Short windy ride out into Lake Champlain via the Causeway. Headwind on the way out made it slow going. I’ve had to zip-tie my Ixon IQ closed. Still working – but I doubt it will keep water out.
Archive for the ‘bikes’ Category
Lake and Wind
Wednesday, December 22nd, 2010
SS(s)DD
Monday, December 20th, 2010Same Spot(s), Different Day
~12-13 miles on the Pug this morning.
1/3 of those miles re-breaking trail over postholed / skied over / dog walked fields.
Full body workout – aerobic to keep moving in the snow. Upper body / core keeping the bike moving in the right direction. Anaerobic dieseling up the steep(er) stuff. Starting to figure out climbing. Gear down, keep the weight centered over the bike. Front wheel needs just enough weight to keep it tracking straight, rear wheel needs traction. Unless on hardpack standing doesn’t work.
Stable
Sunday, December 19th, 2010
Soma, mom’s Casseroll, IF, Ava’s scoot bike, the Pugsley. (nana and papa’s bikes and the Burley in the back)
Snow
Friday, December 17th, 2010
Finally some sticking snow. 6″ or so overnight to add to our thin base. Light. Fluffy. Sticking to the pines and making a winter wonderland. Longest ride on the Pugs this morning – 12 miles through the Intevale trails, town, and home on the lakefront bike path. Breaking trail, adjusting tire pressure. Fidgeting with the bars and the controls.
Pugsley
Wednesday, December 15th, 2010
Pugsley came home yesterday. Still have to tweak it… but the short review after 2 short rides on 4-6″ of fresh snow:
Interesting in the woods. Fast(ish) on the stamped down bike path. Fun on the beach. I have much to learn about tire pressure for varying conditions. Yesterday I was running 15 psi. Great for pavement and hardpack. Not so good in the woods. Today I ran 8-10. Much better on fluff. Slower on the hardpack. Gearing is also a puzzle. Haven’t figured out how to climb short steep stuff just yet. Traction + front to back balance + power…
It isn’t as heavy as I thought.
Slight uphill, in fresh snow, in a headwind is work!
Bouncy bouncy bouncy on those tires. Too fun.
Some improvements I will make:
Trigger shifters have to go! No room in there for heavy gloves, or lobster mitts. Thumbies with bar ends will replace them.
I’ll probably swap my Mr. Whirly from the Soma for the stock crank.
Bars and controls need adjustment. Will move to a 110 stem.
Will try with H-bars or maybe the Soma Odin I’ve run on the SS.
When my Lake’s arrive I may move my Time pedals over, after I get a feel for the handling.
Going to sew up a set of pogies this winter.
Add a spare single speed freewheel to the front… (wish it was stock with a fixed hub…)
Winterize the BB, framesaver everything.
Long term:
Gain some winter skills and fitness.
Whole different world than pushing the studded SS around.
Alfine 8 or 11 rear wheel.
Lose the FD if possible.
Custom frame bag to match my Epic harness and seatbag.
Too fun. Wish I’d done this years ago. Cannot wait for more snow. Now to plan an S24O to a lean to…
Fat
Wednesday, December 15th, 2010
Ready
Tuesday, December 7th, 2010
The IF isn’t my first choice for my winter steed, but as I wait on a pedal rebuild, a pedal replacement, and a busted buckle for my mtb shoes, it will wear the Nokian 35s and serve as a cold weather rider until the snow piles high. The Soma is waiting for the 294s, for fat tire fixed winter fun.
Rene Herse
Monday, November 29th, 2010
Fixed
Monday, November 15th, 2010
First fixed ride in a long long time. Pushing the 2.2 Nevegals is work (while waiting for snow, to mount the Nokian Extreme 294s). Playing in the dirt is a nice change from the skinny tires…
RandoCross? CrossDistance?
Saturday, September 4th, 2010
Planning a dirt / trail adventure for this weekend. How big of tire will fit the IF has always been a mystery. I’ve run 28s and 30s with fenders. It appears some 35 cross tires will fit and I can even squeak in some 40s. Guaranteed poor roads, dirt, and some single track or hike-a-bike. Fun.
