Trivia and Updates

Ah the wonders of base ten.  Some may have noted that yesterday was a day of some significance.  That’s because the date (by the purest of arithmetic coincidences) was 10-10-10.  Of course if we only happened to have four digits on each hand it would have been 12-12-2512.  In binary it’s even worse, being 1010-1010-1010.  Given enough time, Shimano will, no doubt, develop that into a driveline, and then Campy will claim they did it first with but theirs will be a 1010-1010-1011 gearset.

MidFall Celebration Night Ride:  It’s coming.  In just two weeks.  Here’s a bit of news on that.  We will meet and depart from the Hollonville Opry House.  It’s at the intersection of GA-362 and Kings Bridge Rd.  Watch the weather.  It could be getting cool that night.  We’ll go rain or shine, warm or cool.

A moon, just a bit past full, will rise for us, just after 8:30.

This ride just might be a bit shorter, but it will be well worth it.  I promise some challenging terrain, and some special rewards.  And just a suggestion here, but those of you with touring type bikes would be well advised to use them.  Don’t worry, the pace will be a bit calmer to allow for that.

Project Update:  The new build project is ne schedule, and maybe just a tad ahead.  I got the driveline completed this past week, and have added a few touches.  For any who are tuning in late, here’s the short and skinny.

I’m building up a Surly Traveler’s Check.  It’s basically a cyclocross frame, with S&S couplers.  So it’s a travel bike too.  I built up a rear wheel around the new SRAM Torpedo hub.  It’s a trick hub that can be used as a single speed or a fixed gear.  It doesn’t shift from one to the other on the fly, but it can be changed with the twist of a screwdriver.  No need to unmount the wheel and flip it.  Expect some pictures along about next week.

Starting tomorrow, we’ll be doing some technical work.  The subject will be brakes.

Friday Follies ~~ Only on a bike in Autumn

My daughter’s first “real bike” was a mountain bike.  That’s pretty common these days.  It’s difficult to find a road bike for a kid.

I must report that I did the same thing I see a lot of folks do.  I wasn’t too sure just how the kid would take to cycling, so I purchased a really cheap hunk of junk, “just to see if she was going to get into it.”

Now here’s a surprise.  I’m a dedicated cyclist.  So of course, I was going to encourage (read cajole and/or threaten on occasion) my kid to ride.  She rode.  She liked it.  It wasn’t always fun, but it was mostly, and it was together time for the both of us.

The junk bike became a problem.  (That’s another shock, I know.)

I replaced the junk bike with a pretty decent one.  It was still a mountain bike, but it was quality.  So naturally, we went looking for mountain biking adventures.  We had a quite a few of them.  I’ve chronicled some of them elsewhere in this blog.

Over time, my daughter became an accomplished off road rider.  Along the way she also got to be downright devastating on the road.

Together, we tried out lots of trails.  We rode at Tsali, and around the Asheville area.  We did a lot of local stuff, the horse park, the Camp Thunder trails, McIntosh Reserve, the old Quarters Road trails, and some that are not, and were never on the map.  We laughed a lot.  We cracked up on occasion.  There were times we came out of the woods soaked, covered in mud, near hypothermia.

I remember one shining moment.  This was near the time when the kid would be leaving home for college.  I think it was the last fall before she left.

The weather had done what it has here recently.  It had turned unseasonably cool, and dry.  Then it warmed a bit.  The leaves were starting to turn.  We had a day, a weekday no less, to go and play.

We prepped the bikes the night before, so as not to lose time in the morning.  It was cool, and dry when we left the house in the early dawn light.  We drove my old beater of a truck to the trail head, chattering all the way.  We were up for it.  We knew, from previous experience, that riding this particular trail in the middle of the week would be great.  There would be no one else out there, no crowding, no one to dodge.

Of course, our planned early start didn’t happen.  There were chores to do, and things that got in the way.  What with ten things and another, we didn’t make it out the door until late morning.

We got to the trail, and saw no one else around.  We had the place to ourselves.  We mounted and rode through the rough parking area to the trailhead.  We stopped at the verge of the trail for a moment.  We could tell by the cover of leaves that no one had been out here for several days.  This was not unusual.  Mostly these trails were ridden on the weekends.

After we worked through the rock garden we were both soon laughing.  We kept breaking through spider webs, and I managed to ingest a bug in one.  Good fun!  Many laughs.  Lots of spider webs.  No one had run through here, no rain had fallen, and the spiders had been busy.

