Texbiker.net » Features

Fry Your Chain to Get Rid of the Grease

Rick Ankrum — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 04:18:48 +0000

Many years ago I read about waxing your bike chain. Since that time I always wax my chains instead of using grease or oil. There are several advantages to do this the main one being no more grimy grease marks on your legs when you rub against your bike chain by accident. Also when you have to remove the rear tire to fix a flat you don’t have to end up with grease on your hands. There are disadvantages as well; if you ride in the rain a lot wax will not keep the rust away but I think that is a small one. You do have to wax your chain more frequently. I usually do this every 1,000 miles or so but this is a time to clean the chain since you melt everything away.

Now here is where the fry part comes in: I use a Fry Baby deep fryer to melt the Gulf Wax and then dip the chain into it. I also use chains that have a quick release link in them. It takes about 3 to 4 blocks of Gulf Wax (WalMart has it in the canning section).

Some pictures of the Fry Baby with used wax.

Fry Baby

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Texbiker.net Event Calendar and Google Calendar

Rick Ankrum — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 19:30:12 +0000

If you use Google calendar or any other calendar that can subscribe to iCal feeds you can add the Texbiker.net Event Calendar to your calendar. The instructions vary but in Google Calendar paste this iCal link in the left hand space “Add a friend’s calendar”.

http://www.google.com/calendar/ical/miml03kuotie3d1o0u5fc0l9m30o4aoo%40import.calendar.google.com/public/basic.ics

With this link you will see the upcoming events in your calendar. This helps when you want to make plans for your rides.

You can also subscribe dirently to the Texbiker.net Event calendar using iCal. In the right sidebar calendar there is an icon at the top between the previous and next months. Click that to get the link to add to you desktop calendar or Google calendar.

http://www.texbiker.net/blog/feed/ical/

2009 Riding Statistics

Rick Ankrum — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 15:15:02 +0000

2009 was the best year for my total miles. Previously the best was 5131 in 2008. This year:

Total miles = 5225.74

Total riding hours = 355:41

Average pace = 4:04 min/mile

Average speed = 14.7

Total calories burned = 154,957

Miles by month chart

Average Distance per ride by month

Average Distance per ride by week

The Ride of Your Life

Rick Ankrum — Sat, 07 Feb 2009 04:20:20 +0000

This week I was listening to my favorite bicycling podcast, The Fredcast, and David Bernstein interviewed David Rowe, the author of the ebook Ride of Your Life. I was intrigued by the interview where the author asks the question, Why do you ride? According to Mr. Rowe there are a mountain of books on riding better but he could not find one that deals with why a person rides.

The Ride of Your Life is based on a structured, 8-step program that’s done without turning the pedals even one revolution. It’s a program . . . a process . . . that Rowe developed and refined during several years that saw him make the leap from Saturday morning club rider to accomplished long-distance cyclist and randonneur.

Rowe supports his program with a series of worksheets that you can print from this eBook and use for every new season.

His approach is found nowhere else. Most training books give brief attention to goal setting and fitting time for cycling into a life full of commitments to family and career. That’s not a knock against those plans – it’s just not their focus.

I do not have an interest in selling the book but the author did ask a very good question. You can listen to the interview in #113 edition of The Fredcast.

Subscribe to the Texbiker.net Event Calendar

Rick Ankrum — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 01:44:59 +0000

If you have a Google calendar you can add the Texas bicycling events to your calendar.

The steps are easy:

In the “Other calendars” menu select “Add”
Then select add by URL
On the next page paste this link into the box http://www.texbiker.net/blog/?ec3_ical

Now all of the bicycling events will be added to your Google calendar. Updates will be automatic.

Plano Bicycle Association Gets A Write Up

Rick Ankrum — Tue, 12 Jun 2007 03:46:00 +0000

WFAA.com sports an article describing how cyclists bond during weekly rides. Full article.

Saint-Saens – The Swan played on a bicycle pump

Rick Ankrum — Wed, 06 Jun 2007 03:45:50 +0000

The next time you are stuck along side of the road waiting for a lift home with a flat tire, this video will show you how to while away the time.

Two Wheeling Conservation

Rick Ankrum — Sat, 26 May 2007 16:29:15 +0000

The Houston Chronicle Business section has a front page article on Houston oil companies encouraging employees to ride their bicycles to work.

Exxon Mobil, BP and ConocoPhillips are among the Houston-area employers trying to make it easier for employees to bike to work.

Workers already have enough excuses: potholes, impatient drivers and the Houston heat.

But some businesses are easing the commute for those who decide the exercise and reduced emissions make biking worthwhile. They’re giving them locker rooms, shower areas and safe places to park their bikes.

full article link

I would like to join this movement but my work place is 42 miles from my home.

DIY 3 Watt LED Headlight Project

Rick Ankrum — Thu, 22 Mar 2007 04:11:24 +0000

Make Magazine posted this article detailing how to make a three LED 3 Watt headlight. This thing is for serious off-road riding in one of those 24-hour endurances races. But you could use it for less serious needs. Full instructions.

Dallas Morning News Highlights Off Road Riding

Rick Ankrum — Wed, 21 Mar 2007 03:41:27 +0000

Debbie Fetterman writes an article in the Tuesday (March 20th) edition recommending off road riding for those tiring of suburban rides. Ms. Fetterman gives some riders’ views on changing their ride style from road to mountain bike.

Full article.