Exploring the morning beach. Wind, waves, and sky.
Wind and Waves
45, February
45 miles, windy, a bit cold. Hurt so good. On the IF. Enjoyed a headwind all day, as the wind started in from the South and moved around to the Northwest after I turned around. Followed the lake on the way out, rode some mixed use trail on the skinny tires (fun, slick, and some ice), managed some lovely dirt roads – firm, and smooth for the most part with only a few sections turning to wheel sucking oatmeal.
Climbing was slow but the bike felt fast. I had to put my head down and get it done for the last 12 miles. There was much mashing at first in the big ring but I eventually succumbed to spinning on home.
Aside from a few short rides this is the first quality time on the IF since my 400k last summer. The bike felt small and twitchy at first, and then my body remembered and it fit like a glove again. The Nitto Noodles feel so odd when I’m in the drops… I’m so used to the splay on the Woodchippers. I managed to bang my wrists numerous times when standing to climb – and my hands are a bit unaccustomed to the small size of the Campy Ergo levers. Might have to save up some pennies and move over to a SRAM group. I really like the way the SRAM levers feel in the hand.
At the last minute this morning I moved my MTB pedals over so I could wear the Lake boots (and have warm feet). My knee is a little sore as I’m sure my pedal to saddle height is a bit low now.
Images aren’t the greatest. Popped a polarizing filter on before I left, and I’m not happy with the results. Will have to research that a bit…
Exploring
I love exploring on a bike… and the Pugsley is the perfect machine for ‘no trail’ riding. Not 10 minutes from my house… the frozen transition from land to water along Lake Champlain.
Pugsley, the Moon, and the Tree
Cold
Waterfront, BTV, 5degF, never mind the windchill. Cold fingers.
Grey
Creative Parking
Met the wife downtown for lunch. No bike parking at Magnolia’s? Burlington’s first ‘green’ restaurant? And one that sells t-shirts about riding a bike instead of driving…
Same Spot, Different Bike
Local trails, Fargo this morning.
Lowered the saddle once I settled into the singletrack. That made a huge difference, especially on the technical bits. Tweaked the bar position.
Think I’m getting it dialed for both gravel and trail. This morning was – make adjustment, ride a lap, rinse, repeat.
The Vulpines roll well on the gravel and dirt – but they are definitely not a wet, snot, rock tire. Would love to have a 2.2 or 2.4 up front – and something sticky like a Nevegal. Would give me some more confidence in the slick. That said – rolling on a knobby isn’t fun – so the Race Kings or Vulpines will do for now, until I set up a second wheelset for eaiser changes. Riding trail on essentially a large cross tire is fun – and I can’t complain – I used to ride these same woods on 35s and 42s back when the CrossCheck was my ‘all-terrain-a-saurus’
Growing (some more)
Recent Snaps
Mellow weekend. Farmer’s Market, morning rides, flowers in bloom, some industrious kids up in the woods, flood damage, more rain, gray skies, good fun.
