I was caught like a deer in headlights…

but more about that later.

Seeing as the Oompa Loompas have just released me from a two day chocolate drive in the kitchen, I am now back to the bike for two nights. I have learned a bit from time in the saddle lately.

One…I have been severely riding too short along the top tube. Tonight, I went down to the shed and my extra parts to recover an older Easton stem. It is longer than the two current stems on the Fuel and Pugsley. And I now understand why one should put a longer stem on a bike equipped with a Titec H-Bar. Just do it, don’t ask.

Since I switched out the Pugs stem, the Thomson from it went to the Fuel. It’s 10mm longer. You have no idea how much better I feel now. Well maybe you do? Which brings me to…

Two…my nether region complains. I had switched over to a WTB women’s saddle because it was a bit wider to accommodate my wider sit bones. I originally had been riding the Bontrager FS2000 for about 7-8 years comfortably. Switched to a WTB Rocket, which ended up being too narrow. But hey, it was black with pink! So, I tried the women’s. The complaint I have with it is the nose is padded, but with a soft padding. Too soft. So soft I feel the hardness of the saddle bottom. Ummm, ouch! I put my old tried and true Bontrager back on and it was once again bliss:)

Chocolate? Yes, this time of year my mom and myself restrict ourselves to the kitchen at night. We are closet chocolatiers. Well, I am. She used to do it for a living wayyy back when. In fact, she and a certain famous one from up in Indiana learned their skills from the gal’s parents. And now I am doing this too. Mmmmm….chocolate.

And lastly. Using my last couple of paychecks from working at the bike shop I bought myself a new headlight. A Planet Bike Blaze 2 watt. We’ll see how that works in the coming weeks. I’d like to get it out into the Park at night to compare. When I do, you’ll be the second to know!

Enough for now…I go to sleep soon!

Win a Bicycle from Fatty and Gary Fisher!!!!

So, you could win this bike! Click on it and see (PS…it also comes with orange accents instead of the pink ones I like).  However, being completely selfish, wouldn’t I look cool riding this in Trans Iowa? I think that I would. SO, I’m going over to Fatty’s website to try and make a go of it!

In other news, the BBiP continues. And I have added holiday lights to the Fuel’s toptube for my own giggles.

Dreambike for Trans Iowa v.6

Drool, drool, drool!!!

It is unanimous!

With input from 50% of my readers (the three of you!), it has been decided. The bike of choice will be my Fuel full suspension. That is unless I suddenly win the lottery…need to play, eh?…or a bike company feels the need to float a 29er to the OAF (me) for the duration of training and the ride…er, I mean race!!

Doug weighed in with a NO for the Pugs. And I’d have to agree, as it tends to rattle my brain. And if I let more air out of the tyres to compensate I’ll wear myself out on this one.

Pete is pushing for a cyclocross bike. And if I find one hidden around the house that I’ve forgotten that I have I’ll give it a whirl! Don’t hold your breath!

MrDaveyGie finalized the vote for the Fuel. He rides gravel all the time and took a look at my stable. The Fuel won.

Training for the rest of this month continues with BBiP (butt breaking in phase for any noobs). I’ll continue riding the Pugs this week, just to fine tune my position, and switch back to the Fuel next week.

I’m still not going to bore you with stats, other than time on the seat. But, since it’s about the same thing every day I won’t be doing a daily post. Well, unless something good comes along!

Back to the training room!

Let the training continue!

I had a little time off the bike during our Thanksgiving time. Between work, spending time with the family and some scheduled events, I used the rest of my time off for sleeping.

So, now I have Pugsley hooked up to the trainer for some fiddling around of position and major time in the saddle.  Still undecided as to which bike I’ll ride. Ideally, I think I’d like a 29″ full suspension. But I find that there’s not one lying around for me to use!

Got to go get ready…having lunch with my dad.

Later…

Day one of being an official TransIowa competitor…

or more to the point, survivor.

I will have several phases of my training. And this first phase will be named “The Butt Breaking In Phase”.

BBiP includes building up to many hours of riding absolutely nowhere on the trainer. Also known as “How Long Will a Tire Last on a Trainer Phase”. I do hope Fatty has another 100 Miles of Nowhere!

Also interspersed with said trainer time will be the occasional jaunt into the National Park for actual gravel road training. Bring it on Mr. Bear!

So, last night I rode the trainer for about an hour and a half. I ended up watching a movie a friend let me borrow. I’m not going to give a bunch of stats with the training, mainly due to lack of any way to figure it out. So for now…I count the hours.

And thanks for everyone’s positive comments yesterday!

Holy S%^T!!!!

I made it into Transiowa V.6!!!

It’s about the position

I’ve been managing to ride the trainer almost every night. Only 20 minutes last night, which was a very low amount. But all this trainer time has been a bonus. My position on the bike.

I find that trainer riding is much more static than actually being outdoors. I mean aside from being attached to a non moving object! I don’t tend to move my whole body as much. And this lends to finding those little aches and pains of not having my riding position tweaked. A blessing of sorts.

Last night I did discover a major issue…in that my seat was too far forward. I was having some issues with my wrist and palm. And, as I rode longer, my lower back. So, I pushed my seat forward. Ahhh! It got worse. Moved my seat back….wow!! What a difference. My wrists immediately felt decent and the back relaxed. My legs felt a little odd for about five minutes. Then normal.

I may have to adjust the seat height a smidge, as is usual with for/aft adjustment. That’s tonight’s ride.

And I’m halfway through Area 51:The Reply! Gotta love my semi-pulp:))

Today I look for a postcard!

Not much to report on my Garbagacycle run. It’s dark and I have all my lights on just to look for trash, so I’m sure I miss more. I did have another volunteer drop off a key she found around HQ. So, I got in touch with our ViP (volunteer in park) coordinator who in turn talked to dispatch. I ended up at dispatch on my run to drop off the key in case anyone is looking for it.

Me…..train?

If you’ll remember from an earlier post, I mentioned I might train for the Transiowa in one of three ways. Well, this Monday is the day my postcard should make it’s way to Iowa. Will I get in?? I’ll let you know!

And for those still playing the home game…yes, I’ve been training. I ended up going with the trainer method. The drums were just not cutting it and my schedule right now makes it easier to just hop on the trainer.

And I’ve found the secret to early trainer training.

READING PULP SCI-FI NOVELS!

Pulp, you say? Yes, I say.

I tried reading Neal Stephenson,but I have not the ability to comprehend whilst riding. That’s a sit down and turn off any extraneous noise book. So, I’m into the Area 51 series. It’s not true pulp, but it’s easier to get into and flip pages. And as a bonus, I’ve found a new use for my music stand!!

Later…

 

A new light!

I have attached a new light to my XtraMonkey…Garbagacycle…Xtracycle. It’s a fiber optic tube. As you will see, it’s on my down tube, but I have since moved it onto my forkblade. Fibre Flare.

It’s flexible to a certain degree. So you can put it about anywhere on the bike. Now, I do wish they’d come up with other colors! Oh wait! They do:)) Here it is. Cost? A little over $40.

Later kids…