Jersey

Took a few cues from Rock Racing with the Carbon. Color theme remains about the same as the past. Included some inside jokes, like the No Pussies Chimay Kitty and the side panel caffeine molecule.

Spin On

Reveling in Routine

Ready for the weekend. Last week was short, included a fun ride and good friends making this week seem a little long. Not much on the docket, Spin class, errands, yard work, Belgian ales and a longish ride Sunday hopefully.

Tickled that the '08 Team R2R jerseys came in -- personally, I think they look great. I appreciate all the insights from the Team in helping make it look it's best. Now time to start thinking about '09 and more swag!

Spin On

Quick Spin

Got in a quick 14 last night before the afternoon rains set in. We really need the rain. Brown lawns, muck on fire in Lake "O", hot. It is very cleansing to the soul as well. I could do without the lightening though. Shakes the house and startles the Bejeezus out of you.

So the source of my loose bearings was the bottom of the headset. What were to be sealed Crane Creek bearings busted open. While I am not happy with the Trek's manufacture (I also had a bad bottom bracket some of you might recall) I think this might have been due to travel and awkward stresses on the down tube. Alvelo slapped a quick fix on it in the morning, I got it a lunch and will wait for the new part to come in before but it is fine to ride.

Been looking at Italian frames and found a cool site. Take a look:)

Spin On

I'm Shiflexic

Thanks to Jim at EMCC for getting the Ride 2 The Rescue site back up and running!

Here are a few more random thoughts from the weekend C&G ride.

First, I annoy myself with continually shifting in the wrong direction. Big right lever, big gear. Small right lever, small gear. Nearly every time I readied a climb or prepared for a decent I fired the shifters the wrong way -- especially annoying on the climbs. All the noise (chain slap, grunting, swearing and groaning) made me sound like bad porn... really bad porn.

Second, may apologies to a rider I inadvertently got inside of at a stop sign -- thought we were clear. Payback was a long and dirty look. Also a faux pax of coasting to the front of the pack at a stop sign instead of holding my position. My only defense is that I am new to the group ride thing. I'll know better next time.

Lastly, the trip continues to cost me. As I rebuilt my bike last night and readied the case to store I noted 1, 2, 3 no 4, crap 5! bearings in the box. I assume it is from the headset being lose but it is in to the shop this morning for a once over.

This is becoming an expensive hobby. The Pinarello might have to wait a while longer.

Spin On

Cycling At All Costs

Let's Roll

Team R2R Sucks It Up (and in)

We all understand that there is a cost associated with our chosen sport, be it road or trail. First there is the bike of course, like any machine it keeps on taking money to upgrade and operate. The cost is not outrageous and minimal if you consider most other vehicles, be it boat, car or some other mechanized piece of equipment – like my John Deere L111.

Then there is the cost of accessories – clothing, protective wear, computers, etc. On that note, here is a great product for stowing gear.

The cost of fuel and supplements is low considering for the most part it is water. Sure you could argue the value of Cliff Shots versus gasoline but you can differ some of that cost toward sustenance.

Yes there is the cost of time and abuse. Take for instance the poor woman who suffered the double whammy at Cheers & Gears when she fell three miles short of the end, cracked her collar bone only to discover she had locked her keys in her SUV and had to wait two hours for AAA. There is also of course the health benefits involved – perhaps the C&Gs 76-year old rider got his start as did the 9-year old who completed the entire course. Like any 9-year old, mom was there to support and help with details, like getting the Camel Pak off and tennis shoes on:) So I say they aforementioned abuses pretty much even out.

Cycling is still ahead in cost department then.

Now we come to the greatest inequity of all, travel. My ticket cost $318 round trip on US Airways. I guess that is fair, even if it was only for two nights, that would be about four days of driving. Incidentally, I was the furthest-flung rider with a travel distance of 816 miles to the event. So that is a good deal right? Okay now the bike box.

We as traveling cyclists are immediately shunned. The Sky Cabs will not check you in – not even your luggage. You make your way to the ticket counter like a cattle to slaughter via the cordon maze. First question at the counter: Is there a bike in there? No, it is a famous painting I disguise as a bike by covering the box with Giro, Twin Six and Specialized stickers. Of course it is. That will be $100. Second bag fee $25. Each way. My charity ride to benefit Ride 2 the Rescue and MS now just cost me $14.20 per riding mile. WTF!!? Sure there is the snappy clerks answer “Deduct it from your taxes.” Fine, go explain that to my wife and see how YOU do. Does the golfer pay more Mr. US Airways Ticket Taker? How about the skier or snowboarder? My bag certainly weighs less than the second bag being transported by the lady from God Knows Where, NY who can’t even lift the damn thing by herself (of course the Sky Cab helped her at the curb). Cyclist Unite! May an even larger plague fall upon the airlines until they realign costs! Of course that would just fall on us travelers in some sort of fee. Nuts! Oh yeah, they stopped serving them.

Spin On

Ride2TheRescue Site is experiencing temporary problems -- Please check back (and donate:) 

Photos borrowed from Dale Brown at Cycle deOro

Cheers & Gears -- Wining Is Allowed

The Pre Ride Prep

The day started early with a quick trip to the ride venue at The Grove WInery on the Haw River in NC. The weather did not look as if it was going to cooperate when we gathered with clouds and wind.

The Beginning Was The End

Gears & Cheers was organized to benefit the MS Society. Last year they had 100 riders. This year they had over 500 and 100 of them were walk-ons in the last 24 hours. Liz, the organizer was thrilled. We later learned that she was a victim of MS. You could never tell there was anything wrong with her because of her tireless efforts and shining attitude.

The ride ended up being over 43 Miles with a finish time of about 2:45 (more on miles/gallon on another post). There were 9 MPH climbs and 34 MPH descents to balance them out -- fun! We finished together about mid-pack trying to remember it was a charity ride -- not a race. It was about the journey and raising some awareness for Lab Rescue. We got some interest with our canopy and banners (thanks to Spengahli) and new team apré shorts (again, Spengahli to the rescue).

The Only Ride Where Wining Is Allowed

We had a great ride without incident despite the number of riders. I developed one odd cramp in my right leg on the last big climb. As I came to nearly a stop and tried to massage/ride it out, a car full of girls came by and yelled "You kicked that hills ass!" Hard to feel like I kicked anything at that point!

Team R2R Represents

I am sure there is a lot more to detail but I cannot deviate from my job for too long, so I will include notes as I think of them. Note the new Team shorts!

Spin On

More To Come...

I will post a Ride Report for Cheers & Gears a little later when I can access some of the pictures, but it was a good ride.

Also, the Ride 2 The Rescue site appears to be down -- I am trying to figure out what went wrong and get it fixed ASAP.

Spin On