Post-Tour Blues

For the past three weeks I have been on a cycling binge, trying to soak up every moment of the Tour de France that I could fit into my schedule – and then getting out and riding as hard as I can. For me, these have become the best few weeks of the summer because wheels are spinning in my head as much as they are on the ground an ocean away.

This year was particularly awesome,

with the most iconic stages included in the Tour. Mont Ventoux and L’Alpe D’Huez did not disappoint. I was cheering TJ Van Garderen (the American hope of the future) as he climbed L’Alpe D’Huez both times in the leading group hoping that he could hang-on to win the most iconic of stages. It looked like he would do it, however, following at about 30 seconds behind for most of the last climb, Christophe Riblon found something special and overtook him in the final 2km for the win, giving France its only stage victory in this 100th edition of the Tour.


Looking back, Riblon’s kick at 2km during that stage, his celebration approaching the finish line, and his humble expression as he crossed are for me the best moments of this year’s Tour. 

That’s not to say there weren’t a lot more awesome moments. The funniest for me was when the peloton was stopped at a railroad crossing to allow a train to pass. The lights flashed and the arms swung down which prompted a bio-break for some of the riders. All of the riders seemed highly amused, and it was nice to see smiles and laughs all around the peloton as they got underway again. This is not unheard-of at smaller races, but I think it pretty rare at the Tour de France in the modern era.  

It was also cool to see the bikes circumnavigate the Arc de Triomphe for the first time. Why did it take them so long to figure out that this is better? 

Another gem from this year’s tour was the presence of Canadian Svein Tuft, the oldest “Rookie” in his first tour at age 36 (no more hope from me when I turn 37 later this year) and who finished with the unique distinction as the Lanterne Rouge.

Not to mention the presence of Richie Porte as the “Trusted Lieutenant” to Chris Froome, (I loved the image of him getting bent at the fans on L’Alpe D’Huez) and the emergence of  23-year-old Nairo Quintana as a mountain stage powerhouse, wining the Polka-Dot Jersey, the White Jersey, and taking 2^nd in the General Classification.

It was a great tour, and I am enjoying reflecting on the moments in my mind. Perhaps I will add to this posting as I think of others. For now, I will try to stave off the emptiness that comes with the Post-Tour Blues with the help of “instant” re-play.

La Fête Nationale

Happy Bastille Day!

I pulled on the French national jersey, parked in front of the tube and munched some Madeleines while I watched Chris Froome climb Mont Ventoux, showing everyone why he leads the Tour de France. Fantastic day of racing and fun to feel a little French again!

Happy 4th

Been getting out to ride a lot as I soak up the Tour de France this month. Doing my best to beat my personal records on established routes and exploring new ones. Life is good, and even better with some extended time in the saddle to be one with your bike and to think about all of the blessings we have. Riding has always meant freedom to me, but I have to recognize that the freedom and safety we enjoy comes at a cost. Thank you to all that have sacrificed so that we maintain this freedom.

Found this beauty (and lots of other sweet vintage racers) to add to my wish list this 4th of July:
http://www.flickriver.com/photos/11521783@N05/6855241194

Obstacle Course

My friend Colt posted about how his bike ride this morning turned out to be more of an obstacle course than an easy commute. I too spent the morning on my bike dodging limbs and branches that still littered the streets after weekend storms left us (and a half-a-million other folks) without power for a couple of days.

My family had been out Friday evening next to Lake Calhoun when the storm hit. It was a sudden wall of wind and water, with flash flooding. (We were in the relative safety our car, fortunately). Visibility was low, but could see branches falling and flying and so we headed for cover. It was a bit scary to be out with babies in weather like this, worrying about getting truck by a falling tree at every turn, and my heart goes out to parents who have had to weather worse storms than this.

 

With no electricity, and Sarah away at a wedding shower for much of Saturday, we had to leave the sultry house to try to catch a breeze. Anders and Sam and I ventured out on the Burley bike to assess the damage in the neighborhood, and in just the 3 block radius of our house there were 3 large fallen blocking the road at different points. As we biked on, we found the same true for at least the 5 miles we rode.

At this age, everything is new to them and they seem to see each of these bike-rides as a new adventure. They took the sight of the trees down in the same fashion, bringing some smiles as we all dealt with the aftermath and cleanup. Kudos to the power crews that brought us back on-line Sunday afternoon. 

Burley Week!

I took a few days off this week, which meant that just about every day we were out riding with the twins. Got some cute shots (safely).

One on One Bicycle Studio

Mixed feelings

Following the Tour of Lakes ride and the front derailleur debacle, my bike was in desperate need of a tune up.

I felt lucky earlier in the spring to have scored an Amazon Local Deal group discount on a tune up at One on One Bicycle Studio in Minneapolis, and was looking forward to checking out their shop in more detail and exploring their basement “junkyard” for a replacement front wheel for my other bike. I was able to quickly find what I needed, but can see how someone could spend hours down there.

I have to say some mixed feelings about the recent work I had done on my bike. (That is "Minnesota Nice" or passive aggressive for saying I was a bit annoyed - but what can I do but blog about it?). 

Here are just a few issues That still grate on me a week after picking my bike up:

1. Time: Their website says that they like to get them done within a couple of days. To be precise, it says "Turnaround time's usually in a matter of a day or two, not a week or two. Even in the summer. We don’t want to store your bike for you, we want you to be out riding it." 

I called ahead and they said it could be done in a couple of days, but it  actually took a week for them to take care of my bike. If I had not already paid for the “groupon” I would have taken my bike somewhere else just due to the timing of getting it done. I need my bike every day.

2. Extra Parts and labor not covered by the groupon: It felt a little like when you take your car in for something you know is wrong, but then they tell you a bunch of other things that need attention – and make you feel like you need to do all of those things now. New chain, new sprockets, new cables, it all starts to add up. To be fair, I knew my bike would need new chain soon, and it is running a little better with the replacement. But I still wonder if the new cassette was needed right now. I know that they degrade over time, but the lack of a technical or demonstrative explanation at the time leaves me feeling a little hosed. 

3. New parts don’t “match”. Visually, the new cogs and chain do not match what I had before, and the chain appears a little "heavier". The new cables also seem to be a heavier gauge and the end caps were put on a little clumsily. I want to be riding my bike, not letting it gather dust in a nasty basement... So I didn't complain about this. But now I am wondering if I should have.

4. Overlooked issues: Overall, the bike seems better to ride, but the bottom bracket is still feels a little clunky, like there is some tention somewhere when it is under a lot of torque. There also seems to be a little more noise with the new chain when it is shifted.

5. Some people think I am anal; I prefer the word "particular". A testament to the overall sloppiness of tune up is the grease on parts of my bike where it shouldn't be, like the seat and handlebars. I think it is fine that a mechanic is greasy, but they need to keep their hands clean and clean up when the job is done. Because other shops that I frequent clean the entire bike after the tune up, I expected that here. Not the case.

I am glad to be back on my bike after a week off, but I end with mixed feelings about One on One. Tom, the dude at the desk who helped me was a super nice guy, so I want to give them another chance. Did the person who worked on my bike just gave an off day? Or are they trying to move too many bikes through? 

I wonder.

The Junkyard 

Out-back

Mounts