My First Mechanical Breakdown

After 7000 miles and two and half years of riding it finally happened - my first mechanical. To top it off I was riding alone. I was coming back from Furnace Hill and was about 20 miles from home when - pow! - the chain gets sucked into the spokes. I stopped right away to investigate the problem. The jockey wheel on the derailleur had worked loose at the same moment I shifted throwing the chain into the spokes.

The wheel, derailleur, and chain are fine. However I lost the bushing cover to the jockey wheel, making a roadside fix impossible. So, 20 miles from home I had to call the SAG Wagon (aka the great Jim Thome). Now comes hard part of finding a bushing cover to fit the wheel (this part is not a commonly stocked part). Shirk's bike shop in East Earl should have one, as he always has odd parts lying around.

It's a real shame that it happened on this particular ride. I was feeling strong and had a tailwind after fighting the wind for close to 30 miles. The part of the ride I had to bail on is also my favorite section of road on that route. On the flip side, however, I did at least get to ride Furnace Hill and got in 40 miles (the longest ride of the year so far). This coming Saturday I intend to go back to Furnace Hill and finish the ride (not alone this time) for the full 60 miles. I think Furnace Hill has it out for me. Last time I went out there alone, I discovered all of my chainring screws were loose!

Thanks for reading!
Captain Crunch

Bike Tune Up

Hello Again!

I had off of work on Friday so I decided to put the time to good use and completely tear down my bike and give a good cleaning/tune-up. The pictures are here. First I took everything off except for the derailleurs and gave the frame a good wipe down. Then I slowly put everything back on. In addition I installed new brake pads, a new chain, crank covers, and all new cables. I even put the cassette and jockey wheels through an ultra-sonic cleaner. I can't link to all the pictures in this post so most of them are captioned. 6 hours later and I'm ready for the new season!

Also, my pictures from the Philadelphia Auto Show will be online later in the week. I will link to them later.


Remember...

Go Hard or Go Home
Captain Crunch

Miles to date: 341
Goal: 5000

Training, Training, Training

What a week. Lots of early season training to do. I got some nice 30 mile rides in over the weekend. On Friday (depending on the weather) I am hoping to make a run at Furnace Hill (considered to be the second hardest in Lancaster to ride) for a nice metric century (62 miles). I'm hoping to have some pictures from it as well (at least of Furnace Hill).

This weekend, or next I'm not sure yet, I am planning to completely tear the bike apart and clean it up for the new season. Cables, chain, ultrasonic cleaning, etc. Of course, more pictures.

That's all for now!

Captain Crunch

Miles ridden: 297
Goal: 5000

RAAM

Today I am going to tell you a little about the Race Across America (RAAM). This is one of the toughest, if not the toughest sporting event in the world. This year it runs from Oceanside CA (just south of San Diego) to Annapolis MD 3000 miles away. It takes a team of 4 anywhere from 6 to 9 days to complete depending on how fast their average is. It takes about a crew of 12 people to complete the race. Why 12 or more? You need at least three follow vehicles/support vehicles, and an RV for the crew and racers (so at least 4 to drive them). You need at least one person with some medical experience, either in the sports medicine field or an EMT or RN. Another to care for food/cooking. It takes at least 6 people at any one time to keep things going.

Once the race starts the clock doesn't stop. That's why you need at least 12 people. 6 on duty while the others rest. The race runs 24 hrs. for 9 days - a grueling test for the crew just as it is for the riders.

The probability I will ever compete in this race is very low. But you have to start somewhere, right? So here is where ask a favor of you. I am trying to see if I could even put a crew together.

If you are interested in an all expense paid trip from the east coast to CA (by plane) and back by car avg. around 15-20 mph then let me know by leaving a comment. The only required thing on your part would be your time (there would be no compensation for that). All food and lodging would be cared for. If you want to know more about crewing for this race click here. Also, if you know of anyone that would actually be interested in riding please let me know as well.

Thanks for reading
Captain Crunch

The Season Begins

Well, March is here and I took the first few rides of the spring season this week. I finally got my event schedule in order. It is going to be a busy season (If you see a name underlined that means its a link to the event page)...

