Randomonium

 NOTE: Okay folks, if you haven't been around long enough here to know what a "Randomonium" post is, then here is the deal. I ramble, rant, and randomly moan about all things cycling in one, incohesive, bizarre post. "Randomonium", okay?

Thoughts On Iowa Wind And Rock:

Over the weekend we saw Iowa Wind And Rock happen again, which is the evolution of Trans Iowa and follows a very similar format. They had quite the spectacular event, one which I would classify as a 'good 'ol Iowa Spring gravel hoedown'. It was a classic event from my perspective because it had it all- Wind, mud, rain, broken gear, broken spirits, and people hiding out in barns in the middle of the night.

One thing that I endured as Trans Iowa's director that I saw crop up again this past weekend is the rare, but annoying comment that muddy roads don't belong in these events. That they should be removed and the course "sanitized" for.....I don't know.....So it is easier? That's the only thing I can come up with here. 

Here's the thing: If you go to McDonald's and you really like the French fries, and then you try out Burger King, but they don't have the same French fries, and you say, "That should be changed to be like McDonald's!, for whatever reasons you might have, you are just plain being goofy. Burger King does Burger King fries. You want them to be like McDonald's? Go there! 

 Likewise, Iowa Wind and Rock has certain features and ways of doing things. Other gravel events do not. You don't like Level B Roads because they are very difficult and change the outcomes of events? Don't go to those events. The thing is, if you are not aware that Iowa gravel events can, and often do, feature wet, muddy Level B Roads in Spring, you haven't done your due diligence in researching what you are signing up for. It isn't as though these features are secrets. So, go to an event that promises route changes in case of bad weather, or better yet- one that doesn't put Level B Roads in their event. Finally, some people really like that there are these difficulties in IWAR and other like events. Should they be denied the opportunity to test themselves against those difficulties? 

I could go on, but really- those comments about changing events for your own personal preferences, or 'on behalf of other riders', is misguided and not necessary. There are literally hundreds of other gravel events, with many surely better suited to whatever your preferences are. And if you don't believe that, put on an event that does measure up in your eyes. That's what we did back in the beginnings of this gravel thing. 

'Nuff said.

The bike rodeo scene. (Image by Max Paxton)

Bike Rodeo:

I guess I cannot get out of being a part of bicycle related events the last weekend of April! That's because the Heartland Vineyard Church in partnership with the Cedar Valley Bicycle Collective and Waterloo Bicycle Works put on a bike rodeo for some elementary aged kids last Saturday.

My part in it was to fix up 17 donated bikes in my spare time for kids that didn't have a bicycle to participate in the rodeo. I also had to run the kids through the obstacle course and give a brief safety talk.

I must say that it was very rewarding and a lot easier than herding adults over 300+ miles of gravel roads in the Iowa hinterlands. It was a completely different experience, but one I welcomed and that I very much enjoyed. Hey! I get to do it at least one more time (weather permitting) this coming weekend when we do this all over again. 

Besides the free bikes we gave out helmets to kids that did not have them and served walking tacos. Overall, I heard it went over very well. I suspect I'll be doing more of this in the future.

New bottom bracket

Maintenance Done:

I've been nursing along a failing bottom bracket for over a year on this Raleigh Tamland Two which I think finally pretty much made its final cries for help last week when I rode with N.Y. Roll. 

These pipe spindle type crank sets seem to be quite a bit different than the older 'serviceable' bottom brackets we used up until the mid-90's. In my experience, at any rate, it often seems like the non-drive side bearing fails most often. Many times in the old days it was the drive side bearing race in the spindle that craps out first. But in my case it was a drive side cup. I was a bit surprised. 

I've got one other issue to get into with this bike and that is some weird spoke noise emanating from the front wheel. Maybe it is dust and nipples, or ....... Not sure. It is something to do with the spokes thogh, that much I know now. More on that later....

Poor Weather = Not Much Country Riding

This has to be one of the wettest, coolest Aprils we've had for a while. I have a hard time remembering Aprils, mind you, because of the 14 years of doing Trans Iowa where I never really got to ride much during this month anyway due to being very busy with event preparations. 

But since 2018, I have been able to get out and ride more in April, and it seemed to be a great month for it. 2020 in particular was pretty spectacular. But this month has had a few things conspire to make it so that I have not been out in the country anywhere near as much as I'd like to have been. 

That isn't to say I haven't been riding bicycles, but due to a few things I have spent most of my riding time within the city limits here. 

First and foremost of the reasons for that is the wind! This has been an extraordinarily windy month. Winds that could knock you right off your bicycle type stuff. Secondly, it has been cold for this time of year. (It is 36°F on April 25th at 9:00am in the morning as I write this. Brrr!) That in combination with the winds has been pretty brutal. 

Then my schedule is wonky. I'm still adjusting to it, and my kids who do not drive, and rely on me to be their transportation, which cuts into planning rides out in the country. This should clear up later this year when my son finally gets a license to drive. When it has been nice out, many times the transportation issues keep me off the gravel. Last Thursday being a notable exception to that. Everything finally came together that day to make it a good outing.

So, I look forward to May, and hopefully, better weather. April has been a bust, and I regret that as I was really hoping to get in a Springtime century ride, but so much for that idea! Onward.....