Two hours in Frick on the Redline. Lots of climbing, and I found some (new-to-me) singletrack, including a few drops I wasn’t willing to take, at least at this point. This was more of a shakedown for the Monocog, since it hasn’t been ridden since being used a snow bike this winter. I apparently need to adjust the front hub and headset, as they made some nice noises when bouncing over things. I’ve decided that I do not need to swap out the V-brakes for discs–I had no trouble locking up the rear wheel–but I am still on the fence about a front shock. There’s a part of me that believes that a shock will make the steeper drops “easier,” all the while knowing that isn’t actually the case.

The trails, by the way, were generally in good shape–dry, with only patches of mud in drainage areas.

In other news, we are off to Santa Cruz for a week, ostensibly as a work trip for me, and a vacation for Jen and the boys.

Posted on May 2nd, 2008

I signed up for the Wildernes 101 today, so I suppose I shall be “racing” come 26 July. I intend to treat this like an off-road brevet, and my goal at this point will be to finish in under eleven hours. I will spend the next two months considering any upgrades to the Monocog. Many folks seem to think that riding a rigid bike is, well, stupid, but plenty of folks (among them, two locals who I know) have finished, and done quite well, on rigid singlespeeds. I am, however, seriously considering upgrading the brakes to mechanical discs. I will also likely purchase a set of stubby bar ends for all that climbing. I would really like to get a Titec H-bar, but they are not currently available with a 31.8mm clamp diameter, and that’s the size of my stem. Oh well.

Related, I seem to have lost my motivation to race at the Oval on Tuesdays. It is a combination of sheer lack of motivation (who wants to ride in a circle for 30 minutes?) and a lack of confidence to mix it with other racers. Also, given my ride in Princeton, I feel like I’m a bit better suited to longer events rather than short, fast races. That said, getting my butt kicked a few times a month will no doubt be good training for the longer rides.

Posted on April 30th, 2008

Mount Troy Loop plus random noodling.

One of the founders of the company where I work recently purchased a used ‘cross bike (same model as mine, interestingly enough), and finally had the time in his travel schedule to get out for a ride (he lives and works in Scotts Valley). I rolled down to the corporate apartment in the South Side in the morning with a plan to do the Mount Troy loop. As usual I usually do when taking a non-local for a ride, I stressed about the route. I initially considered coming across town to do a Saxonburg/Middle loop, but decided against the extra mileage. Another thought was to head to South Park, but given I’ve never ridden out there, and my navigation skills have proven to be less than sharp, I kept thinking. The Mount Troy loop is enjoyable, and close, and relatively free of heavy traffic. So off we went.

I thought things were going pear-shaped rather quickly when we found the lower flanks of Spring Garden Road to be stripped of tarmac and awaiting resurfacing. At least his bike had cross tires. The surface wasn’t horrible, and once out of the city limits and into Reserve Township, the smooth tarmac returned and we climbed. I figured this particular hill would be a good introduction to a “classic” climb in the city (as opposed to Dirty Dozen silliness), and the rollers on Mount Troy Road an example of the rolling ridges. As an added bonus, our famous always-a-headwind breeze was blowing stiffly. Soon enough we were descending into Riverview park, and we cruised around there for a bit before bombing down Perrysville Avenue (really, worst descent ever, thanks to the GAPING holes in the road surface). We both had some time to spare, so we headed up the Jail Trail and into Schenley Park (I figured this could be a nice after work loop for him the next time he’s in town). After a road loop, we did a loop on the trails (which, coincidentally, were in better condition than Perrysville). Dirt is fun, especially on a road bike. We split up in Junction Hollow to head home, and when I got to Morningside the computer registered 42 miles. Not a bad day at all.

Next up: more suffering and humiliation at the Oval this Tuesday!

