Clipless Fail

I love my clipless pedals. There is no better feeling than hauling up a hill out of your seat so fast you want to puke. This feeling is facilitated by clipless, which allow you to charge hills like a battle-hungry warrior. There is really only one disadvantage I see to riding in this manner, and I experienced that disadvantage just the other night.

Riding clipless means just the opposite really...you are clipped in to your pedals, so to speak. This means that, every once in a while, you don't properly eject your feet from your pedals. This happened to me (pre-tequila mind you)the other night at the busiest intersection on Butler in front of a line of traffic and 4 of my friends. While biking (actually we were stopped at the light) to the bar I slow-motion crashed to the pavement. Skidding my knee, hands, and slamming my thigh into my frame, all I could do was humbly laugh.

Really if I learned anything from this experience, it is simply this: don't stop at intersections! That and everyone should always have a video camera attached to their helmet.

-The Velodict

Tour-ito

Went on a fantastic tour with a few fantastic people the other week. The great state of Pennsylvania (and, in actuality, some fantastic non-profits in PA, WV, MD) implemented a trail that runs between Pittsburgh and D.C. This little gem is, by far, the most forgiving trail in existence today. Okay, I don't have the authority, nor the breadth of knowledge to make that previous statement, but just flow with me here.

ANYWAY. two novice bikers rocked this trip so everyone should give it a shot (though, these two are exceptionally cool cats). Here is a short summary of the extravaganza camp/bike fest we had:

1. Left for trip at, approximately too late (7:30 p.m.)
2. Treated to a free drink/dinner at June Bug's in Sutersville (Thanks Rex! You rock!)
3. Biked in total darkness until we pass out in a park.
4. Wake up to realize campground is 10 seconds further down from where we parked our butts.
5. Pick up a fourth badass biker in Connellsville.
6. Hiked Ho Chi Minh Trail II in Ohiopyle to second campground.
7. Swam in ice water and then raged at 1 of the 3 bars in Ohiopyle.
8. Passed the eff out (complimentary drizzle included).
9. Took a shortcut around Ho Chi Minh Trail II (complimentary mountainous terrain and absurd high graded and intense traffic road included).
   
10. Biked in downpour.
    
11. Ate salvation sandwiches in Connellsville (eggncheeseawesomeness!)
12. Biked the rest of the BEAUTIFUL trail home to the 'Burgh.

I highly recommend this trail to anyway on the area. One of the best weekends and rides I've ever done, hands down!

-The Velodict

I'll Take My Eggs Scrambled

New Pedals! Crank Brother's Egg Beaters off the trusty rusty craigslist site. As with most craigslist purchases, this one was not without a good story in tow.

Last week, I saw the brand new set of pedals for sale and immediately called up the owner. He agreed to meet me halfway between his home and LVille for the exchange; this place called Verona. I had never biked to Verona before, but why not give it a shot. A nice ride and new gear: two for the price of one.

I set off on my bike a good half an hour before our rendezvous, only to soon discover that Verona is not quite as close to Pittsburgh as I had previously expected. I also had to weave between the northside and mainland in order to avoid some nasty roads. Anticipating a late arrival, I called up the dealer to let him know I would be arriving a wee bit late.

"You're biking here? No, no, no, I will just meet you in the next town you get to." Realizing there was no use in convincing this guy otherwise, I agreed to his terms. Upon meeting, we chatted a bit about bike tours and Pittsburgh riding. He then gave me the pedals and said, "I feel you are really going to like these. I just want you to have them and enjoy them on the road!" I could feel myself tearing up, but I restrained and gave him a huge hug instead. Just about the sweetest thing anyone has ever done! Sam, if you ever read my teeny little blog, THANK YOU SO MUCH! YOU SERIOUSLY ROCK!

Needless to say, I am still getting used to the eggbeaters, but with a little more love, I see some serious pedal companionship in the near future.

-The Velodict

I've Been Yinz-ed

I haven't re-wrapped my handle bars since, oh say, never. The original bar tape was looking pretty tattered so I picked up some flashy new wrap at the store the other day. The selection was weak (which I guess is an opinion, but it's really edging on a fact) and so from my bountiful 4 choices, I chose yellow.

A few things occurred to me while I was re-wrapping my bars:

1) Never put 500 miles on a bike, go on a gargantuan tour, and ride that same bike for another 8 months without changing the bar tape. Peeling that stuff off filled my kitchen with the sweet scent of high-school boy's changing room (gross).

2) Always pay a few extra dollars for the nicer bar tape. I got the cheapest (although, like I mentioned, my choices were limited), and the bar tape was not tape at all, but rather just bar wrap without the tape. ANNOYING.

3) I officially have some sub-conscious adoration for the 'Burgh, as my bike is now BLACK AND YELLOW. great.

-The Velodict

W'arsh Board

I happen to be a bit of a musician. And by musician, I mean I play percussion; and by percussion, I mean I strum the ol' washboard now and then. So really I'm not a musician at all. Self described, I am a whisky-drinking, bluegrass listening, subconscious hillbilly, who likes to get tipsy and bang an extremely loud piece of metal. Yeah. Just typing it makes me want some bourbon.

ANYWAY

The Northside's Parkhouse has open pick nights every Wednesday, and last night I decided to try my hand in the jam business. The only real trouble was figuring out how to transport my board from home to the Northside. I quickly learned the board is really cumbersome to haul; it does not fit in my panniers, and the rear rack net doesn't quite reach around it (or hold it taut) . Finally, after perspiring, shading beet red, and wrestling the board around, I rigged the musical mishap to my backpack and headed over the bridge for some bluegrass fun. Where there's a will, there's a way.

-The Velodict

Oh, and I was gifted with this little memory the other day. Thought I would share it with ya'll (traffic jam in Hungary)

You are Now Arriving at your Final Destination: Beer

I tend to be a bit cranky in the morning, at least enough-so that in full consciousness, I feel embarrassed by my slumber drunk rants and raves. Put it nicely, I was quite short with a friend when he excitedly called at 7:30 this past morning. To be fair, I had only acquired 3.5 hours of sleep, but to be equally fair, it was a magical day to be excited about: East End Brewery's Pale Ale Pedal!

The gist of this ride is quite simple. Show up, rain or shine (and lets be honest, this is Pittsburgh, so it will and did rain), bike to an unknown destination, and drink a free beer! Oh, and the leaders of the ride are towing the kegs!

So despite being an crank-ball in the morning, I was quickly placated (and then fueled) by the sound of bike bells, smells of beer, and view of hundreds of bikers showing up all for the sake of taking a ride.

So thanks East End Brewery for getting me up at 7:30 to bike and drink!

-The Velodict

Humidity Part 1

For the past 5 years I have been living an ignorant reality where humidity does not exist. Honestly, I really liked this reality. See, I happen to be a bit of a sweat-er, but in zero humidity, I dry fast, thereby allowing me to be around other human beings after biking.

Pittsburgh has crushed this reality. The stagnant air here leaves me feeling moist while standing still, and visibly disgusting while moving. I fear the summer, when I may actually look like I went swimming upon arriving anywhere. I can deal with most sweat-stains, except I have a feeling my bum on a leather saddle will yield some awkward butt patterns. Gross. Really Gross. Sorry to everyone in advance. I am just going to call it butt art. Sounds a little nicer.

ANYWAY, a friend told me it takes a few weeks to properly acclimate to the humidity, so I am leaving this an open-ended post. Part 2 coming soon.....


-The Velodict