Back to bike commuting

With the balmy temperatures this past week, I've been able to bike commute again. B-wood Amy and I have almost the same route to work, and she has the killer light set-up, so we rode in together Wed. and Thurs. It's quite the workout turning over those studded tires in packed snow for 13 miles each way, plus any other errands. Yesterday was bike to work, bike to yoga, bike to Town Hall for a team meeting, then bike home. I was completely exhausted afterward. Today bike to work, bike home was quite sufficient, thank you. I will sleep like a baby tonight. Probably better than a baby from what I hear about baby sleeping habits. The studded tires and Louis Garneau jacket are turning out to be very good, if expensive, investments. I do have commuter light envy though - my three conventional LED light can be seen, but doesn't do much for lighting up the trail. Fortunately it's getting lighter, not darker since the solstice. I need to bring my camera next time to jazz up these boring posts.

In which the blogger pretends he's tuff

Took the bike out with studded tires, as well as the new Louis Garneau jacket. I am pleased that both performed fabulously. Air temps were mid teens, wind chill was near zero. I went out while the sun was still glowing feebly in the late afternoon. Rode the Greenway to the lakes and did a figure 8 around Calhoun and Harriet, then back again on the Greenway and back home through Uptown. The hands got a bit cold, even with lobster claws and polypro liners. Feet were fine due to chemical warmers. The jacket blocked the north wind nicely, and all I needed on underneath was a light Underarmour shirt and my summer jersey. Jogging pants over tights keep the jewels warm. Trails were mostly packed snow, but I could hear the ice underneath. Once I went over a patch of glare ice before I even saw it coming, but absolutely nothing happened! The tires aren't as cumbersome as everyone was saying, but I was by no means zipping along, nor was I trying to. Just a leisurely trial around town. Saw some paraskiers (or whatever you call them) on the lakes, and some very happy dogs at Calhoun and the dog park. Lights were switched over from the BMC to the cyclocross bike, and came on for the way home through Uptown. I think I'm set for bike commuting now - just have to give myself a bit more time though! I do have to say it was pretty fun riding on snow and ice and slush with impunity. It felt kinda hard core!

Studs

Rowr!

This and that

This blog was at 666 posts, so it's good I decided to update it! No Twine Ball cyclocross race today. Turns out it's been neutered: they took out the centerpiece of the race (a big mound from which you can see the rest of the course) and made it flat and fast. Saves me $25 and a long drive. Too bad, though, that was my best race last year. Plus I slept in - that was nice! Looking forward to the Wirth race tomorrow. The Ridley crew is putting it on, so I expect a good cyclocross-y course from them. It'll be the only urban race this year, so hopefully there will be a Powderhorn/Boom Island turnout. Plus, Meow is bringing pumpkin muffins, which is reason enough right there!

I'm ashamed to admit I haven't bike commuted since we moved offices. Considering the new office is closer, that's pretty pathetic. But today I did a trial run of my new route, and I have my lock and shoes at work, so I'm all set to start bike commuting on Monday. The poor Surly is still a parts donor at the moment, so I'll be taking the BMC for now. I don't think it's too happy about having lights on, but no fenders or saddle bag yet. It'll just have to come to grips with the fact that road racing season is over, and be happy to get out of the house at least!

Running has taken a back seat now that the duathlon is over. I still run a couple times a week, but no speedwork. It'll kick up again once cyclocross season is over and it gets too cold to ride.

I'm really scared about the economy. Lame duck Republican president that no one believes any more, already in debt to our eyeballs because of Iraq, years of deregulation and mortgage time bombs ticking away for some time to come. A general sense of doom pervades. I'm okay for the moment, but like many people, I'm a paycheck away from trouble. The only good thing is that I moved the bulk of my 401(k) into a conservative account a while ago. Everyone says buy low sell high, but I'm not quite ready to roll it over into my more aggressive account with my current employer. We haven't hit bottom yet either.

"The Portland effect"

Pacer commuter coming along

The Surly Pacer is being reincarnated yet again. This frame is so versatile! It started out as my only geared road bike and got me started road racing. Believe it or not, I won a couple races on this tank! Then it became my Cycle Oregon bike. Perfect plush ride for long days in the saddle. Then it got kicked to the curb for a while when I got the Basso racing bike. I cleaned it up here after its near death from salt exposure and subsequent neglect. Then it became a parts donor for road and cyclocross racing. Now it's going to be my commuter. New fenders, derailleur, overhauled down to the frame and rebuilt. Still needs bar tape, saddle, finish dialing in the shifting and headset, and it's good to go. Just in time to commute after Hell Week to maintain base fitness.