Greased in trust

This might come off as being obvious but I love cycling and most everything that goes along with it. The freedom, exercise, camaraderie and the bikes themselves. The latter is probably one of my favorites but there's a price to pay, so to speak. Over the past few years my stable of bikes has grown and each have their own use and personality. I use some at least once a week, while others that I've purchased are mounted to various walls behind glass. The frames that ordain my walls were bought for the craftsmanship, sleek lines and artistic beauty.
I love taking out the different bikes and riding them. Each has their own strengths and quirks, but all need the same amount of maintenance which brings me to the gist of this post. I had three bikes that needed to be stripped down, cleaned and rebuilt. I enjoy doing my own maintenance but this past week has been busy with work and it won't let up for a few more. I could take time out of my rides to do it, but that would set my goals for the month out of reach.
I believe that one of the most valuable assets any rider can have is someone that they trust with their steads. Be it the mechanic at your local bike shop or the place across town that takes you an hour to get to. These are the heroes that treat your rides as well as you do.
I'm fortunate that the one person I trust with my rides is only a few blocks from my home. As every cyclist knows this time of year is the busiest for any mechanic and mine is no different. Even under a great pile of work ranging from cassette changing, repacking bearings and complete strip downs, he told me to start dropping the bikes off and he would make it happen with 48 hour turnaround.
Needless to say, I'm a little picky when it comes to the work on my bikes so to find someone that I trust without hesitation is a godsend. The work was flawless as usual and completed when promised. Whoever your mechanic, they are the last wall of defence between you and a long walk, or meeting the pavement at great speeds with your face. Next time they finish some work for you give them a six pack or a tip to let them know you appreciate them.

I got fixed, and it hurt!

I'm not someone that you would meet and consider an athlete. If I had to describe my build to someone, it would be slim athletic. I'm about 5'8, 130 pounds hovering around the 5% body fat index. When asked about my fitness level, I believe I'm of average fitness level compared to others that are as physically active as I am. To those I work with, I'm seen as an Olympian. They really need to get out more!
Anyway, my ability is limited to cycling and swimming. I spent a great deal of time growing up in open water and pools. My idea of a good time when younger was swimming to an island about a mile away that was across from our cottage. My sister used to swim back and forth for training. As I got older we would race each other; I never did beat her. I believe that she still holds provincial records 20+ years after setting them. I still swim now and then but limit the distance to 1/2 mile in heated pools at a relaxed pace. Most of my activity comes from the bike and gym time centered around the bike.
On work days this year I've been averaging 50km rides with speeds of 27-30km/h. I push myself but not to the extent of hindering my walking ability the next day. My days off consist of 100+km rides hovering around 24-27km/h. These long rides are more stress relief rides that allow me to enjoy the sights and sounds along the route I choose. Last months mileage showed me that my fitness level have really increased this past year and and the training paid off. I patted myself on the back a few times and started to believe what my fellow coworkers thought about me. I am an above average athlete, so there! Luckily for me, the bell went off before I made an ass out of myself.
I added a new bike to my stable this past week. It's a flat black, basic KHS Flite 100 fixed gear. I wanted the simplicity and challenge of a fixed gear to help my distance training. I've been to the Velodrome a few times, so the feeling of not being able to coast wasn't new to me but a few things took me by surprise. You don't realize how often you speed up and slow down on city streets until you have slow down by controlling the pedals. I didn't realize how often I coast or gear down to give my legs a break for a minute. By the time I got out to my favorite stretch of road in which I can open up and keep a steady cadence and speed for 30km, I was already feeling the ride. I continued on, and what a great ride it turned out to be. Smooth, steady and peaceful. By the time I got home, I was tired but exhilarated. The next morning I had trouble walking. My hamstrings were screaming at me and cursing me for the sheer idea of having to do any work. I realized that my 50km route on the fixed gear is very different than on my others. You not only use your quads, butt, calves and hamstrings to speed up but also to slow down. I never trained for that, and my muscles wanted to let me know they weren't very happy with that decision.
The next day people saw me and asked if I was still going to ride the fixed gear, as it had diminished me to walking like a penguin and winching like I had ticks.
My answer is...YES! The workout was amazing and the key is taking is slow. I won't ride it everyday, but at least once or twice a week sounds good for now. By the time this summer is over my legs will be be that much better for it and in the end, it was a lot of fun.

April showers didn't come, so I went riding

I can't believe that the month of April is done. Each time I sat down to write a post something picked me up and took my attention elsewhere.

