I'm not walking...

One day last week, I was eating lunch in the corporate cafeteria, silently listening to several of my coworkers argue over a television program.  Noticing that I wasn't talking, which is unusual, and knowing perfectly well that I try not to watch TV, a friend turned and asked my opinion of the show.  I took the bait and went into my usual rant about wasting precious hours of life spectating and watching canned entertainment rather than doing and contributing, yada, yada, yada.

After I settled down and the laughing stopped, he asked seriously:  "So what DO you do?"  I reminded him of my workaholism, then listed family activities, home repairs, DIY projects, etc, etc, etc.  Oh, and bike projects.

Which leads to the subject of this article.  I recently decided to add a few short sections of bike chain to my tool bag, with pins already in place, in case my chain breaks while on the road.  I try to carry 'just enough' tools and parts to keep me riding, instead of walking or calling for a ride, and I think this will enable a quick repair.

But as I was working on this little project today, cleaning an old chain, separating it, and getting the pins right, I kept thinking back to last week's conversation and wondering: "Am I really spending time on this?"  

Well.  Yes, I did.  And yes, I'll be ready in case my chain ever breaks.  For the first time.

Ha.

Where are the ladies?

I rode the RUSA Carthage Coffee Run 200K solo today.  The convenience store clerks in both Merry Oaks and Sanford asked where JJ and MK were today.  And the clerk in Carthage looked around disappointedly and asked if I was riding alone today.  What am I, chopped liver?

Actually, the ladies are more personable than I am, and they make a better impression with the clerks.  I just grunt, scratch, and get back on the road.  Oh well.

The last time we rode this route, MK and I encountered two big nasty dogs just north of Sanford.  Luckily, I did not see them today.  Instead, I encountered a 'dog block party' on Old US 1 west of Bonsal.  At least eight dogs greeted me and ran along both sides of my bike in the morning.  In the afternoon on my return, only three greeted me, but the rest barked from the sidelines.  See [map]

Today's temperatures started just above freezing, and warmed only slightly.  Intermittent light rain showers blew through the region on my return.  It was more like a cold mist spray booth at an amusement park in the summertime.  Water droplets stung my face, covered my glasses, and soaked my clothes and gear, but it was never really raining.  I was very cool all day, but never uncomfortably cold.

On the return, I gambled and rode the American Tobacco Trail to avoid traffic on NC 751.  The first section in Wake County is packed gravel, and was surprisingly dry.  The paved section in Chatham County had only a few puddles.  And the slimy clay mud pits in the Duham County section were no worse than usual.  It was a great choice.

Traffic was very light throughout the day, even near the finish at the intersection where NC 751 crosses I-40.

Overall, a great day on the bike.

A few boring checkpoint [photos]

Once a foamer, always a foamer

"Foamer" is a rude slang term for someone who likes trains.  The stereotype refers to social outcasts who snort and drool while taking photos of trains. [definitions]

I bike-commuted five times in the last two weeks, a recent record for me.  It's been cold.  One morning was 18 degrees F (-8 C).  Another morning was 22 F (-6 C).  But it was never quite cold enough to numb my subconscious urge to sprint to the track to take a photo when I heard the horn of an approaching train.

So on Monday, I heard the horn.  I barely fumbled a glove off and got the camera out, while still sprinting toward the gates, before the locomotive blew through the crossing.  Drat, a fuzzy photo.

Then, as I was reviewing the photo, and still coasting toward the gates, the end of the unusually short train zipped by.  Quick, another shot.  Double drat, a second fuzzy photo.  Arrgh.

A minute later as I resumed biking, I thought I felt frozen liquid covering my chin.   No, it couldn't be...

RAAM 2010 Reunion on New Years Day

A great group of randos rode the RUSA Tar Heel 200 in eastern NC today, in absolutely gorgeous weather for January.  It was comfortably above freezing at the start, and it lingered in the 60s F throughout the afternoon.  There was 'some wind' which was great for the return trip.  My stomach absolutely did not want to ride today, but randos Yungfalbz and Jayjay graciously pulled and pushed me through the entire ride.

The highlight of the day was bumping into a large group of cyclists (perhaps 30?) at the Stedman checkpoint in the afternoon.  The group included RAAM finisher Mary and crew Tom and Jen.  A happy reunion ensued.  (Click on photos to enlarge.)

PS: Do check out Yungfalbz's rad fenders the next time you see her bike.

Silver Comet Teaser

My nephew and I explored the eastern end of the Silver Comet Trail in Smyrna, GA today.  This paved rail-trail starts northwest of Atlanta, just outside the I-285 perimeter highway, and heads west toward Birmingham, AL.  There are great facilities at the start, with a bike shop, restaurants, grocery, etc.  Very nice.

We rode about an hour west, then returned to the start when it began raining.  It was my nephew's longest-ever bike ride, yay Jake.  Here are a few touristy photos.

There is also a RUSA 200K permanent which starts a few miles west along the trail.  It's now officially on my wish list for when daylight gets longer...

DIY release mechanism for Sanyo NH-T10 bottom bracket generator

A few weeks ago, I installed a bottom bracket generator on my bike [original post].   At the time, I was in a hurry and did not install the release mechanism.  That means it was engaged all the time.  After my second 200K perm spinning the generator mostly in daylight, I decided I really wanted a release mechanism.

But I didn't want the OEM mechanism.  While the generator comes with a nice latching release lever for the handlebars and long sheathed cable, I won't be turning lights on and off that frequently, I don't need the convenience of remote control, and even I don't want any more things in my cockpit.

So, I made a simple latching mechanism at the generator itself.

Details in photos:  [photos]    35-second video:  [video]

Since I like any excuse to get off my bike during a perm, this should serve me really well...

Do I smell like dog food?

Dogs often chase me when I am bicycling.  I thought it was because of the bike and the motion.

Now they are harassing me at home.  These two barked and growled at me every time I went outside yesterday.  I was even under the car doing an oil change and they stood in my driveway barking and growling at me.  Here's a 60 second [video].

Maybe I need to shower more often...