January 4, 2009

  • 1st Ride of the Year

    First Sunday ride of the year and it's a bit chilly.  Looks like 13 F outside with a high of 28 expected.    In the great scheme of things this isn't nearly as cold as those low single digit dayz a few weeks ago, so it should feel balmy out there in comparison.

    With all of the usual suspects obligated to other fun family stuff, looks like I'll be going it along.  That's OK,  as it will give me a chance to get in whatever I want + a chance to check out the new Push'd rear end.   .   I still need to fix the dragging brakes on the bike, which is quite annoying.   I've done everything to them but bleed them, so that's the next/last step before replacing the caliper....

    So I take off and the bike is feeling pretty sluggish.    I guess this is because I rode the trek last time and it's so much more lively.   This is more re-enforcement that I really need to keep that  bike alive in case I need to go racing or on a fast group ride.   In any case I just settle into the Yeti's pace and make it down the bike path.

    Pineridge was OK with a bit of wind out of the South.    Now many folks out, but I saw a few dog walkers across the fields.    I do the loop and I am still amazed at how well the fork is performing.   The rear, well, I think it's got too much sag, but for todays ride, I'll live with it. .

    The Maxwell climb is always a challenge and I thought I might be able to clean it today but it was not to be.  I didn't want to commit on one  of the rocky sections ....   That's OK  it was still a good climb. 

    Up top saw a couple of other MTBr's.  I had a chat with one guy on a Surly SS  650B bike.   He was cool, especially since he said, his other bike is a 575.    He was running a 33x20 gear, which kinda validates the 34x20 that I just put on my SS.

    Off and running.... The shoreline trail was good.   I  woosed out on the staircase....    The rest of that trail flowed nicely.    Nice light dusting of snow and no other traffic.    This went well enough and I thought I would do Michaud lane instead of Lory cause I haven't done it in awhile.  Unfortunately,   Some of the bare spots started to pack up on the wheels so it's onto plan B "Lory".

    Lory was good, but a bit icey at spots under the snow.    I had to be cautious, but it was better than falling or worse yet, being stuck at home riding the trainer!

    Finnally out to CR 38 and the last 2 hogbacks to home.   The wind is still out of the South with the temps at 22-25 are making my hands a bit cold.  I opted not to do the handwamers thinking that I should be OK, but this was on the edge of my comfort zone.  Would have been OK, except for the wind.   I had some warmers with me but just knowing I could pull them out at any time offered some comfort that I wouldn't get frostbite.

    The road was uneventful. The 2.35's were sluggish and  if I weren't so lazy I would have put some more air in them for this part of the trip.  Oh well,  it's not like I have to keep up with anyone ...

    Good 1st ride of the season....  Just need to work on that rear brake and I golden....