Then we were in thick woods.  We were both warmed up, and the day had grown temperate.  One or the other of us would occasionally shout some kind of statement about the profusion of spider webs.  But then the competitive urge struck us, and we went barreling into it.

After a couple of hours, we reached the summit of a ridge, staring into the late morning sunlight.  We stopped and looked at each other.  Every leading surface on each of us, and on our bikes,  was covered in spider silk.  It glistened silver in the sunlight.  Yes it was sticky, but it was also glorious.

By the time we were leaving the trails, toward the evening of the day, the late sunlight was painting us in gold and orange, draped in our new coats of gossamer webbing.

It took us hours to clean the bikes and ourselves.  I did not have a camera, but I can see those moments, clearly as if they are eternally etched before me.  Light and glistening spider strands, grinning and laughing.  Thank you for this.

Thursday Thoughts ~~ Why they don’t stop!

Why is it that so many bicycle riders blast through stop signs and traffic lights?  On the surface, it would appear to be simple, self-centered lack of respect.  But let’s examine just what it takes to execute an intersection crossing in a group.

Here comes a group of cyclists.  There is traffic present, so they are riding in single file, along the right hand side of the road.  As the group approaches the intersection, the last two riders are checking to their rear.  They make a very good judgment decision.  When the group is closing on the intersection, and when there is sufficient gap in the overtaking traffic, this last pair moves out to “take” the travel lane.  They report their action to the riders ahead, and the entire group forms into pairs.  Now the whole group is making their final, brisk approach to the intersection, two by two.

The lead pair come to a complete stop, stepping to the ground with one foot, and waiting their turn in the rotation.  The moment it is their turn to cross, they push off, re-mounting and accelerating, clearing the intersection rapidly.  The moment they are completely across, they resume their single file formation.  Once they are about a hundred yards past the intersection, and still remaining in single file, they slow down sharply, waiting for the rest of the group to rejoin.

Meanwhile, back at the intersection, the second pair, and each pair in turn, repeats the actions.  Each pair pulls crisply up to the stop line, executes a definite stop, waits, and then clears the intersection with deliberate haste.  No one jumps out of turn, or disturbs the “rotation” of vehicles through the intersection.

After the entire group has cleared, they are likely to be separated by both distance, and a few intervening cars.  Because the leaders are moving slowly, in file, but are stable in their motions and course, the cars that are interspersed are able to pass and go on their way.  Also, the trailing members of the group are able to catch up and re-join.  When the last pair is re-connected, they shout this news forward, to have it echoed “All in!”  The report is repeated by middle position riders, until the lead pair hears it.  At that point, the leaders make a deliberate acceleration, returning to the ride pace.

Two things are required to make all this work.  Skill and trust.

It actually takes a lot of skill to execute an intersection stop and re-start.  A lot of things have to happen, in the correct order, and at a very quick pace.  Riders have to position their bikes, retain situational awareness, and downshift prior to the stop, while waiting until close to the intersection to brake.  They then brake with deliberate force, unclip from pedals, execute a complete stop, re-mount quickly, and accelerate, maintaining correct road position.  Properly executed, this can look like choreographed dance, or precision drill.

The other factor is trust.  Each rider has to be able to trust the riders in front and behind.  Leaders must be trusted not to blast away, taking advantage of the situation to leave others behind.  Following riders must be trustworthy also.  They must be depended upon to hold their positions, report situations, and to execute their duties correctly.

Could it be that most group riders lack the requisite skills necessary to accomplish this evolution correctly?  Could it also be that riders in the group don’t trust the leaders to wait for them?  Perhaps there is reason for both of these conditions?

Believe it.  This bears thinking about.

Another New Voice

I’d like to introduce a new member of the cast.  The story of how I met this individual is a bit long, and can be recounted elsewhere, at a more auspicious moment.  The short version goes like this.  Johann and I were out riding on a dark and moonless night.  We met a starship pilot.  That’s right, a flying saucer, visitor from another star system.  His name, as best as I can render it, is Blxngrff T’grangk.  (If you think the spelling is weird, you ought to hear it pronounced!)  We call him “Bill the Alien.”  It’s easier.

Now here is the first cool part of this.  Bill the Alien looks just like normal Terrestrial humans.  I don’t know if this is clever disguise, or the result of some sci-fi magic hypnosis-ray, or if humans are spread throughout the galaxy, or even if it’s a case of “parallel evolution.”  And Bill the Alien is silent on the question.  But believe me, he looks just as “human” as anyone else you’ve ever met.