Posted on April 26th, 2008

The results were released for the Princeton brevet, and I finished in 10:39 (along with four other riders). What I thought was the lead group finished in 10:19 (four of them as well), and two other riders finished in 9:49. The 10:19 group must have done quite a bit of lolly-gagging at the controles, since they blasted by us on the final leg. I suspect that without the navigational mis-cues, Todd and I could have finished somewhere between the two groups. 9:49 would have been a pipe dream, given my average speed on the last leg. A week later, though, and I am still quite happy with my ride. I felt pretty decent riding to work on Monday, and by Wednesday, my legs felt just fine. With better positioning, I could knock out the back pain, too (though I didn’t experience any problems off the bike, which is good).

As for the future, I think I’ll be registering for the Wilderness 101 this weekend. This should be quite the adventure on the Redline. I’m currently waffling about purchasing a suspension fork–several folks have said that the race will be at least a bit easier with it (meaning easier on my body), but part of me wants to be a curmudgeon and ride rigid. We’ll see, I suppose. I’ll probably also consider disc brakes, and different bars (like the Titec H-bars). The new bars will likely be the first purchase–with nearly two miles of elevation gain, I’ll be spending plenty of time out of the saddle, so multiple hand positions will be a requirement. As for my “training,” perhaps a few five or six hour rides will be in order, but that will be about it. I should, however, spend more time on a few more technical trails to get ready for the State College rock gardens.

Posted on April 25th, 2008

Over the weekend, I received an email explaining that due to unforeseen and unfortunate circumstances, Mildreds’ Daughters’ Urban Farm would not be able to provide CSA shares this season. Sad news indeed. We scrambled, and found that the Penn’s Corner Alliance CSA still had shares available for the summer, and they had several pick-up locations within walking distance. I’m happy that we’ll still be purchasing our food from local farmers for the growing and harvest season, but I am sad that it won’t be from the farm just up the road. There is something satisfying about eating food grown so close the house, and at the same time supporting a very local endeavor.

Posted on April 23rd, 2008

Today was the Princeton 200k Brevet, running out of, umm, Princeton, and looping north and south and finishing back in Princeton. I was a bit apprehensive about the ride, and the reasons were many–it was out of town, it was really hilly, and, oh yeah, it would be the longest ride I’ve done. But off I went, arriving in the Forrestal Village parking lot in Princeton around 06:15. I signed in, got my bike inspected, and stood around and saw what there was to see. The selection of bikes and riders was quite diverse–multiple roadies sporting carbon (or titanium) bikes and lots of aero bars, the usual assortment of older randonneurs, with various bikes, the nicest of which was a Serrotta with Terraplane-ish seat stays and Vanilla, someone on a fixed gear(!), and a guy on a recumbent (a nice rando model) who was wearing what looked like bedroom slippers.

At 07:15 we rolled out of the parking lot for the “flat” first leg, which was roughly 40 miles. The groups sorted themselves out in a few miles, and I found myself with the front group, moving at a comfortable pace. Several folks stopped to make bike adjustments, and two of us pushed on. This would be a Bad Decision. A few miles later, my riding partner, Todd, and I absolutely, completely misread the cue sheet and went left instead of right. About three miles (and several descents) later, we sorted out our mistake, turned around, and climbed. And climbed. Finally, we were back on course, and we caught a few folks, and headed to the first contole, with only 30 minutes to spare. Not good, considering we just finished the easiest stage. Humm. After a short break and lots of water, we headed to the hills.

Adamic Hill Road was first. This was steep in parts, but really a fine climb, with plenty of switchbacks and little chance for recovery. Interestingly, despite the relative low speed, we began to make up time. I think I passed six people on the climbs, and we picked up a few more on the rolling flats above the climb. I felt good on the climb, happy for the extra cog in the rear, and managed to maintain a very steady pace without getting out of the saddle. I’m still parsing whether or not the climb was true Dirty Dozen material–perhaps, given that it was long, and included stretches of 20%+ slopes. Todd and I made a good riding team, with me pulling us up the hills and Todd pulling us along the flats. A long descent led us to the controle in Stewartsville, where I ate a PB&J and drank a Coke. The controle, and our pace, allowed Todd and I to re-group with more of the field.

