Which brings me to my own shop. Currently located in my basement it serves as my bike storage and repair room. Naturally I like to keep it neat and organized (no it's not always like that) and I also like to see my tool collection :D
Thursday 26 July 2012
A tour of my shop
With all the racing and training I do, I need a place to get some work done on my bikes. I have the actual store I could bring my bikes into but it won't always be available and I'm more than likely to get in the way of the guys who are actually working. In fact, I'll probably end up doing some work if I go.
Which brings me to my own shop. Currently located in my basement it serves as my bike storage and repair room. Naturally I like to keep it neat and organized (no it's not always like that) and I also like to see my tool collection :D
So of course in the centre of the room we have the actual bike stand. It's surrounded on all sides by the five bikes in my possession (Still need another one!) The floor is a spongy interlocking kinda material so I never worry about the floor getting dirty or scratched.
Opposite the stand in the last picture is my actual tool board. A magnetic board in the upper left holds things like screwdrivers while everything else is hanging by a screw. ( Except the headset press on the far right, I don't have screws long enough to hold that thing up) Underneath the board I have all of my chain lubes, degreasers and rags. One of my most used items is the blue magnetic bowl on the left. As you can imagine it keeps all of your tiny pieces together when doing overhaul work.
Off to the left of the tool board I have all of my big spare parts (Plus my truing stand) Spare tires, brake rotors, bleed kit, aero bars, stems, saddle, old brakes - anything I've come across that I think I may need later on. I also have tonnes of spare pedals. Eggbeater, SPD, toe clip and platform.
More tools on the shelf. Spare brake pads, valve caps, tubeless tire sealant, tape, screws - just a bunch of spare bits. I also have all of my lights for night riding (I'll go more into detail on these later) Then I have my portable toolkit and socket set. The numbers are re-usable for races throughout the season. (left to right - Trek Wednesday Night Series, Canada Cup, Ontario Cup)
Which brings me to my own shop. Currently located in my basement it serves as my bike storage and repair room. Naturally I like to keep it neat and organized (no it's not always like that) and I also like to see my tool collection :D
Monday 23 July 2012
Automatic Transmission
Came across this in the shop the other day. It's an auto shifting bike. I've certainly seen bikes that shift on their own before, the Trek Lime for example. The front hub of that bike measure the bike's speed and electronically shifts an internally geared hub at the back. It only has three gears but the transitions are quick and nearly seamless.
This bike on the other hand is automatic in an entirely mechanical fashion. Three black plastic pieces on the rear spokes are connected to a disk that goes around the freewheel and rests right up against the rear derailleur. As the wheel spins faster and faster, the centrifugal force spreads the plastics tags further apart, which in turn force the disk to push on the derailleur towards a harder gear.
It's really cool to see it in motion so I took a video!
It's great on the upshifts but the downshifts take a wee bit longer, not exactly ideal when you're coming up to a hill. Still though this is all controlled by the wheel, there are no shifters on the bike and the only thing we're doing in this video is turning the crank
This bike on the other hand is automatic in an entirely mechanical fashion. Three black plastic pieces on the rear spokes are connected to a disk that goes around the freewheel and rests right up against the rear derailleur. As the wheel spins faster and faster, the centrifugal force spreads the plastics tags further apart, which in turn force the disk to push on the derailleur towards a harder gear.
It's really cool to see it in motion so I took a video!
It's great on the upshifts but the downshifts take a wee bit longer, not exactly ideal when you're coming up to a hill. Still though this is all controlled by the wheel, there are no shifters on the bike and the only thing we're doing in this video is turning the crank
OCup #5 Sudbury
Sudbury is a new addition to the circuit this year. It's a race that requires an overnight stay but no good reason why I couldn't go. I had never made the drive up to Sudbury on my own before, the only times being asleep in the back of our XC ski team bus in the middle of winter. After completing it both ways I must say it's a very beautiful drive. I left just before noon and got to my hotel in downtown Sudbury at around 3:30 (I was motoring pretty quick) I checked into the race hotel and then proceeded 20 minutes outside of the city to the race course.
