Accidental Improvements

I was surprised recently.  After proclaiming this bike completely "dialed in", I made an unintentional refinement that made it "even more dialed in".  I thought the new brakes, lower gearing, and tires were spot on perfect, but evidently not.

A simple rear rack change resulted in an accidental, yet significant, fit improvement.  On a whim, I replaced my Ocean Air Cycles Erlen Bag Support with one of the lighter Nitto rear racks.  I just wanted to see how well the Nitto rack would work, as compared to the Erlen.  Stubbornly, I kept abusing the Erlen with too much load, and not enough rear tire clearance.  It turns out the Nitto rack works great, and that itself worked out better than expected.  But the biggest benefit wasn't even intended.

Removal of the Erlen requires temporary removal of the saddle.  When I reinstalled the saddle, apparently it ended up slightly farther forward.  That accidental "error" resulted in other charges for the better.  First, I moved the bars slightly lower to accommodate the shorter "reach".  Second, it feels like I'm in a stronger pedaling position.  Finally, both of these refinements together make me feel more balanced fore/aft, and even more important than anything, more comfortable.  So I feel more efficient and more comfortable by pure accident.

Since I'm guessing some "accidental impacts" can be negative, I am now terrified to change anything on this bike.  Do you think it would be okay to oil my chain?

Pondering Toward Simplicity

A special day in the Frederick watershed

Sometimes while exploring a trail, it will disappear.  In the beginning, it is well-defined, has clear direction, and the explorer pursues it with hopeful anticipation.  Initially, the rewards are tangible and pleasurable.  After a while, however, the path becomes obscured.  The way is more complex, and following it feels like work.  It doesn't pay what it promised.  With persistence, the trail fades to nothing, or immediately dead ends.  Then it is time to backtrack.

A special day riding with friends on a 25 yr old MTB reminds me that what is true of trails is true of so many other things in life.  Material goods and technology (to name a couple of examples) become a tangle of briars.  This old, simple bicycle does not limit, or interfere with, the pleasure on this day.  On the other hand, time spent pursuing equipment upgrades is time not spent riding with friends.

Social media seems similar.  Instagram, like a fresh new single track into the woods, began so well.  It has allowed me to meet several great people.  But I have begun to feel its tangled vines slow me down.  So here I am on an my old blog platform, pondering old bikes, and simpler ways.

New Pasture

I guess I ran into the fence line here, so it's time to make other arrangements. It's inconvenient that this occurs as I'm trying to get a post up about this year's Ramble, but it's not like climbing those steep gravel pitches into a headwind with only one gear and dust in my eyes. Since last Saturday, I think some of you now have a fond appreciation for my refreshing prairie headwinds.

Future posts to Pondero can be found here...

http://pawndero.wordpress.com/

I hope to see you on the other side of the fence...

-Pondero

Let's Ramble

Let's ramble!

I won't mislead you. I'm a little nervous about this year's event. Preparations have been a little more challenging this year. The unreliability of the Rosston General Store as a refreshment stop, and the infiltration of the oil and gas industry on some of our more "pristine" areas prompted a route change. I ended up with two alternate routes in hopes of minimizing a long headwind finish. Then I persuaded "GravelDoc" to make the trip down from Missouri to join the ride. Finally, if everyone that sent me a note actually comes, we will have our biggest Ramble ever. So, yes, I'm nervous. Expectations might be higher than ever. I hope my guests enjoy themselves.

The current weather forecast for Saturday indicates cool temperatures, only a slight chance for rain, and WSW wind.  If this holds, we'll take the Greenwood Loop route. That should make for a pleasant stop at the Greenwood Grocery and Grill. If the wind shifts to the north, we'll likely head for Gainesville.

It's almost Saturday.  So pack those bags with snacks, cameras, and a relaxed perspective, come up to my little place on the north Texas prairie, and join your friends in a pleasant rural ramble.

