Rode the usual easy morning ride this morning, which was enjoyable enough, but I'm starting to think about dusting off the old mountain bike or going out for a levee ride on the track bike or something like that to break up the monotony. I've even been thinking about where we might be able to put on a cyclocross race around here. Having essentially NO hills, it is difficult to find courses that will force the riders to run for any distance. I have the winter training rides to look forward to, starting in a couple of weeks, so that's something!
I'm kind of thinking about trying to pick up a cheap carbon fork with an Al or steel steerer to put on the track bike so I can hook up a front brake and do a little fixed-gear work on the road this winter. I sure wish the velodrome was in New Orleans instead of Baton Rouge. Of course, I can always go ride the levee brakeless if I'm careful, but it would definitely freak out the guys on the group ride if I showed up for one of those on the track bike without a brake. Can't say I'd blame 'em either. Anyway, it's a thought. There must be tons of old threaded carbon forks floating around that people have upgraded, and since my frame is small they could all be cut and threaded to work. Heck, it might even be worth going threadless if I could get a really good deal, 'thou I'd have to buy a new headset and stem, at least. Maybe I should ask around locally first and see if I get lucky. The other things on my current wish-list are a new saddle, new bars before the ones I have break from the corrosion, badly needed new headset, new chainrings, at least one new cassette, and a few other miscellaneous items. Probably looking at a good $400 even if I shop around. Well what the heck, I came out $5 ahead with my winnings last weekend. As usual, I probably won't get any of it until what I have actually breaks. Such is life.
I was quite surprised yesterday when The Wife asked when the winter rides were starting and said she might go out and ride one of them, or part of one of them. It's been at least 10 years since she's done that. I think that may officially make her a "recovering mom." Of course that is very likely to ultimately result in a need for a new bike, or at least some new equipment, since hers still has friction shifting and a 6-speed freewheel and is, I think, over 25 years old. Good ol' Reynolds 531 tubing. Man, that stuff wasn't very stiff but it sure did last. If she starts to get back into riding, at least it'll be easier to find her christmas presents.
The Tulane bicycle group, which is really more of a campus bicycle safety and education group, just started a list on yahoogroups.com (search for bike tulane), no naturally I planted a seed there for a collegiate cycling team. We'll see if it sprouts.
Just finished commenting on a neat research proposal that one of our faculty is getting ready to submit. That was a nice break from the routine!
1 comment:
Oh, I wouldn't want to spoil the mystery! There are far fewer secrets to bike racing than most people think. But then we wouldn't want that little tidbit to get out, would we? OTOH, if you have a question, just ask and I'll give you an answer. Sometimes, it might even be the correct one!
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