San Diego Sixty-six-tury

I have signed up for my first organized long distance bike ride, the San Diego Century, on May 21. I would like to complete an actual century this year, but this event is not going to be the time. I will be riding the 66-mile route. The full 103-mile route has got some climbing that I doubt that I can prepare for in a little over a month.

Other than my sporadic 30 mile round trip bike commutes, I've thus far managed two training rides. The first was to be about 34 miles in it's entirety, but between a hot day, a late start, and a general lack of fitness, I had to call in the broom wagon after only 23 miles completed. That was a little disheartening (especially since the ride was on part of the course route) but a successful 28 mile ride this past weekend has restored a modicum of confidence.

My ass will thank me later

I decided to join the ranks of Brooks England aficionados and recently purchased a B-17 leather saddle for my bike. The stock saddle on my bike is fairly narrow, about 145 mm, and more suited to sportier riding. The Brooks is 175 mm wide and is considered by many de rigueur for commuting, touring, and other such riding. I'm hoping the change will be of long term benefit. I also like the classic look of the leather saddle - it easily works with my bike - and I'd be remiss if I didn't admit there is some cachet to the Brooks nameplate on the back, too.



By chance I came across a bargain basement find of a pair of Crank Brothers Candy pedals for $6. They were inside a box of some generic platform pedals and I was pleasantly surprised when I took a peek inside! I've already installed them in place of my Crank Brothers Mallet pedals. The platform on these is much smaller, so not as good for normal street shoe riding, but it turns out they are much easier to engage with my cleated shoes. There is still enough platform there that I can just jump on from a dead stop and pedal away. The Mallets will go back on my mountain bike and I can always switch back later on if needed.



My bike has seen a nice transformation this week. I'm quite pleased.

Back in the Saddle

It’s been awhile since my last post (whoa, first since October and first of 2011!). Much of that has to do with me not making my bike commute on a regular basis pretty much since September. I definitely had no rides after the fall time change. I have a few bike commutes under my belt in 2011, but it's been a slow start.

As I think I have mentioned before, I haven’t been keen on riding home in the pitch dark on the parts of my commute with high-speed car traffic (basically the start of my ride home from work). I have lights but they’re more of the be-seen-in-the-dark variety than the see-in-the-dark variety. The days have been getting longer again, though, and already the spring time change is upon us. Hmmm...This makes it darker in the evening again for a little while, right??  

I don’t remember having many issues with available light last year at this time. Though last year at this time I was doing the partial bike commute to the park & ride 6 miles from work. These days I’m only doing the 15 mile door-to-door commute, so obviously I’m out on the road longer. It is dark by the time I reach home.

In addition to the darkness issue, I have also just been having a hard time again getting ready to leave early enough to ride in. I did get into a pretty good routine for most of 2010, so I’m looking forward to getting back into those good habits again for 2011.

2011 Madsen Cycles

You can pretty much ignore this post. I am participating in the MADSEN Cycles link contest, whereby I can win one of these cool cargo bikes you see below. I probably would look more pimp than this guy even. Because you know he looks cool in that hipster dad sorta way. I know, I know, you're saying to yourself, Juan, you are already as cool or cooler than this poseur. Yes, but I don't have a cargo bike. After I win this, then I'll be all set. Though I might need that hat, too.