The second cool part of the story is that Bill the Alien is a cyclist!  What’s more, he rides often with other cyclists here on Earth.  I’ll let him tell you about it now.

Greetings Earthlings!  This is Blxngrff T’grangk, or “Bill the Alien,” speaking.  Take me to your leader!  Just kidding.  I’ve always wanted to say that.

Before I go any farther, I should note, for those of you who are interested in grammar and diction, my name is properly rendered with a prolateral at the surname, and there should be a double-blat after the grax.  But you don’t have the type faces for this, and Road Dragon did the best he could.

It’s fun being here on Earth.  Your science fiction got an amazing amount of things right, and an equally amazing amount of them wrong.  For instance, as Road Dragon has already mentioned, my people are not green tentacled, bug-eyed monsters.  And we aren’t interested in eating you.  I don’t have a rocket ship or a ray gun, and I’ve never seen a babe in a brass bra.  (Although I must admit, many of your Earth women are definitely babes!)  Also, just to set the record straight, my starship is not a “fling saucer.”  In fact it looks much like a cross between one of your Piper Cubs and a new Chevy Corvette, only somewhat larger than either of them.  But I digress.  This is a blog about bicycles and cycling.  So I will stay on message.

Imagine my delight when I discovered that there are actually bicycles and bicycle riding here on your Earth.  We are avid cyclists on my world.  More, you have absolutely amazing bicycles.  Yours are far more advanced than ours.  I have learned so much.  I can hardly wait to return home with some of the innovations you have.  I am going to be one wealthy alien, and my academic career is bound to be one of historic proportions.

Do you find those statements odd?  If you simply reflect on them a moment, you will realize that they aren’t.  Technologies do not develop in the same way.  You know this from your own histories.  Let me give you two examples.  We never developed the internal combustion engine.  We don’t have much fossil fuel on our world.  We only recently coined a technical term for it.  The more common term translates roughly as, “the nasty black stuff that oozes from the ground and stinks.”  We do find it useful for certain chemical processes, but the thought of burning the stuff, honestly never occurred to us.

We did invent the bicycle fairly early on in our history.  It is one of the mainstays of our transportation and recreation.  Of course it helps that our world does not have many hills, and our climate is quite temperate.  Unlike you we do not have an axial tilt to our planet, so we don’t have seasons.  We go north or south to visit them, but they are permanent.  Our weather is also entirely predictable.

And that brings up another interesting innovation of yours.  We do not have clothing to protect us from the weather when we ride.  Honest, the thought never crossed our minds.  With that one innovation, we could ride in much larger areas of the planet.  Now that is cool!

We do have mechanized transportation.  In some ways it is more dangerous than your automobiles.  In other ways it is safer.  It evens out.  We control the operation of our engine vehicles very tightly.  After all, they could wreak havoc with our riding.  We will not tolerate that.

I find it amazing that you venture out onto roadways along side of your powerful, and dangerous engine vehicles.

There is a lot here that I do not fully understand.  Take one example.  When I look at how you Earthlings act as pedestrians, as cyclists, and as engine drivers, I am amazed that you have not yet killed off half of your population.  It completely defies statistical analysis!

There is a lot more I could say, and I will in future postings.  My new friends, Road Dragon, and Johann have requested that I write up my observations and comment from time to time.  I will be happy to do this.

So, my friends, to borrow a phrase,  “Live long and prosper.”  This is Bill the Alien, signing off.

Oh boy is it EVER Autumn!

Just got back from a chilly early morning ride.  Watch out for the deer.  It's rutting season, and they are very active.  I almost took out a flock of them (or the other way around), and they are very hard to see at night.

Please do plan to attend the SouthSide Cycling Club annual meeting tonight.  Click here for details.

Ride safe, but do ride.

Updates all over the place:

Maybe you haven’t encountered this anyplace else.  Southside Cycling Club will be holding its annual All Members General Meeting, tomorrow, at Maguire’s Irish Pub, in Senoia, Georgia.  This is an important meeting.  New officer and board elections will be held.  We’ll have a speaker.  The club is providing “horsey doovers, tea, and soft drinks.  Meeting will start at 7:00 P.M.  If you are a member, you need to be there.  Not a member?  Come anyway and join!

The Bicycles Unlimited Novice Road Ride is no longer going out on Thursday nights.  Sorry, but it’s done for the season.  However, there will be a Novice Road Ride on the second Sunday of each month, starting in November. 

