Damn. That was steep.

I got my self out for a bike ride today. It was so beautiful out, my F. Moser (Falcor) was asking me  for a good challenge. So, I decided that the crux of todays ride would be the climb out of Hallowell.  As I approached the area I decided that a smaller side road would be interesting and different.  I was right. 

I took a left on to Central Street and immediately started up the first lift at 8,9,10%  grade for a few hundred feet of road. It flattened out to 7-8% for the next few hundred road  feet.  The second lift 10-11...skip over 12 to 13%, again for a few hundred more feet. Another flat section (7%) then an increase to 9% with a final kick that was fucking crazy. it looked like a wall. 16-18, 20% percent grade for about 300 feet.  The total climb length is about 1 mile.

I pedaled slow and hard. I've never grunted during a climb before, but I did today.  Pushing down hard with every stroke while pulling on the handlebars with my arms. I REFUSED TO WALK.

The following 20 miles was comparatively easy.  I am looking forward to bringing some unwitting soul up this hill someday soon.

*note* i wrote this back in June 2010 and forgot about it. So im posting what i had written at that time.

Papa Got a New Pair of Shoes!

I had been looking for a pair of new cycling shoes for the past several months.  Last year I had just finished building up my sweet F. Moser Leader Ax and wanted something special.

 One main decision makers in the process was that I do not like the look of the modern shoe with the straps and clips.  I began to wonder if there were a nice leather cycle shoe out there.  After all my best hiking boots are leather (in good shape and more that 20 years old), my nicest and most comfortable dress shoe is leather (italian i might add) and my old rock climbing shoes have a leather upper. Why not my bike shoe too?

Like any modern aged asshole with an internet connection, I googled, 'leather cycling shoe'.  It didn't take too long before I found that Dromarti is making and selling just what I wanted.  Then this spring, Bicycling magazine features the shoe in a 'gear' issue.   Time to pull the trigger.

 After figuring out that my size 10 American foot needed a size 43 European shoe I ordered the 'Sportivo' in black.  Martin Scofield soon got back to me that the order would be delayed a month due to a back order issue and that payment would held until the shoes shipped.  I was not in a big hurry so I was not at all worried about this.

My shoes were shipped and arrived about 4 weeks later.  Much to my initial disappointment I received the shoe in brown, not the black I had ordered or was indicated on the enclosed order forms.  Although after looking at them for a while, I realized that it was a 'good' mistake.  I contacted Martin, told him of the error and my decision.  He promptly refunded me the cost difference. 

Brown does have more of a 'classic' look and ultimately that was I was going for.  The leather is soft right out of the box and has that sweet, sweet ' im gonna get high sniffing the leather' odor.  The contrasting light brown interior is beautiful.

I have only had a chance to use them for one ride so far.  It has been cold and these are not for cold weather.  The fit is tight laterally across my foot so extra socks are not an option.  I squoze my foot in there with the laces fully loose, adjusted the tongue and tightened them while weighting my foot.  If there is one thing I have learned about leather, and shoes in particular, is to set them up perfectly the first time, because you will never undo a bad crease or slanted tounge.  

I set out on the initial ride.  The fit reminds me of my rock climbing shoes or ice skates, tight enough to make your foot muscles tired but all  in the name of performance. Regardless of the tight fit I found them very comfortable and had no issues with hots spots.  The heel cup, a common problem area, was unnoticeable.  Im sure it wont take long for the leather to form to my foot,stretch a bit, and be super comfortable. Especially if they get wet and I ride until they dry.  After all I had the same experience with my hiking boots. 

Be warned, by purchasing these shoes you are importing them into the US and will be subject to duty import fees.  Mine were an extra 56$ that I was not planning on; fuck you very much.  Even still, the total cost is about the same as a similar high quality 'modern' sytle shoes like Sidi.

Here are some links to other reviews.  BIKE RUMOR, 

URBAN VELO,  PROLLY IS NOT PROBABLY.

RIDE ON.

Usless Commuting Statistics and a Friendly Challenge

Commuted into work by bike today. The typical route from Yarmouth to Portland via Middle Road. The weather was perfect and I felt good.  

My statistics in this morning were: 

• 14.14 miles
• 0:46:12 (hr:min:sec)
• 18.3 mph average speed.

The whole trip right through the stats are the usual. Today however there was a plot twist during this otherwise normal bike commute.  

I was just starting off from a traffic light (yes Ma, I stop at traffic lights) in the last 0.3 mile or so on Preble Street, when a guy on a white single speed in road racing style clothes buzzed past me.  I immediately stood, pumped to get up to speed and shouted 'CHALLENGE'.  He was staying just ahead of me as we were traveling at 27 mph on flat road.  Too high of a speed for me to sprint and overtake him. 

