Amazing

It truly was an amazing week at Specialized. BG FIT is amazing. If you have not been BG FIT, you truly are missing out on the best bike fit there is. I can say that with confidence. SBCU instructors Scott,Donny and Aaron are fantastic. Any question I had they made me think critically so that I could answer the question for myself. I really appreciate that, because in Eddy's I will not have one of them over my shoulder to help me. All I will have is what I learned from them, which was a LOT.

The week went fast, and I already miss it. I have even considered applying for jobs at Specialized because what they have going on  there is phenominal. Never have I seen that many people so passionate about what they do.

I climbed up the tallest hill/mountain? (not sure) I have ever climbed on a bike. It was so steep,and so long. Towards the end I was counting out the pedal strokes to the tops. My Lungs burned,my Heart was leaping out of my chest. I gave it every last bit of energy I had to give. It was totally worth it. The view at the top was breath taking. Thank you Scott Holtz for riding next to me. Encouraging me the entire time. I probably would have not made it if it was not for you.

Thank you to everyone at SBCU for making me a better Bike Fitter and better cyclist.

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First ride out of Specialized.WOW. Absolutely beautiful. Not difficult at all.Just leisure and beautiful scenery

First morning.little bit jet lagged...but breakfast is making it better

On my way to Specialized to get my learn on.

Bontrager Commuter Knickers

If you dont have a pair. Get some. It's crazy how comfortable they are.

I Made It!

I made it in, here is the route I took. If there wasn't a headwind, I might have made good time.But, it took me 2 hours and 45 minutes.

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=Plum+Ridge+Dr,+Hiram,+OH+44234&daddr=41.29554,-81.15329+to:41.3008758,-81.200271+to:41.28846,-81.20956+to:41.244905,-81.2108964+to:41.18835,-81.21436+to:3707+Darrow+Rd,+Stow,+OH+44224&geocode=FTtndgIdPMUp-yk1lee_O2sxiDE3Nh1QUVcSKA%3BFbQedgId9rIp-ykV5_Ba12oxiDH5R38roXABaQ%3BFYszdgIdcfso-yn3SFsKAxUxiDEZ_SzWrwpeCQ%3BFQwDdgIdKNco-ykzmuW_oBUxiDFxt2Sl0lnj5g%3BFelYdQId8NEo-ynxolZjSj4xiDGNV1_QCA_Qsg%3BFf57dAIdaMQo-ykRuN3j0z4xiDGDyxBdpx1Ykw%3BFSYkdAIdLVMl-yk3YhqMiCYxiDGl0KcgcDOTIQ&hl=en&mra=ltm&via=1,2,3,4,5&dirflg=b&sll=41.165732,-81.256599&sspn=0.079475,0.181103&ie=UTF8&z=12&lci=bike

The sun is shining today

The Sun is shining, its nearly 60 degrees already.I can't pass this chance up before I go to California to ride to work. I'll post some pictures and how it went later tonight.Now, go ride your bike.

A bit of light reading.

http://37signals.com/svn/posts/2772-bootstrapped-profitable-proud-rivendell

Anyone who works at a bike shop should read this. I don't care if you like what Grant Petersen stands for, or think hes just a "Retro Grouch". Some good points are made in this article.

Going to be going out for an easy road ride in kent if anyone wants to go.

Doing some rearranging.

Re arranged the apartment today. Which took all day.It was nice out. I should have went out, but I didnt. Oh well, Ill head out tomorrow when I'm in Kent for a little ride.

The Season Has Begun

It was a somewhat busy weekend for February at the shop. Sold a really nice C'dale Flash 29er 1, C'dale Synapse,and a Trek Speed Concept 9.9 with Digital Dura Ace.Seems to me that the cycling season has started early. Which is good.

46 degrees in the beginning of February... I'll take it.

Eddy's news, weather, sports, and dumb stuff: layering.....part 5

Eddy's news, weather, sports, and dumb stuff: layering.....part 5: "Though Larry is a good person to talk when it comes to gearing up for wintry rides, I would say he has left out a fairly important part of t..."

Eddy's news, weather, sports, and dumb stuff: layering, part four

Eddy's news, weather, sports, and dumb stuff: layering, part four: "This is the latest and the last post about the basics of layering, about the accessories that protect the extremities. For most of us, keep..."

Eddy's news, weather, sports, and dumb stuff: layering, part tres

Eddy's news, weather, sports, and dumb stuff: layering, part tres: "Now for the exciting third part of my layering basics novel. Parts one and two went over the base and insulating layers. They talked about..."

So... here is the deal

  I had been thinking and thinking and thinking about clothing for riding... then I realized that someone else, someone far wiser than I, wrote about clothing. As well proper layering of said clothing. That dude,man... is Larry Swartz, all around good guy and the wisest of all when it comes to all things commuting. Have a question about commuting? Call our North Olmsted store and ask him.
 

Eddy's news, weather, sports, and dumb stuff: layering, part deux

Eddy's news, weather, sports, and dumb stuff: layering, part deux: "A few days ago, I started to write down some information on the basics of layering. There are three different zones of layering, the base la..."

Eddy's news, weather, sports, and dumb stuff: layering, part 1

Eddy's news, weather, sports, and dumb stuff: layering, part 1: "I wrote last week about my commute. I'm going to go into a little more detail about the theories behind layering. The idea is that you us..."

