Industriousnesitude: Tyvek Toe Warmers

This is too good not to pass along. Via RANDONNEUREXTRA

I saw this and was all like

Check it out.

Happy Holidays - LHT Tree Lighting

Last week I finally got the family Christmas tree up. It was no small feat. Look for me in the evenings on the Capital Crescent Trail this holiday season.

If you see me, feel free to say "hi" or just yell "LEARN TO SPELL, ASSHOLE!!" so I know you're one of my readers.

Happy Holidays!

Capital Crescent Trail Conditions And CLIF Bar Love

If you commuters out there are wondering how the Capital Crescent is doing and if it's ok to ride again; here are today's conditions.



The Montgomery County Parks Department needs to invest in a zamboni. The trail is still mostly covered in very hard bumpy ice. The ice tires help a lot on the LHT but dammit I wish they were fatter. I'm tempted to ride my mountain bike to cushion the ride.

Hope this helps.

I got a care package yesterday from Lisa over at Clif Bar. I'm trying not to be such a whore but I love the crap out of their bars and am looking forward to trying out all the other crap they make.

Feel free to share your experiences with anything pictured above.



Friday, you magnificent bastard...

Snow Ride Video!

I shot some video on Wednesday of the my morning commute on the Capital Crescent Trail. What little snow there was, was (was was) sticky so I didn't have any problems on my touring tires (like I did last year).



When I got to work I found a deal on some Innova studded 700x35s.

There are a little thinner than my Continental Contacts but hopefully that will make them better in the deep stuff. I got them mainly because the were cheap as hell and the reviews said they were decent. It's like they were made just for me. I'll do a review after I break them in a bit.

Lethargy and Perspective

I have been sick for 5 of the last six weeks. The week I wasn't sick happened to be the worst storm in DC history. I am starting to get the feeling that I'm not actually a cyclist anymore. After spending most of the week in my house... in my bathrobe, I am ready to chew the bark off a tree. With the latest round of chest congestion I am in no condition to bike, so I caught another car ride into work this morning. At lunch I walked down to my beloved Capital Crescent Trail to see how it was fairing without me.

The trail looked amazing but I don't think it missed me, and rightfully so.

Seeing the trail made me recall when as a younger man some friends and I hiked down to the bottom of the Grand Canyon and back up in the same day. It changed my life, it was one of the best things I've ever done. After emerging from the canyon we were rabid with euphoria and searched down the first person we could find so they could bear witness to out achievement. We came upon an old weathered man and launched at him a volley descriptions and accounts of all that we had overcome. His response was as deep to me as the canyon itself.

"The canyon doesn't care..." he said.

I need to stop whining. Cabin fever doesn't make me less of a cyclist. I just need a ride. One of those holy rides that sets everything right again and delivers a much needed dose of perspective.

A three day weekend won't hurt either.

Snowly Crap!

If you aren't on the central east coast of the states you might not be aware of the ridiculous amount of snow that the DC area has received.

Snowpocalypse,
Snowgasm,
Snowstradamus,
Snow no you dih-ent,
Snowtorius B-I-G,
Blizzaster,
Snow My God,

Snowmageddon,

For what good is 26+ inches of snow if not to fill with beer?

We'll be getting 5-10 more inches tomorrow just to make sure everyone gets the point. I think I'll try and bike anyway.

My kingdom for a Surly Pugsley!

The Commuter Breathes Salty

If you bike commute in the winter, chances are you're familiar with that dirty salt taste in your mouth after a truck goes by and kicks up a cloud of road salt (and magnesium chloride). It takes a lot of water to make that taste go away. This road salt slurry goes several places besides our lungs, the most fun of which are into local creeks and streams. Passing one of our local creeks this morning I saw this silt sludge build up in a tributary of Sligo Creek. This is the drainage point for several neighborhoods near the intersection of Georgia Ave and Seminary Rd. All of which are covered in sand and salt.

I suspect this is what my lungs look like right now.

