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Today October 2023

joewein

joewein

Maximum Pace
Oct 25, 2011
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Finally it's getting a little cooler and we're only a couple of weeks away from seeing autumn leaves.

Last Sunday I went hiking on Mt Oyama with my wife and my son (first full climb for him, we last climbed there in April). I hadn't done much hiking the last couple of months so the sore leg muscles after we got it done took most of the week to recover. Thursday was the first day I could walk down stairs without thinking about it! ;)

October will be a litte busy for me: Next weekend I'll be at a wedding, the weekend after that I'll be in Italy on vacation, so not much cycling until the last two weekends of the month.

I'll do my October Century today (Sun, Oct 1), then I won't have to worry about whether I can get it done this month (that would be month #134 in the sequence).
 
It is perfect weather for it and it is good to get it out of the way, especially since your legs have recovered for it.

I think I am going to have an easy week. While jacking around with my cats last week I heard a pop in my left knee, which I think was a ligament. I cycled twice immediately afterwards and it is ok, and even played golf on Friday and cycled yesterday, but it is a bit tender today, so it will get a rest while I think about my new cycling Streamliner project.

Interestingly, I came across a young guy on his first ride on a Performer recumbent with USS (Under Seat Steering). The USS has a clutter free view, and could be a pretty fast bike with some go-fast wheels and proper gearing, but it just has what I think are the stock parts.
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three seasons. Jan 2021-->Sep 2023

I recommended those(sorry), only the front?

I'd send them (it) to Trek for their notes.

how did you like the ride feel?
 
These were 32mm, and that on the rear was too wide, rubbed just the slightest bit on a chainstay. I couldn't get the wheel mounted so it wouldn't on one side or the other. So I took that off and put a non-R3 28 on the rear, and used that on the front of a different bike. That one is not doing this, at least I don't think so, but will look again tomorrow. Maybe I'll see if the shop will pass it back to trek.

They ride well enough, cushy, tho not the lowest pressure possible since I prefer firm. I'm too old/slow to say whether they are a fast tire or not.
 
During a morning ride yesterday before work I was cycling down the Edogawa River when a cyclist went past me at quite a rate of knots.
About 500m in front of me he suddenly slowed down and started to have a conversation on his phone.....this also meant he started to zig-zag all over the narrow bike path.
Upon finally managing to pass him I remarked that he should get off the phone and should study a little bicycle etiquette.
Naturally I was met with a "What's up with you,Bro?"
I don't know if he was a local or not.......he was Asian looking and daubed all over in Rapha gear.
I wonder if you have encountered any such riders?
 
Yes I have, and I would have told him what's up with me. Twice I was hit by cyclists who were on their phones. Once while on my commuter bike by an elderly man, head on at a pretty slow speed because I braked almost to a stop well in advance. Ringing my bell didn't work. And once while walking by a high school student who took a blind corner like an F1 driver just before I got to the corner. She was only holding on with 1 hand while her other hand was holding the phone. She overcorrected and her knee, skirt, shoe and shirt were trashed after she hit the asphalt and slid/rolled across the single lane road. Her screen broke and there just so happened to be a pair of policemen on their bikes across the street waiting for the signal and saw it.

I see someone riding and looking at their phone pretty much every ride on the Arakawa. Mostly it is a student or 2, and they mostly stay on the left side pretty well. But if I see it on one of the narrow parts of the path, especially if they are drifting over to the right then I'll either ring the loud bell I have on my V20, or use my voice. At least on the Arakawa most of the runners and walkers stay on the left side and not the right, making it pretty easy to judge the time to pass them, and the cycling path is sometimes 4 times wider than Tamagawa so there are many bailout options.
 
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Rode up Mt. Akagi today. After temps in the 30s just last week, it was a shock to deal with the cold today. With the altitude, it felt like winter and I was seriously underdressed. Brrrr. The road up seemed to have quite a few cars coming down, so meeting them on the narrow switchbacks was a PITA. But it was a nice climb with good views.
 
After not having a flat tire for about a year,I have had 5 or 6 in 2 weeks.
Strange how things work.
Tires are in good condition as well.
I usually ride in Tokyo/Chiba and Saitama along the riversides, but last week I had to ride to my daughter's house in Tokorozawa to dog-sit her Labrador,when I woke up both front and rear tubes had punctures.
With the falling yen I have noticed how much tubes are going up in price as well.
Looks like I will have to start fixing my flats like I used to when I was a student.
 
@Forsbrook Although I've only had two flats this year, that's two more than I've had in the previous 10 years.

