VeloFix to the rescue

Guenther at VeloFix, mobile bike shop

How many years have I complained about the gearing on my Trek Domane? Probably since I first got it in June 2013!

I always think about it in-season, especially as I'm trying to mash up the hills of Vermont in a too-high-gear, but I can never find a break during the summer to leave my bike for any length of time to take care of it. I discussed my issue (several times) with two of the mechanics at FitWerx who kinda/sorta understood what I was looking for, but also told me that I just needed to get stronger... (oh, good grief)... and gave me a rough estimate of $250 (!) to replace the cassette and derailleur.

After my mechanical in August at the Farm to Fork Fondo, I knew I had a bent derailleur hanger and the bike was riding really rough and sluggish. I'd met Guenther Anger from VeloFix Boston a few times this fall and decided to give him a call. VeloFix is a mobile bike shop -- he brings the shop to you! So perfect.

Guenther came to my house and repaired, cleaned, and tuned up the Domane perfectly. He replaced the chain, which was totally shot, and the bar tape that was starting to fray. (Zane replaced it two years ago. It was time.) He also ordered a new cassette for me ($75) and will replace it when it arrives.

When he was done, he went to work on the Kona. I just had it tuned in June so it wasn't in despicable shape, but he did cut down the handlebars for me!!! (Oh that bar is so much more comfortable now. It just reminds me of how much JRA Cycles kinda sucks.)

VeloFix took care of two of my major annoyances and I looovvveeee my bikes again!

Thank you, Guenther!

Welcome Home, Skipper

A glimpse of P2. Lila warms up
with S1 Coach Shayne Gaffney

It's Wednesday morning... which can only mean one thing: P2! I was looking forward to my workout this morning, but had a few setbacks. First, I was late getting to the facilities because the traffic in Salem was a nightmare, (as it always is at this time of year); and then second, after setting up my bike in the studio, I discovered I left one cycling shoe at home. Ugh. Such a pain -- especially after fighting the traffic to get to there. I felt really bad -- both for being late and for any delays I caused -- and now I have to carve out extra time to get in a workout and make up what I missed. (So sorry again, Shayne.)

Missing my workout this morning, and starting to feel a little crabby, I headed over to Fit Werx 2 in Peabody to pick up my bike! (Yay!) I heard from Mike at Fit Werx yesterday letting me know that it had arrived from California -- had been checked out and reassembled -- and all was good. I was happy to have my Trek back, and left Fit Werx in a much more cheerful mood than when I arrived, (who leaves there unhappy?), until I had to make my way back through Salem to get home. (Sigh.) Even the back roads are congested, as everyone tries to avoid downtown.

Just one more day before Halloween... and Haunted Happenings 2013 will be history.

All the Small Things

I have so many little tasks to catch up on, (besides the endless laundry), so today is one of those days where I'm trying to fill in some of the gaps. I had a "test day" yesterday on the computrainer with coach Shayne, so I've had a small break from the bike. (I have a 75 mile ride on tap for tomorrow, so I'm catching my breath today.)

Ethan is out in Montana riding the MS Global with Bill and Tyler Hamilton. He decided to take his bike on the plane with him to Montana... whereas I'm trying to decide whether it's easier to ship the bike out to California for the EOD Ride, or not. I'm on a JetBlue flight out of Boston, non-stop, the morning of October 10th, and have visions of arriving in San Diego while Skipper lands in Houston. I've called Adams Avenue Bikes out in San Diego to make shipping arrangements, but the person I need to speak to just hasn't been available when I've called -- and the time difference keeps tripping me up. I may have no choice but to take it on the plane anyway. I'm going to try and give Adams Avenue another call today.

Shayne took me to task yesterday for having a dirty bike. (I was riding through downpours last week! Of course it was a mess!) He looked at it and asked when I last cleaned the chain... and it hadn't actually been that long... but he scowled when he asked me, and I just couldn't defend myself. I could picture him polishing his Tommaso after each and every ride. (He's kind of a nerd that way.) So I spent 45 minutes cleaning and lubing the chain and washing down the bike today. Now it's all sparkly.

I also added an aerobar to the bike to try and catch a little relief during long stretches. Ever since I changed my riding position, my right hand and arm have been going numb after each long ride. (On Sunday, near the end of the Ride for Angels, my right hand was so numb, I couldn't shift gears. I had to reach over with my left hand to change gears on my right shifter. Crazy.) A few Spiders (Tracy and Serie), both suggested adding an aerobar to help relieve some of the pressure on my right hand. Noted and done.

Sadly, I had to remove my bike bell to add the aerobars. (Sigh. Shayne wins.)

