Two Things

Iowa gravel

 Bad Takes And The UCI Gravel World Championships:

I tried resisting doing any commentary on two articles published last week about the UCI Gravel World Championships. However; the takes were so poorly done that I have to say something about it or I feel I would be inherently supporting those who wrote such garbage takes on gravel cycling. As you might suspect, I do not support any of what was said. 

I'm not going to give the honor of linking to either article. That would be giving the authors of these two pieces way too much credit. But I may quote a couple of lines they wrote to illustrate how far off these takes were. 

Here's a zinger: "So now three years into gravel being a "sport" ", which was written that way because the author is trying to intimate that only the UCI makes gravel a "sport". Hogwash! Such a bogus statement. Then the same author tries to legitimize the World Championship course in Belgium by saying that Unbound in Kansas is a "boring road race on unfinished roads". By the way, the Belgium course is 50/50 pavement to gravel (claimed) and has forest paths and bike paths as part of the course because, in the author's words, "The forests near major cities are small and rarely connect without crossing highways, so planning a 187km race is pretty hard to do. So a 50/50 split of road/off-road is pretty good."

From FLO Racing YouTube: Women's decisive move on the "gravel course".

A 116 mile course, with half of it paved or not gravel is "pretty good" but Unbound's nearly 90% gravel course is "boring"?

I don't think we need to go any further with that. The other piece I read was  lamenting the fact that a North American probably won't win the World Championship UCI jersey and that this will "set back gravel as a sport" in the USA. There was more rubbish, but I won't get into anymore of that. 

Apparently mainstream cycling media feels that we all should fan in the way they want us to, because kowtowing to the supremacy of less than 500 Pro, Elite gravel riders worldwide is what we should be doing to legitimize gravel as a "sport". Of course, that should be happening for USA riders on USA courses, if you listen to some writers. 

Newsflash: Most riders don't care about the UCI, their form of "gravel", or an arbitrary jersey award that means nothing in reality. You do you. We built "gravel" to be what it is in most corners of this country long before the UCI came around and made their little mark in the "sport".  You "fan" your way, we'll do it our way. 

The Guitar Ted Podcast Goes Commuting:

The latest podcast episode is up and N.Y. Roll and I cover our experiences commuting by bicycle. We go all over the place covering bicycles, gear, how to plan routes, lights, and more. 

We also get into the State Bicycle Co. Monster Fork v2, but since that is tomorrow's post subject, I won't say more about that. We do get into the weeds a little bit concerning fork offset. So, be prepared to nerd out if you listen in!

I also have  a bit of a rant about internal cable routing on forks. 

But the most important messages come in the last eight minutes of the episode where N.Y. Roll gives a passionate message concerning who is a cyclist. You have to listen in for this, as I agree 100% and I give my own example concerning this message and its impact on me. 

If you don't listen to the podcast, know this: You should consider and support anyone that pedals as a cyclist. 

Nuff said. 

Commuter Blues

This apparel item makes you "less than human" when worn.

 I've been a bicycle commuter steadily since 2002 and before that sporadically since 1993. So, I've built up a lot of knowledge in regard to my interactions with the operators of motor vehicles as I cycle through the Waterloo/Cedar Falls metro area. 

These are my observations only. Your area may be quite different. (I hope it is!) But a recent study reported on by Momentum Magazine online shines a light toward what I have always thought to be true. That being that when I dress in "cycling garb" I am treated quite differently than I am when I wear street clothing to cycle in. 

I have found this to be so true in my experience that - unless I am going for a long ride solo in the country - I wear street clothes to cycle in almost exclusively now. The difference is amazing. 

Of course, there are outliers and times when I get close passed by cars even if I am wearing street clothes and a ball cap, but probably 99% of the time or more I get a wide berth, people defer to me at intersections, and I never get yelled at. Wearing a helmet? That instantly makes my commutes more difficult. I get less consideration, and I have been yelled at. Wearing a full kit?

Fahgeddaboudit. You may as well be a worm.

Yeah, like the study I linked to says, why that is no one really knows yet, but we can guess. I assume that people see a "person" when they see a cyclist in normal garb. But perceptions about "cyclists" in a kit? I imagine those are mostly of the negative sort. Why? Well, I think that can range anywhere from "cyclists are neredowell rule-breakers that are unpredictable and in the way" to worse than that.  

I really don't know, nor do I really care. I just know what works, and what doesn't work, and I have adapted accordingly. Should things be different? Yes. In the meantime, I do what I have to do so I can ride a bicycle. My feeling is that until this culture of car-centrism changes to accommodate cycling and walking at an even plane to automobile usage, or at a higher importance than that, things won't change significantly. We need to see a philosophy of less cars are better, more cycling and walking is better first. 

But I don't think the powers that be are interested in it unless they can make coin out of it. Right now, that isn't the case.

Commuter Blues

This apparel item makes you "less than human" when worn.

 I've been a bicycle commuter steadily since 2002 and before that sporadically since 1993. So, I've built up a lot of knowledge in regard to my interactions with the operators of motor vehicles as I cycle through the Waterloo/Cedar Falls metro area. 

These are my observations only. Your area may be quite different. (I hope it is!) But a recent study reported on by Momentum Magazine online shines a light toward what I have always thought to be true. That being that when I dress in "cycling garb" I am treated quite differently than I am when I wear street clothing to cycle in. 

I have found this to be so true in my experience that - unless I am going for a long ride solo in the country - I wear street clothes to cycle in almost exclusively now. The difference is amazing. 

Of course, there are outliers and times when I get close passed by cars even if I am wearing street clothes and a ball cap, but probably 99% of the time or more I get a wide berth, people defer to me at intersections, and I never get yelled at. Wearing a helmet? That instantly makes my commutes more difficult. I get less consideration, and I have been yelled at. Wearing a full kit?

Fahgeddaboudit. You may as well be a worm.

Yeah, like the study I linked to says, why that is no one really knows yet, but we can guess. I assume that people see a "person" when they see a cyclist in normal garb. But perceptions about "cyclists" in a kit? I imagine those are mostly of the negative sort. Why? Well, I think that can range anywhere from "cyclists are neredowell rule-breakers that are unpredictable and in the way" to worse than that.  

