Ride #47
So I was watching the Tour of Flanders the other day (see previous post) and I was caught off guard to see Fabian Cancellara throw his bike into the crowd. Yes, actually pick the thing up and chuck it at some fans. The entire thing probably only weights like 2lbs, so even with cleats on he got some good distances. No carbon smashing as it came down on a grassy section, but very unlike the normally subtle rider. So what gives? It appears that Mr. Cancellara took a chapter out of Barrett's book of bike repair. Yup, snapped a chain on the Koppenberg! Its so easy, if feels like there is no chain! It got me wondering, why do we bother with all the nonsense on a bike! Gears, levers, pulleys, cogs, cassettes...it really all just leads to broken chains.
Editors Note: If you name is Barrett, EVERTHING leads to a broken chain! What will the bike be tonight?
How do we avoid the snapped chain, the chain suck, the ghost shifting, all that stuff...how do we remember the purity of the sport, the true essence of the bike, the connection to the ground? You go On One! That's right, tonight is the first Tuesday in April thus S2FT3 is in full effect. Ride what you got, but keep it simple, the less to break the better. Unicycle anyone? As we have had high adventure of late and some serious training taking place, I am declaring tonight as a simple outing on simple bikes, to remember why we love to do this! I have a few secret trails that I have been keeping up my sleeve and feel tonight might be the night for a little newness! So come One as long as you are on One.
Mosquito at 5:45...Exit 54?
I again will have little bit of secret training going on, so I will meet you guys up there.
ONE, no really One, as in I'm in!
Ghost Rider has promised some pictures, I had to get this post up early, so pics will come in the ride report! Apparently they are not for the faint of heart!
Until we ride again,
LOtB
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Sunday, April 5, 2009
De Ronda van Vlaanderen
Curtis, Rick, and I took off Sunday morning in search of some P'ville cobbles. We found a great loop but no cobbled sections, too bad. This was my first outing with the TT set-up. Having only one bike to work with, I will need to talk with April about this one, I need to keep a pretty good road set up or else riding around here would suck. All in all, I liked the set up and felt pretty comfy down in the bars. It did give me a reason to hammer a bit more than I wanted to. Rick also seemed to be in a feisty mood, and continued on for a longer ride. Curtis and I pulled off at Greenstone and rolled through the ghetto for our route home. There was much talk about Flanders while riding. This weekend and next mark the holy grail of the classics. I got home fired to up watch the race but unsure how to pull it off.
April took off to a baby shower as soon as I got home, so it was the kids and I for the afternoon and a race that needed to be watched. This was a three step process to ensure watching and day long satisfaction.
Step One:
The drink of choice: Knowing a coffee drink was in order for me, I had to build up the "specialness" of a kids warm milk drink for the race. We took orders and decided we would fire up a vanilla milk (Jackson), hot chocolate (Molly), and mocha (LOtB). Needless to say, the FrancisFrancis got a good workout pre-race! The kids loved the treat and this will come in handy for future racing events!
Step Two:
Decorations were absolutely necessary. Jackson directed which bikes and jerseys needed to be included for proper ambiance. We capped the decor off with some drawings awaiting the first pedal stroke of the day. Although we did not even come close to Councilman's man cave, it was a
pretty cool set-up!
Step Three:
Constant and over the top cheering. Every time Big George's mug was on screen Molly screamed with delight. Jackson appreciated the crashes. The lasted about 45 minutes before the swing set started calling. But I did get to finish the race! If you didn't get a chance, it is well worth digging it up.
In the end Jackson gave me the comment, "Dad, this was the best day ever!". I just need to figure a way to pull this off on Easter?
See you on Tuesday!
Until we ride again!
April took off to a baby shower as soon as I got home, so it was the kids and I for the afternoon and a race that needed to be watched. This was a three step process to ensure watching and day long satisfaction.
Step One:
The drink of choice: Knowing a coffee drink was in order for me, I had to build up the "specialness" of a kids warm milk drink for the race. We took orders and decided we would fire up a vanilla milk (Jackson), hot chocolate (Molly), and mocha (LOtB). Needless to say, the FrancisFrancis got a good workout pre-race! The kids loved the treat and this will come in handy for future racing events!
