I know a few things about fixing a bike, and slowly learning more and more on my own time.
One thing everyone needs to learn is how to handle a flat. It doesn't matter if you're on a bike, or in a car, or on a damned ATV, you need to learn how to handle a flat.
I got a flat today coming home, right as I was getting home. I was kind of surprised since I haven't had a flat since switching to my schwalbe marathons (except for the first day when I had slightly pinched a tube and blew the tire off the wheel), but luckily it was right as I was pulling into my driveway I noticed my pressure was way way below the 85psi I normally run.
I also had to fix a roomies flat when I got home, since a buddy busted her valve core last night by accident.
I like fixing flats, that is all, if you want to know how to fix a flat, leave a comment, maybe I'll tell you how. . . Although if you don't know how I doubt you're reading either.
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Monday, September 14, 2009
Night owl ride, and why I shouldn't stay up till 6 am
So I had originally rode down to the night owl ride just to root on a few friends, give them some courage to stay up till the sun rose. This isn't how it ended up going down.
Shortly while sitting the sidelines talking to some traffic control cops/military that were hanging about one of my buddies rode by on his beat up single speed telling me where the "stop for free beer" and "stop for pay beer and omlettes" spots were on the route. What he didn't tell me was there was a rule for "official riders" that required a helmet. While I'm all for helmet safety, I normally don't wear one.
Eventually the main person I came to root on passed by, and she was looking a little spent 3 hours in, so I decided to tag along beside her, give her someone to talk to. We did a few laps, hit the free beer spot and caught up with some old friends, had a few cheap beers, and watched for a few minutes. Eventually another buddy came by and yelled an insult as we do, and since while I'm slow, so is he, so i chased him down for a circle around the route. The climb was a much pain with a front fork I couldn't lock out. Oh the bounce bounce. I hadn't felt like that since riding in some friends trucks with hydraulics back when I was 15.
We kept doing rounds, eventually decided to hit the for pay beer spot since they also had free massages, free water/gatorade and junk like that. I was thirsty as could be since I hadn't brought a water bottle so I figured not a bad idea.
We didn't stay there too long, and the wonderful gal I had been riding with said she was pooped and ready to go. I figured it wasn't even midnight yet, but the watch read out 2 am. "What the hell?" I said, so we rolled the mile or so back to my house, but not before I got screamed at quite loudly by an event official for not wearing a helmet, or shirt(I tend to bike shirtless in all my flabby glory, so sue me).
We got back to the house, went to the store to pick up wine and beer, had a drink or two. I wish I could say that's how the night ended, but it's not. That's also not what you're here to read about, 4 wheeled transportation is for another blog.
Shortly while sitting the sidelines talking to some traffic control cops/military that were hanging about one of my buddies rode by on his beat up single speed telling me where the "stop for free beer" and "stop for pay beer and omlettes" spots were on the route. What he didn't tell me was there was a rule for "official riders" that required a helmet. While I'm all for helmet safety, I normally don't wear one.
Eventually the main person I came to root on passed by, and she was looking a little spent 3 hours in, so I decided to tag along beside her, give her someone to talk to. We did a few laps, hit the free beer spot and caught up with some old friends, had a few cheap beers, and watched for a few minutes. Eventually another buddy came by and yelled an insult as we do, and since while I'm slow, so is he, so i chased him down for a circle around the route. The climb was a much pain with a front fork I couldn't lock out. Oh the bounce bounce. I hadn't felt like that since riding in some friends trucks with hydraulics back when I was 15.
We kept doing rounds, eventually decided to hit the for pay beer spot since they also had free massages, free water/gatorade and junk like that. I was thirsty as could be since I hadn't brought a water bottle so I figured not a bad idea.
We didn't stay there too long, and the wonderful gal I had been riding with said she was pooped and ready to go. I figured it wasn't even midnight yet, but the watch read out 2 am. "What the hell?" I said, so we rolled the mile or so back to my house, but not before I got screamed at quite loudly by an event official for not wearing a helmet, or shirt(I tend to bike shirtless in all my flabby glory, so sue me).
We got back to the house, went to the store to pick up wine and beer, had a drink or two. I wish I could say that's how the night ended, but it's not. That's also not what you're here to read about, 4 wheeled transportation is for another blog.
Saturday, September 12, 2009
oh in others news of me breaking my bikes
The front fork lockout boned last night as well, so now climbing is slow and bouncy. . . Might see if I can get it fixed later this week.
Word
Word
riding all night
I went and hung at the night owl bike ride for livestrong last night, lots of fun write a full post after I get a bit of sleep. . .
Otherwise I'm starting to wonder if globe is ever going to contact people about their experience project even to say "nope you're boned"
Otherwise I'm starting to wonder if globe is ever going to contact people about their experience project even to say "nope you're boned"
Friday, September 4, 2009
call me a lazy bastard, come on, cause it's true
Works been hell, so I haven't been riding in the mornings (that and the newb I train hasn't been up for riding therefor not waking me up on time to bike). . .
Anywho. Cyclecenter replaced the cable on the crosstrail, got the front derailleur readjusted, and ridded me of that awful click I was dealing with. Makes me happy, and late afternoon rides are now much more quiet.
I must also say something here, even though I sincerely doubt anyone is actually reading this, and if they do, I don't know if they bike at all, nor do I care. I'm really just ramblin on.
On chain lube, screw expensive frou frou boutique lubes. Go down to your local auto parts store and grab a quart of bar and chain lube. The shizzle is awesome, will run you at worst 5 bucks, and last you at least 5-6 chain lifespans to run out of a quart of it. This lube is made for chainsaws, and I'll be honest, if I'm ever spinning my pedals as fast as a chainsaw can spin, I've got other issues ahead of me.
Just do it if you bike, go do it now, throw your 25 dollar 3oz bottle of fancy smancy lube out the window, and get the good shit.
Word
Anywho. Cyclecenter replaced the cable on the crosstrail, got the front derailleur readjusted, and ridded me of that awful click I was dealing with. Makes me happy, and late afternoon rides are now much more quiet.
I must also say something here, even though I sincerely doubt anyone is actually reading this, and if they do, I don't know if they bike at all, nor do I care. I'm really just ramblin on.
On chain lube, screw expensive frou frou boutique lubes. Go down to your local auto parts store and grab a quart of bar and chain lube. The shizzle is awesome, will run you at worst 5 bucks, and last you at least 5-6 chain lifespans to run out of a quart of it. This lube is made for chainsaws, and I'll be honest, if I'm ever spinning my pedals as fast as a chainsaw can spin, I've got other issues ahead of me.
Just do it if you bike, go do it now, throw your 25 dollar 3oz bottle of fancy smancy lube out the window, and get the good shit.
Word
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