"Bicycle Parking Available Inside"

I drove my car to a new O'Reilly Auto Parts store today (just east of NC 54/55).  Imagine my surprise when I saw this sign on the front of the building.  I find this juxtaposition really wierd.

Irregardless.   It has instantly hooked me as a repeat customer.

RUSA Tar Heel 200K

Nine randos rode the Tar Heel 200K today.  Five of us started at 6am: Dean, Bob, Sridhar, Jayjay, and Andy.  The rest started at 8am: Alan, Ian, Nick, and John.  The weather was incredible.  It was moderately cool in the morning, and hot only briefly in the afternoon.  Light winds, no rain, gorgeous sky.

We had a brief detour around a closed railroad crossing in Benson (a few city blocks).  We were blocked briefly by a motorcycle tour with police escort in Tar Heel.  We were chased by two inconsequential dogs: a tiny beagle puppy who chased but jumped scared each time he saw another cyclist, and a tiny dachshund who couldn't hope to catch us.  A big dog approached us in the morning darkness, but Biker Bob dispatched it with an air horn.

Congrats to Rando Ian who finished PBP last weekend.  And congrats to new Rando Nick doing his first 200K.

Here are a few [photos] and a 26-second [video] run-by.

I hate curbs and gutters

The only time I have fallen off a bike as an adult was when I got buzzed by a car on a 45mph two-lane road with curbs and gutters.  As I squeezed to the side, my pedal tip hit the curb and down I went.

Then yesterday on my commute home, I was climbing a hill where the road narrows with curbs and gutters when I spotted tiny broken glass shards from two big bottles sprayed everywhere.  Of course an urgent auto peleton arrived at the same time.  I was stuck rolling through the glass.  Arrgh.

I went back the next day and swept up the remaining shards.

Disabled cars block travel lanes because of curbs too.  Could we save tax dollars by foregoing these?

Bike maintenance, part 2

After my pricey Specialized Armadillo rear tire delaminated, I sprung for an even-more-pricey Continental Hardshell.  We'll see...


I also found an inexpensive new freewheel at REI.  Score.

Bike Maintenance

Once in a while, the cause of a puncture is really easy to find.

Morning Chores

A great way to start the day:
- Bike to the beach
- Watch the sun rising
- Swim in the ocean
- Hula-hoop with friends
Then go to work.

Click here for a few [photos]

Belmar-Princeton-Belmar 200K

I rode the BPB 200K permanent yesterday, a 129 mile loop in central New Jersey connecting Belmar, New Egypt, Pemberton, Princeton, and back.

Many thanks to Rando Paul for creating this new permanent.  It follows the same route as his Princeton-Belmar-Princeton permanent, but starts at the east end in Belmar.  This is extremely convenient for me, since we usually stay near Belmar when we are in NJ.  I biked to the start and avoided lots of car driving.

And...  I got to swim in the ocean after the ride.  Woot!

Weather was incredible (the local heat wave broke), traffic was cordial (only one buzz), no mechanicals, no dogs (the only two dogs I heard were fenced), and navigation was automatic (I know the route).  The wind did kick up like crazy the last 40 miles, but it brought the barn smell from the finish.

Two good tidbits:  The worst section of pavement on West Farm Rd has been repaved since last I rode, and is now smooth as glass.  I discovered that a Home Depot can serve as a great rest stop: a secure place to lock bikes, clean bathrooms, ice cold water fountains, and the cheapest bottles of Powerade at every cashier.

Enjoy scads of photos with lots more details in captions.