My next fixie project: 1992 Schwinn Paramount Series 7 PDG OS

The first thing out of the seller's mouth when I said I might make a few changes is not to Fred it Up. Moi?  It's going to be ridden like a fixie it needs to be enhanced, so I might do a little Fredding to it.

I picked up this 1992 Schwinn Paramount Series 7 PDG from the same person I bought the Cannondale SX800 from. I have to say, for an Old Crappy Ten Speed Fixed Gear Conversion it's got a sweet mix of components on it worth way more alone than what I paid for the whole bike!

  Selle Italia Flite Saddle with titanium rails

There is a plethora of information on Schwinn Bikes and this model, the PDG Series, too.  The Waterford Bikes website has an extension amount of information on this bike, as well on all Schwinns.  According to the Waterford site, the original grouppo for the bike was Shimano Ultega but the parts on here are a mix of high end, quality parts put on over time.

Shimano 105 levers

Ritch Stem

Shimano 600 headset

Somec fork

Durace Front Brake

Surly flipflop rear hub with 16t fixed and freewheel cogs

Mavic cranks

Shimano Ultegra rear brake

Mavic rims

It's super light and really solid

The only planned changes are going to be new bars and tape

Crankbrothers Pedals

And probably some commuting tires

93 Bottles of Beer on the Wall

Savings from Bike Commuting

Gas:  7 gallons
CO2:  140 lbs

I was waffling big time Wednesday morning on whether or not to ride to work due to the afternoon forecast. In fact, leading up till Tuesday, the forecast was for rain all day but Tuesday night it changed to showers midday and the real rain starting not till 7 PM.  

So I decided to go for it.  I went for some different kit though, still wore the Lake 303s because the temperature Wednesday morning was in the 30s but wore two layers with orange cycling rain jacket. That combination is perfect in the 30s.  Also wore tights under cycling shorts because that way on the ride home if I misjudged the weather and it was really raining I could wear my new rain pants over them as opposed to my colder weather (re-purposed) riding pants that don't fair well under the rain pants.  I also road with my old mountain bike winter riding gloves because it was way to warm for the lobsters.

Riding up Tunnel Road, this Magna Mountain Bike is still sitting out on the side of the road. Initially, I contemplated picking it for parts but each time I look at it I say to myself it's not worth it.  My neighbor's son could use another bike, however, the cost to bring it up to speed just doesn't seem worth it. 

Overall, the ride in was pretty good as well as the ride back.  I missed the afternoon showers but leaving closer to 6 PM increased my chances of seeing rain on the ride home, which I did half way through the ride on Currituck Road.  It was a light rain, almost a mist, and it wasn't worth stopping to try out the rain pants,

First full week of April is almost in the books and the snow piled up at the end of the driveway has melted about some more.  I am still hoping that it will be there by the end of the month!

May God guide the feet of these 26 riders

I was moved so much by the Invocation given at Team 26 rally I wanted to share it ..

Good God, we gather this morning with a renewed hope that our country and our world will embrace the mission of this ride to end gun violence that every hour of every day of every month in every year brings injury or the end of life to innocent children and adults, an action that fractures a family and a community and opens the wounds of pain, fear and grief.

May God guide the feet of these 26 riders and may our 26 Newtown angels be a constant inspiration to them to ride on in their efforts to obtain legislation that protects lives and to assure us as citizens that we can be safe in our homes, in our neighborhoods, in our schools, in our places of worship and places that allow us the recreation and relaxation we need.  As their legs grow tired, assure them that they are not pedaling alone but that You are their guide and their strength along with all of us who stay with them in prayer.

May every push of their pedal be

..a push of remembrance for all who have died at the hands of gun violence regardless of age, race, faith or circumstances

..a push that holds the message that things can change when we work together for a common purpose

..a push of determination that it often only takes one with a mission to change the heart and mind of another

..a push that reminds us that no one should die senselessly at the hands of another

..a push that destroys evil

We pray that you keep them safe in this journey and watch over with blessing those they have left at home.  May each rider be lifted up by the voices of those who stand with them beginning from this public square in Newtown, through New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland and finally in our nation’s capitol, voices of solidarity, gratitude and hope.  Ride safe and be blessed.

Amen.

Msgr. Robert E. Weiss

St. Rose of Lima Roman Catholic Church

94 Bottles of Beer on the Wall

Savings from Bike Commuting

Gas:  6 gallons
CO2:  120 lbs

Monday bike commutes mean bringing the work week's clothes with me. 

Fortunately, I have a pannier for that!

Riding in was a little foggy and damp.

Coming home, wasn't.

It was so nice out today I rode home without gloves.

In fact, I was able to show a little skin.

Hair of the Pascal Lamb

Had to work off some of the celebratory exuberance from the night before and seeing that I haven't really tasted any dirt this year due to the long winter I finally got out for a little Gravle ride on Saturday afternoon.  Saturday's temperature was interesting.  The northeasterly wind gusts really cooled things down but the bright sun kept things warm in the climbs.  If it was windy and shady, it was down right nasty!

Compared to last year, I am already behind a month in terms of my riding for both commuting and Gravle riding and I need to get in shape fast if I am going to do the Detour de Connecticut in a couple of weeks!  Today's ride was 40 miles and it was kind of unusual in that I was riding counter clockwise of my normal routes through the Shepaug River Valley. 

I went this way because I wanted to ride Flag Swamp to River Road to Judd's Bridge and Walker Brook Road.  It's pretty much a straight shot all the way to border with New Preston mostly on dirt roads.  It's been 5 years since I have ridden Flag Swamp and the Pave has extended further than I remembered so I might have to tweek the course a bit in search of more dirt.

I finally got the chance to ride Old Northville Road.  It's a great, dirt road climb, up to Ridge Road which is fantastic ride down the east side of New Milford with spectacular views of the Shepaug and Housatonic River Valleys.

Riding 700x50c Vee Rubber tires was really nice.  On the dirt roads that needed to be shored up with larger stone I sailed right through the rough stuff.  The larger volume tires are even bouncy at times. I was running 55 psi up front and 60 psi in the rear.  Since this route was more pave than gravle I figured it would be better.  They do have a distinctive road noise and I am sure they cause a lot of drag.  I never broke 40 mph on any of the steepest descents, either.  Still, I like them and will keep riding them until I pull the trigger on a new set of tires.

Lake Lillilohna is still covered with ice! 

My post ride beer was totally worth it but I was destroyed!