what is it with rain predictions and sundays?

 Each week for the past three, there's been predictions of rain for the Sundays when I wanted to lead a ride. Last week, the predictions were so dire that I cancelled, and then the rain didn't come.

For this week, both The Excellent Wife (TEW) and I had rides listed. After last week, I was planning to go unless tornadoes and lightning we actually occurring and, early in the week, it looked like the weather would cooperate. And then yesterday, there were suddenly predictions of rain right across ride time.

We looked at the weather sites and apps... and TEW was relieved when her sole registrant cancelled. And then the weather predictions improved!

Three of my registrants cancelled, two due to the rain at their locations early in the morning (and one wasn't sure of ability to keep up with the registered group). But the sky was clearing as we were leaving, and, while the roads were wet, the weather was not.

So the eight of us at the start headed down to Princeton, and picked up two others, Luis and Laura OLPH. We did one of my regular routes: through ETS, then up Bayberry and Moores Mill Mt Rose to Hopewell, where we stopped at the Boro Bean.

By the time we got back on the bikes, the sky was clouding up, and instead of the reliable tailwind going east of 518, we had a headwind. I was sure that was a sign that storms were coming... but it's bright and sunny as I write this. What do I know.

The ride page includes my rides to and from home.

One of the things I like about this ride, and that I intend to continue, is that riders who are at the top end of the C+ range, and want to try a B-paced ride, usually feel comfortable coming out. I give the faster riders places to sprint (some take the opportunities, some don't), and we wait for the slower folks. This crew is good about offering encouragement (rather than telling slower folks that they shouldn't ride with us). Riders tend to self-select: if they're really not up to the pace, they don't come back. But if they're close to making it, we try to keep 'em encouraged... because we've seen some of 'em get much stronger. (Riders who want to go faster than we do also generally don't come back, either... and that's fine by me.)

And TEW's ride? She got a last-minute registrant, and led the ride anyway!

gotta rethink these hilly rides

 

I think that guy in the red jersey needs to get his butt kicked; what do you think?

That was at the start of today's ride; Luis's chain had dropped below the chain keeper (how? There certainly wasn't enough room to get it out; how on earth did it fall in?), so with makeshift tools and imagination, we got him rolling again. 

You may not want me doing stuff on your gazilion-dollar carbon-fiber Liveratti, but I'm a pretty good meatball mechanic, to get you goin' again. And many thanks to the excellent Martin Griff for the pic (below, enjoying a Perrier at the stop):

At the start:

Tom's route had 45-ish miles with just about 3000' of climb, starting at the Yardley, PA, Park-and-Ride. It was tough, and, like many of Tom's rides, a bit disorganized... for example, we couldn't agree on a route through Newtown, and wound up doing a bit of a tour (it's pretty, though, and another one of those places I can't afford to retire). 

And when we got to Eagle Road, Jack and I argued that we'd gone up Jericho Mountain. Tom's point was that since we hadn't turned onto the little road with no exit that goes to the actual top, we hadn't done the mountain. Balderdash. We'd done enough to take credit for it.

We went through Tyler Park, which I remember from some snowy wide-tire-bike rides. I don't remember the demanding hill in the middle of it, either because we didn't do that at the time, or because I was too busy freezing then... but I sure remember it today.

Early on in the ride, I remarked that I had to rethink these hilly rides. Tom's rejoinder was that he thinks I've gotten better on hills... in fact, he thought that I'd stolen some of his hill-climbing ability, ad waht was I gonna do about getting it back to him? Hmm?

And I'm surprised, as I write this, that I'm in as good shape as I am. Perhaps Tom is right. (About the getting better on hills part. As far as the giving him back some of his hill-climbing prowess, he can whistle for it.)

On the way back, we crossed into Jersey at New Hope/Lambertville, and rolled around on some roads that were familiar, and many that were not. We crossed back into Pennsylvania at Washington Crossing, and the riverside trip back to the start was refreshing.

Ride page. Not quick. But a good day. I'm glad I went.

what rain?

 I posted a ride for today, and then cancelled when rain threatened, but the rain didn't come, so now I feel stupid.

Earlier in the week, the across-the-street neighbor had given me an armful of bike jersey stuff; it turned out to be two long-sleeve jerseys, a long-sleeve fleece-lined jersey, a set of bib shorts, and knee warmers, all by Castelli for Bristol Myers. It's European size M, and fits me the way I wish all my other bike stuff did:

More motivation not to gain weight.

I've heard about bib shorts that those who use them wont use anything else, but I'm not sure they're for me (although I like the fit a lot). In order to relieve oneself, one has to remove an awful lot of clothing. I'm reminded of a nurse with whom I used to work, who had a set of nurse scrubs that was a jumpsuit. She looked great in it, but complained she had to get almost completely undressed every time she had to pee. Yeah, the bibs are like that.

