Preparing to Ride

One of the reminders that I came away from my ride with Blue Jay was to be prepared. (Kind of Boy Scout-ish) To prepare with, not only a cell phone, helmet, and water, but with a tube replacement for each bike, a pump, bicycle multi-tool and a first aid kit, even on short trips. With summer coming we’ll also want to be prepared with sunscreen.

As Lucy has reminded me, first aid should come first.

I’ll have a waist pack by the bicycle helmets that contains a first aid kit of some large and small band aids, some anti-biotic ointment, some gauze, and iodine, alcohol, or peroxide, and some Purell. Also included in the pack will be tools and a spare tube. That way when we leave on a ride one of us can grab the bag and strap it on.

There are some things we should be looking at our bicycles for before leaving on any rides. Spin the tires to check for alignment of brakes and true of wheel, then a slower spin for a quick surface check of the tires. Tire pressure should be checked with a squeeze. Brakes should engage well before a full pull on the brake handles. Warning lights need to be checked for operation.

I didn’t make any progress this week on reducing my cycling load (i.e. weight). It might be the Benadryl. I don’t know how that stuff works, but allergy season is upon us. It could also be my weakness for M&M’s.

Silver Lining

A few days later, Blue Jay was asking to bicycle to the Dog Tooth Cafè. We call it that but the proper name is Dogtooth Coffee Company. It’s on the corner of North Corona and East Columbia, a really out of the way place, unless you’re on a bicycle on the Shook’s Run Trail. That is how most of those who don’t live in the neighborhood find it. That is how we came across it.

February has been blessed with many warm and beautiful days. On that particular Thursday we did don our bicycles and helmets. The whole family was invited to go but Pi Guy was busy with a computer basketball game and the ride wouldn’t be all that challenging. And, Lucy had some around the house stuff to do.

The trip to was uneventful.

Blue Jay enjoyed a pistachio gelato, my favorite. But being February she had exhausted the last supply of it. I had black cherry gelato instead. The girl behind the counter said that she was coming in early the next day to make a fresh round of gelato because the weather was so fine. She also joked to Blue Jay that she had sampled some avocado gelato to a boy about her age. Not something Blue Jay was inclined to try.

Blue Jay and I ate outside, enjoying the sunshine. We then mounted our bikes for the return.

On the way back Blue Jay began to waiver on and off the path. Since Shook’s Run Trail passes behind a Safeway we stopped to get water from a vending machine. We had not taken (my mistake) water bottles with us.

I thought her tires were unusually loud as we continued down the path. As we turned on to the Rock Island Trail, I realized that the culprit was a flat tire. It was a “goat head” flat. So we walked both bikes the rest of the way home.

Silver lining? Now we have a.) A “practice” flat to replace, b.) A reminder for me, to always prepare with cell phone, water, a tube replacement for each tire size, and a pump, even on short trips; and c.) Another reminder to stay on the trail to avoid what is locally known as “goat heads.”

Goat heads look like small pea seeds with spikes, they are sturdy enough to easily puncture the tire and tube of a mountain bike.

Bicycle Maintenance Class Finish

Pi Guy was very attentive the whole time of the Bicycle Village maintenance class. But had no questions when Mike asked.

Mike then showed us some combination tools that we might want to have when road riding. We returned to the demo bike with Mike asking if there was anything else that we had specific questions about. My question had to do with posture on the bike and how to adjust the handle bar post. He explained that the handle bar post it self was not adjustable but that there were different handle bar options as well as different handle bar attaching options that would make that dimension of posture on the bike vary.

He continued saying that the brake pads require replacement when the pad was flat instead of showing the grooves in the pad. One should also check that the pads haven’t glazed. Some brake adjustment can be made at the brake handle.

When Mike spun the wheel he noticed that it wobbled slightly between the brake pads. He checked that the axel was seated correctly, and then showed us how to “true” the wheel by tightening a spoke. He explained how the adjuster was threaded and how that would effect the direction of the tightening turn.

