Friday, February 24, 2012

Too close for comfort

I'm often nearly clipped by a car. Had such an experience a few days a go when a car was determined to beat me across the intersection and get ahead (several blocks later that car was only a half block ahead). That vehicle missed me by less than two feet! Too close.

Here's an excellent video put out by Road ID about the rights that cyclists have to the road.

Road ID Youtube video

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Century ride

So I keep thinking about doing a century ride, and one of my Facebook friends suggested the Amtrak Century ride from Irvine down to San Diego, which I would LOVE to do, but then I got to thinking.... logistically there are problems. I'd probably want to spend the night in Irvine because the ride starts so early - 7:00. That is an expense. Then there's the need for someone to watch my dog. Another expense.

The truth is, I'm also not geared for it - riding the hybrid for 100 miles would be painful. I'm already thinking of changing the seat out as it is. But I don't yet have proper riding shorts with the padded chamois crotch, and I don't have my arm warmers and leg warmers yet - and also no velcro shoes. Also, although they say to do an average of 12 mph, which isn't a problem, one would really have to do 12.5 to get there in 8 hrs and catch the train back. That's with no stops. If you stop for refreshments, you're dead in the water. Truth is, I need a faster bike, a true road bike, for long distance runs. Yes, I did the half century on the hybrid last summer, but that was killer on my butt and wrists, and that probably took me 8 hrs, but I also was not on open road and couldn't get true decent speed.

So, right now I am working on short sprints forcing the bike to a minimum of 12.5 mph and up to 15-16mph, but ideally I'd want to be doing 15-20 mph on a road bike on a long distance trip like that so that I can get down there in plenty of time to catch the train back. So, I don't think this is the year for THAT trip, but maybe next summer. I must focus on getting a road bike.

Friday, February 17, 2012

World's most advanced ski goggles

I saw this today, and I really, really want it for my bike trips, especially my trip across the USA.

http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/this-could-be-big-abc-news/world-most-advanced-goggles-170745770.html

What a terrific idea, and in a few years, it will just be even better.