I really don't know, nor do I really care. I just know what works, and what doesn't work, and I have adapted accordingly. Should things be different? Yes. In the meantime, I do what I have to do so I can ride a bicycle. My feeling is that until this culture of car-centrism changes to accommodate cycling and walking at an even plane to automobile usage, or at a higher importance than that, things won't change significantly. We need to see a philosophy of less cars are better, more cycling and walking is better first. 

But I don't think the powers that be are interested in it unless they can make coin out of it. Right now, that isn't the case.

Selling An Image vs Reality

Albert Einsyein, 1933, California. Showing us how it is done.

NOTE: Large doses of "my opinion" will be handed out in gloppy dollops today. You've been forewarned.....

The bicycle could have been the most revolutionary machine in the United States of America, and it still could be, but the cycling industry seems bent on keeping things under a lid defined by a certain image instead. 

This is of particular interest to me on a few levels, because part of my reasoning for a 'gravel bike', (NOTE- Not my idea for that name to be used, but it is what it is), was that many bicycles being sold at that time, (2000's) were the wrong bike for many people. Secondly, bicycle racing and the accompanying equipment is all you really see pushed forward by the brands and cycling media, for the most part. 

Finally, due to over a century of infrastructure centered around automobiles, we have almost nothing for safe routes to cycle on. We have catered to the car so much that everything from land usage to our own health as people has been sacrificed (literally and figuratively) on the altar of car worship. 

Now we have a situation where you cannot turn around and not see a 'gravel bike' and cycling is making a tiny bit of headway, but have we really gotten anywhere? In my opinion, sadly, we haven't really made much of any headway. 

The cycling industry took the 'gravel bike' and turned it into the same bike we were selling in the 2000's, just with more tire clearance. The consummate 'gravel' rider is now seen as a Pro rider, and one that goes fast as all get out, winning races. The industry thinks you all want to be that person, apparently, so do most buyers, and the bikes reflect this. Same 'not the right bike', different decade. If you click that link, you'll read about the physical requirements to attain an 'aerodynamic' position on the bike and I think it will quickly become apparent that even the bikes that the Trek representative mentioned in that article says should work, won't work. 

Of course, these bikes that they market and talk about are also very expensive and cater to a certain crowd that wants the 'image' and the reality is not even on their radar. Meanwhile, a huge chunk of the masses are ignored, or have to settle for poorly spec'ed lower end hybrids and department store bikes. The Hybrid Powered Cycles, (eBikes) are nice, and many represent what kind of bikes are practical, but they are also quite expensive. They may be the right bike, but at a price-point that excludes many who would cycle if the prices could be less and retain the nicer spec. 

And even if they could be made affordably with high quality parts, where could you ride them without fear of being killed? 

A Tweet from Surly Bike's social media account.

Of course, there are bikes out there and places to ride them that do make sense, but you have to admit that this is in a vast minority compared to what is given for people using automobiles. And things are so crazy-unregulated that we seem helpless to do anything about distracted drivers, speeding, or aggression behind the wheel, even if it kills people. 

And the cycling industry does what? Little to nothing. Our brands and marketing don't typically push practicality, or activism when it comes to places to ride, (unless it is off-road trails- then yes.) Most of the cycling press follows suit with the latest break away win at the Belgian Waffle Ride, the latest Pro MTB enduro news,  or who is lining up for the Giro. Headlines about cycling in cities and towns? Not their beat, they would tell you, and so it goes..... 

And the people who follow these publications will eat their young when you show them anything that doesn't line up with "The Rules" or how a bicycle 'should be set up', and if you ride for practical reasons with civvie clothing and no helmet? 

The Horror! 

Nope.... Things have hardly changed a lick in the last 20 years. I don't see it changing much for the next two decades.

Selling An Image vs Reality

Albert Einsyein, 1933, California. Showing us how it is done.

NOTE: Large doses of "my opinion" will be handed out in gloppy dollops today. You've been forewarned.....

The bicycle could have been the most revolutionary machine in the United States of America, and it still could be, but the cycling industry seems bent on keeping things under a lid defined by a certain image instead. 

This is of particular interest to me on a few levels, because part of my reasoning for a 'gravel bike', (NOTE- Not my idea for that name to be used, but it is what it is), was that many bicycles being sold at that time, (2000's) were the wrong bike for many people. Secondly, bicycle racing and the accompanying equipment is all you really see pushed forward by the brands and cycling media, for the most part. 

Finally, due to over a century of infrastructure centered around automobiles, we have almost nothing for safe routes to cycle on. We have catered to the car so much that everything from land usage to our own health as people has been sacrificed (literally and figuratively) on the altar of car worship. 

Now we have a situation where you cannot turn around and not see a 'gravel bike' and cycling is making a tiny bit of headway, but have we really gotten anywhere? In my opinion, sadly, we haven't really made much of any headway. 

The cycling industry took the 'gravel bike' and turned it into the same bike we were selling in the 2000's, just with more tire clearance. The consummate 'gravel' rider is now seen as a Pro rider, and one that goes fast as all get out, winning races. The industry thinks you all want to be that person, apparently, so do most buyers, and the bikes reflect this. Same 'not the right bike', different decade. If you click that link, you'll read about the physical requirements to attain an 'aerodynamic' position on the bike and I think it will quickly become apparent that even the bikes that the Trek representative mentioned in that article says should work, won't work. 

Of course, these bikes that they market and talk about are also very expensive and cater to a certain crowd that wants the 'image' and the reality is not even on their radar. Meanwhile, a huge chunk of the masses are ignored, or have to settle for poorly spec'ed lower end hybrids and department store bikes. The Hybrid Powered Cycles, (eBikes) are nice, and many represent what kind of bikes are practical, but they are also quite expensive. They may be the right bike, but at a price-point that excludes many who would cycle if the prices could be less and retain the nicer spec. 

And even if they could be made affordably with high quality parts, where could you ride them without fear of being killed? 

A Tweet from Surly Bike's social media account.

Of course, there are bikes out there and places to ride them that do make sense, but you have to admit that this is in a vast minority compared to what is given for people using automobiles. And things are so crazy-unregulated that we seem helpless to do anything about distracted drivers, speeding, or aggression behind the wheel, even if it kills people. 

And the cycling industry does what? Little to nothing. Our brands and marketing don't typically push practicality, or activism when it comes to places to ride, (unless it is off-road trails- then yes.) Most of the cycling press follows suit with the latest break away win at the Belgian Waffle Ride, the latest Pro MTB enduro news,  or who is lining up for the Giro. Headlines about cycling in cities and towns? Not their beat, they would tell you, and so it goes..... 

