Gripes and Grunts

Yes, a month has passed since I last posted to this poor open-book digital diary. I'm sure both my readers are fuming.

I mentioned recently (oops, see previous sentence) that I was falling out of love with my bike, or at least the frame. Well, I write now to say that this is very much the case, and I spent a week or so wavering between this:

http://www.bikemania.biz/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=Merry_SomaDoubleCrossFrame_DC

and this:

http://www.swobo.com/catalog/product_info_b.php?cPath=2448_2451

My main points of heated (and wasteful) internal debate were 1) material: smooth, hip steel (the Soma) or lightweight, never rusting aluminum (the Swobo), and 2) appearance: neato indie-type graphics and chameleonic silver-with-purple-and-green-flashes without the nerdy tube shapes (the Soma), or modern yet coolly non-descript hip (the Swobo). Did any of that make sense?

I was also wondering which might be better suited for towing the ol' Schwinn kid trailer, because I am a proud suburban father who likes to prove both how much crap he can pack into something and how fit he is by towing said crap if it happens to be packed into a Scnwinn trailer. Based on the set-up of the towing hitch and how it fits into the left-side seat stay/chain stay angle, the Swobo Cosby won this category hands down.


Are you in there, Talia?

The trailer issue, however, did not prevent me from eventually perseverating (I am a Bovard, after all) over the Soma Double Cross DC. I really like it: a comfortable steel frame that can still perform and looks good. I don't know, it might also have something to do with San Francisco, which is home to Soma as well as being a city that I've been fascinated with recently. Anyway, a good few weeks have been spent pining for a size 56 DCDC, despite the unsure trailer hitch arrangment (I figured I'd make it work). Then I come to find out that Soma changed the frame up a bit recently:

 

http://www.somafab.com/dcdc.html

Same color, but different fonts, a head badge (with, ok, a cool image on it), and no more funky sun logo graphics!



The disc tabs were moved to the chain stay from the seat stay so that the frame will accomodate more racks, but even this is unwelcome to me, as I speculate that it will make my trailer jury-rigging even more difficult. So I'm kind of bummed, though the DCDC is still at the top of the list, even if I can't find an older version. Keith at Soma offered to save an old one for me, but this was ostensibly for an order that I would place through their web store, which charges about $70 more than other places, and I'll do anything to save a buck. Shoot, I didn't have the funding in place yet anyway.

Well, the new frame will happen eventually. I like the Jake the Snake, but I am still really coveting some disc brakes and something . I will say the JtS was not quite as spandex-y as most other bigger name frames.

Anyhoo, weather is getting warmer which is nice, but it's also getting wetter. I think I like riding through a snow shower more than a rain shower, at least more than a rain shower with a temp in the upper 30s or the 40s. Nervous about getting occasionally soaked, I purchased a cheap plastic rain shell from Performance. I think I sweat enough in it that it doesn't matter if I wear it or not, I guess it would be nice in a complete deluge.

Losing an hour to Daylight Savings means I'm back to leaving the house just as the sun comes up. I was a bit put out by this at first, but I didn't realize it would allow me to witness some beautiful sunrises. It's also great to have the extra hour of daylight in the evening. Spring is here, Summer is coming...

Today is supposed to be sunny and 60, can't wait to ride home.

"Turn, turn, turn"

It looks like old man winter may have called the Access van to take him back to the Great White, because it's really been warming up 'round this Three Rivers' region. The snow and ice are disappearing, leaving all that great grit on the dear shoulders of Lincoln Ave/Rd and the rest of my commute. I can't express how happy I am to shed a layer or two of clothes for my ride, although I did miscalculate a bit with my gloves yesterday: wearing only my liner-under-fingerless-gloves in 34 degrees left me with enough pain in my digits that I actually got a bit nauseated.

In other news, got my first flat on the Jake the Snake this morning. I think that I've worn down the stock cyclocross knobbies enough that I'm probably susceptible to things like the construction stable that I picked up in the rear somewhere in Lincoln/Lemington. That's the rear tire, not...you know, my rear. that would be even worse. See? Something to be grateful for.

"So how do you like the JtS so far, Chris?" Great, thanks for aski...well, to be honest, I've been thinking about selling it. Yeah, I know. With all the hand wringing, all the deliberation and drama that went into the purchase, you'd hope that I would just be satisfied. Well, first of all, it's a great bike and I can tell that it would be a monster on an actual cyclocross course. That said, my commute isn't a cross race. I shouldn't have been so insistent on getting a bona fide cross bike. There are other ladies out there waiting to dance. Maybe I'll list some of what I've been considering in another post...