A short section of flat road led to the base of Fox Farm Road, the second of the nasty climbs. Fox Farm reminded me of the Center Avenue climb out of Aspinwall–dead straight, with alternating sections of steep and not-so-steep. Again, my pace was even, and I felt good, staying in the saddle and passing more folks (it’s funny, passing people when only doing 5 MPH). There was an information controle at the top of the climb, and we paused only briefly. It was at this point that things started to get hard for me. The wind kicked up a bit, and along the rollers on the ridge, we fought a constant headwind. Staying in touch with Todd became difficult, though he kindly kept his pace so there was never more than a quarter mile gap between us. I wasn’t eating enough, and running low on water. Though this leg was no longer than the second, it seemed interminable, and to make matters worse, there was another, more moderate hill, before the controle, Tunnel Road. Todd and I regrouped at the base, and quickly caught two more riders. Tunnel Road is best described as a classic, steady ascent–no steeper than 7 or 8%, and nicely shaded, for the most part. Todd and I took turns at the front, and soon dropped our companions (again, this makes it seems as if we were pushing the pace, but given our 8 or 9 MPH average, this was hardly the case). Once at the top, to make matters worse, my back began to tighten up, and staying in the saddle didn’t make it better. Given that it was a long descent to the last controle, I just had to sit in and suffer.

As we rolled into the last controle (the same as the first), we were shocked to see the lead group sitting on the curb. They hadn’t been there long (in fact, they hadn’t started eating yet), and we expressed our disbelief that we had made up so much time, especially given our 12 extra miles. I told Todd I was going to relax a bit and stretch. I ate Combos and Fig Newtons, drank a bottle of water, and popped a few electrolyte tabs. I was feeling better, and thought if I could get my back to loosen up, the final 40 miles would be bearable. Todd and I saddled up a bit before the lead group, and within two miles their tight pace line zoomed past. I told Todd to feel free to latch on, but he was comfortable this pace, and we continued. Soon enough, my back tightened up again, and the headwinds kicked in, and I fell off the back. Oh well. One final climb, Montegomery Road, loomed. This was much like Tunnel, steady for about a mile, but much more exposed. We caught another rider at the base, and pushed on in a nice paceline. Within half a mile, we dropped the rider (again, at a speedy 8 MPH), and we were on the flat gravel section at the top of the climb. This was a fine bit of road–hard-packed dirt with some gravel–and we noted that some folks would be cursing this stretch (Todd was a ‘cross racer so he had no issues with the mixed surface). There were a few swoopy bits, much like Old Mill Road, and I surprised Todd when I passed him doing 25 MPH (since he had again gapped me on the straight bits). It was, as they say, all downhill from here). My back hurt again, and my pace slowed. The winds were in our face, and Todd pulled away. Within about five miles, two other riders caught up with me and pushed on to Todd. About a mile from the final controle, I made contact with the group again, and we rolled into the final controle together, with a time of 10 hours and maybe 35 minutes. The lead group was already in, but that was it. Despite my achy back, I felt quite good about my ride, especially given the 12 extra miles. Makes me wonder what could have been without the extra distance. Live learn, though.

The Cannondale performed quite well. The nine speed cassette was key, as was the compact double up front. I don’t think my position on the bike is that off, though I may raise the bars a bit. A new saddle may be in order too–the Turbo wasn’t uncomfortable, but I think I could have been a bit more comfy with a better, newer saddle. Aside from my blunder in the third leg, I took in enough food (a full package of Fig Newtons, two GUs, an energy bar, a PB&J and a package of combos) and water. Maybe the electrolyte tabs, maybe they didn’t, but I would certainly use them during another long ride. I supplemented my water with electrolyte drinks, too. I’m quite pleased with how things turned out, and besides the navigational issues, I’m not sure I could have done anything better.

Posted on April 20th, 2008

The “C” races (that is, category 4 and 5) began this evening at the Oval, and in the interest of making my USA Cycling worth it, I rolled down to give it a try. The pain would be limited (no more than 30 laps–15 miles), so what was there to lose? Most of my pride was left at Mingo Creek, anyway. Expectations were again low, but I thought I could manage to stay with the pack for most of the race, especially given the relatively high number of first time racers. At least I might have company at the back of the pack.

