Chrome Molly

Did the 2nd leg of the WTC (Kickapoo Kicker), but lightning caused a late start so the field was limited to 100k only. Headwind almost the entire way (east wind off the storm, then a wicked south wind once it warmed up). Lots of water filled potholes and a decent rear wheel slide out of Wildcat mountain (wound up sliding across upcoming riders path, but wow it was slick, two people behind me lost it entirely). Popped off a water bottle from the potholes and had to stop to adjust the rear wheel twice (horizontal drops and big impact, better than new wheel I suppose). All in good fun.

hodgykins 

Cool would have fit him perfect too small for me and might be in my best interest not to buy another bike for a while. Keep the peace so to speak...unless a must have pops up UGH

hodgykins 

I heard it was bad. E-Merlin was there and backed out...based on what I heard you are brave! Congrats on your finsh

scotjonscot

I was looking for you! What wave did you depart in? I was doing great until a rear flat at around 27 miles. Had a heck of a time getting my tire off. Went back on easy though. Thankfully a volunteer with a floor pump spared me from having to use my mini pump. Never seen so many flats!

Chrome Molly

I went out with the first wave. Was looking for you on the Panasonic, but missed you. With all the rain, I was in the car until right before the start.

I think all the flats were a result of all the spray from the tires. People were hitting all sorts of things that they'd normally avoid (I certainly did). Felt bad for my friend, he was right behind the guy who died. I guess if you gotta go, that's how I'd want to, but in my 80's please...

We gotta get a training ride in before the DD. Maybe the Afton to Marine route we did last year...?

RobbieTunes

I'm on the beach today, Myrtle Beach SC. Just sitting there, reading a TdF preview that had one TdF bike from each team photo'd and weighed, components, etc. Next to us sits down a family, guy's wearing a Durango ride T-shirt (Colorado). He goes into the water with his kids; his wife starts talking to us, "you know," and I realize she's likely from MN or WI. I ask innocently "did he bring his bike?... long drive from Wisconsin, from the sound of it."

Turns out they're from just SW of Waukesha, here for a baseball tournament. Invited him and his family to the DD, and explained the other things to do that day in Mineral Point. I hope we may have picked up another. Typical story he can tell folks: drove to SC, got invited to a ride back in WI. Hopefully, we can put another chapter to it.

scotjonscot

Yeah, if you're gonna go... but I agree with you- 80's or 90's please! I rode out with the second wave. My flat was caused by a sharp little piece of gravel- really screwed up my time. I've got to get faster at changing a tube! I see that you did quite well. I'll be in touch about that Afton/Marine loop. Maybe towards end of July?

smontanaro 

Ah, that's sad. The couple news items I found didn't give a cause of death, but said they didn't think it was due to head trauma. The way it was described also sounded like nobody saw him go down. Heart attack or stroke? Here's one item.

Chrome Molly

From the accounts I heard, it was as though he was out when he hit the ground or just shortly after.

Scot, end of July for sure. PM me and we'll put a ride together. You did well considering the description of what it took to fix your flat. I rode with a group in Michigan that used to time with a stop watch when you had a flat. You tried to get it fixed in under a minute thirty, but I usually failed miserably...

scotjonscot

A minute 30! HA! In my wildest dreams. It took me close to 15 just to get the tire off the rim. (tried the no levers method-wasn't very good at it) Looking at my Garmin info, I see it took almost exactly 20 minutes total. Not ideal.

bibliobob

FYI, my wife has registered and will be coming along. Don't worry, she's a strong rider and can hold her own with the post ride beers as well

iab

What happened to the tri?

RobbieTunes

Trying to mimic hills.
Tonight, 53/12 single speed 18-mile loop.
Seemed to work, quads are shot.
Tomorrow, I'll do my long ride with ankle weights.
Looks dumb, but by 30 miles, you know it.
Light beer, too. No lager until the DD.

Probably won't help a bit.

bibliobob

She decided that she hadn't trained enough to do it properly, and that we could do more riding together for the DD (and train for L'Eroica at the same time).

The Tri sent a blast email offering half refunds for anyone that wanted to transfer their spot (high demand), so she did.

She took the offer, which is very cool for me. But, if she'd bothered to ask me first, I would've encouraged her to stick with the Tri.

But, she's still doing the Chicago tri, and I'm sure she'll qualify for next year's Age Group Nationals.....

Don't let her eat any bagels. Give her a bagel, and she's dangerous on a bike. Just goes forever....

RobbieTunes

Another strong rider. I'm gonna need a motor.

iab

Why not ride faster?

bibliobob

You and me both. Work's been nuts. The Blackhawks and bad storms make for long days and short weekends. But, if the rain holds off, I'll get a couple good rides in this weekend.

You going to BAMF? It's pretty close to you. There's a chance that I might catch a day of it...

RobbieTunes

Mixing it up. An entire ride on 53/12 is a lot like climbing, much lower rpms, but same push. Tomorrow's 50-miler will be with a partner, and I'll pull the entire time. The weights tend to to make a difference on the last 20, when I won't feel like pulling. Sort of like the last 20 of the DD, when I only feel like drinking.

RobbieTunes

I'm hoping. I've got some wrenching to do.

RobbieTunes

Bump.

I have a cancellation on a double room at the Dairyland Motel.
Two double beds.
Thur/Fri/Sat night for $129 total.

You don't have to take all three nights.

I paid for it, and was reimbursed by the guy who has to cancel.
He'd like to get his money back, I'm sure.

Anyone need a room?

Walking distance to the Walker House, adjacent to a restaurant and a convenience store, and all riding is downhill from there.

RobbieTunes

This thread had gotten a little stale, so bumping again.

Still planning on an '85 Ironman with a compact 50/34 and Campy 12-26.
One of the new Schwalbe tires is defective, so I may have to switch skins.

Anyone else?

bibliobob

My '54 Bianchi frame is still at Ron Boi's shop, waiting for the dropout to be replaced. And, I haven't had a reply from Duane/Chester Cycles, in regards to my email asking about paint.

So, I might be putting a TA crank on either the Cinelli or the Colnago? I could also ride the Gran Jublile, which has a TA triple on it.

smontanaro 

As long as we are discussing gearing... I recently installed an SR Apex with 48/30 rings on my RRB. With the 14-28 Shimano freewheel, that gave me a 30-28 low (28.4 inches), but also only a 48-14 high (91 inches). Then a couple days ago, as I was rummaging around in a pile of parts I received recently (bibliobob knows of what I speak), I encountered a grimy 5-speed Regina Gran Sport Corse freewheel with 13-15-17-19-21 cogs. I cleaned it in my cheapo Harbor Freight ultrasonic cleaner and lubed it. Seems to spin fine... The 48-13 high gives me 98 inches, while the 30-21 low is 37.9. That will be much better than the 42-24 low gear (46.4 inches) I rode last year. And, it has the added advantage that I can replace the Shimano freewheel with a Regina. :-)

Barrettscv 

I'll be going with the Serotta Nova Special X. I do need to make sure the rear hub is in perfect condition after the rebuild.

hodgykins 

I am still up in the air as to what I will ride. I love my Paramount so may go with that it has a 54-46-36 triple with a 13-23 rear end. But my new (CV) Trek is really fun and thought it would be fun to ride that with Tom and his Trek. It has a 52-42 front end with a 13-28 rear end. I am feeling good about my rides this year even if not real low, as I have lots of miles and plan on many more by the time the DD roles around, so I think I will be able to handle most hills, but if not I can always walk...and there is no shame in that right?

Honestly @BarrettSvc...through it would be cool to have Tom on a 6 series, me on my 7 and you on your 9...good Trek CV showing?