It would be nice to find mask out there that would work for cyclists. It would have to be something that can filter out the clouds of pulverized salt but at the same time allows a ton of air to pass through. The lycra face mask will have to do for now.

The Sligo Creek Triangle

Since wrecking on the ice on Friday, I did what I should have done a few weeks ago. I got my Giant (AKA The Girvin) up and running with some grippy tires to give the LHT a rest from the ice and salt. I haven't ridden the Girvin since I wrecked it last June on a bridge not 50 yards from where I wiped out on Friday. I think I've discovered the Sligo Creek Triangle.

When I wrecked the Girvin, the drive side pedal was ripped out of the crank. I was worried that the threads would be too damaged to use again but the new pedal went on with little fuss (or so I thought). It wasn't until I rode it that I noticed that either the pedal is at an angle of the crank or bottom bracket is bent. It feels very strange on that side, maybe I'll swap out the cranks tonight.

Abused since 1995 and still kicking ass

While I was at it, I retired one of my oldest pieces of bike gear. My first year of issue XTR v-brakes. I can't remember when Shimano first released the XTR line but I lucked into a good deal for these at mtbr.com. I'll guess 1997 maybe? Anyway, these were my first venture into v-brakes and I remember that first ride being stunned by their stopping power. They were so strong my frame would flex so I put on a brake booster (seen below), which was a 90's thing that I probably didn't need.

The cantilever I put replaced them with are completely inadequate so I think I'll look around for a rebuild kit. I would be nice to have them rocking again.

Just popped open a brand new case of the Mondays...

Winter: 1 - Cycle Jerk: 0

I kept thinking to myself this morning, I should have ridden the Rocky. Why am I riding the LHT when is snowed last night? This thought didn't linger as it was so beautiful out. Blue sky against freshly fallen snow was inspiring to say the least.

There were no ducks today but the sun beams were coming through the trees and lighting everything up. A good morning indeed.

It was shortly after I took this photo that I hit a patch of ice that was hiding under the new snow cover. The front tire disappeared in an instant and over the bars I went. I was able to plant a foot but my other foot snagged the bars and my elbow met the ice at full speed followed by the rest of my body weight.

Sometime during this moment the drop bar on the drive side got jammed under the top tube. I had to hit it a few times to get it unstuck only to see that it made 2 nice dings in the steel.

I doubt that this will cause a structural problem but I am going to send Surly an e-mail to check.

God Dammit...

Back To Work: Staycation Ends

I must apologize for not posting much this month. I took a vacation from work and computing for 4 weeks to help my wife around the house, be a dad, and generally get stuff done. For the most part I was successful. I was able to babysit so my wife could get more tutoring in, I did get some general stuff done, and I kicked ass at fathering.

There were some shortcomings though, I had an idea that I would do one errand a day on my bike to keep things in perspective. This didn't happen. I rode a total of 4 times in 4 weeks which is completely unacceptable. The first two rides were indeed to run some errands, the third was a ride with my daughter in the iBert to take advantage of the last warm day of the year, and the last one was on the trainer in my basement just to convince myself that I was still a cyclist.

The real excitement the staycation was the rookie move I pulled the night of the big snow storm. I was putting platform pedals on my mountain bike so I could go romp in the deep snow in my warm snow boots, when the wrench slipped off the pedal sending my fist into the big ring at full speed. Two cog teeth went as deep as they could go into my pinky depositing their payload of rust and grease with them. After the pain subsided a bit I thought about my options. I might need stitches, I'll need a tetanus, and I definitely need to get the grease out of my pinky. The snow was coming down too hard to drive to the ER so I called a nurse friend of mine who came up with a rather clever solution. Boil a water bottle to sterilize it, fill it with a peroxide/water solution and flush out the wound. This was both unbelievably painful and very effective. The next morning a neighbor with a Defender 90 (totally rad), took me to the ER where they glued my finger shut and gave me a tetanus shot. I only wish there was a way to glue my pride back together.

