8.31.2009
Brake Chatter Issues on the Specialized Tri Cross
my Specialized Tri-Cross is not currently in working orderone issue was BRAKE CHATTER!
my brother Marc send me some links to some resolves
a PDF explaining the proper adjustment of the cable hanger
http://cdn.specialized.com
then this gizmo from Specialized
www.specialized.com
a Tektro version of the same gizmo
www.amazon.com
experimental.... DC could use some experimental efforts
Experimental "bike track" in Oregonwww.oregonlive.com
those in power have failed us
our impressive infrastructure that facilitates flow is ignorant and short sighted
cars and roads designed to go faster than the law allows
losing site that communities are for people not for car commuter routes
bring it back
DC needs to get EXPERIMENTAL!
it started for me... it has already been happening for others... it started for me
this effort to write something was heavily distracted by the sound of a crying child
a five year old without enough sleep having a hard time adjusting to the hours of school versus the freedom of summer
the crying continues
this rant changes tense...
this collection of words needs a re-read
I am not sure if this re-read is going to happen
Cyclocross in The District: Cyclocross practice in Fort Reno Park
Sunday it happened...
it was not cool... definitely not cold... the grass did not have a morning dew...
it was dry... it was still clearly August
although it was not feeling entirely like DC in Summer
sure.... cool for August in DC... but nothing near to actually being cold
no bit to the air... no sign of anyone's breath
dust... but no morning mist
there may have been a morning mist earlier in the day
not being a morning person I am not that sure what things look like in the earlier part of the day
too warm for knickers I attended an informal gathering to practice cyclocross
definitely too humid for knickers... yet I felt I was ready to start thinking cyclocross
definitely way too hot for wool... yet it is definitely time to start thinking cyclocross
yes... even if it did not seem like fall
it still felt like it was time to get the cross bike over to Fort Reno Park in the am on Sunday for an informal cyclocross practice
on Saturday I had to work... it was the Kennedy Funeral which caused me to be called into work
after pretty much a full day I left out with just little time left for a ride
no energy and not much ambition... but a little time
with all my gear on my body and my body on the bike I just was not feeling it
to my credit I rode a direction other than straight home thinking even some mellow miles are miles
my level of fitness is such that I can definitely use some miles on the bike
cell phone in hand with the wheels still spinning I checked in with my wife and it was approved that I could go for a short ride
it was agreed that I would touch base on their location in an hour or so... I had already been on the bike for forty five minutes
in an hour I would call to know if I should finish my ride by pointing to the pool or home
my ride was slow... slow and social...
I was looking for distractions
had I had the camera I would have ditched the ride and played with the camera
that said... I never saw anybody that had me regretting that I had not brought the camera
there are times for ride
there are times for the camera
it is often difficult to balance them both
to think of the camera detracts from my effort on the bike
it is that simple
so when I am really going to ride... I need to put the camera aside
at one point I rolled at a jogging pace as I talked with a friend who is married to Dave V also of DCMTB
anna pushed a baby jogger that was occupied by their youngest of three
their first girl... who is not looking so much like a baby and more like a toddler
we talked while I rolled, anna jogged, and eva looked on
in that short exchange it was asked if I were going to Fort Reno to practice cyclocross
at that point I had not really given it that much thought
the words had passed on the team email
but the actual event never really became a consideration
after enough time chatting when I could be riding I got back on the pedals and started pushing things on the Capital Crescent Trail where I found the motivation to link up with Beach Drive where I would loop past the Mormon Temple and ride out to Garrett Park Road and then back
on the way back I tried to motivate myself with some short high intensity bursts
I managed to get the short part down but had very little luck with the intensity
slowing the bike to check in with base I found that Lisa and the boys are no longer at the pool and had already arrived home
being right by the City Bikes Chevy Chase shop I got a pass to kill some time at the bike shop
again I got chatty... a little banter between Welp and then Chito
I shopped around and ended up getting a helmet and some lube
the helmet on my head got thrown away
the lube was needed
a new helmet to replace the glove hand smelling helmet I had was almost vital
as I was finally on the bike and ready to head home after already staying longer than my assigned time I see DCMTB team mate Raul pull into the shop
so I turn it around and say hello to Raul
again there is mention of this informal cyclocross gathering at Fort Reno Park that my brother has set a time for
earlier the seed had been planted
there had been some gestation
now in talking to Raul the idea started to grow
back home I propose to lisa the idea of me attending this cyclocross clinic
without any deals or promises
