I like to ride my bicycle - for long distances. I have earned the California Triple Crown and finished the Furnace Creek 508. My goals include qualifying for RAAM and ...(read the blog to find out).
"The bicycle has a soul. If you are able to love it as it deserves, it will give you emotions you will never forget."
Mario Cipolini
"Nothing compares to the simple pleasure of a bike ride."
John F. Kennedy
"The important decisions in my life I make while out riding my bike."
Former Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi
"Pain is temporary, quitting lasts forever.” Lance Armstrong
Saturday, April 25, 2009
"You sure do like the big ring"
Mark Janeba and I will volunteer on the Oregon Randoneur 400k ride on May 9. Because we will be working on the day of the ride, we will be "pre-riding" the route next weekend.
Earlier this week, Mark sent me an email with the subject line "Dangerous Thoughts". He was suggesting that we ride a tandem on the pre-ride. Now, we have ridden a lot of miles together, but never on the same bike.
So, this morning we set up my Meridian tandem for the two of us. When we were done, it fit him rather well, but he did have one complaint, the same complaint all stokers have, "It sure is tight back here!"
Once the bike was set up, we took it out for a forty five mile pre-pre-ride. All went well, but we soon realized just how far apart our to pedaling styles are - Mark spins, I do not. Mark has plenty of fast twitch muscles, I do not. I like the big ring, he hardly uses it.
On my long rides, I usually spin at a maximum of 85 revolutions per minute with 75 being more like it. Mark's average is over 95 rpm, so we had some compromising to do. I gave Mark permission to say "shift" whenever he felt the need, and he did use the word a lot.
After crossing the Wheatland Ferry, we made a quick stop at Maude Willamson State Park where I took this photograph.
