Monday Morning Weigh-In X-75

Only a couple of pounds this week but a bit of a milestone I guess. I went to Mom and Dad's Sunday for a very relaxing supper and a bit of a ride on CeCelia M., though the ski trails I tried at Mink Mountain were too grown over and wet to move her butt through. Still got in a ride around the camp road there and then one with Dad to the end of Margaret St. and then a couple quick ones. A very mellow day with all that has gone on, no hockey to worry bout. It was good to see Wendy and Brian even if only briefly. My miles for the week were approximately 50, the cyclometer is on B'Ridge and I haven't even gone to pick her up yet. I hope the weather holds like last winter, no snow or real cold until after Christmas. Well maybe snow on Christmas Eve would be okay.

Singlespeed Update

I rode to Petries at lunch and Farzum changed up the front gear to the larger 48 tooth, although reluctantly. He doesn't think pushing harder is necessarily better but I need just a bit more quickness. I was able to go from a dead stop to full speed in about 10 revolutions before but now I have to take 3 hard stokes in a stand and then settle in for the ride. I rode over to Mission Marsh mostly to see how I could handle the bridges and I was able to go up fast while standing on the way there and even topped both from the saddle on the way home. I can't explain what it is but I can't get enough of the new/old girl. I think maybe when you have 24 gears to play with the ride is whatever you want it to be, fast or slow, relaxed or punishing. With the singlespeed the ride is what it is, if its windy you'll be slow, downhill a bit faster. The conditions determine how hard you have to work to get there, the bike never changes. Anyway I love it.

Riding Singlespeed

I've done a lot of web reading on the joys and pitfalls of getting rid of the gears and riding a singlespeed. I have to admit I love it. It is really a different experience. Not having to shift (or not being able to) really gets the mind back on just pedalling. The bike is 18 years old and I was looking forward to every ride today, like having a new bike again. I'm going to try and put a link or 2 in the chain and move to the bigger (harder) crank gear and see how that goes, sometimes I feel pretty silly pumping like mad and not going very fast. I want to have to stand to get her moving and be able to get up some more speed and achieve the better workout. I still remember the black single I had as a kid with "Ron's Taxi' painted on the chainguard, I used to be great at double riding my buddies.
There are a lot of little sayings regarding singlespeeds thrown around the web on blogs and forums, but I like mine best, simplicity is bliss.

CeCelia M. Hits the Road

Man was it cooool this morning, -3. I wore a head band for the first time and it helped keep the ears warm but made my helmet awfully tight. I guess a toque is next, stick to the sidewalks and go slow at least in the dark. I ran B'Ridge over to Petries at lunch to talk over the fixup on CeCelia M. We decided to go with a singlespeed freewheel rather than a coaster brake as that is pretty restrictive. Farzum said he could have her ready at the end of the day he just needed a tire, so I zipped home slung it over my shoulder, grabbed a banana and headed back for the drop off and then to work. I rode back at 5 in a steady rain and swapped bikes, B'Ridge needs adjusting again. The cables stretch and the gears start burping and farting, not good when you stand up to get some speed. I rode CeCelia M. home and I'm not sure I like the gearing as its pretty easy to pump and can't go very fast, I can still add a link or two and move up one on the front, we'll see in a day or two. A set of grips and bar ends and she was ready to go so B'Ridge can stay out of the rain and I have something I'm not worried about locking up and leaving for a bit. Switched over the lights and she's ready for the rest of the week as AJ is heading south for the Van Halen concert in the Monte, lucky s.o.b.

Monday Morning Weigh-In X-73

Now I really can't figure out this dieting thing. My mileage for the week was the lowest since I started tracking it at 46 and I ran only 3 miles. I must have managed not to eat much during the wonderful week of rain. The old CCM (CeCelia M.) is in getting a singlespeed rear wheel so B'Ridge can stay out of the rain and for the rest of the year my ride to work will be a better workout. I got all of the shifters stripped off but it's cheaper to have Farzum throw on the wheel, too many things to adapt and order. I'll sweat it out pushing it to work and probably gain 5 pounds!

Monday Morning Weigh-In X-70

Now that's the way to start off the week. I took my a run at 6:45 and when I got back stepped on the bubbameter and was surprised. I ran 4 miles this week and biked 68.5 despite the lousy weather earlier. Still feeling great and I'm really used to the way I'm eating so it's getting easier.

Making Up for a Bad Week

I took to the roads on Sunday as all Northwood teams are drafted, the season is scheduled and this would probably be my last free day where I can take a long ride for a while. I headed north on Memorial and then up High to River, swung back south as it turns into Junot and finally Edward. I made a turn onto James and pushed out to Chippewa Park. It was pretty cool in shorts and riding in the shade was almost cold. I put in about 24 miles to boost my weekly mileage back to just over 65. Soon enough I'll be working on a new bike project instead or riding. I'm going to turn the old CCM into a singlespeed commuter so B'Ridge can stay out of the rain and get the damn ugly lights off her. If the CCM gets stolen I might be out a few bucks. Singlespeeds are getting more and more popular as they give a better workout (no gears/shifters to make pedalling easier) and much less maintenance. Some guys even go for fixed gear (no coasting) like they use in the Olympic track events but I think that would be a great way to become roadkill around Tbay. So far I have the front shifter removed but the crank won't come off so I'll be looking for a puller of some sort to aid in dismantling. I'll put some pictures up as things progress.

New Idea Coming Along

My idea for a new career or at least a backup is coming along. 'They Don't Byte' is the name I've settled on. I started helping out my neighbours and really enjoyed it. Something as simple as installing a printer can mystify people and scare them off. I have lots of free software for everything from word processors to registry cleaners and optimizers so I can go in and either set up or clean up a system. Business cards are designed and now its time to start getting them out and hopefully word of mouth will get things off the ground. Once hockey season is off the ground I may even run an ad in the paper and test the waters a bit.

Monday Morning Weigh-In X-66

Another week another pound, kinda boring. 74 miles pedalling this week and 6 running. Got in 45 minute free skate on Saturday and my legs still felt like jello even with all the riding. The good thing is I can run a mile or skate that long and not get winded.

Monday Morning Weigh-In X-65

It's only a pound but progress none the less. I rode 76+ miles last week including 12 on the e-bike (yuch!) I really want to see -70 by the end of October so I might just have to start running or spending more time on the ice instead of just at the rink as the chances to ride are getting fewer and fewer.