Step Two:
Decorations were absolutely necessary. Jackson directed which bikes and jerseys needed to be included for proper ambiance. We capped the decor off with some drawings awaiting the first pedal stroke of the day. Although we did not even come close to Councilman's man cave, it was a
pretty cool set-up!Step Three:
Constant and over the top cheering. Every time Big George's mug was on screen Molly screamed with delight. Jackson appreciated the crashes. The lasted about 45 minutes before the swing set started calling. But I did get to finish the race! If you didn't get a chance, it is well worth digging it up.
In the end Jackson gave me the comment, "Dad, this was the best day ever!". I just need to figure a way to pull this off on Easter?
See you on Tuesday!
Until we ride again!
Saturday, April 4, 2009
Saturday's Ride Report
Although I was not there and Jerry is currently watching California Poetry Out-Loud State Finals, this is the best effort for a ride report and a ride that sounds 100% worthy of any props it can get. The details are fuzzy but this is what I got!
It appears the group, No Handle, Cap'n, Bambi, and Ghost Rider, all headed off with the best of intentions on a beautiful Saturday morning. All went well for the groups as the hit Cronan Ranch and then headed off to Cool and the Olmstead Loop. If you have been paying any attention to the weather you may have noted that the rain of a week or so ago was followed by very dry yet cool weather. This combo has made for some nasty ruts and bogs to be approached with utmost care. Ghost Rider apparently did not approach with utmost care and is now in the care of Kaiser Permanente (or at least was in the care, he is probably home right now wishing things had gone otherwise). Anyway, as reported to me, while at fairly high speed Ghosty practiced a running dismount and did not stick the landing, or stuck the landing but stuck it with is shoulder, forearm, head, other shoulder, head again, and buttocks! The other riders found him prone, silent, and well in need of a ride. Let me stop here and give a shout out to wives in general, they really are the best! When we get buggered up while riding with our buddies, who comes and gets us, dropping everything that they are doing? Our wives? Ghost Rider may not see another Tuesday ride in while, not because of injuries sustained, but the DTI is going to need some recovery! In all seriousness, as pointed out by No Handle, that is one tough guy! Bumps and bruises aside, I am sure Ghost Rider will roll again soon!
The remaining group rounded off a FIVE HOUR effort on dirt and were all around to talk about it post ride.
Sunday: Starbucks @ 7:30 for a recovery ride or easy roll (depending on what your Saturday had in store)
Until we ride again,
LOtB
It appears the group, No Handle, Cap'n, Bambi, and Ghost Rider, all headed off with the best of intentions on a beautiful Saturday morning. All went well for the groups as the hit Cronan Ranch and then headed off to Cool and the Olmstead Loop. If you have been paying any attention to the weather you may have noted that the rain of a week or so ago was followed by very dry yet cool weather. This combo has made for some nasty ruts and bogs to be approached with utmost care. Ghost Rider apparently did not approach with utmost care and is now in the care of Kaiser Permanente (or at least was in the care, he is probably home right now wishing things had gone otherwise). Anyway, as reported to me, while at fairly high speed Ghosty practiced a running dismount and did not stick the landing, or stuck the landing but stuck it with is shoulder, forearm, head, other shoulder, head again, and buttocks! The other riders found him prone, silent, and well in need of a ride. Let me stop here and give a shout out to wives in general, they really are the best! When we get buggered up while riding with our buddies, who comes and gets us, dropping everything that they are doing? Our wives? Ghost Rider may not see another Tuesday ride in while, not because of injuries sustained, but the DTI is going to need some recovery! In all seriousness, as pointed out by No Handle, that is one tough guy! Bumps and bruises aside, I am sure Ghost Rider will roll again soon!
The remaining group rounded off a FIVE HOUR effort on dirt and were all around to talk about it post ride.
Sunday: Starbucks @ 7:30 for a recovery ride or easy roll (depending on what your Saturday had in store)
Until we ride again,
LOtB
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