This number is at its final stage of prep – i can do more work but this project can go on forever with the amount dents and decals that were on here! Now i’m comfortable enough to layer some flavor on here and work my magic!
I almost didn’t wake up this morning. out of the house at 7:45am to beat the rush. figured it was time to take out the caad9.
there were a lot of people out today, I was glad I left early. after riding the track bike for 2 weeks straight, jumping on the road bike was such a great feeling. came to appreciate the components a little bit more today just pouring myself into the climbs, the bike not giving one bit. rock solid descending, catching up to vw buses and having THEM dip into turnoffs so I could pass. oh man, I love this bike. one thing that did catch me by surprise was on the last descent out of mt. tam, a bigger rider was a couple hundred feet ahead of me, in his drops, just bombing through turns. I was doing the same, just much farther behind.
I slowly reeled him in, for some odd reason, he wasn’t touching his brakes, or pedaling, neither was I. and I’m pretty sure when you’re that far back, you’re not catching someone’s draft. and it’s not like my bike was any more aero than his. a couple turns later, I was right behind him. figured I shouldn’t pass since I couldn’t see around the next corners anyway. if someone can explain to me how a lighter rider can catch a heavier rider that’s ahead on a descent, please let me know. it’s been bugging me ever since. ha!
and then some guy rubbernecked me SUPER hard while coming out of sausalito, he was coming in. all I have to say is: you don’t need to strain your neck to look at me going home. plus, that’s dangerous, keep your eyes on the road, sir.
Tags: alpine dam, cannondale caad9
yesterday, I dropped off the cannondale track at freewheel hayes to have it tuned up. tension on the rear wheel was a bit slack, and there’s been a slight creaking sound coming from the drivetrain. figured it was the chain, since it was the same one used on the initial samson build months ago. and sram pc-7x chains are cheap enough to change semi-annually – better to be safe than sorry, wearing out drivetrain components on something as preventable as that seems easy.
after I dropped off the bike, I went for a walk down to the polo fields to watch the start of eugene’s race, king of the hill. long story short, I was sucked into running a checkpoint with sean chan. we held it down at stussy for the 8 racers.
there weren’t too many guys that came by, and we ended up splitting after a brief 20 minutes. at the top of twin peaks, the finish, it was fergus (messenger from sf), mark (guy from southbay-ish), and bennett (YOU ALREADY KNOW). $100 cash prize for 1st, pushbike stash was 2nd place, and i minus d shirts/stickers for everyone else. thought there’d be more racers, but I guess the 90mi mixed terrain alleycat took some riders away too. oh well, glad there were no accidents and everyone, for the most part, had a decent time. glad I came out.
went back to freewheel to check up on the caad, and long story short, dustin ended up swapping out every drivetrain component trying to isolate the creak – big whoop, it was the magnesium-titanium phil wood bottom bracket. apparently, the titanium spindle needs some sort of maintenance, something only phil wood can do. so, a standard phil bb, with regular spindle, sleeve, and bearings was quieter than my super epic, awesome bb. go figure. overall, I’m not impressed with the bottom bracket in terms of reliability…however on the flip side of that, the carbonite bearings and lightness of the spindle assembly with the mag-ti is unparalleled. they’re sending the bb back.
I wonder when it’ll be back in my bike…
Tags: alleycat, cannondale track, freewheel hayes, phil wood, san francisco
the weather keeps getting better. san francisco, you’re still my boo.
between the pillars, there’s no wind. and it’s well lit. definitely the new 2min spot, especially at the tip of the ride. this is the route I’ve been doing nightly, when the weather allows.
brisk 23 miles, give or take. I made the map 2 years back, so that’s why it starts out in the richmond, but it’s the same general loop either way. done counter-clockwise, couple hundred feet of elevation change, you can knock it out in about an hour and a half, and it’s perfect for a track bike.
Tags: cannondale track, legion of honor
the rain has been on and off for the past week. today, I watched perfect day pass outside while I sat at my desk working. I vowed not to let it go to waste.
I didn’t know you could go behind the pillars at the front of the legion of honor. it’s well-lit, and quite pleasant, actually.
friday couldn’t come any sooner.
Tags: cannondale track, legion of honor
Getting this number ready for primer – working most of the day peeling reflective decals and heat treated ones. Now all the good stuff is off – its time to smooth out the wrinkles!
Zipp 404 is getting dressed up for the party! the under layer is almost there!?! Ready for the suit!?!
Great day for this guy – Johnny Z. from Sf State is interning with the icecream shop! He is currently working on a frame that he will be able to keep – prep – paint – clear… what a lucky guy!
tuesday and wednesdays are now off. spent the morning waiting for the ground water to evaporate, leg extensions watching x-files. don’t be hating, it’s a great show. catching up on all 9 seasons, you know what’s up.
legion of honor, looking north, towards downtown san francisco and golden gate bridge. was sunny out today for a change, I can’t wait until it gets warmer. wish the rain would stay away, but apparently it’s coming back tonight.
Tags: cannondale track, legion of honor
san francisco’s annual chinese new years parade brought absolutely everyone down to chinatown and downtown. there was also a street fair on grant, starting at columbus:
and without the rain, the roads were dry. well, most of them.
riding fast was a chore, everyone was out and about today. and I saw mission cycles’ picture from this morning, the marin trail was flooded, once again. I sure hope it’s clear in the morning.
ALPINE DAM IN THE AM. that’s what’s up.
Tags: cannondale track, chinese new years, presidio loop, san francisco