Didn't Ride Today

Needed some time to get some reading done for my MBA class. However, a report on yesterday. The grips and eggbeaters helped and were nice. I think I need to tilt the grips a bit (that or start wearing gloves) as my hand tended to slide forward when I got a bit sweaty. Also, I had one crash due to my foot being too high and not disengaging in time. Luckily it was on the bike path (which I've decided I don't like as much as it's harder work and takes longer to get home and the net stress once I get on the single lane street makes up for the stress of riding the longer street... in reality, if I can convince my boss to let me come in early and leave early I'll beat rush hour traffic both ways)

New Stuff... and a Fall...

So, I got a number of new bits of gear...

1) Some Crank Bros EggBeaters
I was going back and forth between these and some Speedplay Frogs, but the deal was too good to pass up on these.

2) Some Ergon Grips
The little stock grips on my Soho S were giving me numb hands (going into work three days in a row this week made it pretty bad)

3) A Park Tool Home Mechanics Starter set
Which I used to install the above two.

4) Oh, and a Third Eye Mirror

Some thoughts...

On the mirror, I've only used it one day... but already find myself looking for it if it's not there. Oh... and at some point I'll have to post a pic of it attached to my sunglasses. I can't attach it the normal way to my Oakely Half Jackets because of the bulge at the temple... it doesn't look like it should give me a good view. But it does, it's similar to glancing down to your side mirrors in your car.

I really like the feel of the Ergon grips on my test ride today. In retrospect I may have needed the Large... but the smalls are better than the stock grips.

I'm surprised how quickly the Eggbeaters are usable... other than one fall (I disengaged one foot, but tried to stop with the other foot at the HIGH point of rotation rather than the low... oops), getting in and out are fairly intuitive. Note, this is from someone who has NEVER used clips or clipless pedals before.

Here's hoping these live up to expectations next week.

Starting a Roll

Well, after getting sick over the holiday weekend, I rode into work yesterday and today. Planning for tomorrow as well...

Yay! Two in a Week!

So, I rode into work again today (next week's goal is three). I'm surprised (maybe I shouldn't be) how quickly my legs are adjusting to riding a single speed even with the (relatively mild) hills between work and home.

For some reason my left achilles heel felt... er... tight?... for about a block or two, then it loosened up and all was good.

Oh, and, my Topeak MTX Trunk Bag DXP wasn't working well as side wings simply didn't have enough space for what I normally take to work (clothes, laptop, current book for my MBA classes). However, my new Topeak Dry Bag Panniers have copious room and pack much nicer.

Back on the Horse

After a bit of a hiatus (out of town work trip for a week + some lame excuses), I rode in again today. Made it all the way, not too shaky of legs. For speed, coming in on the roads is best... I think I may go home on the Haller Trail just to get some peace though... plus I like looking at trees...