Nothing much going on, just grinding it out in the cold. Friday's commute featured 3 cars who stopped dead in the street, then put it in reverse, all within the first two blocks of from the office. After that it mellowed out, with some gentle snow improving the mood after that.
Tuesday morning was mostly freezing cold, with moments of terror thrown in with various flavors of ice, slush, and death cookies in the road.
I was able to get out Sunday ahead of the storm and ride a couple hours on the fixed gear - felt pretty good to not be riding in the garage, with a relatively balmy 33 degree morning.
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Friday, January 25, 2008
2008 Commute #5 - Utah Driving Technique #1
On the way home last night I observed a common phenomenon, rooted in the guiding principal for all Utah driving: do not let common courtesy, common sense, or traffic laws inconvience you in your driving pursuits.
The setting: two lanes going east, two going west, turn lane in the middle. The car: stopped in the right traffic lane, adjacent to a garage entrance to the right, signalling a left turn.
Let's face it, trying to make decisions when the car is rolling is difficult - especially when you're talking on the phone. So of course a full stop in the middle of the road is required, and there's no time to pull out of traffic.
Next point: why shouldn't you make a left turn from the far right lane?
Of course, as I am rolling up behind him I am trying to assess how to pass. As he is signalling left, a cautious pass on the right seems a possibility. Heading toward that direction, the signal is changed to a right hand, and the car starts moving right, appearing to be headed into the garage.
Ok - glad to see a decision was reached, after who knows how much hand wringing. Now that the decision is made, and I am rolling up on them, I initiate the pass on the left.
As I reach them, the decision is overturned, and the turn signal is changed to left again. At this point I am commited, so I have to use the urban cyclist horn, e.g. yell at them as loud as I can. This is a suprisingly effective technique, and the driver hits the brakes hard and I roll past unscathed. Some dignity was also preserved as I did not need to use profanity in this instance.
The setting: two lanes going east, two going west, turn lane in the middle. The car: stopped in the right traffic lane, adjacent to a garage entrance to the right, signalling a left turn.
Let's face it, trying to make decisions when the car is rolling is difficult - especially when you're talking on the phone. So of course a full stop in the middle of the road is required, and there's no time to pull out of traffic.
Next point: why shouldn't you make a left turn from the far right lane?
Of course, as I am rolling up behind him I am trying to assess how to pass. As he is signalling left, a cautious pass on the right seems a possibility. Heading toward that direction, the signal is changed to a right hand, and the car starts moving right, appearing to be headed into the garage.
Ok - glad to see a decision was reached, after who knows how much hand wringing. Now that the decision is made, and I am rolling up on them, I initiate the pass on the left.
As I reach them, the decision is overturned, and the turn signal is changed to left again. At this point I am commited, so I have to use the urban cyclist horn, e.g. yell at them as loud as I can. This is a suprisingly effective technique, and the driver hits the brakes hard and I roll past unscathed. Some dignity was also preserved as I did not need to use profanity in this instance.
Thursday, January 24, 2008
2008 Bike Commute #4
These are the dog days of winter... freezing cold... the slog of pushing knobby tires (one studded) on a dual suspended mt. bike over pavement/ice/slush...
Today's ride was uneventful except for the typical hassles in the downtown core with buses. Bike Snob NYC's observations on busses are spot on.
Today's ride was uneventful except for the typical hassles in the downtown core with buses. Bike Snob NYC's observations on busses are spot on.
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
2008 Bike Commute #3
With record snowfall yesterday, and the mercury around 3 degrees this morning when I left the house at 6am, today's ride was no party, no disco, and definitely no fooling around.
For the most part the studded Nokian tire on the front wheel of my mountain bike gave me pretty good traction, but there were a few existential crises, such as rolling over some pretty icy sections carrying too much speed down 800 south, and brief moment of terror hitting an icy patch adjacent to some brief but heavy traffic near Pioneer Park. Riding on ice near traffic is much akin to skiing in exposed territory - falling is verboten. And it just about as much of a mind f*** as well.
