Schenley Circuits (17 miles)
Kinda cold, kinda wet, kinda snowy. I thought about going to Frick on the Redline, but thought the trails might be a bit of mess thanks to temperatures hovering above freezing. I love (love!) have full fenders on the Cannondale. Slush? No problem. I would have liked to ride a bit longer, but I went a little light on the clothing, and my fingers were getting a bit numb.
Posted on 24 February 2008
Middle-Saxonburg Loop, again.
I missed out on the warm weather yesterday, but I didn’t want to waste a work holiday, so I headed out into the cold and wind. Wind pushed against me on the 62nd Street Bridge, propelled me along Middle, then pushed hard against me along Saxonburg. I was nearly stopped cold on a short rise just before Hartwood Acres. All part of the fun, though.
Riding along the farm roads that connect Middle and Saxonburg was enjoyable, sheltered from the wind, cutting through patches of slush tucked away in chilly valleys. Horses were out in still-snowy fields, and I spied a horse and rider ambling along a stream. If only these roads went on forever.
Posted on 18 February 2008
So I found a used CETMA 6 rail rack via the Kogswell list last week. Many moons ago, I thought about a CETMA, but I wasn’t thrilled about the mounting system (basically the same a Wald basket). I though the bar attachment point was just plain ugly. I really liked how the Mark’s Rack looked, but it wasn’t quite up for managing my laptop. It worked, just not very well. I spoke with a riding partner about putting together a custom rack, the realities of my spare time, or lack thereof, made that project unmanageable. I knew a porteur rack was the best method for carrying my stuff, and the CETMA, ugly as it is, was the best solution.
I sent off a “want to buy” message to the Kogswell list, knowing that the CETMA had been discussed quite a bit among the fans of porteur bikes. Within a few hours, a deal was done, and the 6 rail was on its way. A few days later, the box was on our porch, and that evening I mounted the rack. I strapped on the laptop case, and secured it with two bungee cords. The load was very solidly attached (unlike the Mark’s Rack, or even the old Wald basket), and no matter how I whipped the bars, it didn’t shift. Better yet, I didn’t mind the mounting system as much as I thought I might.
I’m looking forward to the shakedown ride on Tuesday.
Posted on 17 February 2008
Pittsburgh received another round of winter weather yesterday. I awoke to several inches of snow on the ground, including the streets. Not a big deal, I thought, since I have the Monocog. Given the school cancellations, traffic would be light, and the ride might actually be enjoyable. So off I rode. Every street was still snow covered. Some had been plowed, which was a blessing and a curse. In some spots, tire tracks made for little bobsled runs, making it difficult to keep the bike straight, but generally grip was good and I was comfortable. The trail through Panther Hollow was untouched, and I was plowing through four inches of powder, all the way to the South Side.
Around 2:00 PM the lovely, puffy snowflakes became rain. I rolled out of the loading dock at 4:00 PM, riding through massive puddles and piles of slush. Within two blocks I was soaked–the Redline doesn’t have proper fenders, and the little clip-on models I have currently did little. This lasted until I reached the Hot Metal Bridge, which was still covered with snow, now heavy and wet thanks to the rain. I’m guessing it took me five minutes to cross the span. The Jail Trail was plowed, but snow-covered. Once in Panther Hollow, the fun began again. Heavy, wet snow. Even when riding in untracked snow, it was slow going. The bike was coated with snow, and I had to periodically bang on the fork to open up clearance for the tire. Finally, I was back on the road, slush-covered as it was.
By the time I stopped at our house, the snow on the bike was gone, thanks to the rain. I was soaked. On the bright side, at least the bike was clean. I hoped the snow was finished, and that, thanks to the rain, I might be able to ride the Surly to work in the morning. I missed my fenders, and I was willing to take the long way to avoid the Hot Metal Bridge and Panther Hollow.
Fast forward to this morning. Snow is falling. The streets are covered again. The Surly will stay in the basement. I’m off again, slicing through slush, and carefully treading along icy spots. As I ride along Centre Avenue, I’m jealous of the guy ahead of me on the ‘cross bike with full fenders. Road conditions vary from ice, to snow, to slush, to wet pavement, and back again. Once in Panther Hollow, the real slog begins. The trail is unplowed, and pocked with footprints and other bike tracks. The snow is wet, heavy, and, in sections, frozen. Being ever the optimist, I noted that at least I wasn’t getting soaked by slush. The Jail Trail is mostly clear, having been plowed several times. The Hot Metal Bridge doesn’t disappoint, though. It is snow-covered and icy. I actually manage to ride across, something I wasn’t sure could actually happen.
After more slush, and some ice, I’m hosing off the bike in the loading dock. I am quite wet, between the heavy falling snow and the slush. I have to figure out a way to extend my fenders this evening.
Posted on 13 February 2008
If you’re worried about the weather, well, you’ve picked the wrong place to stay. — LCD Soundsystem, “All My Friends”
Current temperate, 4 degrees Fahrenheit (-15 degrees Celsius). At least it’s sunny.
Posted on 11 February 2008
A nice, albeit windy ride on the new bike:
I like it. It feels quite a bit lighter than the Bianchi, and I think it fits me a bit better. I do, however, miss the compact double cranks. I spent most of this ride in the little ring (39 teeth), but I think the nearly constant headwind had something to do with that. I also don’t like the brake levers (some Kraynick specials)–the Tektros on the Bianchi were far more comfortable. The ride is very solid, and the stiffness of the aluminum wasn’t uncomfortable at all. I appreciated the extra stiffness when climbing out of the saddle–the steel frame of the Bianchi paired with the carbon cranks meant a fair amount of flex, even when climbing in the saddle. I’m looking forward to logging more miles on this.
