Winter is Slow: (anyone want to sell me a chromo frame?!)

[SEE THE END OF THIS POST FOR MORE INFO ON MY "WANT AD"]

Well just like the title says, the days just drag on and I find myself missing riding my Surly LHT, just cruising around the streets in the hot night air. Cycling is so much easier in summer, and so much more enjoyable.

The weekend before last I managed to get out for a ride. It was only short, around 10.5km or so, but it was nice just to get out. I managed to see a little of the park on the southern shore and a little of the downtown area. I'm still getting used to the area, but know enough to not get lost (the gps in my android phone helps).

(train tracks are a new thing for me, as there are no trains in Newfoundland)

So much muck and snow! But it was a fun ride. I stopped into a place called Boneheads for lunch. it is a southern style BBQ restaurant. I had a pulled pork sandwich and fries, which I know the sandwich is a bit of a staple in southern BBQ. Now I'm not a huge pork lover but it was okay. the helpings were massive, I didn't eat it all as I didn't want to throw up riding home.

On the ride home I had some knee pain in my right leg, and it was pretty tender the rest of the night. I attribute it to not being on the bike much since October/November and also riding in -7 C before windchill.

I think I've finally figured out a winter clothes routine that works for me.

I've been wearing my Sugino long sleeve technical thermal with a MEC fleece over that. I bring my MEC windbreaker with me just in case the wind is biting or it is a little colder, but it is not waterproof.

I have my MEC Switch gloves which I really love. They are not biking gloves, but they are made of leather and are windproof and water resistant. I've also given them my own water repellent treatment. They keep my hands pretty warm. So far I've been down to -7 or -9 C and my fingers only got a little cold when I stopped for a bit.

On Bottom I have my Sugino themral tights. These are not of the windproof variety, but they keep me pretty toasty. However I find them a little restricting, it seems to be a harder ride with tights on then without. I have some 3/4 knickers over that which are from the GAP but I got at Value Village for $12. These really help keep the wind off and keep me warm. Not so great in summer riding. I have MEC technical knickers for that.

I also have an MEC headband, and an MEC fleece bandanna which works great as a scarf without the trouble. It is a triangle of fleece with velcro in the two corners. You simply velcro it around the back of your head, and pull it down to your neck or up to your nose, or whatever! Probably the best thing I have for cold weather.

The only thing I haven't figured out is footwear... I don't have the money to spring on partially insulated/water resistant hiking boots, which is what I think I would like to wear. So I've been wearing my Chuck Taylors with a pair of cotton and a pair of wool socks. It's not so bad, but start to get cold after a while, and if they get wet I'm screwed.

I could also use a pair of goggles for those colder days.


This past weekend my lovely girlfriend was able to visit me for 5 days on her reading break from grad school. It was great. She is gone again now so I'm lonely again and have nothing to do but work, and update my blog. While she was hear we ate out a bit. We tried a greasy spoon diner called Johnny's Snack Bar, which just tasted like cafeteria food. I could have made better chicken strips and fries. We also tried a place right next door to that a few days later called the Brooklyn Warehouse. It was fantastic. All of there food is organic and fresh and boy could you taste it. I had the best burger, made from local organic beef. Best burger I've had. I could actually strongly taste the beef as opposed to seasoning or sauce. It was delicious. Alanna had fried Haddock and chips which she was also extremely satisfied with.


Now besides having a tasty burger, there was something very important discovered in that restaurant. Asking for a drink in a restaurant is always a negotiation with me as I love Pepsi (a little too much probably) and am really not fond of Coke.

Me: I'll have a Pepsi please.
Waitress: Coke okay?
Me: Root beer?

Now here is where the magic happened. The waitress suggested something called Propeller Root Beer. So Alanna and I both agreed to try it. We were a little concerned with out decision because she said it came from a brewery and we didn't ask if it was non-alcoholic (I was driving). The drink arrived in a cool brown bottle. All natural ingredients, brewed locally here in Halifax, and it was the most delicious Root Beer I've ever tasted.



I know. Two "best I ever tasted" in one place. I can't help it, it's true!

Anyways, needless to say we headed down to the brewery in the next few days and bought a half case of Root Beer. We also ate at the Keg, which we love, and baked a whole chicken and then made a delicious pot of chicken soup with potato and tomatoes, from scratch.



Well I've already written tons so I'll end it here, but if you are in Halifax, Nova Scotia, be sure to check out The Brooklyn Warehouse, Boneheads (which I also had a shredded chicken sandwich at the other day which was WAY better), and The Propeller Brewery. Really glad I found these spots.

PS: here is a new pic of my "command center" with new monitor and keyboard.



Wanted: A semi-vintage, affordable steel bike
I'm looking for something like a Miyata, Peugeot, Trek, or Nishiki road bike from the 80's. Looking for a chromoly frame, something with reynolds or columbus tubing would be great. The frame should be in good condition. I'd really like to get a frame, fork, headset, stem, and bb if possible extra parts in good condition is a bonus. I need something with a 56 or 58 cm and don't want to spend a whole lot of cash on it. If you have something you think I might be interested in that you can ship to Nova Scotia for a reasonable price, leave a comment with the bike make, and your contact info and I'll get in touch with you.

I want to set this up as a road bike, with only a large old school seat bag, and possibly a mini front rack. I'm looking to build it up slowly so if I can just get frame/fork/headset that would be great.

Thanks!

