Day off Riding

Rivendell Heron

On a Fantastic Road in Boone County

Heading North on Genoa Rd.

I have been playing around with routes a lot lately. Yesterday I figured out that riding to Genoa, IL. gives one the opportunity to get to Boone county. I found the only road that truly heads north out of this town. I was up north on Boone County and then got close to Poplar Grove. Conditions were cloudy with a sun that really wanted to come out. I opted for a Handlebar bag just to carry my food and map. I had mixed feelings about it since I am used to riding long distance with my camelbak. It was a nice change up to get on the Road Bike,(cheater bike), and enjoy the pleasures of 110psi on 700x23 tires. What a difference in speed and effort! A lot easier than doing 100 miles on a Cross bike with knobbies. My goal was to do another 100 miler and I was happy when the odometer clicked over the 100 mark. My lungs were running at about 80% because of the previous nights' asthma attack. Legs feel tired but good. Lungs a bit burning.

best,

Ari

When the Asthma comes a calling

Tonight I skipped riding so I could catch up with my mountain of cycling laundry and to get the Heron ready for the long haul tomorrow. As I write this I am having a Duisenberg of an Asthma Attack. My nose is congested, throat is tight, mucuos is building up in the Bronchios and my body temperature is up.
I had somc Campari with Orange juice earlier, no beer, no wine and tons of water. Maybe the Campari bothered me. I think more and more alcohol is bothering my Asthma. Today we also had a pretty hectic day at the shop since it was only the two of us. We had lots of repairs and assemblies to be done. I was also stressed because my knees were bugging me and I just felt like laying down. I definetely need to get some new shoes. Also on my Lake shoes I think they don't free float on some of my shimano pedals. I have a feeling the I am stuck in the wrong position and I am putting a weird strain on the right knee. Almost 40 years of cycling with no knee problems. Keep them warm and don't push big gears.
So in order to combat the Asthma attack I boil water in a 4qt pot and add some pure eucalyptus oil. Ast the water boils I inhale the steam and that helps me clear up. I then follow up with Ice water to reduce the swelling in my throat and then I have some Black Turkish Tea with a ton of sugar. This gets the juices going and it clears my sinuses.
At some point I would like to get rid of all the carpeting in my house. I sometimes have a feeling that that bugs me sometimes. IT is now 12:30 a.m. and my whole idea of going to bed early has just gone out the fuckin' window.
If I start to feel better I will probably take a walk to Walgreens and just fart around like a loser. I am interested in looking into getting a nebulizer and seeing if that helps more than my 4qt pot.
Laying off any type of alcohol is probably going to happen sooner than later.
out,

Ari

New Light

Was out last night again and it was really foggy. I was trying out the Princeton Tec Apex headlamp. Up on the picture I am running it at low setting. Unit is waterproof , runs off 4AA batteries and can run either with the 4 ultrabright leds or the main 130 lumens headlight. I was really impressed with this light. It is possible to ride in the complete dark without a handlebar mounted light. Cost is about 89.00 dollars. On the back I mounted the Princeton Tec Swerve tailight. Two really annoying blinkers with one of them being strobe like the Planet Bike Superflash.

Ride total for the day 25 miles

Rivendell Quickbeam

Tired legs, Asthma, Allergies, lots of Gnats in the air.

Ari

Hope to get a long ride in tonight. Anyone interested let me know.

Night Riding

Rte 23 Southbound

Last nights target town

Got out around 9 pm and the traffic was starting to die down. It was very humid and all the home that were burning brush created a bad quality of air for breathing. I felt like my clothes were just soaked in dew. Passed by mr. Skunky with less than 4' between us. I am glad I did not upset him. Also found a road that I was looking for.

43 miles total for the day

Rode Rivendell Quickbeam

Hub generators rock

out,

Ari

New Blog

I have been toying with the idea of another blog for a while. I will remain faithful to this one since Ihave committed so much time to it. Straight Shot will be more stuff that just comes out of my head and I hope that one day it will make some sense.


http://straightshot.wordpress.com/

Night Riding and Day off riding

Today's where the ***F*** am I Face

Last night battle of the lights.
On Left the Lumotec versus the new Led on the Right

Last night Rich and I had the road lit up. We were both running Hub dynamos with Nazi headlamps. It is really worth investing in good lights. As a kick we also ran Dennis's Powerblaster led light. So needless to say we had a safe ride and I am guessing Rich must have gone home with a long 50 in his pocket. Good thing he has a sit down job during the day. Night Cats.

Today I had planned on a century but plans changed since the little one has a half day at school. I decided to venture into new terrritory and got my big ass lost. I was roaming around Marengo with time constraints, no phone, no phone numbers in case I was going to be late. I was on the Steamroller and hurt my legs trying to make up time. A generous lady, in a big fat Mercedes came me some half fast directions and she pointed me towards Hampshire. I was far away from Hampshire but from there I knew my way home. I stopped at a Marathon Gas station and ate the biggest Fritter for 76cents. I felt comfortable with the grease brick in my stomach. Drank my one and only water bottle and booked home. I made it to the Great Western Trail and home with some time to spare. Must take map next time.

yesterdays totals

40 miles,

15 miles 1x1

25 miles Quickbeam

Todays totals

50 miles

Fixed gear

Surly Steamroller

ari

I made it there and then rolled to Burlington

NIght Riding

Trees with available light

Elevators waiting to be filled, available light

Got out last night on the Surly 1x1 and feel like I am starting to dial it in. It is a fantastic ride and very comfortable indeed. Running a 2 to 1 gear ratio with 180 mm cranks. So it takes a lot of spinning to get it going. Us old dogs tend to get stiff and push bigger and bigger gears so riding a bike that requires spinning is good for the legs.

This weekend I think we are going to go up north to pick some apples with the girls so I don't have any big riding plans for Sunday. Thursday, day off , will entail some longish ride either on the 1x1 or the Ruffian 29er. I would love to punch another century on my card but I am not couting on it.

Tonight we are having a night ride out of my place so if anyone is interested just show up. Bring lights, pumps, tubes, warm clothes, money, a phone, and whatever else you think you might need. Ride will involve mostly road and duration will be around 2 hours. Ride starts at 8:30 pm.

This Sunday marks the beginning of the cross series in the Chicagoland area. Jackson Park will be the 1st in series and Tobie and Helmut will be racing. If you are not racing go spectate since I guarantee you it will be a fun time.

We will be hosting Race #2 in Hopkins Park, Dekalb, IL. on October 4th. We will all be there.

keep riding yer bikes, its good fer ya.

Ari

Total miles yesterday

40

7 on Salsa Fargo

33 on Surly 1x1