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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Kite Day January 02 2012, 0 Comments
First ride of the year yesterday morning, off to breakfast and then to the park to fly the kite!
A perfect start to the year.
Thank You Mary Poppins, my 19 month old can fly a kite, at least until she lets go of the string to clap with joy.
A short but fun ride to run some errands, drop off the compost, and check the surf before heading out to dinner. Probably should have made some time to surf too, a new swell is filling in.
It has been a good year, achieved many of my goals, closed in on others and was able to slow down and enjoy things a bit more than years in the past. Looking back there is nothing I would change.
On the personal front for the coming year, I want to make it a point to surf more, make the time to ride as often as I was a year ago, and expand the family time allotment. It should be a little easier to manage my time this year with out little girl starting child care 4 days a week.
Looking back on the last year's surfing I realized that I need to get in the ocean and not just ride past it. The surf is a large part of why our family makes the extra push to live blocks from the beach, and we need to take advantage of that.
In the past few months my riding has morphed from the morning photocycling rambles to 90% errands and commuting. I need to get out of bed early and make more time for to morning fun rides again. Likewise I will be riding longer distances again. Both organized rides like a few randonees, a few mixed terrain centuries, and at least one tour.
A fringe benefit of child care will be more lunch dates with my wife. Fridays will be dedicated daddy days, more riding adventures with our little girl. She still has at least another 8 lbs before outgrowing the BoBike mini.
On the business front of Ocean Air Cycles, the past years leg work will manifest as a real bicycle company, not just an idea and a dream. In the coming weeks the used gear will be moving out of the storefront and onto eBay. The storefront will be getting a facelift in preparation for the line of bags, soft goods and BIKES! I am still working a few design tweeks out, but my frame and bar bags will be added by spring, with saddle bags to follow. The designs and materials are a blend of the traditional with a twist of modern. Soft goods will include the standards like t-shirts and hats, as well as an improved touring wallet design, and some other clothing items. The bike frame sets are still in the engineering phase, with a prototype target for the end of January. The pre-sale and full line should be ready to go by the time weather is getting warm. Everything in the lineup will either be made by me, local contractors or in the case of the frames, U.S. contractors. This helps to keep lead times short while keeping our local economy bolstered up a bit.
I hope that the year was good for you too, and the coming year will be even better. Ride your bike, play outside, and do some new things you have never tried before!!! Don't wait for the adventure to find you, grab the bars and ride!
I know there is still almost a week left, but travel constraints are moving the deadline up a bit. I headed out on the Xtracycle, knowing that this was going to be a big haul. In a perfect storm of logistics failure we ran out of all sorts of household stuff the week before Christmas. One could not ask for a better day to head out and ride.
Crisp, cool and clear with just a light breeze. Traffic was not too bad yet, but the stores were jammed. Appropriate transportation choices ensured that parking was a cinch.
I am still always surprised that my bike is lonely at the racks. This shopping center is even graced with the local Trek store, but being on a bike still seems to shock the average shopper. All in all, just a nice day to get out and run some errands, while gliding through the seasonal mayhem on two wheels.
Parting shot, I wonder if the baby is still available? While only a few days past "almost new" it could be a deal at this point with a little shop wear ;)
Happy Holidays (in case this is my last post for a bit), have fun and play outside!!!
Lunch Ride December 13 2011, 0 Comments
Lunch time ride to grab a NoseFrida, the little girl has the worst cold yet and this contraption was recommended by a friend. Works just like you would think, of you have kids under 2 I would recommend one for sure. Also found a new fabric store while out on the ride. SuperBuzzy, importer of some very nice and fun looking Japanese fabrics and yarn. I will be heading back there for sure as time permits.
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.
