Lily white legs!

Yehaw! finally a great day to ride. This is the first ride of the year that I did not need long pants and long sleeve shirt. Temps were in the upper 70's with mostly clear skies. There was a stiff breeze from the south, but the route I rode was east - west so it wasn't bad. Just had time for 22 miles, but there will be more good days ahead. Look past the lily white legs and arms and see the green grass and the nice daffodils blooming in the yard across the street.

The dream begins in 34 days.

Racks and Panniers

58 Days till the dream begins!

This is my bike as it is now with all the racks, panniers and handle bar bag installed. I will carry tent, sleeping bag and pad above the rear wheel, but for training rides this will do.

Since my last posting the weather has improved at least enough for me to get some quality rides in. My total mileage for February was only 131 miles. This, the first week of March, I have ridden 105 miles including 50 miles on Saturday with all of my racks and panniers on the bike. I'll now start adding weight in my panniers up to about 45 lbs. while keeping my longer rides between 50 and 60 miles till April. After I retire on April 2nd I will be able to ride most days and get in some longer rides.

An update on fenders: I'll keep them. I've gotten used to the occational rattle and they sure save the bike and me from some nasty spray.

Better Bill

My Big Map

This is a large map I keep on the wall in my office at home. The pins represent places I have visited to indulge my outdoor activities of bike, paddle, climb, hike, and run. The red string is the route that our group will be taking on our cross country ride. Before I leave I will remove the string and then my wife can reattach it to the pins and thus track my progress.

February so far has been a pathetic month for training. Cold, snow, wind and no break in the temperature. I have only logged one 30 mile ride. I may  have to travel south on weekends to find some warmer weather.

BetterBill

New Shoes

Did I mention that when I bought my new bike I got new shoes also? These shoes can actually be walked in. My road bike shoes have a very stiff carbon fiber sole that makes energy transfer to the pedals very efficient, but they're not good at all for walking around in. The new ones also have a stiff sole, but it is made of a rubber that gives a little. Also the cleats are recessed in the sole so it is a more natural look. I doubt that anyone will mistake them for hiking shoes, but they're more practical for touring.

On todays ride I dug out the Pearl Izumi AmFib booties and wore them - no frozen toes. It was a little warmer than yesterday with temps in the mid 30's, sunny with light winds - 5 mph maybe. Miles today - 31, total for January - 84 miles.

Fenders?

Went for a ride today, only 16 miles. With temps in the 20's I froze my toes, but the sun warmed my heart all the way through. This was the first ride since adding fenders. You know what about fenders? They rattle. I think with racks and panniers I'll be protected from road spray so I'm not sure that I'll keep the fenders. I'll leave them on for now, but stay tuned.

Rock Chalk Jayhawks!
BetterBill

New Fenders

This week I added Planet Bike fenders to my Surly. Fenders are optional, but after riding in the yuk last week I decided to add them. I did not get out for a ride this weekend and am feeling guilty. Saturday was a perfectly good day for a ride with temps around 50, but grand daughter was in town for a dance performance, and I used the afternoon to take down the Christmas lights still on the house. Oh yes, basketball - KU wins again! Sunday was cold and windy. I must get on a regular training schedule soon!

BetterBill

Bike Basics

The attached photo is of me on my new bike just after a 22 mile ride. I used the 10 second timer and I was moving a little as the camera snapped, but it's OK and I was cold. It was about 36 degrees on the ride and my toes got a little cold, but that's all. The other pictures are of new things I have added: my comfy Brooks B17 saddle, a bag for patch kit and such stuff, a cute little Jayhawk sticker and two bottle cages. Hope your day was as good as mine.

BetterBill