After I posted my build wish list for the OWB29 I have been finding some deals on parts. Specifically older stock stuff from various sources. Looking at a front derrailleur right now. Just need to check the clamp size and it may be an option. Plus when it comes to tires may have a cheaper option with the Serfas Krest 9'r tires. I recall looking at the distributers catalogue and seeing them for around $20 a tire.
Today when went for my ride was a bit disappointed as the trails are still a skating rink. I have to wait till the weekend unfortunately. So I still have to ride road for a few more days. Tomorrow will be a bit of hill work.
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Dirtbag Gear Tip
With warmer weather approaching our thoughts turn to gear and warm weather riding. And with the economy not doing well and obviously cost cutting measures for most are in effect.nI'll share a cost cutter I have been doing.
When it comes to our cycling jersey's they usually come in less then a half zip. Yet for most a full zip would be better. No need to remove helmets and such. Plus in the cooler times of the year Spring and Fall it's so much easier to take off and put on layers as needed.
The down side to buying new jersey's is the cost. Yet if one goes through their closet of bike gear they have lots of jerseys. The solution is simple, find a sewing shop that specializes in outdoor gear. And have them install a full zip. It costs me abot 420 a jersey to do this. Think of many jersey's can be revitalized for the cost of a $140 jersey.
Below is my old Insport jersey I did last fall.
When it comes to our cycling jersey's they usually come in less then a half zip. Yet for most a full zip would be better. No need to remove helmets and such. Plus in the cooler times of the year Spring and Fall it's so much easier to take off and put on layers as needed.
The down side to buying new jersey's is the cost. Yet if one goes through their closet of bike gear they have lots of jerseys. The solution is simple, find a sewing shop that specializes in outdoor gear. And have them install a full zip. It costs me abot 420 a jersey to do this. Think of many jersey's can be revitalized for the cost of a $140 jersey.
Below is my old Insport jersey I did last fall.
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Frozen Chimps
From what I have learned via the world wide web, Team Dicky in Charlotte NC is feeling bit of winter nastiness and he's feeling picked on by Mother Nature. Guess he's lacking a wee bit on the testicular fortitude. I suggest the proper application of 10lbs of weights to the bike will cure him of this affliction.
On the parts front, I may have a cheaper solution for my front derrailleur. But need to take some measurements on Saturday. Hopefully it will all work out. If it does then I will save $40. Which of course will be a benefit to the frame fund.
The weather forecast for the weekend claims it will be warming up and wet. Which I doubt as the weather around in winter tends to be on the screwy side. Though with it being warm it will hopefully mean that I can get onto the local trails finally. With the melt then freeze a few weeks ago the trails are really not fun.
Plus it will hopefully mean trail work can start up again.
On the parts front, I may have a cheaper solution for my front derrailleur. But need to take some measurements on Saturday. Hopefully it will all work out. If it does then I will save $40. Which of course will be a benefit to the frame fund.
The weather forecast for the weekend claims it will be warming up and wet. Which I doubt as the weather around in winter tends to be on the screwy side. Though with it being warm it will hopefully mean that I can get onto the local trails finally. With the melt then freeze a few weeks ago the trails are really not fun.
Plus it will hopefully mean trail work can start up again.
Monday, March 2, 2009
Freezing Count
Had to cancel the planned training day as had to rush home to deal with something. Funnily enough was reacting to someone else's failure to plan.
Tomorrow will have to ride to work hard and fast then home hard and fast to get a little bit of training. Though Joely has admited tonight that I have been taken advantage of in the last few days with all this running around.
While at the shop doing inventory have placed the order for the chain rings and the Exiwolf tires I will be needing. That way they are ordered and things are taken care of in that area. Now it just comes down to getting the fork dealt with and o the bike sooner then later.
Tomorrow will have to ride to work hard and fast then home hard and fast to get a little bit of training. Though Joely has admited tonight that I have been taken advantage of in the last few days with all this running around.
While at the shop doing inventory have placed the order for the chain rings and the Exiwolf tires I will be needing. That way they are ordered and things are taken care of in that area. Now it just comes down to getting the fork dealt with and o the bike sooner then later.
