it’s been a busy week, so no ride reports.  I’m going to try to get out Saturday morning before the heat comes up.

Yesterday I took off so I could take son#1 to the doctor for his “wellness visit.”  It’s basically where they check him out and he gets his immunization shots.  They also take a bunch of measurements, which proves to be the highlight of these visits.

Here’s why:  13 years old, 5′11 1/2″ (grown 6″ in the last 11 months), size 13 shoes.  Projected height is now somewhere between 6′ 4-6″.

I’m thinking now that I might have to refit the Cannondale just for him.  He’s been bugging me about a road bike, and I have all the parts except a decent pair of drop bars, although I could put moustaches back on it.  Sheesh.  It’s like having a giraffe walking around the house!

With the rising gas prices and resultant increase in bike ridership, there have been more and more articles and posts related to how cyclists are now going to take over and how the world is going to change.  With any discourse, it’s usually the more extreme views that get the most attention, and unfortunately, this issue is no exception.  Reality will typically surface somewhere in between.

First, things are already changing.  Folks are looking for short term solutions to cut their gas expenses, and using a bicycle for commuting and errands is proving to be a viable option for many.  I see it everyday in the city where white collar workers are appearing next to the blue collar urban residents as bike commuters.  These aren’t necessarily athletic types who are looking for a workout - rather, they are just normal slobs who appear to be trying to save a buck or two by riding their bikes to work.  They are doing their best to navigate safely in a car-based structure.  Fortunately, its summer, so traffic is a bit lighter and the weather is cooperative.  What will happen this fall when things get cold and vacation season is over remains to be seen.

But so far, I don’t think this increase in ridership has resulted in much else changing.  No bike lanes have suddenly popped up, there aren’t more bike racks appearing, and I don’t think driving habits have changed that much.  You see, along with biking, people are trying to save money with increased carpooling, riding the busses more, walking, switching to motorcycles and scooters, and also telecommuting.  It’s all incremental, and its all “multi-dimensional.”

Now, I would like to see the bicycle emerge as a prominent mode of transportation.  I think that there are a number of obvious benefits that would go far to cancelling out the problems created by a car-based society; the biggest of which for me is land use.  Most of those arguments have already been made eslewhere, so I’ll spare the details.

But I’m also willing to support other approaches to the “gas crisis”, including other forms of cheap transportation, additional drilling, alternative fuels, green energy, conservation, etc… again; a multi-disciplined approach.  What I don’t want is a government program or policy that attempts to steer us in one particular direction.

I don’t think anyone in government is smart enough to figure out what that direction should be.  I don’t think anyone in government is immune from the influence of various lobbies who would have a vested interest in one particular direction over another, and I don’t think the public would find consensus on whatever direction is chosen.

I would rather we suffer the pains of market economics, allow a critical mass to build naturally, and then channel available resources to support wherever that mass chooses to take us.  Its been said that leadership involves finding a parade and then jumping out in front of it.  I believe that this is the perfect example.  Let’s just hope those leaders are riding bicycles.

This was intended as another steady state training ride; taking the HRT top to bottom and back.  I wanted to keep my speed around 12 mph, take a break every hour or so, and finish with some fuel still left in the tank.

What I first noticed when starting in York was that I didn’t feel as snappy as I did a few weeks back with the metric century.  I wasn’t sick or anything - just not feeling like I wanted to push it.  I think maybe it’s because I’m a little bored of this trail.  Anyway, one of the scenic views near the start is this junkyard.  Periodically it will catch on fire and cause all kinds of excitement.  It was a busy place this morning:

I got an early start so I could beat the heat.  The trail was pretty clear before noon.  After that, there were a lot of joggers and bikes out on the Maryland side under the canopy of trees.  Two guys played “tag” with me all the way from New Freedom to Ashland.  By the time I got to Monkton, it was a matter of them pulling in just as I would pull out.

Completely contrary to the forecast, on the way back, just north of Monkton, the skies opened up and it poured!  Stamina wise, it was great.  It cooled things off, all the other bikers went for cover, it kept the dust down, and it re-invigorated me.  Plus, I have fenders!

The trail turned into a creek, which slowed my speed, but made for a great challenge after switching from a bandana to a ball cap.

Up to this point my butt was doing fine.  I buttered up good with Udder Creme and petroleum jelly, however I think the pad in my shorts had become saturated and started sticking to my skin.  That caused some heat buildup, and some saddle sores.  Fortunately it wasn’t as bad as the last time, but I’ll still be off the bike for a few days.

On the way back, just north of Gladfelter Station, I passed a southbound pair…she on a bike and he on a motorized scooter.  Some 20 something with a smirk on his face like “I know it’s against the rules, but I’m cool, my dad’s rich; so its OK.”

So I finish right on schedule.  My arse is sore, but the day after my legs are tired, not hurting.  There were a few times when my knees ached, but I’d ease off a bit (usually on a climb) and they’d be fine.  I did pop a few ibuprofen halfway through to take the edge off.

Misc. MIles: 4

Distance:83.4 miles  2008: 888.4

Nice fitness ride after dark, once it had cooled a little and the storms had moved out.

Distance: 11.3 miles  2008: 801

Sheldon Brown was a genius.

After experiencing the mystery clicking the other night and then riding quietly up and down the street for a half hour trying to figure out the source, I pretty much concluded that my bottom bracket was acting up.  Figuring $50 or so for the part and maybe $25 labor, I mentally prepare myself, with the worst part being that I have no idea how long the bike will be in the shop because of repair backlogs.