Then for the first time I really understood and felt how & why being behind a leader gives you the tactical advantage.  I could see he was on a single speed bike. I could see his pedal strokes and that he was working hard to stay ahead. I could see him looking back to check form.  I also knew that the road was about to pitch up and he would surely loose some momentum and slow.  

He did, and by the time we hit the next traffic light, I had him.  

Before the light turned and we went our separate ways I said something like 'Have a nice day or that was fun.'   Whatever I said it started off the day with a great little friendly sprint challenge.

Thanks to the dude on the white single speed with the flavor-saver goatee.

Cycle Commuting

Yep. Today I rode in. The weather is fantastic this week (finally) and I am going to take advantage of it, plus this week I found a cool new web site; MAP MY RIDE.
I have not played with it too much yet but the interface is simple and I have been able to do everything I need without any difficulty. Mapping routes, viewing ride information and even keeping track of my workouts. oh and they provide embed code.
here was my ride this morning into work:



The ride back to the car will be similar.

USELESS Commuting Statistics:
14.17 miles
44 mins 2 seconds
19.2 mph avg speed
30.5 mph max.

Giro d'Italia -Stage 17

Stage 17 of the Giro was today. A friend of mine clued me into the Universal Sports web site where they stream the race coverage live for free. So awesome. I got it running in the background as I review reports.

Lance Armstrong is riding really well today (second position in photo). I'm not sure how he'll play for the Tour de France in July but he may be in shape to take it. Although, I think he may ride to support Levi Leiphenmer (sp) for a TdF GC win. Levi is 35 years old and near the end of his career with this being his last real chance at a Grand Tour win.

Bike Week

This week is bike week in the U.S. No, not THIS bike week. But This one.
Today I did my, now standard, Yarmouth to Portland pedal in to work.

Useless commuting statistics:
Distance: 13.92 miles
Time: 46mins 39 secs.
Average Speed: 17.8 mph

All while carrying about 8 pounds of lunch, work clothes, shoes, and other small stuff that lives in my panniers.

So, not too bad really. and its nice to get 45 mins. of cardio. before work and 45 after too. I should be ripped and ready for the Trek in no time. There is still time to donate. HERE.

Reading geology, snowshoeing and drinking wine

It was a fine weekend, indeed. I finished reading one of the greatest geology articles I have ever read. It summarized with some detail the history of the Rheic Ocean. I spent a couple of hours reading it because I wanted to really understand and follow it. But I now can I say I have some grasp on the subject. Wikipedia and the Science News Blog both had good information about the Rheic.

**update** I knew that once I got home I could find a link. HERE is the full article from GSA Today.

Saturday I opened an excellent bottle of cabernet sauvignon El Huique 2001 reserve from Chile. After I pulled the cork I notice that small 'wine diamonds' had formed on the inside. Wine diamonds are the crystal form of potassium bitartrate and from what I understand they help with the pH and help to stabilize fermentation. It was good.

Sunday the dogs and I went snowshoeing for an hour at our favorite place, Jamies Pond. There was no one else there and I did some jogging during the light 3 mile hike to get in some training in for my Trek Across Maine cycling trip.

Finally I would like to say Thank You to those that have donated some money towards my fundraising goals. I owe a couple of posts to Holly Hall and Tony for that. The ride is in June so there is plenty of time for others to help out. My donation page is HERE.

Lance Returns

It seems that Lance Armstrong will be coming out of cycling retirement and riding again. This is very exciting.

Here are some stories about it:

http://www.cnn.com/2008/US/09/09/armstrong.returns/index.html?eref=rss_topstories

http://www.pezcyclingnews.com/?pg=fullstory&id=6271

http://sports.yahoo.com/sc/news?slug=ap-jimlitke-090908&prov=ap&type=lgns

http://sports.yahoo.com/sc/news?slug=reu-armstrongdc&prov=reuters&type=lgns

It seems his main mission is to raise HUGE cash for cancer. The second mission is to prove that at 37 he IS the fucking MAN!.

He will probably ride for Astana and with Levi and Alberto on the team, maybe Hincapie will make a jump who knows, but it is likely to be one of the strongest teams ever. Shit even if Lance were to suck ass he'd still rake in big cash for the sponser, teams, Tour and cancer. It is a no lose situation.

http://www.bicycling.com/article/0,6610,s1-3-623-17832-1,00.html

Cycling and a 'lil Geology

This morning was another beautiful day in Vacationland to ride my bicycle to work. The photo here I took on my way in this morning. It is a view looking west at the Presumpscot River, down stream of the falls.

