Bicycle Diaries
30 years riding, 15 years writing
Performance Century Shorts
For $25, I got a pair of Performance Century Shorts at the Charlotte retail location.
Rode with them today for an hour and a half, the synthetic chamois nicely cushioned. Compared to an old pair of Pearl Izumi shorts that I normally wear, it’s a different seat feel, synthetic versus leather chamois. Since it’s the first time I’ve ridden with the new shorts, they weren’t bad, but I’d pick the old leather Izumis if I had to do a Century tomorrow.
One thing I didn’t do was use any lubricant on the new synthetic chamois, I wanted to see how it felt without anything. Tomorrow, I’ll use a little bit of Vaseline to soften the ride, because towards the end of today’s ride it felt like I could of used some.
MTB: distance 19.13 miles, average speed 13.5 mph.
Me and my CatEye
Joining me on every ride is my cycling computer. My buddy, my friend, when I’m going good, mocking me, when there’s a brutal headwind.
Early on in the ride, I decide what average speed I want to accomplish that day. The computer duly let’s me know how I’m doing, if the speed is achievable, are my legs keeping up.
It’s a game we play, or else you’re spinning endlessly, round the same trails, never knowing if you’re improving or not. I guess that’s why some people pick up a bike for exercise and give up after a while, they must get bored.
MTB: distance 19.38 miles, average speed 13.2 mph.
Awesome weather in NC
What can I say, Spring is the best time of year to be in North Carolina.
The McAlpine was humming with thawed out walkers, runners and bikers. The first true weekend of warm weather and everyone was taking advantage of it.
I would of ridden yesterday but I spent the day working on the yard. By the time I finished up there was little daylight left and I was pretty tired. We did get an hour walk in before we started on the yard though.
Can’t wait to go back out tomorrow and do it again.
MTB: distance 21.09 miles, average speed 12.3 mph.
Shifting into big chain ring
Went out early today, glad I have a bike shop close by.
After warming up, I tried to shift into the big chain ring. Nothing I tried got the chain into the big chain ring so I could pick up my speed. I wasn’t about to do the whole ride spinning like crazy, so I headed over to Ultimate Bike to have it checked it out.
Kyle, the mechanic on duty, had a look at it and it started to shift for him, go figure. He did make a little adjustment and I was on my way going at the spin rate I’m used to riding at. I’m so happy I have a bike shop such a short distance from the McAlpine Greenway.
I tried to do more miles today that I did yesterday, but I started to bonk, even though I ate a banana by the lake midway in the ride. It looks like it’s going to take a few more rides before my body can take the longer distances, or else I’m limping home raiding the fridge as soon as I arrive.
MTB: distance 17.43 miles, average speed 10.4 mph.
3rd broken spoke
Cleaning the mountain bike today, I noticed that a rear spoke was broken. I was going to take the wheel off and hop in the car to get it fixed at the local bike shop, when I noticed on their web site that they had moved closer to me.
Ultimate Bicycle is now right by the McAlpine Greenway, so I hopped on the bike and road about a mile through the trails to get to the shop. The spoke repair cost me $26, last time I was charged only $16. The wheel was barely out of true, or else I wouldn’t of ridden it, but hey the bike is fixed. I guess the new location comes with a new price scheme.
4 months off the bike and I felt real happy to be back riding the trails. My legs feel fine, since I did walk often during Winter. Now it’s about getting my back and butt used to hours in the saddle again.
My wife found some bike jerseys in new condition at Goodwill over the holidays. I just need to buy another pair of bike shorts for this season, even though I have a lot of bike shorts, many are so worn out that I’m afraid to wear them and be arrested for indecent exposure.
MTB: distance 14.36 miles, average speed 11.0 mph.
Derailleur adjustment
Couldn’t switch into the large chain ring.
3 months ago, I had the front shifter replaced. Early on in today’s ride it just wasn’t shifting right, so I rode over to Ultimate Bicycle for an adjustment.
Though it’s only a couple of miles to the bike shop from the McAlpine, I’m not used to riding in traffic anymore. When I do ride on the streets these days, it’s in the neighborhood roads that surround my house.
After the bike was fixed, I couldn’t wait to get back to the quiet trails, where the only worry I have is getting hit by crazy deer. One day I’d like to start riding my road bike again, but for now I’m happy on gravel.
MTB: distance 23.38 miles, average speed 12.5 mph.
Chilly late afternooon ride
After watching the New York City marathon, I got the urge to go out and sweat.
It’s been cold the last couple of weeks, but it started warming up today. I’m not too thrilled about riding in the cold, my body and muscles never quite warm up.
While the main trail is in the open, nice and sunny, the inner trails are under tree cover and quite chilly. This change in temperature just causes my body to shiver, no matter how many layers I might wear.
When it’s cold, I prefer to hike the trails in the McAlpine.
MTB: distance 13.10 miles, average speed 12.1 mph.
Walk Charlotte
The days that I’m not riding, I’m usually walking.
Since my last bike ride, I’ve walked a total of 16.4 miles. My walking distances vary from 2.5 to 3 miles, I try to get out for at least an hour.
If I’m not riding or walking, I’m working on the yard, the weather is the only thing that keeps me inside.
I’ve thought of writing an article on this site whenever I walk, since it’s exercise, but this site is called Bike Charlotte, not Walk Charlotte.
Fixed the broken spoke, this is the second one on the back wheel. If they start breaking more often, I’ll have to make the choice of rebuilding the wheel or buying a new one. I’m not about to pay $16 every time a spoke breaks.
MTB: distance 20.31 miles, average speed 13.3 mph.
What you got?
The last days of warm weather are upon us, so I figured on picking up the pace a bit. Once the cold air hits us, getting up to speed is going to be a lot harder.
Rode my customary 3 laps around the McAlpine, then I ventured into the neighborhood to cool off. The trails aren’t very hilly, but the streets around my house are. There’s nowhere to ride or walk that you’re not heading up some hill, huffing and puffing.
Broke another spoke today, didn’t run over anything, it just snapped. I think it’s about time to replace all the spokes in the back wheel. When they start failing for no reason, it’s wheel rebuild time.
MTB: distance 20.47 miles, average speed 14.0 mph.
Rainy week
Last week, it rained, and rained, and rained.
It felt like we were living in an Amazon rain forest, replete with birds chirping away, content with the wet conditions. There were small breaks here and there, but going riding in muddy conditions didn’t appeal to me.
Today, when I reached the lake area, there were hundreds of middle school runners getting ready for a cross country track meet. Conditions were excellent, nice and cool, sun shining brightly, tailwind at the start line.
Half way through the ride, I took a banana break and watched the start of the race. By the time I looped back to the lake, they had completed the course, so we avoided getting into each other’s way.
MTB: distance 19.44 miles, average speed 13.1 mph.
Charlotte, NC
Spent 10 years in Charlotte, a block away from an entrance to the McAlpine Creek Greenway.
Switched to a mountain bike from the road bikes I was accustomed to riding for 15 years.
The time spent on these trails was most appreciated.
Trek Fuel 70
