WBC Wednesday Night Ride by fdaugherty at Garmin Connect - Details

WBC Wednesday Night Ride by fdaugherty at Garmin Connect - Details

All in all a good night. 23 miles in 1:13, somewhere along the line I lost the group I was riding with, but this time I was out in front. I stopped in Genoa to wait on them, but didn't see anyone so I rode back by myself. The good news is I averaged 18.9 mph riding almost the whole way by myself. The bad news is it just isn't staying light enough for long enough yet. But there is hope, and I am positive - so I guess that is more good news.

It was a beautiful night, clear skies and plenty of sun. It was a typical Wednesday Night Ride with everyone trying to ride hard in the first few miles. I still haven't figured out why everyone takes off at 20-25 mph when they are not warmed up. I don't know if it is a competition thing or trying to get out in the country away from traffic. There were a couple strong riders that I followed out. One guy pulled off the front and How about those Mountaineers. I was wearing a WVU jersey, because they are in the Final Four for the first time since Jerry West was on the team. Interestingly enough his son is on the team now. So perhaps WVU should ensure all offspring from West attends WVU. Anyway, the guy graduated in 2008, lives here now.

I took over the pull somewhere on Red Bank south of Knolls Dr. and lost the group just south of Genoa. I'm not sure if I missed a turn or not. I got there a little late and didn't get a map. But there again I kind of know the area, note the sly smile of sarcasm.

I am adjusting to the bike, though I may need a few more minor adjustments. So far I've raised the seat about 8-9 MM, moved it forward about 2 MM and raised the handle bars about a centimeter. Every adjustments makes the fit better. The geometry is different enough from the Raleigh that even if I get all the measurements spot on the bike is going to feel and handle differently.

There is a new Element at roll:

And it is looking very good.

This is the mountain bike side complete with mud splash paint

Almost makes you want one doesn't it

Note the mirror friendly logo and web site.

"We're Americans and We Drive"

Two weeks ago, Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood climbed on a table and told a group of bike advocates that federal transportation planners were finished raising the almighty auto above cyclists and walkers.

"I’ve been all over America, and where I’ve been in America I’ve been very proud to talk about the fact that people do want alternatives," he said. "They want out of their cars, they want out of congestion, they want to live in livable neighborhoods and livable communities ... You've got a partner in Ray LaHood."

He followed up on his blog: "Today, I want to announce a sea change. People across America who value bicycling should have a voice when it comes to transportation planning. This is the end of favoring motorized transportation at the expense of non-motorized."

This is great stuff, particularly from a 65-year-old Republican from downstate Illinois who was never expected to be one of the Obama cabinet stars. Progressive transportation advocates were clearly underwhelmed when Obama chose him. But when I watched him announce a new Smart Growth partnership with top EPA and HUD officials in Seattle last month, he fit right in with the sustainable-urbanism types there. Seemed to be making friends.

And now he’s making enemies.

A National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) advisor, speaking for grownup business people everywhere, bashed the new policy: "Treating bicycles and other non-motorized transportation as equal to motorized transportation would cause an economic catastrophe."

Rep. Steven LaTourette (R-Ohio) complained that a bike lane never created a job.

Matthew DeBord at The Big Money, in a cynical take on the tabletop speech, essentially said the hell with trying to improve this country: "A more over-the-top example of shameless pandering you won’t find anywhere in the halls of our current government. The transportation system of the United States is set up to accommodate one thing and one thing only: the automobile. I’m not going to say whether that’s good or bad. It just is. We can talk all we want about light rail and urban mass-transit and even flying cars and jetpacks—when push comes to shove, we’re Americans and we drive."

http://www.dailykos.com/

Sometimes You Get What You Deserve

Like always I'll be the one in the back

F word appropriate situation

Don't do this -- this hurts

Embrocation Cycling Journal

A very cool blog. Check it out.

Embrocation Cycling Journal

The Prague Post - Tempo - Cycle of life

The Prague Post - Tempo - Cycle of life

"Live for today," she says. "Life is not a dress rehearsal. We are all going to die. Somehow along the way I forgot that I was going to die."