So with some goals met and some not I am back to work, back to the routine, and back to blogging.

The trail is icy today and I suspect it's going to stay that way for a while. Not the best conditions for the Continental Contacts on the LHT (yeah you know me).

Monday, I wish I could quit you...

The BFF Review: Rise Of The Nesmith Hipster

Last Saturday was the Bicycle Film Festival in Washington DC. I went to two out of the three programs and for the most part I enjoyed myself. For me the two films that embodied the true nature of cycling and most accurately illustrated the passion of cyclists were: "SKI BOYS",the last reels of the Ski Boys, which document their inventive exploits in rural Ontario during the early 70's, and "WHERE ARE YOU GO a documentary following the the four month Tour de Africa.

After watching these and several other selections I was on a huge veloculture high, which came crashing down when they showed "BROADWAY BOMBER/BRIDGE BATTLE", a first person helmet cam film of a street race through NYC. I have been in my share of adrenalin fueled sprints through our fare city and the rush is not lost on me. However, putting pedestrians in danger is just lame. This movie made me angry, I wasn't feeling the velo love anymore. To my amazement I found myself actually hoping that these d-bags would be hit as the bulleted through crowded crosswalks into fast moving traffic. Then a thought came to me, "This is why people throw crap at me when I commute to work. This is why it's so hard for cyclists to get a foothold in our car based culture".

People work extremely hard at advocating for cyclists, getting bike lanes approved, changing laws and gaining acceptance, and when people see butt holes like these flying within inches of an old lady in the cross walk it nullifies the progress made.

Ok, rant almost over...

As I stewed in my seat, I hoped the next film would wash away some of this anger, I was wrong. The final film of the evening was "ANIMA D'ACCIAIO (SOUL OF STEEL)", A Portrait of the legendary Italian frame builder Giovanni Pelizzoli aka "Ciocc". This would have been a great cinematic experience had the hosts been paying any attention and realized that the top and bottom of all the films were cropped off. This was a problem for those who wanted to read the subtitles which were half on the screen and half off. So I stared at the nice Italian people imagining how interesting their insights were and how enjoyable their dialog would be to read.

Overlooking a rather careless film choice and a technical blunder the BFF was pretty cool and I will probably give it another chance if it comes back to DC.

Now to the cultural phenomenon of the evening: The Nesmith.

It wasn't a shock to see the hipsters out in droves at this event. The shock came when I saw several hipsters wearing heavy knit hats with the little pom pom on top, (aka "the Nesmith") made popular by The Monkeys' guitarist, Mike Nesmith .


Making the Nesmith Hipster look complete is the earth tone "well worn" flannel shirt seen above.

This particular Nesmith, (seen volunteering at the BFF DC) is sans flannel, but the pom pom on the knit hat worn just off the back of the head is a sure tell. I imagine the Nesmith Hipster goes dormant during the summer months only to return in late November when the temperature drops.

Although the Nesmith Hipster seems a rare find, I believe that because of the hipsters' knack for proliferation we will be seeing a dramatic increase in population in the coming months.

In the photo above, not only did I capture the illusive "Snarles Barkley", but a potential Nesmith. Notice the flannel and set back hat, unfortunately because of the camera angle we may never know if this hipster was a true Nesmith.

The Wednesday dance is your chance to do the hump...

Spandex Vs. Wool: This Is Gonna Get Crazy

While still in the after glow of the DC Tweed Ride, I thought it would be appropriate to put the two materials that seem to have polarized the cycling community up against each other. Those being spandex and wool.

There is only one proper way to scientifically prove which material is more suited for cyclists, and that's to throw a spandex clad cyclist and a sheep into the Cycle Jerk Particle Accelerator and smash them into each other at mind bending speeds. I know I know, this might create a spandex/wool (Spoondex™) super nova that will destroy the planet in a violent moisture wicking flash of textiles, but I've got to get this settled once and for all.

