Car Free: Day One

I'm five days into day one of my Car Free campaign as I haven't driven at all this week. But this is the "official" start of my Car Free for Three in which I will try to go 90 days without using a car to get to work or run errands unless there is at least one other person in the vehicle with me (think HOV lanes) or if I have to go out of town on business . . .

Truly one of the benefits of commuting by bike is the opportunity to think. The repetitive motion of pedaling and the rhythmic breathing are reminiscent of the repetitive meditative mantra. When I'm riding, my mind wanders freely. Ruminating at will my mind throws off the chains of logic and rationality amusing itself with gleeful cogitation. Only after I've ridden several minutes in this state of blissful cerebration do I sadly tune back in to the harsh light of reality while trying to keep a thread of those wild mind games in sight for later use.

The other day on my evening commute an idea that I tossed about several months ago resurfaced and rooted itself. Still in its infancy, a mere zygote of a brain synapse barely recognizable as a real idea it has been conceived but begs the age old question, at what point does life, as an idea, truly begin?

And thus, just as I'm entering one cycling challenge, I'm considering another. Would I, should I, could I, tour my way to Northern California for Grace's wedding in October ?

Commute

An uneventful day for commuting is something to celebrate, unfortunately today isn't one for celebrating. Turning left at an intersection, light green, I'm just cruising along entering said intersection in the right hand lane of a dual left-turn lane road when some fool in a Comcast truck decides to turn right at the same intersection. The cross road is a four lane divided highway and this joker decides to turn in front of me into the outside lane instead of waiting until I clear the lane and turning behind me on the inside lane. I was already halfway across the inside lane but apparently was in this guy's way. The way he made the turn had to be a concious decision to cut me off as the most common maneuver is to turn into the inside lane rather than swinging wide into the outside land of the cross-road. I only had time for a quick tug on the brakes to avoid broadsiding the truck bed so I didn't get the truck number otherwise Comcast would have been getting a rather heated call from me. I should be thankful I escaped any damage, I just wonder when my luck will run out as the close calls seem to be happening with increasing frequency lately.

So after a slight spike in my blood pressure, the rest of the commute was uneventful and very enjoyable. I'm quite enamored of my 1x9. It is the most comfortable, easy to ride bike I've ridden. I'm actually thinking of ditching my other rides . . . but I won't. Every true cyclist needs a stable of worthy steeds.

Gotta Do List

I have my honey-do list which fortunately at this time is quite short. But this morning on the way to work, I was thinking about my gotta-do list. Whereas the honey-do list is something compiled, maintained, monitored and performed for someone else's sake in an effort to preserve peace in the home and more often than not keep the house operating effectively and efficiently, the gotta-do list is strictly self-centric. It is a compilation, more often than not, just in my mind, of the things I have to do for me, to preserve my sanity and keep my mind and body operating effectively and efficiently.

By not relegating it to paper it remains an ephemeral list always changing but staying relevant to my particular frame of mind. For instance this morning, as I struggled to get the engine started (my body's engine), I thought; I gotta get back to my training which having no particular short range goals, having been completely disappointed in the race that wasn't and rehabbing my back most of last week, I've let slip away completely.

That led me to think about upcoming races. Unfortunately, race season is coming to a close in Arizona, so anything longer than a month out is going to mean travel, which means money, which, with a wedding to pay for in October means, it isn't going to happen . . . . this year.

There are two more MBAA race series events I'm thinking about entering. The Flagstaff Frenzy on May 16th and the Flagstaff Finale sometime in June. I may be able to swing those financially . . . time will tell. Maybe I can bring some fresh legs to the events and do some damage to the field. . . I said maybe!

Moseying Along

So I slouched off again yesterday under the guise of giving the back another day off the bike and off my ass, as in sitting, which is the one position I can't maintain for any length of time when my back is acting up . . . bad back . . . bad, stop acting up!

Unfortunately I have a "desk" job so sitting is pretty much what I'm required to do all day at work. I manage to stand at my desk as much as possible and use the exercise ball as a chair which minimizes the lower back issues. Yesterday, I put in a few hours working from home alternating between sitting (again on the exercise ball), standing and laying down. Actually managed to get some real work done to boot so its all good.

The combination of muscle relaxers (Skelaxin), ibuprofen, ice, rest and a quick trip to the chiropractor managed to temper the severity of this back episode and in record time. Last night I popped the top off a few Stella-Artois muscle-relaxers as part of my rehab/therapy which had a profound effect on not only my back but my head too. I normally have to ride these things out for a week or two before I have any real relief but here I am, day four and I'm virtually pain free.

Back on the bike this morning for a spectacular commute. I ride so much more relaxed on the 1x9. With its big tires, heavy cro-mo frame and panniers it is just a go slow and enjoy the ride type bike. Normally, when I'm zipping along on my road bike I tend to put more effort into my rides turning them more into workouts than commutes. Must be the sports car syndrome, they are built for speed so it is almost criminal to drive them any other way. But with the 1x9, I can just mosey along at a nice comfortable pace and not feel guilty about it.

Car Free for Three

So my latest brainstorm, as indicated in the title, is to go "car free" for three months.  Now that I've built up my 1x9 commuter,  it is time to rededicate myself to being predominately a cyclist. It isn't as though I've been a slouch,  I still commute at least four days a week (120 miles) but I'm feeling I need a challenge and what better way than to challenge myself with something I love to do.  And as I don't see any opportunities in the short range for any endurance races anywhere close, I've decided to throw down the gauntlet, to myself, which is quite different from self-flagellation and offer up this challenge, this opportunity to rise above the ordinary and do something extraordinary for myself, for my psyche and yes altruistically for the planet as I will significantly reduce my carbon footprint.

