How hard can it be? A few tools, some parts, and some sweat equity...surely assembling a bike can't be *that* hard? Order the frame, order the components, bust a few knuckles - too easy.
After figuring out the pieces, parts, and with one "uncle, just fix this widget" moment...we finished the assembly. Still have to add the 'puter and the water bottle - but it's done. The "Honey Badger" has been on its maiden voyage (3 times now...each one still feels all new and shiny). She's going outside again tomorrow for a proof ride before the RDW does another in what is becoming a long list of "dumb ideas that made sense at the time." Yep, after riding the bike only four (maybe five if the weather cooperates on Tuesday) times, the HB will be running in slow-motion in action down at the Gulf Coast Tri. And yes, the GCT is, in fact, another of those "dumb ideas that made sense at the time" - in early January it seemed like a great idea to start the season with a half-iron distance race. You know, to keep it fresh and all. Besides, what could go wrong with a plan to train in the Northeast in winter and a record setting-ly wet and cold spring...and then race in the high 80s, high humidity IN FLORIDA! WTF?! Yea gawds.
Pics will be posted later. And for the record, you probably want to buy a complete bike or have a local bike shop build one up for you. It's cheaper, less stressful, and if something isn't right - you are less likely to ponder flinging the shiny new piece of joy into a river. But, it looks like a rocket ship, and that's what's important!
Saturday, April 30, 2011
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
These ideas brief well...and then the execution goes horribly awry.
We had a local 15K running event last Sunday. The weather was supposed to be great...mid-50s, no rain...and it's an event that helps support building and maintaining a rail-trail. Really, what could be better than a 15k for a good cause? And yes - there is a t-shirt involved, so it's practically like you're getting paid to participate!
And then we got hold of the concept and had to turn it into something epic. Since we (ok, really, the RDW) have been slacking a bit and there is no glory to be had for either of us at a running race...we decided to make it a true training event. The race begins in a park about 18 miles away that's on some of our biking routes. It wasn't much of a stretch to decide to ride out there, do the run as a solid tempo workout, and then ride home. It truly briefed well - as you read that last sentence, you thought...that's not so bad and is totally do-able for those nutballs. It was supposed to play out as about an hour warm-up ride, a solid tempo run workout, and then a leisurely ride home. Too easy!
Saturday, it rained all day. The local airport recorded a record rainfall (3.49 inches!), and the creeks were out of their banks in some places. But, Sunday arrived and promised to deliver no rain and some sun. Sunday also brought with it a steady 20-30 mph wind, with stiffer gusts. The winds were out of the west-southwest. Our bike out to the start headed in the west-southwest direction. And the run was point-to-point, slightly uphill (~1%), from Newville to Shippensburg - yep, you guessed it, heading west-southwest. Despite all those facts, we decided that we needed a stiff drink from a nice, steaming hot mug of HTFU.
We found the bike locks, packed up our running shoes, put on our helmets and headed out the door in the name of "training." The route from the house goes about 1/3 mile south and then turned straight into the wind. We were averaging a whopping 13 mph with the CC&BW "breaking wind" and the RDW with the backpack bringing up the rear. About 6 miles into the ride, RDW had to ask, "At what point does this cross the line from crazy into dumb." The CC&BW could only respond, "About two miles ago," but continued "breaking wind" and we persevered. At one point, we slowed and watched a car pass through about 6 inches of moving water on the roadway - it was completely flooded and we slowly made out way across...a sarcastic hooray for wet socks and a serious hooray for both of us making it across with only wet socks. We got to the race check-in after 1 1/2 hours of hearty effort and nearly missed the last bus to the start line. At least we didn't need a warm up; clearly the training deities had taken some pity on the mere mortals.
We ran into one of the local serious athletes. He was going to drive to the start, do the run, then run back to his car for an 18+ mile day. The best part - he told us that he thought about riding out but decided not to because it was too windy to ride. Somehow, we've become less stable than the guy who thinks racing for 9.3 miles and then running the same distance back to his car is a normal training day.
The race was definitely into the wind. At some points, the tree lined rail trail gave way to open pasture and not yet planted corn fields. Aaaah, the smell of spring in south-central PA...bring that honey wagon around for another pass. We survived the run and the CC&BW took 3d in his age group! Hooray!