And the people who follow these publications will eat their young when you show them anything that doesn't line up with "The Rules" or how a bicycle 'should be set up', and if you ride for practical reasons with civvie clothing and no helmet? 

The Horror! 

Nope.... Things have hardly changed a lick in the last 20 years. I don't see it changing much for the next two decades.

So....Is That It?

First tracks in the neighborhood cemetery last week.

Well......It is March 1st. Is Winter over? It sure would seem that way now. With temperatures set to be into the 50's here today, and mid-40's for the foreseeable future, for the most part, I suspect that any intrusions of a Wintry type might have very low chances of occurring from this point onward. 

Typically the onset of March marks the point where we reverse the icy grips of Winter here and move onward to that messy, 'shoulder-season' time where it is too much of a hassle to ride out in the country due to softening roads, mud, and slop. But we're at least two weeks ahead of schedule, by my reckoning here, and I'd wager that Spring starts very quickly now.

A bit of a review on our Winter here then. basically, it sucked for cycling. It was fine until mid-December when we got that first bit of snow and the temperatures dropped through the cellar. Winds, cold, and icy snow make for not much fun. Although our local gravel-madman, "tomcat" who reads this blog, was out all the time throughout Winter on the gravel roads. 

Finally, in mid-January, we got a significant snow. About eight inches, and fat biking was on which was fun, but we had zero supporting snowfalls afterward. Oh sure.....we got a couple of dustings, but nothing to add to the excellent base we got back in January. That meant that cold evaporation, wind, and the ever present Sun whittled away at that base until by last week it was all but gone. Then we got that supportive snow! Of course!

Too little too late. I ran my fat bike one last time around the neighborhood in snow. It was no big deal. Maybe three inches of fluff, and by the end of the weekend it was largely gone already due to warming temps and the rising altitude of the Sun relative to our horizon here. More direct Sun equals hard to maintain snow.
 

Not much of a challenge, but I had to take one last cruise!

So, is that it then? Is Winter gone? I think it is. We may see a dusting, but I am betting if we get precipitation from here on out it will be in the form of rain. And boy! Do we need rain! It is way too dry out in the country.

So, a pause for Winter which didn't amount to much this season. Now it's on to the warmer seasons and gravel travel! I am excited for this to get going now. I have a lot of things to be getting to now that warmer temperatures and longer rides will be possible again.

The Winter commuter will give way to other bikes now.

First of all, I have this new schedule which I have to get stuck into my brain now. Working Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays is very different than what I had been doing for years. My 'long days' will have to fit into that, so I'll be doing bigger rides on odd days compared to many of you who read this blog.

I'll have some Sunday rides, Tuesdays and Thursday rides. Friday rides, but no Saturday rides- at least no big, long ones, and no Saturday gravel events, but for maybe a couple. Maybe....

Because I have to integrate that oddball schedule in with family life I am thinking any big trips I would normally take over a weekend will not be happening. Nor will any big day-trips anywhere. At least not until school is out and my car-less kids can get public transportation figured out for themselves again. We will see about that....

I'll also be swapping over to different commuter bikes for my job and errands now that the weather is straightening out. I'm looking forward to getting rides in on some of my other bikes soon. In the meantime, I hope that the weather is turning back to be nicer wherever you are and that your riding plans all go well and are successful this season!

Good-bye, Winter. Until next time......

So....Is That It?

First tracks in the neighborhood cemetery last week.

Well......It is March 1st. Is Winter over? It sure would seem that way now. With temperatures set to be into the 50's here today, and mid-40's for the foreseeable future, for the most part, I suspect that any intrusions of a Wintry type might have very low chances of occurring from this point onward. 

Typically the onset of March marks the point where we reverse the icy grips of Winter here and move onward to that messy, 'shoulder-season' time where it is too much of a hassle to ride out in the country due to softening roads, mud, and slop. But we're at least two weeks ahead of schedule, by my reckoning here, and I'd wager that Spring starts very quickly now.

A bit of a review on our Winter here then. basically, it sucked for cycling. It was fine until mid-December when we got that first bit of snow and the temperatures dropped through the cellar. Winds, cold, and icy snow make for not much fun. Although our local gravel-madman, "tomcat" who reads this blog, was out all the time throughout Winter on the gravel roads. 

Finally, in mid-January, we got a significant snow. About eight inches, and fat biking was on which was fun, but we had zero supporting snowfalls afterward. Oh sure.....we got a couple of dustings, but nothing to add to the excellent base we got back in January. That meant that cold evaporation, wind, and the ever present Sun whittled away at that base until by last week it was all but gone. Then we got that supportive snow! Of course!

Too little too late. I ran my fat bike one last time around the neighborhood in snow. It was no big deal. Maybe three inches of fluff, and by the end of the weekend it was largely gone already due to warming temps and the rising altitude of the Sun relative to our horizon here. More direct Sun equals hard to maintain snow.
 

Not much of a challenge, but I had to take one last cruise!

So, is that it then? Is Winter gone? I think it is. We may see a dusting, but I am betting if we get precipitation from here on out it will be in the form of rain. And boy! Do we need rain! It is way too dry out in the country.

So, a pause for Winter which didn't amount to much this season. Now it's on to the warmer seasons and gravel travel! I am excited for this to get going now. I have a lot of things to be getting to now that warmer temperatures and longer rides will be possible again.

The Winter commuter will give way to other bikes now.

First of all, I have this new schedule which I have to get stuck into my brain now. Working Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays is very different than what I had been doing for years. My 'long days' will have to fit into that, so I'll be doing bigger rides on odd days compared to many of you who read this blog.

I'll have some Sunday rides, Tuesdays and Thursday rides. Friday rides, but no Saturday rides- at least no big, long ones, and no Saturday gravel events, but for maybe a couple. Maybe....

Because I have to integrate that oddball schedule in with family life I am thinking any big trips I would normally take over a weekend will not be happening. Nor will any big day-trips anywhere. At least not until school is out and my car-less kids can get public transportation figured out for themselves again. We will see about that....

I'll also be swapping over to different commuter bikes for my job and errands now that the weather is straightening out. I'm looking forward to getting rides in on some of my other bikes soon. In the meantime, I hope that the weather is turning back to be nicer wherever you are and that your riding plans all go well and are successful this season!