never did I have to get on my knees and beg
the permission slip was signed and I was approved for a Sunday Morning of cyclocross at Fort Reno Park
perhaps I would have done better to have had two less beers and captured two more hours of sleep
but I was there... Red Bull could have assisted the coffee that had not waked my body enough to want to eat before I rode across town to make the 8:30 start time
there was a good showing
a handful of DCMTB people
a handful of non-DCMTB people
a wide range of speed and familiarity
the course was introduced with a few slow laps than at the start of the third lap would be two hot laps... for some people race pace... for others some sort of work out pace
this would be the structure of the morning
a few slow laps... then a few fast laps... then on with your day
early in the practice there was a crash
I saw the crash in my peripheral but had not thought much of it
as it turns out a man named Connor tore/stretched/or strained some ligaments
initially it was thought to be a dislocated shoulder
heal up fast Connor
and all others out there
respect the dangers of the bike
practiced ended and I was feeling pretty spent
I rode back downtown with Cory and Matt
arriving home where I gobbled up the remaining eggs and bacon
food that I had to microwave
food that would have done me so much better before the practice yet still tasted so good after
stop making sense... this makes sense
David Byrne has a book out called The Bicycle DiariesI just got a copy in my hand
need to start reading it
but to do that... I need to turn off the blog
THE BICYCLE DIARIES
www.davidbyrne.com
I wonder if David Byrne has ever seen my blog
I would like to think that David Byrne would like my blog
at least some aspects of it
crazy story... there are more rational dangers
In the Washington Postsome words about the abduction of Jaycee
www.washingtonpost.com
there are other dangers in this world
more probable killers
more likely dangers
this is a sad story whose ending has not yet arrived
I am not sure I have seen an photo of the now adult Jaycee or her two children
more than likely they are in need of both medical and mental assistance
while I snapped this
the guy next to her on the fixed gear was going wild like he was auditioning for Curious George Rides a Bikebut... sadly... my camera was set on capturing the girl with the yellow bike
maybe next time I will be more ready to cat the action
this is old yet still interesting news...
UPS and NO LEFT TURNS!in Wired!
yes...
we could all learn a great deal from this model
and here in the The District
people would do well to go around the block rather than take a U-Turn
it amazes me that people would rather inconvenience so many others rather than themselves
8.30.2009
the Ghost Bike is GONE!
www.yehudamoon.com
Alice Swanson's Ghost Bike has been REMOVED!
words from the Prince of Petworth
and from EXPRESS NIGHT OUT!
how long should a Ghost Bike Memorial remain in place?
worked on my bike last night...
worked on my bike last night...
the bike needed it and I needed it
often I forget how good it feels to work on the bike
for some people it is working in the garden
some people take it a step further and work with wood
for many people like my self it is working on the bike
that is my organic activity
it was no major overhaul but doing some things that should have been done long ago
my jamis cyclocross bike was nearly unriddable
it was a process that started with pulling out one tool
then started feeling better the more tools that were pulled out
there was a plan
I swapped out some simple and clean Deore levers for disc brakes that were not pulling enough cable to effectively engage the spooky brakes on my Jamis Nova
so... dug I into the garage and I grabbed some two finger Deore levers that were on my Huma Huma Nuka Nuka Apua Ah
an old Kona cruiser that I rode off road as a single speed some years ago
removing the brake levers was fine as I am not riding this machine any more or ever again
removal of the old school XTR Cantis should be the next effort on the strip before I ditch that bike
things came off easily
things went into place nicely
everything adjusted easily enough
it gave me a little pleasure to know I was using these levers that are over a decade old
the tire I threw on the back was suffering some wear and tear of time
the tire was looking a little shabby on the bead in a few places
some gaffer's tape set things straight... bright orange so it will get my attention further down the road
it is a question of the fresher knobbies and the slightly deteriorating tire versus the existing rear tire whose knobbies have long since worn away
I went with the taped tire with better tread
after the swap of the tire and the switching of the levers it was a quick clean and lube the drive train
degreaser and then some ROCK AND ROLL lube that I picked up at City Bikes in Chevy Chase
went through the gears and double checked the brakes
things were feeling pretty good
out of the stand the levers got one final adjustment to a more appropriate angle
things in the stand are not always the same as they are on the street... or even level ground
rode the well refreshed Jamis Nova Cyclocross bike with mountain bike riser bars to cyclocross practice at Fort Reno
this week I need to give a similar level of attention to both my Jamis Exile and my Karate Monkey
both single speeds are on the injured reserve list in need of some repair and some part replacement
the bike needed it and I needed it