Curious if anyone has any suggestion about camp sites on the north side of Mt. Akagi. Looking at the map, it is pretty desolate on the route I've attached below. Was hoping I might be able to do this in one go without camping but with shorter days and uncertain trail conditions, I figure I'd better plan on camping even though the thought of lugging camping gear up the climbs isn't all that exciting. Looks like busses run part of the way out but I've never taken my bike on a bus and would be screwed if they refused to allow it. Does anyone have any suggestions? Anyone? Bueller?
Screenshot 2023-10-15 at 15.42.57.png
 
Forsbrook said:
After not having a flat tire for about a year,I have had 5 or 6 in 2 weeks.
Strange how things work.
Tires are in good condition as well. [...]
Looks like I will have to start fixing my flats like I used to when I was a student.
Click to expand...

I also went through a deliciously long period with no punctures, followed by five or six in two weeks. When you got somebody else to fix your flats, did you get any feedback on where the punctures were? If not, I'd suspect that you have the problem that I had: ageing rim tape.

NB rim tape comes in a variety of widths, and must be just the right width. If you're in any doubt, take your rim in to a bike shop, and ask them for the width. Once you have your rim tape, it's time to (re?) discover the joy of attempting to solve what will seem an insoluble puzzle in 3D geometry: getting the damn rim tape onto the bloody rim. (Twice.) Watch a Youtube video for tips on how to avoid avoidable failures and physical pain. (You'll just have to deal with the unavoidable ones.)
 
microcord said:
I also went through a deliciously long period with no punctures, followed by five or six in two weeks. When you got somebody else to fix your flats, did you get any feedback on where the punctures were? If not, I'd suspect that you have the problem that I had: ageing rim tape.

NB rim tape comes in a variety of widths, and must be just the right width. If you're in any doubt, take your rim in to a bike shop, and ask them for the width. Once you have your rim tape, it's time to (re?) discover the joy of attempting to solve what will seem an insoluble puzzle in 3D geometry: getting the damn rim tape onto the bloody rim. (Twice.) Watch a Youtube video for tips on how to avoid avoidable failures and physical pain. (You'll just have to deal with the unavoidable ones.)
Click to expand...
Many thanks.
I was beginning to suspect something was amiss regarding my setup as opposed to having random tacks and thorns ruin my day.
I am using the Schwalbe plasticky rim tape on my front wheel, which one LBS didn't recommend, rather than my preferred Velox cloth tape.I really think you may have solved my issue.
 
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Chuck said:
@Forsbrook Although I've only had two flats this year, that's two more than I've had in the previous 10 years.

Curious if anyone has any suggestion about camp sites on the north side of Mt. Akagi. Looking at the map, it is pretty desolate on the route I've attached below. Was hoping I might be able to do this in one go without camping but with shorter days and uncertain trail conditions, I figure I'd better plan on camping even though the thought of lugging camping gear up the climbs isn't all that exciting. Looks like busses run part of the way out but I've never taken my bike on a bus and would be screwed if they refused to allow it. Does anyone have any suggestions? Anyone? Bueller?
View attachment 39745
Click to expand...
@Forsbrook Although I've only had two flats this year, that's two more than I've had in the previous 10 years.

You are a lucky man.
 
When do the bugs die off? I'm tired of coming home looking like the windscreen on a car after a 6 hour road trip...
 
nateberkopec said:
When do the bugs die off? I'm tired of coming home looking like the windscreen on a car after a 6 hour road trip...
Click to expand...
I had that same problem. I was hoofing it and had to slow down and tilt my head just to avoid eating bugs. I might go to the paintball gun store to buy one of those face guards that are like a screen.
 
Yesterday, I learned the advantages of e-bikes first hand.

My wife and I went on a one-day 60k cycling trip in the Shonan area.
Actually, it's one of my regular cycling areas when I'm on my road bike. But due to a bruised rip cage, I'm forced to light riding since a couple of weeks. So, it was a great chance to discover the joy of cruising or recreational cycling, including proper coffee and lunch stops and exploring new roads.
While I was on my commuter, we picked up a rental e-mama-chari from a nearby station for my wife, who hasn't done any real cycling except local errand rides in ages.
Originally our plan was to swap the mama-chari with a more sporty (better?) e-bike once we got to Kamakura. But when we tried other bikes, she preferred the mama-chari best. So, we went on with the idea to ride as long as my wife's legs would last. Then she supposed to take the train back, while I cycle home. After around 7 hours of cycling, the sun went down and we headed back. To my surprise, my wife ask me how much longer it would take to cycle all the way home. When I told her it would be another 45+ minutes with one proper hill to climb, I she simply said alright, let's go. Also, since we where on our way back, there was no need to save any battery. So, power-mode all the way. Yay!
It was a great and long day out. And it would have been much shorter of a ride without the motor.
While my wife still is not convinced with the at times sudden kick-in of the motor and the heavy weight of the rental e-mama-chari, she overall had lots of fun. Now, we are rethinking our purchase plans for my wife's next bike. Originally, we aimed for a nice and light weight cruiser without a motor. But since yesterday's ride, her new bike might be an e-bike after all. And though my wife just wants a do-it-all bike, I'm thinking there's probably room for another one when she gets into cycling a bit more 😉
 
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