Good-bye, Winter. Until next time......

Recon The Route: Part 2

Recon vehicle

Note: I'll have results from the lubrication poll I posted yesterday up Thursday. 

A couple of weeks ago I wrote about reconning my soon to be new commuter route to work. I went back this past weekend to check on the progress. I should note that there isn't really any good 'official' information available as to exactly what is going on, so these observation rides help fill in the blanks where that official word is lacking. 

I also need to note that this part I am checking on of the route is only the first mile or so of my commute. The main bit will remain the same. What has been going on is that I have had to 'detour' through a part of downtown Waterloo, which is out of my way, and when the new bit gets cleared up, I can return to a more direct way toward work. 

So, I grabbed the Snow Dog, my 2011 Salsa Cycles Mukluk, and headed on over to see what, if any, progress had been made since my last visit earlier this month. The first order of business was to 'sneak in' the back way to the area I wanted to see via the East dike of the Black Hawk Creek and follow it downstream to where it meets University Avenue. From there I observed the new bike pathway over the old bridge over the Black Hawk Creek. Then on toward the intersection of Falls Avenue and the end of the Sergeant Road Trail, via the tunnel underneath University Avenue. 

Once I observed this area I was done with recon, but not my ride, as I went on and hit up some alleys, bigger hills in Waterloo, and the nearby cemetery where I like to run every 'road' they have in there for kicks. But this post isn't about the rest of my ride. It's about what's happening along University Avenue down near my abode. So, on with the pics!

Some of the fancy-pants railing work going up along the new bike path. This used to be a lane on University Avenue.

The new tunnel under University Avenue. My son predicts that this will get all graffitteed up once it is opened.

Some important improvements have been made here since I last viewed this area.

So my biggest takeaway this time is that my fears that there was no drainage plan for the North side of University Avenue was put to rest after this visit. Clearly there is a plan. Those circled grates are drain-off areas for the rain water and snow melt, but whether or not this is connected to a storm sewer or just a transferal to the South side of the trail is not known to me. The fact that something was done is monumental though. We'll see in the future how effective this 'plan' is. 

The arrows describe roughly the bike path as it will come off the North tunnel opening and veer Left as one rides toward the highway above. This will take the bike path back to its original, more or less, path along the dead end of what was Falls Avenue. Then the bike path will turn Right/North and go on its original path under the expressway. Dead center on the upper edge of this image is the e3xpressway and that sloping line that meets it from the right is the horizon line of University Avenue. 

So, as you can see, it is going to be awhile before I can cut through this area. I'll either use the tunnel, go to Falls Avenue, or I may stay on the South side, use the new, wide bike path, go over the Black Hawk, and cross University Avenue at the round-a-bout with Fletcher Avenue and then onward to my normal commute. 

For now I'll continue on the "long route". It's okay. I get to ride my bicycle more!

Recon The Route: Part 2

Recon vehicle

Note: I'll have results from the lubrication poll I posted yesterday up Thursday. 

A couple of weeks ago I wrote about reconning my soon to be new commuter route to work. I went back this past weekend to check on the progress. I should note that there isn't really any good 'official' information available as to exactly what is going on, so these observation rides help fill in the blanks where that official word is lacking. 

I also need to note that this part I am checking on of the route is only the first mile or so of my commute. The main bit will remain the same. What has been going on is that I have had to 'detour' through a part of downtown Waterloo, which is out of my way, and when the new bit gets cleared up, I can return to a more direct way toward work. 

So, I grabbed the Snow Dog, my 2011 Salsa Cycles Mukluk, and headed on over to see what, if any, progress had been made since my last visit earlier this month. The first order of business was to 'sneak in' the back way to the area I wanted to see via the East dike of the Black Hawk Creek and follow it downstream to where it meets University Avenue. From there I observed the new bike pathway over the old bridge over the Black Hawk Creek. Then on toward the intersection of Falls Avenue and the end of the Sergeant Road Trail, via the tunnel underneath University Avenue. 

Once I observed this area I was done with recon, but not my ride, as I went on and hit up some alleys, bigger hills in Waterloo, and the nearby cemetery where I like to run every 'road' they have in there for kicks. But this post isn't about the rest of my ride. It's about what's happening along University Avenue down near my abode. So, on with the pics!

Some of the fancy-pants railing work going up along the new bike path. This used to be a lane on University Avenue.

The new tunnel under University Avenue. My son predicts that this will get all graffitteed up once it is opened.

Some important improvements have been made here since I last viewed this area.

So my biggest takeaway this time is that my fears that there was no drainage plan for the North side of University Avenue was put to rest after this visit. Clearly there is a plan. Those circled grates are drain-off areas for the rain water and snow melt, but whether or not this is connected to a storm sewer or just a transferal to the South side of the trail is not known to me. The fact that something was done is monumental though. We'll see in the future how effective this 'plan' is. 

The arrows describe roughly the bike path as it will come off the North tunnel opening and veer Left as one rides toward the highway above. This will take the bike path back to its original, more or less, path along the dead end of what was Falls Avenue. Then the bike path will turn Right/North and go on its original path under the expressway. Dead center on the upper edge of this image is the e3xpressway and that sloping line that meets it from the right is the horizon line of University Avenue. 

So, as you can see, it is going to be awhile before I can cut through this area. I'll either use the tunnel, go to Falls Avenue, or I may stay on the South side, use the new, wide bike path, go over the Black Hawk, and cross University Avenue at the round-a-bout with Fletcher Avenue and then onward to my normal commute. 

For now I'll continue on the "long route". It's okay. I get to ride my bicycle more!

Recon The Route

This isn't quite ready yet.

 I was passing through downtown Waterloo yesterday and noted that there was a lot of barriers to my commute route which cuts across an intersection underneath the expressway. This was going to present a challenge to me because there looked to be something going on with this formerly forgotten bit of dirt. It had sat looking the way it has for years, but apparently the 'powers that be' have turned their "Giant Burning Eye" of urban beautification upon this forlorn urban feature. 

This could be a situation where I fly the "Fickle Finger of Rebellion" to those Mordorites of Modernization and try to cut across anyway, or I could just, ya know, go a block over, around, and be on my merry way. 

I guess I'll just go around! 

