Pumps; and what they say about you

The pump option you choose says a lot about you, and your outlook. If you knew you were going to get a flat, what kind of pump would you bring? If you knew you wouldn’t get a flat, what then? Here is my take on the pump options.

Boy scout – Your choice: Frame pump and two tubes

We all rest a little easier when one of the guys on the ride rolls up with a broomstick sized frame pump. Nothing is faster or easier. If you think a CO2 is faster, you forgot to add in the time we all take to double check everything before holding your breath and pulling the trigger. The downside is they are heavy. They mount so as to be drawn like a sword when needed. If you carry one of these, you are always welcome.

Frame Pump ? Welcome friend...

Set it and forget it –Your choice: Pump mounted to your bottle cage

In the spectrum, this is the middle. Bigger than a mini pump, less weight and size than a frame pump. It works well enough. The pump gets crusty with mud in season. On the down side, if you are into aesthetics, this isn’t your pump.

I am a racer! - Your choice: Pump in your back pocket

A bike without a saddlebag looks like it is in a race. If you have your race number mounted as well, you look even more PRO. Some riders like the look of a pump on their pocket. A sleek pump peaking out of a pocket can be visually pleasing. When a pump is in a pocket under a jacket, it looks like a misplaced hard on. There; I said it. Sorry. The thrashed Ziploc that holds the tube, patch, levers and some Clif bar crumbs also detracts from the PRO look.

We’ll cross that bridge when we get there – Your choice: Micro-pump

A Micro-pump fits inside your saddlebag. This is a great choice if you assume you’ll never get a flat. You will get a flat. If your ability to deny this is well developed you can lean on your friends who will have pumps that work better, because none work worse. On the other hand, if you flat when you are by yourself, there won’t be anyone looking bored whilst you pump out two-hundred and fifty strokes and lose the use of your hands for the rest of the day.

Speed at all costs – Your choice: CO2 in your saddlebag

First off, you have to carry two cartridges (just in case). Whenever you compare the weight of your CO2 choice, you always compare using the weight of one. Denial is a well worn tool. If you misfire with a CO2, you’re screwed. If you are dialed in, it works well. Each canister costs money. If you care about the environment and carbon footprint, etc. then you may offend some with this selection.

Your name is Brendan - Your choice: "All I need is a cell phone"

Your bike is filthy, you never clean your chain, you don’t even own an extra tube. You pump your tires with a floor pump and head out. You are fast and respect the sport. If something happens, help is just a call away. To the utter disgust of the frame pump carrying Boy Scout, it all works out for you. If you do get a flat tire, a movie star stops and by the time you get home, you’ve been invited to a premier party.

Your name is Hottie – Your choice: Evo

If your name is Hottie, you carry a tube, a tire lever, tissues and hand sanitizer. The fellow who changes your tire will have a pump. This plan has worked for a long time..

Twenty eight degrees

Yesterday morning it was 28 degrees when I rode into work. It was wonderful.

Where is THIS going?

Recently Hottie and I went to the movies. As we stood in line we were behind a man and his son. The lad looked to be about nine or ten and appeared special. He was looking around and not speaking. His head snapped back and forth as he scanned his surroundings. The expression on his face was blank. He was rocking back and forth and as he slowly turned toward Hottie and me he stopped suddenly.

The boy yanked on his fathers sleeve and pointed at me would not take his eyes off me. He couldn't (or didn't) speak and he slowly moved toward me pulling his dad the step or two between us until he was almost touching me.

At this point I wondering where this was going to go.

Was he going to say something friendly to break the ice such as, "That is the man who made me take off my clothes?" Was he going to suddenly blurt out, "You're my real daddy?"

The weirdness was peaking and his father was trying to figure out what was going on as well. I am usually a good sport and was trying to act like this happens everyday, but it was all a facade.

Then his father spotted it. I was wearing a shirt with a small image of the Grinch on the center of the chest and it caught the lad's eye.

"Yes, that is the Grinch," the father said and that satisfied the young man. His tiny attention span saturated, his eyes darted somewhere else and I was off the hook.

A Cool Blog

Just another day in Syria..
If the truth is told, I actually only follow about three blogs. I enjoy the writings of two Oregon women who write of things bike, and things not bike. Their sites are listed on this blog under the heading, "My Blog List."

Every now and then I come across a new blog that provides entertainment. One such blog is Transit Interface. It speaks of all things young, strong and foolish. Just to be clear; when I say foolish, I say it with respect. To be old is to have your courage replaced with wisdom. I envy that youthful foolishness. I don't envy it enough to do something that will put me into the doctors office (age is doing a fine job of that), but I sincerely admire that energy.

Tux at the 2010 TOC

A good blog is honest, entertaining, has pictures, and is updated at least once a week. I haven't been meeting these criteria, but I am recommitting. While I am nothing without a goal, once I commit, it is pretty much a done deal.

Day trip

After loading up the miles yesterday, I elected not to ride and Hottie, Tux and I piled into the war wagon and went up north. Dark clouds and a cutting wind reminded us that spring is yet to arrive.

Hottie spotted an early Chris King Hub prototype

I played with the little camera that Hottie got me after I sent the old to the bottom of the harbor in Kodiak Alaska. I'm going for that "Rapha" "epic" look.

Sometimes it is all black and white

Sometimes things are more colorful...

A little orange is a beautiful thing..

0303 2012 News and catch up

This was the shower curtain in one of my hotel rooms on my recent trip

I didn't realize Stevie Nicks had her own line of bathroom furnishings

My travel to Montreal was cool. Wichita, not so much. Next up ? Platteville, Wisconsin.

Good ride today. 55 miles, 4,500' of climbing, 2,500 calories.

You can spot the experienced winter riders around here. They have form fitting clothing (no baggy jackets). Something under their helmets to keep their heads warm. Any of a thousand options for gloves, and ragged shoe covers (no points deducted or added for duct tape).

Back to it

Isn't this the coolest picture of the coolest Greyhound ever? He was sniffing snow and this is what it looks like.

As my loyal fan may have noted, there were no posts in February. Not a plan, it just kind of happened. I lived all 29 days.

My knee is coming along fine. I did some lunges on Monday and I went deep and bonked my Osgood-Schlatter on the carpet several times and thought nothing of it until the next evening when something went wrong and it hurt really bad. I've been nice to it and all seems swell.

Work has been crazy and I truly appreciate nice people. I work with some great people. I come home to a wonderful wife and loyal pup. Life is pretty fun.

Kyson and Tux are absolutely fascinated by each other.

We have enjoyed visits from Si as well as RJ, Kyson, Sophie and Katie. I visited Kansas and Montreal in February. Hottie is S L O W L Y recovering from her surgery and is understandably frustrated.

On a personal note; although I wasn't out of commission very long, I have so appreciated being able to ride again. The morning of my first post-surgery commute it was dumping rain. I woke up (thanks to my alarm set for 5:30 AM) and could hear the rain running down the downspout. My first thought was, "I get to ride today," I put on my rain stuff and went out the door and smiled all the way to work.

I commuted today and riding with a little light makes a big difference. I'm starting to think we are about to finish this winter thing and get started on spring pretty soon.