Today I:

Had planned to do my usual weekend ride to Hot Springs, 46 miles out and back over Warm Springs Mountain, on the Serotta. Yesterday was so much fun, though, that I took the bluebell instead (no camera because the forecast was for rain, which it did, should have put the camera in a ziploc bag and taken it anyway). The four mile climb up the mountain went better than I expected, as did the descent down the other side, but I cut the ride short and turned around after 14 miles. I managed to ride up and down both sides of the mountain, although that four mile descent took a lot out of me.

Tomorrow is back to work, so no more road rides this week.

Now waiting around for the fireworks.

I wonder if they've considered this over in the road forum? Pretty soon they'll be buying $6500 carbon fiber prosthetic dicks.

Today I ordered the new Wabi Lightning with 650c wheels. Happy day !

looking forward to the feedback

How does gearing work going from 700c to 650c? I assume that you choose gear combos for more gear inches?

I chose a gear combo with the same gear inches and a higher gear ratio. I chose a 46 x 15 for this bike, which is the same as 46 x 17 with 700c wheels and the same width tires. The bsd (bead seat diameter) of a 650c wheel is 571mm, whereas it is 662mm for a 700c wheel. So gearing increases about 16% when you go from 650c to 700c, but it is slightly less when you take the ratio of the actual outer tire diameter, more like 14%. Anyway, to get the same gear inches with a 650c wheel as a 700c tire, it turns out pretty close to reducing the rear cog tooth count by two.

Sunday I rode 64 miles on some trails out in the 'burbs. It was such a nice ride it made up for having to drive out there. Driving somewhere just to ride a bike kind of sucks, but expanding your options of where to go for nice long rides mostly makes up for it.

Today I kept my bike computer on for my commute and was pleasantly surprised to see that I've gotten faster compared to last year. This morning (with a slight headwind) I averaged 14.3 mph and considering I hit a stop sign or light every couple blocks, I'm pretty pleased with that. I was regularly looking down and seeing 18-20mph on the comp. I need to adjust my front derailleur so it doesn't rub, so I could go up (down?) one more gear and probably go faster (I got pretty spinny once I hit 20mph).

I ride 46 x 15 on my 650c wheels too - the fact that TT does the same makes me feel kinda badass. Although the other day I got seriously dropped by a friend on a geared bike that admitted she's "not very good at riding with other people" and I was wondering how fast I actually am on my single speed. Might have to install a computer on that bike too.

Where'd you go? I'm in desperate need of some good places to ride!

We drove to East Dundee and rode the Fox River Trail to the Illinois Prairie Trail (not to be confused with the Illinois Prairie Path), which we took up to the Wisconsin state line and back.

Google Map

The part through Sternes Woods has crazy hills for some reason - they even have all these signs saying you should dismount and walk due to the steep slopes. (We didn't.)


Fox River Trail and Illinois Prairie Trail by kazbo, on Flickr

Sweet, looks like a fun ride.

I'm used to being at a campus surrounded by cornfields where I can hop on my bike and ride in any direction for 2 miles and hit some great open roads, but even the suburbs of Chicago are filled with crappy roads and traffic. And it does suck to have to drive to a trail to ride.

Today, the university police ALMOST impounded my bike for locking up in an undesignated area. Campus Security was walking up with cutters to cut my ulock and take my bike as I was getting out of class to leave.

A few things. I didn't lock in an area that effects anything. It's a guard rail for a window well, very close to the building. I have been doing it for the last 4 weeks with no complaint. The other thing is, why wouldn't they give me a warning or something? Instead they would cut my ~$80 lock, and take my bike without telling me?! I would have assumed it stolen. Also the one class I have in this building is only 48 minutes long...

The nearest bike rack (needless to say, I will be locking at ) is on the opposite side of the neighboring building (little bit of a walk if you know OSU campus at all).

I can see wrongs on both sides, but it seems a little hard on their end.

ugh, bikes man, WHY!?

From avner's FB:

"Today a group of wholesale buyers came in. When they left, we found someone **** on the floor, wtf?"

"Dear middle eastern men, who brought their entire family to our warehouse and smelled of b/o, marlboro reds, coffee and haggled over every price as though we would sell below our cost. Why did you **** on the floor? Was the toliet too small? Did you think we were infidels? Did we somehow offend your sensibilities?"

wow that's lame

I started showing up 5 minutes before class and putting my bike in the back of the class before it's really noticeable. professor of course eventually sees it during a lecture, but never said a word.

Tried it out in other classes and not a peep. About a month into the semester I stopped bringing my lock to the campus all together.

I finally got my custom IEM cable all the way from null audio in singapore in the mail.

Campus police always blows... out of curiosity and jackassery I would get a NY chain and a abloy shrouded padlock (yes they make them that big) for a very intimidating set up and see what happens, locking up in the exact same spot. I'll bet they'll rather cut your bike than attempt the lock and chain set up.

maybe she meant she's not good as in she dusts everyone way too easily

I got dusted by a lady friend as well. Granted it was only my second day with my fixie and i had no brakes, but it was still pretty bad lol.

Today I bought some Sugino 75 crank arms, returned 3 used video games to GameStop (wow they have a stupid (in a good way for me) return policy on used games), sold a FTP frame, and sold some DP18s.

Oh yea, I also got free Mexican food for lunch courtesy of the company today.

Put townie bars on my old mountain bike. It's turning into a pretty sweet commuter.

At 3:30am i just went to the grocery store and got a great deal on cinnamon life and cinnamon quaker square cereal. Normally $6 a box, on sale for $4 a box with a club card, on super sale for $2 a box if you buy at least 4 boxes. The sale expired on July 5th though. I asked the manager since the price tag was still up if i got that advertised price and he said yes. So I bought $42 in cereal for $16. Packed it all into my big chrome bag and rode home with it on my back. With the tools and lock in the bag it was about 30lbs but I felt no discomfort 2.5miles later when I got home. The boxes fit like a glove in the bag.

god lol. you remind me of my freshman year in college

Today I received confirmation from FEDEX that my 650c wheeled Wabi Lightning has shipped and estimated delivery is Friday, exactly 4 weeks after my hernia surgery. I've not been cleared by my surgeon to do anything strenuous yet, so I may have to just stare at the box until then. I'm simply amazed at how quickly Wabi completed and shipped the order within 24 hours of placing it. This is a custom build with choice of crank length, chainring and cog size, bar, stem and saddle. I even changed my mind on the chainring size after they built it, and they still managed to ship it the same day. I was also impressed with how quickly Richard answered my multitude of questions. I have been looking forward for a long time to do business with Wabi based on their great reputation, and finally had the opportunity when they produced a bike my size.

today I still patiently wait for my laptop to be fixed still

Freakin waxed and put finish on my other ride the ol trucky truck. My arms are gonna be ripped tomorrow.

AND i got my chrome Ivan backpack : D This ***** is so big it doubles as a sleeping bag, my god!

I think im gonna have to do a video review of this guy.

Way to go! Definitely give us your point of view on the Wabi.

In other news...

I might have just given the 722 a makeover... But I'ma wait till its finished to share.

Oh, did you fix the saddle and bar angles?