Happy Earth (Birth) Day

Some people plant trees on Earth Day.  12 years ago, my oldest daughter was born.  She's much better than any ol' tree!  Happy Birthday Kayla!  You are a WONDERFUL kid.

I had things all packed ready to go yesterday. When push came to shove, I couldn't do it.  I wound up driving the car which worked out okay.  I ran a lunch errand and picked up a used Nishiki kids 24" wheeled bike for my 9 year old.  I tuned it up and have it ready to ride for her last night.

I did ride this morning.  I ran into my brother at the one intersection where our commuting paths cross.  I caught his attention and said hello.  When he asked me how I was doing and he then summarized quite well by asking/stating "feel like Nick Nolte in (the 1979 movie) North Dallas Forty?!"

I've received some good feedback about panniers. I hope to take some more photos because I have some additional information that people might find useful. I've thought more about panniers and features that I look for and things that I don't like. 

New Bags

Call me insecure, but I like having STUFF with me while riding. I wasn’t always such a pack rat. I remember the days of riding racing bikes and nothing more than a spare tube, tire lever, and a C02 inflator. Reflecting upon the past, it was likely the freedom and independence of my solo adventure self-contained RAGBRAI in 1994 that changed my perspective.

For at least the last 15 years, I’ve ridden with panniers to carry my goodies along with on my bike. I generally always have an extra layer of clothing, raingear, capacity to carry something extra should I stop to buy food or need to shed clothing. I like to think of it as being flexible.

For all of these years, I’ve owned a number of pair of Lone Peak panniers have served me reliably through countless miles. With the exception of a couple of tears caused by aggressive cornering and dragging the front low-riders, they have been trouble free. One of the clips that held my rear pannier on broke when I was hit back in October. Between that and the desire for something new for my expected new touring bike, I placed an order for two new sets from Arkel. They have an almost dizzying array of bags to choose from, I elected to purchase one pair of the T-42 and one pair of T-28.

I had contacted Arkel inquiring about their willingness to make the bags in a custom color. For a small up-charge and patience, they were happy to oblige. I had to wait until their production had shifted to making the models that I requested. The wait was not very long at all (given the lead times in the bike industry.) I placed my order the beginning of November and they were shipped January 23rd.

There is not much point in me doing injustice to the technical features that are well described by the manufacturer. If anything sparks your interest, take a trip over to their site, or better yet… Go into Hiawatha Cyclery to touch/feel/purchase your own.

When the bags initially arrived, I couldn’t have been more thrilled. The stitching and craftsmanship is spectacular. Perhaps I can follow up with an additional post showing describing more details about the bags. For today, a word on capacity and volume.

I’ve never been one to be able to judge or put into perspective cubic inches or liters. Let’s just say these things are HUGE! The T-28 bags are identical. With the exception of hook adjustment or placement, the bags can be used on either side of the bike. I stopped this morning and took a few photos with my iphone (which explains the poor quality) This bag is filled with:

• 2 tire levers
• 2 spare tubes
• Full size set of Bondhus Allen wrenches in 6, 5, 4, and 3mm.
• Craftsman mini combination wrenches in 10, 9, and 8mm.
• A Park chain tool, a small chunk of approximately 10 links of chain
• Mini pump.
• Saddle bonnet and plastic trash bag
• Pack of travel handi-wipes
• Wool balaclava
• Extra dry socks
• Disposable heater pack
• Wind-blocker fleece gloves
• Wind blocking vest
• Rain pants
• Rain jacket
• Work clothes
• Phone (except for photos)
• Wallet

By comparison, the T-42 is much larger and has a symmetrical design. (There is a left and a right hand version.) The photo below shows one packed with all of my food supplies for work. Please, no criticism of my work food choices :)

• 3 boxes instant oatmeal
• 1 box crackers
• 1 loaf of bread
• 4 Starkist Lunch TO-GO
• 1 Jar peanut butter
• 1 jar Raspberry Jam
• 1 pound container organic raisins
• 3 1 pound bags of granola
• 1 package dried raspberries
• 1 package dried cherries
• 1 package organic dried cranberries
• 1 package organic dried goji berries
• 1 package organic dried apples
• 1 package organic dried prunes

A few comparison photos:

Back

Front

Top

It's Alive

I actually got it together on Tuesday night, rode it to work on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday.   My new-to-me Rivendell Atlantis

I've been waiting to put together a new touring bicycle since something like 2005 when I got my first Rivendell Custom.  That (literally) raised the bar for fit and I put in an order for a new custom touring bike.

Due to the accident in October, I've had to do some juggling in bicycle priorities.  The what-was touring bike order changed into the super-commuter. (Still pending delivery.)  I put in another deposit for a touring bicycle with the prospect that it would be ready 2 years from now.  For a temporary bike, I put a deposit on a Bruce Gordon BLT with hopes that it might be ready for this summer. (Still haven't heard anything on that coming to fruition either.)

Plans change.  I came across a listing for a 61cm Atlantis on Craigslist in Austin, TX.  I shot the guy an email inquiring about his willingness to ship.  He was and I didn't hesitate to commit. I purchased it as a complete bicycle with the S&S travel hard-case.  It was delivered last week and in my typical fashion, I removed nearly everything and re-assembled it as I wanted with parts that I've accumulated over the years.

The frame and fork were ordered from Rivendell by the previous owner with the request to add the S&S couplers. It was then repainted yellow.  To me, this means two good things:

• I hate the standard color that the Atlantis comes in, getting something different is refreshing.
• While I don't know if I will travel with this bike, it's at least an option.  With the S&S couplers in the frame, it comes apart in two pieces and can be packed in the case to be checked as luggage without any over-side charges.

