Mixed Bag

Those who aren't cyclists out there may have never experienced one of the less desirable aspects of cycling...the saddle sore. There is no need to go into details here except to say that we are not simply talking about a sore (bruised) posterior after riding a saddle to which you are not accustomed. This is a malady that those who race bikes for a living must endure from time to time. Experiencing one of the very few things I have in common with the cycling elite, the last 3 days have been my time to endure.

Here is what a bike does when its riding companion is not up to the task...

...kinda pathetic, isn't it?

On the positive side of things, I've still got the new bike which continues to impress, a few hours of training were completed during the first week, and I was able to get back on the bike again today to start the second week. Not fully recovered, one doesn't want to be greedy. Instead, I thought to myself, "Let's keep the ride duration well within the comfort zone...and survive to ride again."

Spinning slowly along, skooching around on the saddle to find the optimum position, was better than staying inside and let frustration build. Standing to climb the small hills nearby was an absolute joy.

Patience rewarded...

Will This Work?

(click image for larger view)

This is a sketch of an idea to attach a Berthoud (small) bag to a front rack without the use of a traditional decaleur. It is a modification of a method described in Rivendell Reader issue #36 (page 26) to possibly provide better stability.

I'd like to have an idiot check before I drill holes in my nice new (and expensive) bag.

Base Miles

The quest for a thousand base miles is back on.

Sunny skies, lower humidity, and slightly cooler temps (like lower 80s) provide pleasant surroundings for grinding out the miles. Squeezing an hour ride during a lunch break limits the number of miles somewhat, but given the current level of fitness, it is probably best to grind them out in smaller chunks for awhile.

Speaking of grinding, every little roller in north Denton County is a bit of a grind for me now. The fixed gear experience is good experience for the devoted cyclist. It teaches him about efficient power application at lower cadences, effective use of momentum, and how to spin like a freak on descents. Without concern for chosing optimal gearing, the focus is on technique. The amazing thing is that today's session was similar in average speed to many of my geared-bike rides lately...fat tires and all.

This dead stop at the bottom of a 95-foot gain in elevation is a poor example in the use of momentum...


...but it is a great example of the sacrifices I have to make so you guys can have pictures. I had to work to grind my way out of this valley.

Your welcome.

Kogswell P/R

The consecutive training streak ended at two. No worries, however, because yesterday's training time was spent going to Trinity Bicycles to pick-up the new second generation Kogswell P/R.



This was the intended replacement of the failed Schwinn experiment months ago. The Schwinn seemed like a good plan, but the frame just didn't quite have the right design. So far, this new frame works very well.

Fixed gear (48x18), generator-hub-powered headlight, and Nitto M12 front rack.

There will be a few refinements in the build soon. Fenders and front bag are coming and consideration is being given to shellac on the bar tape. That green is just a little too bright. A nice olive green color would be about right.

Lunch Ride

Two in a row.

It was a lunchtime break in the lingering hot weather. With the high sun and lack of clouds, there was anticipation of cooler fall weather going on.

On some lonely stretch of gravel road in north Denton County...


There was also thanksgiving for the opportunity to be out there to enjoy that lingering hot weather...and the two rides in a row.

It looks like I've got a streak going...

Better Late Than Never

This title was going to be used for the previous post, but really, it had a better use in mind. Really, it needed to be used for something more significant. More significant even than a new bike. This title was saved for a public committment to resume training. It is well past the appropriate time to resume some reasonable level of fitness. Today was the first day of a more disciplined program.



The ride started before sunrise and lasted only 45 minutes. But it is a start and included a magnificent sunrise. The pace was slow. However, when it comes to starting a pursuit of fitness, it is not only "better late than never", it is also "better to go short and slow than to not go out at all".

I am a cyclist again.

Sneak Preview

The order was placed in April. The frame arrived at Trinity Bicycles in October. It has been a long wait and a long time missing the magic of a fixed gear bike.

The call came in a few days ago to say that it was in the build process. Today provided an opportunity to swing by the shop for a sneak preview.



It's looking pretty good. The plan for a steel framed, wider tired, front loaded, fixed gear, country bike with lights and fenders for all weather conditions is finally coming together. It should be quite nice for exploring north Texas county roads.