Solo 25.6 miles Riverside Blvd past Garcia Bend Park & back
Just an exploratory ride today. Riverside Blvd is one of the north-south streets with a good bike lane, so I decide to take it as far south as I feel like and then turn around. I first go to the bike trail south of the Sacramento Marina. I'm playing with fire here and the gods strike me down with a front flat in return. I have learned my lesson about biking that path. Never again! This is flat #4 on the Gatorskins. On a random side note, I recognize a cyclist from the Folsom Cyclebration criteriums who asks if I need help.
The houses south of Florin Rd are big and pretty and make for some nice daydreaming. I follow a bike path on the levee south of Garcia Bend Park, but it is blocked after a couple of miles due to construction. I amuse myself by passing judgment on the houses that back the levee and choose one or two I wouldn't mind owning. Who am I kidding--I'd take any of them!
Showing posts with label flat tire. Show all posts
Showing posts with label flat tire. Show all posts
September 23, 2009
September 14, 2009
Ride Report 9/9
Total 53.5 miles in 3:35 group ride Sacramento-Woodland-Davis-Sacramento
There are only five of us on today's Sacramento Wheelmen ride, including John & Sally on their tandem. After debating on today's destination, we settle on Davis. Some time in the last week I went totally crazy and decided I want to ride Foxy's Fall Century, only a REAL century this time. One hundred miles, hills and all. So, the Wheelmen take my goal to heart and pile on my miles by taking me to Davis via the Tower Bridge, north along the river and then to Woodland. We head south on County Road 102 (Poleline).
The speed is faster than last week's ride and we hover around 17-18mph for most of the ride. The Wheelmen even let me pretend to do them a favor by taking a turn pulling, which I learn is a lot harder than it would seem. It's more difficult to maintain a smooth speed than I expected and my speed jumps from 17.8-19mph and all spots in between. There is no wind whatsoever, but I had not realized how much I was benefiting from being in the back until I am out front. I bow out after only a mile or so and take my rightful place at the back.
Along the way, I get to enjoy the rather large lingo the Wheelmen have for road hazards. "Car back" and "car up" are self-explanatory. "Big back/up" means a large truck is coming. "Really big back" is used when a semi is coming up behind us. They also use "long lead" to refer to a car that's still a ways away, and occasionally "pair up/back" which refers to two cars/trucks.
As we come to downtown Davis, the riders debate about where to go. John and Sally go to Crepeville while the rest of us stop at a new place called Posh Bagels. I just have an ice water and my whole wheat newtons. We stop at the Freewheeler to get air for my rear tire, which has had a slow leak. The pressure is only 40psi, which does not bode well for the ride home. In the meantime, we get distracted drooling over the bikes on display. They have this year's Trek 1.2 WSD on clearance for $719 and a gorgeous Trek WSD (didn't catch the model) that is only $2250. Maybe someday. I ask the sales clerk if they carry Specialized Armadillos, since I am becoming disenchanted with my Gatorskins, and he says they carry something called a hard case tire that is supposed to offer three-layer protection against punctures. I will have to do some research.
I'm not sure what happened to John and Sally, but we three head to the Frontage Rd via bike path, and my rear tire promptly goes flat right after we get to the Frontage Rd. We discuss the merits of CO2 cartridges vs mini pumps, brands of tires/tubes while I change my flat. We are on our way again and head straight to Sacramento on the causeway. Three flats in three weeks. While my average has slowed, I'm still apparently suffering from my flat jinx.
My rear wheel magnet got disturbed during the flat change, so my speedometer readings are inconsistent for several miles. Just when I'm about to stop to fuss with it, it seems to straighten itself out. At least something on the rear wheel works right.
There are only five of us on today's Sacramento Wheelmen ride, including John & Sally on their tandem. After debating on today's destination, we settle on Davis. Some time in the last week I went totally crazy and decided I want to ride Foxy's Fall Century, only a REAL century this time. One hundred miles, hills and all. So, the Wheelmen take my goal to heart and pile on my miles by taking me to Davis via the Tower Bridge, north along the river and then to Woodland. We head south on County Road 102 (Poleline).
The speed is faster than last week's ride and we hover around 17-18mph for most of the ride. The Wheelmen even let me pretend to do them a favor by taking a turn pulling, which I learn is a lot harder than it would seem. It's more difficult to maintain a smooth speed than I expected and my speed jumps from 17.8-19mph and all spots in between. There is no wind whatsoever, but I had not realized how much I was benefiting from being in the back until I am out front. I bow out after only a mile or so and take my rightful place at the back.
Along the way, I get to enjoy the rather large lingo the Wheelmen have for road hazards. "Car back" and "car up" are self-explanatory. "Big back/up" means a large truck is coming. "Really big back" is used when a semi is coming up behind us. They also use "long lead" to refer to a car that's still a ways away, and occasionally "pair up/back" which refers to two cars/trucks.
