Dear Winter,
Long ago, I took a certain amount of pride in suffering whatever you could throw at me. Cold? No problem. Sleet? *Sigh* Snow? Eh, not so bad. I relished the challenge. I enjoyed deciphering a clothing matrix so that for a given temperature range, I knew exactly what to wear. I settled into the monotony of dumping water on my bike each night to wash away the coat of salt and slush.
But, now, Winter, that’s all changed. Well, really, I’ve changed. I’ve grown weary of the snow. Last year, I told myself it was the freeze-thaw-freeze cycles that drove me crazy, but this year, with our current freeze-freeze-freeze cycle, I’m just sick of the snow. Our city refuses to treat the bike paths it builds, and the roads are a rutted, pot-holed mess. And just when relief is in sight, the snow comes again, sometimes without warning. A winter wonderland, yes, but not when I must leave the house. Riding in the coldest, snowiest weather was once a badge of honor, but now it’s nothing more than a chore.
So, Winter, our time together is coming to an end. I’ve moved on. Grown up. The looks of amazement from co-workers have lost their charm. I prefer a warm breeze, a dry bike, and the sun on my back.
Sincerely,
brian
P.S. In an effort to make you go away, I just purchased a pair of studded tires for my bicycle. I suspect once I install them, it will not snow again ’til next year, sometime just before I re-install them for the winter.
Posted on 30 January 2009
The Bianchi Vigorelli was sold today. Yes, it was good deal, but I never felt terribly comfortable on the bike, at least compared to the Cannondale, and since I could find a buyer for the Monocog, I felt I needed to trim the fleet. So, off it went, one month and 100 miles later. I am quite glad to be riding the Cannondale exclusively again. Yes, it’s a cyclocross bike, but it treated me very well last season, so why not use it again. Plus, it allows me to run full fenders all winter, thus making heading out in less-than-ideal weather much more bearable.
I’m also glad to keep the Monocog, if only because it has served me wheel in the snow thus far.
Posted on 29 January 2009
Out and back on Saxonburg Blvd.
Since I missed the fine weather on Friday, I thought I’d go out in the cold and wind. I just couldn’t muster up the motivation to hit the rollers, and there wouldn’t be snow on the road, so why not. In the spirit of Steevo’s litany of clothing, here’s what I wore (conditions: temperature hovering around 20, with solid winds):
* Synthetic long sleeve top
* Fleece arm warmers
* Short sleeve wool jersey
* Patagonia soft shell jacket
* Bib shorts
* Fleece knee warmers
* Wind-proof, fleece-lined tights
* Two pairs wool socks
* Shoe covers
* Two pairs of gloves
The first half of the 90 minute was comfortable. Of course, I was also chugging up a slight rise most of the way. I need new shoe covers, as the BellWeathers I have don’t cover the bottom of the shoes, and the carbon-soled road shoes don’t offer much insulation. Coming back along the lower part of Saxonburg was fairly painful, given the downhill (meaning higher speeds with less effort), massive headwind, and freezer-like effect of the narrow run (there was still snow on part of the road). The rest of kit performed well, though. This was the first time I wore the Patagonia jacket for a recreational ride (I wear it for the commute) and it worked very well.
I see, however, that I missed my opportunity to get outside today, as the road is now snow-covered, and I don’t have enough time to get to Frick on the mountain bike.
Posted on 25 January 2009
I had two wisdom teeth (one impacted) and one molar (damaged from said impacted wisdom tooth) this morning. I was nervous going in, just because of visions of chisels in my mouth, but, in reality, it wasn’t so bad. The only pain incurred was during the application of the local anesthetic–the surgeon numbed my gums, but then proceeded to poke his needle just about everywhere except where I was numb. The first tooth came out without incident, thought it felt like my nose was going to repositioned somewhere directly below my left eye. The impacted tooth required some drilling (into what, I’m not entirely sure) and a chisel (“the cracking you’ll hear is a good thing.”). Apparently my long roots required some extra work. The molar, which was decayed because of pressure from the wisdom tooth, cracked as he was yanking it out. Ooops. This required more drilling and chiseling to get the roots out. Whee.
The procedure took about 35 minutes or so. The surgeon was kind enough to allow me to close my mouth every few minutes, which was a welcome break. I’m now sitting on the futon in the office, working, changing gauze, and trying not to dribble water when I drink something.
Posted on 12 January 2009
I have been to the dentist more times in the last 8 weeks than in the last 8 years. These two things are not unrelated. We started with just a cleaning, moved to an appointment (and x-rays) with an oral surgeon for an impacted wisdom tooth (more on that later), and finished with two appointments for a root canal. Next up, extraction of the wisdom tooth (and a couple of others for good measure) this Monday. I also still need a permanent cap on the molar that received the root canal, plus a couple of other caps, but that won’t be for several months.
