Training progresses, and bike modifications
Mar 03,2024 17:40
Over the last few weeks I've stepped up my training by following up Chilly Hilly with some in-the-week rides up Queen Anne a few times, and Saturday a ride up the Burke-Gilman Trail to Woodinville. By Seattle standards it's been cold here: mid-30s to low 40s, and there has been intermittent rain so it takes some umph to put on the Goretex mitts and leave the warm house. I've learned that I need the training. My legs took a week to feel back to normal after Chilly Hilly; that wasn't the case a decade ago. But gradually mileage is easier so I'm confident I can get ready.
On one ride I had some neck pain after looking up from a position where my hands were in the drop position so I wondered if elevating my handlebars might help. I checked the web and learned you can add spacers to the headset to elevated the handlebar stem, so I asked Carolyn at MBS if I could to this. Turns out I was nearly maxed out on the number of spacers that could be added, but we could add a stem that angled up which had the same effect. That brought up the question of whether my handlebars should be changed, since they had a bigger drop than modern handlebars. Also a little more flare—spread to the side of the lower portion of the handlebar might also be handy for a loaded touring bike. So I had Gary swap my handlebars for newer ones and I'm very happy with the results: my position is more upright, even when in the drop position.
This may seem like minutiae but body position for 4300 miles I suspect is important. I should feel comfortable for 30 mile rides on bumpy terrain.
I also replaced the pedals with reversible clip-in and flat grippy surface so I can bike with bike shoes or street shoes.
Gary gave me a bracket to attach a front headlight so that it is below my bike back but above my tire.
Lastly (for now) I got a clickstand that lets me park the bike with bags on, and the best bike lock I can find: Litelok which is far from light but rated as the hardest to cut through with an angle grinder. After all this effort I don't want my bike stolen in Seattle?
I figured out the route for the first few days and made some hotel reservations. I'll start from home, bike to the Seattle ferry terminal and take a ferry to Bremerton. From there I'll bike to Port Townsend, next day to Anacortes to start the official route, then bike to Rasar State Park (Rockport is now closed to camping), then to Colonial Creek, and from there to our cabin in Mazama.
On one ride I had some neck pain after looking up from a position where my hands were in the drop position so I wondered if elevating my handlebars might help. I checked the web and learned you can add spacers to the headset to elevated the handlebar stem, so I asked Carolyn at MBS if I could to this. Turns out I was nearly maxed out on the number of spacers that could be added, but we could add a stem that angled up which had the same effect. That brought up the question of whether my handlebars should be changed, since they had a bigger drop than modern handlebars. Also a little more flare—spread to the side of the lower portion of the handlebar might also be handy for a loaded touring bike. So I had Gary swap my handlebars for newer ones and I'm very happy with the results: my position is more upright, even when in the drop position.
This may seem like minutiae but body position for 4300 miles I suspect is important. I should feel comfortable for 30 mile rides on bumpy terrain.
I also replaced the pedals with reversible clip-in and flat grippy surface so I can bike with bike shoes or street shoes.
Gary gave me a bracket to attach a front headlight so that it is below my bike back but above my tire.
Lastly (for now) I got a clickstand that lets me park the bike with bags on, and the best bike lock I can find: Litelok which is far from light but rated as the hardest to cut through with an angle grinder. After all this effort I don't want my bike stolen in Seattle?
I figured out the route for the first few days and made some hotel reservations. I'll start from home, bike to the Seattle ferry terminal and take a ferry to Bremerton. From there I'll bike to Port Townsend, next day to Anacortes to start the official route, then bike to Rasar State Park (Rockport is now closed to camping), then to Colonial Creek, and from there to our cabin in Mazama.
