Riding Bikes

ducnut, Was looking at map of what you said, your going north to alton at river to cross and find katy trail ?

 

Yes. From what I’ve read, there’s a network of surface streets and paths to get out west of town to pick it up.

 

I have not been all the way up to Manchins, but it is more or less levee road noth of 270 bridge

 

Anybody done the rail trail over in the Black Hills? Just over 100 miles it looks. Would make a nice late fall, early winter overniggter

 

No but i have pondered it, there are 2 routes. I might check it out next year. I plan to ride hwy 20 from Chadron NE to Cowboy trail next Apr or May. So i will be in area

 

I'll keep that in mind. Thanks

Late in the year, off season, few people and cheap motels. Sounds nice.

 

I ordered another Space Horse (58cm), today. I had a doc appt this afternoon, so I had time to take my current one (55cm) into the shop this morning. First thing he said was “That looks short.”, meaning the <o<kpit length. When I sat on it, up against a wall, he said it definitely looks shorter than the specs indicate. On the grips, it looks too short. In the aero bars, it looks fine. My concern is anytime I’m out of the saddle, I’m going to be up on the stem, so that made the decision fairly easy. I’m hoping with the extra 20mm in the TT and extra 25mm in the HT, it’ll give me some <o<kpit room. I second guessed myself on the first one, because my first road bike was a 58cm and it had me stretched out. Live and learn.

On the topic of cabling, he said Cervelo did a demonstration where they wrapped Shimano’s SP41, alongside other popular choices, around what looked like about a 3” diameter pipe, like six times. He said the SP41 and their super slick cabling was effortless to push/pull. After seeing that, he said it’s all they use, now. I’ll be getting a SP41 setup, when this 58cm shows up.

It doesn’t look like I’m working the rest of the week, so I’m going to get my PK Ripper frame sent to C4 Labs for powdercoat. It’s getting a proper OG color change and new decals. I’m going to get the wheels broke down and get spokes and nipples ordered. I have a few anodized bits to strip and polish, as well. I’m hoping to build something in the heavy hitter style, but, on a budget. I’m not spending $5K on a BMX bike to have what those guys do.

 

I went out for an easy 18mi, this morning. It was overcast and a cool breeze, so perfect.

I’m loving the new bike. I ended up dropping the seat, from my initial measurement. After being off a road bike 5yrs, I’m not nearly as stretchy as I used to be. Aluminum/CF composite to steel frame and 42mm to 47mm tires have made noticeable improvements for ride quality. This thing is so much smoother and sure-footed than my Tricross was. The 1X drivetrain has the chainline running almost perfectly straight, for the gear I like to ride in. Zero regrets, especially for the price.

A couple setup things I changed with this bike were a frame bag and insulated SS bottles. Previous seat bags have always been too small and this frame bag allows for everything I previously carried, plus my wallet and phone, with room to spare. I’ve always used plastic water bottles. It was so nice to drink cold water, without a foul taste. I don’t like the bite valve on these, so I just unscrewed the lid and drank straight from the bottle, on the move.

A couple negatives were helmet and shoe discomfort. With my weight gain, neither fit like they did. I ordered a Lazer Impala ($80, direct, on sale), as they’re the only helmet brand that has ever fit my long-oval head. For shoes, I ordered Giro Gauge MTB shoes. They’re a more casual style, which are much nicer to walk around in. I have no pretentiousness, so not doing the hammerhead look. Previously, I’ve been wearing commuter shorts and a T-shirt. But, with my extra insulation, I’m going to need to find a performance shirt that works and doesn’t make me look like an overstuffed sausage. And, I can’t be forgetting my sunglasses and gloves, in the future.

The PK Ripper is still apart for its color change. I sure miss being able to come home and take it on a quick ride around town.

 

Got home early, downed some Aleve, and knocked out another 15mi. My butt was aching from Sunday, but, not terribly. Things started loosening up, 5 or 6 miles in. But, my backside was done, at 12 or so. Normally, I’d ride more remote gravel and mix in some walking. That gives muscles a chance to loosen up, gives my butt a break, and allows blood to flow back into certain areas. With this new bike, I feel like I want to get in more chip-seal miles, before heading off on gravel. The geometry/tracking is quite different from my Tricross. Gotta’ keep plugging away, though.