Saturday 30 June 2012

I'm not tough!

As a cyclist I tend to just get on with it. Out on the road or the track some days are harder than others and at times I do have to concentrate and bring in some 'top two inch' skills to get to where I want to be. That was until I read this:
http://www.google.com/reader/view/#stream/feed%2Fhttp%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2Fadventure-journal

In this article I found out what I do is 'tough it out' just like I used to do when tramping or climbing!
I had never really considered that to be the case.
Last month's ride from my Aunt's home in Milton to my home via the mainly gravel roads through Toko Mouth, Measly Beach, Wangaloa and Kaitangata turned out to be one of these rides!
It started out with a mild ride beside the Tokomairiro River:
The final 15kilometres were fine from Kaitangata over the bitumin to Balcutha.
The 30 km in between was difficult due to the darkness, gravel produced by the grader having worked over the road in the last few days and the skinny tyred bike I chose to ride.
So, I 'toughed it out' and smiled all the way.




Why not to promote wearing helmets.

Interesting research and findings here!

https://docs.google.com/file/d/0BxrqD5hJ9efAaUNnMy1uRUNieUk/edit?pli=1

Eclectically knowledgeable about certain aspects of this research.
(The close proximity of other vehicles)

Dodgey New Bike - ride #91 & #458

Good frost, sunny day sees Martin and I rolling to Kaitangata on his first run on his new (to him) Melvern Star Oppy C5  - yep, it's carbon.
We strolled along with the impatient Saturday drivers while dressed for half way up the Eiger.
This first ride in the holidays is developing into a 'must do'. Gives us time to turn a wheel together and to gossip. Even 'vent'.
Thanks Martin for 30km of debrief cycling.

Eclectically worried that once Martin is fit I'll need to ride carbon just to keep up.






That's Martin hiding at the right hand side!

Wednesday 27 June 2012

Winter rack. #88 & #455.

P1010434 by Bazzaphotos
P1010434, a photo by Bazzaphotos on Flickr.
Lined up they beg for comparison.
Using the same photo two posts in a row is not the best idea, but following short rides in very wintery conditions I had the idea that racking bikes does allow for some comparison.
Closest wheels on an almost 25 year old bike were re-built by my mate Scott about 6 years ago. The furtherset away wheels have spokes with airodynamic cross section.
If only I could ride them fast enought to help make a difference in speed!

Rides #88 and #455 were very short and not so sweet!
Eclectically  thankful  to wheels.

Monday 25 June 2012

Monday Rides #86 & #453

Commuting  in the pre-dawn hour brings me up against frost. While it appears readily on our deck it does not seem to settle on the roads (thank heavens).
Which brings me to consider wheels. They are just there on the end of the forks, rotating constantly. Amazingly robust. The ones I rode on today have small stickers cautioning against the excessive use of the brakes!
Seems to be a strange message to have on a bike wheel.
The brake surfaces are a bit scoured, but that happens over time.
 Had the thought that I could upgrade the rims. Wonder if I could go for a wheel set with disk breakes for 'Belta' the belt driven 'chainlesswonder".

Eclectically waiting for gale force winds overnight.

What will tomorrow's ride be like?

Saturday 23 June 2012

Another new orphan. Now on Ride #84 & #451

Another new orphan. by Bazzaphotos
Another new orphan., a photo by Bazzaphotos on Flickr.
What a week!
A head cold and an environmentally cold week combined with the need to fly pre-dawn to Christchurch on Thursday returning well after dark on Friday.But, I did manage a ride EVERY day!
On Thursday during a double decker bus tour of the Red Zone of earthquake ravaged central Chrischurch I spotted 30 cyclists congregating rigged for a Matariki  (mid-winter) night ride. Oh did I want to get off the bus and join in! Had I known I would have flown with a bike!
Daily cyclists have to be creative to get out on the bike daily! Take Friday for example.
All day at a Virtual Professional Learning Develepoment Hui, learning about blended and connected learning.
Off the aircraft and a quick drive into a flat in the student area of Otago University to pick up the bike illustarted above.
Bought through  http://www.trademe.co.nz/  the pick up was from a flat on the banks of the Leith a stream which runs through the campus. The ride was short as the rear tyre needed considerable air pressure to improve the ride! characteristics.
So, even with many barriers in the way the determined cyclist can get a ride in every day.

Tuesday 19 June 2012

Have a cold - Ride #80 and #447

Difficult ride back up hill home due to head cold.
Speaking of cold - these two share who's closest to the fire!
The one on the left is a guest!


Eclectically hopeing that the cold clears up!

Sunday 17 June 2012

Late afternoon Ride #78 & #445.