We scarfed down the BBQ chicken and fixins that they were serving, saddled up with our hard won t-shirts and headed home, excited about the tailwind. We practically flew back, making it (even with a bit of a detour to avoid the flooded roadway) in under an hour and averaging almost 21 mph. The RDW was in the lead for a most of the return trip, so to hit those speeds...clearly, the wind was blowing strong and steady.
And this, kids, is why you should never trust the CC&BW when he gets that "I've got an idea" look in his eyes. Naturally, he blames RDW.
And then we got hold of the concept and had to turn it into something epic. Since we (ok, really, the RDW) have been slacking a bit and there is no glory to be had for either of us at a running race...we decided to make it a true training event. The race begins in a park about 18 miles away that's on some of our biking routes. It wasn't much of a stretch to decide to ride out there, do the run as a solid tempo workout, and then ride home. It truly briefed well - as you read that last sentence, you thought...that's not so bad and is totally do-able for those nutballs. It was supposed to play out as about an hour warm-up ride, a solid tempo run workout, and then a leisurely ride home. Too easy!
Saturday, it rained all day. The local airport recorded a record rainfall (3.49 inches!), and the creeks were out of their banks in some places. But, Sunday arrived and promised to deliver no rain and some sun. Sunday also brought with it a steady 20-30 mph wind, with stiffer gusts. The winds were out of the west-southwest. Our bike out to the start headed in the west-southwest direction. And the run was point-to-point, slightly uphill (~1%), from Newville to Shippensburg - yep, you guessed it, heading west-southwest. Despite all those facts, we decided that we needed a stiff drink from a nice, steaming hot mug of HTFU.
We found the bike locks, packed up our running shoes, put on our helmets and headed out the door in the name of "training." The route from the house goes about 1/3 mile south and then turned straight into the wind. We were averaging a whopping 13 mph with the CC&BW "breaking wind" and the RDW with the backpack bringing up the rear. About 6 miles into the ride, RDW had to ask, "At what point does this cross the line from crazy into dumb." The CC&BW could only respond, "About two miles ago," but continued "breaking wind" and we persevered. At one point, we slowed and watched a car pass through about 6 inches of moving water on the roadway - it was completely flooded and we slowly made out way across...a sarcastic hooray for wet socks and a serious hooray for both of us making it across with only wet socks. We got to the race check-in after 1 1/2 hours of hearty effort and nearly missed the last bus to the start line. At least we didn't need a warm up; clearly the training deities had taken some pity on the mere mortals.
We ran into one of the local serious athletes. He was going to drive to the start, do the run, then run back to his car for an 18+ mile day. The best part - he told us that he thought about riding out but decided not to because it was too windy to ride. Somehow, we've become less stable than the guy who thinks racing for 9.3 miles and then running the same distance back to his car is a normal training day.
The race was definitely into the wind. At some points, the tree lined rail trail gave way to open pasture and not yet planted corn fields. Aaaah, the smell of spring in south-central PA...bring that honey wagon around for another pass. We survived the run and the CC&BW took 3d in his age group! Hooray!
We scarfed down the BBQ chicken and fixins that they were serving, saddled up with our hard won t-shirts and headed home, excited about the tailwind. We practically flew back, making it (even with a bit of a detour to avoid the flooded roadway) in under an hour and averaging almost 21 mph. The RDW was in the lead for a most of the return trip, so to hit those speeds...clearly, the wind was blowing strong and steady.
And this, kids, is why you should never trust the CC&BW when he gets that "I've got an idea" look in his eyes. Naturally, he blames RDW.
Saturday, April 9, 2011
Best of the Season!
A local group hosts a 10 mile time trial (TT) biweekly. Last Thursday was the first of the season and both the CC&BW and RDW got personal bests for the year!
It's funny how these things progress. We first met up with this group two years ago when we were "getting started" and before any tri's. I say "getting started" bc it's all relative - most folks have ridden a bike since childhood and, well, riding a bike is supposed to be something that you never forget how to do. We thought we knew how to ride bikes and while we weren't/aren't fast...it's just riding a bike after all. Right?