The course was so much fun during the preride. The opening double track section is super duper long so I know there's going to be some pace trains forming. Some quick but steep ups in the single track but nothing overly technical. There's a big doubletrack section halfway through before the big climb of the course. It's not very difficult in terms of steepness but it just goes on for some time. It culminates on arguably the coolest and most beautiful section of the course. The entire top part is across true Canadian Shield terrain. Bare rock is marked by little spots of spraypaint for you to follow. Once you reach the top you're treated to a stellar view of the area before plummeting back into the trees.
Now this course was difficult for two reasons. The first being how bumpy it was. I guess we're spoiled here in "Southern" Ontario with our smooth trails. Adam asked me if I had thought about racing on my full sus bike here but I stuck with my hardtail because I like it better for racing. Boy what a mistake that was. The course was so crazy bumpy that I had difficulty keep the rear wheel on the ground. Seriously anytime I wanted to pull an acceleration I would get bucked off the saddle - any semblance of rhythm was no where to be found.
The second reason it was so difficult was the dust. Yes this is mountain biking so we're no strangers to getting a little dirty, but this was a whole new level. It was so dry prior to the race but I didn't think that would be a problem... Entering the first single track I was about 7th or 8th position. A dust cloud so big was thrown up that you literally could not see the trail. Breathing was like sticking your face in the garden and trying to inhale it. Anytime you wanted a drink you first had to lick the dirt off the water spout to unclog it. I race with contacts in but due to the dust I rather would have been blind than having a beach's worth of sand stuck in them. This is what I looked like post race. Keep in mind I was wearing full sunglasses and had poured a lot of water on my face at this point..
I really enjoyed the whole weekend trip up to Sudury. Beautiful course and fun changeup from what is typical on the OCup circuit. I wish I had brought my full suspension, something to think about for the future
The course was so much fun during the preride. The opening double track section is super duper long so I know there's going to be some pace trains forming. Some quick but steep ups in the single track but nothing overly technical. There's a big doubletrack section halfway through before the big climb of the course. It's not very difficult in terms of steepness but it just goes on for some time. It culminates on arguably the coolest and most beautiful section of the course. The entire top part is across true Canadian Shield terrain. Bare rock is marked by little spots of spraypaint for you to follow. Once you reach the top you're treated to a stellar view of the area before plummeting back into the trees.
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| Photo: Walden Mountain Bike Club |
The second reason it was so difficult was the dust. Yes this is mountain biking so we're no strangers to getting a little dirty, but this was a whole new level. It was so dry prior to the race but I didn't think that would be a problem... Entering the first single track I was about 7th or 8th position. A dust cloud so big was thrown up that you literally could not see the trail. Breathing was like sticking your face in the garden and trying to inhale it. Anytime you wanted a drink you first had to lick the dirt off the water spout to unclog it. I race with contacts in but due to the dust I rather would have been blind than having a beach's worth of sand stuck in them. This is what I looked like post race. Keep in mind I was wearing full sunglasses and had poured a lot of water on my face at this point..
I really enjoyed the whole weekend trip up to Sudury. Beautiful course and fun changeup from what is typical on the OCup circuit. I wish I had brought my full suspension, something to think about for the future
OCup #4 Albion Hills
I had some high hope for this race, Albion is as close to my home course as you can get. It's the kind of course I could get away without preriding and no matter what combination of trails they did for the race I would have no problem finding my way around.
Pre ride of the course is standard fare. You immediately know it's going to be typical Albion - FAST. There is next to no climbing, just lots of fast everything. Come race day though there's something wrong. It's hot. Like, stupid hot. There is absolutely no breeze and the ambient temperature is 38 degrees. Add humidity on top of that and it's miserably hot out. I drain two bottles just in the warmup. I'm very thankful that my parents have come to watch so they can do my feeds, hydration is going to be very important.
I spend a good time warming up, I want my body clearing and sweating before the race starts so there's no transition in the race and I can immediately get to work. The long warmup however ended up backfiring on me somewhat. New for this race is that they're combining us with the Expert 50-55. All of a sudden there's twice as many guys in this start category which makes getting a good spot on the start line impossible. I try to find my way around the outside at the race start but I get literally run into the bushes on the side of the trail.
