When it rains, go ride.

06/06/2012

We got rain today! Some real heavy storms rolled through this afternoon with visibility at about 75 to 100ft at one point. Luckily I was able to get home on the bike after it let up. It was a nice light rain all the way home and it was good to feel cool again after riding with temperaturs in the 90's.

The fenders and rainproof bags make it an enjoyable ride. And the fixed gear gives extra braking to make up for the weak wet rim braking. After last night’s races in the heat I was just as drenched as in today’s rain. At least tonight I was able to dry off and stay dry! No that easy when it isjust hot and muggy.

Keep the rain coming; we need it!

Paul

Time to ride slow

04/28/2012

They say it is good to take rest days and have days where you ride nice and slow.  I had a few reminders of that the past week.

The other Saturday morning riding with Bike Mart a group of us had to  work our way around a turtle in the road (and I was feeling slow like hime at that point). And the other morning on the ride in to work I came across a turtle crossing the bike path. It reminded me that sometimes I have to slow down to and have a slow riding day and enjoy the scenery.

Paul

The signs of Spring are out

3/31/2012

Did you see the signs of spring out? Allen has the "Share The Road Signs" up to go with the Sharrows on the road. Spring is here, Get out and ride!

Paul

Bike Maintenance

3/31/2012

I bought my commuter bike back in October. Last weekend I finally had a chance to do some more work on it. I lubed the chain for the first time. Wow, the bike is nice and quiet now. It is a fixed gear but used to sound like it had a derailleur in the rear. It is nice and smooth now.

I fixed a pedal, tightened the seat and adjusted the rear axle since it had some play in it. It took a while to get the chain and wheel tightened just right after that. It felt good to do all that. Then Monday morning I went to head to work and the rear tire was flat. So much for the “preventative maintenance” concept.

Paul    

The bike season has started

03/28/2012

Although I never really stop my bike commuting during the year, the cycling season has officially started with my first criterium of the year completed. I tried a new race this year: http://www.wednesdaynightcrit.com/

I needed to scope the course so I tried the C race and got third place. So, what the heck! I did the B race after that and had to drop out with the "5 laps to go" signal (yes, that is when they really turn it up another notch!). Overall a great workout with 27 miles at a 22+mph pace.  The season is in full swing!

Go ride - or race or anything on two wheels!

Paul

What is a "Sharrow"?

03/23/2012

Well, Allen has their Sharrows painted out there on some streets. But what is a Sharrow?

The sharrows are just markings to remind drivers and cyclists that we all share the same roads out there. Nothing more than that! So, go out and ride your bike (or drive your car) because you can! That is what the roads are for.

A nice article was written in today's paper: http://neighborsgo.com/stories/81158

You can also find the Allen American article from last week: http://www.allenamerican.com/articles/2012/03/16/allen_american/news/157.txt

Get out and enjoy your bike!

Paul

Indoor riding??

03/07/2012

I did an indorr spin class today.  My first ever! I always told the guys in that class "you are going nowhere, get out and ride on the road". But, I have to eat my words. They gave me a good hour long workout that really worked my legs. I may even do it again. Training is training.

Paul