I got out for an early 30 miles today over part of the route I intended for the cancelled club ride. On the way in, I stopped at this excellent garage door that I notice about half of the time I ride by it; today I stopped for a picture:

I'm sure my fellow WASPs roll their eyes and opine about the end of civilization every time they see it, but I think it's just great.

I had seen emails saying that the Blackwells Mills causeway was closed, so I was sure that the Griggstown causeway would also be closed, but it was open.

The water was high, but not as high as I'd expected.

I'd never noticed the dissolved cement in this concrete stanchion on the bridge before today:

I went the long way around and saw that Blackwells Mills was also open. It's clear I don't know anything.

After yesterday's ride, on flat pedals on the heavy 'cross bike, it was good to push the lighter titanium bike around, and be clipped in at the pedals. Ride page.

memorial ride

 Neil C's wife passed away recently. Neil posted a memorial ride for yesterday, so a number of FreeWheelers decided to go along and show some support.

But in the days before the ride, evidently both of Neil's usual bikes had problems; the one he intended to use broke a steerer tube. He contacted Laura OLPH, who included me in the conversation. We decided we'd see if we could get his ancient aluminum Trek into rideable shape, and Laura would bring one of the bikes in her stable along if that didn't work out.

It turned out the Trek just needed some new cables and adjustments to the braking and shifting, and re-installation of the saddle. It took about two hours (the settings of the derailleur limit screws, for example, appeared to have nothing to do with the actual derailleur and crankset that were on the bike), and we got Neil set up for the ride the next day. Neil was Neil: constantly talking, making bad jokes and engaging with us. I had high hopes for the ride.

Neil had put in the announcement that part of the ride "Includes a rail-to-trail (dirt)." I decided that I'd bring the 30-plus-lb. Krakow Monster, the gravel bike with the wide tires. In addition to the weight, it would have an additional challenge: I ride with flat pedals and regular shoes, rather than being clipped-in. I wanted to see if I could do the 57 miles with that setup. (I needn't have worried about the rail-to-trail; everybody else was fine on their narrow, high-pressure road tires.)

Club president Ira Saltiel came out to offer his respects.

En route:

Below, waiting for a tire to be changed. We decided not to offer advice or point out all the things the others were doing wrong.

The rail-to-trail brought us right to the Pemberton Wawa, where we met a Major Taylor contingent from Pennsylvania, doing the Spellbound ride.

To me, the most important part of the day, was that Neil appeared to be Neil. It's clear he misses his wife, and needs to talk about the experience... but he was talking about the experience. He was not silent and withdrawn, which would make me worry more about him.

I wish him well. We should probably offer him continued company.

Ride page.

old

 I have

HAD.IT.

with people, especially people close to my age, who try to tell me, "You're not old."

I am closer to 70 than 60.

I have just finished my application for Social Security Retirement payments.

I remember where I was for the moon landing, for the Kennedy assassination, and when I first heard that the Beatles had appeared on Ed Sullivan. (I wasn't actually cool enough to watch the Beatles on Ed Sullivan. My family watched Disney's "Wonderful World of Color" on Sunday nights. On a black-and-white TV. People who are not old have never even HAD a black-and-white TV.)

I'm old. Don't tell me I'm not.

Nobody is ever going to think I'm 35, or 45, or even 55, ever again.

People think of "old" as broken down, no longer relevant, having nothing useful or important to say or contribute. In this youth-obsessed society, there might be a reason for that.

But it's not a necessary association. Everest is old, but it will outlast anyone alive today.

There is the "old" of the nameless sedan, rusting in a nameless grassy field, and there is the "old" of the classic car, maintained and polished. The older models require more maintenance, but we reward that maintenance with a grace that is not otherwise available.

I will be vitally, and (I hope) gracefully, old.

stormless again

 Just like last week, inclement weather was predicted for my Sunday ride, so I was late posting it, and tentative and apologetic in the listing. I had ten registrants nonetheless, although two contacted me this morning complaining of mechanical difficulties (they may have actually been concerned about the weather, and I would not have blamed them), so eight of us headed out from the Claremont school.

I'd decided on a route that includes many opportunities to shorten and turn back in case the predicted storms came, but they didn't (two of my wiser sources on the ride said that the storms were for later in the day). As I do on these rides, I suggested the faster folks might want to ride ahead at a few points, but almost nobody did. 

We went down to Kingston along the canal, then up River Road to Rocky Hill, and then to the Arboretum to enjoy some relief (ahem).

While there, Ming had some energy bars that she said were especially for the women.

Not that any of the women on this ride especially needed 'em!

From there to the Sunrise Deli in Millstone.

And then back down Elizabeth Ave, Van Cleef, and back to the school.

At the end, Ming, who had done 70-plus hilly miles on the Revolutionary Ramble yesterday, planned to add another ten miles or so. Nobody offered to accompany her. I decided the demands of chivalry didn't extend that far. 