 I'm still developing my rules to the game but basically,  any place I have to go I will go sans car. Meaning,  I will walk,  bike, or take public transportation to get there.  Will I still ride in a car? Since I'm unlikely to talk anyone else, namely Lisa, to partake in this venture then on occasion it will be necessary to ride in a car but as long as there are at least two people in the car that would qualify, in my world and this is after all my game, my rules, as an HOV vehicle which is in the spirit of the game.  Additionally, as my job oft times requires me to travel to other areas of the state,  I will have to make provisions for those instances. Essentially, I will use my bike for commuting and running any errands that I would normally use a car and/or when I would be the only occupant of the vehicle.

Originally I'd considered a goal of one year but that may not be realistic.  Then I came up with the "Car Free" slogan and "for Three" just kind of rolled off the tongue.  Since three days is too short as I regularly go far more days than three without a car and three weeks still doesn't seem like a challenge,  three months just seemed to fit.

Just as I formulated this concept yesterday,  I began having back spasms.  I'm  not sure exactly what that indicates but I've been cruising along mostly pain free for a couple of months now when suddenly I'm struck by nearly debilitating back pain.  It was so bad that I had to have Corinne pick me up early from work yesterday as I was unable to sit nor ride my bike home.  

Luckily,  I do feel better today and  a trip to the chiropractor helped as well.  The way I was feeling yesterday,  I thought for sure I would be laid up for several days as that has been my history.  As it stands now,  I'm hoping to get back on the bike either tomorrow or the next day. It is good having sick days at my disposal.  I have 25 hours that I can burn if necessary (three days) for this episode.

So when do I begin my Car Free for Three challenge ?  I'm looking at May 1st as a good start date.

Singlespeed conversion to 1x9

Well I did it. After concluding I have neither the singlespeed mentality (mentally ill that is) or the legs, I converted my Raleigh XXIX singlespeed rig to a 1x9 commuter complete with rear rack and a set of panniers. Now I've got my commute on . . .

The first problem I found myself dealing with was the fact that the Raleigh XXIX SS has only one set of cable guides for the mechanical disc brakes. Jagwire C-Clip Housing/Hose guides problem solvers to the rescue. The only modification I made was to JB-Weld them to the frame rather than use the "peel-n-stick" backing to make them more permanent. After sanding the paint in the areas I planned to attach the guides, I epoxied them in place to allow me to run full length housing from shift lever to derailleur, problem solved. A little touch up paint on the cable guides and sanded areas and it was on to the next task.

Since my macho wrenching caused me to shear off a bolt in the Ergon grips bar-end clamp, I had an extra set of grips and bar-ends with only one usable bar-end clamp. I couldn't find just the clamps anywhere on-line so I resigned myself to using the clamp with the sheared off bolt. I drilled out the old bolt with a larger diameter drill bit, tapped the hole for a 6mm vice 5mm bolt and just like that I had a functional set of new grips and bar-end clamps.

The rest of the build was easy. Install the derailleur and shift lever, run the cable, install a new chainring (40 instead of stock 32), install new rear wheel with a 9 speed hub with new cassette and I was ready for a test ride and it was sweet.

Sunday found me at the GABA Bike Swap on 4th Avenue in Tucson. I sold over $200.00 worth of parts I had laying around collecting dust for a few years and had enough cash with a bunch left over, to buy a set of a panniers I'd seen in the bike shop the day before. Unfortunately, no panniers were to be had at the Bike Swap even though I made two passes through the place before calling it a day.

On went the rear (seat post) rack and panniers, another test ride, a few pannier adjustments and I was in business.

Detour to Ride

Work took me to Phoenix and Flagstaff the past two days which also gave me an opportunity to ride part of the Black Canyon City trail system. I got on at the Emery Henderson trail head in New River, AZ. It was just a quick jump, just over 3 miles, from I17 and just 30 minutes north of Phoenix. It was 2:30 by the time I changed and started riding and I had a turn around time of 3:30 to continue my journey up to Flagstaff. The plan was to ride from Emery Henderson trail head Tuesday and Black Canyon City trail head Wednesday.

The first mile or so is a mix of jeep road and singletrack, well marked and easy to follow. After you hit the serious single track be prepared to climb. Nothing too gnarly, just a steady uphill grind up to the Boy Scout loop. I wanted to ride the loop and come back but could never find exactly where the loop closes on itself. I went out on the East loop which is a tough grinding climb before you hit a series of switchbacks and a fast, fun downhill section. Either the north side of the loop isn't well marked or I didn't venture far enough, though I think I went farther than the 1.2 miles indicated. Maybe one day I'll get me one of those GPS thingys to alleviate the guess work. I did find one junction which may have been the west loop that would have taken me back but it wasn't marked as such and I didn't really have time for any trail finding as my 3:30 turnaround was fast approaching so I continued up the marked trail for a bit before making the turn around.

Coming back was a blast. Pretty much all downhill (naturally since I'd climbed practically the whole outbound way) with enough technical stuff to keep you on your toes but absolutetly nothing that wasn't rideable and fun.

Woke up Wednesday to snow, again with the snow, that is why I left the right (east ) coast and headed to milder climes of Arizona. Two snow days over a five day stretch, way to much for me.

But the snow wasn't the worst part, the 40-50 mph winds were the real deal breaker in my quest to ride the Black Canyon City segment of the trail. So it was just a straight shot back to Tucson and warmer, though still windy, weather after finishing up work on Wednesday.