Haven't ridden with my buddy Lou in quite some time, so this morning the two of us went for a 50 mile ride and caught up on all the latest trash. While it was hot out, it was actually very enjoyable with a nice breeze blowing.

8AM is still illusive but 8:40 was doable. 64° to start. Getting used to the new toy (Tarmac), similar to the Allez but just enough difference between it and the Roubaix to notice. A lot heavier (21lbs) than with original components. But still a beautiful machine.
Attachment 531931

1:29PM It is so nice out I rode another 8 miles on the Allez, still my favorite bike with the Tarmac & Roubaix close seconds. Total of 26.6 miles.

2016: 2,796 Miles ♂ Total Miles: 12,394
Allez 1143/3575 · Roubaix 1158/3690 · Tarmac 113/113 · Sirrus 188/2223 · Trike 194/1778



The standard Chinese typewriter has 1,500 characters.

25 tandem miles this morning starting at 9am before it got real hot - 94F and humid now in the late afternoon. Because my stoker decided last year one of the roads we were riding on frequently - to get over to where the good roads were - was not fun because of heavy traffic, we started riding in a different direction on different roads that includes several long stretches of rolling terrain with very smooth road surfaces - and light motor traffic.

40 mi in the 100+ heat index this afternoon. Was 102 when I started. Was sopping wet but happy when I finished :D


https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-...kbrSVmS-XL.jpg

120.75 miles.

Threat of a thunderstorm. Thunder and lightning, but it never got close. About 5 rain drops.
Got to an overhang on a deserted building, put on raincoat Looked at sky, decided to ride. Took off raincoat
later. Very strong winds when the storm was close. branches, pine needles and junk dumped all over the road, and on my head for a while. Somehow a stick got into the back spokes. It touched my leg and left. No apparent damage!

After a long and hot day at work, a nice dinner with my wife, I grabbed the black Cannondale and shot out of town on a favorite criterium route. Rode that 10mi hilly little course in record time and 17.4mph avg. Still getting faster in my late 50's. :)

Another 50 miler with the gang this morning. Considering I didn't get much sleep last night, the ride wet remarkably well. We even got in a few miles with Amanda.

Just a few miles today, started late with temperature in the mid 80's. This is a view towards the Colorado National Monument.



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20160724-094316 by Steve Carter, on Flickr

Put a new set of Continental Ultra Sport II tires (mid range in price/protection) on the Tarmac. What a difference! Less rolling resistance, now I can pretend I'm still 28 (instead of 70) at a much great pace :p

Woke up this morning to a front flat, patched the tube, put the new tires on (a 20 min job for someone with mechanical skills, an hour for me), got 3 miles into the ride and realized I had installed the Rhinodillo liners sdrawkcab.
The front tire is luffing (like going over concrete spacers - only you're not on concrete).

Rode home, pulled both wheels, reinstalled the liners (correctly), made doubly sure the tubes were in flat, tires seated properly, double checked all the clincher seating. Went for a ride two hours late in the heat. Still luffing. Dunno why, but they sure are nice otherwise. Inept Я Us.

2016: 2,820 Miles ♂ Total Miles: 12,418
Allez 1143/3575 · Roubaix 1158/3690 · Tarmac 137/137 · Sirrus 188/2223 · Trike 194/1778



July 13, 1923 a sign consisting of 30-foot-tall letters spelling out "HOLLYWOODLAND" was dedicated in the Hollywood Hills to promote a subdivision. The last four letters were removed in 1949.

Is a spoke busted? I am not sure what luffing means.

Saturday - late in the day, when it was still too hot, went out for a solo 7 mile ride. Really appreciate the insulated Polar bottles - with a couple of inches of ice in the bottom, cold water available throughout a not-very-long ride.

Today - 23 tandem miles on the Screamer before it got real hot although it was hot and humid enough.

11 miles this morning, working on getting the wife back into riding.

Luffing: like when you ride over concrete expansion joints (thumpa - thumpa), but you're not on concrete.
Only happened after I put the new tires on, no bad spokes. I've checked over the tires, wheels, installation again, nothing. Unless I just happened to get a bad tire (not likely-they're Continentals).

I have a few more things to try - different tube, take out liners. I'll try that Tuesday.

Asthma attack mid-afternoon thwarted my plans to join a nighttime group ride downtown. But by 7 pm I decided to try a slowpoke cruise to the grocery store and back. Managed a 12 mph 18 mile round trip. Not too bad after the evening cooled down a bit.

