Work has been incredibly busy the last few weeks and hadn't much time to blog. Doesn't mean I'm not biking. Last Saturday, I did a brutal 20 mile SS mtb ride. It was brutal for a few reasons. 1. I had wings for dinner the night before. 2. I was out late. 3. I'm still getting used to the 32x19 gearing I started running. Nothing like knowing you can do more but, your body telling you, "NO!" I guess every now and then you need a reminder that diet is just as important as riding all the time.
The next day we did a 52 mile road, rail trail, and singletrack ride. We were supposed to do a century but, it got pushed back so others could have time to get in shape for it.

It was nice to have my road bike stripped of all it's commuting gear. It's nice and light now. We did have one flat on pavement about 30 miles in. Not on the single track with big rocks and roots everywhere. On the paved rail trail right after someone made a comment about a flat...

Of course the spare tube had a slit in it and we wasted a CO2 on it before we discovered that. Luckily, I always carry a pump and CO2. I've had my share of CO2 failures and pump failures to know better. Once we discovered the slit, I patched the original tube and we were on our way.

While I was going downhill on one section of road I was close to 38 mph and I started getting crazy front wheel wobble. Scared the crap out of me. I never experienced it before so naturally, I loosened my grip and took weight off the front while braking, making it wobble even worse. I thought I was going to be skinned alive. I finally managed to slow down enough for it to stop. Later on I researched it and found out that you need to add more weight to the front and grip the frame with your knees and hope that fixes it. Scary.

A few weeks ago my wife's uncle gave me a 1989 Trek 1100 aluminum framed road bike with a cromo fork. It rides beautifully. Since, it was just sitting in my shed and I liked having my specialized without all the commuting crap on it. Yesterday, I decided to set it up for commuting for a while. At least until after our century.

I think I need a shorter stem on it but, I'll ride it a week and see. I might just need to raise up the current one. I need to get a battery for the computer and see if that works, too.

My wife wanted to go for a ride yesterday so, I took her to the local rail trail. I took the Dolomighty. You get lots of stares and smiles on that thing.

Finally today, me and a friend took a trip to Delaware to ride White Clay State Park. I love that place. It's pure trail bliss. IMBA helped in building it and the Trailspinners do a fantastic job of keeping up with it. A lot of skinnies throughout the park, rollers, climbs, creek crossings, a skills park and about 30 miles of trails. Can't beat it.

I just love my Raleigh XXIX. It's pretty much perfect. I would like to put a 180mm rotor in the front but, other than that I think it's my perfect bike.

Dolomite is on it's way!

My Mongoose Dolomite should be here the end of the day on the 11th! Can't wait. I already got my spare parts waiting on the work bench to go on it. I'm going to drill the wheels out per fat-bike.com's instructions before I even put them on. Of course once I get it, spring will be rearing it's beautiful head around the corner. Average temp for the beginning of this week will be in the 50s. I'm actually going to be able to shed some layers for the commute in to work! Of course by the end of the week there is a chance of snow with lows in the 20s.
Speaking of commuting. I got a flat tire on the front last week. I fixed it rode it a few times, just went out to the shed to toy around and it was flat again. ugh. There are a cuts in the tire. So I switched out the Mavic Aksion tire that came with the rim to a more burly 25mm all weather tire that came with the bike when I got it. Hopefully, I like it. I think I should be rolling on a fatter tire anyway. Anyone have a recommendation on a 28c tire?
Remember my cracked shoe? Well I finally took it to the LBS. I thought I was going to have to take it in and wait for the Mavic rep to look at it for the warranty stuff. That's the way the LBS made it sound. So I was going to wait til it was warmer and could switch out to my too snug road shoes. I decided to take them in on Saturday. He swapped them out for a brand new pair of a different model. saweet! New stuff is always fun!

Winter Blues

Man, I was doing great riding in the cold. We've been having the freeze thaw thing going on. Snow piles melting into the streets and then freezing into black ice, just in time for my commute. On Monday, I had what was probably the most elegant fall of my life. I gracefully slid down onto my left slide and spun around on my side all on a nice big sheet of black ice. There was a car following behind me but, saw it coming...luckily. I don't know if that spoofed me or just bummed me out but, I think I rode one other day last week and that was it. We did have some serious high winds, too. They aren't very motivating.

I've been craving dirt like crazy. Thursday me and a buddy wanted to see what the trails were like that we take care of. After work we went out. One person had walked on them since being covered in snow. There is probably a good 6 inches of snow still on the trails. Just frozen enough to be a pain to ride in. Needless, to say I felt like a kid on a stryder bike the whole time. We were able to do traverse the main loop. It had alot of small trees and brush down but, nothing requiring a chainsaw. Thankfully. I'd like to get out there sometime in March to clean it up... If this snow ever stops falling.

Having my road bike done up all commuter like makes me not want to ride it for anything else but, commuting. I haven't been doing long weekend rides like I used to do. I'm hoping once it warms up, I'll be more motivated. My Mavic mtb shoes have a nice crack next to my cleat. These shoes are less than a year old. I got to give them back to the LBS so he can contact Mavic to see what they want to do about it. The problem is, I use them. How long am I gonna be without my shoes? I have a pair of road shoes but, they're too small for winter layering. This is just Another thing that is un-motivating me way too quickly.

On top of that, I park my truck on the street in front of my house. I hadn't moved it for a month. Someone, somehow ran into the front of it and drove off. Thankfully, it only messed up the bottom plastic skin that is 60$ and not the whole bumper. The thing costs me money even when I'm not driving it.

How to keep your feet warm... Or at least try

 

Yeah, that's my shoe. I used gaffers tape and a bag my wife got from Gap. I Cut a piece to fit under my insole. Wrapped the toe cover in plastic and taped up all the vent holes. This plus shoe covers. I use the Pearl Izumi Mtb barrier Elites. They work well. They velcro around the back for a seamless front to maximize wind blockage

They're a tad pricey but, I knew I was going to be riding in sub zero temperatures and wanted the "best." These plus, those neoprene socks I got a few weeks ago, along with a wool type work sock, keep my feet pretty dang warm. Now, you do wool sock first. Then neoprene sock. This is something I did not know and had to research to find out. My feet usually feel wet by the end of my ride but, not cold. I'm not sure how it would fair in a longer ride situation. I'm usually only in the saddle for about 45 minutes max on my commutes so, keep that in mind. Hopefully, this keeps your feet warm.

Beautiful ride home

It's so nice to have daylight on the way home. I don't mind night riding but, there is something about being able to see your surroundings that's comforting.
The roads were really good up until I got into town. I had to ride on the sidewalk and opposite side of the road a few blocks. I even had to walk one. We're expecting another 1-6 inches and then it's supposed to turn into freezing rain.

Snow storm

So I knew there was a storm coming. It was expected to arrive right when I leave for work. When I woke up it was raining. By the time I suited up and got out the door, there was a coat of snow on the ground. I thought, "no biggie. It can't land that fast." Yeah, no. I was wrong. There was a good two to three inches on the ground by the time I reached the shop. A half hour later than normal. I fell once, walked a few hills, pushed a car out of a ditch, and couldn't see freaking anything. Between the sleet, the snow, and my glasses fogging up; it was an adventure for sure. Next time I think I should take my mountain bike to work... I am.*edit* holy smokes! How could I forget that I had three deer run out in front if me and would of been plowed over by the last one had she not have slipped on the ice. Talk about a freak out moment. Did I mention I have a terrible fear of dying by deer?