I decided that I should explore my options though, given that this development had provided me a chance to check out some new possibilities. So I first went over to look at the 'really old route' which was the way I had commuted to my old shop job for 17+ years. I have noted that more work had been done over that way, but I hadn't been down to really look at it of late. So, I went the long way around and when I got to the barricades I peered over and saw that yes- indeed things looked closer to finished on the South side. However, I was going to have to check out the North side and that meant another long way around to see that.

On the way, I had to traverse the new roundabout at Fletcher and University. The dimwits!  You can cross going East-West, but North-South? fahgeddaboudit!  Not happening. I guess cyclists were not meant to go North-South in Waterloo, Iowa. Huh! Who knew?! 

Once past that mess, I went around down to the East side, dead end of Falls Avenue and what do you know? Nothing has been done where you cannot see it from the new road. Imagine that. Looks like it'll be quite a while before any cycling can be done through that tunnel. That fancy-pants tunnel that my son, when he saw the image here quipped, "Ya mean that hasn't been graffiti ridden yet?" He's not wrong, you know. It will be as soon as they open this up. Painted up, that is. Plus, they had troubles occasionally with people getting ambushed under the old bridge that I used to go under through there. I wonder how this tunnel will affect things in terms of that. 

Let's say I'm a bit skeptical that this whole deal is a very smart design. 

But when it gets done, I'll be using it for the commute. In the meantime, I'll be going about two blocks more out of my way to work. Longer bike rides! Hooray! (Only slightly sarcastic there.)

Recon The Route

This isn't quite ready yet.

 I was passing through downtown Waterloo yesterday and noted that there was a lot of barriers to my commute route which cuts across an intersection underneath the expressway. This was going to present a challenge to me because there looked to be something going on with this formerly forgotten bit of dirt. It had sat looking the way it has for years, but apparently the 'powers that be' have turned their "Giant Burning Eye" of urban beautification upon this forlorn urban feature. 

This could be a situation where I fly the "Fickle Finger of Rebellion" to those Mordorites of Modernization and try to cut across anyway, or I could just, ya know, go a block over, around, and be on my merry way. 

I guess I'll just go around! 

I decided that I should explore my options though, given that this development had provided me a chance to check out some new possibilities. So I first went over to look at the 'really old route' which was the way I had commuted to my old shop job for 17+ years. I have noted that more work had been done over that way, but I hadn't been down to really look at it of late. So, I went the long way around and when I got to the barricades I peered over and saw that yes- indeed things looked closer to finished on the South side. However, I was going to have to check out the North side and that meant another long way around to see that.

On the way, I had to traverse the new roundabout at Fletcher and University. The dimwits!  You can cross going East-West, but North-South? fahgeddaboudit!  Not happening. I guess cyclists were not meant to go North-South in Waterloo, Iowa. Huh! Who knew?! 

Once past that mess, I went around down to the East side, dead end of Falls Avenue and what do you know? Nothing has been done where you cannot see it from the new road. Imagine that. Looks like it'll be quite a while before any cycling can be done through that tunnel. That fancy-pants tunnel that my son, when he saw the image here quipped, "Ya mean that hasn't been graffiti ridden yet?" He's not wrong, you know. It will be as soon as they open this up. Painted up, that is. Plus, they had troubles occasionally with people getting ambushed under the old bridge that I used to go under through there. I wonder how this tunnel will affect things in terms of that. 

Let's say I'm a bit skeptical that this whole deal is a very smart design. 

But when it gets done, I'll be using it for the commute. In the meantime, I'll be going about two blocks more out of my way to work. Longer bike rides! Hooray! (Only slightly sarcastic there.)

Throwing The Switch

The Ti Muk 2 has been the commuter of choice so far.

Bike Season- It comes and it goes. After having been around the bicycle industry for nearly a quarter of a century now I can honestly say I'm used to it. The coming and the going. The feast and the famine. What seems jarring though, some years when it goes this way, is when 'The Switch' gets thrown.

The times of a shop mechanic in Winter Season are slow, and maybe there is no work to be had at all. Usually the season starts in fits and grows from that slow nothingness to full blown, elbows up, frantic work by Spring. But sometimes it doesn't happen like that, and this year is a perfect example, at least around here it is. 

There was nothing going on for a couple months or three. Like.....nothing. Then in a blink of an eye it's elbows up, running around like crazy. I sometimes have a harder time with the season when it goes like that because I need a minute to 'get up to speed' again and pump out work like I can when I've been doing it every day for weeks on end. But I always get the hang of it, and I bet this year will be no different. 

One thing I do like is my commute. It takes about 40-50 minutes, depending upon the weather and the bike I choose. It's almost double the length of my old commute, so I get more time on my bikes, and I like that. Plus, a lot of my route is off-pavement, which is even better. I've got about 14 city blocks worth of dirt or alleyway gravel, another city block through an unpaved cemetery, about a third of a mile of dirt/grass in an open area along a highway, and probably a half mile of dirt on the Trolley Car Trail's Western end. Oh! And I cut across a trucking terminal's lot which is unpaved as well. Besides that I have a fair chunk of paved recreational trail in three sections I ride. The rest is on city streets. That part might be the shortest part! 

So, now I will be working more, dinking around less, and so that means my riding in the country time will go down to the 'usual' amounts. Which isn't bad, it's just not the crazy amount of time I had available during the late Fall and Winter months. I'll still be getting in plenty of riding as it is. Besides, with the recent snow and now melting of that snow, the gravel roads are a mess. I'd rather wait a bit to have some better conditions for riding out in the country.
 

Throwing The Switch

The Ti Muk 2 has been the commuter of choice so far.

Bike Season- It comes and it goes. After having been around the bicycle industry for nearly a quarter of a century now I can honestly say I'm used to it. The coming and the going. The feast and the famine. What seems jarring though, some years when it goes this way, is when 'The Switch' gets thrown.

The times of a shop mechanic in Winter Season are slow, and maybe there is no work to be had at all. Usually the season starts in fits and grows from that slow nothingness to full blown, elbows up, frantic work by Spring. But sometimes it doesn't happen like that, and this year is a perfect example, at least around here it is. 

There was nothing going on for a couple months or three. Like.....nothing. Then in a blink of an eye it's elbows up, running around like crazy. I sometimes have a harder time with the season when it goes like that because I need a minute to 'get up to speed' again and pump out work like I can when I've been doing it every day for weeks on end. But I always get the hang of it, and I bet this year will be no different. 