April 20 - US 40k (24.8 miles) Time Trial from Middletown PA to Marietta and back.

I usually don't do actual races but this is a time trial. You are simply racing against yourself and not in a pack. It allows you to see how you compare with other riders without the pressure of riding in a pack.

May 27 - Pisgah - Cherokee - Pisgah

120 miles of pure mountain riding. Starting from the Pisgah Inn on the Blue Ridge Parkway riding to the very end of the parkway 60 miles and then riding back. There is a 13 mile descent at the end of the BRP... so that means 13 miles back up :-). This ride will take me past the infamous Bear Pen Gap parking area (the spot where I abandoned last year.). The total elevation gain is about 15,000 feet (imagine riding three miles straight up).

We're just getting started...

June 20 or 21 - Elizabethtown PA to Wallkill NY (200 Miles)

It's okay, you can call me mentally ill. This ride is 200 miles long but only 7500 feet of climbing. We will stick mainly to routes 443 and 209 all the way to Bethel. The Delaware Water Gap is quite scenic and will provide some much need rest at around mile 120. Using the longest day of the year we hope to leave Elizabethtown at 5 AM and arrive in the parking lot of 800 Red Mills Rd. at or earlier than 7PM the same day.

July 26 - Dreamride Lancaster (100 Miles)

This is a 100 mile charity ride around Lancaster Pa. This is a great warmup to Nightmare.

August 16 - Nightmare (177 miles)
This ride circumnavigates the entire county of Lancaster in one day. With 12,000 feet of climbing and the hardest hill in Lancaster County (mile 107 22% grade for a 1/4 mile) and the August heat... I hope to survive - I did last year.

September 20 - 27 - The Outer Banks (Total 500 miles for week)
I will be headed to beach for the week staying with friends in Corolla, NC. But I am hoping to achieve 500 miles or more in the week. I am working on possible routes up and down the coast as we speak.

October 16 - Bike MS NYC - 100 Miles
100 miles around a traffic free Manhattan - does it get any better. This is the only actual event on the calendar that I have to raise money for, but it is definitely for a good cause. I may be seeing some of you about this event.

There you have it. Of course there will be lots of training between all these events, hopefully hitting my peak with Nightmare. Also, I will be posting pictures of all these events.

Catch ya on the flip side...
The Capt.

Miles to Date: 174.4
Goal 5000

My Pictures

Hello again,



My pictures are up and running. You can access them using the link on the right. I'll explain a what the galleries are...

Lime Rock 07...

In July I went to Lime Rock CT. for the American LeMans race. My boss took the photos. Motorheads rejoice

Nightmare 2007....

The nightmare is held every year in August. It is a 177 mile bike ride around the entire perimeter of Lancaster County. Last year was my first year. I finished in just over 13 total hours (total ride time was 11 hours).

Porsche Musuem...

I wish I could take credit for these. My boss was on a business trip in a nearby town and stopped by.

NYC 1.13.08...

My trip up to NYC. The few random pics at the beginning are for a bike ride that I am planning on completing (more on that in a later post).

Blue Ridge 07...

Over Memorial day week me and my friend Jim Thome (the only other person crazy enough to ride with me) deceided to ride the Skyline Dr. and Blue Ridge Parkway (just about 575 miles) in 5 days. I had to bail with only 40 miles left because of horrendous knee pain. I wasn't going to take a chance messing my knee up, and hey, I made it 530 miles!

I am going back this year to finish the last 40 and try something even harder.

Bikes...

Exactly what it says it is. There are some random pics in there as well as those from the Richard Sachs/RGM Watches race team thrown in.

Enjoy

Welcome to the Adventure

Hold on tight cause it's going to be a long strange trip. I intend to use this space to keep my friends updated on my latest crazy cycling adventure or other exploits. So far this year I have several big rides lined up (I'll list them in later posts). Also, you can see my pics from last years two big rides (Skyline Dr + Blue Ridge Parkway = 570 miles in 5 days) plus Nightmare and other random pictures.

Happy Reading,
The Capt.