23? miles in a lot of time on the Trek
I have to find a way to mount my mini pump and a second bottle cage on the Trek, so I head to some local bike stores to see if any of them carry premade gadgets to help me out. The first store does not carry frame mounts for pumps or for bottle cages. The sales clerk who is helping me is nice enough to test ride the Trek and dismisses my concerns about the front brake hissing when it is engaged. The second store does not have bottle cage mounts for the Trek's fatter frame, but they do give me extra rubber strips to pad hose clamps and protect the bike frame. I head out on my ride to the bike trail to Elverta and back.
To my surprise, I don't feel like listening to music today. I am content to listen to the sounds of traffic. In contrast to last week, most of the bike path occupants are courteous or at least neutral as I go by. Twice, cars stop to wave me through crosswalks. What is wrong with people today? A couple miles short of my halfway point, I pass Bernie going south on the path. We both stop and turn around.
I join him going south, and Bernie pays proper homage to the new bike. He agrees that it is the proper size for me and that my riding form is improved just by being on a correct bike. We discuss my equipment mounting issues and the unusual weather (overcast, windy and surprisingly nice for a day with a forecast high of 102) for the short distance before his exit.
On my way back through downtown, I try one more bike store. They do not have a bottle cage mount, but they tell me to check with the "guys in back" to see if they have a spare pump mount. They do, and it fits my fat mini pump when it's extended, so one problem out of the way. I have no choice but to go with hose clamps again to mount a second bottle cage.
As I get home, I decide to test the brakes again. I put my hands on the drops and brake hard on my corner. I have my left foot unclipped to balance on, so I naturally fall over onto my right side, reopening the almost-healed scab on my right knee. I swear loudly, which may be why I do not hear inquiries into my well-being from my neighbors sitting on their porch across the street. Dripping blood and with a bruised ego, I make my way inside to patch up both.
Showing posts with label trek. Show all posts
Showing posts with label trek. Show all posts
August 11, 2009
August 9, 2009
Ride Report 8/9
Partnered 40 miles in 2:39 on the Trek
It involved a 6.5-hour road trip, but I have bicycle that is sized for me! The Trek Pilot 1.2 was only ridden 25 miles before the owner decided she did not like it and would stick to her mountain bike. We left the SPD pedals with her to sell with her cycling shoes (but had to go to the local bike shop for a wrench with enough leverage to get the pedals off). Unfortunately, the frame is too fat to rig a second bottle cage with the hose clamps I used on the Bianchi, but I strap the mini pump to the frame with a tiny bungee cord and plan yet another run to the bike store. I managed to find a cycling computer on clearance that measures cadence, and I stayed up far too late to get it mounted on the Trek.
Today is a fairly easy ride since we're both tired from the road trip. I practice drafting on the way east on the bike trail. The Trek feels hyper responsive compared to the Bianchi and it will take a few more rides for me to feel completely comfortable on it. I notice the difference between the bikes most on cornering. The Bianchi could handle fairly tight turns (which I'm not supposed to do), but the Trek feels like it is about to take a tumble when I try to take a corner tightly. At any rate, I do so-so in drafting and poke along at about 18 mph.
On the way back, I attempt drafting for a short time, but mainly just yak and spin along at 16-17mph. It's an off day for both T and I, so we take it easy. I don't think I will stop at the Watt Ave bridge again to refill water bottles, though. The odors from the bridge and the bathroom make for a hostile environment.
I feel disloyal to the Bianchi, but I can't help comparing it negatively to just about everything about the Trek. My elbows still ache, but only time will tell if that is something I have to build up over time or if it is left over from riding a bike that was too long for me.
On the way home, I practice riding while sitting up and with my hands off the handlebars. When I tried this on Thursday on the Bianchi, I could sit up with a couple of fingers on the handlebars to stabilize it, but the second I lifted my hand, the steering went crazy and I had to grab the handlebars. Today, on my first attempt I can sit up. My second attempt I can pedal along with my arms out at my sides. Then I pedal with my arms straight up, practicing my victorious race finish pose. T tells me I will have to work on my 30mph sprinting first. Party pooper.
It involved a 6.5-hour road trip, but I have bicycle that is sized for me! The Trek Pilot 1.2 was only ridden 25 miles before the owner decided she did not like it and would stick to her mountain bike. We left the SPD pedals with her to sell with her cycling shoes (but had to go to the local bike shop for a wrench with enough leverage to get the pedals off). Unfortunately, the frame is too fat to rig a second bottle cage with the hose clamps I used on the Bianchi, but I strap the mini pump to the frame with a tiny bungee cord and plan yet another run to the bike store. I managed to find a cycling computer on clearance that measures cadence, and I stayed up far too late to get it mounted on the Trek.
Today is a fairly easy ride since we're both tired from the road trip. I practice drafting on the way east on the bike trail. The Trek feels hyper responsive compared to the Bianchi and it will take a few more rides for me to feel completely comfortable on it. I notice the difference between the bikes most on cornering. The Bianchi could handle fairly tight turns (which I'm not supposed to do), but the Trek feels like it is about to take a tumble when I try to take a corner tightly. At any rate, I do so-so in drafting and poke along at about 18 mph.
On the way back, I attempt drafting for a short time, but mainly just yak and spin along at 16-17mph. It's an off day for both T and I, so we take it easy. I don't think I will stop at the Watt Ave bridge again to refill water bottles, though. The odors from the bridge and the bathroom make for a hostile environment.
I feel disloyal to the Bianchi, but I can't help comparing it negatively to just about everything about the Trek. My elbows still ache, but only time will tell if that is something I have to build up over time or if it is left over from riding a bike that was too long for me.
On the way home, I practice riding while sitting up and with my hands off the handlebars. When I tried this on Thursday on the Bianchi, I could sit up with a couple of fingers on the handlebars to stabilize it, but the second I lifted my hand, the steering went crazy and I had to grab the handlebars. Today, on my first attempt I can sit up. My second attempt I can pedal along with my arms out at my sides. Then I pedal with my arms straight up, practicing my victorious race finish pose. T tells me I will have to work on my 30mph sprinting first. Party pooper.
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