The start of the month was unbelievable in regards to weather. It was warmer than usual, some days topping 20 degrees with clear skies. Most days were just sunny hovering around 10-15 degrees. After the winter of record setting snowfalls and wind that bit you through ten layers of clothing, any day with sun and above zero temperature had me riding for as long as possible. Luckily, that was 95% of the past month.

I am happy to announce that for the most part my spring fever has died down and I'll start to post on a regular basis again.



April mileage 1031km

YTD 1749km

The spring rain has started this week and it looks as if we'll see moisture for the majority of the next two weeks. It has to stop sometime, and if you look up and see clear skies you can bet I'm keeping the rubber side down.

March Roundup

In my last roundup, I figured that this past month would see some big numbers. What I didn't know at the time was the amount of snow that we were going to get. This past March was one of the worst weather and cycling months I can remember. Unfortunately, my numbers reflect this.

March
179km or 111miles

YTD
718km or 477miles

If today is any indication on how April will be, I expect my monthly numbers to double. It's currently 14C(57F). Strong wind to contend with, but I'd rather deal with 40km head winds than cold creating a permafrost in my bones.

WOW

Every once in a while you come across a story and person that inspires you to do your best. This story of Ben Saunders did it for me.
Thanks.

Banana Boy

This past week the word went out via email that a ride was on for today that encompassed about 70+km. It would be one of the first of the season and damn if I wasn't looking forward to it. I spent the last couple of days tuning up one of the road bikes, experimenting with different layers of clothing as it might be sunny but the high was still only 37F not including the wind.
I left my place a little earlier than usual to remind my body the feel of this bike and double check my clothing decisions were adequate.
I felt great, the wind wasn't sneaking into the layers and I felt good. One my way to the meeting place I chose roads with little traffic as I know drivers don't have their 'watch out for cyclists' glasses on yet. I turned onto a one way street that has 3 lanes and low and behold don't I get every cyclists' worst prize; the door prize. The car had just passed me, came to a stop and the occupant decided to jump out. The door hitting me squarely in the thigh, in which I lost my balance and went down. The lady was surprised and screamed as I hit the pavement. Instead of seeing if I was alright or apologizing the first sentence out of her mouth was a excuse. This is it; 'I thought I could get out before you caught up to the car.' I asked her if she plays the same sort of games trying to outrun trains at crossings. The only redeeming factor was the driver, who asked if I was alright and then gave me his card in case I find my bike needs any repairs. I thanked him and told him I didn't think so but appreciated his concern.
I met up with my fellow riders, told them of the incident in which we all agreed that we need to be careful due to people aren't used to cyclists yet on the streets. While waiting for a few more people to show up my leg began to cramp a little and I took a look at my pants that had a few tears in the side. Nothing big, but it sucks because I just bought them.
We head out keeping a perfect line indicating all hazards to the person behind via hand signals. We pick up speed in one spot to merge with traffic and that's when my leg gives me the tickle to let me know it is not very happy. I change gears and increase my cadence thinking this will help limber me up a little only to find that the tickling is now changing into a full blown throb. We hit a set of lights and I made the decision to turn around and go home. Needless to say I chastised myself on the entire journey home but I didn't want to risk more injury or slow up the group. I arrived home and checked the leg. I have quite the nice sized bruise forming in the shape of a banana where the door hit me. I now understand why my leg gave me grief when I tried to pick up the pace. The door caught me right where the outer quad meets the middle one. I don't know the technical terms for the set of muscles, so will have to excuse the layman version. I do know one thing, it hurts.
The bright side of this is that I wasn't seriously hurt and it's very early in the season. I suspect I'll be keeping the rubber side down by the end of the week.

Vacation = Long work week

Last week I was supposed to be on vacation, *supposed to* is the key in this phrase. Due to circumstances beyond anyones' control, my week off changed to a 65hr work week. I'm trying it again this week, and so far so good my phone hasn't rung.
Due to the long hours and slightly grumpy attitude I harboured all week, I only hit the road once. I think I chose the coldest day of the week but it felt good to open up on dry pavement and hammer it a few times. I noticed that my acceleration has increased a great deal, and I chalk it up to the hours I've spent in the gym and spin class this past winter. My legs felt great and my average pace is up about 2-3km/h.
I'm hoping that this week will bring some milder temperatures so I can hit the road each day. Keep the rubber side down, my friends.