We talked a little about proper seat height.

He spoke a little about chain cleaning and lubrication. Saying that using a few drops of a silicone based lubricant could be applied then as the chain was spun using the pedal, the chain could be wiped down with the cloth. The cloth would both clean the chain and spread and remove excess lubricant.

Mike asked if we had purchase our bicycles at Bicycle Village. I answered that we had so he reminded me that we have a free annual tune up. The bicycle technician at that time would check out the bike and make adjustments.

He then demonstrated the use of the gage that would indicate the amount of stretch the chain had experienced. With mountain bikes he suggested that a chain change should occur about every 1,500 miles.

Pi Guy still had no questions; and had remained attentive the whole time.

It didn’t seem right having gone over bicycle basics, to then walk out into the cold, blowing, almost snow of February. Pi Guy agreed pulling on his alpaca hat. The van fired up and we headed home.

Replacing the Tire, Revelations, Clarification

Replacing a tire, according to Mike, our affable guide, should have the manufacturer’s name lined up with the valve stem hole. With the tire’s back bead within the rim, replace the tube, valve stem first. If you’ve already used your spare tube, a patch might be necessary. A little inflation will help get the tube in the tire and on the rim.

Mike let out a little additional air, checking to make sure that no part of the tube was being pinched by the tire and rim. Then he started working the remaining bead back onto the rim using the tire tool at the end to finish it off. Another check of both rim beads confirmed that there was no tube caught.

The tube was then inflated in two stages first to set the beads then to full manufacturer’s maximum recommended pressure. He engaged the small chain ring on the tire with the lower part of the chain (dangling) and the axle replaced in the slots in the rear forks. Mike said not to over do it on tightening the release lever. It could bend the forks or damage the bearings in the hubs.

As the last task he reaffixed the brake cable to the linear brake pull. He then mentioned that to release the front wheels there were some retaining tabs, as well as the release lever.

I’ll have more on the class later.

In my reading I have had some new revelations, like why “those” cyclists shave their legs. I always thought that there might be a minimal aerodynamic benefit, but that smooth was also a little “off” for a guy. My mistake. It has more to do with the ease of cleaning up road rash after a spill.

You don’t need to worry about me and Pi Guy and shaved legs. My leg hairs have never seen the razor. Pi Guy has remarkably hairy legs for his age, however, I can’t even get him to shave his fledgling mustache.

But if leg shaving is planning ahead for less pain, I’m not going to dis smooth legs anymore.

Another thing is “those” tight bicycle shorts. It’s not just fashion; those things have saddle cushions built in. This could be troublesome. If we wear them, the general public probably won’t know by seeing us. They’ll be covered up.

And, to clarify on my weight posting, what I am using for "waist" is a measurement “level around the belly button.” 8<)

42.3

Fixing a Flat

So we did go to Bicycle Village for their basic bicycle maintenance class. I imagine that during the summer, especially after a bicycle sale, that the class was just that, a class. As it was, Pi Guy and I were the only two that showed up.

The “instructor” (more like “guide”), Michael, was very friendly and was good enough to ask what it was that we were interested in learning. He went to the bikes on the show room racks while we waited in the maintenance area, and pulled down a Trek hybrid to use as a demonstration model.

We started with how to change out a flat. This particular Trek bicycle had the skinny Presta valve, as opposed to the fatter Schrader valves. Because the rear tire has the mystique of the derailleur chain rings, Mike used this wheel to demonstrate.

He shifted both derailleurs to the smallest chain rings, and showed us how to remove the brake cable from the linear pull brake. He let out almost all the air from the tube, and then with a flip of the wheel release lever, removed the tire from the frame. He also said that on the road, one could release the wheel, and lift the frame from the wheel.

Placing the wheel on the bench he removed the ring nut from the valve stem (Schrader valves don’t have that ring nut). Mike said that it would be good to notice the orientation of the tire on the wheel. He usually aligns the brand name with the valve stem.