Melancholy, Meditation, and Medicine

A little before sunset, I set out for a couple of  hours. Sometimes I ride when I don't know what else to do. When life becomes difficult, I find that the rhythm of turning cranks and removing other sources of outside stimulus helps the meditation process. I have learned that pedaling can often be good medicine.

I lost my father-in-law yesterday. His three children lost their father. His wife lost a husband, and many people lost a wonderful friend. I share in the collective grief, and I hurt for all of them. But in addition to that, I have my own sense of loss. I remember meeting him the first time my wife (before we were married) brought me home to meet her parents.  I can only imagine what he must have thought of such an immature kid with his eldest daughter. But he always treated me like I was special.

He was truly like a second dad for me.  He was always patient, warm, hospitable, and in spite of my profound clumsiness, included me in his activities. I've spent many hours in his shop with him helping him build airplanes. It would have been more efficient for him to do things himself, but he took the time to teach me how to do things so I could be a part of his world.  He made me feel like I was useful to him, and when we talked about more serious matters, he made me feel like I was making good decisions. Is there anything better for a man than this kind of affirmation?

I can only hope he knows how much I appreciate the gift of his daughter, that I've done my best to take good care of her, and that I loved him dearly.

So I rode tonight with my one gear a good deal of time into a 20+mph headwind. But when your heart hurts this much, you can't feel your legs.

Recipe for Contentment

Ingredients

• refreshingly cool fall day (just before sunrise is ideal)
• hot coffee
• a place of quiet solitude and contemplation
• bike (simple is good)

Directions

Blend ingredients in proportions to satisfy personal tastes, and let simmer for an hour. Serve immediately and enjoy.

Why Am I Smiling?

Because the Fourth Annual Fall Finale Forty-ish Mile Country Path Ramble is less than one month away! Since I normally ride alone, the possibility that others might come join me for my personal annual tradition makes me eagerly anticipate this ride each year.

When

This year's Ramble will be on Saturday, December 15. We will roll out of my driveway at 10am. That means you should arrive in time to make all needed preparations before 10am.

What

The Ramble is a ride I do each year on a Saturday near the very end of autumn. The primary objective is to spend a few hours riding a bicycle with others on rural north Texas roads.  A goodly fraction of the route is on gravel roads. Historically, it has been a little over 40 miles, but this year (because of a route change), it could be closer to 50 miles. See prior Ramble reports for a little more insight (2011, 2010, and 2009)

I actually have two route possibilities, and they are both close to 50 miles. Final route selection has not been made yet, and might ultimately be made based on the weather forecast (I generally like to avoid ending my rides with headwind slogs).

Speaking of weather, I always want folks to know that I'm not hard-core.  I can ride if it is a little cold, or a little drizzly, but I don't like cold and wet.  On days like that, I will send you on your way with a cue sheet and my best wishes, and then spend the rest of my day by the fireplace.

The pace is what I call "conversational" because I think of this as a social kind of ride.  We might stop for snacks, photographs, or just because.  Like last year, I plan to have cue sheets available for those who might wish to ride faster or slower than me.

The other thing to emphasize for this ride is that you are responsible for you. This is not a T-shirt ride, there are no entry fees, and no sag services. Both routes have at least one place to stop for restroom, water, or snacks.  On one route that opportunity comes at approximately mile 19, and on the other route it comes at approximately mile 25. You should have a back-up plan for a mechanical problem, and beware...some areas on the Ramble route do not have cell phone service.  Yes, it's rural.

Who

Anyone who is interested in being a part of what is described above is welcome to participate. If you plan to join me, I would appreciate an email message or a blog post comment telling me that you will be here.  My preparation plans are dependent on the number of folks participating, so please help me with this. 

Where

If you need my address and/or directions to my little place on the prairie, send me an email.

How

Plan ahead. If this Ramble thing sounds like a good time, block out the day and get it on your calendar now. Then make your contingency plan in case you can't finish the route for any reason. Finally, let me know you are coming.

Any questions?