Posts have been limited due to limited training/riding. It hit me today that I have not been on a serious ride since October. I would say that my "recovery period" has officially run it's course.
I am pretty certain that the gym I attend is on a death-roll now. I showed up to a locked door early Saturday with two waiting classmates leaving. I was certain there would be no class so I headed back home to begin a long day of errands and projects. No exercise. Add to that a bountiful dinner with Two Dawgz (thanks to Nifi and her spicy shrimp risotto:) nothing much happened Sunday either.
I am hopeful to pull the team together in June for the Tour du Pepin in MN. We'll see, but I at least have to start training for something.
I can also add to my regiment riding a fixie! Raleigh number one is done (practically:) Thanks to Sir Wooly it is ready to roll. Took a lot of parts bin searching to fit everything together. Again, eBayer beware when it comes to buying parts from strangers.
Spin On
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Monday, March 2, 2009
I Should Have Know...
when I glued my fingers together (twice) trying to attach the head badge to the vintage Raleigh I was in for some struggles yesterday. After a long while of cleaning parts, dropping parts and assembling what I could, it went to Sir Wooley today for completion. The bottom bracket, which several folks assured me was Italian thread, is not fitting. Which is ironically, fitting. I also learned that a ball bearing dropped from about shoulder height will bounce about 18" high. Just before they roll under a trash can, car or other garage obstacle. Plus, don't mess with $80 Brooks bar tape -- leave it to the pros.
The bright side was that Sir Wooley assured me I "would be riding by the weekend." I am looking forward to it for sure -- having never ridden fixed before, I think I have a lot to learn.
Weather here was not conducive to riding Sunday (laugh now as Alaska Jill heads out into the Yukon for a 350 mile Ididarod race) so I was only able to spin on Saturday. Not sure if having a bad instructor is easier or worse. He is just learning, can't keep up with the students so spends over half the time off the bike. Lots of repetitive jumps, no climbs and irregular speed work. He'll learn.
On the doggie front, we realized just what a gentle giant Shilo is when late last night she tenderly tried to bring a baby rabbit into the house. She dropped it in the porch and it got away unscathed. Emily would have eaten it:)
Spin On
The bright side was that Sir Wooley assured me I "would be riding by the weekend." I am looking forward to it for sure -- having never ridden fixed before, I think I have a lot to learn.
Weather here was not conducive to riding Sunday (laugh now as Alaska Jill heads out into the Yukon for a 350 mile Ididarod race) so I was only able to spin on Saturday. Not sure if having a bad instructor is easier or worse. He is just learning, can't keep up with the students so spends over half the time off the bike. Lots of repetitive jumps, no climbs and irregular speed work. He'll learn.
On the doggie front, we realized just what a gentle giant Shilo is when late last night she tenderly tried to bring a baby rabbit into the house. She dropped it in the porch and it got away unscathed. Emily would have eaten it:)
Spin On
Monday, February 23, 2009
The Sweet Smell of Success...
is really toxic, in fact. The commercial grade automotive paints have nasty, nasty fumes. But after weeks of trial and error, waiting, sanding and trying again I finally got my frames painted, cleared and pin striped. It took about 10 weeks to accomplish what should happen in a day, but I am pleased with the outcome -- finally.
I am focusing on one bike from here on out. I have a collection of new and vintage parts and some luxury items -- like Brooks leather bar tape. Need a couple more items then I can finish up and take her for a spin.
What a sense of relief!
And, congratulations to Levi and Astana for the ToC win!
Spin On
Thursday, February 19, 2009
My New Wednesday Routine...
seems to involve getting cramps in my calves every time I do wind sprints in Spin Class.
Hmmm. I did have that great massage -- thanks again Nifi for the gift. The masseuse really worked out my hamstrings and with some stretching my calf loosened up. Fine all week but last night BOTH locked up doing sprints.
I hydrated well. Even had a bottle of CytoMax (way too sweet a mix -- have to adjust some ratios). One classmate suggested taking 2-3 Tums before class to get a calcium boost. Guess I will try that next.
Looking for suggestions.
Sister-In-Law starts her visit this weekend. She is a very easy house guest to have over. Plus it gives me time to fuss on bikes and ride some and not feel guilty about being selfish and leaving Nifi and the girls:)
No weights tonight, chores to tend to.
Spin On
Hmmm. I did have that great massage -- thanks again Nifi for the gift. The masseuse really worked out my hamstrings and with some stretching my calf loosened up. Fine all week but last night BOTH locked up doing sprints.
I hydrated well. Even had a bottle of CytoMax (way too sweet a mix -- have to adjust some ratios). One classmate suggested taking 2-3 Tums before class to get a calcium boost. Guess I will try that next.