Beginning opposite the valve stem, with a rim tool, he lifted the tire bead from the rim, then repeating the process with the remaining bead. Leaving the tube inside the tire he removed both tire and tube from the rim. Mike removed the tube from the tire and inflated the tube slightly. This is where the tire/tube/wheel orientation is important.

I looked at Pi Guy, to gage his attentiveness. He nodded his affirmation.

Mike said to check the tube as best as possible listening (or looking, if water is available) for leaking air. Then checking the relative alignment of the leak to the tire, he would check inside the tire for any protrusion; he would also check the rest of the tire inside for any other imperfections to be removed. If there were a hole in the tire it would need to be covered over to avoid pinching or chafing the tube. He mentioned duct tape as a possibility. (Even a bill of any currency denomination would work.)

Replacing the tire next time.

Preparations

Anyway, with the seriousness of my consideration, Lucy suggested that Pi Guy and I take a first aid class. My first choice was bicycle mechanics. But having listed some of my bicycle injuries previously, first aid will take first priority if not first in chronology. So the several challenges we’ll tackle before attempting the long ride are:

First Aid, class or home education, emergency and preventive
Bicycle Mechanics, preventive, repairs, and tuning
Bicycle Equipment and Accessories
Bicycle Riding Technique
Route reconnaissance
Distance training
Provisioning
And, for me, weight loss.

So, our course of action is, for first aid, locate any free first aid classes. Search the library for first aid books, and possibly purchase first aid books. We’ll be purchasing at least the Red Cross First Aid book and the Boy Scouts of America First Aid Merit Badge pamphlet.

Bicycle Village in Colorado Springs has Basic Bicycle Maintenance classes every Monday and Advanced Bicycle Maintenance classes every 1st and 3rd Mondays. Pi Guy and I will pick up on these. The BSA Cycling Merit Badge pamphlet also has bicycle mechanics. We’ll find some other books as well. The Complete Book of Bicycle Maintenance by the Bicycling Magazine folks sounds good. Then we’ll take our bicycles out from the garage for preventive maintenance and adjustments.

We’ll check out various equipment and accessories for bicycles. And plan on what will be necessary for our trip. (And dream of the equipment we won’t be able to afford.)

I’m going to use the Cardio Free Diet by Jim Karas, as a guideline for weight loss. Even though the title seems kind of contra-indicative, the principles of calories in vs calories expended makes for an easy to follow formula. I’ll post my progress in the side bar with date, weight, waist, Body Fat %. My target will be 165 to 170 lbs. (No pressure.) It'll be after the bookstore.

Lucy Taken Aback

About three years ago I purchased a Trek multi track from Bicycle Village in Colorado Springs. (Remember the shocking gas price rise of 2004/2005?) Work for me, at the time, was about five miles distant, so I began to commute via the bicycle paths of Colorado Springs to work, saving commuting gas dollars and re-acquainting myself with the joys of riding.

Pi Guy and I would go on some longer rides (for him) that he enjoyed, either out the Rock Island, down the Shooks Run, or up the Fountain Creek trails. He would take the old Trek, and I would take the new one.

Pi Guy now has a new Raliegh multi track bike still enjoying riding and developing a sense of adventure and mobility of his own. These times differ from the times of my youth, so we travel together.

The whole family now has derailleur bicycles and ride to various locations within the city. Portal Park with the pool, The Dog Tooth Cafè, and Safeway at the Bon Center are some our favorites. Still, Lucy, my wife, was slightly taken aback when I treated Pi Guy’s comment so seriously. Seriously enough, that is, to start evaluating routes.

In Pi Guy’s mind was the Colorado Springs, Walsenburg, Cortez route. That is the route we usually take to Cortez when heading in that direction. It is also the route suggested by Mapquest as the most efficient. The distance listed by Mapquest is 358 miles. An alternate route, that we thought to be shorter distance wise, would be through Buena Vista, but this was 353 miles. And another choice was through Canon City. At a distance of 349 miles, it is the shortest. This will probably be our route.