Happy New Year

Back after an extended holiday break...

Resolution #1: Post more often.

Resolution #2: Clean my chain more often.

Resolution #3: Stop tooling around on knobby cyclocross tires and get some proper commuting rubber on my rims. I've been looking at these:

 http://www.amazon.com/Vittoria-Randonneur-Touring-Hybrid-Bicycle/dp/B001QDPAK0

and these:

http://www.amazon.com/Panaracer-Bicycle-Protex-Shield-Folding/dp/B001AGX3TS/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=sporting-goods&qid=1294082345&sr=1-2

I would prefer to get down to a 28mm tire, because between that and the 35mm Continental "Speed King Cross" that came with my bike I'd have a faster tarmac tire and a good off-road, gnarly weather tire to use, y'now, when the weather does stuff like it has this week.

I've already been making good on resolution #2 (cleaned and lubed my drivetrain last weekend, felt real good to see the crap come off), but I'm blowing it on #1 (I began this post on Jan. 3rd and am finishing it today). Argh.

That reminds me, after some good discussion with Scott at Dirty Harry's I realized that I should grit it out with the knobbies until March-ish, just to make sure I don't wipe it on a Lincoln Ave descent some chilly morning...

See You on the Other Side

It's been about a month since my last post, a gap that should stick out like a wool suit at a Metallica concert. A lot has happened, both some really cool stuff and some "terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day" stuff. I did get the new bike that I was gushing about in my last post, and it is awesome.

I was on said new bike when I collided with a late '60's hot rod on the shoulder of Allegheny River Blvd last Tuesday. I think it was a Pontiac. Somebody in a car just ahead of me waved to him to tell him that he could turn left in front of them and no one considered the fact that I might be there. I'm not entirely angry at the drivers involved; I can see how it might be easy to gloss over the fact that a bike just may be coming past on the shoulder. Well, I should say that I am angry, but that I can kind of understand. Still, after talking to both cops and a lawyer about it, it was the driver's fault. Thankfully both me and the bike needed surprisingly little care afterwards. I took the bike to the Trek store on Centre (highly recommended; great folks there, especially Chris in the shop) and decided to take myself to UPMC Urgent Care down the street. A front wheel trueing, some ibuprofen and some ice; that was it. Nothing broken, nothing mangled. PtL.

Anyway, I could go on in detail about the crash and what happened immediately after, but the more important topic is what happened in the following days. I have been really schized out about hopping back in the saddle. so much so that it has even kept me from posting for awhile. Not that I could keep up the early pace.

I'm proud to say that despite some lingering neuroticism, I have continued to ride to work. Not everyday, which makes me feel a bit defeated, but then again, I don't think that was completely feasible to begin with. Plus, I think it's understandable, given the trauma. Anyway, I now take Lincoln Rd/Ave from Verona Rd and ride it to Frankstown Ave and through Bakery Square to Ellsworth in Shadyside and then on to Oakland. Same route back to fair Verona. I might write another post today to tell about how wonderfully crappy the winter weather was this morning, stay tuned. The Suburban Express (tentatively) rolls on...

Give it to me, baby!

The title refers to the funk-a-licious Rick James song, and the sentiment that I will try to hold back tomorrow a.m. as I take delivery of...my brand new bike!

It really is mind-boggling that I haven't mentioned it on the blog yet as I've been pining for a new ride for quite some time. I think I didn't say anything about for two reasons:

1) I'm a notoriously fickle shopper and, indeed, ended up changing my mind more than once about what I was getting even though I had been completely sold on whatever previous choice happened to just go out the window. The decision making process could've filled up blog of it's own, and I feel like I'm already yakking it up a ton on this one. I find the whole thing slightly embarassing.

2) My wife would never have read this thing (she still might not be, I'm not sure) if I had devoted any sizable amount of discussion to the new bike, because I talked about it so much in my pre-blog days that she flipped out on me. Justifiably so. Having Jessica read the blog is one of it's unofficial crusades these days, so my lips were zipped on the new addition to the stable.

Right now the stable consists of an over-20 year old, many times handed down Cannondale road bike complete with down-tube shifters and a disgraceful TLC, at least on my part. I can't speak to how my Dad, Uncle Steve, and former Uncle Bart treated her. She did serve well, though. In her honor, before we get to the hot new chick, here's a pic of something similar:



Notice the perfectly 1989 hot pink lettering on top tube. She's served well, and I think that I'd still enjoy the occasional spin on 'er, now and again.

