for Kimberly was also very well received! After a long decision process and much research, Kimberly and I are both happy with the decision. Se was initially set on a mire upright straight bar (mountain type handlebar) type bike. I convinced her, along with some research on the web, that she would be better served in the long run with a more traditional racing style bicycle.
Hayden is next as he spends a great deal of time on his bicycle and his Wal Mart Schwinn is a bit small. Hayden has his eye on a nice Redline at Tri Town for his 5th birthday in March. That will be bicycle number three that we have purchased from Tri Town.
All hail the Local Bike Shop!
Friday, January 27, 2006
Welcome
So, I figured it would be a good idea to start a cycling blog rather than clogging up my supposed family blog with all of my cycling stories. Today is January 27th and I returned from our sales meeting in Orlando, FL 2 days ago. The weather was beautiful. Each year I get out for some golf which is nice, but I always wish I had brought the bike. I figured that after being away for a week I was safe in stopping by Tri Town (my home shop in Wareham, MA) to pick up my bicycle. I picked up a LOOK KG 451 frame in November and dropped it off to be built up sometime in Early December. Well, it was not done. They are STILL waiting on the seat binder bolt? At any rate, in frustration I went home and had Excel Sports in CO overnight one that I should receive today. My plan is to ride tomorrow if the weather cooperates which it is supposed to.
While at Tri Town I checked to see that the Trek 1000 I have my eye on for Kimberly was still there, which it was. Kimberly has committed to joining me on the first leg of the Pan Mass Challenge this year. All 110 miles and $2,300 worth! I hope to get her to the shop tomorrow so she can try the bike on for size. This will be my fifth year riding the Pan Mass Challenge and I am looking forward to it already.
Anyway, stay tuned and let me know your comments.
While at Tri Town I checked to see that the Trek 1000 I have my eye on for Kimberly was still there, which it was. Kimberly has committed to joining me on the first leg of the Pan Mass Challenge this year. All 110 miles and $2,300 worth! I hope to get her to the shop tomorrow so she can try the bike on for size. This will be my fifth year riding the Pan Mass Challenge and I am looking forward to it already.
Anyway, stay tuned and let me know your comments.
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