Panic Attack

Just had a panic attack.

I was getting my bike ready to ship next week and found a crack in my rear wheel. Too late to get a replacement from my wheel supplier in California. So I had to start calling the bike shops on Cape Cod to find replacement wheels. Not too many Cape bike shops stock high end wheels - really can't blame them as the typical Cape Cod bike rider uses a beach cruiser or hybrid. Most high end bike riders that do ride here are coming from "off-Cape" on vacation - and I doubt they are coming here to buy high end bike components. So pickings were slim.

In any case I decided to go with a heavier wheel with more spokes (24 spokes versus 20 in rear wheel). Hopefully this will be enough added strength (2nd rear wheel I have blown out in the last 13,000 miles).

What amazed me was that before buying the wheels I checked out as many bike forum and bike reviews as I could and could not find a single wheel that did not have a bunch of negative comments (hard to get tires on, broken spokes, hubs suck, etc.). Either we have reached that point where the reduction in weight has reduced bike wheels to point where breakage is a common occurence - or - we bike riders just like to complain about everything. I can't even image what kinds of issues are going to develop with the latest craze to use carbon wheels!

So now I have replaced practically every component on my bike (chain, front chainrings, cassette, wheels, tires, brake pads and cables, rear derailleur, bottom bracket, seat, and stem). Should have bought a new bike. Oh well.

Now my only problem is finding spare spokes in time to take on the trip. Worst case is I might have to have my wife fed ex them to me.

Mother Nature is Conspiring Against Me!

What a day for a bike ride...

National Weather Service Alerts for North Truro, MA

• 

  GALE WARNING

  Now - Sunday, May 26, 12:00pm

* WINDS AND SEAS...WEST WINDS 15 TO 20 KT WITH GUSTS UP TO 35 KT. SEAS 3 TO 6 FEET.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A GALE WARNING MEANS WINDS OF 34 TO 47 KNOTS ARE IMMINENT OR OCCURRING. OPERATING A VESSEL IN GALE CONDITIONS REQUIRES EXPERIENCE AND PROPERLY EQUIPPED VESSELS. IT IS HIGHLY RECOMMENDED THAT MARINERS WITHOUT THE PROPER EXPERIENCE OR EQUIPMENT SEEK SAFE HARBOR PRIOR TO THE ONSET OF GALE CONDITIONS.

How to reach me!!!

I just got a list of the hotels we are going to stay in each night on the trip - in paper form.  I think it is important that a bunch of people have the ability to reach me in case of emergencies and I can't imagine me printing out the hotel list and mailing it to each of my "reach parties".

To solve this problem I have created a Google Calendar that includes for each day of the trip - the name of the hotel we are staying in, the city, the phone number and mailing address of the hotel.  Here is a sample for June 16th:

The calendar has been created with public viewing access and can be reached with the following web link.  (Ed. Note: the calendar looks blank until June 16, the start of the ride and the first night in a hotel).


What is even better is that if I get lost on the ride, I can use this calendar to "Google" directions from my iPhone simply by clicking on address listed for each hotel.  This should help my fellow riders as well.

Bike Bag Necessities

Had a flat yesterday on a 65 miler.  Not a big deal -  but decided from now on I am going to ride with two spare tubes versus one.  I must be totally paranoid as I also carry one or two self-adhesive tube patches.  Just too far away from home on these long training rides to deal with a second, or worst, third flat.  

Not sure what you carry in your bike kit but here are a couple of items that I have added to my "tool kit" over the years.....

I carry a pair of light weight, disposable latex gloves as well as an individual wrapped, citrus-based hand wipe into my kit.  These really helped out in cleaning up after the tube replacement.  Nothing worst then getting back on the bike with dirty hands (particularly if you have white handlebar tape).  They take up minimal space in my seat bag and well worth the time and effort to carry. 

I also take my tubes out of the box they come in and put them in a small plastic sandwich bag (tightly wrapped secured with strong elastic bands). You can really reduce the amount of space these tubes take up with some strong elastic bands.  I then use the baggie to put the used gloves, tube and hand wipe in after use.  

I also carry an individual wrapped Chamois Butt creame from Paceline Products - available on Amazon.  On my long ride yesterday I was getting some sore spots and this little item proved its worth.  While these are prepackaged and individually wrapped, I stick the unopened  Butt Creame in a small 3x5 plastic envelope along with a small piece of paper towel.    As more often than not, I have to put the opened package back in my kit - never seems to be a garbage can near me on my rides - these little plastic envelopes prevent a big mess until I can dispose of the packaging.   Paper towel helps keep the stuff off my handlebar tape and clothing after applying.

With as many long rides as we are going to do, I think the Butt Creame will pay for itself ten times over.

I also put my Cliff Shot in one of these little plastic 3x5 bags - again to prevent my bag or bike shirt back pocket from getting all screwed up after opening the Cliff Shot.  This stuff is really messy and there is never a garbage can around when I use the stuff.

Kink in my training schedule

Fell off a ladder last week and got rushed to the hospital.  This is always an experience living at the outer most end of Cape Cod.  Our closest hospital is 50 miles away and the only road to the hospital is a two lane highway with no passing allowed.    Thank god for ambulances, flashing lights and sirens.

Luckily I did not break anything but had to stay overnight for observation.  Unfortunately I lost a key week of training as I was just getting the daily mileage up to the right range (50-60 miles).  Oh well it could have been worst -  I could have broken something and had to scratch the ride.

Back to square one on the training plan....




One good thing ....wife has forbade me to paint the house - so one less item on the "to do list" before the ride.