often I forget how good it feels to work on the bike
for some people it is working in the garden
some people take it a step further and work with wood
for many people like my self it is working on the bike
that is my organic activity
it was no major overhaul but doing some things that should have been done long ago
my jamis cyclocross bike was nearly unriddable
it was a process that started with pulling out one tool
then started feeling better the more tools that were pulled out
there was a plan
I swapped out some simple and clean Deore levers for disc brakes that were not pulling enough cable to effectively engage the spooky brakes on my Jamis Nova
so... dug I into the garage and I grabbed some two finger Deore levers that were on my Huma Huma Nuka Nuka Apua Ah
an old Kona cruiser that I rode off road as a single speed some years ago
removing the brake levers was fine as I am not riding this machine any more or ever again
removal of the old school XTR Cantis should be the next effort on the strip before I ditch that bike
things came off easily
things went into place nicely
everything adjusted easily enough
it gave me a little pleasure to know I was using these levers that are over a decade old
the tire I threw on the back was suffering some wear and tear of time
the tire was looking a little shabby on the bead in a few places
some gaffer's tape set things straight... bright orange so it will get my attention further down the road
it is a question of the fresher knobbies and the slightly deteriorating tire versus the existing rear tire whose knobbies have long since worn away
I went with the taped tire with better tread
after the swap of the tire and the switching of the levers it was a quick clean and lube the drive train
degreaser and then some ROCK AND ROLL lube that I picked up at City Bikes in Chevy Chase
went through the gears and double checked the brakes
things were feeling pretty good
out of the stand the levers got one final adjustment to a more appropriate angle
things in the stand are not always the same as they are on the street... or even level ground
rode the well refreshed Jamis Nova Cyclocross bike with mountain bike riser bars to cyclocross practice at Fort Reno
this week I need to give a similar level of attention to both my Jamis Exile and my Karate Monkey
both single speeds are on the injured reserve list in need of some repair and some part replacement
8.29.2009
I once heard it said... and I am not sure of the original source
at a Granny Gear 24 Hour mountain bike relay event promoter Laird Knight quoted an unknown author with the words...."I would rather be on my bicycle thinking about god... than sitting in church thinking about my bicycle!"
DCMTB: Cyclocross Clinics on Wednesdays in September
*** DCMTB Cyclocross Clinics ***
Introduction to some basic Skills
Plus drills and practice course
First four Wednesdays of September at Fort Reno, DC: 6:15-7:15.
Fort Reno: http://tinyurl.com/5w25gx
9/2, DC-ChiX (women only): Arley Kemmerer, Hub Racing, instructor
9/9, 9/16, 9/23:
Mike Birner, Mid-Maryland Coaching on 9/16.
Marc Gwadz and other instructors as available.
$5 for unlicensed riders
Free for licensed riders
Additional info and updates can be found at
http://www.dcmtb.com/blog/dc-cx
please show up by 6PM to allow for time to sign up and chit chat
thus allowing for a prompt 6:15 START!
Introduction to some basic Skills
Plus drills and practice course
First four Wednesdays of September at Fort Reno, DC: 6:15-7:15.
Fort Reno: http://tinyurl.
9/2, DC-ChiX (women only): Arley Kemmerer, Hub Racing, instructor
9/9, 9/16, 9/23:
Mike Birner, Mid-Maryland Coaching on 9/16.
Marc Gwadz and other instructors as available.
$5 for unlicensed riders
Free for licensed riders
Additional info and updates can be found at
http://www.dcmtb.
please show up by 6PM to allow for time to sign up and chit chat
thus allowing for a prompt 6:15 START!
8.28.2009
Obama... showing you can not win
Obama seen on Martha's Vineyard without a helmet...
in the Chicago Tribune
President Obama is riding his bike at slow speeds on a bike path
no where near cars
more than likely they have isolated any oncoming multi-use traffic
as a parent I think it is good for parents to set the example by wearing a helmet
but...
shamefully
I bet vanity kicked in on this
more than likely fearing the photo op... Obama opted not to wear a helmet
if people were so concerned about the well being of cyclist... they would slow down in their cars
how to ride... how to ride?
SUBMISSIVE CYCLING ENABLES AGGRESSIVE DRIVERS!
hold your line
demand your right to space
let the cars know that you are there
hold your line
demand your right to space
let the cars know that you are there
I did not take this photo... I stole it from FACEBOOK!
my old friend Kat and her HELLO KITTY BIKE!off to the famer's market?
on an adventure in Thailand?
8.27.2009
WSJ: All Points Bulletin on the WEB
The Wall Street Journal has a Story about a woman in Toronto who was able to locate her stolen bike via FACEBOOK!very cool!
Wall Street Journal Dot Com
(the story does not end as nice as we would like to think... a turn of the page shows that she got hit again!)
and
a Toronto Bicycle Blog that I enjoy checking into
perhaps one of the bicycle blogs that inspired me to start taking photos
http://bikelanediary.blogspot.com/
the feel good story of the week...
Socialites Without Borders Teach Rwandans How to Mingle!
the feel good story of the week
from The Onion
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