Cold Snap Riding

This morning I broke my previous record for cold weather cycling by 1 degree C, making my new coldest ride temp -24C (-11F). For some cold weather cyclists this is of course child's play, but I am pleased nonetheless. In truth, last night's commute home was much tougher. The actual temperature was -19 but with headwinds gusting to 60km/h (37 mph) it was very difficult and very cold. My rides in these colder temps have been made worse by hubs with grease that kind of freezes or congeals when temps drop below -16C or so, making the bike ride like its got a stuck brake or something. Advice on how I should service the hubs (cartridge bearing type) for next year is welcome if you have some. For now I'm bringing the bike inside so the hubs free up at least for the first half of my commute, before they get cold again. I suppose it is also possible that the grease is OK but some metal in the hubs is contracting too much in the cold... I'm tempted to build/buy a set of winter wheels that would match hubs up to the challenge with my Studded Jumbo Jims, which are performing wonderfully by the way.

Speaking of performing wonderfully, I took the advice of some of my dear readers and spent some money on a good front light: a Moon Meteor Storm Lite. 

This thing is BRIGHT (1100 lumens claimed, and it looks like it really might be), charges with USB and holds that charge reasonably well even in these frigid temps. The mount is also of higher quality, which I suppose it should be with the light's chunkier weight and price. I paid almost $80 CAD for it. If not for advances in LED tech a light this good would have cost hundreds not that long ago. I always use it on steady, at the highest brightness setting, since I don't need to stretch the battery life at all for it to stay bright right through my short commute.

I guess that is it for now; stay warm, be well and I hope to see you again soon!

Yer Pal,

R A N T W I C K

PS - I ain't received nuthin' from nobody for my kind words about any bike products mentioned here.

Sewer Hole!

Obviously I have not been writing much. That is bad. I have, however, been riding my Fat bike to work and back most days, which is good! Very good, really. They may not be for everyone, but for post-stroke me this well-equipped fat bike is perfect. People ask me if it is slow. The answer is yes, but not as slow as one might think. If I were more fit, it would be even faster. But speed is not the thing when I'm on this rig. I go from ice to hardpack to mud to powder to shortbread snow making almost no adjustments as I go. This thing just rolls over it without reacting much at all... it is weird and wonderful.

It is wonderful enough that it induced me to stray from the path the other day, with hilarious (at least I think) results. So, without further adieu, I present for your viewing pleasure, "Sewer Hole"!

Yer Pal,

R A N T W I C K

Ice + Studded Bike Tires = BIG FUN!

So far the new fat bike has been terrific. I need more snow though. Anyway, I made a video about ice and stuff! Watch it! Love it! Love me! Looove Meeeeee...

Yours In Creepy Online Neediness,

R A N T W I C K

Catch Up

I've been busy, so here's a little catch up post! How are you? Good? Good. The King says hi...

Now, since we're playing catch-up, those leaves have fallen and snow has begun here in London Ontario. There hasn't been enough snow and ice for me to really test my new winter machine, but so far it has been great!

I got those Jumbo Jims studded and pogies on! Wooo Hooo!

And last, a pointless anecdote: When I was little I and my friend Darren would walk to school together, most often trailing behind my big brothers and sisters, who would turn back and yell "catch up", to which Darren and I would reply "Ketchup"? and laugh our heads off at our total cleverness. In Canada, catsup is spelled and pronounced "ketchup". This leads me to a question: Is catsup catsup all over the USA, or do some yanks say "ketchup" too? Thankfully the three people who still visit my poorly tended blog are American, so I may get my answer.

Those of you who enjoy winter riding, congrats, I hope you enjoy it as much as I plan to! If you are from southern climes where you ride without much trouble all year long, up yours. I mean it, you lucky buggers.

Yer Pal,

R A N T W I C K

Thankful

This Thanksgiving (which it is, today, of course, and no other stupid day) I am Thankful for so much I don't even where to begin. I know where to end, though. With squirrels. These little commute commentators are the best and they are all over the place here in London Ontario. One of the great bonuses of travelling by bike is that you aren't encapsulated in a car and can interact with those around you. As such, I have developed a good relationship with some of the squirrels along my route. They know me by name and I even comprehend  some squirrel talk. Many squirrels are very shy and others very anxious and afraid. Still others, though, seem to crave my attention:

I promised you squirrels and you're getting squirrels. This, my friends, is just the beginning!

Yer Pal,

R A N T W I C K

It Has A Pulse!

This blog I mean. This blog has a pulse. I don't know if I will ever re-engage to the point that I'm posting all the time again, but I sure as hell want to keep it alive.

That said, writing about how awesome the cooler temps are and how joyful riding is Every Autumn gets a little old when you're on your 10th year, no matter how true it remains.

You know what is always welcome (at least according to some readers) though? Talking squirrels in youtube videos! Yeah, baby. Some things just scream cool, no matter how often they're done. Not that you'll get any of that today. Today is just "this blog has a pulse" day. Sit tight, dear reader, "the squirrels are coming, The Squirrels Are Coming"!

Yer Pal,

R A N T W I C K

PS - If you read that last sentence in a "The British Are Coming"! kind of way, you were totally picking up what I was laying down. If not, you are not at fault for being kinda normal.

OH NO. Writing that PS caused a WTF Attack of the first order. I meant to end this post right there, I honestly did, but now thanks to Word-To-Form syndrome I had to make this, and show it to you:

For more on WTF Syndrome and Attacks, just search this blog a little.