conditions have improved

conditions have improved
Originally uploaded by fxdwhl

wind & rain

the theme of the day
thirty nine degrees
northwest wind
some fat snow flakes falling too
spring has sprung hasn't it?
the impending commute home
will make this weekends seventy degrees
all the more pleasant
the fair weather rider lacks in perspective
just how glorious the sunny days are
.

recovering

recovering
Originally uploaded by fxdwhl

whirlwind weekend of renovations
paint carpet shelving lighting
living rooms finished
except for a new television
we're just hemorrhaging money at the moment

nice ride thru the fog this morning
very quiet

the greenery returning
is welcome as well

1:16 AM

1:16 AM
Originally uploaded by fxdwhl

all done
too tired
been awake for far too long today

friday night partying

friday night partying
Originally uploaded by fxdwhl

painting the living room
waiting to apply the second coat
soundtrack provided by built to spill
the live album
cortez the killer is quite enjoyable
time to go

photographic devices

so my camera has finally died. the batteries won't hold a charge and the lens cover refueses to open without assistance. considering i found it in a ditch while riding home, i'm happy with it's performance and zero dollar investment over the years. the iphone has been handling picture duty lately (see below) but i'm now in the market for a proper camera once more.


(deer that didn't make it)


(today)


(spotted once the snow melted)


(that guy again)

opening the floor to suggestions here. would like to keep it around two hundred or so. small and packable as it'll travel via bike daily. tough and reliable too; never dropped one but would like to imagine it could survive at least one blow. i'm really starting to miss such key features as zoom and focus that the iphone is lacking.
.

:::

the wind is helpful at the moment
silent as our speed and direction harmonize
shift to a smaller cog exploiting the advantage
cadence lags at first but ramps up
requiring another gear change
false flat climbing with ease
hands loose on the tops
just as quickly though
the road takes a slight curve
and the surrounding hills redirect the air
momentarily to the still calm of equilibrium
before switching to a gusty crosswind
counter steering and shifting at once
finding that balance
as the wheels are pulled out from under you
the winds a steadfast companion
varying in temperament
but loyal and present for the entire commute
.

in a constant state of motion

in a constant state in motion
Originally uploaded by fxdwhl

stretching out the legs

never mind that i forgot to start the gps
it was a complete loop
40 miles or so
some prime backroads
couple sections of fast paced dirt
good times with pavé and crew
.

cargo hauling

friday night coming home from work.




saturday afternoon post playground action.
.

quiet once more

making a chain last
the whole winter season
on the fixed gear daily commuter
is ill advised
i'd just keep piling on the lube
and yet rust would form
so i'd just keep piling on the lube
for months on end
until the tar like consistency was too much
cast off into the trash
fresh pc-850 unpackaged
clean the stainless chainring with mineral spirits
all looks well
clean the stainless cog with mineral spirits
alls not well
see that distinctive shark fin shape
that a stretched out chain provides
unbolt the cog
flip it over
bolt it back on
fresh teeth for silent pedaling once more
break the new chain
powerlink it back together
add just the right amount of tension
snug down the track nuts
maintenance done
lesson learned

soon time for an upgrade

soon time for an upgrade
Originally uploaded by fxdwhl

to quote evey:
"one day, i ride the bike, with helmet!"
she's too stinking cute.
it just melts my black heart.

a respite to don the rain gear

a respite to don the rain gear
Originally uploaded by fxdwhl

forties and pissing rain
bleak gray skies
standing water in the fields
manure on the roads
a stiff crosswind
spring classics weather

eighteen versus one

46/36
x
11-12-13-15-17-19-21-24-28

or

40
x
15

fixing the pacer
has become a mental debate once more
click.click.click
chain drags across cogs
easier uphill
click.click.click
chain drags across cogs
quicker downhill
the system has it's merits
but the no options
just pedaling
just going
has it's draw as well

maintainence time soon approaches
and there's no use
buying shifty bits
when all i want
is a lone fixed cog

i'm a map nerd

google just added the 'by bike' option to directions on their maps. punched in my home and work addresses and results seem promising. the blue squiggly line is a combination of routes i've taken and while not avoiding all sketchy roads (personal preference), they are all bikeable. this could come in pretty handy...

FYI

FYI
Originally uploaded by fxdwhl

though snow pack is minimal and spotty
offroad cycling should be avoided
as soil conditions are quite soft
allowing skinny tires to dig in deeply
rendering oneself overgeared
even while lacking elevation gain

it was a pleasant day

it was a pleasant day
Originally uploaded by fxdwhl

commuting sans jacket
pasty white skin exposed
enjoying the warmth

refocused

too many ideas
too many variables
too many paths for the mind wander

uprooting our home is postponed
planned repairs will continue
but at a sensible pace
in a year we'll evaluate where we stand

milo will gain a friend
we've met one candidate already
a sweet girl from the shar-pei rescue
he's been lonely since biff passed

other events have transpired as well
but i won't delve into them here

atop a bicycle is a wonderful place to think
i'm grateful for my time in the saddle
physical and mental liberation
.

still rolling along

busy times around here.
i'll try to keep the silence to a minimum.
big changes are in the works.
more news when it's fit to discuss.

february wrap up

february wrap up
Originally uploaded by fxdwhl

orange = ride to work (15 days, 450 miles)
yellow = drive to work (3 days)
blue = dirt or road ride (4 days)
year commute stats = 35 days, 990 miles

revised my commuting route to avoid busier roads; totals 30 miles vs. the 27 miles i've traveled daily for years now. still struggling to compensate for extra travel time but enjoying the vastly quieter route. snow storms shut down work and derailed the daily pedaling but hopefully that's behind us as spring approaches.