Ride page. Our average is creeping up. We're getting stronger as the summer goes on. Still, I stick to my assertions: low B pace, and nobody dropped. We've maintained that; I expect that to continue.

tew's farmland route ride

 Earlier this year, The Excellent Wife (TEW) did the Farmland Ride, and was smitten enough with the 30-mile route that:

1. she kept it; and
2. had us drive it to make sure she had it right, and
3. made a date so the two of us could ride it together.

We did it yesterday. It's a great route. Given that it's 30 miles (and not long enough that may of my regular co-riders would want to do just this ride), it includes some great roads (including Yard Road, one of my three favorites in NJ), a decent amount of climb which was satisfying to me without being off-putting to TEW (that demanding switchback on Covered Bridge Road notwithstanding), and the Carousel Deli is just about where you would want a stop. It starts and ends at Mine Brook Park in Flemington, with porta-potties. (They're in wretched condition; nonetheless, they're there.)

It was a great day. We went through the Sergeantsville bridge just because we could. I rode ahead on some of the hills, and let her catch up on the flats and downhills.

(And yes, you may have recognized the bike in the pic as the Krakow Monster, the 30#-plus gravel bike. It's heavy, but it's geared way low. And I use flat pedals and regular shoes on it. We did fine.)

After, we went to dinner to celebrate the 27th anniversary of our first date. Twenty-seven years? How the hell did that happen?

I'm blaming her.

the storm didn't come

Some of the weather predictions around today's ride were dire. Two of my registrants cancelled; at least one ride was cancelled, and who knows how many people didn't bother to register or come out on a ride today because of the threatening storms.

I decided to run the ride anyway (after waiting until early yesterday to post it). And, while we got some rain (if you could call it that; it wasn't particularly determined or ambitious), the storm didn't come.

I decided to redo a route from a few weeks ago to a stop at Blawenburg that Bob N found, mostly because if the weather DID come, there were a number of places to turn round and adjust the route. I had a few takers: Ken W, perennial sweep Dave H, Luis C, Eric H... and Mini B, who complains that she's slow on hills (and she is, although she's doing better than she'll allow herself to admit). Mini went up Coppermine yesterday for the first time; despite that, she came out with us today. I call that determined. Remind me no to p--- her off.

We did this ride.

At the stop at the Blawenburg Bistro, a new favorite place:

Above, Jack H. He'd thought to join us at Willow, along the route... but we got signals crossed, and he was studiously investigation a section of the road that we didn't ride on (oh, well). I noticed him riding down Great Road and called him over, where we cleaned up the error.

I had planned a route the Skillman Park and then up across the Griggstown Causeway... but I suspect the Causeway is under water with all the recent rain (it's the lowest canal crossing), although when we passed, the road was comparatively dry (I didn't notice if the causeway was open). Instead, we came back straight across 518 into Rocky Hill, enjoying the tailwind and the downhill in Rocky Hill.

So I'm back early, getting chores done and writing a blog post. My bike shoes are even dry!

proud of myself

Peter G invited a few of us on a hilly 40-miler today; only Ricky G and I took him up on it.

It's nice to know, as I'm retiring in four months, and closer to seventy than to sixty, that when conditions are just right, I can do 38 miles with 2100' of climb, and still average over 15 mph.

It's not the kind of thing I can always do, and most of the time I'd rather ride with friends who have no interest in that. But it's still nice to know.

saddle rain cover

 I use leather saddles from Selle Anatomica. I use 'em, not because I'm smitten with leather saddles, but because they're the least uncomfortable things I've found.

But, of course, being leather, they're subject to deformation and destruction if they get saturated, so rain covers are suggested (as they are with Brooks saddles). 

(Selle Anatomica makes a rubber saddle... but it's harder than the leather, and so does not suit my posterior.)

I've got it in my head that saddle rain covers should cost $3, should be cheap plastic, and should be readily available. But the saddle covers recommended by both Selle Anatomica and Brooks fit none of those criteria.

A web search to find saddle covers that fit my criteria elicits results... but they're advertising items, made to be printed, and sold in lots of, say, fifty. I don't need fifty.

I'm sewing now, right? So I went to the local Joann shop, and found some cheap table cover plastic with a cheap felt backing, made up some prototypes, and found a shape that works if I'm riding it.

But I also transport the bike, and The Excellent Wife (TEW) and I have recently gotten a trailer hitch bike rack. With all of the fuss and complication, it's still better for my scoliotic spine than hoisting the bike into the hatch of the Prius.

On a recent ride, I decided to test the prototype as a transport saddle cover, where the wind would have at it. The results were not pretty.

That's a pretty hefty rip in the middle.

So it works as a riding saddle cover, but not a transport saddle cover.

I've got some waterproof polyester canvas coming. We'll see how that works.

Hrmph. I may have to give it up and try that Serfas Variant that I've been avoiding.