2015-04-23 - A Blustery Ride to JTNP HQ

Bike:Nashbar Carbon 105
Miles: 10.3
Start Time 10:43
Moving Time: 0:56:27
Elevation: 344
Avg Spd: 11.0
Max Spd: 44.5

Avg HR:
Max HR:
Temp Out:
Temp In: 68

A good stiff 10 MPH South wind made parts of this ride a chore. On the plus side I recorded a record on Mesquite Road between 2 MIle and Raymond, 44.5 MPH, far and away the fastest I have been on that stretch. I have been doing 5 mile evening rides around my immediate neighborhood and I seem to have recovered much of my capacity. A longer ride is in order to test this proposition.

The last taillight I purchased came with an invitation to join a group who would have the opportunity to buy the companies new products for $1.00 in exchange for reviews on Amazon. I missed a couple of light sets I would like to have had but finally got in on twe items, a U-Lock/taillight combination and a LED light bar/flashlight/magnetic pickup stick do-dad. They came yesterday. I found that my mountain bike is the only one of the 4 bikes I have here with enough real estate to hold the taillight/lock bracket device which is about 2" tall. This works out as I plan to use the bike to tow my new trailer around town and the rather small U-Lock in combination with a cable will probably make a good locking setup for the bike and trailer. The taillight has 3 modes, one solid on and 2 flashing. It is adequate but not as bright as some of my other lights. It uses 2 included AA batteries.

At first sight I was not too impressed with the with the light bar/etc. device. But after putting 3 AAA batteries in the light bar section and trying it last night it will become my go to flashlight. The light bar really puts out the light. The flashlight end runs on 3 button batteries (included) and is OK. The magnetic pick up capability will come in handy from time to time I am sure. Both ends are magnetic. I think Luke Skywalker carries a similar device!

2013-04-19 - First "Real" Rides Since Surgery

Bike:Nashbar Carbon 105
Miles: 9.1
Start Time 8:42
Moving Time: 0:47:37
Elevation: 253
Avg Spd: 11.5
Max Spd: 30.6

Avg HR:
Max HR:
Temp Out: 78
Temp In: 82

Mild ride to JTNP HQ and home through town. I have lost some aerobic capacity but maybe not too bad. More work is in order. Beautiful spring morning. Bike was shifting poorly when I last rode it an it got really bad this morning. I stopped on Park Blvd. and backed RD adjuster out 1 turn whcih seems to have fixed the problem. The rear hub seems to click once per rotation when coasting. I don't know if it is a problem or not but I will write to Nashbar to ask about it.

2015-04-16 - Stuff

Since I last posted on 3/30 quite a bit has transpired. On 4/3 I had robotic surgery to reduce a herniated umbilical. Life has been somewhat a blur since then but focus is gradually returning. A few days ago I ordered and received an inexpensive bicycle trailer/cart combo to use as a utility device around my home and town. I broke it in by hauling my basket of wash to the laundry room, a chore I did not relish doing by hand wirth my injured belly:

The trailer worked well. It is probably too heavy for serious touring but will be fine for local use. I have a send hitch on the way so I can use it on 2 bikes with minimal hassle.

Yesterday I rode the Ural into Yucca Valley for a shopping. The trip really tired me out and I slept long and hard last night but woke up feeling well this morning. I have been putting off installing the new heat blocking gaskets and flanges for the Ural carburetors I bought a month or so ago. I finally did it today. It went smoothly enough but I cannot start the bike until tomorrow after the sealant has cured to see what improvement if any they make. I called to order a new main jet body/tube for the right carb as the existing one is corroded from having water in it. The dealer that sold me the flanges and new jets (not installed yet) did not have the part. I called another dealer in Florida and he happened to have one left. I bought it along with new stainless Allen screws to replace the cruddy Philips screws on the carbs. He suggested the left carb may be running rich because I have lost the "needle jet" which sits at the top of the main jet body. It makes sense. Tomorrow I will take the top off to see if it is in there or not. If it is gone it may be impossible to find a replacement. I may have to get new carbs.

In other news, the weather has been very pleasant. We had a hot period 3 weeks ago and I got new pads and got the swamp cooler going but have not used it much lately. The is the earliest I have ever needed it here.