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Back to Bald Peak today, since I now have my bike computer up and running (see previous post for that drama). Okay, so it wasn’t completely up and running, but you will have to check out that post to understand why.

I felt much stronger heading up the hill…I guess that is what a little regular training will do! (Mental note: “Training makes the hills easier…”) Anyway, since I felt stronger I decided to continue on up to the Bald Peak State Park, getting a few more miles of hills in. The weather was just perfect, at least for a hard workout: cool and cloudy, yet no precipitation. There were some runners out, which it was nice to see. Oregon really starts to wake up once spring approaches.

Once at the top, I didn’t really take a break since I was eager to experience the downhill. Halfway down, two cars passed me. Soon after, however, I noticed that they were slowing down. SHOOT! there was a stop sign at the base of one of the hills! I came within 15 feet of slammed into the rear car! (Mental note: “Remember where the stop signs are.”) On I went, approaching the famous Laurel Rd. Without pedaling, just keeping a tight tuck, I was already up to 45 MPH* by the time I reached the Bald Peak Rd intersection. A little bit farther, and I started to pedal, and pedal hard. I was up to 58 MPH* and still had the steepest section ahead. But again, there was a car in front of me, only going about 52 MPH…didn’t want to play tag with him, not again.

Coming back around to the lower part of Bald Peak Rd, I saw about 50 cyclists go by…it was the Portland Velo riding group (side note: I love the “And The Point Of The Helmet Is…?!?” photos on their website). They were on their way up Bald Peak Rd. I decided to join them, even though it would take me back UP the hill I just did.

I must say that going back up that hill the second time is much harder than the first…hmmm, go figure. We all came back down Laurel Hill, though I waited for a good break in the people going so I wouldn’t have to slow down for anyone. I still ended up passing a guy at 52 MPH*, which surprised him. At the bottom he caught up and asked how fast we were going…must have been his first time.

Yes, Samwise, it was a good day to ride.

*The 45 MPH and 58 MPH were faster than I was really going, since I was still calibrating my bike computer. The 52 MPH should be right on, though. So I still haven’t broken my old speed record…yet.

Yesterday I finally bought my much needed bike computer battery. But with a new battery comes reprogramming the bike computer. You know those jokes about parents and programming the VCR? Well, I started to feel that way. Over the years I have started to dread the bike computer programming routine. And rarely does it get within 2% of the correct distance, which is a big deal with the distances I do.

Again came time to determine what “wheel size” to set my computer for. Last year I went as far as to print out the sizing chart that came with both of my computers, and tape them to my bike tool box. So I started last night by looking at those. Immediately I noticed that the charts don’t match up at all (???). At first I thought that it was because they are different brand computers, but then I realized that it shouldn’t matter: tire circumference is tire circumference. (I am not mentally challenged, I just never thought too deep about it, since I already abhor the computer programming part.)

Being that I was bored, I decided to actually roll my bike around and get as accurate a circumference as possible. The number that I got didn’t match up to EITHER CHART! Being the nerd that I am, I back-calculated to see where the problem was. First off, my calculation said that my wheel diameter was much, MUCH smaller than 700mm. Huh? Are you kidding me? This side observation really threw me, even though I figured the charts would have taken this into account. After a few more calculations, I gave up. It just didn’t make sense. I picked one of the “700c x 25″ numbers off the chart and programmed it in.

On my ride this morning, I planned my first 7 miles to cover the same route as one of my running routes so I could compare what my computer said to what I know to be the actual distance (or at least what Google Pedometer says it is, which I have so far trusted). Once again, it was off by 2.2%!!!! Grrrr… Right there, I stopped my ride, subtracted 2.2% from the circumference, programmed the new number in, and then continued on. Later, coming back on the same route, I was only off by 0.3%! That is incredible. That means if I were to do a 50 mile ride, my computer would only be off 0.15 miles! WOW!

Once home I went back to my scratch pad to see how close my own calculations were to what the number should have been. It ends up that the number that I put into my computer on the fly was EXACTLY the same number that I had come to the night before. I should have trusted myself over the charts.

