Just gets better

M

The weather has rebounded, at least for a few days. An afternoon on the Barry Roubaix gravel was, shall we say, refreshing.... challenging , exhausting.   Maybe all that. 

beautiful long weekend

Just taking a break on a couple days escape to Yankee Springs.   After the hideous spring weather this was an intoxicating afternoon with a breeze quartering behind all afternoon

I literally sailed like a semi recumbent schooner for 45 miles.   I probably sweat but didn't notice. 

New Brooks stuff

     A few weeks ago I learned that Brooks makes a bar tape that matches the Cambrium saddle I have on my Sam.  

That became an immediate priority.   Searching frantically through the supply chain issues on the Interweb, I discovered one pack at a shop in the backcountry of Great Britain.   Never being a practical sort where cycle fashion is involved,  I ordered and waited.  And waited.  After a week,  it was traced as far as customs in London, nothing changed for two weeks until it showed up at my door.  Checking  the Interweb, a detailed trace of every stop between me and London appeared.  So much for modern logistics. 

     I was excited to remove the faded cloth tape and apply the new fancy stuff.   I have Brooks leather tape on my '87 Trek so I know they produce quality to last.  The Cambrium tape is a rubber product that promises to be all weather comfort like the saddle.  Wrapping it was a bitch of a job.  The Bosco bars have more and sharper bends than most and the tape has very thick padding.  With the rubbery finish, I felt I was wrestling a live eel into submission. 

     The result disappointed my bike fashionista sensibilities because there were bulges and bumps where I didn't want them.   But, it didn't look terrible.   I rode around with it for a few days and it felt like nothing I had ever had in my hand.  The padding absorbs vibration, the finish has a very smooth and pliable feel. 

     Despite the obscene memory of the wrestling match and a few unwanted bulges,  I ordered some in black for my Soma mixte.   The black color was easy to get right here in the states.  With the more regular bends and lacking levers and knobs, results were better, with less effort. 

Obviously, I learned to love it in a very short time.   Being a Brooks product, I expect it to last forever.  I think it would be better with, perhaps, a bit less padding. 

Stranger in a strange land.

      Yesterday was a glorious and nearly perfect day for bike riding.  I'm still showing the new kid, Leah Peterson,  around the area.  She said "Someplace pretty, where I won't get killed!"  So we spent the morning riding around the trail system in Portage.   

      It was a lovely twenty some mile ride through the nature preserves that make up the network. There was no real hurry just a chance for her to see the trails and she was pretty much in wonder at the foliage, flowers and totally agog at the sight of bridges over creeks and (gasp!) standing water (marshes) like she hadn't seen in Arizona, California or Nevada.   The concept of effusive sparkles of  water shooting from a pool that its not concrete was curious. 

      The trails were not busy but our pace was moderate with all the alien life forms for her to gauk at.   The  area is flat and made the day perfect for her unusual drive train.  Her Riv Platypus is outfitted with a unique single speed arrangement which has 18 options.

 I'm kidding, she's just too lazy to shift and rides in one gear all day.

We're all so busy!

       Even I get busy and hardly have time for any recreation, but that's why I started cycling. Yesterday I got so wrapped up reading that I nearly forgot to go see a movie.   I had to get out quick and hop on the Buena Vista

to get to the theater on time.  I made it.  It was only a three mile ride which doesn't amount to much and I took a side route home to pick up a few things at the store.  So only seven miles round trip and I had time to feed the cats, fix myself a burger and relax a few minutes before going to a monthly bike club meeting at a local bar.  That's another 10 miles round trip and I got a little endorphin lift in the middle of my day.  

      I didn't set aside any time, just went where I needed to be, in regular clothes, and had a little fun and sunshine in the process.   Recently a club rider, who meticulously tracks his mileage, heart rate, calories and (of course) speed asked me if I "classified" those as "junk" miles?    I said no, the junk miles are the ones spent in the car driving somewhere to ride.

Missed photo op

      I missed a photo op the other day.   I approached a 4 way stop, stop. and waited because I saw a car on my right rolling to the stop with the driver engrossed in his phone.  His hands were both on the phone as he approached the intersection.  He rolled into the crosswalk area, then decided to look up and stop.  He probably sensed his Beemer was in danger.  Putting his phone down, he looked both ways, lit a joint and kept driving.  It makes sense to him,  how else could he enjoy a state of the art stereo without getting a buzz on?   I really wish I'd made a video of it.    

      On a more positive note, I did get photos of the local middle school PE class in bicycle training.

It's something started a few years ago when Specialized donated bikes for the purpose. 

I hope it's going on elsewhere,  we need a new generation who actually knows how to operate bikes and enjoy them safely,  despite irresponsibly distracted stoners.