I got a bit of riding done this week, 19 on Tuesday and Friday and 24 on Saturday. That’s a lot from 0 for a month. Still my speeds are higher, 14mph vs 12-13 in February and March. So, I didn’t lose as much as I thought. I can feel that a lot of muscle mass is gone in my thighs and calves. That has to be rebuilt and more.
The bike has new gearing; 24, 38, 50 in the front. The first 2 rides had a lot of grinding against the derailleur. Gears adjusted while jacked up on the bike trainer don’t take account flex in the bike frame from riding. They seemed adjusted and then the rides disproved that.
I want a perfectly silent drive train and very, very close yesterday. On the trainer again and with some more leeway in what keeps the chain on the middle chain ring I got it as close as I could. Basically, the 38 and 50 tooth gears are my primary and the 24 is my granny goat climber. It only has to work on the 6 largest cogs, while the big 50 only has to work on the 6 smallest cogs. Actually, I got all 9 cogs with the 24 and 38. And the smallest 8 on the 50. Most importantly the chain stopped jumping from the 50, past the 38, down to the 24. There just a touch of rubbing on certain gear combinations, because the frame flexes during the pedal stroke.
It really is amazing to see the front and rear derailleurs at work. I’ve used the new high gear, but not the low one. Just about anything in that ring is too low. We haven’t had the 30mph headwinds this week. It’s been really spectacular weather.
One other change. The rear rack and fender are off. The Velo Orange seat bag is more than big enough for a tub, tiny tools, wallet, phone, keys, and even a cycling jacket. It’s not one of those tiny wedge packs. This swap is the reason for the speed increase on yesterday’s ride. The saddle bag (bike seats are called saddles and mine is leather too) is a classic cotton sack with leather straps and two oversized zippers. Let’s face it. My ass is never going to be narrow enough to take advantage of a 6″ wide wedge pack.
The first return ride I experience some odd sensations in my legs, especially, the hurt knee. There was some tensing as if expecting pain and odd cycling motion in both. It was as if both legs were unchanged, back one month ago, and compensating for the pain in one of them. Not so for the other rides. Everything returned to normal. Sort of. My saddle is a good 1″-1.5″ taller. The new angles aren’t too comfortable on my arms, but they don’t have to pedal.
Less than three months to go for the StP ride. I need some pairs of 80 mile per day weekends and a 100 mile day.
BTW, mileage is kept here.
