Cannondale Slate: History Repeats Itself

I finally saw a Cannondale Slate at the Tour de Roxbury and I have to say that it is indeed a fine looking bike.  I didn't have a chance to sit on it or take it for a spin but I wish I had.

This one had SRAM Gearing with an 11:42 cassette and a single chain ring upfront with 42 teeth. With Surly Gnards and that type of gearing, not only is this bike ready for dirt roads but it could also tackle quite a bit of singletrack as well. With the front lockable lefty fork, bombing dirt road descents must be smooth like butter!

This isn't the first time that Cannondale has had cyclocross styled bike with suspension up front. My very own 1999 Cannondale XS800 also had a little squish, too. Funny, how history repeats itself. 

Fredmobile's last roll

The departure of the Polar Vortex brought a drastic change to the weather where we got snow on Friday (I had planned to ride to work) and then 50 degrees and 2" of rain on Saturday.  Heading out Sunday morning the temperature was around 40 degrees and it was really windy.  Despite the rain and warmer temperatures it didn't dissuade these fisherman from ice fishing on Taunton Lake Sunday morning.

Started to get some traction on the Cannondale.  The first buyer was really interested and but low balled me and it was pointless trying to negotiate with him seeing where he was coming from, however, on Friday some interest arose from one of my Craigslist ads.  His initial offer was $200 less than what I was advertising and I said no thanks.  When he wanted to know what I could live with I told him $100 less than what I was asking and sent that response before heading on the Cannondale for my weekly Sunday morning ride

I was immediately lamenting my decision to ride Pond Brook because it was really soggy and agonizingly slow.  Once on the pave section it still seemed slow and there was some rubbing on the brake.  Grabbed the multitool and made a quick adjustment to the front brake and it was good to go!

Map Courtesy of Strava Multiple Ride Mapper

I now have a pretty standard route that wraps around the north part of Newtown as if I were riding to work and then from the intersection with Currituck and Rt 25 I can ride up to Mt Pleasant down Taunton Lake and up Scudder Hill which sets me up for the run down Poverty Hollow. The other alternative is to take one of my commuting routes to Old Hawleyville and then over to Rt 302 and back towards Newtown to shoot down Hammertown Road.  The latter route is around 26 miles (Purple Route) but my Poverty Hollow rides are between 30 and 40 miles.  Today I checked out North Avenue but I made a wrong turn off of Judd that took me to the bottom of Hammertown when I should have stayed on Judd.  My only concern is there is a blind corner and on a hill on Hammertown that I like to avoid.  

 

Whilst on Poverty Hollow I spied this cyclist up ahead of me and figured no way I was going to catch him but when I got past the descent at the horse barns the gap had been closed quite considerably.  It wasn't until I got in behind him that I realized he was on a Single Speed!  

 

I realized I had seen this guy/bike before at the Sandy Hook Ride on Washington send off riding a Scattante SSR single speed frame from Performance Bicycles.  I recall asking him why singlespeed on the roads and he said that he rides it in the winter time because it's much easier to maintain and clean.  

One thing is for sure, I need a better riding jacket.  One that has three pockets on the outside and zippered pits.  Average temperature for the ride was 41 degrees and I had two long sleeved layers, a short sleeve with arm warmers and a riding jersey.  With a pocketed jacket, I could loose the jersey and a layer, I think.  No problem with the feet riding the Lake 303s of course and I was spot on for gloves, too.

I think you can say that this is the bike that turned me into a roadie.  With its sale, I think even more road like routes will be ridden in the coming year on perhaps something a little more modern and weighing less.  The Fredmobile wasn't heavy, but it was no spring chicken compared to what you can get today at your LBS. The one thing that I never got around to changing was the stem.  The current stem is 130mm and I really think I could have done better on a 90mm stem.  Still, it was great for everything I rode it on.

Alas, the Fredmobile is no more.  He is off to Boston where he will be serving as an all weather commuter for someone who wants to bike to work rather than drive!