Inspiring story about cycling and cancer, no Lance.

A little help for a friend

I'm glad to see I'm not the only one that needs a push here and there!Darryl Impey and Phil Ligget in South Africa

Get 'em while they're hot

"Run em Down"

This ought to really help. Check out Tony Kornheiser's March 11, Part 1 show. About 30 minutes in. Thanks dude -- really? We could do without the "run em down" comment -- appreciate it.

http://ow.ly/1nByQ.

Ouch -- Cav goes down

Getting Excited

Even after getting blown off the back in the wind last night (geez guys its only March!) I'm still excited for the year and our new kit!

Multitasking

Mike -- did you make this? Excercise and lawn care at the same time!

Wishing You Were Here

http://relaxitsjustme.blogspot.com/2010/03/wishing-you-were-here.html

You Can't Get Lost When . . .

http://relaxitsjustme.blogspot.com/2010/03/group-rides-you-cant-get-lost-when.html

Time to test the hip

My standing weekly ritual is to train at Lemonade fitness on Tuesday & Thursday mornings. Today was no different. However, I had Don change the routine to 3 by's instead of 2 by's and turn down the wattage to 200 watts for 45 minutes. The hip felt ok until I decided to increase my cadence. At 95-100 rpm my hip was telling me to slow down a little. I finished the rest of the workout averaging 85 rpm. By riding this way I know I'm good to go for the weekend.


Off to to do some more riding:)

A day to Reflect & Recover

Today I try and recreate in my mind what unfolded in a split second yesterday. I pride myself of always being on alert and aware of my surroundings, which has kept me from crashing in the past. As many times as I keep replaying yesterdays crash. I never saw the cattle dog that ran out in front of me. I didn't have a chance to brake, swerve or do anything evasive. I guess as much as I ride things like are bound to happen without explanation.

I'm not feeling to bad today but I am sore. Trying to raise my right arm above my head proved to a challenge this morning while trying to wash my hair. My right hip has some road rash and the purple bruising is starting to show.

Maybe a little more scotch today to help ease the pain. Planning to try and ride again tomorrow:)

Back to Back Outdoor Rides

Saturday 40 miles 2:22 with temperatures of 30 at the start and 38 at the end.
Sunday 33 miles 2:03 with temperatures of 44 at the start and 41 at the end.

Rick aka the Prince is modeling the new teamroll podium hat

Saturday's ride was very cold, but the roads were clear and traffic was low.  It was really a beautiful day to be outside.  The fields were covered with clean white snow from record snow falls in February.  We have only had a few days above freezing since the last snow so the fields had a glass like glaze over the white untouched blanket.  Dropped over this blanket of snow was a crystal clear blue sky with absolutely no wind, which is very rare in Central Ohio.

 The pace was a little high to start the first outdoor ride for many.  In the first 1/2 mile we were on a 18.5 mph pace, at 30 degrees it doesn't take long to warm up.  Of course with a self created wind chill of 17 degrees it does take a little extra time to warm up.  As we moved out into the country into Johnstown and Croton it was interesting to see the ice still on the branches of the trees.  Evergreens and dogwoods stilled covered in ice and frost, yet here we are riding at around 20  mph in a double pace line.  The shame of it was I forgot the camera.  This setting is not without a few new challenges for the cyclist, things like new potholes and icy patches under a melting surface.  These things and learning to ride in a group again always makes the first few rides of the year keeps the rider on their toes.  There were a few stretches where we were riding very well as a unit and the pace was up around 20-22 mph, the sun was warm, the pace was good and I was feeling fairly strong.  I wanted to shout out in utter joy at finally being able to be outside and doing something that I truly enjoy.

Preparing for early spring ride

Sunday was a lot warmer in the 40s.  The wind had picked up a little, but still a very pleasant day.  For the second day in a row we had over 15 riders for the early spring @teamroll ride.  This ride took us through Delaware, Knox, and Morrow counties.  Once again the rolling snow white fields were beautiful under another clear blue sky.

