Posted on September 21st, 2009 by ryan
Filed under Bicycling, Social aspects |
This entry is cross posted at my financial blog, Uncommon Cents:
I have a really big bike ride coming up in a week. I’ve been training, although not as much as I usually do, and engaging in very little bike maintenance. This weekend I took a day off from training and instead concentrated on some maintenance that resulted in a better feeling bike without much cost. What did I do?
1) Change cables: both brake and derailleur cables made the shifting and braking feel much snappier. It’s also a safety precaution–over time these can break, and since this bike was used I don’t know how long it’s been since the last time they were changed.
2) Change chain: a new chain also can make your bike shift a lot snappier than it had in the past. It also gives you the opportunity to check out your whole drivetrain and do a little cleaning, which helps not just with performance but durability.
3) Rewrap handlebars: One of the things that costs about nothing (I use tape designed to rewrap over and over again), this is one of the things that really helps with refreshing the whole feel of the bike. Your hands are in contact with the bike almost 100% of the time; changing the wrap changes the feel. It can also make gripping the bar more comfortable.
4) Wipe down: Costs about nothing but certainly makes the bike feel–or at least look–different. Yes, it’s largely psychological, but it’s worth doing.
I can’t afford a new bike every year–even if I want one. But I can make my older machine feel newer almost any old time by doing one or more of the four changes above. It certainly makes me feel more comfortable about my ride whenever I do one of them!
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Posted on September 18th, 2009 by ryan
Filed under Bicycling, Organized events, Training |
I’m about as ready as I’m going to be. The century’s at the end of the month, and I’m just about a week away. I’ve gotten in about as much training as I can. My weight is about the same as it was last year. My legs feel about the same. I’m a year older. […]
Posted on September 17th, 2009 by ryan
Filed under Medical care |
One of the big problems diabetes face is amputations. Circulation in diabetics tends to be poor, which makes healing and feeling in the extremities–usually feet–an issue. What happens is that a diabetic may get a foot injury and not even know it. High blood sugar tends to be inviting to bacteria, so it’s just asking […]
Posted on September 16th, 2009 by ryan
Filed under Bicycling, Social aspects, Training |
I’m worried. I’ve not gotten as much training in for the century as I’d like to, and this weekend was pretty much a total loss, since I stayed out late on Friday night with my friends, did no riding yesterday but instead went to play basketball, and promptly injured myself. Now I’m sore and not […]
Posted on September 15th, 2009 by ryan
Filed under Exercise, Social aspects |
I used to play basketball very regularly when I was younger. I gave it up a few years ago because while I loved being part of a team and competing, I didn’t like being injured. No matter what the theory is, basketball is a contact sport, particularly for someone like me. In basketball terminology, I’m […]
Posted on September 14th, 2009 by ryan
Filed under Exercise, Social aspects |
I’m very, very sore. Yesterday I played basketball fairly competitively for the first time in many years. I had a ton of fun but I also injured myself. That’s why I gave up basketball in the first place. One of the problems with injuries is that it’s tough to do any kind of exercise when […]
Posted on September 11th, 2009 by ryan
Filed under Training |
I lament often about not being very fast, but maybe it’s the question that’s not correct; instead of comparing speed to someone else or even myself, the question might be better phrased like this: How fast is fast enough for me? I’ve never been speedy. As a big kid, on foot I was always among […]
Posted on September 10th, 2009 by ryan
Filed under Bicycling, Training |
I’m sore. The 65 mile ride on Saturday wasn’t hard (because I decided to take it easy), but there was a lot of wind to make my way through and it was hot. My left knee is a bit tender although I made it through without cramps. I was still dehydrated a bit as of […]
Posted on September 9th, 2009 by ryan
Filed under Social aspects |
Confidence is a big deal as an athlete–or just as a guy. Losing confidence is what ends athletic careers, including wanna be athletic ones. Like mine. Believing in myself, particularly as I get older, gets tougher and tougher when I’m feeling tired, having difficulty getting up hills, and am getting passed by cyclists, both younger […]
Posted on September 8th, 2009 by ryan
Filed under Bicycling, Training |
I’m feeling the pressure. I’m only a few weeks away from my biggest ride of the year–a ride I’ve done three straight years but last year got heat stroke from. I’m not afraid but I am concerned. There’s no such thing as cramming training time in, but I’ve really done enough miles, even though I […]