One thing I do like is my commute. It takes about 40-50 minutes, depending upon the weather and the bike I choose. It's almost double the length of my old commute, so I get more time on my bikes, and I like that. Plus, a lot of my route is off-pavement, which is even better. I've got about 14 city blocks worth of dirt or alleyway gravel, another city block through an unpaved cemetery, about a third of a mile of dirt/grass in an open area along a highway, and probably a half mile of dirt on the Trolley Car Trail's Western end. Oh! And I cut across a trucking terminal's lot which is unpaved as well. Besides that I have a fair chunk of paved recreational trail in three sections I ride. The rest is on city streets. That part might be the shortest part! 

So, now I will be working more, dinking around less, and so that means my riding in the country time will go down to the 'usual' amounts. Which isn't bad, it's just not the crazy amount of time I had available during the late Fall and Winter months. I'll still be getting in plenty of riding as it is. Besides, with the recent snow and now melting of that snow, the gravel roads are a mess. I'd rather wait a bit to have some better conditions for riding out in the country.
 

Townie Update: Part 3

The grease was like shellac!

Well, with this brutally cold weather, riding has been postponed for a bit. It was negative numbers below zero for most of the weekend, so I took refuge in 'The Lab' at G-Ted Productions headquarters and did some more maintenance work on that old Trek I've been writing about here lately. 

As I stated before, the headset, upon initial inspection, just looked really in need of a good cleaning and repacking with fresh grease. The old grease had hardened to an almost shellac-like consistency. In fact, it had leached all over the front of the bike, covering the exterior of the head set and parts of the frame with a brownish-reddish stain. I attacked this at first with WD-40, which does a decent job as a solvent which is paint-friendly. However; that proved to be marginally effective. I ended up discovering that chipping the old grease off with my thumbnail was the hot ticket to getting the stuff off. Kind of like scraping old paint off a wood sided house. The old, hardened layer of grease would chip off in sheets at times! 

This revealed a bright, smooth, shining chrome surface on the head set and a deep, metallic green where the bike frame was painted. However; the interior head set parts, especially the bearings, required another technique to get cleaned up. Here I used an old dental pick I have. You can often get these from dentist offices as they generally dispose of these after a cleaning or two. Try it next time you visit a dentist. These picks last forever and have a great many uses. The price is usually 'right' too, as many will just give them away. 

By using an old dental pick I was able to gently coerce the old grease to release from the innards of the head set.

As I gently worked the pick to remove the old, hardened grease, I was reminded that there is chrome, and then there is 'Chrome'. Older 70's and before era chrome plating was a different animal than what you get today. Obviously, newer environmental standards exist that have made chrome plating nearly a thing of the past. But back 40+ years ago, chrome plating was still a common thing, and you could get it done in many places for a reasonable price. Additionally many will tell you that the old chrome plating has a deeper, richer look. I can't say I can argue with that by looking at this head set.

The paint glows after the grime is removed.

As I continued to work the old grime off the painted areas, which was truly a 'deep cleaning' exercise, I could see the old Imron paint come back to life. I had a bike painted in Imron back in the mid-90's and I can see how this bike became so scratched and scarred. Imron is beautiful, but it isn't very resilient, and it chips and scratches much easier than a powder coat finish does. In fact, I noted something about this old Trek that reminded me of my old Tomassini road bike. 

I am almost sure that the old Tomi and this bike are the same shade! Weird! I thought this bike was a darker green, but that is only because the paint job is buried under 40 some odd years of neglect. Once the curtain of grime had been removed, only then did the resemblance to my old Tomassini come to light. Now I'll have to do a deep clean on the entire frame. Lots of work ahead! Then when I get that done I will find a suitable ladies finger nail polish shade and touch up the thing. It'll likely take two bottles too. There are a LOT of scratches and nicks on this bike's paint job. 

I have also decided that the Panaracer tires are not going to work on this bike. They are just too wide, and any deviance to true in the rear is going to result in tire/frame contact. I'll look for some good 35mm tires instead which should provide me with plenty of room in back. If I ever do decide to powder coat this beast, I may have the chain stays dimpled and that would give me room for 37's/38's easily. I'll leave these tires on as rolling stock for the time being, but eventually they have to go. 

So, that's where I am at with this project right now. I think it is going to eventually be a satisfying city glider. An errand hound. A perfect rig to jump-and-go on. I have one other thing I am going to do as a change, not a mod. The Thomson straight head seat post has to go. I'll look for something with a healthy offset to the head. So, that will be the next big change here once the head set goes back together. That and the cleaning. 

Stay tuned...

Townie Update: Part 3

The grease was like shellac!

Well, with this brutally cold weather, riding has been postponed for a bit. It was negative numbers below zero for most of the weekend, so I took refuge in 'The Lab' at G-Ted Productions headquarters and did some more maintenance work on that old Trek I've been writing about here lately. 

As I stated before, the headset, upon initial inspection, just looked really in need of a good cleaning and repacking with fresh grease. The old grease had hardened to an almost shellac-like consistency. In fact, it had leached all over the front of the bike, covering the exterior of the head set and parts of the frame with a brownish-reddish stain. I attacked this at first with WD-40, which does a decent job as a solvent which is paint-friendly. However; that proved to be marginally effective. I ended up discovering that chipping the old grease off with my thumbnail was the hot ticket to getting the stuff off. Kind of like scraping old paint off a wood sided house. The old, hardened layer of grease would chip off in sheets at times! 

This revealed a bright, smooth, shining chrome surface on the head set and a deep, metallic green where the bike frame was painted. However; the interior head set parts, especially the bearings, required another technique to get cleaned up. Here I used an old dental pick I have. You can often get these from dentist offices as they generally dispose of these after a cleaning or two. Try it next time you visit a dentist. These picks last forever and have a great many uses. The price is usually 'right' too, as many will just give them away. 

By using an old dental pick I was able to gently coerce the old grease to release from the innards of the head set.

As I gently worked the pick to remove the old, hardened grease, I was reminded that there is chrome, and then there is 'Chrome'. Older 70's and before era chrome plating was a different animal than what you get today. Obviously, newer environmental standards exist that have made chrome plating nearly a thing of the past. But back 40+ years ago, chrome plating was still a common thing, and you could get it done in many places for a reasonable price. Additionally many will tell you that the old chrome plating has a deeper, richer look. I can't say I can argue with that by looking at this head set.

