Wednesday, December 17, 2008

8 miles - commute - 5/3 (above zero) degrees - 12/17/08

8 miles
Swamp Monster

It was a much better experience to ride above zero today and my mechanicals worked better. But I have to say, after wiping out before I left my neighborhood today, that the snowy slush keeps a person on edge, especially when worrying about traffic when the shoulder is slush and snow.

Tuesday, December 16, 2008

8 miles - Commute - -5/-9 degrees - 12/15/08

8 miles
Swamp Monster

Its kind of stupid to ride below zero, but hey....I was chilly and my rear derailleur froze up and the bearings were sluggish and didn't want to move. I made it to work and home, saved 8 miles of gas, plus letting the car warm up...so it was worth it.

Tuesday, December 9, 2008

Swamp Monster Finished!


Nitto Bars, KHS removable fenders and lights pretty much turned this mediocre old Gary Fisher Alfresco hybrid bike into a great winter commuter...its been doing well so far...getting a handlebar angle that worked took some adjusting, but other than that it happy commuting!!!

8 miles - Errands - 16 degrees - 12/09/08

8 miles
Swamp Monster

I wiped out for the first time today on ice...I decided to take a side street and upon exiting Cedar Lake into Dakota Park I came across a sheet of ice about 15 feet long that I didn't see until it was too late...I laid it over without injury. The bike was fine but I broke the clamp on my nice Cateye Opticube light...so, unless I can get a replacement clamp, I am out 50 bucks for a light...

12 miles - Errands - 22 degrees - 12/08/08

12 miles

Swamp Monster

Friday, December 5, 2008

10 miles - commute - 24 degrees - 12/05/08

10 miles
Swamp Monster

It snowed a couple of fresh inches while I was at work....so I took Cedar Lake Rd to Virginia Ave and got on the Cedar Lake Trail towards Hopkins and then took the SW Corridor home...really fun night ride in the snow...Swamp Monster was stupendous!!

Tuesday, December 2, 2008

15 miles - Greenway to Freewheel/Lake Calhoun/Wooddale/Sw Corridor - 34 degrees - 12/02/08

15 miles
Swamp Monster

Put a new bar on the Swamp Monster yesterday...it has made a world of a difference and looks a bit Uptowny at the same time...very cool! I will get some pics up soon.

Monday, December 1, 2008