In the waning daylight, we were off. It was cool, and slightly windy, with a headwind on the back straightaway (fortunately this is ever-so-slightly downhill). The pace was quick, but not unreasonable, and I found myself near the back of the pack, but not off the back, and not struggling. This kept up for a few laps. Then, in the back corner, some one in the middle of pack went down. There was a clatter of metal and plastic on tarmac. I went up high on the banking, thinking for a moment I might have to go over the back and into the grass. I slowed to nearly a stop, and owing to my position, and the line I took to miss the crash, there was a gap between me and the group. I went head-down on the back stretch and made contact with the back, briefly, but the effort took its toll, and I was off the back again. Apparently only two of us were gapped, and we promptly started working together, less to regain the group and more to survive the race. Despite our best efforts, and the excellent coaching of one of the marshals, the gap grew, and within a few more laps, we would lapped.

Sigh

The marshal suggested that we catch the back of the pack as they passed, but I missed my chance, and lost contact again. My partner managed to hold the group for another lap, but as the finish approached, the riders at the front pushed the pace, and several people dropped off. Soon enough the pack approached again, and this time, I managed to latch on for a lap or so. The pace was higher than before, and I was off again, this time for good. I spun around on the final lap with one of the marshals, and we chatted about what I could do next time. His help was greatly appreciated.

So, yet another seemingly disappointing race. There were a few moments near the end that I thought, please, let this be over, but yet, once it was over, I was thinking ahead, about what I could do better, and what I needed to do to at least stay with the pack. The marshal pointed out that I tended to spin a gear lighter than the rest of the pack, and that hanging on would be easier if I pushed a bigger gear. I realized that in all my weekend riding, I probably spent too much time in the hills and not enough time keeping the speed up on flatter rides. I’m not sure that I’ll “train” properly, but I’ll at least try to keep my pace higher on my weekend rides. And yes, I’ll show up at the Oval again.

Update: Bike Snob NYC has hit the proverbial nail on the head. And I failed.

Posted on April 15th, 2008

Brush Creek Cemetery

This time I made it.

I waffled about trying this again, as I am really not at all familiar with the area the ride covers. Then, with the Princeton Brevet looming in the distance, I thought pushing the boat out a bit in uncharted territory might not be a bad idea. The elevation profile (~3100 feet in 39 miles) also made it a good candidate for training. So off I went, updated cue sheet in hand. I will start with this: the ride did not disappoint. It receives 3 stars in Oscar’s book, and a 10-ish mile stretch really made the ride.

But I’m getting ahead of myself.

Off I went, through Edgewood and Braddock Hills. It was windy along the ridge, cross winds mostly, pushing me here and there. I descended Ravine (not River, and, umm, not a left) down to Braddock. About half a mile later, I realized I could have saved the ride last weekend, as Brinton does, in fact, loop around, via a construction yard, to Braddock. Oh well. Quickly this turned to turned to the East Pittsburgh Expressway, which is, as the name suggests, and expressway. Fortunately, the shoulder is wide and mostly clear. Through the rust belt I went. Perhaps riding on this road could be redeemed by better scenery, but as it was, I was counting the miles to the first turn into a residential area.

The expressway was over soon enough, though not after fighting stiff headwinds and a climb or two. A quick descent through a residential neighborhood left me at the foot the climb on Arcania Road. A quick switchback led to Public Road, and yet more climbing. Public Road is not quite Dirty Dozen worthy, but it still requires effort, and made me again consider replacing my cassette (currently 11-24 with a 50/34 tooth combo on the front) to something a bit lighter for Princeton (this would not be the only time the thought crossed my mind). I criss-crossed a series of streets, and landed on Lincoln Way and spun my way through White Oak. A few miles later, I reached a decision-point: what seemed to be the next turn at McClintock Road was not marked. I stopped for a moment. To my left was a steep climb on shoddy pavement. Lincoln Way continued along a creek. Understanding the nature of this ride, I pointed my wheel up the hill. It took a mile or so to find a mailbox with the full address on it, but I was indeed on McClintock. This is a pleasant, mostly rural, residential road, with rolling hills, including one that is quite steep.