The paint glows after the grime is removed.

As I continued to work the old grime off the painted areas, which was truly a 'deep cleaning' exercise, I could see the old Imron paint come back to life. I had a bike painted in Imron back in the mid-90's and I can see how this bike became so scratched and scarred. Imron is beautiful, but it isn't very resilient, and it chips and scratches much easier than a powder coat finish does. In fact, I noted something about this old Trek that reminded me of my old Tomassini road bike. 

I am almost sure that the old Tomi and this bike are the same shade! Weird! I thought this bike was a darker green, but that is only because the paint job is buried under 40 some odd years of neglect. Once the curtain of grime had been removed, only then did the resemblance to my old Tomassini come to light. Now I'll have to do a deep clean on the entire frame. Lots of work ahead! Then when I get that done I will find a suitable ladies finger nail polish shade and touch up the thing. It'll likely take two bottles too. There are a LOT of scratches and nicks on this bike's paint job. 

I have also decided that the Panaracer tires are not going to work on this bike. They are just too wide, and any deviance to true in the rear is going to result in tire/frame contact. I'll look for some good 35mm tires instead which should provide me with plenty of room in back. If I ever do decide to powder coat this beast, I may have the chain stays dimpled and that would give me room for 37's/38's easily. I'll leave these tires on as rolling stock for the time being, but eventually they have to go. 

So, that's where I am at with this project right now. I think it is going to eventually be a satisfying city glider. An errand hound. A perfect rig to jump-and-go on. I have one other thing I am going to do as a change, not a mod. The Thomson straight head seat post has to go. I'll look for something with a healthy offset to the head. So, that will be the next big change here once the head set goes back together. That and the cleaning. 

Stay tuned...

How Low Will You Go?

The coldest air temp I ever rode in was -18 in 2015.

 I get a question every Winter. It goes something like this: "How cold does it have to get before you won't ride to work?" I have already fielded this question in 2021, and I get it every Winter, but the funny thing is, I don't know that I have ever addressed this specifically on the blog. If I have it has been a long time ago. 

So, since this weekend marks, probably, the coldest it will get this Winter, I thought I would share the answer I give people for this query. It's a bit more detailed than you might think. 

First of all, wind plays a huge factor in this decision. Wind is a killer- for me at least- in terms of really cold riding. It is so hard to keep the wind off you - everywhere off you- when temperatures dip down below zero Fahrenheit. The wind bites at any chink in your armor and I mean you have to be zipped up air tight when it really gets windy and around zero or below. 

So, typically severe wind chill is the first 'no-go' scenario for me. I just do not see the need to buy the gear that would allow me to ride in weather like that, because for one- it is very expensive gear. Secondly, I'd rarely need to use it, which brings up point number two: Do I really need to ride when it gets 'stupid-cold'? 

See, I have nothing to prove to anyone. This isn't a contest. There is no reward for beating myself up in raging winds and below zero temperatures. I mean- just to get to work? No. No thank you. Others can get out in the bad weather, post to social media and get the 'ooo's' and the 'ahs!' I'm good with being smart about where I push the limits and where I do not. I've been there and I've paid the price. I've been lucky to not have gotten permanent injuries and I am still ticking along just fine over here. No need to do anything stupid. 

On the other hand: When it is calm, around zero, and Sunny? There may be no more beautiful time to be out riding in Winter. I've had some really serene, spectacular, and soul-satisfying rides at or just below zero when the conditions are right. I have the clothing and gear for this sort of riding. When it is good like that, then it makes sense to me to ride. But this weekend? Yeah........bad wind chills and well below zero most of the time, so you won't probably be seeing me out there. If the chance presents itself though, and the conditions are right, you might see me out. 

But again- I have nothing to prove in this area to anyone. My advice? Be smart. Deep cold is no joke and getting frostbitten or worse is not worth it. Stay safe y'all!

How Low Will You Go?

The coldest air temp I ever rode in was -18 in 2015.

 I get a question every Winter. It goes something like this: "How cold does it have to get before you won't ride to work?" I have already fielded this question in 2021, and I get it every Winter, but the funny thing is, I don't know that I have ever addressed this specifically on the blog. If I have it has been a long time ago. 

So, since this weekend marks, probably, the coldest it will get this Winter, I thought I would share the answer I give people for this query. It's a bit more detailed than you might think. 

First of all, wind plays a huge factor in this decision. Wind is a killer- for me at least- in terms of really cold riding. It is so hard to keep the wind off you - everywhere off you- when temperatures dip down below zero Fahrenheit. The wind bites at any chink in your armor and I mean you have to be zipped up air tight when it really gets windy and around zero or below. 

So, typically severe wind chill is the first 'no-go' scenario for me. I just do not see the need to buy the gear that would allow me to ride in weather like that, because for one- it is very expensive gear. Secondly, I'd rarely need to use it, which brings up point number two: Do I really need to ride when it gets 'stupid-cold'? 

See, I have nothing to prove to anyone. This isn't a contest. There is no reward for beating myself up in raging winds and below zero temperatures. I mean- just to get to work? No. No thank you. Others can get out in the bad weather, post to social media and get the 'ooo's' and the 'ahs!' I'm good with being smart about where I push the limits and where I do not. I've been there and I've paid the price. I've been lucky to not have gotten permanent injuries and I am still ticking along just fine over here. No need to do anything stupid. 

On the other hand: When it is calm, around zero, and Sunny? There may be no more beautiful time to be out riding in Winter. I've had some really serene, spectacular, and soul-satisfying rides at or just below zero when the conditions are right. I have the clothing and gear for this sort of riding. When it is good like that, then it makes sense to me to ride. But this weekend? Yeah........bad wind chills and well below zero most of the time, so you won't probably be seeing me out there. If the chance presents itself though, and the conditions are right, you might see me out. 

But again- I have nothing to prove in this area to anyone. My advice? Be smart. Deep cold is no joke and getting frostbitten or worse is not worth it. Stay safe y'all!

A Season Of Fatigue

This is home. This is Mean Street.

I don't have to tell you. You know.......this year is getting old. Not just because we are about to enter the last two months of of 2020, but you know......it's the whole pandemic thing. The freaking election. Advertising that is beyond nauseating. Fear mongering. So much is 'fake' we don't know what is real anymore. Maybe that's why it seems drivers along my commute to work have lost their minds lately. 

