Single in New Haven

Giant Via

Following my ill fated attempt to help stimulate the New Haven economy I did come across some very different single speeds.  That is the one thing that I love about New Haven, it definitely has a bike culture.  If it wasn't for Yale University, downtown New Haven would look like Bridgeport.  Because of this you can't go far without seeing bikes and there are a plethora of single speeds.  In fact, two my bikes were sold down here but I didn't think I would see them.  The death fork is being used as a commuter to Union Station and the Bridgestone went to some college guy looking for winter commuter.

Parked in front of the Willoughby's Coffee Shop was this very nice Giant Via Single Speed.  Kind of posh if you ask me and no flip flop hub.  Further down the street was this SE Draft Fixie with a slack chain and downward pointing drop bars - my kind of bike.

Let down by the Devil

Headed over to Devil's Gear in New Haven for the first time to use a gift certificate that I got for Christmas.

This is supposed to be truly a one of a kind bike shop and I figured I was going to walk out of there with some really good stuff.

New Haven was eerily empty and to my chagrin so was the bike shop because it was closed!

There were some really nice pubs nearby but I had my youngest son with me so we had to settle for finding the nearest Starbucks so he could get a hot chocolate.

Happy New Year, by the way!

Some sweet Italian Leather for my fourth point of contact!

One of my buddies remarked when I first showed the Bianchi sporting a Brooks Saddle that I needed some sweet Italian Leather for this bike so I picked up this nice, older model Vetta saddle for the bike and this is the first opportunity I have had to show it off.  If you are a regular reader of Cyclesnack you know that I had Arthoscopic surgery on my knee two weeks ago and the healing process has been going very well.  Unlike my wife who had major knee surgery almost two months ago (she doesn't even ride) and couldn't walk for a week, I walked immediately following the procedure and have been on hobbling around ever since.

However, this morning, I threw a leg over the Bianchi and took a few strokes.  That first pedal stroke was an eye opener to say the least but after that it started to feel better.  I only pedaled for 5 minutes and it was gingerly at best, however, someone mentioned just today after hearing about this event that I should really try pedaling out of the saddle to make the hip and upper thigh muscles do more of the work.  So, I am going to have to try that, maybe later today.

Closing out 2011, there were a lot of changes in my biking.  Added some bikes to the stable, including the Bianchi, Misfit diSSent, Kona Unit, and the Ross Riveria.  Leaving the stable (see former lovers) was the Dillinger, the Death Fork (Lambert Grand Prix), and the beloved Marin Stinson.  Also picked up two frames this year that I am still in the process of acquiring parts for their builds, a Centurion Ironman Dave Scott Expert and a Spot Longboard 9.  All I need for the Spot is a Drive Train and I will start the build.  Since getting the Bianchi I am now up in the air on what to do with it.  I have fixed gear wheelset that I got last year so I am thinking this is going to be my next fixed gear project.

I didn't hit my riding goal this year, though.  I was shooting for 1000 miles commuting and 750 mountain biking, with a total goal of 2000 miles.  Last year's winter snows hampered some of that, blew my mountain bike training and I stopped commuting about summer time this year because work got too busy and then they closed the gym.  So, next year I am going to shoot for the 2000 mile mark.

Happy New Year and keeping riding!

What was I thinking?

Last week I decided to make over the Ross Riviera but first getting a new stem and putting the Gary Bars on the bike, however, none of the stems I got from the LBS would work with them so I settled for some old school Nitto 3 speed bars flipped.

The mistake I made was putting on a 44t Crank when I installed an 18t fixed gear cog on the rear wheel.  44:18t would be way to light for rail trails and regular road riding, so I put the 52t Sugino crank back on.  A little tedious but the gearing is much better as I have found.

Threw on my Brooks Saddle because I got some fine Italian leather for my Bianchi, as @MMcG recommended.  Also, removed the clipless pedals because I have to ride without them until the knee is back 100%.  I going to try and fit one last big ride in today, the 27 mile Tri-bury Gravel Grinder route but it was way too cold so I chickened out.  

After tomorrow's procedure I hope to be on the trainer by day 2 and thinking about riding the Canton section of the Farmington River Greenway next Monday while the family goes skiing at Ski Sundown.

RbW: Oh Dark 30

Last year about this time it was pretty cold and I think we had some snow but last night being in the 60s I new it would be a nice temperature for a Ride before Work so I got up at 5:30 am and hit the trail.  Not sure what time sunrise was but I never did it see it.  So, basically it was a nite ride, only in the morning.

It was sloppy seconds on the Poly Brody and that is why I rode with a rear fender.  It was marginally effective and turned into a hindrance later while riding the technical sections of the Gussy.  Fortunately, I planed ahead and brought a little bungee cord that did the trick, albeit it made the bike look like a motor bike.

Not sure the rear fender was really worth the hassle because I still got mud on my back side.  Still, it was great to be out riding knowing that after Monday I wont be riding in the woods for at least a month.

I tried something new, shoe covers.  Kept the mud off the feet and the feet never got cold.  Granted I was wearing wool sox.  As for the cleanliness aspect, shoes were already dirty but so I am not sure the covers did any good in that arena.