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# The camaraderie of belonging to a diverse group of over five hundred cyclists, men, women and families, young and old, fast and slow.
# At least two, and sometimes three or more, organized rides every weekend
# Safety in numbers, help with on-the-road bike mishaps, not getting lost, learning about cycling from fellow members.
# Using cycling as a way to stay fit and healthy to a ripe old age (one of our fittest century riders just had his 80th birthday).
# One of the best cycling club websites and newsletters in Texas. …
A Few Links Too Many – June 20th Bike Ride
Well as I wrote yesterday I installed the new SRAM PC-1050 chain but I did not remove any of the factory 114 links. Testing the bike in the work stand I thought this would okay but on the road the chain proved to be too long so I had to ride on the big chain ring and the second cassette cog to take up the slack. When I got home I removed 6 links and when I tried to re-install the master link the chain slipped out and one half of the master link disappeared. I looked all over the floor and was about to give up on finding it but decided to look on the back side of the rear cassette cluster. There hiding in the recess of the cassette cogs was the missing link. Re-installing the link the chain now looks to be the proper length. This is usually a mystery to me on how many links there should be. The vague instruction to check with the derailleur manufacturer does not help any.
The road was empty of fellow bikers today probably because of the heat (99 degrees when I got back home) and Father’s Day. Those fluffy little white clouds persist and the breeze was a gentle 9 mph from the SSE.
Today’s ride statistics:
- miles = 22.47
- riding time 1:32:30
- average pace = 4:07 min/mile
- average speed = 14.6 mph
- max speed = 20.8 mph
- average cadence = 76.5 rpm (probably from the big ring combo)
- max cadence = 102 rpm
- climb 159 ft., descend 197 ft., max elevation 108 ft.
- June miles 345.32
- YTD miles 2386.07
Click on any of thumbnails to bring up a larger view.
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Daily News Roundup June 19th – Texas Bicycling
Monday is the first day of summer. While I look forward to that time the year I am also aware that now the days will begin to have less daylight. This will take a toll after a couple of months.
Multiple Sclerosis Fundraiser has Cyclists Practicing for the Event
by KOSA
Midland, TX – For many suffering from Multiple Sclerosis, hundreds across the Permian Basin are cycling to find a cure. The National Multiple Sclerosis …
An Early Start to Beat The Heat – June 19th Bike Ride
After last weekend’s indoor excursion to the hospital I wanted to get an early start on the ride today. I did make it out the door at 6:59 AM and the cooler temperature was greatly appreciated. With this early start I thought I might see some other riders but I did not see anyone until I was within 2 miles of home.
The ride got off to a good start until I ran over a rock on the US59 service road Caney Creek bridge just north of New Caney. I got a pinch flat so I pulled over to patch the hole. I have to admit my patching credentials are not what they should be since I have been known to miss the hole with the patch. This was not a problem today but while I was fixing the flat the perspiration was pouring from my brow, arms and about anywhere it could. Where does all of this liquid come from?
After the flat things went well. The skies were populated by the little puffy white clouds that have been around most of the week. Temperature was 78 degrees when I passed New Caney High School and was 94 degrees when I got home. Wind was not really a factor being around 9 mph or less from variable directions.
When I got home I decided it was time to perform several maintenance things: rotate tires, replace the Wipperman chain with a SRAM PC-1050 I have had for awhile. All went well until I tired to install the removable link in the chain. As much as I tired I could not get it to lock in place. I ended up reusing the Wipperman removable link.
Today’s ride statistics:
- miles = 53.03
- Riding time = 3:39:38
- average pace = 4:08 min/mile
- average speed = 14.5 mph
- max speed = 21.6 mph
- average cadence = 77 rpm
- max cadence = 112 rpm
- climb 218 ft., descend 222 ft., max elevation 141 ft.
- June miles 322.85
- YTD miles 2363.60
Today I brought my Flip camera along and recorded some places I rode through.
Click on any of thumbnails to bring up a larger view.
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