The route was flat for the cutoff group, another group headed to Hogback Road in Delaware which is a local climb.  Eight of us took the shorter route and we were riding along very well in a nice double pace line.  Then out of no where this dog pops out from the trees.  No one saw it and no one had time to react.  This dog runs right into Rick who was riding beside me.  I tried to move to the left and give him a way out, but as soon as I took one pedal stroke to the left Rick was on his side.  My rear tire ran over something, I'm not sure if it was the dog or Rick's wheel.  This happened on Carter's Corner or Wilson Roads, I think.  The good news is Rick was only mildly banged up, some abrasions, damaged clothes, and soreness tomorrow.  But no broken bones, spokes, or rims so that is a good thing.  It was a small dog, but getting t-boned at 20 mph will always bring you down.  

Siobhan's pre-ride meal

And yes some of us will eat almost anything before we ride.  The GUs are good for a ride but the gloves are a little hard to break down in the digestive system.

Looks like the gloves are working

YIKES

If you are looking to get me anything this year I'd suggest the Yike Bike:

http://www.yikebike.com/site/gallery/video/yikebike-discovery-channel

Thursday, February 18, 2010
Shimano Ultegra Chain Failure

New "Equipment Misbehavior". A reader from the Netherlands (who wishes not to be named) alerted me to his concern that lately, a large batch of Shimano Ultegra chains (CN 6700) have been breaking with use. These chains are narrow and lightweight, meant for performance riders. I'm not aware of what its roller diameter, plate width etc are. Can anyone help us here?

Anyway, so he was personally riding a steep cobbled climb last Thursday when his chain, 700 kms old, broke on one side of a link. Interestingly, he was able to get home and install a spare new 6700 chain as replacement. Well, guess what. A little after 7 hours and 220kms of riding over Saturday and Sunday, that chain also happened to fail. That's not a good thing to happen to someone who's stranded in the middle of nowhere.

He decided to call Shimano Europe and found their response to his problem as quite rude. In his own words :

"Shimano is still denying the problems, but many people have problems with the 6700 chains. I spoke to someone from Shimano Europe on the phone this morning, which wasn't pleasing since he was quite rude. For me it is not about the money, but all about the risk. The question is if someone is going to crash because of these breaking chains, when and how many crashes are there are going to be? Often there is quite a lot of difference in customer support between Europe and North America. For example Zipp seems to have a great service in the States, but in the Benelux it simply sucks. But the attitude of Shimano seems to be bad everywhere. "

He examined the first chain he broke and found 15 different cracks all over the place. The second chain he broke had 11. He's having the chains sent to another company, who will then X-ray examine them for deficiencies. As and when I get any more news on that, I will post it here.

Notice the interesting manner of crack formation at the two ends of the chain

Now roller chains are reliable over a wide range of temperature conditions. So if the Netherlands has had a really bad weather this year in terms of winter and salt on the roads, should it matter if the chain is well maintained? The individual who contacted me reported that he regularly washes his chain in plain hot water to get rid of salt.

As to the question of whether he applies any other chemicals to the chain for cleaning, I do not know. Shimano does protect their bottom to some extent by calling out the following in their technical instructions.

For chains to avoid breaking in fatigue, the operator has to restrict stresses to those below the corrected endurance limit for the material. The total load in a chain is a sum of the tangential driving force, centrifugal tension in chain and the tension in the chain due to sagging.

But even still, a chain should NEVER break. The only evidence of deterioration in a chain should be elongation due to steady wear. But that usually happens only after 1000-2000 hours of usage in well lubricated chains. They should be pretty reliable otherwise. For a new Shimano chain to break in 7 hours may point to something unassured in its design/manufacturing.

Have any of you experienced similar problems with these chains as well as Shimano's deteriorating customer service?

(Thanks to Ron for his blog -- check it out: http://cozybeehive.blogspot.com)

Porn for Cyclists

http://www.handmadebicycleshow.com/2010/02/2010-shimano-nahbs-award-winners/