Last night I did some maintenance to my bike. I switched from spd's to eggbeaters, added super juice to my front tire, removed the tube from my back tire and set it back to tubeless. The set up on the back did not go to well. Apparently the back tire had one spot right at the rim that would not set, but after some tipping of the tire and getting the tire just right it finally set.
My planned ride for today was up the road by the cemetary and then take the BST all the way past Dry Canyon. I have been thinking about this ride all week and couldn't wait. The ride to the start of the trail went fine, and then I hit dirt. Riding dirt is the best feeling in the world.
Just as I was starting up the steep part of the BST I noticed my bike tire wobbling. I stopped and saw the tire was low. I got out a cartridge and filled it. As soon as I filled the tire up air started to spurt out. I tilted it for it to seal up and it did. I then got back on and continued up the hill. I went about 5 feet and air started to come out of the tire again. I stopped tilted the bike, it sealed, and then I assessed the situation.
I had one cartridge left and no air pump. I could put the tube in I had, but the cartridge would not be able to fill it enough to ride. I decided I would let some air out of the tire and see why the seal was not sealing at this particular spot. When I did this a discovered a hole right by the rim on tire. There was not way the hole could stay sealed. I sat thinking what I could do so I could get home.
I decided if I put a patch on the outside, it would probably hold until I got home. So for the first time in 2 years of owning a patch kit I put it to use. Did you know the glue in a patch kit does not last for 2 years, even if you never open it??? So now the patch idea is out. Next best idea. Fill up the tire and cross my fingers I get home, and plan a dirt ride for another day.
It worked I filled it up and was able to get home. The tire was fairly low, but I made it! I guess it is time to buy new tire, the 3rd one this year!
Friday, November 27, 2009
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Death by Intervals
So the title may lead you to believe that I am going to talk about how the intervals I did today killed me, and I am so out of shape, but nope that's not what I am going to talk about. No, instead I am going to talk about the ghetto spin bike I got to do my intervals on.
About a month ago my Gold's Gym pass expired. Now typically I would renew my pass, but I had a better idea instead. I decided that I would get a family pass at the Orem Rec Center. It was less than the Gold's Gym Pass, and the whole family could go and have fun. I could take Mandy to the rec center with me, let her play and hang out there while I work out, and then go for a family swim after. Not a bad idea in theory. The pool is fun, the rec center has been remodeled and is in great condition, and there are a lot of different things the family can do together. There is one glitch to this scenario--the spin bikes!
At Gold's Gym I can access the spin bikes in the spin room and use them any time. I cannot at the rec center, you can only use them during class time. That's okay though, because there are 2 spin bikes in the cardio area. Well, these bikes are not so great. Bike 1 does not have any tension on the wheel, so I guess it would be okay for a recovery day, but not a work out/interval day. Bike 2 the tension works, but it does not have clipless pedals. In fact, neither bike has clipless pedals! Both bikes have toe cages. Okay, not so bad, but not my preferance. However, bike 2 has a problem bike 1 does not, it has only one toe cage, the other pedal is nothing but a flat pedal. So what is a gal do to???
Well, since it was interval day it was bike 2 with only one toe cage. Have you ever tried to do intervals with one shoe in a cage and one not. Not fun, not easy and definitely a different kind of work out. Let's just say I will think twice about doing intervals on either of these bikes. Oh and guess what, none of the bikes at the rec center have clipless pedals!!! So I could go to a class, ignore the instructor and do my own thing, but I would still be in toe cages. Or maybe I could bring my pedal wrench, spd pedals and switch out the pedals every time I go to work out. I wonder how the rec center would feel about that? I guess it is back home to the trainer, and family fun time at the rec center will not include me riding the spin bike.
About a month ago my Gold's Gym pass expired. Now typically I would renew my pass, but I had a better idea instead. I decided that I would get a family pass at the Orem Rec Center. It was less than the Gold's Gym Pass, and the whole family could go and have fun. I could take Mandy to the rec center with me, let her play and hang out there while I work out, and then go for a family swim after. Not a bad idea in theory. The pool is fun, the rec center has been remodeled and is in great condition, and there are a lot of different things the family can do together. There is one glitch to this scenario--the spin bikes!
At Gold's Gym I can access the spin bikes in the spin room and use them any time. I cannot at the rec center, you can only use them during class time. That's okay though, because there are 2 spin bikes in the cardio area. Well, these bikes are not so great. Bike 1 does not have any tension on the wheel, so I guess it would be okay for a recovery day, but not a work out/interval day. Bike 2 the tension works, but it does not have clipless pedals. In fact, neither bike has clipless pedals! Both bikes have toe cages. Okay, not so bad, but not my preferance. However, bike 2 has a problem bike 1 does not, it has only one toe cage, the other pedal is nothing but a flat pedal. So what is a gal do to???
Well, since it was interval day it was bike 2 with only one toe cage. Have you ever tried to do intervals with one shoe in a cage and one not. Not fun, not easy and definitely a different kind of work out. Let's just say I will think twice about doing intervals on either of these bikes. Oh and guess what, none of the bikes at the rec center have clipless pedals!!! So I could go to a class, ignore the instructor and do my own thing, but I would still be in toe cages. Or maybe I could bring my pedal wrench, spd pedals and switch out the pedals every time I go to work out. I wonder how the rec center would feel about that? I guess it is back home to the trainer, and family fun time at the rec center will not include me riding the spin bike.
Sunday, November 15, 2009
I Don't Care...
if I am sick.