As we come to downtown Davis, the riders debate about where to go. John and Sally go to Crepeville while the rest of us stop at a new place called Posh Bagels. I just have an ice water and my whole wheat newtons. We stop at the Freewheeler to get air for my rear tire, which has had a slow leak. The pressure is only 40psi, which does not bode well for the ride home. In the meantime, we get distracted drooling over the bikes on display. They have this year's Trek 1.2 WSD on clearance for $719 and a gorgeous Trek WSD (didn't catch the model) that is only $2250. Maybe someday. I ask the sales clerk if they carry Specialized Armadillos, since I am becoming disenchanted with my Gatorskins, and he says they carry something called a hard case tire that is supposed to offer three-layer protection against punctures. I will have to do some research.
I'm not sure what happened to John and Sally, but we three head to the Frontage Rd via bike path, and my rear tire promptly goes flat right after we get to the Frontage Rd. We discuss the merits of CO2 cartridges vs mini pumps, brands of tires/tubes while I change my flat. We are on our way again and head straight to Sacramento on the causeway. Three flats in three weeks. While my average has slowed, I'm still apparently suffering from my flat jinx.
My rear wheel magnet got disturbed during the flat change, so my speedometer readings are inconsistent for several miles. Just when I'm about to stop to fuss with it, it seems to straighten itself out. At least something on the rear wheel works right.
September 5, 2009
Ride Report 9/4
32 miles ARBT north access to Elverta Rd, E Levee Rd, Ueda Bike Path to Discovery Park thru Old Sac & home
Today I take the route I meant to take on the first. The computer has been calibrated to the narrower tire size and all is right with the world. I'm getting kind of tired of all the surface streets that cross the north path, but it's not the ARBT, which I have been dreading for the last several weeks because I've ridden it so damn many times. Unfortunately, I took my ride late in the day today (I left around noon), and I start to run into packs of high school age kids spread across the path and completely ignoring the world. The group that does know I'm coming gives me about a foot of path to pass them on. The groups that don't respond to "Bike, Bike, BIKE!" as I'm coming up behind them get cursed at as I have to ride on the dirt beside the path to pass them.
At the end of the trail, I can't stand the thought of passing even more teenagers blocking the path, so I cut across Elverta Road to E Levee and go south to Discovery Park. On the ARBT, I experiment to find my max heartrate and start pedaling as fast and hard as I can. At 23mph I hit 187bpm and feel like I'm going to puke. My legs feel like rubber, so I let off after maybe 30 seconds. The mystified cyclist that I blasted past half a mile back breezes past me as I whimper into Discovery Park at about 14mph. My heartrate yesterday was 186 in 17th gear at 89rpm.
I stop long enough to stop the nauseated feeling and start to limp home through Old Sacramento. Naturally, I get a flat (my 2nd on the Gatorskins) to repair on my back tire. Not impressed with the Gatorskins so far.
Note to self: When experimenting with max heartrate, do it when I'm almost home, not with six miles to go.
Today I take the route I meant to take on the first. The computer has been calibrated to the narrower tire size and all is right with the world. I'm getting kind of tired of all the surface streets that cross the north path, but it's not the ARBT, which I have been dreading for the last several weeks because I've ridden it so damn many times. Unfortunately, I took my ride late in the day today (I left around noon), and I start to run into packs of high school age kids spread across the path and completely ignoring the world. The group that does know I'm coming gives me about a foot of path to pass them on. The groups that don't respond to "Bike, Bike, BIKE!" as I'm coming up behind them get cursed at as I have to ride on the dirt beside the path to pass them.
At the end of the trail, I can't stand the thought of passing even more teenagers blocking the path, so I cut across Elverta Road to E Levee and go south to Discovery Park. On the ARBT, I experiment to find my max heartrate and start pedaling as fast and hard as I can. At 23mph I hit 187bpm and feel like I'm going to puke. My legs feel like rubber, so I let off after maybe 30 seconds. The mystified cyclist that I blasted past half a mile back breezes past me as I whimper into Discovery Park at about 14mph. My heartrate yesterday was 186 in 17th gear at 89rpm.
I stop long enough to stop the nauseated feeling and start to limp home through Old Sacramento. Naturally, I get a flat (my 2nd on the Gatorskins) to repair on my back tire. Not impressed with the Gatorskins so far.
Note to self: When experimenting with max heartrate, do it when I'm almost home, not with six miles to go.
July 20, 2009
Ride Report 7/20
32.5 miles in ?:?? on the Bianchi
Luckily, I remembered to check the tires before I left the house, because the rear tire on the Bianchi is flat. I get it changed in only 20 minutes, but I am down to one spare tube now.