My favorite move a driver of a car or truck makes is this: Multiple lane road intersects with your path, your 'flight plan', whatever. As a cyclist, you don't even need to be on a road. I had this scene play out as I tried to cross a five lane (one way) highway Monday as I came out from under a bridge about 50 yards from an intersection of any type. 

Anyway- a driver sees your approach. They stop. Now they may do this right at an intersection, or no where near an intersection- doesn't matter. I call this move "The Misdirected Kindness Move". The driver tries to have you cross in front of them. It's as if they are deferring to your weaker mode of transport by stopping and allowing you to cross while they wait inside their climate controlled capsule and stare at you as you are going to be- they hope- parading in front of you. Only their big fail is that they are not in control of the other lanes of traffic adjacent to their vehicle, which may have vehicular traffic bearing down at this scene at a high rate of speed. See.....I'm not falling for this. Then it gets interesting.

The driver with "The Misdirected Kindness Move" now in play gets agitated. They wave at you vigorously. I often give them a 'go on ahead' wave, which 95% of the time gets ignored and more vigorous waving and observed jaw flapping starts. Of course, I cannot hear a word that they say. Apparently these people believe in some magic that not only makes anyone coming down the road stop for me also, but defies the laws of physics and says I should be able to understand their verbiage. Then comes one of three possible outcomes.

One: If I am up from a controlled intersection, the light finally flashes the lanes "The Misdirected Kindness" driver is in the green light and they get the idea and move along. Two: In case the driver has a green light,the oncoming traffic whizzes by the stalled driver and they get the idea and move along, or Three: The uncontrolled intersection allows them to sit there forever, (or until another vehicle comes along) and there appears to be a stalemate. If #3 happens and it looks like a standoff, I turn around and go the other way. THAT finally gets the driver's goat and they blast off with an application of "angry acceleration" at which point I turn around and resume my commute. 

This has occurred more often as fall has come on, and on Monday it happened twice. Both times on the way home from work. Even when I stop 20 yards up from an intersection on a bike path, put my foot down, and show no visual contact, this sometimes still happens to me. Why don't drivers just go ahead and do what they are supposed to do, so I can expect a consistent behavior from the operators of these rust buckets? Because the moment I do that, I get waxed by a driver that is inattentive, or just doesn't care. Or the person in the is just desiring to be mean, which happened on Monday as well.

I'm minding my own business when I see a passenger of an oncoming vehicle crank their hand, which is holding a 20 oz. beverage of some sort, above the roof line. They bob the bottle and I can see this person is trying to time a throw at me. Yeah, the person was so lazy they couldn't be arsed to get out of their seat to get anything on the throw, so failure was predictable. The bottle missed me by a mile, but the intent was there, obviously.

People are getting fatigued. There is no will to use their critical thinking skills, so they are either misdirected in their kindness or they just don't give a rip for their fellow man. That's what I am seeing. I don't know.....maybe I have too much time to think as I ride along.......

A Season Of Fatigue

This is home. This is Mean Street.

I don't have to tell you. You know.......this year is getting old. Not just because we are about to enter the last two months of of 2020, but you know......it's the whole pandemic thing. The freaking election. Advertising that is beyond nauseating. Fear mongering. So much is 'fake' we don't know what is real anymore. Maybe that's why it seems drivers along my commute to work have lost their minds lately. 

My favorite move a driver of a car or truck makes is this: Multiple lane road intersects with your path, your 'flight plan', whatever. As a cyclist, you don't even need to be on a road. I had this scene play out as I tried to cross a five lane (one way) highway Monday as I came out from under a bridge about 50 yards from an intersection of any type. 

Anyway- a driver sees your approach. They stop. Now they may do this right at an intersection, or no where near an intersection- doesn't matter. I call this move "The Misdirected Kindness Move". The driver tries to have you cross in front of them. It's as if they are deferring to your weaker mode of transport by stopping and allowing you to cross while they wait inside their climate controlled capsule and stare at you as you are going to be- they hope- parading in front of you. Only their big fail is that they are not in control of the other lanes of traffic adjacent to their vehicle, which may have vehicular traffic bearing down at this scene at a high rate of speed. See.....I'm not falling for this. Then it gets interesting.

The driver with "The Misdirected Kindness Move" now in play gets agitated. They wave at you vigorously. I often give them a 'go on ahead' wave, which 95% of the time gets ignored and more vigorous waving and observed jaw flapping starts. Of course, I cannot hear a word that they say. Apparently these people believe in some magic that not only makes anyone coming down the road stop for me also, but defies the laws of physics and says I should be able to understand their verbiage. Then comes one of three possible outcomes.

One: If I am up from a controlled intersection, the light finally flashes the lanes "The Misdirected Kindness" driver is in the green light and they get the idea and move along. Two: In case the driver has a green light,the oncoming traffic whizzes by the stalled driver and they get the idea and move along, or Three: The uncontrolled intersection allows them to sit there forever, (or until another vehicle comes along) and there appears to be a stalemate. If #3 happens and it looks like a standoff, I turn around and go the other way. THAT finally gets the driver's goat and they blast off with an application of "angry acceleration" at which point I turn around and resume my commute. 

This has occurred more often as fall has come on, and on Monday it happened twice. Both times on the way home from work. Even when I stop 20 yards up from an intersection on a bike path, put my foot down, and show no visual contact, this sometimes still happens to me. Why don't drivers just go ahead and do what they are supposed to do, so I can expect a consistent behavior from the operators of these rust buckets? Because the moment I do that, I get waxed by a driver that is inattentive, or just doesn't care. Or the person in the is just desiring to be mean, which happened on Monday as well.

I'm minding my own business when I see a passenger of an oncoming vehicle crank their hand, which is holding a 20 oz. beverage of some sort, above the roof line. They bob the bottle and I can see this person is trying to time a throw at me. Yeah, the person was so lazy they couldn't be arsed to get out of their seat to get anything on the throw, so failure was predictable. The bottle missed me by a mile, but the intent was there, obviously.

People are getting fatigued. There is no will to use their critical thinking skills, so they are either misdirected in their kindness or they just don't give a rip for their fellow man. That's what I am seeing. I don't know.....maybe I have too much time to think as I ride along.......