That is how I felt yesterday. Last Sunday I woke upand felt like I was going to collapse. I was very fatigued, sick to my stomach and extremely dizzy. I slept most of the day away, woke the next day and then went to work the next day. Eventually I ended up going home not feeling good at all. For the rest of the week I have been sick. So finally Saturday I couldn't take it anymore, and I went for a bike ride.
I probably shouldn't have gone for a ride, but it felt so good to be out. The ride was nothing difficult mostly flat, and a nice easy pace. It was great to feel the cold air on my face as I rode, and such a relief to be on my bike. I am still feeling under the weather, but it was so worth it to get out and go for a ride.
Pictures of the lake and mountains.
That is how I felt yesterday. Last Sunday I woke upand felt like I was going to collapse. I was very fatigued, sick to my stomach and extremely dizzy. I slept most of the day away, woke the next day and then went to work the next day. Eventually I ended up going home not feeling good at all. For the rest of the week I have been sick. So finally Saturday I couldn't take it anymore, and I went for a bike ride.
I probably shouldn't have gone for a ride, but it felt so good to be out. The ride was nothing difficult mostly flat, and a nice easy pace. It was great to feel the cold air on my face as I rode, and such a relief to be on my bike. I am still feeling under the weather, but it was so worth it to get out and go for a ride.
Pictures of the lake and mountains.
Saturday, November 7, 2009
Total Bummer
One of my favorite rides is in AF Canyon. I have written about this particular trail before, and I absolutely love it. I have ridden other trails, but always have an aching to ride this trail. Today I got to go ride the trail with Jolene. We were very excited, because Jolene had heard from Steve the trail was in great condition, and we did not want to miss this great opportunity.
The gate in AF Canyon is closed, so we parked at Pine Hollow. Our choice was to go up the road to Timpanooke or up Pine Hollow Trail. We have never gone up Pine Hollow so we choose this route. The first part of Pine Hollow is not so bad, but after the first little bit it then goes up and up and up, and not a little easy up the loose rock, over rocks and roots up. I loved going up this way, it was hard, but better than going up the road.
A glimpse of Pine Hollow, however it doesn't do it justice.
As we went along the trail we discovered the trail was quit muddy in spots, luckily it was only spots, but there were times my tires were covered in mud. The further up the trail twe went the cooler it seemed to get, by the time we got to the first overlook it was time to put on our jackets. As we did so Jolene noticed the snow on the back side of the mountain. I could not believe how much snow there was.
I would like to say the rest of the ride went well, and for the most part it did except for the downhill part going towards four corners. On the downhill I was having a blast, I came around a turn and realized I was heading right for this big bush/tree. There wasn't much to do except go into the bush. I fully expected to over and into the bush and down the hill, but instead there was a really big branch that caused me to richet off to the left backwards onto the trail and onto a very big rock. And yes I hit my tail bone right on the rock!
Now after most of my crashes I usually get right up. After this crash I felt a shock go up my spine, and I just stayed laying on the trail. As I was laying there I was hoping the next rider would see me and not run me over, and he did. Tim helped to get my bike off me, and then Jolene arrived. I just stayed on the trail in the fetal postion waiting for the moment I could start to move again. I don't know how long I was there, but it felt forever before I was able to get up.
Once I was up we took off. After a time I eventually forgot about the pain in my back side and lost myself in the joy of riding the trail. On our ride around the loop we decided to take Salamander Flats back instead of Pine Hollow, which made for a phenominal ride.
By the time we got to Timpanooke parking lot the sun was dipping and we needed to put on the remainder of our warm clothes. Luckily the ride to Pine Hollow parking lot is only a little over mile, so we did not get too cold--just cold enough to want to jump into the car and get warm. It was as I jumped into the car I was given a cruel reminder of my crash. And much to my shock I discovered my left butt check was swollen and hurt in the I don't want to sit down way. However, as I write this I am sitting--on an ice pack!
Jolene coming down the hill .
The gate in AF Canyon is closed, so we parked at Pine Hollow. Our choice was to go up the road to Timpanooke or up Pine Hollow Trail. We have never gone up Pine Hollow so we choose this route. The first part of Pine Hollow is not so bad, but after the first little bit it then goes up and up and up, and not a little easy up the loose rock, over rocks and roots up. I loved going up this way, it was hard, but better than going up the road.
A glimpse of Pine Hollow, however it doesn't do it justice.
Now after most of my crashes I usually get right up. After this crash I felt a shock go up my spine, and I just stayed laying on the trail. As I was laying there I was hoping the next rider would see me and not run me over, and he did. Tim helped to get my bike off me, and then Jolene arrived. I just stayed on the trail in the fetal postion waiting for the moment I could start to move again. I don't know how long I was there, but it felt forever before I was able to get up.
Once I was up we took off. After a time I eventually forgot about the pain in my back side and lost myself in the joy of riding the trail. On our ride around the loop we decided to take Salamander Flats back instead of Pine Hollow, which made for a phenominal ride.
By the time we got to Timpanooke parking lot the sun was dipping and we needed to put on the remainder of our warm clothes. Luckily the ride to Pine Hollow parking lot is only a little over mile, so we did not get too cold--just cold enough to want to jump into the car and get warm. It was as I jumped into the car I was given a cruel reminder of my crash. And much to my shock I discovered my left butt check was swollen and hurt in the I don't want to sit down way. However, as I write this I am sitting--on an ice pack!
Jolene coming down the hill .
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