• When:  Ride will be at 2:00 P.M.  14 November, 12 December, 9 January, 13 February, and 13 March.
• Where:  Start/Finish at Bicycles Unlimited.
• Distance:  23.5 miles.
• Pace:  This is a No Drop ride.  (Ride leader will stay at the back.)
• Conditions:  Ride goes rain or shine, at any temp above 20 degrees F.  (Dress appropriately for the conditions.
• Requirements:  You, your bike, and helmets must be worn.

Bicycles Unlimited Spin Classes Start:  The shop’s annual spin classes will begin on Tuesday, 2 November.  Here’s the basic rundown.

• WHEN:  Tuesdays and Thursdays at 6:00 PM through March 10^th
• WHERE:  Bicycles Unlimited training room
• REQUIREMENTS:  Bring your bike and your stationary trainer
• SUGGESTED: (For maximum results) You should wear summer weight cycling clothing, bring a towel and plenty of water, have completed a recent Anaerobic Threshold Test, and wear your Heart Rate Monitor!
• COST:  $100 for the entire season, $30 per month, or $10 per session
• SIGN UP: Is currently going on.  Come in to the shop and get signed!
•  ***This is strenuous exercise.  You should always consult your doctor before starting any rigorous exercise program.

Don’t forget!  The mid-Fall Celebration Night Ride is coming up.  It will be on Monday, 25 October.  More details soon.

AND FINALLY:  Last week I went public with a schedule for the completion of my latest project bike.  I’m happy to report that I am on target.  The tricky wheel build is complete.  Now on to the driveline!

Friday Follies ~~ October

October is a strange month.  Things happen in October.  I mean weird and wonderful things happen.  Of course the climate is putting on a grand show.  We have the annual roller coaster weather-ride, and the incredible displays of turning foliage and fall sky.  But there is more.

I suspect that folks are a lot more weather sensitive than is normally thought.  At this time, people act differently.  By turns we see our fellow citizens become frisky and playful, and then morose.  I think it’s down in our bones.  We have this urge to go out and finish the gathering and hunting, to prepare for the coming Winter.  That gives us bursts of manic energy.  At the same time, we know that the cold and dark is coming, and that makes us slower and more cautious.

Once, in the midst of a fine mountain October, I was finishing my work.  I worked a factory job then, marking time until I did something else.  My shift started early in the day, and had the benefit of ending in the afternoon.

I was glad.  I’d ridden to work on the motorcycle.  (This was before I realized that motorcycles had been invented specifically to lure me, personally, to serious injury.)  The morning ride into the work had been almost bitterly cold.  But the afternoon was balmy.  I felt the joy of a Friday, with a fine Indian Summer weekend ahead.

I booted the cranky beast, and for a wonder, it started on the first kick.  I rode the thing home, and quickly changed into my cycling clothing.  My intention was to get in a quick ride, race the gathering dusk back to the house, and then begin the weekend in earnest.

I rode out of town, and found myself, without giving much thought to the process, doing the “climb route.”  I suspect that my intentions were to work hard on the way out, and do a mostly coasting ride back into town.  The land in that direction ascended fairly steadily for miles.  Eventually the “climb route” would intersect a state highway that led either up to the Blue Ridge Parkway, or down, but away from my home.  The thing was, that “decision intersection” was on a local highpoint.  It afforded a good vista to the west.

As I climbed, the sun was lowering, and the air chilling, but I was warmed by my exertions.  I reached the intersection, with the sun hanging low in the western sky.

It happened that the clouds were present in enough numbers to make for a pretty good display.  The sun was painting the sky with glory.  I was tempted to keep going, or to stand and watch the sunset display.  Either course would have been folly.  In those days we didn’t have good lights, and my bike was not equipped with any.  There would be no moon to light my way back.

I sighed, and (for once) chose the wise course.  I turned back toward home, and rode (mostly) downhill, as the Autumn evening advanced, and the sky reddened above and around me.  For a while, a late flying hawk kept me company, gliding above me, in formation.

I rolled into the driveway just as the last deep crimson glow was fading.  Perfectly timed, and not to be repeated until Spring, was this ride.  I had just carved a signature on a good week, written in the asphalt of country roads.

Not all rides are epics, or disasters.  Not every one is a comedy act.  Not every day is remarkable.  But sometimes, just doing the right thing, on the right day, leaves one with a sense of peace and tranquility, of accomplishment.

Life is good.