Friday Video

This Video is without a doubt my favorite cycling video. You should buy something from Rivendell Bicycle Works -rivbike.com. They do good things there. Steel, Wool, Laddie Pencils from Ticonderoga ( truly the best pencil made).

Might make posting videos a regular thing on Fridays.

Neglected Clothing Thoughts From Last Night

I'm working on it. Apparently my feelings about clothing for riding is more complicated then I thought...  

Troubleshooting

  Today before I get ready for work, I am doing as much trouble shooting as I can before riding in next week. Weather is starting to look good, mid to upper 40's. The only thing now is to shut up and do it.

 Maybe later today I'll post some thoughts about clothing for commuting through all the seasons.

Commuting Gear

  Commuting and the gear you choose to use can be as easy or as difficult as you want to make it.
  You could put all of you crap in a backpack and bundle up in your snow jacket and pants,tie up your boots and head off on your $100 dollar mountain bike.
  Saddle up onto your Milwaukee Bruiser or Bianchi Pista with 16 inches of drop. Have your friends help you into your skinny jeans.Stick your gigantic U-Lock in your belt.Make sure your keys are fastened to your belt loop and have the proper jingle factor - something like Santa's Sleigh Bells- is acceptable. Now all you need to do is get your empty gigantic messenger bag and skid your way to class, blowing stop signs and red lights the whole way...Shakkah Bro.

 I could go on and on and on about all the different set ups I have seen or used for commuting. The possiblities are endless, and I'm not knocking any of them, well...maybe I am, the ones where you carry all of your shit on your back. Not good, not fun to ride with and not good for your back.
  I personally have been researching what gear I will use for commuting for about 3 months now. I know I am a peculiar type of cyclist, in the parlance of THE SNOB, I am something of a Retro Grouch,but I also believe in some new fangled idears like clipless shoes and pedals,rechargeable light systems, and SOME synthetic fibers.

  For commuting in early spring, my clothing will consist of a mix and match of what I feel keeps me warm and comfortable, without sweating to death. We will start from the feet up.
- Specialized Tahoe Shoes, comfortable, spd compatible, multi function shoes. If I forget regular shoes, I could wear them at work. (Anyone who knows me knows that I like utility, meaning I want items to be useful for more than one thing).
- Depending on the temperature, Pearl Izumi Barrier Mtb Shoe Covers. The best, they go on easy and keep my feet warm.
- WOOL is real. Wool socks, usually KEEN, or Adidas.
- Padded Cycling Short, Pearl Izumi, Bontrager or Castelli. To keep me comfortable on my 50 mile round trip trek.
- Some sort of thermal tight or weather proof pant. Usually Bontrager. Again, weather dependant.
- Long sleeve base layer, for moisture wicking.
- Short or long sleeve jersey, temperature dependant
- Wind Barrier Vest, Wind Barrier Jacket, or Mega Warm Jacket. Temperature Dependant.HI VIS ALWAYS. Arcteryx, Bontrager,or LL Bean.
-Wool Hat.
- Helmet. Always. NO Exceptions, especially when Randall is speeding next to you in his F350.Rudy Project.

Bike that I will most likely use.

-Specialized Globe Haul, Size Large. Awesome Touring,Commuter,Country Bike.Has a rack built into the frame. Light built into the rack.Full aluminum fenders.
-WTB All Terrainasaurus 700x40 Tires. Awesome. I'm all about big tires.
-Shimano SPD Campus Pedals
-Bontrager Aluminum Bottle Cages,they hold water bottles. I dont care who makes them or what they are made of as long as they can do that.
-Bontrager Air Support Mini Pump.Emergency use only
-Nite Rider Mi-Newt Mini USB Headlight. Light, Simple,bright enough.
-Nite Rider Cherry Bomb Taillight, Two Taillights, just in case.
-Bontrager Handlebar Bag- Reflective, contains my cell phone,wallet,rain poncho,clif bar or fig newtons, map,led flashlight, pocket knife,and sunglasses.
-Bontrager Deluxe Trunk Bag.Reflective Taping. Holds my spare tubes, patch kit,tire levers,multi tool,any extra clothing I may need, my lunch, and a lock.

Weather is Looking Better for Next Week

I may be starting my commuting next week sometime. The weather forecast is saying that early next week will be in the high 30s. Enough to melt the snow and make sure that the thick ice is off the country roads I'll be travelling.

Tweedonneuring...

Tweedonneuring. It's probably exactly what you think it is. I'm bringing it back.

Ramblings

I have been neglecting my Globe Haul recently, I was even considering selling it to buy a steel touring bike. I have been going back and forth in my mind for months now, and I realized that I need to just quit thinking and ride the bike I fell in love with. So I am definitely keeping my beloved Haul.
The temperature will hopefully take a turn soon towards being warm, and get above 35 degrees so I can start commuting to work (not that I need it to be warm to go riding, but commuting 25 miles when it's than 30 degrees outside does not sound like something I want to do). I have been pouring over maps and driving potential routes that may be safer for me to travel than the main county routes that I drive to work.
The distance from our apartment in Hiram to Eddy's Bike Shop where I work is roughly 25 miles. I estimate the travel time to be somewhere in the neighborhood of an hour and a half to two hours, depending on what bike I take ( Cannondale Super Six, or Globe Haul-most likely this one),stop lights, how I feel...etc.

More to come in the next couple days.