I really don't want to thin the herd ...

but I think I have to.  I initially put the Qball up Craigslist but my Bike Guru saw the ad and immediately chastised me.  He was right, though, I can't sell the Qball because it's basically what got me seriously in to mountain biking and as a result of that has lead to an even more profound involvement in cycling.  In fact, maybe to assuage my own guilt I created a page on this blog as an homage to one of the most versatile bikes that I have ever owned.

Configured for sale

That leaves me with removing a duplicate.  I half heartedly put the SX800 up on Craigslist a week ago and also added it to a Facebook page, too, that actually got a response but the kid low balled me I it wasn't worth it.  I would rather keep it then sell it for what he offered, even if I could have negotiated him up, it still wouldn't have been worth it.

Pre-sales configuration

Last night, I made a more serious attempt at selling it by listing it on other Craigslist locations.  As you would expect, I got a flood of scammers who can't read directions and promptly deleted their inquiries.  I really don't have to sell it but it would be nice if I could so then buy a road bike (did I just say that?) because what's the point of having two cross bikes?

I had always envisioned on selling the Trek and I put up an ad, too, but again now that I have it set up as a dedicated commuter, I am not so sure.  The flat bars really make a difference on this frame and now I am contemplating trying even a wider flat bar and upgrading the right hand shifter to a Shimano LX to match the left side.  This bike has turned into a diamond in the rough.

I might, temporarily, throw in the towel on Singlespeeding if I am able to sell the Kona.  Here I have it set up with the Blunts wheelset, but it might go easier if I throw the Stans Arch & Crest wheels on instead and keep the Blunts for a rainy day.  That rainy day could be purchasing a full suspension frame with the Kona proceeds and making the Spot a Singlespeed with an adapter.  Ironically, space is no longer an issue because I found a way to hang the last bike in the garage.  The real dilemma these days is just trying to figure out what bike to ride.

Speaking of upgrades

 

I put new bars on the Cannondale, in fact they are normal, ergonomic drop bars.  Of course that meant I had to put new tape on the bars as well, so I went with black this time.  I never liked how the LBS did the last tape job.  They did a great job on the tape but they positioned the brake levers just a bit too far forward for my liking.  Doing it myself, allowed me to check and recheck the positioning.

Also, I got a new wheelset for the Cannondale.  They are Aeromax Alloy Wheelset Road Bike Comp 700c Wheels:
Freehub Type:Shimano 10spd
24 spoke aero double wall alloy rims, machined sidewalls and black satin finish
Weight: Front 980g / Rear 1220g
Stainless Steel Black aero 3.0mm spokes

I picked these wheels for durability and the fact that the customer reviews on these wheels were really good.

Now, if we can just get some weather that will dry things up a bit or stay cold to keep everything else from freezing I can take the bike out for a spin.

Wear-a-mug 100K

I needed a big ride this weekend to prepare for D2R2 so I decided on riding to Lake Waramaug and then try some new stuff around New Preston.  By new stuff, looking for more dirt roads to ride.

While I had planned to leave around 6:30 I finally got on the bike at 7:45 and it was actually better that I left a little later because it warmed up.  Still, riding in cooler temperatures I opted for an extra layer under my jersey that was perfect for some of the descents earlier in the morning and helped wick more sweat when it got warmer.

There were some spectacular views from Hut Hill Road that I never knew existed, then again, I don't think I have ever been this route before, I always take 133 to get to Bridgewater.  I went this way to keep off the main road.  It was well worth the detour.

This new route took me the back way into Mine Hill and subsequently Judd's Bridge for a very cooling descent and then up one of my favorite gradual ascents, Walker Brook.

Dropping down into New Preston I chose a route to Lake Waramaug that I probably should have reconnoitered better because it was an insane climb, Finlay Road.

It was a bitch but I made it.

A nice, fast descent off this hill (probably should have just ridden up through the center of town) took me into the top of New Preston and then I was on West Shore Road and enjoying the scenery of Lake Waramaug.

