Vermont to Switzerland
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.
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…
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.
Worn Spécialités TA ring that has served me from early spring of 2007 until late summer of 2010. Swapped out the 30/46 for 32/48 as I’m trying to avoid buying new TA rings ($$$!) – so I’ll run slightly higher gearing this fall. I might drop to 30/44 for the Fall Classic 200k for bailout options as there is Shaker Mt. Rd. to get over in the second half of the ride.
Got out for a quick burn with the usual suspects on Saturday afternoon. Weather went from warm and gray to cold and gray. I was under dressed from the start – so I worked hard to keep warm. Moving from the SS with studs and kidervals to the IF ClubRacer with some Challenge Parigi Roubaix hand made tires… I felt like I was flying. Met the wife and little one downtown at the library – they were on the Salsa and the Burley.
Life on two wheels returning to form.
24 hours can make a big difference in the weather. Yesterday morning I was flying down smooth roads spinning easily on the IF. Today I made first tracks on the lakefront bike path and some exploring in the woods. Heavy, wet snow coated the bike. 30/18 and the studs was work in the 4″+ of wet, heavy snow.
Roads have been dry. I got out on the IF today to spin after starting Monday night Yoga. What a pleasure to ride non studded tires on a ti bike that fits like a glove…