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Ease of Use
When I headed out to go to work this morning at 0730 hrs discovered that the last 2 days took alot out of me. Sure I have felt sore like this but I couldn't put power to the pedals. Basically there was not a good turn over.
So, backed off and rode in easy to work. Monday will now be an easy day as well. To give my body a chance to recover from the efforts. To adapt and grow stronger.
Tomorrow I will be at the bike shop working. While there I'll be swapping out my old tire and putting on another Exiwolf from the Service Course. After continuous use since November it's looking a little bald. Plus this will hopefully be taken as a sign by Mother Nature that it is time to stop winter.
So, backed off and rode in easy to work. Monday will now be an easy day as well. To give my body a chance to recover from the efforts. To adapt and grow stronger.
Tomorrow I will be at the bike shop working. While there I'll be swapping out my old tire and putting on another Exiwolf from the Service Course. After continuous use since November it's looking a little bald. Plus this will hopefully be taken as a sign by Mother Nature that it is time to stop winter.
Saturday, February 28, 2009
The Pain of Spin Bikes
Today was the first annual RMC Soldier On Spin a Thon. Which was put on by the Cadets to raise money for the Soldier On fund.
I was tasked to ride 2 hours for the civvy base staff. Though after doing this once on a spin bike I know better for next year. Next year I will use my own bike with either Rollers or a rim mounted Turbo Trainer. Riding a spin bike sucks as it never feels comfortable to me. Though maybe a good easy day the day before would be helpful as well, instead of running around like a chicken.
The guy in the white jersey is Tony O'Keefe, Dean of Cadets and Ultra endurance fiend.
The Cadets trying to out work each other based on mileage. The squadron with the most mileage wins a pizza party.
I was tasked to ride 2 hours for the civvy base staff. Though after doing this once on a spin bike I know better for next year. Next year I will use my own bike with either Rollers or a rim mounted Turbo Trainer. Riding a spin bike sucks as it never feels comfortable to me. Though maybe a good easy day the day before would be helpful as well, instead of running around like a chicken.
The guy in the white jersey is Tony O'Keefe, Dean of Cadets and Ultra endurance fiend.
The Cadets trying to out work each other based on mileage. The squadron with the most mileage wins a pizza party.
Friday, February 27, 2009
Too Much Info
Was in Chapters our local book store tonight. I was looking at the sports books and I had suddenly thought about how advanced we have become.
Sure this is a good thing. Yet I can't help but feel that it gets in the way of our success athletically. We no have multiple books telling us how and when to train. We now have heart rate monitors and GPS units telling us how fast and how far to go. There are now pre made training programs and such telling us when to train.
We have lost a lot of the fun of training. No more do we simply get out and train doing it as fast and as long as we feel. Instead of training times is spent thinking about the overwhelming amount of info we are inundated with. And this overwhelming input causes us to spend way to much time and energy thinking.
If there was one group to watch and learn from that would be African runners. They don't use technology, well nothing more then a stop watch. They simply head out and train. Sure they have a given work out plan to do but that's it. There is no additional waste of energy thinking. It's simple get out and do.
And that is what we should be aiming for, the simple get out and train. Other then a stopwatch dump the excess technology and just train.
Sure this is a good thing. Yet I can't help but feel that it gets in the way of our success athletically. We no have multiple books telling us how and when to train. We now have heart rate monitors and GPS units telling us how fast and how far to go. There are now pre made training programs and such telling us when to train.
We have lost a lot of the fun of training. No more do we simply get out and train doing it as fast and as long as we feel. Instead of training times is spent thinking about the overwhelming amount of info we are inundated with. And this overwhelming input causes us to spend way to much time and energy thinking.
If there was one group to watch and learn from that would be African runners. They don't use technology, well nothing more then a stop watch. They simply head out and train. Sure they have a given work out plan to do but that's it. There is no additional waste of energy thinking. It's simple get out and do.
And that is what we should be aiming for, the simple get out and train. Other then a stopwatch dump the excess technology and just train.
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