Rode the Hastings section of the MRRT (Mississippi River Regional Trail), out-and-back was 38 miles according to the map. I did some extracurricular wandering, as usual, so it was probably closer to 45. Once you get out of town, the trail opens up towards Spring Lake. It was a beautiful day for a ride:

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GoG
 

Garden of the Gods, Colorado Springs, Colorado. 12 miles. All ups except for the last 1.5 miles back home. Slow, measured ride after missing a few days. I need to start putting in the 30-50 mile rides every 2 to 3 rides...

New bike rack
 

I wanted to ride but had to trim the angled clips on my bumper mount bike rack. So many gorgeous summer days here on the coast in the Pacific NW, that I can let a few days go without riding. But no more than a few! Tomorrow is a day for paddling with friends in our six seat outrigger canoe. Tuesday, I bike the Blue Slough Road between Cosmopolis and Montesano--oh yeah.

20.6 on the Tarmac. It's my new favorite. Looks like I have to return at least one of the new tires (still luffing), manufacturer defect (rare, but it happens). Cool enough at 8:30AM - 66°, 85° by noon, sunshine all day. Such a tough life :rolleyes:

2016: 2,840 Miles ♂ Total Miles: 12,438
Allez 1143/3575 · Roubaix 1158/3690 · Tarmac 158/158 · Sirrus 188/2223 · Trike 194/1778



In a study by the Smell & Taste Research Foundation, the scent women found most arousing was Good & Plenty candy mixed with cucumber.

Okay, I've tried to look it up, but the only online definitions I can find pertain to sailing.

Will you please tell me what you mean by "luffing" as it pertains to bicycle tires? :foo:

Thanks!

After work today, 20.2 mi. 1:01:45

A bicycling vacation on Cape Cod
 

Today is the last day of my vacation (sigh). I spent a week on Cape Cod, and then came home to Delaware to ride for a few days. I averaged 32.5 miles per day, Excluding two days that I was driving to/from the Cape. Not bad.
Delaware is a more bike friendly State than Massachusetts, but MA has some good trails. I LOVED biking on Martha's Vineyard. Took the Ferry from Woods Hole to Oak Bluffs, then rode to Edgarstown via Beach Road, through the State Park, and back to the Ferry. Rode the "Shining Sea Trail" in Falmouth. There are two bike shops along the path, both shops had friendly, helpful folks. I also rode along the Cape Cod Canal - a relatively short ride, but I did it twice. Plenty of places to stop and eat, have a latte, etc. Spectacular scenery along the ocean. I recommend it!

Park and ride
 

Parked car a few miles away from work, and rode the remaining 3.5 miles. It was supposed to be 'less humid', but could not prove it by me.


New, lower resistance Schwinn Street Comfort bike tires with Kevlar. Replaced bike tube last night, as well as rim strip. New front/rear bike lights, as the route I take goes from full sun to full shade (and back), and want to make sure I am visible.

They closed off the service road to the west parking lot, at the park, so everyone is limited to doing just the loop and the east parking lot service road. That comes out to an 11 mile lap vs a 24 mile lap when the west parking lot is open and we have access to the subdivision. :( Got in a nice 33 mile ride with the gang today. Since there is nothing to slow us down on the loop, our average mph went up significantly, but the ride gets really boring going around in circles.

Blessed are they that ride around in circles, for they shall be called Big Wheels.

Swapped out the new front tire for the older one, no more lumping, so it has to be the new tire. Fortunately AMAZON has an easy return/exchange policy. Did notice a difference in the rolling resistance (Continental is less).
20.6 miles on the Tarmac. Finally made it out by 8AM. 64°-84° range in 3 hours. Predicted high 99°.
Still a few things to upgrade (new chain rings, new cassette) but the more I ride this bike the more I love it. I may sleep with it.

2016: 2,861 Miles ♂ Total Miles: 12,459
Allez 1143/3575 · Roubaix 1158/3690 · Tarmac 178/178 · Sirrus 188/2223 · Trike 194/1778



George Washington insisted his continental army be permitted a quart of beer as part of their daily rations.
(My kinda guy!)

A quick 12 miles this evening on the rural hilly route before the on/off/on-again t-storms prompted me to head home. Felt good, didn't feel like I was really pushing but was about 2 mph faster than usual for that route. I suspect my app is lying to me, but I'll take it.