monkeymartian

Tandeming

Andrew — Sun, 29 Aug 2010 15:56:20 +0000

Sunday morn in the greeway.

Mobile posts?

Andrew — Sat, 28 Aug 2010 02:44:52 +0000

I’m going to try and post a little more often now that I have a mobile device that I can post from. I’d like to post shorter entries with photos from my rides.

sometimes the simplest rides are the best rides

Andrew — Sun, 15 Aug 2010 13:34:02 +0000

Yesterday, I installed a lovely new set of Paul brakes on the Canti-Rom. I convinced E to go on a short shakedown ride with me. The weather was very hot and humid, so she came with me reluctantly, grumbling about the heat. Dropping down into the ravine of the Greenway the temperature felt just a little cooler. Stopping by the creekside here and there, we watched as the green and iridescent black damselflies (aka fairies) flitted through the woods. A regal red tailed hawk watched us from the dead tree across the creek. Finally, we played with the minnows at the little pool by the bridge by tossing in small pebbles. The fish rose up for the ripples looking for a meal. E looked up from me beside the creek and said “Dad, you know this is actually pretty fun” as she tossed another pebble in the pool.

still riding

Andrew — Sun, 01 Aug 2010 19:30:53 +0000

I’ve been very quiet here for a few months. Work has been very hectic and getting in the way of writing anything meaningful, or otherwise here. I’m still riding to work most days, but recently I’ve had to make treks out to Mississauga several times week. This has been cutting into my riding time, but work is work.

Recently, I was dismayed to read there was a fatal collision between a motorist and a cyclist at an intersection that I ride through regularly on my route to/from work. This hit far too close to home.

I’m planning on a bit of a solo light touring effort in the Bancroft area in a few weeks. I need to get some new tires and I’m looking in to the brake issue. I think I might treat myself to the Paul’s but they are mucho dinero. Good thing I’ve got a birthday coming soon!

wild pigs

Andrew — Mon, 31 May 2010 17:03:31 +0000

I like to do as much maintenance on my bike as possible. I like messing with the tools and replacing parts at they wear out. The one thing that I have a really hard time with on my Rivendell Romulus is replacing the cantilever brake pads. I’ve used brand name and generic vee brake replacement shoes and inserts as well Kool Stop salmon pads and I still get squealing from the front brake. (I haven’t tried the no-squeal pads from Velo Orange, perhaps they are next for a test). I’ve tried moderate toe-in, lots ‘o toe-in and no toe-in and I still get squealing from the front brake. I took my bike in to the shop once to get the brake pads replaced and I got squealing from the front brake. I’ve had the bike for almost 5 years now and brake squealing from the front has been an issue the whole time.

OTOH, I’ve changed the pads on my vee break equiped hybrid and I can get them to run properly.

The canti brakes themselves are Tektro Oryx. They have a ‘low profile’ design that might be part of the culprit. I think I’ve exhausted the pad placement (save the no-squealers) so what’s next? Replace the straddle cable with something lower? A new set of brakes?

I’ve been drooling over the combo of a Paul neo-retro front canti for the front wheel and touring canti for the rear wheel for some time. It might be time to add some bling to the machine.

beausage or just worn out?

Andrew — Sat, 22 May 2010 17:40:41 +0000

Cotton handlebar tap under a few coats of shellac is wonderfully durable. This tape has been on my bike since I purchased it in 2005. Pretty good for 5 years of use, I think. It might be time to replace it.

this running thing is… hard!

Andrew — Tue, 27 Apr 2010 23:46:30 +0000

After work last week, some folks from the office plied me with beer convinced me to join a team for a charity run. I figured, “Hey, 5K should be no sweat. I ride my bike like 6 times that distance almost every day.” So I dutifully got myself fitted for a pair of running shoes. I ended up with a pair from the ‘blue’ section, which I think means that my feet and gait are just a little bit screwed up. I thought I would end up with some from the ‘red’ section for sure (I’m always tripping over stuff.” I learned about words like ‘over pronate’ and a new way to tie my shoes so my heel doesn’t lift. Cool, eh?

The next day, I set myself a modest course around my neighbourhood and left early to avoid the scrutiny of my in-shape neigbhours. I found out very quickly that this running thing is hard! I mean, you can’t even gear down to spin up hills and you can’t even coast on the downhills. What do I look like, a fixie rider? I don’t even own a pair of skinny jeans for crying out loud! During the run I kept thinking “This would be way more fun on my bike!”

Seriously though, this ‘measly’ 5k is going to take some work to get ready for so I don’t totally embarrass myself. My new goal is to finish the ‘race’ without having to walk.

I could totally smoke that course on my bike.

style

Andrew — Tue, 20 Apr 2010 15:48:55 +0000

I saw this styling bicycle for sale on Craigslist. This is where classic ‘retro’ components, frames and carefully selected new parts can get you. A handsome city bike, for sure.

Well looky that… I saw this on the Two Serious Bikes blog a few weeks ago. See how much stuff you can load on a low-trail bike.

cyclofiend

Andrew — Mon, 19 Apr 2010 17:36:38 +0000

I’ve added a link to a new blog connected to an “old” site that I visit once in a while: Cyclofiend. Of particular interest (well to me, anyway!) is the current classics gallery. If you like lugged steel, aluminium fenders, leather saddles and canvas bike bags have a look at the more than 700 bikes. Yes, it’s a fetish.

that new shoe smell

Andrew — Sun, 18 Apr 2010 15:06:06 +0000

Back in March, I treated myself to a new pair of cycling shoes, purchased from a new LBS, Evolution Cycles. I replaced my ancient, stupidly named, Nike Poobahs with a pair of high-tech Louis Garneau Carbon T-Flex shoes. I like recessed cleats, as I get on and off the bike quite a bit for commuting, and I need to walk around a fair bit doing errands and the like.

So, I’ve used these shoes for a number of weeks and I really like them. They are easier to put on and remove than the old lace up boots, and the soles are super stiff for pedaling. Somehow they are not uncomfortable to walk around in all day, as evidenced on the day I forgot my dress shoes at home and wore the T-flex shoes around the office all day – yikes.

My only complaint so far after using them for several weeks is the new car shoe smell they exude. They smell quite strongly of plastic, even after being worn outside and in the rain several times. The odor is strong enough that I store them out in the garage bay at work as I felt they were compromising the air quality in my office. Of course this might be better than the old shoe smell of my battered Nikes.

I hope the new shoes last as long as the old. I got 10+ years of service from the Nike pair!