Crossing US Route 30, I found myself on Leger Road, the apparent centerpiece of the ride and home to the its namesake. This is a fine stretch of road, generally devoid of homes and traffic, passing through overgrown woods and finishing along a tawny creek. When mapping the ride, I noticed in Oscar’s description he adds this when describing what to do at the terminus of Leger Road:

After a steep and narrow descent (Indeed! –ed), you have the option of turning right over the trestle to Ardara on SR993 (left) and returning through Trafford and Turtle Creek. Instead, be tough, keep straight, and ride up and down some more hills…

Never one to be soft, I went straight. And up. And up. And up. Then up some more. Then I considered getting off and walking my bike. But I was tough, so I didn’t (remember when I mentioned the whole gearing thought? Yeah, I had it again). Oh, and the road surface is horrible. I can, however, appreciate Oscar’s vision. Ardara Street starts innocuously enough, but it just keeps going. Then, somewhere near the top, it gets steep. Dirty Dozen steep. Then it goes up a bit more.

The descent down Mahaffey would have been a relief, except that this, too, is steep. Combined with silly-strong winds, and I had my hands full. All in good fun, though. This deposited my on SR993, and I was on my way home. Except for the headwinds. They were strong along 993, and once I was on SR130, they got worse. At some point, between Pitcarin and Turtle Creek, I was going down a hill, out of the saddle, pedaling madly. I looked at the computer. 11 MPH. Not good. Once into Turtle Creek, I started the climb up Greensburg Pike, thinking that perhaps I would be spared more headwinds. I was wrong. The Pike is not a steep climb, but it is long, and in the wind, the section at the top is endless. At least it’s all downhill from here.

Posted on April 12th, 2008

Holly at Hen Waller has written a fantastic post about the growing effects of rising energy prices on food production. (If you unfamiliar with Hen Waller, Holly and Patrick, Oregonians, are involved in a free range chicken/egg co-operative in Portland, and they have committed themselves to the 100 mile diet.)

I worry for all of the amazing farmers I’ve been privileged to meet in the last few years. They are learning and husbanding so many skills and precious foods and animals in sustainable ways, but what will this economic pressure do to them? The NY Times had an article recently musing that it might make local and organic seem more accessible to people, if conventional food prices increase. Others have mentioned this idea to me as well. I truly would be delighted if it were so—but I just don’t know if I buy it. I have felt hopeful in the last year at the increased attention and support local sustainable food has been getting, but it feels like a fragile thing. Will it hold up to $6-a-dozen eggs, to locally-baked bread becoming even more expensive? Transportation of food to market is already a huge expense, resource drain, and pollutant. This is only going to become more serious. Our household only eats meat from sustainably-raised animals, but we will probably have to reduce how much we buy as prices increase. Will our contraction (and that of others like us) be compensated by an overall increase in people migrating to this much better, but much more expensive option?

…

And, oh, do I worry for the future. I try to keep most of my focus on my local—it is where I can have the most impact, and working with people, face-to-face, gives me hope. But when I raise up my head to the wider world—the one I and all of us depend on for every drop of water, for every morsel of food, for every breath of air—it is a blow to my spirit. We are not treating this world as the source of our life.

Where is our reverence, our respect, our awe? Where is our sense of self-preservation?

Yes, there’s a hint of Mother Earth-iness in her comments, but she is correct–no matter what you believe, the Earth is the source (or at least a sustainer) of our lives. The post is worth a read.

Posted on April 11th, 2008

Brush Creek Cemetery, Aborted

So, if you choose to do this route, do not follow my cue sheet, as it is completely and totally wrong. The map is correct, but apparently I read “Ravine” as “River,” and River Street does not, despite my best efforts to find it, exist in Braddock. So I rode the length of Brinton, down below SR 30, where it dead ends. This meant climbing back up Brinton. As penance, I rode through Swissvale, climbed Commercial, then went through Schenley Park and suffered through the headwinds on the Jail Trail. My punishment was complete by climbing Stanton to get home.

Next time, I shall carry a map.

Posted on April 5th, 2008