The frame had a few nicks and scratches in it.  I matched the yellow paint by mixing a couple of different color yellows so that I could touch up the worst of the scratches and cover any bare metal.  I also sprayed it down on the inside with JP Weigle Frame-Saver  to prevent corrosion.

I used an old Ritchey compact 94 bcd crankset in my desired 172.5mm arm-length.  I set it up as a double with 44x30 TA rings.  I haven't measured the tread width, but I couldn't be more pleased... The arms clear the chainstays within a couple of millimeters and the chainline is perfect with the "large" ring lining up pretty much right in the middle of the cassette out back.  Due to the seat-tube angle, chainstay, and low bottom bracket drop, I had to use a Shimano 105 Front derailleur.  The cage of the XTR interfered with the chainstay.

For the wheels, I used what I had... A set of 40 hole Phil Wood hubs on Mavic T217 rims.  These wheels are still in amazing condition after an estimated 30,000 miles.  I first built them up in 1999.  They've been on years of touring down to RAGBRAI and served commuting duty for years too.  They've been spared the abuse of winter commuting, so the sidewalls still measure out okay.  I've never needed to true them either.

I used a Shimano Ultegra 9 speed 14-25 cassette commonly referred to as "Junior Gearing." This gives me 14,15,16,17,18,19,21,23,25 mated with the double up front.  My "favorite" gear lands me right in the middle out back with the 44t ring up front.  The 30x25 will give me a low enough gear for climbing nearly anything I will encounter.  If I were planning a trip to the mountains, YES, I would consider changing the gearing... I could simply put a 12-34 cassette or mount a different crankset if needed.

The front wheel is just a front wheel. As much as I really, really enjoy having a dynamo hub and light combo, I cannot justify the additional cost at this time. For touring purposes, I'm strongly considering a side-wall generator.

I spent WAY-TOO long working on mounting the 50mm Berthoud fenders. I cut and used aluminum stock for the rear so that the fender-line was consistent around the 35mm Pasela tires. Leaving just enough room. For the front, I fabricated a piece of aluminum to fit under the crown. I cut a chunk from an old stem, then scalloped and shaped it to fit the profile of the fender.

The rest of the build:

• Shimano Ultegra headset (came with the bike)
• Rivendell Nitto Noodle handlebar 48cm (came with the bike) May switch to a 46 someday
• Nitto 10cm stem (came with the bike)
• Nitto Jaguar seatpost
• Brooks Champion Flyer special saddle, honey.  Will switch to Black someday
• Rivendell Nitto large rear rack
• XTR rear deraileur
• XT cantilever brakes with Velo-Orange cable hangers
• Dura Ace brake levers
• Phil Wood 103mm bottom bracket
• Shimano 9speed bar end shifters, friction (came with the bike)
• Time ATAC pedals

I'm pleased with the finished product.  I'll be honest and say that I am NOT a fan of the black/grey parts, but I had them as parts to use, not look pretty.  If I could change the color of the saddle, I think the whole "theme" of the bike works well.  The bike fits me well and the ride is fantastic.  I look forward to mounting a front rack and touring at some point this summer.  I'll be curious to learn how it handles loaded touring duty.

Quick Update

Random thoughts as there is much to report, but precious little time to do it justice.

Weather has been amazing. Since reporting in the last time, I've ridden my bike to work and home every day that I haven't had physical therapy. That's meant Mon-Wed-Friday. Mentally and for my legs... it's good to ride and I feel like I am getting back into condition for riding.  I am feeling stronger.

I briefly contemplated going back to logging my mileage, but then I got depressed looking back at last year and how effortless the 100 mile days seemed by comparison.

I had my last session of physical therapy on Tuesday when I met with the doctor. It has now been over 6 months since having been hit by a car. During physical therapy I've developed strength and increased my range of motion. (I can look over my shoulder now.) The pain in my neck and back does not feel like it has diminished much at all. The doctor remains optimistic that it'll go away, and not feeling entirely defeated... I guess I do too.

There are some product reviews that I feel the need to write about since I've now got enough time to give an honest response. Since I have a bit of a case of CRS (cannot remember shit) syndrome, this list serves more of a reminder for myself:

• Showers Pass Rain Jacket - 6 month review
  
• Arkel Panniers
  
• Schmidt eDeluxe light
  
• Rivendell Atlantis
  

Soupy Gravel

Another week flies by with hardly a look up to reflect? Rode the bike to work on Friday, first ride since the previous Sunday. I know that by Sunday evening, I was so worn out I felt nauseous and that Monday was a rough one. Other than it raining and cold on Wednesday, I don't have an excuse.



I did ride to work on Friday. Slow to head out the door, taking some extra time to stretch, I opted to take the bit longer route via Saint Paul, Lake Street bridge, and the Midtown Greenway. It was the first time doing so in a VERY long time.

Saturday morning I left the house around 8am, rode to meet a co-worker in Crystal for a ride out the Luce Line to Long Lake for a cup of coffee and back. Having an affinity for soupy gravel, I was pleased with the softness of the limestone in places along the Luce Line.

I returned home taking a more northerly route through the cities. Connected up with the Grand Rounds. I was pleasantly surprised to have discovered that the trail had been repaved, perhaps last summer? I cannot recall the last time that I rode it, but I remember it being in REALLY rough condition, to the point where I'd always taken the parkway making for an unpleasant ride.



When I got home, I really got to thinking about riding more of the Luce Line. When I can get into good shape, I'd like to make an epic ride out of riding the whole thing. Perhaps a daylight ride out to Cosmos via county roads and a return trip on the Luce Line? Seems like it could all be done in under 200 miles?