Decided to take a cruise around Pinchot last night, but modified it a bit with some exploring/toodling in the campground.
I was a little worried because I’ve been noticing some vibration coming off of the Sanyo dyno hub recently – just intermittent, but strong enough that it had my attention. At first I was thinking that maybe it was only when it was drawing current into the light/USB charger, but that didn’t make sense since it should be drawing current constantly.
There was one section where it was getting worse as I rode faster, which then had me thinking that maybe a bearing was going bad. The wheel is less than a year old and still under warrantee, but who wants to go through the hassle of shipping, etc…? At one point I looked down and noticed that the plug had rotated slightly where it was tugging on the wiring. So I stopped, unhooked the skewer, rotated the plug to normal, and when I went to tighten the skewer again, realized that it was pretty loose.
Tighten the skewer half a rotation and the wheel is snug, and the vibration is completely gone. I’m such a tool sometimes.
I also stopped at the rowing club boat ramp and took in the view. This used to be my favorite time of year for rowing. Fall brings on a different style of racing, longer distances called Head Races. I was pretty much a sprint specialist, but still, the vibe of head racing was a little more relaxed, and I would usually race in a double with Kevin, my partner, and do fairly well.
It also was the time of year when the summer boaters, both rowers and others, would get off the water. Too cold, evenings too short. That would make for less traffic and more solitude. The light this time of year in the evenings casts a wonderful glow, highlighting the water and the trees as the leaves gradually turn.
Finally, migrating birds would stop in at the lake. Geese were normal, but pairs of loons would also visit. They were cool to watch and listen to.
I would usually schedule one session, not a workout, at the end of the season to just paddle out to the middle of the lake to sit quietly and think about my season. It was a good way of taking stock of things, and making the mental transition to indoor training for the winter, which I wasn’t very good at. If anything, I’d take off until February, and then slowly get back into shape.
Standing by the edge of the water, all these memories came back to me last night.
Over at the campground, the sites were thinned out considerably, but I was surprised by the number of people still there. Mostly retirees in campers, but seeing them finishing the day sitting around camp fires, wrapped up in blankets, looked appealing. Not a bad way to spend a day, provided your campground isn’t as crowded as they typically are. As soon as this foolishness on the job front gets settled, I’m due for a tour.
Misc. Miles: 2.4
Distance: 17 miles 2013: 970.5
Pedalling Along 