Commuting Stats:
Distance (miles): 14.41
Time: 49 mins. 17 secs.
Average Speed: 17.5 mph

For the the the geology nerds. The geology of the area is fairly interesting. The soil are blue-gray marine clays of the Presumpscot Formation. Very typical of coastal Maine. The rocks are WAY more interesting. Silurian to Ordovician Age Hutchins Corner Formation. A flaggy blueish to purplish gray biotite quartz plagioclase granofels with greenish-gray interbeds of calc silicate. Migmatic pegmatite layers commonly interbeded with the host rock, conforming to the bedding. There are also some unmapable pelitic schist layers.

ROCK ON.

Fire and Rain

The overcast and misty weather on Saturday made for an excellent opportunity to burn one of the brush piles and have a few beers.

I took the picture a bit early as the flames are only about 10 feet at this point. When the fire was in full force the flames were licking a good 18 feet. But that only lasts for a few minutes.

Now that the pile is gone I'll have to rake out the remaining coals, pick out any metal shit mixed in add a little soil and grass seed and that area will be back in business.

On Sunday I had my annual Bike to Bowdoinham ride. The weather forecast was for heavy down pours, thunder and lightning and hail. I headed down to the meet point and actually had two guys show up. Mr.5.0 and Mr. Discovery.

G.J. "Hi. Thanks for coming. The weather was for heavy rain, lightning and hail"

Mr. 5.0 " Well, I don't have a problem with riding in the rain."

Mr. Discovery is silent.

G.J. " O.K. well I think Ill shorten the loop considering the rain." *thinking maybe we can beat the rain, but knowing that won't happen**

And off we set. I think it was about 20 or so minutes before Mr. 5.0 says " Here it comes." Just then the wind starts whipping up, the trees are shimmering and then.... *Blam* downpour. At this point there was no stopping. For a few reasons:

• One, once you are wet, you're wet.
• Two, stopping would make you cold.
• Three, it's not THAT bad.

Sure you can't really see, your shoes are filled with water and the cold, cold rain is sucking the heat out of your body but you only live once, I know Ill be fine.
The lightning was sketchy.
And we rode on. I and I'm glad. I had a great 25 mile ride with a couple of local riders. And one more good riding story for my blog and for my old age.

-Until next time.

Riding past Road Kill

The weather is finally decent enough that a bike rides are more frequent and more enjoyable. Riding at 25 deg F can be adventurous but lets be real, at 65 deg F it's much better. This past Saturday I took out my recumbent for a little casual spin around the backroads.

One thing I have noticed recently is that in the early days of Spring riding I come across lots of animal carcasses. Critters that were road kill a month or two prior, were frozen into a snowback, but are only now visible, rotting and smelling 'oh so nice'.

Back to Saturday, about halfway through I rode past this fine looking critter. My best guess is that is/was a fox. The teeth were in surprisingly good condition. So, being an occasional mildly-twisted individual and recognizing a blog post when I see one...I snapped the pic. for the world to see.

I then sped home with excitement to get a better view of the image. Unfortunately, I dumped the 'bent as I turned into my gravel driveway too quickly. Oh well. Nothing broke, my scrapes will heal and the camera is unscathed.

Kinetic Cycle Trainer

I got Wife into cycling at the end of 2006. January 2007 rolls around and she is dyin' to keep riding and improve herself. So to make a long story short, we got a trainer. A Kinetic to be exact. {That's a picture of it to the left}

Well, we both have ridden the thing a lot. She much more than I. I prefer roads to hamster wheels and I have a fleet of bikes for the job. She just has the one and crappy snowy, wet roads are more of an issue for her.
So, she has been riding this thing during the off season like 3-6 times per week for and hour or so each time. Finally, something broke...well, broke is too hard a word, WORE OUT is more accurate. The threads on the L-bolt that keep tension on the wheel stripped. Too much loosening and re-tightening of the device...something we were recommended to do to keep tension off the wheel and device while not in use.

{This is the old L-bolt and knob}

Fortunately Kinetic has an AWESOME lifetime warranty. Wife called up Kinetic directly, described the problem and part on Wednesday afternoon. In the Saturday mail the new part had arrived. Only 3 DAYS!. Sweet.
I put the new part right in and she was on it a short while later. Lovin' it. And it was even more important this year because we currently have 42" of snow pack in the yard.

I would definitely recommend this trainer. The performance of the trainer is great and the customer service and response to our problem was super. If your interested, go to the Kinetic web site.

Cycling Season 2008 Begins...for me anyway

FINALLY after a pathetic four month hiatus I have resumed cycling. Today was a beautiful sunny and crisp Sunday. No wind. Temps. were about 35 deg. F (~2 deg. C). The roads were sandy but mostly dry. And most importantly all the chores around the house were done. Fortunately I have the 8-speed KONA in 'rugged mode' and took it down into town to pick up some groceries.

