I will almost have no choice . . . in a fit of madness, I sent in a registration for the BBC's "Tour de Montes," and, mirabile dictu, I got in. Hills, hills, hills, here I come, all spring long!
What was I thinking**********? :eek:

Isn't that a multi-day ride? I've read about it (a little bit) in the BBC Newsletter. I usually can't get away for those types of events.

Yes, it's a Friday, Saturday, and Sunday thing, a little over 100 miles each day, somewhere out in the Western MD/PA mountains. (June 29, 30, and July 1.)

Wow!!! Good luck!

Thanks, I will need it!!

Well I just found out I am teaching at a performance driving school on Saturday and competing in an autocross on Sunday so looks like riding will be minimal for me this weekend. To top it off, I have training all next week so my "vacation" appears to be over for the moment.

Dan or Don, either of you going to the HoCoCyclists ride tonight from Folly Quarter at 6pm? Look me up, I'll be the only tall guy on a Salsa.

Edit: I would like to try to get some longer (40+ miles) rides in tomorrow and Friday during the day if anyone is available.

Mike

No, I got to pick the wife up at MARC around 5:20 then decide if I'm riding inside or out tonight. I'd love to do Hoco ride but by the time I got up there they'd be long gone.

I'll plan to hook up with you one weeknight as the daylight gets longer.

Don

Bummer. I guess I will be riding solo this weekend then. That's ok. I don't mind the solitude.

I will give you a call tomorrow after my meeting. Provided I can get my cranks back together.

-D

Well about 14 people showed up for the HoCoCyclists ride from Folly Quarter Middle School tonight. There were two options for the ride: 11 miles or 15 miles. About 10 people opted for the 15 mile ride and that is the way I went. Of the 14 people that showed there were 5 women: one of them played sweep for the 11 mile ride. The other 4 mostly kicked my arse. I finished with the group, but not without pain. I think I'll become a regular on this Wednesday ride, especially once the days get a little longer. Ride details below:

http://trail.motionbased.com/trail/activity/2292026

So what would you say the level of riding is - A, B, C? Average speed?

It's all there under the Motionbased link--avg speed, climbing, % grade, etc.

NO BIKE FOR YOU!

When wrenching goes wrong...

I guess i will be Mountain biking for the next few days.

-D

For those who bike commute to work, here is something you may want to address:

http://capwiz.com/lab/issues/alert/?alertid=8647031

You can send email or form letters to your representatives regarding this legislation.

Sent!

Great! That makes at least two of us!

I like the fact that one of the original 2 sponsors of this bill was Mark Foley.:eek: Regardless, count me in!

This is only the third time I've ridden with this group. The Wednesday ride is advertised as an "all pace" ride (A, B, C) with no drops. Once the weather gets a bit warmer they said they usually have 30+ people at the start, with B being the largest group. According to those that were there last night, this ride was a B pace, probably at the higher end. At any rate, seems like a really great group of people.

Mike

Looks like the weekend could be wet. :(

Well, I started out on a ride that I thout would be around 15 miles tonight and wound up being around 21. I decided to ride from my house to the BWI trail, and do a loop around the airport. I screwed up and followed another bike path that connected to the B&A Trail. Once I found myself on the B&A trail I decided to just try to make it home using the B&A trail to East West Highway in Millersville and head back to Odenton that way. Well, it started getting dark, so I had to cut the ride short at 21 miles and hang out at my parents house until my wife cam and picked my lame butt up with the Xterra.
It was fun though. Nice and flat, but too many road crossings for my taste.

Here is the ride at MotionBased
http://trail.motionbased.com/trail/i...kValue=2297831

Cheers!!

Yea, actually makes me feel a bit better personally since the Giant is going to the shop tomorrow.

-D

Did you get your crank problem sorted out? Or, is that why it's going to the shop.

I did some maintenance last night. Pulled the chain, dipped it in solvant, dried it out and then soaked in White Lightning. While the chain was soaking in the lube, I pulled the cassette and cleaned it up. The drivetrain felt much better during the bike commute to work this morning.

Yep that is the reason. If I stand over the bike while stationary, and put my foot on the right pedal. With the pedal at 6 o'clock, and push down slightly I can feel movement and hear a click.

If I then push down slightly on the left pedal it does it again.

I tried pulling the cranks but it got a little ugly.

Otherwise I troubleshot the pedals (put another pair on) as well as cleaned up the drivetrain (chain, cassette, chainrings).

If it gets nice I will just mountain bike some. Good workout.

-D

Well, that sux--about the hex bolt head rounding off. I'm very careful with the alloy bolts on my crank arms. I had a case, when I switched to the compact, where a bolt was promising to round off in future attempts to tighten or loosen. I'm glad that I had new bolts to use with the compact crank.

I know. I went as slowly as possible. When I put a torque wrench on the bolt first and checked, I sent it off the scale and the bolt would not budge. My guess is that the factory torqued them too high. On the one bolt I was able to get off I put it back on to torque specs and it will come back off now properly.

-D

Awfully quiet in here lately. Have you folks been riding?

I'm riding to this one tomorrow (BBC ride):

SUNDAY
======
18 MPH - 10 am - 52 miles
START: MSC - Manor Shopping Center
The old tried & true Delta ride. Will choose between the 2 rides. Lunch at Italian Restaurant in Delta. Moderately hilly with hilly sections.

The ride is 23 miles to and from Jacksonville, then 52 miles for the ride to and from Delta. So, I'll have close to a century by the time I get home. :)