Wanting to make sense of all of this, I went to the internet. I found these two websites: Tire sizing and 700c vs. 26″. Ends up that the 700c really has a bead seat diameter of 622mm, and that “700″ is just a nominal size. But tack on the “25mm,” (times two) for the width of the tire, and it still doesn’t come to 700mm. The charts probably took this into account, so why are their numbers off so much (as much as 60mm!)? Haven’t a clue.

Now I have to do the same thing over for my racing wheels since they are a different size than my training wheels. Can’t wait [groan].

My bride and I just returned from the San Juans, and those islands did not dissappoint (not that I had any doubts). I will tell you all about them in due time, but I thought I’d at least let you know that El Cap and I (plus our wonderful brides) all got back in one piece.

We logged a little over 75 miles in just three days, and we can’t wait till Reach the Beach.

Recently, Hollywood has been busy filming a movie here in Portland. In fact, one scene was filmed two houses down from where I live. But that is another story.

What I do want to report is that Anowyn (the female presence that rode with the Fellowship for the MS150 last year) was asked to ride her bike as an extra in this movie. How exciting is that?!?! But to top that off, Friday she was asked to be the stand in for the female lead of the movie, Diane Lane! Again, another story (but VERY interesting).

Unfortunately, the movie is dark and twisted, so I am purposely leaving the title out of sight, out of mind. But it will be interesting to see if she shows up in the film.

Okay, I was inspired by Samwise to get on my bike. He is up galavanting around in the San Juan’s with his bride, while the rest of us are stuck with the same old scenery. But I digress.

Yesterday I was wanting to enjoy the unexpected blue sky and warm air. My toe is still hurting from being jammed right before the Shamrock run two weeks ago, so running was out. I was hesitant to get on my bike, because somewhere in the back of my mind I was feeling like there was some repair that I had neglected and had since forgotten about. But it has to be fixed sometime, might as well be now.

First I noticed that my bike computer’s battery was dead. I was actually going to use that as an excuse, since I couldn’t know how fast or far I had gone (two of the most important things for me on a solo ride). But then I thought that was a lame excuse. I checked the tires which still had good air in them despite my not riding my bike in many, MANY months. So it wasn’t a flat that was causing me to fret. Hmmmm…well, if something else needs work, I will find out soon enough (don’t worry, I checked the brakes right after checking the tires).

[Note: these are just my thoughts chronologically...I am not foreshadowing an eminent disaster.]

I headed out west on Farmington, since it is a great way to get some scenery. I wasn’t sure how far or what route to take, was looking more to see how I felt on the bike before making such life altering decisions. I felt good so I heading in the direction of Bald Hill.

I love this hill, as you can tell from previous posts (5/22/06 and 6/23/06). Everything to the east of it is flat, so getting there is a piece of cake. The climb is only 1.25 miles to Laurel Rd, which was my destination. I didn’t feel too exhausted climbing the hill, partially because I knew it was a short hill so mentally I wasn’t overwhelmed.

Coming down Laurel was a rush, though I have no idea how close to my record of 56 MPH I was. I want to break that this season, but first have to get that bike computer battery… Anyway, the rest of the ride was nice. It was a beautiful day for a ride.

[Update: 3/31/07 On my ride today, I realized that the repair I needed to make was that my handlebar's tilt needs to be adjusted, and my derailers tuned up.]

I’m posting from Camano Island, WA, when I should be getting my panniers packed and cycling gear donned, but I want to get this post out there. I’m Jonesing to post — postitis I like to call it. We’re about to embark on our now annual San Juan Islands Spring Break Bike Trek. Hours from now, my bride and I will be disembarking from the ferry at Lopez Island and heading up the hill for the Lopez Farm Cottages to join the free range bunnies that populate the beautifully secluded idyllic farm.

Bliss.

This year will be different from last. We’re setting up our base camp at Lopez Island (after all, it is the friendly island). From there we plan to thoroughly explore Lopez Isalnd and visit Shaw and Orcas islands.

I’ll let you know how the trip was.