Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Cold Ride to the Office Today
I had decided Monday night, that if it was 20 degrees or colder, Tuesday morning, that I would probably drive to work. at 530 am Tuesday, the internets said it was 25. I put everything on, even the leg warmers under the fleece bib knickers. I had not used my new Spec lobster claw gloves, so I was excited to try them out. And the plastic grocery bag corners were over my toes, inside the shoes.
A little wind from the west/northwest, mostly cloudy skies, and I was out the door about 630. Nice ride in , about 12 miles, from the golfcourse, all fairly flat. My toes were going numbish, with about 4 miles to go, and my right index finger was getting a little cool. Otherwise, my first ride in to the cannon was uneventful. I guess I'll find out how cold it can get until spring comes. I think my cutoff will be 20 degrees, or a stronger headwind.
The wind should be at my back all the way home!
Moo
A little wind from the west/northwest, mostly cloudy skies, and I was out the door about 630. Nice ride in , about 12 miles, from the golfcourse, all fairly flat. My toes were going numbish, with about 4 miles to go, and my right index finger was getting a little cool. Otherwise, my first ride in to the cannon was uneventful. I guess I'll find out how cold it can get until spring comes. I think my cutoff will be 20 degrees, or a stronger headwind.
The wind should be at my back all the way home!
Moo
Not Snowing
It was supposed to be snowing at 5:00 am Monday. I had been watching the weather all weekend, from ABQ, wondering if I would even be able to drive into Clovis Monday morning. I was wanting to ride at lunch, but weather under said it would be snowing and raining all day.
I left around 4 am, saw a few flurries (thin) as I headed east on I-40. Before I turned off at Santa Rosa, I could see nothing but clear skies. Beautiful typical NM sunrise, but different without "coming over the mountains" first. It would be a blue sky day.
I left the office on the bike around 1130, headed over to another building to meet another rider, Rob, for the tfirst time. We did two loops of the cannon, a little over 10 miles each, had a great ride, even with the wind as it was. It's only a head wind one direction. As we started the second loop, the clouds were coming in and getting dark; the sun was gone after a few miles.
Once I was back at the office, changed clothes, and looked outside about 20 minutes later, the snow was coming down hard. It didn't last more than about 30 minutes, and only moistened the ground a bit. Not much of an all day snow and rain storm.
We had a great ride in the sun, mostly. Wind is just a constant "hill" feature here, adds training resistence. Otherwise, it's all flat. The 42x15 fixie mode worked great, but I wasn't able to stand anywhere. Getting off the saddle is nice sometimes, but it was only an hour, kind of like the cyclocross races.
Moo
I left around 4 am, saw a few flurries (thin) as I headed east on I-40. Before I turned off at Santa Rosa, I could see nothing but clear skies. Beautiful typical NM sunrise, but different without "coming over the mountains" first. It would be a blue sky day.
I left the office on the bike around 1130, headed over to another building to meet another rider, Rob, for the tfirst time. We did two loops of the cannon, a little over 10 miles each, had a great ride, even with the wind as it was. It's only a head wind one direction. As we started the second loop, the clouds were coming in and getting dark; the sun was gone after a few miles.
Once I was back at the office, changed clothes, and looked outside about 20 minutes later, the snow was coming down hard. It didn't last more than about 30 minutes, and only moistened the ground a bit. Not much of an all day snow and rain storm.
We had a great ride in the sun, mostly. Wind is just a constant "hill" feature here, adds training resistence. Otherwise, it's all flat. The 42x15 fixie mode worked great, but I wasn't able to stand anywhere. Getting off the saddle is nice sometimes, but it was only an hour, kind of like the cyclocross races.
Moo
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
First Ride in Clovisss
Well, actually it was my lunch ride at CAFB. 23 November, a little wind, maybe 15-20. Always a head wind no matter where I ride anyway.
If it doesn't change direction, then in a loop ride, I can get a tailwind too. Well, the tailwind yesterday made me realize I need to change the ratio on the London (Specialized Langster London Edition). First I'll go to my 16 tooth freewheel, that'll do better with the standard 42 ring. If that doesn't work, I'll put on a bigger ring, or put the 15 fixie cog on the back.
Why not just put the cog on anyway? Riding fixie is enjoyable, but I'm not ready to grind my contact points away yet. Without being able to stand and coast occasionally, relieving high friction is not possible. Yes, butt butter does the trick, but I start to feel like I can't get on the bike without it sometimes.
My ride to work could turn out with "wind advantage". Looks like there may be little wind in the early morning and somewhere between south and northwest in the evening.
Moo!
Clovisss
What? Well, semi-acronymical- Clovis singlespeed.
Just "moved" here, 22 Nov. Will be biking in the area, and of course, on various singlespeed bikes (just goofy that way). Hopefully, I will join the local cycling community, if I find it. I've heard their are other bicycles in town and people who ride them. And, no, I don't care if you have those shifter thingies and deraillieur thingies. I just like to ride.
I'll be riding to work at CAFB, as often as possible, and practicable (?). I know there is a wind thing here, but it justs add to training. I've never been blown off the road, but I'm sure it's exciting.
For now, I'll be driving in on Monday mornings and leaving Friday evenings, headed to my family in ABQ, or to races. Hope to see you out there. I'll be posting ride info, when it's worthy of the time to type.
Chris
(C Cow)
Just "moved" here, 22 Nov. Will be biking in the area, and of course, on various singlespeed bikes (just goofy that way). Hopefully, I will join the local cycling community, if I find it. I've heard their are other bicycles in town and people who ride them. And, no, I don't care if you have those shifter thingies and deraillieur thingies. I just like to ride.
I'll be riding to work at CAFB, as often as possible, and practicable (?). I know there is a wind thing here, but it justs add to training. I've never been blown off the road, but I'm sure it's exciting.
For now, I'll be driving in on Monday mornings and leaving Friday evenings, headed to my family in ABQ, or to races. Hope to see you out there. I'll be posting ride info, when it's worthy of the time to type.
Chris
(C Cow)
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