The ride home was more pleasant. Much of the really nasty stuff had melted or otherwise been removed, and remarkably, a motorist rolled down their window and thanked me for moving to the side when waiting for a red light to let them by for the right turn. I do this every opportunity I can, but it is rarely understood by drivers, and even less often appreciated.
For the most part the studded Nokian tire on the front wheel of my mountain bike gave me pretty good traction, but there were a few existential crises, such as rolling over some pretty icy sections carrying too much speed down 800 south, and brief moment of terror hitting an icy patch adjacent to some brief but heavy traffic near Pioneer Park. Riding on ice near traffic is much akin to skiing in exposed territory - falling is verboten. And it just about as much of a mind f*** as well.
The ride home was more pleasant. Much of the really nasty stuff had melted or otherwise been removed, and remarkably, a motorist rolled down their window and thanked me for moving to the side when waiting for a red light to let them by for the right turn. I do this every opportunity I can, but it is rarely understood by drivers, and even less often appreciated.
Monday, January 21, 2008
Friday, January 18, 2008
First Day at the Bird
WIth last years hectic work schedule, I carried over several vacation days, which will be put to good use on the slopes. With that goal, I made it up to the 'bird today. I was expecting crowds given the holiday weekend and the film festival (Sundance), but to my surprise there were few people skiing today. No lift lift lines, made the first tram - amazing. The snow was a little wind buffed on top, but there was quite a bit of powder off the beaten path, especially in the trees by a certain lift down on the mountain that gets no respect.
I bummed my son's old camera to snap a few photos, but it was not up to the task, so instead here's a study in the ravages of time - my picture from my 96 pass, and from my 08 pass.
As always, first day fun included trying to remember which chutes cliff out and which don't. Anyway, a good day on skis, minus the vertigo from partial whiteout conditions.
I bummed my son's old camera to snap a few photos, but it was not up to the task, so instead here's a study in the ravages of time - my picture from my 96 pass, and from my 08 pass.
As always, first day fun included trying to remember which chutes cliff out and which don't. Anyway, a good day on skis, minus the vertigo from partial whiteout conditions.
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
2008 Bike Commute #2
The temperature was a brisk 11 degrees leaving the house this morning. Nothing like cranking the 39x15 uphill at 6 am and getting some nice deep breaths of the frosty air to get things going. My gear is dialed such that everything except face and hands stayed warm going in.
Today's fixed gear epiphany was realizing how much drag inefficient pedaling can create.
On the way out of bike storage, I talked with some of the regional support guys - the fixed gear bike seems to generate stoke, whereas the litespeed with the power tap doesn't seem to warrant a second glance. Must be the bright orange paint.
800 South was brutal - today I wondered if cranking that hard up a hill can induce stoke. How is it I don't put out that kind of power in the gym - is it a mental limitation?
Today's fixed gear epiphany was realizing how much drag inefficient pedaling can create.
On the way out of bike storage, I talked with some of the regional support guys - the fixed gear bike seems to generate stoke, whereas the litespeed with the power tap doesn't seem to warrant a second glance. Must be the bright orange paint.
800 South was brutal - today I wondered if cranking that hard up a hill can induce stoke. How is it I don't put out that kind of power in the gym - is it a mental limitation?
Monday, January 14, 2008
2008 Bike Commute #1
After 2 weeks of vacation and the first work week of the year spent in Boston, I was feeling a little rusty this morning. For January, it was a not too bad 23 degrees when I left the house.
This was my first commute on the fixed gear bike, and it was a lot of fun, though shamefully I cannot do a decent track stand even with a fixed gear. I will suck it up an practice one of these days - it's definitely something I need in my bag of tricks now.
The ride was less sketchy than I thought it would be. Descending steep hills is a bit unnerving, but the scariest part of the ride was being menaced by some d-bags Rottweiler in the back of his pick up. Yes, by virtue of your big dog you are a big man, although you seem over eager to demonstrate this, as if you are trying to compensate for shortcomings in other areas. But I digress.