Garmin 510 is not my Friend

So it's no secret that I've been a little... challenged... with my Garmin 510. Ugga bugga, it makes me nuts! (I've had it for a month. Shayne uses the Garmin to assess my workouts -- checking cadence, speed, heart rate, power, etc... It aids his coaching.) Several times, I've started a ride without starting the Garmin. Several times, the HR monitor read my average heart beat at 38. I've flatlined a few times, too. After one SpiderOne workout, I forgot to turn it off before the drive home, and the GPS declared my Highlander the Queen of the Mountain of Lafayette Hill.

Last night, it froze somewhere near the Marblehead Lighthouse after my first loop of the neck. I happened to glance at it on my first go-around, and noted the elevation seemed low, but kept going. On my second loop, I glanced at the elevation again and noticed it hadn't changed. Argh!!! (Stop and reset.)

It's not the only tech issues I had yesterday. Crossing the causeway, my phone fell from my bike and smashed into pieces on the road. I was able to retrieve everything before a car ran over anything, (It's still working), but unfortunately today it's telling me to "insert the SD card", so I must have missed it on the road. Sigh. Technology wears me out.

Just smile and wave, boys. Smile and wave.

The bike naming ritual has begun, with several names floating around for my new Trek Domane. Cyclopath Drew traditionally names the new bikes in the fold, and bestowed 'Skye' on my Allez several years ago. It was a perfect fit. (I don't know how this custom came about -- I just go with it.) Tonight, Drew sent me several names she's been mulling over and I ran them by the boys. They liked a few of the suggestions -- but then, thinking of the black & white of my bike, countered with Skipper, Rico, Kowalski and Private. I didn't get it.

Chip then turned to YouTube, typed in keywords 'Penguin Madagascar Kaboom' and popped up a YouTube video for me. In two seconds he was in hysterics, laughing over Rico and Skipper, the penguins of Madagascar. A few minutes later, as he went off to bed, still giggling, I heard him say, "Just smile and wave, boys. Smile and wave". Too funny. It's looking like Skipper is the name of my new Trek.

Quick Sunday Loop

After a wet start to the weekend, Sunday surprised us with a gorgeous day! I took the Domane out for a ride and tested the new Garmin 510 gps that Fitwerx installed for me. Awesome. The stats recorded on the gps will help Shayne with my training plan -- although, like the Strava app I recently installed on my phone, (at Ethan's urging), it actually helps to press the start button. (Details!)

Sundays are our busy day for sports and we had a packed afternoon today, but I was itching to get out for a quick (brief) ride this morning. I love the new bike! And the Garmin is kinda neat... although I can tell already it's not going to let me be lazy. Heading up a little hill on the neck, I saw my speed drop down to 10 mph and thought "Ugh. No way", and I picked up the pace. And I was not happy with a low 12 miles even though I knew I was pressed for time today. So the Garmin is either a blessing or a curse. I haven't yet decided.

TS Andrea Spoils the Party

Oooh, its a bad time to get rain!! I picked up my hot new Trek today and I'm dying to go for a long ride! (Thank you, Geoff and Marty at Fitwerx 2. I looooove it!) As I carried the bike into the house, passing my Allez, I had a flashback to a time when my Bianchi replaced the Motobecane I'd had for a while -- never to be ridden again. Awwwww. Poor Allez.

Tropical Storm Andrea descends on the Eastern Seaboard for the next few days, bringing buckets of rain. Looking at the forecast for the next few days has me a bit irritated. I just want to ride!

Patiently Waiting

I'm getting excited for the arrival and build of my new Trek Domane. (Pronounced doh-MAH-nee or doh-ma-NAY, depending on who you ask.) The frame and components were ordered last week, with Fit Werx 2 building the bike to the specifications from my fitting. I can't wait!

I can't help but think back to 2004 -- and a ride through Essex -- when (then) 16-year-old hotshot Jesse K. teased me by calling the Bianchi I was riding, "vintage".  Oh, that hurt! (I soon after upgraded to the Specialized Allez I've been riding since. Wow, nine years ago?!)

I'll make modifications to the Allez, which since Will's growth spurt, (he now stands eye-to-eye with me), fits him better than it does me. Or, I could hold off making the mods so he can ride the Allez this year, and we'll put the Trek Lexa on a trainer. Either way, I'll soon have three road bikes in the house -- literally in the house -- and Ashley Hill, the N+1 theory, and the benefits of owning multiple bikes suddenly comes to mind.