Posted on 10 February 2008
No, not from snow. I only wish. Everyone in the house had the (fever, achy) flu over the last week, starting with me. A good time was had by all. At least it wasn’t the stomach variety, I suppose. I was off the bike for five days, with one day completely off work (I slept for 36 hours) and two days at home. Come Monday morning, I had to remind myself to pay attention in traffic, as my addled mind tended to wander. We are currently dealing with a warm snap, though, as usual, the warm air is accompanied by rain. The Surly, for one, will be happy to see Spring. I was wiping the bike down this evening (the extent of my maintenance this winter) when I found a broken spoke in the rear wheel. Unwilling to commit to the task, I tucked the broken threads back into the nipple and went on my way. This weekend, perhaps.
In other bike news, I have gotten rid of the Bianchi (sold back to its original owner) and picked up a used Cannondale cyclocross frame, fork, and various other bits. I wanted something that would accept fenders, mostly, and now I don’t have an excuse to do the Month of Mud this fall. The build is nearly complete–in fact, it would be complete had I not lost a very small part for one of my bar end shifters. Photos will be forthcoming.
In other news, Sheldon Brown has passed away. There are plenty of tributes on the internet, so I’ll only a few things. First, like most folks who ride a fixed gear bicycle, my journey started with Sheldon’s website. Second, I dare you to find another figure in cycling who would be praised by racers and curmudgeons alike. Third, his humble presence on the many mailing lists in which he participated will be missed.
Posted on 6 February 2008
Two and half hours in Frick.
I ran into Dave and Aaron, and we did a loop together, then they went home. Aaron just bought a mountain bike, a fine Gary Fisher 29er (I think).
The trails were in perfect winter condition–hard-packed snow and very solid frozen ground. It’s the first time I haven’t rinsed mud off the bike when I got home. I managed three and half loops, consisting off:
1. Up Falls Ravine, across Lower Riverview, and down Fire Lane.
2. Up Falls Ravine to the Bowl singletrack, then down Iron Grate (best trail ever!)
3. Up Fire Lane to Lower Riverview, then across the Meadow to Iron Grate.
4. Up Braddock Trail, through the loop behind the Bowling Greens, then home.
Iron Grate is really swell because it’s technical singletrack without involving steep drops and rock gardens.
Besides Dave and Aaron, I only saw one other rider today, though given the tracks on the trail, quite a few folks had be out at some point.
Posted on 26 January 2008
It’s that time, I suppose. Winter in Pittsburgh, while often dry, is a gray affair. The sun pokes out for minutes at a time, perhaps three times a week. Thankfully I have a bank of windows behind me, and those fleeting rays flash into my gray cubicle, only to be gone again. It’s not dark, like the gathering clouds before a summer storm, just gray, muted. Years ago, before I started commuting regularly, constantly, by bicycle, I would say that I’d rather have snow in this sort of weather, for at least the white would brighten things a bit. Now, I’ll deal with the gray, and the wind, and the cold, rather than the snow and slush, and its effect on the roads and, more importantly, traffic. I go about my business, every morning piling on layers, wool on top of wool, and I pack my saddlebag and I’m on my way. There’s a certain comfort in the routine, I suppose, and it’s that routine (and my own stubborness) that gets me on the road every morning. Fittingly, I’m on a gray bicycle. A small comfort is that the days grow longer. On days when the clouds are thin, or perhaps broken, it is not quite twilight when I leave the office at 5:00 PM. Should I choose, I can even turn off my headlight, though I rarely do. It is dark 30 minutes later when I hoist the gray bike on our back porch, but the edges of the horizon still glow, a reminder of what is to come.
As this is my first winter at this job, my co-workers are puzzled when my helmeted head bobs above cubicle walls on cold, windy mornings. They wonder “how can I stand it?” I only smile and shrug, and sometimes say “this is nothing” and mean it–I know it will be colder, wetter, windier. I count my blessings. There are days that, when crossing the Birmingham Bridge, that I feel like a tiny bug, buffeted here and there by the constant wind that rushes along the winter. Then I think “at least it’s dry” and spin along–the deluded optimism of a man a few beans short of a burrito. So it goes.
It’s going to be only 15 degrees Fahrenheit tomorrow. At least it’s Sunday, though I know that the night won’t bring any warmth for Monday morning. I have been more cavalier in my dressing habits this year, trying to ride in “normal” clothes unless the weather is wet. Some mornings, this means I won’t begin to warm up until I reach Oakland. Single digit temperates require a bit more diligence, though, so I’ll likely slip on a pair of long underwear under my pants come Monday morning. And perhaps an extra wool jersey, and even a scarf.
Posted on 19 January 2008
(Map does not reflect complete ride)
I was highly unmotivated to ride earlier in the day, and it wasn’t until the second cup of coffee kicked in after church that I plotted a route. I really wanted to have fenders on the Bianchi, but the Vittoria tires (28mm width) weren’t playing nicely with the SKS Raceblades, so I put on shoe covers and took off. The initial climb on Middle felt good, though I was hardly pushing the pace. I tried to maintain a higher pace on the rollers, and before long I was entering unfamiliar territory on Cedar Lane. The collection of old farm roads between Middle and Saxonburg is really amazing. Cedar rolls down a valley, a narrow, chip-sealed strip of a road, weaving between fields and farmhouses. At the intersection with Church, Cedar bears left, following dirt and gravel. Never one to pass up dirt on my road bike, I started down the road, only to find the mud to be a bit thick and deep for my wheels. Another, drier day, perhaps. Church continues, rolling up and down several steep stretches, then on to Saxonburg, and home.
Posted on 6 January 2008