Cycling in and around Union County, NC
The following post is not cycling related by any stretch of the imagination.
While waiting for my neck to recover and for parts to arrive for the only cycling purchase (other than maintenance items) of the 2010 season we have been doing other things to cut down on our living expenses. Gone is the extra phone line, gone are the additional set top boxes, gone are magazine subscriptions, as well as cutting back on most recreational/discretionary spending.
On our tandem!
It seems that every time we went on a ride the rear derailleur would come out of adjustment during the ride. We wouldn’t have to go more than ten miles before we needed to stop and make a minor adjustment. On the bike stand before a ride I would adjust the rear shifting until it was spot on. One issue, though, was that it was never perfect in all three chain rings. It would be close, but not perfect. Now the drive train is not a low end group or low end components either. We are using a Shimano Dura-Ace rear derailleur as well as Dura-Ace STI levers, a KMC chain as well as a SRAM Powerdome rear cluster.
In an effort to not do so terribly bad at the Time Trial series we have added a few things that might bring us just a bit more speed. Even if it doesn’t actually make us faster at least we will look and feel faster.
Here is an image:
We also have some aero bars for the tandem, but we need a lot more practice before we feel comfortable riding with them.
For the Time Trail Series at Carolina Motor Speedway. Look for us putting the tandem through it’s paces at the track. We will also try to get video of our attempts to embarrass ourselves. It should be a fun time. The following links back to the Endurance Magazine Time Trial Series page and explains the event and how to register.
Last weekend we had a chance to visit Waxhaw and the newly opened Bike Depot. Located in the same storefront as the old Bolt Brothers, you will find a friendly neighborhood atmosphere as well as some familiar faces.
Officially the grand opening is Saturday, March 20. Make sure you take the time to visit and say hello to Scott and Lori while you are there.
Waxhaw, NC, 28173
Just the other day my nephew and I were discussing what we might have done different with our current bicycles, whether or not it is time to look for a new ride or will upgrading a few parts be enough to keep us satisfied for another season.
As we embarked on our second tandem ride of the season, Nicole and I discussed the fact that we so much enjoy riding with other cyclists. This year our Sunday church services are in the middle of the afternoon and that makes all of the Sunday afternoon rides unavailable to us. We also have one vice, since we all rise early during the week, no one wants to get up early on Sunday morning. That fact precludes riding in the early Sunday rides. Maybe when the weather warms up a bunch we will be more inclined to start early.
And coach Troy is a sadist!
Spent yesterday afternoon trying to get through one of the Spinervals DVD’s and by the time I got to the one-legged drills my quads were about to blow up. It was all I could do to get the pedals to turn. But if Nicole and I plan on doing the Charlotte Motor Speedway Time Trial series we need to get into shape. The first event is May 5th. That just isn’t very far away.
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