Toughest part of the ride was cranking the 39x15 up the 800 South wall. For a few panicky seconds I tried to work out the best way to tip over without my top tube damaging me in a very personal way, but fortunately I was able to make it up the hill. The squats and cleans in the gym didn't help the situation.
This was my first commute on the fixed gear bike, and it was a lot of fun, though shamefully I cannot do a decent track stand even with a fixed gear. I will suck it up an practice one of these days - it's definitely something I need in my bag of tricks now.
The ride was less sketchy than I thought it would be. Descending steep hills is a bit unnerving, but the scariest part of the ride was being menaced by some d-bags Rottweiler in the back of his pick up. Yes, by virtue of your big dog you are a big man, although you seem over eager to demonstrate this, as if you are trying to compensate for shortcomings in other areas. But I digress.
Toughest part of the ride was cranking the 39x15 up the 800 South wall. For a few panicky seconds I tried to work out the best way to tip over without my top tube damaging me in a very personal way, but fortunately I was able to make it up the hill. The squats and cleans in the gym didn't help the situation.
Saturday, January 5, 2008
New Year, New Ride
I've decided to simplify my commute with a fixed gear bike. This will be a dedicated commuter, so no more trashing racing bikes on slushy, sanded/salted streets. For a cheap bike, it seems like a decent ride - it's a steel frame, but is stripped down enough that it weighs roughly the same or less than my Ti bike.
I did swap out the 48T chainring for a 39T - might as well get some good spinning during my commute, plus riding up 8th south on the way home just will not happen with a 48. The dual brake set up appeals to the belt and suspenders engineer's mentality (front brake to save the day if the chain breaks, rear brake in case the front brake fails), and the geometry is virtually identical to my road bike.
Given my age and need to conduct myself with a sort of quiet dignity, I will not be riding in manpris, tattooing my calfs, sporting skinny jeans, or removing the brakes like the so called hipster messengers.
Tuesday, January 1, 2008
Gym Work
One thing I enjoy when the season ends and the weather turns foul is spending more time in the gym. It always amazes me how quickly you can destroy yourself in the gym. Think you're strong? Add more weight, eliminate rest, do some new moves.
As a cyclist, I used to follow strength programs ostensibly tailored to cyclists, as you would find in the Cyclist's Training Bible. Over the years I've observed that those sorts of programs yield some results, but it seemed like each winter I started over again at the same basic strength level.
In the past two years I started a new routine, basically incorporating 2-3 intense gym session per week, first looking to Crossfit for exercises and instruction, and now using many of the routines from GymJones. In my experience, high intensity exercise using whole-body exercises builds strength that lasts beyond a year - I've started this years program without having regressed during the racing season.
To be fair, it may be the case that Crossfit and GymJones workouts break down mental barriers. The cycling specific routines are very conservative - crossfit and gymjones are very aggresive in terms of pushing barriers, and doing what you thought could never be done goes a long way towards redefining your limits.
As a cyclist, I used to follow strength programs ostensibly tailored to cyclists, as you would find in the Cyclist's Training Bible. Over the years I've observed that those sorts of programs yield some results, but it seemed like each winter I started over again at the same basic strength level.
In the past two years I started a new routine, basically incorporating 2-3 intense gym session per week, first looking to Crossfit for exercises and instruction, and now using many of the routines from GymJones. In my experience, high intensity exercise using whole-body exercises builds strength that lasts beyond a year - I've started this years program without having regressed during the racing season.
To be fair, it may be the case that Crossfit and GymJones workouts break down mental barriers. The cycling specific routines are very conservative - crossfit and gymjones are very aggresive in terms of pushing barriers, and doing what you thought could never be done goes a long way towards redefining your limits.
Thanks for the Support
I'd like to take a moment to thank my sponsors. What's that you say - do slow old guys have sponsors? Well, between birthday and xmas gifts, my family has keep me geared up in fine style. Really, any lack of results I've shown are due to my own lack of will/talent/smarts - I've got all the gear I need to succeed. So, shouts out to the sponsors.
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