Sam Takes Flight Ride with an Ostrich...

[Michael]

View the set here:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/70237737@N00/12396292693/in/set-72157640701338654

Anyway, 25 miles around the BWI Trail. 31-33 degrees. Cloudy. Wool.cotton layers. Fleece hat. Regular use gloves. I had a great time.

I was glad to ride as I haven't in three weeks because the roads around me are trashed lately.

But I figured I'd drive over to the trail and get a triaining ride in for the Six Pillars Century ride in Maryland I hope to go on in May if the trail looked unsalted and clear.

It was a comfortable and fun ride. Not many people outside.

Rounded a corner and came across this Ostrich.

[Deacon Patrick]

Fantastic! Always good to get out.

With abandon,

Patrick

[Michael]

Sorry for the bad grammar. Was being called to dinner as I signed off so I rushed the typing.

 Forgot to mention:

BWI Trail is a 10 mile MUP loop that runs around the Baltimore Washington International Airport grounds.

It is wide, so makes it easy to pass pedestrians.

It is very clean and smooth. Rolling, but no big climbs, so makes for a very pleasant ride.

Through a wooded area, small farm land, and open fields. Starts at the Dixon Aircraft Observation Area, where you can park and watch planes take off and land at BWI. Has a playground and 2 porta potties.

It also hooks up to the Baltimore/Annapolis trail, which goes from BWI to Annapolis. I think that leg is about 15 miles. Really Flat.

[Tony DeFilippo]

Michael,

Sounds like a good ride! Gotta take the days as they come so far this season...

Tony

[Michael]

Tony, have you been commuting?

[Ron Mc]

emu

[Michael]

The Emu was in a fenced off yard.

It appeared to not be afraid of me approaching it.

Very quiet and calm.

I guess it is used to being around people.

[Tony DeFilippo]

Michael, very little... Both weather and work travel have conspired.  One time last week and two the week before. The lack if riding has definitely affected my mood for the worse!!

How about you?

Tony

[Ron Mc]

Great photos btw, Michael.  I got out for the 20-mi loop from my neighborhood yesterday.  We've had some bad weather here, but my problem for two weeks has been cedar allergies.  After the first 10 miles, I had sweated the meds out, and was quick and feeling much better in the second half.  But when I got home, all exposed skin where I had sweated, especially my forehead and eyes, was coated with red cedar pollen that felt like sand.  

[Michael]

Tony,

No commuting for a long time now. I don't like riding on salt, and as you know, with the weekly snows its just been a mess.  Just want the bike to run good come spring, so I think I will try to stick to the Trails until then.

Lots of people ride in the salt and I get conflicting reports. Some say their bikes do fine, others say the bikes get trashed. I am not worried about the frame, just drivetrain components and wheels. RBW said salt is hard on their build parts. I have fenders, but there is so much salt you see it billowing up behind cars, etc. Builds up on shoulders. Looks like sand all over.

Anyway, I am happy with doing training rides on the BWI MUPS. That was my main concern with the century coming up in May. I'll hopefully get back to commuting come springtime!

[Michael]

Ron,

Ouch! That sounds bad. I am surprised the allergy meds don't last longer.I would think they would keep circulating in your system even though some residual got sweated out. Is it seasonal, or are you affected year round?

[hsmitham]

Michael,

Enjoyed the photograph's. That Emu is amazing. Glad you were able to get out especially after three weeks. I can't stand being off the bike that long.

~Hugh

[Tony DeFilippo]

The salt is definitely a mess, and the wet melty snow/ice/salt mix is even worse.  From a frame perspective, I've been pretty good about wiping down the frames and fenders help a ton... I really see no point in staying off the trails from a frame/finish perspective unless the bike is more a collectable than a vehicle/tool.  All my bikes fall into the latter category at least so far.  On the drive train it'll be interesting to see how my 9 speed setup fairs as it has been out in the messiest conditions.  Shifting, at least w/ friction hasn't suffered and other than normal weekly cleaning I'm not lathering extra care.  Maybe it'll prompt an early chain replacement or some extra breakdown/servicing of the RD pulleys.

On drivetrains I've been giving serious thought to trying to go 8 speed across the board, my bikes, wife's bikes... I've got 10 and 9 speed right now and having the different chain/chainring/cassette standards bothers my sensibilities (completely arbitrary sensibilities! :) ).  We'll see.  

Of the riders I meet up with for Friday Coffee in DC (large group) many have winter bikes/drive trains but there is about an equal amount who are riding their 'best bike' year round.

Tony

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[Steve Palincsar]

On 02/09/2014 12:49 PM, Tony DeFilippo wrote:
>
> On drivetrains I've been giving serious thought to trying to go 8
> speed across the board, my bikes, wife's bikes... I've got 10 and 9
> speed right now and having the different chain/chainring/cassette
> standards bothers my sensibilities (completely arbitrary
> sensibilities! :) ). We'll see.
>

Don't do it -- unless by some rare chance the relatively few 8 speed
gear combinations that are still available happen to meet your needs.
There are many more choices in 9 speed, including many that don't have a
(thoroughly ridiculous, unless you've got a 20" wheel) 11T in the 1st
position.

[Michael]

I am really happy with my 9-speed stock cassette on my Sam.

Gears are close enough that they get me the relief I need without going too far. And the friction shifting works great.

I have a 10 speed on the Bleriot that has been harder to shift.

I would like to try 8 sometime.

I think 7 the gears would be too far apart, but then, everyone did fine on 5,6, an 7 for decades.

[Ron Mc]

Hi Michael, No mountain cedar is a winter thing - they "pop" - literally with sound - and spread their pollen with winter cold fronts.  It doesn't hit me until its really heavy.  It's almost over, but the pollen hangs around as dust and tires kick it up.  I rode again today and the ride was great, Stans adventure and all, but tonight I was congested until I got home to decongestant spray.  But had a great afternoon also, with 9-ball, killer white pizza with prosciutto and kalamata olives, and a couple of winter home brews.