Back in the saddle

Well it's been over a month since my last post. Since then I've finished up my experiments for my Masters program, went to Naples, Florida for a week during Christmas, moved to Halifax, Nova Scotia, started a new job, spent a week in Mississauga, ON for training, visited friends in Guelph, ON for a weekend, and have my first real week of work under my belt. It's been a busy month. I won't get into the stuff much as none of it is cycling related and this blog has been lacking some serious cycling talk lately. But first I'll share one real nice shot I got while in Florida.


Straight from the camera, basic jpeg, no adjustments. I'm pretty proud of this, it was taken on Christmas day. And here is me trying something new in Florida!

I saw recumbents on display outside a shop and just had to try one out. Took it around the lot a few times, turning is real tricky with the small wheel and little rake, but definitely an interesting ride.

So I finally got to get out on my bike again. Last weekend I made a grocery store trip on the bike. The store is around 1.5km from the house, and I just wanted to get out. So rather than taking the stinky old car I hopped on the winter beater hooked up all the lights, horn, and bags, and a box for overflow (which I totally needed). It took a lot of organizing because a lot of stuff was still tucked away from the move, but I got out. It was a nice little ride, there is something about doing a mandatory chore on a bike that is very rewarding. Commuting, grocery getting, running errands by bike just gives me a very good feeling. So far still don't have a good boot/shoe for winter riding. So I've been riding in my Chuck Taylors with a pair of cotton and wool socks. haha.


The bike feels pretty hefty with all that grocery weight on the back. So I think I may try and pick up a used child trailer. Nothing brand name. Just see if I can find something local for hauling junk around in. Also I had to take the mirror in the picture off, it was really getting in the way of my bar ends, I need a better mirror solution...any suggestions?

We had a good bit of snow the other day too. I took my bike out for a little 10.4 km jaunt around town to run some errands. Had to drop some film off to be developed. Cutting through the powder in the back yard on the bike felt very interesting, and fun. I had no problem riding over icy patches and frozen chunks left over from plows on the sides of the road with the Schwalbe Ice Spikers, they make me very confident in my riding. I actually cut across a large field that had been packed down to pretty much ice by pedestrians. The studs dug into the ice no problem and I felt completely stable. In the coming weeks I look forward to checking out some trails. I was hesitant to the aggressive tread of the Ice Spikers and they're 300-something studs. Saying they are not a fast tire is a huge understatement, but if you're a rider in Canada and you want to be 99% confident you aren't going down on ice these are the puppies to get. All it takes is one fall to get a bad injury, and these tires will certainly help in preventing that.

So that is it for now, most of my blogs have been too long winded lately anyway. Now it's audience participation time.

What kind of weather rider are you? Do you ride in snow, rain or shine? Or are you a seasonal rider?

For you winter riders, what do you wear on your feet?!

Also, I find I don't take many pictures while out on a ride. I always have my smartphone but never bother to take pictures. Maybe when I get to do some more scenic riding again I'll take more.

Pre-Midterm Updates

So instead of studying for my upcoming midterms in Soft Mater Physics 6013 and Condensed Matter Physics 6000, this week I did a couple of things.

I spent over $300 at MEC to try to get ready for winter cycling.
Whoosh Cycling Jacket
Mirror
Cycling Winter Gloves
A Balaclava
A midweight Fleece
And TireSparx!

I also installed my new AirZound 3 Air Horn and tested it out on some inattentive drivers. Hehehe boy that thing is loud. Also tested out my rain covers and MEC Shark 1 watt front light. Both work like a charm.

I got my Shimano M-520 clipless pedals in the mail. They are still sitting in the box as I have no clipless shoes!

I bought clipless shoes off ebay! Shimano MTB shoes with laces (no straps unfortunately).
Not sure what model.

Today I went up to my LBS guy, Harold. I had forgotten my crappy splash pants and cheap thermals up there the other day, due to me buying a proper set of Sub Zero Tights from Sugoi (which are amazing by the way, pretty much haven't taken them off since Thursday). I also purchased a long sleeve wicking layer for winter riding. While I was there I got him to measure my inseam and look at a sizing chart to see what size Long Haul Trucker I should get (eventually). Turns out I should get a 58cm frame set. The sizing spreadsheat from the Google Group "Surly Long Haul Trucker and Cross Check Owners Group" agrees (I'm ~6').

Then I came home and ordered a Long Haul Trucker.

Then.... wait what?

That's right ladies. It is done. After Harold finally getting in contact with the distributor their MSRP is around $1550, which seemed a little high. I found a place in Nova Scotia that was selling them at a close out price of $1299 before shipping and taxes but everywhere else I looked in Canada people were asking $1500 for them this year. So I turned to our friends south of the border and called most of the Surly dealers listed in the north-eastern states. A place in Maine (Bath, Bike & Ski) was asking onlu $975 +$90 for shipping in USD, but didn't have any in stock and wouldn't until mid December. They were also a little vague about color and sizing choices etc. Being the impatient being I am I continued my search until coming across Bike Works in NYC. Spoke to Dave on the phone and got a price of $1200 USD including shipping. Now all I have to do is wait two weeks or so for my 58cm Olive Green Surly Long Haul Trucker to arrive and hope I don't get dinged too much with border and customs fees.

EEEP excited. Hopefully I will get a couple of dry days to try it out before out real Newfoundland winter kicks in.

PS: The winter beater is sand blasted. Needs to be primed, painted (gloss orange), and coated with reflective clear coat paint, then reassembled. Will paint next weekend and post pics.

PPS: Talk the talk is delayed until classes and TA's are over and I have a semi-life again.

-Hughie