Slow can still be fun

Saturday morning I headed out on the ride Aaron organized with Aaron, Janna, Kelly, Nicol, Megan, Gravy, Mark, and a guy named Matt? who I had not met before. Got dropped on the way to Denton, and finished the ride with Nicol, Megan, and Gravy. We turned in back towards Lincoln at W. 84th and Van Dorn, took a lap around the park, and headed home on the paths for a nice easy 30+ miles. The fast group headed north to 34, and then returned through town - saw Kelly this morning, he said they ended up at about 45 miles. I think it is time for me to realize that the laid back, conversational rides are more fun for me than blowing up the legs, lungs, and heart trying to stay with the racers. However, for the masochist in me, there is nothing like spending Saturdays experiencing that feeling of dismay as I watch the wheel in front of me slowly but inexorably pull away - and then following that by watching Texas do the same thing to the Huskers.

On another note, I was sick of the beat-up top tube decals, so I took them off. What do you think, should I get new ones, or take all of the decals off and go stealth? If I remove the decals, will the weight savings make me go faster? :)

Let's talk Jazz

Since this is a Jazz-n-bikes blog -- what kinds of jazz are you into? Since I've discovered Internet music sites Slacker and Pandora, I listen to jazz a lot more during the day. Been listening to piano jazz such as Ramsey Lewis and Vince Girauldi. Good music to work to.

Bob, you're the jazz expert here -- who are some of your favorites?

Winter Bike

I am thinking of getting a different bike to ride during the winter months. I am also looking for a bike that I can take off-road (more likely Mopac type trails rather than MTB trails) and that I can ride with the family on more leisurely rides. The way I see it, I have three choices:

1) Hardtail MTB
Pros - entry level MTB can be had for $300, can ride it on any surface
Cons - Slower, heavier, position will be different than on the road bike, won't be as much fun out on the road

2) Singlespeed Cross bike w/drop bars and long reach brakes
Pros - good for spin and strength training, lighter and faster than MTB, position can duplicate road bike, easy to maintain
Cons - not as versatile as MTB, tougher on the steeper hills (this could also be a Pro), more expensive than MTB

3) Cross bike with 9 speed cassette, drop bars, and disc brake
Pros - More versatile than singlespeed, lighter and faster than MTB, can duplcate road position. With slicks can function just like the road bike on the road, or switch to knobbies for off-road.
Cons - $$$

Unfortunately "all of the above" is not an option. My wife is still giving me crap (good-naturedly) for buying a road bike that cost more than all but one of our cars.

Opinions?

Husker/Blues Monday Ride

I have the week off from work, so along with the getting the yard ready for winter (cross-training, according to Dave) I want to ride a lot this week. Does anybody know if the Blues ride is happening tonight? Does it still leave at 6 pm? Anybody else going to brave the cold and wind?

Husker Ticket

I have a free ticket available for tomorrow's Husker FB game - my wife is unable to go.  If you or someone you know would like a ticket - email Bob Krueger tonight to arrange how to meet me to get the ticket, or leave a comment with your email address and I will get back to you.

Good bike clothing deals

Bob- Thanks for the posting privileges! I don't have a digital camera so probably won't be too active as a "contributor" -- Buuut, if anybody needs to stock up -- I was at Scheels last night and they have mark downs on their summer bike clothing (jerseys and shorts) -- $20-30 off. Good time to shop for next year. Of course, the items I was interested in -- wind jackets -- were full price.

Drafting technique

The next time I have trouble staying with the main group, maybe I should use a horse to bring me back to the group like this.

Unpredictable weather

I've been itching to get in a good, long weekend ride for two or three weeks now. It seems like something (prior commitments, bad weather, etc.) always conspires to keep me from going out. I spent all day Saturday judging marching bands at the Harvest of Harmony field competition in Grand Island. On the way home from G.I. I passed several storm chasing vehicles - not a good sign considering the forecast for Sunday (today) which called for strong storms. When I woke up this morning, the weather looked threatening, and you could just feel that the humidity had to build up to something, so I decided to get all my yard work done before the storms hit. After finishing with the yard, I ate lunch and looked up the weather online. Looked like just about anything could happen with the weather at that point, so I decided (acting on Adrian's advice) to put the bike on my car rack and head out to Pioneer's Park to do hill repeats. That way, I wouldn't get too far away from my car in case of storms. Decided after about the fifth or sixth circuit that you really shouldn't do hill repeats right after lunch. The pukeometer was registering pretty high. Finished with the workout, I put the bike on the car, which was the signal for the clouds and humidity to immediately dissolve into one of the nicest days of the fall. Oh well, at least I built some character.

Bicycle Touring Advice

If you want advice on the best way to do a bicycle tour with your wife, don't ask this guy.