Looking for suggestions.
Sister-In-Law starts her visit this weekend. She is a very easy house guest to have over. Plus it gives me time to fuss on bikes and ride some and not feel guilty about being selfish and leaving Nifi and the girls:)
No weights tonight, chores to tend to.
Spin On
Monday, February 16, 2009
Taking A Break...
from work (i.e. reading Fatty's Tour of California coverage -- much better than Cycling News or Versus:)
I have not written, nor ridden in a long time, aside from Spinning and lifting. I had developed a nagging cramp in my calf in my leg a couple weeks ago and it was getting pretty persistent. But, Nifi to the rescue! We traded Valentine's Day gifts early -- she wanted a facial and I needed a therapeutic massage. Last Friday I went in and got a really thorough once over. Turns out my hamstrings were like piano wire and pulling up my entire leg -- and calf muscle. Problem eliminated. Thank you Nifi for being such a generous Valentine:)
I have been quite frustrated with my bike build projects. The painting has take me waaaaay too many weekends. One little drip becomes a whole afternoon do-over and then another weeks wait to get back to it. In any event, I attached a couple pictures of the builds as I checked and straightened out two frames.
Angus checks out just fine
McTavish needs a little encouragement to get the drops straight and centered.
Big thanks to http://www.mytenspeeds.com as a great reference for vintage cycle repair!
Spin On
I have not written, nor ridden in a long time, aside from Spinning and lifting. I had developed a nagging cramp in my calf in my leg a couple weeks ago and it was getting pretty persistent. But, Nifi to the rescue! We traded Valentine's Day gifts early -- she wanted a facial and I needed a therapeutic massage. Last Friday I went in and got a really thorough once over. Turns out my hamstrings were like piano wire and pulling up my entire leg -- and calf muscle. Problem eliminated. Thank you Nifi for being such a generous Valentine:)
I have been quite frustrated with my bike build projects. The painting has take me waaaaay too many weekends. One little drip becomes a whole afternoon do-over and then another weeks wait to get back to it. In any event, I attached a couple pictures of the builds as I checked and straightened out two frames.
Angus checks out just fine
McTavish needs a little encouragement to get the drops straight and centered.
Big thanks to http://www.mytenspeeds.com as a great reference for vintage cycle repair!
Spin On
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
There is something seriously wrong...
with our office AC unit.
As I sit in my South Florida office as the sun rises over a 44º morning the air conditioning is running. That makes it about 42º inside. I am considering scrounging around the office for one of our lovely company logoed polar fleece blankets to wrap over my lets like a caftan. That would also be appropriate because today I have to create advertising for a retirement home. Or, as in the old west, I could crawl inside a buffalo carcass and ride out the cold. I best keep typing as my fingers turn white like two packs of knackwurst dangling from my frigid appendages. I recently logged in to my high-school reunion site from Minneapolis. I noted that I had not worn a turtleneck since 1985. I guess that officially makes me a Floridian.
That said, riding weather has been great! Perfect temps, sun for the most part and dry air. I must remember these days come July when a refreshing breath is relegated to getting the vodka out of the freezer.
I am diligently trying to amp up my training; spinning, riding, lifting about 4 days a week now. I have a long way to go to be ready for MM in August...
Fixie builds are coming along too. Hopefully I can finish painting this weekend then start strapping on components.
Must.... stop.... now.... I think office induced hypothermia is setting in.
Spin On
As I sit in my South Florida office as the sun rises over a 44º morning the air conditioning is running. That makes it about 42º inside. I am considering scrounging around the office for one of our lovely company logoed polar fleece blankets to wrap over my lets like a caftan. That would also be appropriate because today I have to create advertising for a retirement home. Or, as in the old west, I could crawl inside a buffalo carcass and ride out the cold. I best keep typing as my fingers turn white like two packs of knackwurst dangling from my frigid appendages. I recently logged in to my high-school reunion site from Minneapolis. I noted that I had not worn a turtleneck since 1985. I guess that officially makes me a Floridian.
That said, riding weather has been great! Perfect temps, sun for the most part and dry air. I must remember these days come July when a refreshing breath is relegated to getting the vodka out of the freezer.
I am diligently trying to amp up my training; spinning, riding, lifting about 4 days a week now. I have a long way to go to be ready for MM in August...
Fixie builds are coming along too. Hopefully I can finish painting this weekend then start strapping on components.
Must.... stop.... now.... I think office induced hypothermia is setting in.
Spin On
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Certain Days...
it just does not pay to get out of bed.
This post was turning in to a bitch session. I had best stop here until I have positive cycling stories to share.
Spin On
This post was turning in to a bitch session. I had best stop here until I have positive cycling stories to share.
Spin On
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