There was an equal amount of cyclists as there were runners on East and Shore Roads, as well as people out for a morning stroll.  Runners were pretty good, staying two abreast but some were far out in the lane, posing a hazard to cyclists (me) and cars who might be coming around a blind corner, but the walkers were the worst.  I had my bell and gave them warning but they seemed reluctant to make room.

I noticed someone pacing me into 3 mile but when I hit the headwind I lost it and he passed me.  Of course, he was lean and mean on a TT bike but he liked my Cannondale!  The majority of the cyclist seemed to be destination riders on flat bar and comfort bikes.  There was one couple on a tandem and another guy on an hold school Cannonale mountainbike with a Headshok.  We high-fived each other because we both new we were riding vintage Cannondale bikes.

I got screwed at the end of the lake because my Garmin, which is supposed to have turn by turn directions, doesn't tell me when to turn so I missed the turn off to Filtration Rd, which by the way coming the other direction is a much more suitable climb that I might have to try sometime.  Also, the next time I ride up to Waramaug I might try doing a few laps, too.  And of course, there is a Strava Segment for that, too.

My time is way off so I am going to have to work on that.  Maybe on my next ride up to the lake I will pick a more direct route and then ride a few laps, as well as try the route in the opposite direction.  Might have to bring the bar cam and get come video, too.

The highlight was finding Whittlesey Rd, which started out as an oil & gravel road but at the top of the first climb turned over to dirt! 

From the top of that climb is an awesome descent in which to pass by some ultra chi-chi private school.  I went right on this road called Sabbaday Lane which turned into another monster climb.  Then it was Rt 109 down into Washington and on towards Steep Rock.

Crossing over the Shepaug at the entrance to the Steep Rock Reservation is a great spot for a little bike porn.

Then ride the rail trail down and through my favorite Rail Road Tunnel, out to Tunnel Road and then up Judds Bridge for a pit stop at the Roxbury Market for another bottle of water and black and white cookie.  The market is 2/3s of the way through the route and a great place to recharge.  It turns out that Roxbury Market gets all of it's pastries from the Blue Colony diner in Newtown.  

Then I rode down to the Southbury and over the I-84 pedestrian bridge only to get lost in the rabbit warren of small streets near Lake Zoar.

I decided not to stop at the Village Perk because I was running out of time just pushed towards home.

My third 100K ride this year and I am really starting to like this distance!  Riding to Lake Waramaug is definitely happening again, probably with some variation.

Tri-Bury Gravel Grinder

I finally did it!  Riding from Exit 14 I went from Southbury to Middlebury via Larkin Bridle Trail, then Middlebury to Woodbury via the Middlebury greenway.  Down the Woodbury Trolley Trail and then on back to Southbury.

Of course riding the Larkin after the area got upwards of 8 inches of rain the past week was not the brightest of ideas.  Quite a few new blowdowns, lots water everywhere and it was axle deep at Towantic Hill Road!

It's almost half gravel and pretty good route.  If I had more time I would have added the old farming road in Flanders Nature Center which would make it half dirt and half pave.

I think the Woodbury Trolley Trail was worse.  Quite a few blowdowns and quite a bit of water running down the middle of the trail.  Out by the end there is a lot of Poison Ivy.  I won't be coming back till the fall - I hate poison ivy!

Nothing like a nice mud tan on Father's day!

Roxbury Randonee: If it ain't raining, it ain't training

The weather channel said that it was supposed to rain Sunday afternoon, not Sunday morning!  Since it didn't look like it was going to let up I headed over to Roxbury Market at 11:00 am and set out in a light drizzle.  Riding towards Judd's Bridge is when I realized that I should have brought my rear fender because the spray was shooting right up my back!  Costume-wise, I did pretty good again, wearing a light long sleeve, short sleeve pocket jersey and a riding jacket with bib shorts.  Never got too warm. 

I decided to ride to the end of Walker Brook because it's a slow and steady climb and then hook around to Route 47.  I need to get better maps for the Garmin because the 24K topo maps are impossible to see in the mapping window on the Edge800.  I took 47 down to the entrance of Steep Rock Association's Hidden Valley Preserve.  Riding through the parking area the only trail I saw started out as a railroad bed but quickly narrowed which through me off a bit but I figured there must have been a few land slides that filled in a bit.  Later, I figured out that I wasn't supposed to be on this this section.

