New Year!

Last day of 2011, but first ride after Winter Solstice and 6 weeks off the bike, for holidays, sick, tired, recovering, antibiotics and reaction thereto. 26 miles on the familiar Magnolia Loop, now upgraded with the extension of the Ship Canal Trail under the Ballard Bridge. Took things nice and slow, and the Bleriot performed well after the annual tune at EBB.

Saw another Rivendell, a Rambouillet, and then met up with Russ from the loosely formed Seattle Rivendell Riders group for the last few miles up the BGT. We pledged to make some of those rides happen again soon, another great resolution for 2012!

Bike Expo and More

Finally retrieved the Bleriot from EBB after its annual check up and a reconfiguration. I dumped the STI shifters as they had problems going to the big cog at times, and substituted some good old-fashioned bar end jobs, which work just fine, although this user still is clunky with them.

Visited the CBC annual Bike Expo, gathered way too much swag and fliers for rides and adventures, ate my first festival food of the new year, then headed out onto the BGT into a headwind, rain and 40 degree temps. Made it to Interbay and as a came around the corner under the Ballard Bridge, the south wind picked up, the cold hard rain came in sideways, and I decided to beat it back home, via Stone Way, Peet's Coffee at Green Lake, and then Ravenna Blvd.

24 miles, but good to be back in the saddle after three weeks and several out-of-town trips. Even though I've been consistent on the gym bike, there's no substitute for saddle time. And, I'm going to need lots of saddle time to get ready for Livestrong.

New Ride!

So, here it is. Rivendell Bleriot 55 cm frame. Nitto bars and stems. Sugino crank. Velocity wheels and 650B Tires (38 CM!). Speedplay Frog pedals. Dia Compe brakes. Brooks leather saddle. Bob F. did a great job of assembly, with lots of little personal touches. Ride is butter smooth.


20 mile shake down ride this p.m., out to Locks and back. Compared to the Lemond, hills are easier with the wide spectrum of gears on rear cassette. Cornering and handling much smoother with the wider tires, and the Bleriot just glides well.

Yum!

Scatching the itch

Here's the weather for today:

















Yuk. It's wet, cold, windy, and dark. The days don't get much shorter than this one. Glad that I got in another ride on Monday. Looped down through Myrtle Edwards Park, past the OSP, stopped in Pioneer Square at Zeitgeist Coffee for a quick espresso before climbing the hill, going through the Tunnel, and then returning via Leschi and the Arboretum.

Stopped at Montlake Bicycle Shop, ostensibly to look at a Cannondale commuter. While it's still an idea, what caught my eye was a 2007 Bianchi Volpe that was retrofitted as a commuter, with bullet shifters mounted on a standard upright handlebar. Right size, and everything! I test rode it, and while the ride was smooth, and it was interesting to ride upright after so long on a road bike, I was able to come to some conclusions, at least for now. And, the ride back home on the Lemond provided the contrast and frame of reference for that decision.

First, the Lemond does not need to be replaced. It's light, handles well, fits me just fine. Good to go for at least the 2008 season. For now, no need for a commuter. If I want a beater, I'll get one for $150 from Recycled Cycles, who have an ample supply. Those can be loaded with fenders and racks and would suit the purpose well.

If I'm going to get a new ride, I'm going to buy exactly what I want, which means the steel-frame Davidson with the custom-sized frame from EBB. That means I can specify the size, components, features and even the color. I'd rather save the $$$ for that purchase when the time comes, perhaps as a double-nickel birthday present for myself.

Consider the itch to be scratched!

50 miles to go to clear the 3K mark for the year. Let's hope it dries out enough in the next two weeks.