I quickly get frustrated with how I'm being held up in the singletrack. I know the trails so well that I can't help but constantly have to brake to avoid the slow guys in front of me. I spend the entire first lap just trying to make up positions. I finally catch up to a familiar wheel from someone in my category but I'm so knackered by that point. Coming around the final corner Sean (the organizer) is on the side of the course with a hose that's pumping water form the river, anyone who comes by he gives a head dousing of cold water. The start of lap number two I get my first feed from my dad, that water doesn't last long. My heart rate is usually high but it seems like I'm working even harder than usual. I attribute it to the heat and press on. I make up a few more positions but my earlier effort is hampering my later efforts. I get on a train of three other guys but eventually lose their wheel and am left to finish the race on my own. Turns out my result was pretty ok finishing seventh, only three minutes of the leader and around a minute off the podium.
I must have spent several minutes after the race just sitting in the shade dumping water all over my self. I think I did a good job with the hydrating though as I wasn't ever dizzy or weak like some of the others. In fact there were quite a few DNFs due to the heat. I was glad I was able to finish but slightly disappointed to be so close to the podium.
Pre ride of the course is standard fare. You immediately know it's going to be typical Albion - FAST. There is next to no climbing, just lots of fast everything. Come race day though there's something wrong. It's hot. Like, stupid hot. There is absolutely no breeze and the ambient temperature is 38 degrees. Add humidity on top of that and it's miserably hot out. I drain two bottles just in the warmup. I'm very thankful that my parents have come to watch so they can do my feeds, hydration is going to be very important.
I spend a good time warming up, I want my body clearing and sweating before the race starts so there's no transition in the race and I can immediately get to work. The long warmup however ended up backfiring on me somewhat. New for this race is that they're combining us with the Expert 50-55. All of a sudden there's twice as many guys in this start category which makes getting a good spot on the start line impossible. I try to find my way around the outside at the race start but I get literally run into the bushes on the side of the trail.
I quickly get frustrated with how I'm being held up in the singletrack. I know the trails so well that I can't help but constantly have to brake to avoid the slow guys in front of me. I spend the entire first lap just trying to make up positions. I finally catch up to a familiar wheel from someone in my category but I'm so knackered by that point. Coming around the final corner Sean (the organizer) is on the side of the course with a hose that's pumping water form the river, anyone who comes by he gives a head dousing of cold water. The start of lap number two I get my first feed from my dad, that water doesn't last long. My heart rate is usually high but it seems like I'm working even harder than usual. I attribute it to the heat and press on. I make up a few more positions but my earlier effort is hampering my later efforts. I get on a train of three other guys but eventually lose their wheel and am left to finish the race on my own. Turns out my result was pretty ok finishing seventh, only three minutes of the leader and around a minute off the podium.
I must have spent several minutes after the race just sitting in the shade dumping water all over my self. I think I did a good job with the hydrating though as I wasn't ever dizzy or weak like some of the others. In fact there were quite a few DNFs due to the heat. I was glad I was able to finish but slightly disappointed to be so close to the podium.
Canada Cup/Onatrio Cup Numba 3!
Right so forgive me for my lack of updates but life has been busy (RBST) and it's easy to forget about these things.
Going back in time here a wee bit as this race was over a month ago but here's the race report anyway.
Did the preride with Adam Morka who took me over all the course obstacles and showed me some good lines. The course is very cool and lots of fun. Nice mix of techy-y obstacles and double track sections so you can make passes. On the prerace intensity I have a few stumbles on some terrain I should be pretty smooth on but even if I can't make it over that stuff so easily, my legs are feeling good enough to make it all up.
