Woooo-weee... what a cool ride. Work has been pretty busy so I didn't get to depart on my ride till about 6:45PM last night. I was racing the clock, granted with plenty of time but still, my goal was to ride around San Diego Harbor and into Coronado via the 'Bikeway' which takes you across the narrow strip of land connecting Coronado to the mainland and make it to the Ferry terminal in time for the 9:30PM last ferry of the night.... SUCCESS!
The ride ended up being about 25 miles and took me just under 2 hours with a couple photo stops. The carbon bike is definitely fast. I had plenty of time to ponder the bike weight - bike speed correlation on this ride, my conclusions today are that while the 'engine' (myself) certainly is the source of the overwhelming amount of total vehicle weight that taking about 10 lbs off the bike (which is about the difference between my Trek and this carbon bike) is noticeable in climbing and as you initially start out.
My photo uploading has suddenly become difficult so you'll have to wait for photographic proof.
Ohhhh, yes, the title... in honor of the dozens of little rabbits scurrying across the Bikeway Trail in front of my wheel last night... dozens!
25 Miles (467.9 miles annually)
15/18 (Bike Commute/Available Days)
8 Max consecutive work days commduting by bike
Showing posts with label Night Riding. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Night Riding. Show all posts
Wednesday, April 3, 2013
Monday, April 1, 2013
A Classy Upgrade
I arrived in San Diego to find that 'Stay Classy Bike Rental' had indeed dropped off my bike at the hotel along with a message that the Raleigh Revenio 3.0 (aluminum) that I had reserved was not available so they had upgraded me at no additional charge to the Revenio 1.0 (carbon fibre), and that they 'hoped I wouldn't mind'... pretty cool.
Now I have to admit to having some pre-conceived notions about carbon bikes, or aluminum for that matter. I've wholly adopted the opinion that for most purposes a classic steel bike (preferrably lugged) is the right way to do biking... so this week will be a fun opportunity to see how the other half lives and experience the light weight road-machine world of carbon fibre, STI 'brifters', 10 Speed, and of course drop handlebars.
My first quick ride-around upon arrival was a harbor-side trip and here are my first reactions;
-Light weight... wow! This seems to me to give you much quicker acceleration than I"m used to and makes it easier to handle the bike when you are stopped.
-STI 'brifters' are really cool
-My arms from the elbow down were sore immediately and getting numb from the drop bars
-San Diego has some great bike trails on its waterfront!
Lots more coming this week, I hope to get out every day even if it is fairly late in the evenings.
6.85 Miles (442.9 miles annually)
15/18 (Bike Commute/Available Days)
8 Max consecutive work days commduting by bike
A couple glamor shots of the Carbon Steed... lots of fighting with the Nikon wireless transmitter to make this happen... hope you like them!
Now I have to admit to having some pre-conceived notions about carbon bikes, or aluminum for that matter. I've wholly adopted the opinion that for most purposes a classic steel bike (preferrably lugged) is the right way to do biking... so this week will be a fun opportunity to see how the other half lives and experience the light weight road-machine world of carbon fibre, STI 'brifters', 10 Speed, and of course drop handlebars.
My first quick ride-around upon arrival was a harbor-side trip and here are my first reactions;
-Light weight... wow! This seems to me to give you much quicker acceleration than I"m used to and makes it easier to handle the bike when you are stopped.
-STI 'brifters' are really cool
-My arms from the elbow down were sore immediately and getting numb from the drop bars
-San Diego has some great bike trails on its waterfront!
Lots more coming this week, I hope to get out every day even if it is fairly late in the evenings.
6.85 Miles (442.9 miles annually)
15/18 (Bike Commute/Available Days)
8 Max consecutive work days commduting by bike
A couple glamor shots of the Carbon Steed... lots of fighting with the Nikon wireless transmitter to make this happen... hope you like them!
 |
| 10 Speed Brifters... both a first for me, and both a winner in the first outing. |
 |
| I couldn't just leave well enough alone, the MKS Grip Kings came with me (along with my Vetta Saddle but that hasn't been installed yet), I wonder if this is the only carbon bike with these big platform pedals installed in San Diego...? |
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| In all her glory.... Raleigh Revenio 1.0 |
Tuesday, March 19, 2013
Night Rider
Truly thrilling.... not that I haven't been out at night before but this was my longest late night ride to date. It may also have something to do with going point-to-point as opposed to a recreational loop ride. I think the urgency of getting home, for whatever reason, focuses the experience.
Anyway, nice rides on both ends of the day today but the Mt Vernon Trail ride tonight after 10PM was really cool. The new brakes installed on Sunday afternoon were also a noticeable improvement. Tough to describe but I guess they just seem to allow for more precise, incremental breaking while still packing alot more wallop when I really crunch them... pictures to come soon I promise!
18.86 Miles (391 miles annually)
13/16 (Bike Commute/Available Days)
8 Max consecutive work days commuting by bike
Anyway, nice rides on both ends of the day today but the Mt Vernon Trail ride tonight after 10PM was really cool. The new brakes installed on Sunday afternoon were also a noticeable improvement. Tough to describe but I guess they just seem to allow for more precise, incremental breaking while still packing alot more wallop when I really crunch them... pictures to come soon I promise!
18.86 Miles (391 miles annually)
13/16 (Bike Commute/Available Days)
8 Max consecutive work days commuting by bike
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