Before I get going on all that, I thought I would ride into work today wearing one spandex arm warmer and one wool arm warmer to see the difference for myself.

Let me just say that this is in no way scientific. There are a ton of variables which I'm not accounting for and am just using the arm warmers I happen to have.

For this test I am using my tried and true, seven year old spandex arm warmer from Bikes USA which have a soft fleece-like liner on one arm, and a brand new Pearl Izumi Merino wool seamless arm warmer on the other. The weather is still a little warm but that just creates a better environment for testing wickability.

The first difference I notice between the two is the feeling. The spandex is a lot tighter giving that compression/aero feel, where the wool fits well but not nearly as tight. I guess it depends on the ride weather this is a plus or a minus. The wool also does have a slight itchiness to it. Everyone says Merino wool is sans itchy but there is a little there, not enough to bother me but it's there. Initially I found the wool to be warmer than the spandex, but I was still in my kitchen at that point.

Once I started riding they both provided about the same degree of warmth but the wool was letting more air through than the spandex. When my arms started to sweat, that extra air was welcome. I would say that at speed the spandex did a better job of moisture management than the wool, but not by much. Both arms were sweaty when I got to work.

Two places where the wool excels over spandex are odor and warmth when wet. Wool doesn't hold onto odor like spandex does and can go a lot longer without washing. For the a bike commuter that is a pretty big plus. Also when wool is wet it still provides warmth where spandex doesn't.

The bottom line for arm warmers is the wool ultimately feels better. There is something cozy about the wool feel that you don't get with the spandex. That said it's not like I'm running out to buy merino bib tights. Wool and spandex both have uses where they excel, but for fall and winter commuting I'm going to opt for cozy when I can get it.

It's hump day... so get humping dammit!

Snow Commuting Photos

I had to stop and hit the links before work.

Showing off to the Malards in the background.

First Snow Day Continued... AKA Second Snow Day

This morning rode in on my Rocky Mountain which I now dub "The Ice Breaker". Finding a line in frozen footprints in not an easy task.  It felt like I was hauling a trailer.

Bamboo over the trail.

Last night's ride home on the slick tires.

First Snow Day And The Great Trail Cycle

Here are a few pics of the snow on Sligo Creek Parkway. I didn't see any bikers, but I was not the first to lay tracks this morning.

Of course I had a blow out last week and had to put my slicks on just in time for the snow.

Last week I lost a tail light when I dropped off a curb crossing Connecticut Ave. This annoyed me to no end. I can't stand buying tail lights because the obvious mark up. I know most bike gear is grossly marked up nowhere is it more evident then with tail lights. Plastic and a few LEDs shouldn't cost $25 or even $10 for that matter.

So as I was getting closer to work, stewing about the prospect of buying another crappy little tail light, I came across something in the middle of the trail. You guessed it someone else's crappy little tail light. Somewhere ahead of me on the trail was somebody toiling with the same misfortune I was facing. I scooped up the light and headed on my way. I didn't see anyone ahead of me for the rest of the ride. Feeling a tinge of guilt that I may be benefiting from another cyclist's misfortune I take comfort in that this same rider could stumble across the light that I had dropped somewhere on their return trip. The trail giveth and the trail taketh away and the great trail cycle keeps rolling along. Gear lost, gear found... gear lost again. I hope that in the future, when I drop this newly found tail light, the person who finds it will see the cosmic forces that brought the two together... and not just try and sell it on Ebay.

December Crap Fest

After bike commuting for the last few years I have come to the conclusion that DC winters are not nearly cold enough. This realization usually rears its head during a phenomenon I dub “The December Crap Fest”. No it’s not an anti-consumerism holiday thing (although that would work too), it’s about the weather, the crappy crappy slushy slop weather.

In December things start to get cold and a young man's fancy turns to snow. Unfortunately for you young men and women who bike commute, its an annoying limbo where no matter what you wear you are going to be burning hot or freezing at some point riding to or from work. If it would just get 10 degrees colder I could wear some cold weather stuff and be comfy. It seems I will have to wait for January and hope.