So, first, the root canal. This was less horrible than I expected. I didn’t have a lot of pain prior to the procedure (apparently this is worst part for most people). I just didn’t chew on that side of my mouth. The first round wasn’t too bad, and my dentist filled my gums with enough local anesthetic that I really couldn’t feel much (which led to much comedy when I attempted to rinse my mouth after the procedure). Round two was a bit more painful, as for some reason he didn’t give me much local. But, it was all good, and I was far less nervous than I thought I would be.
I am mildly worried about the extraction, if only because I picked a local anesthetic rather than being knocked out. The thought of someone putting a chisel in my mouth, or putting their foot on my head so they can YANK doesn’t really appeal to me. I suppose I can just go into my cave and find my power animal. The procedure only takes 30 minutes, so, really, how bad can it be?
I suspect that anything after this, short of having all of my teeth pulled, will be a walk in the park. And I may actually go to the dentist twice a year for a cleaning.
Maybe.
Posted on 8 January 2009
Laziness out Freeport Road, back on ARB, and a loop or two through Highland Park.
It was a bit rainy, but warm-ish, so I didn’t want a chance to ride in the great outdoors to slip away. I swapped out the Speedplay pedals for a set of Shimano SLs that Dave gave me (T-Mobile pink!), and besides making it easier to walk down the front steps (oh, how I hate the cleats for the Speedplays), my knees feel a bit better with the Shimanos (I would sometimes get a bit of soreness in the left knee).
Given the weather forecast, I see lots of rollers in my future.
Posted on 4 January 2009
Middle Road and North
Temperatures were in the low 40s by ride time, the sun was out, and the sky was (mostly) blue. Rode with Stuart and Chris, and it was good to be out enjoying the day with them. A few of the hills felt hard. At least it’s (really) early in the season.
I swapped out the cranks and bottom bracket on the Bianchi, and I was glad to have the compact. Riding 39×23 up some of those hills would have killed me. The bike felt really good today. I put on my 25mm Conti tires, and made a few cockpit adjustments. I think the cassette and chain could be replaced, given the skipping in a few gears, but otherwise, the bike felt good, and comfortable.
Posted on 3 January 2009
Drawn by the fiery orb in the sky, I went for a short spin with Stuart in Highland Park today to ring in the new year. I didn’t look at my watch, and didn’t have a computer on the Bianchi, so I really have no idea of time of distance. I can’t even remember how many laps we did. It was chilly, but it was nice to be off the rollers and riding with someone. The Bianchi still has a few gremlins that need to be chased out (headset issues, and rear mech adjustment). I think I may need a new cassette, too, but I have to decide what to do about the cranks first. In theory, I like the idea of keeping the Ultegra cranks, with their 53 and 39 tooth chain rings, but reality with likely dictate I install the Campy compact double. That will allow me to keep a narrower range cassette, too. I think I’ll stick to the Cannondale for the rest of the winter, though, and I’ll probably install the fenders again. No reason to abuse the road bike in these conditions.
I tried riding the rollers on the Bianchi yesterday, and that was a total disaster. Perhaps it’s the narrow tires, or longer wheelbase, but I could barely stay upright with a hand on the washing machine.
Posted on 1 January 2009
Roller Coaster
70 degrees and sunny.
I was (finally!) on the new bike: a used Bianchi Vigorelli. Yeah, just like I used to have. The bike worked well right out of the box, though I do need to tweak the location of the shifters and adjust the rear mech a bit. The jury is also still out on the Ultegra cranks with 53 and 39 tooth chain rings, too. I miss my compact double already.
As for the ride itself, well, the route is aptly named. McCully Road goes up-down-up-down-up-down in spectacular fashion. The last climb is long and steep, too. I had also forgotten how nice it is to ride the rollers on Mt Royal Boulevard. Too bad the road is a bit busy.
Posted on 28 December 2008
Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing
1. Come, thou Fount of every blessing,
tune my heart to sing thy grace;
streams of mercy, never ceasing,
call for songs of loudest praise.
Teach me some melodious sonnet,
sung by flaming tongues above.
Praise the mount! I'm fixed upon it,
mount of thy redeeming love.
2. Here I raise mine Ebenezer;
hither by thy help I'm come;
and I hope, by thy good pleasure,
safely to arrive at home.
Jesus sought me when a stranger,
wandering from the fold of God;
he, to rescue me from danger,
interposed his precious blood.
3. O to grace how great a debtor
daily I'm constrained to be!
Let thy goodness, like a fetter,
bind my wandering heart to thee.
Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it,
prone to leave the God I love;
here's my heart, O take and seal it,
seal it for thy courts above.
Posted on 25 December 2008