This issue of MBA contained an article about riding on flats. Piqued my curiosity. researched and found an article Bikejames.com describing why flats are better under maybe non race conditions. Clipless lock our foot in a rigid location, can be more powerful. However, flats allow the foot to locate the ball of the foot well past the center line of the pedal, the foot is only stuck on the pedal which allows for all kinds of foot placement. I bought Spanks Spikes pedals which share similarities w/ pedals made by Dean in Sedona: very thin, axle is thicker than the pedal. 510 sticky shoes.
Thing about flats is the pedal must be weighted and the foot either angled heel up or down which keeps the foot from coming off. Sitting on the saddle w/ flat unweighted feet going over bumpy stuff guaranties a rocket launch off the saddle. The article recommended wearing shin guards till familiarity set in.2 rides w/ feet on the pedals, shin guards not needed. Different pedal stroke, using bigger gears, can see adding more teeth to the chain ring going from a 30 to a 32.
Yesterday was my first ride. I thought about riding as I fell asleep the night before. This ride was to be a short learning curve ride. I pedaled from where I camp right off Catch and Release trail. That lead to Storm King going uphill gaining 1000′ I plan my ride to ride down, this was up. Learned pedal stroke. Came down Pine Drop saving Phils for more practice. I did catch the lower part of Phils then perhaps Voodoo then joined Grand Slam which connected to Storm King back to C&R and the van.24.36n miles on flats climbing 1847 in just under 3 hours. Dry dusty tread, so sweet I don’t follow anyone.
I’m parked just down a bit on FS road 31. My spot is in front of a locked gate on a crushed red pumice road. Road sign reads 7 miles to town and add on a few more to reach snap and 10 Barrel. Cleaned up, thirst attended to w/ a pint of Sinister at said establishment. The drove back to where I started the day.
Which is today. Last Sunday Simon, Moses, and I attempted this same ride albeit riding from town. Today I drove to Phils TH for my start. I pedaled up Bens to the social trail junction leading out to Skyliner paved road. Cross that and find social single track to the left that drops down to rejoin the road which crosses Tumalo creek then climbs up. At the top Mrazek trails crosses. Turn left and begin to climb up to Farewell trail which is the down trail off the ridge. Drop down to Tumalo creek for some crazy coasting until it goes uphill, I stopped at what was once a camp to check on the spigot for spring cold water. Spigot opened. Sweet. From there Skyliner climbed to its end. A short climb brought me to the top of Phils and the finale downhill. I stayed on the pedals the entire 31.07 miles climbing 3149 in 3 hrs 45 mins. Burned 2148 cals.Big day.
Monday was a rest day. I had a CT scan in the afternoon of my lower abdomen. To date no info on results.
My parking brake handle raises high enough to engage that it blocks the driver’s seat turning. I stopped at a NAPPA store for new windshield wipers. I asked about referrals to a repair shop. Past diagnosis was brake cable needed to be replaced. I called the first shop. Guy said he’s there till 6, bring it by. I GPS’d his address. He said pull it in. He turned to by removing the rear wheels and freeing up the drum brake and took up slack which allows a lower handle height for full engagement. No more wheel chock stones.
Tuesday I saved myself about 4 miles each way of Storm King by driving up to catch Funner at a higher up closer TH. While doing my dishes 2 riders showed up. One was Woody, the 4th as he is the 4th Bend Woody. They were sort of doing what I was gonna do but they were riding all the way. I drove to the TH and set forth. I rode Funner, Tiddlywinks, Tylers and Larsens. 15.83 miles.Pump the turns.
Afterwards I drove to Webcyclery to pick up my pedals and shoes. I learned some skills about flats. Eager to pedal them.
At 3 was my meeting w/ Michael, the architect to complete the house design. Which we did. We spent about 6 hours total translating my vision to put in a computer model. He will send me images. Next is the structural engineering effort. Gonna be cool. Just 20’X20′.
Today I did my weekly wash.Included was a wool long underwear top needed for a chilly ride. It’s early July. Some days the temp changes 40 degrees. Some mornings I run the furnace.
Saw this custom built mtn bike shuttle trailer.
Old Folks Boogie: The mind makes promises that the body can’t keep. I find that riding while intoxicated on pot that my body perhaps is lulled from the pain relieving benefit that the brain can make bigger promises and the body makes it happen. I learned how to pump the trail corners a ride because of the less fear feedback from the body. I was able more to carve the corner then pump the apex which rockets out of the turn. Trails here are mostly pedal w/ few tech spots, perhaps biggest issue is lining up my handlebar to fit between 2 trees. Spatial recognition. Some riders miss that
Wide bar and a stem that has no reach as it is so short. Impressive upgrade in handling as it makes the bike incredibly quick, sometimes twitchy. The bike carves.
Mulling over going down to Toketee and ride some of the North Umpqua trail. I spent 2 summers working for the FS from Toketee. down for the weekend.
Very dehydrated from today’s ride. I’m a bit worn down.