All three routes require us climbing Wolfe Creek Pass at ~10,800 ft. The Canyon City route has the lowest elevation pass of the alternative passes with Poncha Pass at ~9,000 ft. Going through Walsenburg would require us to ascend La Veta Pass which is ~9,400 ft. Going through Buena Vista takes us over Wilkerson Pass at ~9,500 ft., and after Wilkerson Pass, there is still Poncha Pass at ~9,000 ft. to go over.

44 lbs.

More Family Cycling History

Cycling was also a source of some significant injuries for me, mostly broken bones; toes, the little finger bone in my right hand, and my collarbone. These injuries had, most of the time, the associated abrasions. When I broke my little finger I was pretty far afield (looks like about 22 to 25 miles one way). I had pedaled up to North Springfield, VT, to get a particular radio tube for a Tesla coil that I was building for a science fair project. I put the tube in my P-coat breast pocket. Not to far out of Springfield on my way back, after speeding over a railroad crossing at maybe twenty mph, the front wheel collapsed. I landed with my right forearm first, protecting the rest of me. (There’s a name for this, but I’ve forgotten. There’s also more to the story as far as the Good Samaritan rescue, maybe later.) Thankfully the radio tube survived the crash unbroken.

With the advent of my drivers license, the bicycle diminished, the automobile increased as well as the distances I traveled.

Fast forward to age twenty-eight, living in Durango, Colorado, where I enjoyed witnessing the Iron Horse Bicycle Classic in which some local residents rode and, some of whom I knew. The namesake for this race was the Durango-Silverton railroad, a steam excursion train that traverses an engineering miracle route, as the name suggests from Durango to Silverton. The bicyclists would line up on Camino del Rio (6,500 ft.), and at the departure of the train would then race the train to its destination in Silverton (9,300 ft.). The race would travel the fifty or so mile highway route, over Coal Bank (10,640 ft.) and Molas Pass (10,900 ft.), while the train followed its own impressive route up the Animas River valley. I was impressed enough to purchase a twelve speed Trek road bike. I joined some group rides as well as did some around the town riding.

This Trek is now hanging in our garage in Colorado Springs, and is the bicycle that interested Pi Guy in more than riding it up and down our street.

Road Cycling Project, How it Started

It was Pi Guy’s idea. “Wouldn’t it be fun to ride our bicycles to Cortez? “ Cortez being Cortez, Colorado, where we have relatives, Pi Guy’s Uncle, Aunt and cousin, my in-laws. The implied “from” is Colorado Springs, Colorado, where we live. Pi Guy is thirteen years old. I’m his dad, forty-four years older. That ten word question covers about 350 miles.

Something in his question established a bit extra drive in me to chase it down and to not dismiss it as just wishful thinking. Perhaps it was to undertake a collaborative project of a common interest and develop a basis for open conversation over the years to come. But it also hooked into some powerful memories from my own childhood.

A lot of my youth was entwined with bicycle adventures. I always had had a bicycle while growing up, the one speed coaster brake kind, and the three-speed hand brake kind. After moving to Walpole, New Hampshire a friend (now professor at Colorado University) and I would take off on our bicycles and traverse into Vermont and out toward Marlow, Chesterfield & down to Keene from our homes in Walpole. We were about the same age as Pi Guy is now.

These bicycle rides were some that would have been considered longer automobile trips by some of our neighbors. And it was before the time of Greg LeMond and Lance Armstrong, so there were no real bicycle heroes for a couple of young rural American boys. We also had no real awareness that there was a sport of bicycle racing. It was for me, at least, the satisfactory combination of friendship, mobility and adventure.

With proceeds from grounds keeping when I was fourteen, a five-speed derailleur Schwinn was one of my first major self-funded purchases. It was high tech, and further fueled my sense of adventure and mobility. I would cycle, solo, an occasional forty or fifty mile round trip to Springfield, Brattleboro, Spofford or Acworth; and Keene was a more occasional destination.