Thanks Internet

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Several weeks ago I noticed that the Rock Shox Mag 21 suspension fork on my 1996 Raleigh M800 mountain bike was drooping. The suspension had left. With that age I was fearing the only solution was a costly fork replacement. 10 years of service was more than I had expected so the problem was bound to happen at some point.

Before I jumped to buying that new fork though I thought some research online might give me clue on how to solve this problem. After checking a few Google links I found the service manual for the Mag 21. Reading about disassembling the fork I saw that the air chamber (this is an air over oil type suspension) could be recharged by using a basketball needle and floor pump. The key was to use a needle without a side opening to keep from tearing the rubber seal and to use some grease.

A few cautious pumps on each leg and the fork popped back into full suspension mode. Thanks to the 1996 service manual I found I do not need to buy that new fork.

Now if I could have the same good fortune replacing my kitchen faucet.

Mountain Bike Happenings in Houston

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According to Steve Sievert’s Cycling Notebook in the Houston Chronicle today, the Greater Houston Area Off-Road Biking Association (GHORBA) is deeply involved in expanding the miles of trails in the Houston area. The one that interests me the most is the Spring Creek Greenway that will extend from Tomball to Kingwood.

I have wondered why trails could not be made along the bayous in the Houston area.

Another area is the Lake Houston Park the City of Houston recently acquired on the east branch of the San Jacinto River along FM1485 east of US59. While the State of Texas owned the park not much trail work took place but the City of Houston and GHORBA are more aggressive.

Link to the whole article.

San Antonio Rides in February

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—Bicycling: Feb. 4, 2007, 9 a.m., Devine Ride, 11, 25 and 40 miles, park and ride off highway 90 in Castroville by Sammy’s Restaurant. (830) 985-3816.

—Bicycling: Feb. 4, 2007, 9 a.m., Leon Springs Leaderless Ride, behind Starbuck’s at corner of I-10 access road and Boerne Stage Road (exit 551).

—Bicycling: Feb. 4, 2007, 9 a.m., Fair Oaks Afternoon Ride, 20, 32 and 45 miles, Fair Oaks Ranch Center. (210) 698-6625.

—Half-marathon, relay: Feb. 4, 2007, 8 a.m., M.A.S.H. Half-Marathon, Two-Person Relay, Fort Sam Houston. (210) 385-8248.

—Bicycling: Feb. 10, 2007, 9 a.m., Boerne ‘is this the last hill?’ Ride, 25 to 70 miles, Fiserve Building in downtown Boerne. (210) 325-2500, (210) 524-9393.

—Bicycling: Feb. 11, 2007, 9 a.m., Woman Hollering Creek Ride, 26 to 70 miles, Judson High School, Converse. (210) 481-1807, (210) 884-9470.

—Bicycling: Feb. 11, 2007, 1:30 p.m., Fair Oaks Afternoon Ride, 20, 32 and 45 miles, Fair Oaks Ranch Center. (210) 698-6625.

San Antonio Rides in December and January

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—Bicycling: Dec. 30, 9 a.m., Cibolo Ride, 20, 27, 39 and 51 miles, Wiederstein Elementary School, downtown Cibolo. (210) 481-1807, (210) 884-9470.

—Bicycling: Dec. 30, 9 a.m., Stay-Together Ride at the Cibolo Ride, 27 and 39 miles, Wiederstein Elementary Schol, downtown Cibolo. (210) 365-7362.

—Bicycling: Dec. 31, 9 a.m., Rebecca’s Mirror Ride, 25, 45 and 75 miles, Bulverde Elementary School. (210) 863-6009.

—Bicycling: Jan. 1, 2007, 10 a.m., New Year’s Day Ride at Bullis County Park, 11 miles and up, Bullis County Park. (210) 494-0035.

—Bicycling: Jan. 6, 2007, 9 a.m., Comal Elementary Ride, 28, 48, 55 and 72 miles, parking lot across from Comal Elementary School. (210) 863-6009.

—Running: Jan. 6, 2007, 8 a.m., Elvis at Sam’s Burger Joint, 330 Grayson St. (210) 385-8248.

—Bicycling: Jan. 7, 2007, 9 a.m., Devine Ride, 11, 25 and 40 miles, park and ride off highway 90 in Castroville by Sammy’s Restaurant. (830) 985-3816.

—Bicycling: Jan. 7, 2007, 9 a.m., Leon Springs Leaderless Ride, behind Starbuck’s at corner of I-10 acces road and Boerne Stage Road (exit 551).

—Bicycling: Jan. 7, 2007, 1:30 p.m., Fair Oaks Afternoon Ride, 20, 32 and 45 miles, Fair Oaks Ranch Center. (210) 698-6625.

—Bicycling: Jan. 13, 2007, 9 a.m., Boerne ‘is this the last hill?’ Ride, 25 to 70 miles, Fiserve Health Building, downtown Boerne. (210) 325-2500, (210) 524-9393.

—Bicycling: Jan. 14, 2007, 9 a.m., La Vernia, Wilson County Ride, 20, 30 and 50 miles, city park in downtown La Vernia. (830) 660-7570, (210) 373-2010.

—Bicycling: Jan. 14, 2007, 1:30 p.m., Fair Oaks Afternoon Ride, 20, 32 and 45 miles, Fair Oaks Ranch Center. (210) 698-6625.

—Duathlon: Jan. 14, 2007, 9 a.m., Do Da Cool Duathlon No. 1, Fort Sam Houston (Brigade Gym and Salado Creek Park). (210) 385-8248.

—Bicycling: Jan. 20, 2007, 9:30 a.m., Southside Mission Ride, 27, 39, 51 and 61 miles, visitors center at San Jose Mission. (210) 533-3416.

—Bicycling: Jan. 21, 2007, 9 a.m., Classic Devil’s Backbone Ride, 27, 43 and 52 miles, public lot across from Gruene Hall in Gruene. (210) 492-9173.

—Bicycling: Jan. 21, 2007, 1:30 p.m., Toutant-Beauregard Ride, 21, 35, 47 and 58 miles, Old Town Helotes across from Floore’s Country Store. (210) 878-6960.

—Running: Jan. 21, 2007, 8 a.m., River Road Run, 12 miles, Camp Hueco Springs, New Braunfels. (830) 627-8401.

—Bicycling: Jan. 27, 2007, 9 a.m., Cibolo Ride, 20, 27, 39 and 51 miles, Wiederstein Elementary School, downtown Cibolo. (210) 481-1807, (210) 884-9470.

—Bicycling: Jan. 27, 2007, 9 a.m., Stay-Together Ride at the Cibolo Ride, 20 to 39 miles, Wiederstein Elementary School, downtown Cibolo. (210) 481-1807, (210) 884-9470.

—Bicycling: Jan. 28, 2007, 9 a.m., Kendalia-Crabapple Ride, 35 to 52 miles, Kendalia Public Library, Kendalia. (210) 863-6009.

—Bicycling: Feb. 3, 2007, 9 a.m., Bullis Park Ride, 21, 34, 48 and 66 miles, Bullis County Park. (210) 863-6201.