I know I am complaining like a big sissy boy wuss bag but just look at this week’s outlook…

image stolen and photoshoped from nbc4

Really I am grateful for the opportunity to ride my bike every day of the week no matter what crap is flung at me. I will be looking forward to some fender deep snow to play in.

PS.

It looks like the crap fest is not a local phenomenon. Just ask Jill up in Alaska.

A Snot-Freezing Good Time

Those of us who are commuting through the winter engage in a daily balancing act: the balance between being freezing cold or burning hot. We are our own test pilots conducting thermal retention and aerodynamics tests on every ride. Here is my typical morning conundrum:

If it’s 24 degrees with no wind I can get away with shirt “A”, but if the wind is up I will need to wear arm warmers underneath. If it dips below 24 degrees when I get to the creek (which it will) I will need to put a skull cap over my balaclava. Yesterday I couldn’t feel my pinkies after the creek. When I climb the next hill my head may overheat and I'll get nauseous. Whatever, I will loose the skull cap and hammer at the creek to keep my heart rate up, then take it easy up the hill. But if I still have my arm warmers on at that point I may be soaked in sweat by the time I get to the office. How much of a shower can I get away with in the bathroom sink? That’s it! I am going to buy shirt “B” after work.

Does this sound familiar? This is just one aspect of the many elements that we test pilots have to consider before each ride.

Here are a few tips for winter commuters:
Will vary based on fitness and type of commute.

Seek the Flats
If possible find an alternate winter route that has the fewest hills. I know I know, where is the fun in that? When riding below the freezing mark it is important to maintain your body temp. If you are constantly climbing and descending your temp will fluctuate. Climbing will raise your temp like crazy when you are layered and you will be soaked in sweat just in time for that big cold descent. A flat ride gives you more control over you core temperate.

Lights Lights Lights
Embrace your inner Christmas tree. Multiple rear lights are a good thing. Put lights all over the place just be mindful of oncoming riders.

Be prepared to Escalate
Always carry your next layer in case you get into trouble. I have a rain jacket and Gore-Tex pants in a pannier for that “what if” moment. What if I get a flat and loose all my body heat while changing it? What if it gets really freakin cold? What if it starts to rain?

Stash Your Non-Cycling Clothes
Leave what you can at work. If you can get away with it designate a pair of “work shoes” that you leave at work. This way you won’t have to shuttle them back and forth. Also stashing an extra sweater or jacket in your desk is helpful when you have to leave the building during work hours. There is nothing like going to a work lunch with only your wind stopper shell to protect you.

Treat Yourself
When shopping for the ultimate winter protection splurging may be warranted. There is no substitute for being prepared in cold weather and just think of all the money you are saving on gas! That being said I got one of my favorite winter shirts for $12 bucks during a summer sale.

Ice is Dirty
If you ride in the snow, ice will accumulate on your bike. Mixing with all the mud salt and road crap it will become a nasty frozen stew. A stew that will melt all over the carpet the second you bring it indoors. This does not make for a happy HR department. Unless you have a safe place to let the bike drip dry you may need to bring a hard plastic bristle brush like a chain cleaning brush to remove the ice before entering the office.

Lastly, Don't Forget to Bring a Towel!

What are your favorite winter riding techniques?

Old Man Winter is Going Down

My wife and I recently moved into a house built in 1937. It's a cool little house that comes with a lot of charm and unfortunately cold floors and drafty windows. We had similar problems in our old house but didn't do much about it. I have no intention of living with the cold again, so I scored a Thermoworks infrared thermometer to measure the surface temperature of the walls, windows, floors, ceilings, and just about anything else I point it at. Aside from being a fun new toy, it has proven very useful in the fight against the heating bill. I have found places around doors and electrical outlets where the heat escapes. A 5 to 10 degree shift in surface temp can lead you to an unsealed door frame or a window that may need replacing. At $100, it wasn't cheap, but well worth the price.