The first time out was beyond humbling. We showed up, and compared to the rocket ships of the other riders, we felt like our shiny bikes were Huffy's with banana seats, streamers coming out of the handlebars, and playing cards clothespinned to the fork, you know, to make that cool engine sound as the card struck the spokes. Really...these folks looked insane to us with their fancy time trial bikes, disc wheels, aero helmets, shoe covers, skin tight one-piece outfits...you name it and these racers had the bling and the toys... Add in the fact that RDW "conveniently" pulled a space cadet move and forgot her shoes, forcing CC&BW to go it alone - not an auspicious beginning.
A couple weeks later we were back, still on our "Huffys" giving it another go. The course is a five mile out and back, generally trending uphill on the way out and down on the way back in. Locals say it has "rollers" but in our minds and even with the local riding we were doing, those were hills. There are two significant "rollers" in each direction...and I was glad to have the triple chain ring up front so that I could get into granny gear, stand up, and get my soul crushed at least four times (out and back). Our times weren't good, but since it didn't kill us, it had to make us stronger. We are itinerant attendees but try to go when we can. There is no understatement to the notion that a rider + stop watch + known distance = sufferfest / race of truth. There is no hiding out there, no drafting, and it is humbling and inspiring to watch the other participants.
Now two years later, on this past Thursday, we both had good rides. For the first time ever, the RDW didn't need to use the triple chain ring. As I'm still trying to justify the rocket ship / tri bike we're building up, it was a necessary step both physically and mentally. And, both RDW and CC&BW (who has graduated to riding a rocket ship tri bike) rode about a minute faster than their best times from last year. Yay!
ps - now we tell folks (and ourselves) that the course has some "rollers" - it's amazing what even that little mental shift can do. I think we're ready for the "massive climbs" along the Florida coast. Bring on those highway overpasses!
It's funny how these things progress. We first met up with this group two years ago when we were "getting started" and before any tri's. I say "getting started" bc it's all relative - most folks have ridden a bike since childhood and, well, riding a bike is supposed to be something that you never forget how to do. We thought we knew how to ride bikes and while we weren't/aren't fast...it's just riding a bike after all. Right?
The first time out was beyond humbling. We showed up, and compared to the rocket ships of the other riders, we felt like our shiny bikes were Huffy's with banana seats, streamers coming out of the handlebars, and playing cards clothespinned to the fork, you know, to make that cool engine sound as the card struck the spokes. Really...these folks looked insane to us with their fancy time trial bikes, disc wheels, aero helmets, shoe covers, skin tight one-piece outfits...you name it and these racers had the bling and the toys... Add in the fact that RDW "conveniently" pulled a space cadet move and forgot her shoes, forcing CC&BW to go it alone - not an auspicious beginning.
A couple weeks later we were back, still on our "Huffys" giving it another go. The course is a five mile out and back, generally trending uphill on the way out and down on the way back in. Locals say it has "rollers" but in our minds and even with the local riding we were doing, those were hills. There are two significant "rollers" in each direction...and I was glad to have the triple chain ring up front so that I could get into granny gear, stand up, and get my soul crushed at least four times (out and back). Our times weren't good, but since it didn't kill us, it had to make us stronger. We are itinerant attendees but try to go when we can. There is no understatement to the notion that a rider + stop watch + known distance = sufferfest / race of truth. There is no hiding out there, no drafting, and it is humbling and inspiring to watch the other participants.
Now two years later, on this past Thursday, we both had good rides. For the first time ever, the RDW didn't need to use the triple chain ring. As I'm still trying to justify the rocket ship / tri bike we're building up, it was a necessary step both physically and mentally. And, both RDW and CC&BW (who has graduated to riding a rocket ship tri bike) rode about a minute faster than their best times from last year. Yay!
ps - now we tell folks (and ourselves) that the course has some "rollers" - it's amazing what even that little mental shift can do. I think we're ready for the "massive climbs" along the Florida coast. Bring on those highway overpasses!
Sunday, April 3, 2011
That day is NOT today...
...check out the new Mojo Poster.
What are you going to keep doing or start doing today?
What are you going to keep doing or start doing today?
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