I head south on Land Park to add some miles to my Freeport to Freeport Bridge to levy road and West Sacramento route. After meandering my way on Windridge to Pocket Road, I finally catch Freeport Blvd south to the bridge across the Sacramento River. My pace on the city streets is 16 mph. As always, I cross the bridge by holding my breath, not looking down and holding onto the bike for dear life. The Freeport Bridge is open mesh grate that provides a spectacular view of the river twenty feet below you.
The pavement on the levy road is rougher than I'd remembered, but I last rode it on the hybrid, which is quite cushy compared to the Bianchi (front shocks, seat shock, lower psi tires). The ride is skull rattling at times, so I ride far from the shoulder where the roughest spots are. Due to the cross/headwind, my speed is only about 14-15 mph on most of the levy road. For one glorious mile or more on River Road, I maintain a pace of 19 mph.
When I get back on the levy road, I see something stuck on the front tire, but I know if it's a thorn I don't want to pull it out. Around mile 24, my feet can't take anymore and I have to stop to dismount for a short break. I check the pressure on the front tire and my heart falls when the tire is squishy. T put a liner in the front tire, and I don't want to try to wrestle it all back together on the road. I call a friend for a ride, but her truck is out of commission and T doesn't have a vehicle today that can fit the Bianchi, so I fix the flat on the side of the road. I take out the liner and replace the tube. The one good thing about the whole experience is that my first time using a CO2 pump works like a charm. It inflates the tube in seconds! Unfortunately, the cartridges are one-time use only. After I gather together my tools and repack the seat wedge, I notice a truck pulled over on the side of the road about ten yards ahead of me. The driver is sitting in the truck, watching me in his side mirror. I have no idea if he was just making sure I got finished safely or if he had ulterior motives, but as I pass his truck, I really wish I had my pepper spray on me.
I continue my ride with no further excitement, although I compulsively check both tires every time I have to stop at a light. My clipping in/out has been less than impressive today and I had to look down about half the time to find out why my cleat wouldn't click into the pedal. About a mile from home, I see an old animal rescue friend of mine on the sidewalk and I stop to catch up with her for about 20 minutes.
I stagger home hours late and with just enough time to potty the dogs, eat lunch and get ready for work. I need to leave early to pick up more spare tubes and a CO2 cartridge at the bike store...
Luckily, I remembered to check the tires before I left the house, because the rear tire on the Bianchi is flat. I get it changed in only 20 minutes, but I am down to one spare tube now.
I head south on Land Park to add some miles to my Freeport to Freeport Bridge to levy road and West Sacramento route. After meandering my way on Windridge to Pocket Road, I finally catch Freeport Blvd south to the bridge across the Sacramento River. My pace on the city streets is 16 mph. As always, I cross the bridge by holding my breath, not looking down and holding onto the bike for dear life. The Freeport Bridge is open mesh grate that provides a spectacular view of the river twenty feet below you.
The pavement on the levy road is rougher than I'd remembered, but I last rode it on the hybrid, which is quite cushy compared to the Bianchi (front shocks, seat shock, lower psi tires). The ride is skull rattling at times, so I ride far from the shoulder where the roughest spots are. Due to the cross/headwind, my speed is only about 14-15 mph on most of the levy road. For one glorious mile or more on River Road, I maintain a pace of 19 mph.
When I get back on the levy road, I see something stuck on the front tire, but I know if it's a thorn I don't want to pull it out. Around mile 24, my feet can't take anymore and I have to stop to dismount for a short break. I check the pressure on the front tire and my heart falls when the tire is squishy. T put a liner in the front tire, and I don't want to try to wrestle it all back together on the road. I call a friend for a ride, but her truck is out of commission and T doesn't have a vehicle today that can fit the Bianchi, so I fix the flat on the side of the road. I take out the liner and replace the tube. The one good thing about the whole experience is that my first time using a CO2 pump works like a charm. It inflates the tube in seconds! Unfortunately, the cartridges are one-time use only. After I gather together my tools and repack the seat wedge, I notice a truck pulled over on the side of the road about ten yards ahead of me. The driver is sitting in the truck, watching me in his side mirror. I have no idea if he was just making sure I got finished safely or if he had ulterior motives, but as I pass his truck, I really wish I had my pepper spray on me.
I continue my ride with no further excitement, although I compulsively check both tires every time I have to stop at a light. My clipping in/out has been less than impressive today and I had to look down about half the time to find out why my cleat wouldn't click into the pedal. About a mile from home, I see an old animal rescue friend of mine on the sidewalk and I stop to catch up with her for about 20 minutes.
I stagger home hours late and with just enough time to potty the dogs, eat lunch and get ready for work. I need to leave early to pick up more spare tubes and a CO2 cartridge at the bike store...
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