Brakes better!
So, if you crane your neck you'll see a new brake block on the over 25 year old bike.
 Always ride it in the second half of winter which ticks over this week.
The bike is ready! Ice and frost in the shadey areas today.
Eclectically expecting to ride a knobbly tyred bike in the morning. Cheers.

Saturday 16 June 2012

Turn back..... you'll never make it! Rides #77 / #444

Winter, sore throat so down to Inch Clutha to ride a very short track to the Matau Mouth of the Clutha River on the NISS.
Excellent graded track for 2km then a boggy farm track for 150m before break out onto the river bank / beach.
Then: "turn back .... you'll never make it!"
Water to the left is Clutha River flowing into the Pacific Ocean beyond.

Bit of sand and even riders thoughts turn to art!














Back at the car with the throat feeling raspy.
 Eclectically happy to have had a quiet ride in the winter sun.


(Half an hour cleaning the bike almost took the shine off it!)

Low Ride #76 / #443

Constant rain combined with the onset of a head cold made me only ride local roads for a mere 2km. Christmas car had to have some minor maintenance. I'd rather ride in the rain than drive. Is driving the cause of a red sore throat? Sore throat alive after a sleep.
This should entrtain me indoors.
Eclectically expecting a few quite days on the bike.

Thursday 14 June 2012

You what! Ride #75 / #442

Showers and cold. Comute down hill with plenty of spary.
Loaded the GT Avalanche with the slick tyres into one of the work mini-vans to drop it down town for service, 2 km including the return journey.
Dropped the van off easily and was offered a ride back to work. Politely declined and met a discussion about adults riding bikes. I just said I enjoy riding. Other adults joined the discussion pointing out the cold and the danger. I just shrugged and mentioned the health benefits, turned on the lights and rode the 1km back to work.

Eclecticaly wondering why adults are afraid to ride? Is it that they are welded psychologically to their vehicles?

Tuesday 12 June 2012

Rides #'s 73 & 440

Rides #'s 73 & 440 by Bazzaphotos
Rides #'s 73 & 440, a photo by Bazzaphotos on Flickr.

Helmets are my constant ride companion. I have three, only wear one. They are required on the road by law.

Eclectically wondering if I don't need them on some rides.

Monday 11 June 2012

Wet commutes Rides #72 & #439

Wet roads on the way down ijn the dark in the morning.
Heavy rain on the climb back home.
This pic tells it all at our house!

Eclectically happy to be stomping the pedals in the rain.
Cheers.

Sunday 10 June 2012

Dangerous things pedals! Ride #71 / #438

Rat trap / bear trap pedals as are fittted to the single speed NISS I rode today create excellent welts on your shins when you get it wrong.
The bark is knocked off and blood oozes!  A few painful hobbles later and I'm back spinning.

Eclectically hopeing I want knock the scabs off when I ride the NISS again.

Saturday 9 June 2012

Spot the fur seal - we didn't!

Spot the fur seal - we didn't! by Bazzaphotos
Spot the fur seal - we didn't!, a photo by Bazzaphotos on Flickr.
Ride #70 and #437 was cold, blowing from the south on the ride out to the beach! Dog walking we got past this fellow before spotting him. The things you come across during a ride!

Thursday 7 June 2012

Ride #68 / #435

Only bike which was used for the paper run only. Frost glistened on the roads.

Eclectiaclly needing a long ride!

Wednesday 6 June 2012

Snow Ride #67 / #432

Daily chore of riding out to post boxes and delivering the morning paper about the neighbourhood accomplished in snowy and icy conditions. Produces a big smile.

Eclectically trying not to crash on ice!

Tuesday 5 June 2012

Ride #66 / #431

Cold southerly change on the way. Snow in forecast, maybe these tyres on this belt driven bike may not be the best choice.

Eclectically expecting snow.  :-))

Monday 4 June 2012

Ride #65 / #430

Bicycle retail. by Bazzaphotos
Bicycle retail., a photo by Bazzaphotos on Flickr.
I can even get my 'new bike fix' on a public holiday (Queens Birthday) at The Warehouse.
Not that I would wish to ride these heavy models.
Short rides are the order of the day.

Eclectically happy not to be riding any of these.

Sunday 3 June 2012

Just in time - Ride #64 / #429

Arrived home with only a few minutes to spare before lights would be needed. Even if it is virtually full moon.




Eclectically happy to have tomorrow off work - Queens Birthday here in NZ.

Saturday 2 June 2012

Ride #63 / #428

Excellent use of a commuter bike to roll down to the local show grounds to take photos of our 2nd XV rugby boys being beaten. Managed one good photo of a try.
I spotted in this ride Dunedin yesterday. This is a good rig for commuting. Cheap, simple, easly ridden and visible.

Eclectically happy cyclist.

Friday 1 June 2012