Out of curiousity, I check the Park website, and they give a list of things to check before focusing on the BB.  Especially enticing are the pedal bearings.  These are bargain Dimension pedals that have at least 4K miles on them, and it was easy to imagine them dying.  I figured that it would make the most sense to just replace them, so I was down to $35-50, depending on what I could find.

But wait!  I do a quick Google on bottom bracket noise, and up pops one of Sheldon’s sites, and it’s organized around noise.  Yup.  I had to discern between clicks and ticks; and the general area that it was coming from.  He pretty much matched the Park site, but then he includes this little innocuous comment: “check the —– ———.”

So I go home last night, and swap the pedal with the Cannondale, thinking about the bearing.  The clicking is gone.  I put the pedals back on, thinking I’ll pick up a pair this week, when I notice the little plastic reflector is loose.  The plastic nubs that snap it into the pedal cage have worn, and the reflector is flapping around.  It takes 5 seconds with a screw driver to pop out the reflectors…quick test ride in the street…no noise.

Another five seconds to remove the right side reflector, and all is well.  Cost: $0.00.

Sheldon, we luv ya!

I’ve added this link for the Harrisburg Bike Co-op, which I just discovered over the weekend.  It looks like a great effort, and a good spot to donate those outgrown and under used bikes taking up space in the garage or shed.  I think I’ll be dropping off that red ten speed there soon.

This started as a fitness ride, but turned into an exploring ride before dark.  Near Lisburn is McCormick Road, which runs along side of the Yellow Breeches for a bit.  I had noted that it looks like a great spot to lay along the bank or go for a swim on a hot day.  This shot is taken from an old one-lane stone bridge about a mile off of Andersontown Road.  The banks are grassy and shaded by the trees:

Once I crossed the bridge I went off course to explore the narrow paved road that I thought might head back, but only on the other side.  It started out as flat and very scenic, but sooned turned decidedly up hill.  It got narrower and a little rougher, then eventually smoothed out to reveal the only house along the whole road.  The middle structure appears to be original, the two additions are currently under construction.  I’m guessing this place to be between 6-7000 square feet.  Must be nice to have the township build you a half mile long driveway:

Once I got done grinding to the top of the hill, I figured out where I was and turned towards home.  Up over another hill, and I found this:

The flag had to be around 10′ by 15′, suspended by a cable over the road.

Further down the road, I came across this guy.  According to my son, it has been there a while, but I never noticed it before.  Probably because I usually ride through the intersection coming from a different direction and turn away from it.  He stands about 15′ tall.  The local high school is Red Land; and their mascot is the Patriot.

Halfway through the ride I started getting concerned about a clicking coming from my bottom bracket.  On every pedal stroke I’d get a single or double click.  I couldn’t find anything, but according to Park’s site, I should take a look at my pedal bearings before getting excited.  I test that tonight.

But worse is the fact that I wore a pair of lycra shorts, and rode the hills hard in the humid heat.  This morning I have a nagging saddle sore that I’ll need to nurse this week.  I should have known better.

Misc. Miles: 3.7

Distance: 19.3 miles  2008: 789.7

Despite the steady drizzle, I wanted to ride down to Rudy Park to see if it is suitable for family rides.  We had tried to stop by once, but could not get in because of a balloon fest, but I noticed that the Heritage Trail extension is completed right next to the park.

I took the Wago Road down to Mount Wolf, and then south into Emigsville.  Traffic was pretty light all morning.  Just before the park is this big quarry operation.

Also on the way to the entrance, you can spot the Heritage Trail on the right.  It’s almost like a bike lane.

Once in the park, there is a paved path that circles the expansive area.  I think because of the rise and the lay of the land, its more suited for walking than biking.  Bikes will just get going too fast to be safe with pedestrians all over.  Just as well, because I also think that the hills would be a bit steep for smaller kids on bikes.  Up at the top of the park is this BMX track.  I remember a few years ago one of my friends was into this for a season…until he broke his collarbone.

Here is where the Heritage Trail starts:

It winds its way along a creek and around some properties for about a mile and one-half.  Again, its completely paved, and the winding turns mean holding down the speed, mainly to avoid another bike that might be coming from the other direction.  Still, its very scenic.

And then the trail ends…

The sign says that plans are afoot to extend the trail another two miles to Route 30 in 2009.

For the ride home, I took a slightly different route into Manchester, and then over to the Susquehanna Trail at Strinestown.  I’m still not used to grinding up those hills from the Conowago Creek.  I’ve been playing around with the tension on my saddle, and I think I noticed a slight improvement today.

Anyway, Rudy Park: great spot, not recommended for biking.  Heritage Trail northern extension: nice paved surface, keep down the speed.

Misc. Miles: 5.6

Distance: 38.7 miles  2008: 766.7

I did a little research and found out that The Bicycle Man is actually the brother of a woman I know.  Given where I’ve seen him the most, I guessed at where he lives, which is right down the street from where she lives.  Since I saw her last weekend, I came right out and asked “Who is the Bicycle Man?”

His name is Tom and he is a little “emotional” at times, although he is better than he used to be.  Some days are better than others.  He has a job locally, and is obsessive about exercise.  If you saw him, you’d see that he is pretty lean.

Anyway, either I passed him on a “good day” or perhaps he is a bit more sociable with other cyclists.  Next time I’ll give him a “hello Tom”…   baby steps.

Nice ride around the township under the lights.  In some spots, where the trees line the road and there are fields/woods on either side, all those little noises can creep you out!  But it is way cool.

Distance: 13.1 miles  2008: 722.4