Chilly March 07 2012, 0 Comments
The week' s first break came this afternoon, and we took the scenic route home.
It was gorgeous out, howling wind and cold, and she did not care. It was perfect.
Ocean Air Cycles
Commitment February 27 2012, 0 Comments
There is nothing like a monetary commitment, skin in the game, to keep you focused on the target. Aside from the myriad of bureaucratic and general business expenses there are the specific costs, engineering, prototypes, testing etc. Each new cost is another step to the center of the ring. Today I signed up for my first Expo,Philly Bike Expo October 27 & 28 to be exact. The check is in the envelope and on the way, locked in, I need to get busy so I have something to show.
My post office rides seem to always fall on stormy days. Today is supposed to be a rain day according to the weather man, but it looks like a miss. I am not sure there is going to be any rain this year, the hills never turned green and things are all brown and crispy before spring has even shown up. It is going to be an interesting year in the coastal desert, where easy access to fresh water is often taken for granted.
It was good to get outside for a break though, and a quick trip to roll past the ocean.
As a side note, I am loving the new/old pedals. I need to get a deeper set of half clips fabbed up, but outside of that, they are sublime for riding around town, even in Birkenstocks.
Timing and Surf February 08 2012, 0 Comments
I have spent over two-thirds of my life as a surfer, and never thought that life would get to busy to make time to get into the water. The last few years have proven that wrong in a big way. Looking back it is hard to figure out exactly what changed. The biggest thing with surfing is the need to be completely flexible in timing so that when the swell, wind, tide and free time all converge it becomes the obvious choice. It seems that finding that convergence, or making it happen, is harder than it used to be for some reason, even living about two blocks from the beach. At least there has been a bit of a replacement with the bike. I get the glide, and the benefit of transportation, and the convenience of the bike being there when I want. I still miss getting in the water.
Today the swell was good, really good, but the wind was howling, and the choice of getting out for a bit at lunch fell back to the bike, not a bad thing at all in the big picture.
Radio Silence Ending January 31 2012, 0 Comments
It has been a long 10 days or so in the household. One of the widely known fringe benefits of childcare, the germs, hit hard. We have been adapting to the low level persisting cold bug over the last couple of months, but this one wiped us all out. Fevers all around, like dominoes we all had are turn, I even got my chance twice. We are all on the upswing now and finally am catching up on last week, getting this week going and working in a few surprise developments. I wrapped up the day with a trip to the post office,
Then it was off to get the munchikin, who brought the party home and was first to feel better.
We headed off to meet mommy at the beach before heading home.
Really a fantastic way to cap off the day. We are all looking forward to a more productive week.
Regular posting and bike news to follow.
Another Fantastic Day January 18 2012, 0 Comments
To get outside and run some errands by bike
Nothing extraordinary, just more fun than the car, easier too. One thing of note, is loading up the Wald basket with 20lbs of stuff. The Wald factory hardware is lacking in so many ways it could and might be its own post someday. That said, it was actually passable for the ride home. Nowhere as nice as when mounted to a solid stiff rack, but with a little attention, the handling was still leaps and bounds better than my bikes with high trail front end geometries. Putting this old Trek together was one of the better ideas I had last year.
BackBone Trail January 15 2012, 0 Comments
Yesterday morning I made it out for dome trail fun with my Father-in-law. He had a friend that had been encouraging him to try this section of the backbone out above Kanan of am Encinal. While most sections of this trial have a reputation for being a little, um strenuous for lack of a better word, this section is a fantastically fun few miles of easy single track. We made it there early and the place was empty. We climbed for about an hour and a half on relentless, but only 2% or so grade, on the hard pack all the way up to the main fire road.
The weather was perfect, cool in the 50's and just enough overcast to keep things from getting warm. From the top we had clear views from Redondo to the Chanel Islands. The way down was fun, never too fast and a great low stress way to get out on some dirt.
The grand finale was rolling into the parking lot, full club of 30 or so people, on a basket bike with fenders. You would have thought I just rolled off of a space ship, not the trail head they we getting ready for. No disparaging comments, just shock and a little wonderment. Ironic thing is that the Trek with low trail 650b conversion handled better going up and coming down with 10 lbs of junk in the basket, than any "Mountain" bike I have ever owned. It was a fun way to spend the morning, not my usual ride at all, but I be looking at ways to work this stretch into a longer ride in the future.
Mid Day Escape January 12 2012, 0 Comments
It has been way to nice outside to pass on riding. Try as hard as I may, by the mid afternoon the clear blue skies pull me away from the computer and telephone. With temperatures pushing into the low 80's in the inland valleys I broke away for a ride back up the river valley.
A total of 26 miles crammed into an hour and a half, not bad after a couple of months with little more than short errand rides. Even at that average pace I was still able to grab some pictures and enjoy the weather. Near Lake Casitas there was a herd of deer out grazing, in a mile or so I counted close to 20.
All those little dots in the field are deer, really, even a four point buck in the mix.
I since my dad does read this, I will admit I need a hair cut, pretty badly. I keep telling my self it is winter and it keeps my head warm, but this winter has been hotter and drier than last summer. I am sure Murphy's law will kick in as soon as I cut it, but I guess I have hats for that.
All Work and no Play January 10 2012, 0 Comments
Makes Rob a fatter tired guy. Looking at last evening's pictures I could not help but notice the extra chin starting to make its reappearance. It took close to 8 months of daily riding after the last desk job/3 hour windshield time commute came to an end to get rid of the last double chin. Nothing like taking self portraits with a fish eye lens to remind you of which way things are heading. I decided to head out for a mid day ride, met a buddy for lunch, ran some errands and put in 26 miles or so in perfect weather.One of the better ways to burn off some surplus side meat.
It was a perfect way to break up the day. Surf is up again too, I think that may be tomorrow's mid day vacation.
Now it is time to get back to work so that you guys can have a new bike option by spring, maybe even a few surprises to go with it.
Scenic Route Home January 09 2012, 0 Comments
There is just enough day light in the afternoons again to take the scenic route home without needing lights.
While the beach is always fun, she is scoping out the stables at the fair grounds hoping to see a pony. Fun stuff, and a great cap to the day.
Wednesday Standard January 04 2012, 0 Comments
An absolutely perfect day to break away from the computer and head out for some errands. The unseasonably warm weather is still here, keeping us in shorts for a bit longer this winter. Taking full advantage I made the rounds of the swap meet, then off to the farmer's market and a quick stop to check out the new butcher in town. Scored a deal on a saddle, picked up some fresh veggies and the butcher shop was pretty good. We eat well here and are lucky to have such a year round abundance of local foods. After loading up I decided to ride some hills.
The ride up was, ummm.... character building. It fully drove home the fact that I have not been riding as much as I could and need to get out a little more often. The ride down was more fun than up for sure.
- Page 1 of 9
- Next