I picked up mostly produce for tonights dinner, chicken soup. When I got home it weighed in at about 14 pounds. Which fit pretty nicely in the panniers and rack trunk. That reminds me of the ol' joke:

'Whats a hennway? 'Bout 3 pounds.'

Anyway, I was friggin' slow. 11.98 mile round trip. 1 hour 2 minutes. At least 15 minutes slower than during my summer peak. Thats only less than a 12 mph average. I should be at least at 15. Regardless of my 'less than peak' performance it felt great to get back out riding again.

This is all a part of trying to get and keep cycling into as much of my everyday routine as possible. Grocery gettin' is a good start. Commuting into work will start up again (prev. posts 1,2,3) so thats good.

*If any reader(s) is/are curious about how to incorporate cycling as exercise into your daily routine feel free to ask and I will write up a post based on questions. I would love to see more people out there pedaling from place to place like the Dutch.

But yeah today was like "w00000t w0000t"

Bicycle ist

It's either a really fond hobby or an addiction but I came across and bought another bicycle, this time a mid-1980's Shogun 200. It's yard sale cost, $1.00 Dollar. How could I possibly refuse? Then consider that it has shimano hubs, front and rear derailer AND breaks...well there was just no going back.

I have already stripped it and transfered the brakes and seat-post onto my Raleigh single-speed. This bike was originally planned as a fixed gear, but I am laying in wait for a rear fixed hub and currently ride it with the freewheel at 42x16. Its a great city bike- light, silent and could preform too.

I'm not exactly sure yet of what to do with the remaining parts of this Shogun. -????- At this point I am thinking I could add the other Shimano gear to that Peugeot I got a while back and start building that back up. I just finished a pretty decent re-paint job to the frame. So thats an option...

Any random suggestions/ guidance out there?

'08 Tour de France

The course for the 2008 Tour de France has just be published. One interesting change this year is that time bonus' have been scrapped. This should create more equal finish times. Which will probably lead to frequent changes of the yellow jersey (overall leader). I nabbed this image of the route from velonews (who got it from letour.com)

Here is the basic schedule:

• Saturday, July 5 Stage 1, Brest to Plumelec (195km)
  
• Sunday, July 6: Stage 2, Auray to St. Brieuc (165km)
  
• Monday, July 7: Stage 3, St. Malo to Nantes (195km)
  
• Tuesday, July 8: Stage 4: Cholet TT (29km)
  
• Wednesday, July 9: Stage 5, Cholet to Châteauroux (230km)
  
• Thursday, July 10: Stage 6, Aigurande to Super-Besse (195km)
  
• Friday, July 11: Stage 7, Brioude to Aurillac (158km)
  
• Saturday, July 12: Stage 8, Figeac to Toulouse (174km)
  
• Sunday, July 13: Stage 9, Toulouse to Bagnères-de-Bigorre (222km)
  
• Monday, July 14: Stage10, Pau to Hautacam (154km)
  
• Tuesday, July 15: Rest day at Pau
  
• Wednesday, July 16: Stage 11, Lannemezan to Foix (166km)
  
• Thursday, July 17: Stage 12, Lavelanet to Narbonne (168km)
  
• Friday, July 18: Stage 13, Narbonne to Nîmes (182km)
  
• Saturday, July 19: Stage 14, Nîmes to Digne-les-Bains (182km)
  
• Sunday, July 20: Stage 15, Digne-les-Bains to Prato Nevoso (216km)
  
• Monday, July 21: Rest day at Cuneo
  
• Tuesday, July 22: Stage 16, Cuneo to Jausiers (157km)
  
• Wednesday, July 23: Stage 17, Embrun to L'Alpe d'Huez (210km)
  
• Thursday, July 24: Stage 18, Bourg d'Oisans to St. Étienne (197km)
  
• Friday, July 25: Stage 19, Roanne to Montluçon (163km)
  
• Saturday, July 26: Stage 20, Cérilly to St. Amand-Montrond TT (53km)
  
• Sunday, July 27: Stage 21, Étampes to Paris (Champs-Élysées) (143km)

Total distance: 3,554km -2,208 miles

If you are new to the sport the best days/stages to watch will be Stage 9, Stage 17 and Stage 21.

More info available: Here, Here, Here.

Useless Commuting Statistics

Yarmouth, Maine Par-n-Ride to Downtown Portland, ME.

• Distance: 14.25 miles
  
• Average Speed: 16.7 mph
• Ride Time: 50 min. 56 seconds

Weather: cloudy, cool but dry. 50 deg F.