There is a sign at the end of the Steep Rock property saying it's private but clearly the trail is getting some use after this end point.

The topo map shows that it keeps going, too, so I wonder who is doing what?  There is a school at the other end of the trail and wonder if their cross country team is using it.

It looked a lot worse off then I was willing to risk given the current weather conditions but maybe later in the summer it would be worth a looksee.  It would be really cool if you could ride this all the way to Litchfield.   I am still on the fence, though, about a carrying solution for camera, cell phone, and other items that like to have in an easily accessible.  I have been looking at small, top tube saddle bags as a possible solution since my Timbukt2 top tube bag doesn't fit with the increased headtube of the Cannondale.  My only fear is whether my knees will bump the bags if I am climbing out of the saddle.  Guess I will have to get one and see how it works.  The other option would be to get a triangle bag made for the front of the triangle.  I have one for the back but it's not easy to pull things out of.

The Cannondale performed beautifully even on some of the sections that were basically single track trails.  Having 1" of travel upfront was perfect for this kind of riding as I thought it would be.  I am soooo happy with this bike. 

On the way back I, I found the trail that I was supposed to ride and it starts on the other side of the parking lot.  It has some nice climbing on it that makes the route that I took worthwhile.  Just want to see what lies beyond this point some time.  From Hidden Valley I rode down through the town of Washington, CT over to the main part of the Steep Rock Reservation and rode the old Shepaug Railroad bed to the Tunnel.

I love riding through this tunnel because when you enter it from the north there is a bend in it so you can't see light from the other side until you are about 25 yards into the tunnel and it's properly pitch black.

Down the trail someone opened up the log jam of blowdowns that has blocked the old railroad bed for years so I tried it out. It's a little squirrely going under the power lines but then it smooths out to the old railroad bed again.  I went down it hopping to find something that cut up to Judd's Bridge but there wasn't any connector trail so I turned around and headed back.

This was an awesome ride and the next time I do it I will try to work in the Rail Trail that starts at Botsford Hill and goes down to Minor Bridge.  That additional loop could add another 6 to 10 miles on to the ride.

Lobster Gloves in May? Seriously?

It was 32 degrees Wednesday morning when I left the house and from my past experiences of riding to work in these temperatures I have to start the ride with my lobster gloves and over booties otherwise I will freeze.  I also had a thermal layer on as well but after 5 miles I was sweating.  Probably could have done without the thermal layer.  

I decided to go a little bit out of my way this morning and see what it will be like on Friday when I ride to the Bethel Metro North station for the National Ride to Work Breakfast.  The route change added an additional 8 miles to the ride, but you know me, I love more miles.

A little morning helmet head was a little shocking but overall it was a good ride.  I learned one thing about my Garmin - my 100K scale topo maps are incompatible with the turn by turn navigation feature built into the Garmin Edge 800 so I am going to have to go back to the 24K maps.

The ride home has interesting.  At 4 PM I stepped outside the office to check the temps.  It did rain by the way but not at the time that the weatherman predicted, rather it was midday.  That seemed to cool things off quite a bit.  However, when I left the office at 6 PM, the sun was out and it must have been 65 degrees!  I was in tights, shorts, a long sleeve and my riding jacket.  Waaaay to warm for the conditions.  Only had time to drop the jacket.

My original thought when riding home was that I wanted to ride 12 miles after 18 in the morning so I could round out the day with a 30 mile ride.  Leaving the office so late wasn't going to permit me to take the 12 mile route that I had planned not to mention, my knees have been bugging me.  I guess I can't ride 5 days straight anymore.  The first thing I did was explore the Sturges Road right of way between Old Bethel Road and Taunton Hill Road but it was blocked.  When I got down to the Pond Brook Boat Ramp I was still 1 mile short of the 12 I wanted so I tried climbing Silver City lane and that was a bear of a climb, however, that game me enough to for 12 miles and to finish the day with 30 miles!