I Get By With a Little Help From My Friends

I've been hit with low energy today and not feeling up to speed -- which is usually my cue to take a deep breathe and take things down a notch. (Sunday I squeezed in a quick 15 miles of rolling hills before Chip's LAX game. Monday I hit an hour (plus) on the bike with intervals, followed by my conditioning class with Christine.) Yesterday was an "off day" from the bike --- and it's looking like today might be as well. Shayne emails a training plan each morning, which I've been pretty good at matching until today. I'm going to hate logging in  'zero mileage' in the training log if I don't get out on the bike later.

Feeling guilty, I decided to clean my bike instead! (As demonstrated by Shayne last Saturday morning.) I actually had a chain cleaning tool, degreaser and brush in the basement, which I'd never used. I remember picking them up one weekend after The Queen asked, "What's all that crud in your chain?" ... but then I couldn't figure out how to use the tool-thingy and only used the brush and solvent. (Which in hindsight is so idiotic because it could not have been easier to use).

Now I have a nice, clean, shiny chain.

Since I was on a roll... I decided to test my tire changing skills as well. (And, since I like to think I'm smarter than the average bear, I chose to flatten Will's tire instead of my own... just in case. Ha ha.) OMG. Try as I might, I could not for the life of me get that tire off the rim! Thirty minutes of struggling and I just couldn't do it! So pathetic.

It's a good thing I ride with friends who are stronger than me.

Wally and Ethan, always to the rescue. Thanks, guys!

SpiderOne, Fit Werx, and Tabatas

My video analysis at Fitwerx2

The last few days have been busy! On Monday night, I skipped Christine's conditioning class to join Shayne and SpiderOne Racing for a few loops around Marblehead Neck. It was a terrific night for a ride and despite my weak state, (seriously, jelly-for-muscles), I still managed to keep up. (Unfortunately, I now face the wrath of Christine for skipping her class -- and brutal tabatas on Thursday when she subs for Keli.) Was it worth it? Hell Ya. I had a fun time with the spiders.

Today, I took advantage of my rest day from the bike and had a 3 hour bike fitting at Fit Werx 2 in Peabody. I learned a lot about my riding position and the changes I need to make to improve my ride -- (soften those arms!) -- and I now know why I experience pain in my shoulders and neck. (Thanks, Fit Werx!!) I've picked out a sexy new bike that fit the specifications that Geoff/Fit Werx prescribed and I'm quite excited about it. (Of course, I'll have to survive Christine's tabata class on Thursday if I ever hope to ride that new bike.)

Fender Install Issues

Despite rumblings that we were getting snow this week, I still planned to ride today, snow be damned. (Of course I hadn't anticipated the snow totals topping a foot.) I have a new rear fender that is supposed to keep my butt dry on wet roads -- although it won't keep the gunk out of my chain. (It's a clip-on type that I can remove when not needed, because I hate fenders.)

But there's a story behind this new fender. It is the second one I've purchased in 2 weeks. I've never been a fan of fenders. I like the slick, clean look of a bike without added junk. No bike racks. No trunks or bags. No fenders.

I broke down and picked up a pair last month, after several rides on wet, sandy, salty roads. Ethan, (who works in a bike shop), struggled to get fenders on his road bike last month, as his frame lacked the eyelets required. Not wanting to go through the same hassles, and wanting the option to remove them when not needed, (without the assistance of my bike shop), I bought a pair of Avenir Clip-ons -- which, contrary to the name, do not "clip on". (Take note of that.)

I checked several online reviews before purchasing. The Avenirs got very mixed reviews. The majority of negative complaints were 1.) the 700c fenders for road bikes do not actually fit road bikes, 2.) they were a piece of crap, and 3.) they were not worth the money. Being the sunshine-y person that I am, I decided that I liked the positive reviews better(!) -- because people who can't install a pair of clip on fenders must be idiots!

Bwah ha ha ha...

So I spent three hours trying to install these stupid cheap plastic fenders. They don't fit! They can't possibly be made for road bikes -- there's no clearance under the brake! Even after taking a utility knife to the bloody thing to cut away a large chunk of the plastic, they still don't fit! And geesh, "clip on?" Nooooo! If it requires three tools and the removal of your rear wheel, chain, and brake to install the fender, it doesn't qualify as a "clip-on" in my book.

See that picture above? Those are the fenders in the recycling bucket. If you happened to google Avenir fenders and came across my site, don't waste your money. (If you're looking for a true clip-on, the SKS X-tra Dry is your baby.) The Avenirs are total junk.

New Road Bike

Will and I have just returned from Marblehead Cycle. He is now the proud owner of a new Trek road bike! The weather has been great -- there is no snow on the ground (middle of February!) -- and we're hoping to get our training started this week. The Tour de Cure, our first summer event, is just 90 days away!