Grease-Lightnin': May 2012

Monday, May 14, 2012

350.org Day: 5/5/12

Here we are at the Newton Massachusetts 350.org day gathering advocating to end cheap oil subsidies. Our photo was among the 47,000 plus that were uploaded by 4:45 PM on May 5th, 2012. To see more wonderful images look here: http://350.org/

350.org Mission: is building a global grassroots movement to solve the climate crisis. 350 means climate safety. To preserve our planet, scientists tell us we must reduce the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere from its current level of 392 parts per million to below 350 ppm. But 350 is more than a number—it's a symbol of where we need to head as a planet.

Check out this short video introducing the science and the movement behind 350.org: http://youtu.be/s5kg1oOq9tY

Genco Charity Ride: 5/13/12

Beautiful day for a 68 mile memorial charity ride in memory of Christina Genco: http://ccgfoundation.org/ WE RIDE FOR CHRISTINA and others who have tragically lost their lives on bicycles to ignorant, oblivious, stupid motorists! "You own a car, not the road!"

Sunday, May 13, 2012

MAY is National Bike Month!

"It would not be at all strange if history came to the conclusion that the perfection of the bicycle was the greatest incident of the nineteenth century."

"National Bike Month is an opportunity to celebrate the unique power of the bicycle and the many reasons we ride. Whether you bike to work or school; to save money or time; to preserve your health or the environment; to explore your community or get to your destination, get involved in Bike Month in your city or state — and help get more people in your community out riding too!"
Find out more here: http://www.bikeleague.org/programs/bikemonth/

Wednesday, May 9, 2012

Burlingame: 5/6/12

Well, at least I had a bike to ride...Cannondale Rush Femanine 1...not the ideal race bike...good training race to say the least! 33 miles on a 26 lb bike with 110mm travel...Had a fun time battling it out with Karen Potter until lap 4 when she made a smart move and passed me in the bridges section (my worst nightmare!). I stayed within 40 seconds going into lap 5, but then I hit a wall and I could no longer push the bike hard. Every pedal stroke took so much more effort than I am used to, the rolling resistance of the bike and my mud tires just wiped me out. Looking forward to my new frame being sent back from Cannondale this week...and I got my new Mavic SLR ultra light race wheels in and low profile Maxxis CrossMark Tires.

Friday, May 4, 2012

Just BIKES!

Tuesday, May 1, 2012

Massasoit 4/29/12; Ohhh SNAP!

Clicked into gear and got to do a lap on the course. The trails were non-technical and there was very little climbing. I had plenty of time to warm up and my bike was working great. It was perfect weather! My new shoes and helmet were really nice too. The whistle blew and I again got the whole shot, but this girl passed me right at the corner...so, I passed her back within 100 ft and took the lead. I was feeling good charing along keeping pace, two riders chomping at my wheel. It was 100% from the start and no letting up. I started on a small incline, so I shifted, when all of a sudden my chain jammed up and I could not move! 2nd place slammed into the back of my wheel. I got off the bike and discovered that my wheel was out of the drop-outs. Odd. I could not get the wheel back onto the disc. Something was up, but I kept trying, as everyone passed me. I finally got the wheel on, but it did not seem right. I started to pedal and heard this "whirring" sound as I was riding. I passed back a few people, but I had to stop again and adjust the skewer. Nothing changed. After a long decent in the sand and before the long climb I knew this was not going to work. I flipped the bike over to check one last time and BAM! My chain stay and seat stay on the right drive train side both completed snapped in half! I was baffled. I took the wheel off and started the long walk back with my bike on my shoulder. 3 miles later, my feet had 4 huge blisters on them and a bruise on my back shoulder. I was lucky to be okay and tried to keep it together the rest of the afternoon. Watched Ryan race and talked to friends.

Cannondale better warranty this one! I have had the bike for exactly a year. The 2008 Scapel was recalled, with I would have known before investing in this one. https://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml08/08534.html

Bike is off to the headquarters and in the meantime, I am borrowing a friend's Cannondale Rush Femanine 1. Luckily all my components and new race wheel set will work on her frame.

Oh yum! Who doesn't love popping blisters?

Winding Trails 4/22/12; Mud Fest Extravaganza

The race was up and down...the rain of course started coming down about an hour prior to our start. We had to wait around at the start getting drenched and frozen. Race started and I got the whole shot (which I am getting really good at now!) and pushed on forward. The conditions of the course were much different than when I had warmed up on it hours earlier. A very non-technical fast day in dry weather turned out to be a very challenging slow day in wet weather. I pulled away from the rest of the group immediately, maintaining a minute up going into the 4th lap. I had felt alright until this point in the race, but the rain and mud started to take their toll and everything just stopped working, bike, legs, brain. I was unable to shift anymore, staying stuck in the big ring, which made climbing in the mud tough. Not to mention my rear tire was slowly flatting, and by the 4th lap it was under 15psi (by the time I got home it was completely flat). I went through a whole set of break pads front and rear. Due to the mechanicals and body bonking, I lost 2 minutes on the last lap, with only 2 miles to go I got passed. Dissapointed the race unfolded the way it did, especially after maintaining the strong lead for so long. I was shivering when I finished and pretty miserable, covered head to toe in mud. But then, I smiled, and remembered...ahhh yes....this is why I LOVE THIS SPORT ;-)