Extra Time

There was a little extra time in today's commute. As I pulled up to the stoplight, I decided to go straight instead of my normal, quicker right turn. Extra miles, extra time and extra fun on the bike. It's always nice to take the long route in.

Get out there.

Fire!

 This was super cool on my commute in this morning. They were burning down an old barn in a field along my route. As far away as I was while taking this photo, I could feel the heat coming off of this blaze. It was nice, too, being that it was 53 degrees on the way in.

On an unrelated note, the LHT got some love during Bike Night the other night. It got a fresh coat of shellac on the tape. The old coat had faded significantly. Now it's back to the more Brooks saddle leathery look.

I love the look of this bike. Browns, greens and blacks. It blends into the outside world oh so well. It is almost as if it was made to reside in nature.

Get out there.

Hammock Lunch

Today was another hammock and Kindle reading lunch break. Here's how it goes: 5 minutes riding, 5 minutes setting up hammock, 40 minutes reading, 5 minutes tearing down hammock, 5 minutes riding back. I love it.

The Esbit offers hot coffee and the Kindle brings several dozen books with me.

A curb tried to steal the good vibes away from me as I pinch flatted on my way back. Luckily, I was already in the work parking lot. I was trying to hop the curb and my bad timing made the last eighth of a mile on foot. Not bad, though. First flat EVER on the Troll.

It was a good way to spend my lunch. I'm glad I work close enough to lots of opportunities to sneak into the trees.

Get out there.

Reunited and it Feels So Good

Summer opened up a hiatus from my regular every-other-Wednesday bike maintenance night. But last night we were back at it and lots was accomplished. I was able to tune up two bikes for a couple buddies, the LHT got some love and, finally, my geared Cross Check was put back into commission.

The Cross Check has been hanging in my garage for every bit of six months. I'm always debating whether or not to sell it. But then, like this morning, I ride it and I absolutely love it. What the LHT does for hauling and stability, the Cross Check does with agility and quickness. It's just so much fun to have those bikes set up in such different ways. They compliment each other so well.

I'm not sure that I'll gravitate towards the Cross Check more than the LHT. But it's so awesome to have the option if I'm feeling a bit more sprightly.

Get out there.

Creak, Creak, Creak, Creak

The LHT, right now, is the bicycle equivalent of an old man with achy knees. Each crank of the pedals emits a high pitched creaking sound that makes my skin crawl. I pull back on the effort and it silences itself... but I know it's there. Tomorrow night is bike maintenance night. Once again, I'll remove pedals, cranks and bottom bracket to try and track it down. But I'm ready to get it fixed. I love this bike too much to pity it. But, up to this point, the culprit has evaded my efforts to pinpoint it.

Get out there.

Cruisin'

Angie and I were in Florida for three days this last week. I was really missing my bike with all the cruisers I saw down there. These folks know how to do it right. Super chill lifestyle and lots of bikey love.

12 bags of groceries and room for a passenger. You're the man, old man.

Get out there.

Bikepack Commuting

Today was another day on the Troll for the bike commute. I know you're confused by my photography voodoo in the photo above. But I wanted to show that I was running the Relevate frame bag and carrying my new backpack. I'm working on a poor man's bikepacking rig that would work for some overnighters in the woods. I don't have the cash flow for a full bikepacking kit. But these two bags should give me the capacity for two nights on the trail.

I'm thinking of commuting for a few days to see how it all feels. As of now, I'm really liking it. My backpack was pretty full, with heavy laptop and everything. And the frame bag had all my commuting clothes in it. Somehow, my time on my commute is no different than when I ride the LHT. I think perhaps the Troll climbs better. It's just easier to mash those pedals on the MTB and get up a hill, which seems to be gaining the time I lose with the knobby 2.5" tires.

I'll keep playing and tweaking and we'll see what comes of it all. But I'd like to do a trip or two this fall in the woods.

Get out there.