Contest!

Logic suggests I should keep this info to myself, thus reducing the field of competition by thousands and thereby increasing my chances of winning. Oh, well: Cycling News is giving away David Millar's bike. Presumably they have David Millar's permission to do this.
http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/now-online-the-2010-cyclingnews-reader-poll

Bikes in the snow

The snow near Mammoth Cave, Kentucky, prevented me from doing anything more strenuous than taking a picture of my single-speed 29er this morning. Not being sure I would like riding a single-speed very much, I went for an inexpensive Stout/Southeast from the Jenson website. Or rather, I

knew I would like it, but I didn't know how well I would fare on it here in ridge country. Much to my surprise, it's not that much harder to just stand up and power on up the hills. So now I'm thinking it might be fun to get hold of a single-speed (non-fixie) road bike.

The only changes I've made to the bike are to add a computer and a bottle cage and replace the original saddle post, which did not adjust up quite far enough for me, with a Truvativ. The saddle itself is a WTB knock-off, but it's just as comfortable as the WTB on my Fuji, so no point in changing it.

If only I were as tough as Kenny Mayne, I wouldn't let a little snow stop me. Mayne was featured on ESPN's NFL pre-game show this morning, riding a really cool cruiser bike and wearing a football helmet. Move over, Alberto. You got yourself some competition.

Also just 'cause I like it:

http://www.sushibandit.com/uploaded_images/wine-787760.jpg:

Just 'cause I like it:

The contest

I hear Bicycling Mag is having a contest for best amateur bike mechanic. Since Bicycling Mag became a shill for Floyd Landis, Specialized, and the other companies that sell overpriced stuff most of us don't need, and since Bike Snob's column was the only thing worth reading in the whole mag (unless they do a nude centerfold of the Fit Chick, which technically would involve less reading and more . . . well, you know), I don't subscribe to the mag. But I would offer this advice: a contest for the WORST mechanic who nevertheless manages to keep upright and rolling would be much more interesting. Just how many miles can you ride on a worn-out chain? How many more times can you patch a tube whose surface area already has a ratio of tube-to-patch that has definitely shifted toward the patch end of the scale? Does duct tape have any useful application in the repair of brakes for fixies or other inherently unsafe two-wheeled conveyances? The answers to all these questions would be much more interesting than awarding a prize to someone who's figured out that WD40 and lemon Pledge do wonders for a bicycle chain, or at least give it that fresh citrus scent that all the girls just love.

One speed and counting

I plan to eventually post some pictures of my single-speed 29er. Meanwhile, some random reflections on riding a single speed, which I have not done since I was several decades younger than I am now.

First, having only one gear doesn't slow me down as much as I thought it would. Today I rode 17 miles at an average of 13.3 mph. Not Tour de France record speed, but faster than I would have expected. I think I actually come up hills faster, since there's no choice but to stand up and push ahead. On a slight up-hill stretch, I spun out to 23.4 mph. Again, not a record, but not bad for the rough equivalent of 3rd gear on a road bike.

Second, it is in fact fun to not have to worry about being in the right gear. Yes, you can ride a multi-speed and leave it in one gear, but the thought of shifting would always be in the back of the mind. What's the point of multiple ratios if you don't use them?

Riding single-speed seems to have the potential to make one a stronger rider. Hills I stood up on the first few rides no longer call for leaving the saddle.

It seems to make climbing easier if the hands are spread wide, near the very ends of the handlebars.

Maintenance promises to be simpler--no derailleurs to adjust, no gear cluster to scrub.

Ride the divide

I watched the Ride the Divide documentary last night. Aside from the wistful acoustic guitar music and sentimental lyrics that grace the soundtrack, the movie was intriguing. (More about it here: http://blog.adventurecycling.org/2010/03/ride-divide.html) It does convey a sense of what three weeks on a mountain bike could be like--a clear enough sense that I won't be tempted to do it any time soon. At least not as a race-participant. And I noticed that none of the racers were on single-speeds--for good reason, as the race apparently puts the mountain back in mountain bike, should it be in danger of escaping. I, however, have recently become enamoured of my newly-purchased single-speed 29er. You know what they say--once you go 29er, you never go back. At least not until you have really big hills to climb on sore, over 40-year-old knees.