So waking up the morning of the race brings a grim weather forecast. It's amazing how a little bit of rain can completely change a course and Hardwood didn't get just a little, it go a lot. I was so glad I brought my wet weather tubeless tires to the race otherwise the whole race would have been an exercise in futility. The opening stretch to the race is very long so even with my bad starts I am able to move up to just off the front very quickly. As soon as we hit the first singletrack section it all goes to hell. The course is so wet through this section and so torn up as we're the last category to go through. Traction is at a minimum and although I have the legs, I don't have the ground to lay it down on. That was a trend for pretty much the entire race.
One section of the course is called Boneshaker. The aptly named downhill is intimidating but I was feeling pretty confident about it after Adam showed me a fast line down it. During the race however I was thrown a curveball. My category was originally supposed to ride Boneshaker from the top with an option to take a slower detour that enters halfway down. I didn't find out until it came up in the race, but they forced us to take the detour - I guess they didn't want people killing themselves. This completely messed up my speed so I came out of the detour way too hot and hit the second half of the descent with twice as much speed as I would be carrying from the top entrance. Hard on the brakes almost sends me over the bars and into the watching crowd. Fortunately I avoid the embarrassment and pull out probably the fastest clear of the section.
All the other downhills on the course are an absolute mess - no grip is available, they feel more like sledding your bike down rather than riding it. Brake inputs, steering inputs, there isn't really much point. You get your initial aiming at the top and if you got it wrong then tough shit. When you combine that with other people on the course who get it wrong then it leaves no room for error. In fact I don't get some of them right until the the last lap and there's no one around. On more than one occasion I have to bail into the bushes to avoid running into the back of another competitor who went down in front of me. As I mentioned earlier this wasn't a race you could really push at. I finished just outside the top ten feeling super fresh.
Post race was spent trying to get all the mud off of me and the bike. Mud was everywhere and it made me think of the 24(12) hour summer solstice a few years back. This didn't make me like racing in the wet anymore...
Going back in time here a wee bit as this race was over a month ago but here's the race report anyway.
Did the preride with Adam Morka who took me over all the course obstacles and showed me some good lines. The course is very cool and lots of fun. Nice mix of techy-y obstacles and double track sections so you can make passes. On the prerace intensity I have a few stumbles on some terrain I should be pretty smooth on but even if I can't make it over that stuff so easily, my legs are feeling good enough to make it all up.
So waking up the morning of the race brings a grim weather forecast. It's amazing how a little bit of rain can completely change a course and Hardwood didn't get just a little, it go a lot. I was so glad I brought my wet weather tubeless tires to the race otherwise the whole race would have been an exercise in futility. The opening stretch to the race is very long so even with my bad starts I am able to move up to just off the front very quickly. As soon as we hit the first singletrack section it all goes to hell. The course is so wet through this section and so torn up as we're the last category to go through. Traction is at a minimum and although I have the legs, I don't have the ground to lay it down on. That was a trend for pretty much the entire race.
One section of the course is called Boneshaker. The aptly named downhill is intimidating but I was feeling pretty confident about it after Adam showed me a fast line down it. During the race however I was thrown a curveball. My category was originally supposed to ride Boneshaker from the top with an option to take a slower detour that enters halfway down. I didn't find out until it came up in the race, but they forced us to take the detour - I guess they didn't want people killing themselves. This completely messed up my speed so I came out of the detour way too hot and hit the second half of the descent with twice as much speed as I would be carrying from the top entrance. Hard on the brakes almost sends me over the bars and into the watching crowd. Fortunately I avoid the embarrassment and pull out probably the fastest clear of the section.
All the other downhills on the course are an absolute mess - no grip is available, they feel more like sledding your bike down rather than riding it. Brake inputs, steering inputs, there isn't really much point. You get your initial aiming at the top and if you got it wrong then tough shit. When you combine that with other people on the course who get it wrong then it leaves no room for error. In fact I don't get some of them right until the the last lap and there's no one around. On more than one occasion I have to bail into the bushes to avoid running into the back of another competitor who went down in front of me. As I mentioned earlier this wasn't a race you could really push at. I finished just outside the top ten feeling super fresh.
Post race was spent trying to get all the mud off of me and the bike. Mud was everywhere and it made me think of the 24(12) hour summer solstice a few years back. This didn't make me like racing in the wet anymore...
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