Anyway, I really wanted something that I could not only commute enjoyably on, but also be able to ride on rail-trails and what-not. Something still fairly quick but totally versatile. I'm not sure how I first heard of cyclocross racing and cyclocross bikes, but they really seemed to fit the bill. A road bike that can fit fatter tires and handle even some light, light mountain biking duty? Sign me up. I want to be quick to work and home. I want to go (almost) anywhere. I want to try my hand at some 'cross racing.

I had my heart set on a Surly Cross Check (cool steel bike with a cool image). Moved on to a committed, deposit-down engagement with a closeout 2008 Rocky Mountain Solo CX (solid Canadian 'crosser with the thoughtful addition of disc break tabs). Both cool, solid bikes. But I while waiting on the Rocky I discovered a good deal on this:



and my mind was made up. Behold: the 2010 Kona Jake the Snake Cyclocross bike. Here's a sexier, British, nighttime pic:



Aluminum frame, Shimano 105 10-speed, carbon fork. This bike is demon of a zippy cycle. I'll give a full rundown of it tomorrow with some pics. Hurry up, tomorrow!

A Quick Recap

Here are some highlights of this week so far:

Monday a.m.-Super foggy. My wife was way concerned for my safety on the way in, but I really never felt myself to be in any additional danger. It was kind of cool, actually; condensation totally accumulated on various parts of me and my bike.

Monday p.m.-One thing (of many) that I love about biking as opposed to driving is that your sense of smell has so much more to do when you're in the saddle. The oily, can-do odor of garages and workshops with their doors open to Sandy Creek Road or Washington Blvd, coffee shops and restaurants filling Ellsworth Ave with airborne, plain-spoken deliciousness, the ghosts of summer escaping from fallen leaves and whithering grasses. It's all so vivid and rich in detail.

Tuesday a.m. -Changed a flat on Allegheny River Blvd on my way in. A piece of glass went right through my new, cheap rear tire. I like to think that I'm getting more skilled and efficient at removing/replacing tires; it's tough.

Two-Wheeled Transcendentalism

I'm typing this as I eat my lunch, which my life lovingly packed for me today. Boy is she liberal with the peanut butter. She refuses to "follow" this blog yet, btw, because she insists that it "has to be good" in order for her to do so, and apparently it will take quite a few samplings before she'll even judge it on whatever whacked-out criteria she uses. Thanks for the vote of confidence, hon.

Anyhoo, your intrepid little gutter bunny here has had some real drama in the last couple of days, during which the weather has been sunny and fairly warm (highs in the high 50's, low 60's):

Monday's ride in was pleasant, other than when I dropped my water bottle on Washington Blvd. Darn nozzle thingy busted. And it was my brand new, bright orange Dirty Harry's bottle, too. Say La Vee.

Monday's ride home? Well, cyclists have this word that they throw around to describe rides once in awhile: epic. I hadn't really adopted it yet, but Monday night truly fit the bill. It all began with Jess calling me to ask if I could stop somewhere and get some hot dogs and buns 'cuz she and the kids were building a fire. Cool. Then I go upstairs at the office to get my bike and discover a flat in the rear. Oh well. I elected to change it outside due to the decent weather. Now, let me just say that flats do indeed "suck," but I always end up with a nice sense of accomplishment when I just change one when eva, where eva.

So I got this one fixed and after swinging by the library to return some movies I'm on my way. I choose to take Evan's Ellsworth route (see my first post), and that kicks off a really smooth spin home: I catch almost all the lights, I have space and momentum for just about the whole trip and the bike feels nice and spry because I topped off the air in the tires when I changed the flat. I wheel into the parking lot of the Giant Eagle in Verona and as I'm locking my bike to a bench right outside of the entrance this woman comes up to me and says: "That was great, you passed by all the traffic and beat me here from a few miles back." I just smiled and said, "Yeah, it's fun." Boom goes the dynamite.

The trip to Giant Eagle presents a series of hills for the ride from there to the house, unless I baby it and back-track, and I ain't going out like that. Actually, the first hill is one real mother of a climb but then the rest are rolling, so you're momentum from the downhill almost carries you through the next up. I gritted out that first climb in practical dark, savored the burn (which in turn stoked my pride even further) and caught the risen crescent moon on my right through the trees whooshing by at the peaks of the rolling slopes. If my writing sounds like it's pushing towards the poetic, that's because the ride was nothing short of it. Epic.

P.S.-Went to get the bike this morning to ride in and the rear was flat again. Was it the deities of commuting extracting payment for Monday night's awesomeness? No. God is good. My tires? Not so much.