Mostly recaps of two wheeled rambles through the countryside, but sometimes thoughts on other things.

Monday, October 9, 2017

On top of the Mountain!

That's how I felt Friday when I came home from my week on the road. There were several items of mail on my desk including a box from  Richard who used to live a few blocks from me and who pedaled some with us while he was stationed in town. This package came from Germany. First, I was thrilled that he thought of me, as our time together was brief and I have learned that part of the psychological survival technique of military people is to be friendly with those currently around them, but be ready to move on when the next assignment comes. Then, I opened the box and this is inside:
It's the real deal. A Tour de France jersey in the polka dot pattern worn by the champion hill climber. Richard got it when he went to watch a stage of the race in person at Dusseldorf. A TdF jersey from the real TdF! Of course, it's a perfect juxtaposition. I am a snail going up hills and he knows this having ridden with me. I may have the lowest gear ratio known that can be used and still remain upright on a bicycle. But I have the jersey for the fastest climber! I LOVE IT. Richard asked (and I can see him doing this with a straight face, although I was reading the letter he enclosed) if I could possibly work around the fact that this item is wicking synthetic and not wool.  Oh, the delightful irony! Well, I wore it on Saturday! With wool shorts and socks. (That's me on the 1984 Trek 660 made from Reynolds 531c tubes)


And here's the scary part.  I rode 2 mph over my typical pace. People were saying, "you're riding faster these days!"  No, just that one ride. But I'm keeping this jersey for when I need some extra speed. :)  Richard, you so made my day!  Thanks a ton. Look for a letter mailed today. 

In other news, this Saturday will be my 1st experiment in renting out bikes. A club member noted a website started up to connect ride needers with ride owners, called Spinlister. 2 riders from Iowa are coming to town to do our club century and they are renting Ferrous Bueller and Louise (2 steel framed lugged bikes). We'll see how that goes. I've also been on a wheel building craze. I've replaced some worn out hubs and put road hubs in place of MTB so the wheels will fit my bikes. When you build several in series, the lacing and tightening kind of becomes a groove and it's quite enjoyable. I think (pretty sure) that I have a good feel for the tension. I check of course for roundness and dish, but I get it pretty close just by the feel when I do it.  Maybe my next career will be a wheel builder?

I wrote back in August about helping a relative build a bike.  It came out well, but she had some initial flats caused I think by the too thin Origin8 brand rim tape. Switching to Velox seems to have cured that. I'm looking forward to bringing a bike of mine out that way in a few weeks and pedaling together with cousin Becky. Here's a picture of her new bike that I took while on a test ride before I delivered it to her.


It rides well and looks pretty. It should last her a long time too.

Next year's RUSA schedule is approved with 11 events. Including 3 at once. (a 100, 200 and 300 all on the same course). Hopefully, my new friend Andy in the GA RUSA group will get on the stick and organize the joint ride we have been talking about. With some good eats along the way. There are some nice folks over there. A Tennessee rider who can slow down to keep me company has agreed to ride our Mountain Music 200K next Spring (assuming she can get the time off from work to drive down) I'll have to wear the dots!

I mentioned that there were a few mail items waiting for me.  One was a pen made by 11 year old Ramsay Short. I read about him in a newspaper article. Great young entrepreneur who bought a wood lathe and makes pens to sell. He donates a portion from his proceeds to 2 local charities. It's a ballpoint, but I was happy to support him.  Finally, a more professional pen, made by Bexley, came as well. It is a special edition fountain pen to mark the 10K member of a pen group, and it  writes great. Talk about hitting for the cycle, that's 4 great things to talk about tonight. And I'm talking about the cycle because the team from where I was born (NYY) is back in the playoffs. At least for the moment. Their opponent (Cleveland) is very tough. And I like to cycle. SO I can cycle the bases or cycle the bikes. It's all good.

See you on a hill somewhere.  Look for the polka dots.

Tailwinds.


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