Spotted! Broken Crabon in the Wild!

Since the weather has made a turn for the better, I've managed to start a semi-regular bike commuting schedule. Two days this week!

As I was pedaling home today, I notice a lime-green clad rider ahead walking his bike. Initially, I thought maybe he had a flat. No problem...I carry patches and a mini pump, along with CO2 cartridges if necessary. If the tube was fixable, we could have him up and running no problem.

However, as I drew closer I saw something else was amiss. The seat was bent over backwards at a weird angle. That's not right...an expensive-looking carbon road bike with the seat flopped over like that. As I pulled beside him, I soon saw why. The seat post was neatly snapped off between the seat mount and the tube, the seat twisting in the wind. I looked over at the poor guy and about the only thing I could say was "Ouch!". He looked totally dejected, walking with head down and didn't acknowledge my presence. Physically, he looked fine. After several seconds of silence, I pressed on. I would have tried to help him somehow but it seemed he didn't want any assistance. Unfortunately, I usually don't carry spare seat posts. :>)

After seeing gobs of busted seat posts, handlebars, etc., on Busted Carbon.com (and an example at Acme Cycle in KC), I actually saw one on the road. Remember, kids...steel is real and crabon is crap! - D

Finally, the first commute of this year!

Not much riding this weekend...we took a little trip to KC to see Ayden!

I did finally get one day of commuting in last week, on Tuesday. I believe it's the first day of commuting this year!

Yeah, it was cold in the morning. I really expected snow on the trail, but it was nearly all melted and no ice, either. It was windy, but that's no surprise this time of year. I geared up and layered up, 'cause that ol' wind just cuts right through you if you aren't prepared.

Of course, the Double Cross got the nod for the trip. Same setup, full fenders, Tubus rear rack with Carradice Nelson Longflap. I strap my my lunch bag on the back with a bungee cord, attach my reflecto-triangle, turn on my tailight and hit the road. It was pretty dark, so I was happy to have my Nite Flux headlight as well. This bike just racks up the miles, when I have the opportunity. And it seems like it's been forever since I've rolled into work geared up from biking.

Checked the weather and it seems like we'll be in the lower 50's for the rest of the week. I anticipate two or three days of commutes this week! Gotta get that mileage up in preparation for an entire week of RAGBRAI - D

Getting my ass out there

It's been a gray, windy few days. The wife has gone to the South by Southwest film festival in Austin and to visit her friend Penny, so I've been left to fend for myself. I stayed up late, poking at the Bleriot. I trued and tuned up the front wheel, and replaced a tire. I think the original was defective, I could never seem to get it to mount properly. The new tire seems rounder, and less lumpy.

So I slept in this morning. There was an Ice Road Truckers marathon on the History channel. I catnapped on the couch. I drank a beer. I pondered riding, but every time I looked out the window I saw a gray windy day. The couch called to me. "Sit on your ass", it beckoned.

Man, I sure did want to sit on my ass. I stuck my head outside and gauged the weather. Cold and windy. I wanted another beer, but I drank the last one. I was getting tired of watching Ice Road Truckers.

So I started to gear up. Slowly and deliberately. I still wasn't sure I wanted to go outside. Eventually, I was all ready to go, finally about 2:30. That would limit me to a shorter ride, probably the 'shed and back' 20 mile run. I dragged my lazy ass and the Bleriot outside, heading south, 20 mph wind at my back.

I zipped along, retuned and retired front wheel running smoothly. I was in top gear running the flats, spinning away. No computer on this bike, but I imagined I was running in the mid 20's since I didn't feel any wind. I knew I was going to pay on the return trip, and I did. Head down, cold wind in my face, crawling up hills. I didn't care. My ass was out there :>)

-D

Happy Birthday, Ayden!

It is with great joy I announce the birth of Ayden Scott McDowell. He was born yesterday at 1:42 p.m., 7 lbs 3 oz, 20 inches in length.

Did I mention he is my grandson? Grandchild #1 and he is beautiful.

Jenny and I hopped in the car after work yesterday and drove to KC to visit.

I'm the one with the goofy grin on my face

Snoozing. Grandpa doesn't mind :>)

RAGBRAI overnight towns

I thought I might be able to sneak in a ride today. But with below freezing temps, coupled with 15+ mph winds, I decided it would be better to hang out at home with my lovely wife...watching murder mystery shows. Ack! Oh well, she works hard and she deserves it.

Rather than lament my non-riding status, I thought I'd take a look at the RAGBRAI overnight towns and speculate on the route. The information at this point:

Day 1: Sioux City to Storm Lake. Distance: 68.5 miles. Climb: 3,689 feet.
Day 2: Storm Lake to Algona. Distance: 79.0 miles. Climb: 1,145 feet.
Day 3: Algona to Clear Lake. Distance: 51.3 miles. Climb: 1,036 feet.
Day 4: Clear Lake to Charles City. Distance: 51.7 miles. Climb: 1,066 feet.
Day 5: Charles City to Waterloo. Distance: 82.7 miles. Climb: 2,712 feet.
Day 6: Waterloo to Manchester. Distance: 62.0 miles. Climb: 2,313 feet.
Day 7: Manchester to Dubuque. Distance: 46.9 miles. Climb: 2,566 feet.

The first day will the the big climbing day. Next three days will be easy spins (depending on hangover severity) :>), then a bit more climbing for the final three days. I'm not sure where the century loop will end up...possibly Day 2 or Day 5?

I played around with Google Maps and tried to figure out the route for the first day. Every route I tried ended up being longer than 68.5 miles...which seems to be most direct route to Storm Lake. However, the most direct route takes you down Hwy 20 and Hwy 31...state highways and unlikely RAGBRAI routes. Most likely, RAGBRAI planners will take us down county roads passing through a few towns along the way. Kingsley, Pierson, Washta, Moville, Correctionville, Quimby, Hanover, Alta...any of these towns could be on the route.

Regardless, it will be a great ride this year! The final route, and our first team meeting, should be announced soon. I'm hoping to get out on the road soon so I can get started on getting some serious miles in. -D

Sneaking them in

Damn, it's still snowing.

Damn, I still want to ride. So I rode. I've been able to sneak in a couple of weekend rides. I managed a 25 miler two weekends ago, and a 2o miler last weekend. I got snowed on last weekend, but I didn't care. I geared up, bit the icy bullet, and got out there. The roads I've ridden have been relatively clear, so I didn't take the QBF with the snow tires. I hit the road with the old reliable Double Cross, a fine all-weather machine.

By the way, the RAGBRAI route was announced a couple of weeks ago. It'll be a northern route, one of the shortest and flattest ever. Yes, I'm doing the entire week this year, and it'll be awesome.

Waiting for my grandson to come visit - D

Video Torture

Due to the impending arrival of my grandson Ayden, the wife and I decided to buy a video camera.

Of course, I had to test it. Not only that, but I had to attempt putting the horrendous results of my test on YouTube. Eek. After at least a dozen failed attempts, I finally figured out how to get my video in the right format and actually have YouTube accept it...the original video was 17 minutes. Much to my chagrin, YouTube "Regular" only accepts 10 minute videos, so my 3 1/2 hour download was rejected. This edited version (courtesy of iMovie) is much shorter. Thankfully.

So here it is, a tour of my combination bike shop and laundry room, and a tour of the 'bike basement'. Enjoy, or run away screaming.