Road Cycling - What a day!

I have not posted much lately...have not had much to write about! With family and job obligations, and our weather, I have only been able to get in the occasional short commute to work and home.

Today, at 1 PM, the temp was 72, with a south-west wind of 5 to 15 mph. The forcast for tomorrow is for the winds to double in speed, and the high temperature to plunge 50 degrees. Such are the vagarities of weather here in the mid-west.

Despite having plenty of chores that needed done outside, I did what any roadie would do...aired up the tires on ol' Blue, my trusty Paramount, and went out for a little spin.

What extacy! The sound of the old Michelin tires on the roadway, the faint hum of the well-lubricated bearings running in thier races, the muted click of the Ultegra groupo as it guides the chain from one ring to the next, the feeling that my heart is going to jump out of my chest as I pound up a hill, but then I crest it and grab some taller gears for the downhill ride, and I am amazed at how quickly my breathing recovers to prepare myself for the next hill! I am all alone, but I am one with my beloved velocipede, and for a while. all is well in my world!

I sincerly hope that you who are reading this have shared my expience, as you are the only ones who will understand. I pity the many poor souls who passed me in thier cars, for they will never know.

Tomorrow (after I have bundled up and done the chores!) I will be out in my shop working on the Nishiki that I am restoring. Once finished, I will give this bike to some deserving person, and maybe light a fire in another soul!

WOW! Here in Illinois it got warm today, but not that warm!.. you lucky dog you! I was pretty much stuck indoors studying with occasional breaks to eat and look at the computer. I guess I'll be on the trainer again tonight.

LOL! Well, I have a trainer, too, but nothing beats being outside! But, you gotta do what you gotta do!

Only 147 days 'till RAGBRAI!

Very nice post, Nebill. When the road beckons, surely chores can wait....

Originally posted by JonR
Very nice post, Nebill. When the road beckons, surely chores can wait....
Wished I could say that about school work! I did when I was a kid, so I guess I'm paying the piper now!

YES 147 days!

Well written Nebill. Yes, I know those very feelings quite well. It's always good to hear someone who enjoys cycling for the simple pleasure that it can be.

Originally posted by nebill
I have not posted much lately...have not had much to write about! With family and job obligations, and our weather, I have only been able to get in the occasional short commute to work and home.
That's about all I ever get to do! :p


Today, at 1 PM, the temp was 72, with a south-west wind of 5 to 15 mph. The forcast for tomorrow is for the winds to double in speed, and the high temperature to plunge 50 degrees. Such are the vagarities of weather here in the mid-west.
My folks in Estes Park, CO would agree with you, there!


Despite having plenty of chores that needed done outside, I did what any roadie would do...aired up the tires on ol' Blue, my trusty Paramount, and went out for a little spin.

What extacy! The sound of the old Michelin tires on the roadway, the faint hum of the well-lubricated bearings running in thier races, the muted click of the Ultegra groupo as it guides the chain from one ring to the next, the feeling that my heart is going to jump out of my chest as I pound up a hill, but then I crest it and grab some taller gears for the downhill ride, and I am amazed at how quickly my breathing recovers to prepare myself for the next hill! I am all alone, but I am one with my beloved velocipede, and for a while. all is well in my world!
Are you sure you don't write for the local paper? :beer:



I sincerly hope that you who are reading this have shared my expience, as you are the only ones who will understand. I pity the many poor souls who passed me in thier cars, for they will never know.
Give them time, they may be blessed...



Tomorrow (after I have bundled up and done the chores!) I will be out in my shop working on the Nishiki that I am restoring. Once finished, I will give this bike to some deserving person, and maybe light a fire in another soul!
If the "wood is wet," please consider throwing some wood on my fire! I would find a good use for that Nishiki...

(NOTE: I am 5'5" tall, but I will ride anything that allows me pedal reach! )

Nice try, Pete, but you already have a bike! Too bad, the Nishiki would be just about the right size, too!


Are you sure you don't write for the local paper?

Nope, I write for this place! Having to write might just ruin it for me.


If the "wood is wet,"

That is how I heat the shop, with an old pot-belly stove. But I have a days worth of wood already piled up in there, so no wet wood...at least for tomorrow! :D

I can relate to that sweet post of yours, Nebill. It adds a new dimension to the expression ”get the spring feeling”. When you haven’t biked for a long time, the snow has melted away and the machines are sweeping away the gravel from the streets, mounting your bike is like... flying.

Right now I’m itching to get my bike from my LBS, where I will keep it till all the snow is gone. It’s in such a perfect shape now after the most thorough repair ever made on it, that I don’t wanna mess it up with slush.

Originally posted by nebill
[B]Nice try, Pete, but you already have a bike! [B]
What's your point...

:confused:

;)

Lucky you Bill!

I am the proud owner of brand new road/racing bike from a month ago and I am "chewing at the bit" just waiting of the weather to relent

The weather is a succession of foul days and when it is dry the gritters are out spreading their pernascious salt on the roads.

I refuse to submit my lovely shinning machine to such conditions.
so at the moment must content myself to admiring and dreaming of long sunny days in the saddle. :rolleyes:

take care, Will`c

Willic, I saw reference to 20-foot snow drifts, on BBC News Online. Is that true, or a bad joke? Do you have it that bad in your parts? :eek:

("A snowmobile! A snowmobile! My kingdom for a snowmobile!" --Richard III)

My point, Pete, (as I am sure you know!)is to try and help someone else onto the path to bicycling bliss...and I believe you have already arrived!

And willic, how well we all know the anguish caused by forces over which we as mere mortals have no control. But, as with many things, patience will rule, and soon you will be doing instead of dreaming! And congrats on your new ride! Post pics if you have 'em!

Originally posted by nebill
What extacy! The sound of the old Michelin tires on the roadway, the faint hum of the well-lubricated bearings running in thier races, the muted click of the Ultegra groupo as it guides the chain from one ring to the next, the feeling that my heart is going to jump out of my chest as I pound up a hill, but then I crest it and grab some taller gears for the downhill ride, and I am amazed at how quickly my breathing recovers to prepare myself for the next hill! I am all alone, but I am one with my beloved velocipede, and for a while. all is well in my world!

I sincerly hope that you who are reading this have shared my expience, as you are the only ones who will understand. I pity the many poor souls who passed me in thier cars, for they will never know.



As usual nebill, you have hit the nail right on the head and summed up exactly the feeling which makes me climb on the bike each day that I can.

Enjoy RAGBRAI!

John

Jonr!. I have`nt noticed any deep snowdrifts in my area , but its quite low lying here in the dale. We are surrounded by several area`s of high hills where i believe there were quite substantial snow falls at the weekend, I expect there were some fair size drifts as the wind was also strong.

This morning I hear on the radio, is a real mixture , heavy rain at low levels causing flooding and snow again on the high ground blocking roads at Carter Bar (as usual) and Hartside.

Frustratingly! my new steed will have to wait a while yet before it ventures onto the roads (sigh).

God bless.
Willi`c