Bike Across Kansas ! 2011

It looks like a nice route for 2011.    

I will not be going on the BAK this year.  Last year was fun, but I ended heading off on my own, about half way, to avoid the crowds.   I had sandwiched the BAK last year so I was self contained.  So when the weather turned bad it was easy for me to head off on my own where I good go at my on pace and have better facilities.  

This year I was considering to do the standard BAK but instead, I am now planning to do a "Discovery" trip of my own.   Solo Touring self supported, through the past.  The "Past" may include a part of the BAK route, so I am deciding now if the dates may work to ride a little with the group (50 miles or so).   My route will be a Cimarron, Dighton, Lacrosse, Kinsley, Dodge City  and back to Cimarron to complete the circle route.

Groups are nice and have advantages,  but  sometimes Solo Touring is called for.   Solo touring  takes a little more planning but it does give flexibility when the need arises.     oh....and it is much easier to find a place to eat  and an unoccupied restroom facility.!

But for those going on the BAK,   have a great trip..... and I may see you on the road.   I will miss hearing "on your left"  over and over again as the "go fast" bikes go around my fully loaded touring bike.

Rails-to Trails Conservancy

Rails-to Trails Conservancy

Time to Renew !    I do like to support the Rails to Trails endeavor.  Riding a bicycle on a converted train route is a pleasure.  Usually very scenic and away from traffic.   I highly recommend supporting the Conservancy and if you haven't ventured on one of the trails, give it go !  

"As you know trails don't just happen. It takes support from concerned communities, partners across all levels of government and people like you. Rails-to-Trails Conservancy sees a time when 90 percent of Americans live within three miles of a trail system. Your gift brings us one step closer to our goal.By choosing to renew online you’re helping put even more money towards the creation of rail-trails." 

Once again, thank you for your support.

Happy Trails,

Rails-to-Trails Conservancy

Planet Bike Blinking helmet light

Cold Weather is hard on the cheaper plastic Blinking lights.  

I have had a few of the cheaper plastic blinking lights that worked well ... until the cold weather.   I seems when  it is below the freezing point, the plastic attachments become very brittle.   With that brittleness, it does not take much of a bump to a have the attachment prongs snap in two.

New Planet Bike 'blinkie' attached to bicycle helmet

The picture shows two of the cheaper models, laying face down, and shows where the attachment prongs have broken.    The Blinking part of the light still works fine, however they can not be attached to the helmet.     

Last week, it was cold and my 3rd 'blinkie' broke.  Instead of getting yet another cheap Blinking light, I decided to purchase a Planet Bike blinking light from my Local Bike Store.  The light was about $12, (4 times as much as the previous ones that I had been using).  But if it works though the winter months it will be worth it.   The light appears to be build much better and has thicker prongs,  so I am hoping it will not be subject to the "cold winter break". 

I really like having the blinking light on the helmet.  When purchasing a helmet, I make certain to buy one that has a blinkie attachment option.   I think it is much more visible to vehicles to have the blinking light up high..  And I believe making an effort to "BE SEEN"  creates a good will between Motorist and Bicyclists.    At least when I am in a vehicle, I sure do appreciate the efforts that bicyclists make to be seen.

Review: Planet Bike Borealis Gloves

This is my second winter using the Planet Bike Borealis gloves.    I ride in the winters of Western Colorado, so during the winter I almost use them daily.   I tried a few other options for winter gloves but by far the Borealis gloves are the warmest that I have tried.   Even riding in the teens and single digits, the gloves keep the hands warm.  In fact, they often make my hands sweat.

The only issue that I have had is when removing the gloves from the hands.  The inner sleeve tends to pull out of place.   This is especially true if my hands a really sweaty.  It is a little difficult pushing the liner back into place. But I have found, if  I am careful removing the gloves and pinch the fingers of the gloves as I pull my hands out, the inner sleeve stays put.  

I often use a ski boot dryer/warmer in the gloves after a long ride to dry the inside of the gloves out .  It works well if the gloves are damp from sweaty hands, and what I nice problem to have in a glove!      Only having three finger slots and a thumb is not cumbersome and adds to the warmth of the gloves.   They are lightweight and it is easy to ride, shift, and break with them.      

                                            
                                                                  

Brooks Flyer Saddle Adjustment

Books Flyer Saddle
After about 5,500 miles on the Books Flyer Saddle, I noticed that it was more than well broken in.
It was starting to sag a little too much.   It was becoming a little less comfortable.
It was time to try an adjustment.

I was a little apprehensive to make the adjustment after reading a few articles.   But,  I had adjusted my old Ideale saddle with great results, so I thought that I would give adjusting the Brooks a try.   The worst thing that could happen was that I would ruin it.   And I would pay the price of stupidity by not only purchasing a new one but paying the price of having to break a new one in.



Enter the new Brooks wrench.

 I purchased a brooks wrench to do the job.  With care, I gave the adjustment nut a quarter turn and noticed the leather coming back to shape.  I continued to make the adjustment a quarter turn at a time.  After about 4 quarter turns the leather looked much better with the sag removed.


I did a quick test ride and the saddle seems like new.