Singlespeed Sunday
08-02-20, 03:13 PM
#51
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I had been in recovery for about a year, but today I finally relapsed.
This spring I rode this bike with a handful of gears in back and pretty much took all the hills in a 42/21 gear which helped improve overall strength.
Recently I had been hanging out reading stuff in this section and got to thinking about whether to at least set up this bike as a SS. So, after doing several rides in the 42/16 gear only, I went ahead and made the swap this afternoon so it’s once again SS!
Previously I had run this bike as a 42/17, which sits nicely on the dropout and was fine on the uphills, but felt a bit low overall. So this time I went with the 42/16 which is much more satisfying when cruising.
I think previously I was running drop bars on this bike when it was SS, but now I have the Scott AT-4 Pro on there. These are great for SS, IMO. Mine had the aero part cut off when I got them on a bike I bought in ‘93. Now I run them with, fittingly, Scott bar ends where they are chopped and this makes a handy aero position that is super helpful when riding into a headwind!
Here are a couple more shots:
Otto
This spring I rode this bike with a handful of gears in back and pretty much took all the hills in a 42/21 gear which helped improve overall strength.
Recently I had been hanging out reading stuff in this section and got to thinking about whether to at least set up this bike as a SS. So, after doing several rides in the 42/16 gear only, I went ahead and made the swap this afternoon so it’s once again SS!
Previously I had run this bike as a 42/17, which sits nicely on the dropout and was fine on the uphills, but felt a bit low overall. So this time I went with the 42/16 which is much more satisfying when cruising.
I think previously I was running drop bars on this bike when it was SS, but now I have the Scott AT-4 Pro on there. These are great for SS, IMO. Mine had the aero part cut off when I got them on a bike I bought in ‘93. Now I run them with, fittingly, Scott bar ends where they are chopped and this makes a handy aero position that is super helpful when riding into a headwind!
Here are a couple more shots:
Otto
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08-02-20, 03:43 PM
#52
Non omnino gravis
From home to the sea, only one gear required.
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08-03-20, 04:11 PM
#53
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The downtime right below the weld. Looks like a stress bend to me. this bike was never in an accident. I never hit anything head on but this looks to me like the frame is bending. also the line on the top of the downtime looks like the start of a crack to me.
Time to get a new frame?
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08-06-20, 08:42 AM
#54
Non omnino gravis
Haven't made a Relive in awhile-- this is the ride from this past Sunday. Sure aren't many direction changes in this one. Just headin' west.
https://www.relive.cc/view/vNOPPBQzL2O
https://www.relive.cc/view/vNOPPBQzL2O
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08-09-20, 08:55 AM
#55
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I continued shaking down my ‘73 Raleigh Competition built up with 35mm cyclocross tires and a Surly Dingle 17/19T fixed cog. I ran 44x17 fixed on a mixed surface ride this morning with my 13-year-old son. Our local Cambridge Park trail turned out to be an ideal proving ground, having sections of pure hardpack, loose gravel, crush ‘n’ run, big loose gravel and grass. I had to seriously cinch down the loose ball bottom bracket when I got home, but other than that all is good so far!
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08-09-20, 02:43 PM
#56
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Rode my old Black Electra C1 this morning after our parking lot Church Revival Service . Due to Covid we’re having our Sunday morning Services in the Church parking lot . I kinda like it . Something different.
Rode when I got home @ 10:30 . It was already in the mid 80’s .
Rode when I got home @ 10:30 . It was already in the mid 80’s .
Last edited by OldCruiser; 08-09-20 at 02:49 PM.
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08-16-20, 02:44 PM
#58
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Legs were feeling good so extended the usual route to the Resevoir.....uncharted territory for the Langster due to the hills
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08-23-20, 02:35 PM
#60
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Put the Bullhorn Handlebars back on both of my Electra Cruiser 1’s this morning and took both out for a short cruise.
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08-23-20, 06:44 PM
#61
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This late afternoon/early evening was great for having another Single Speed Sunday. Low humidity and a stiff breeze from the east. Not bad at all.
Funny how I have to use the most of my energy when vehicle traffic is around.
Funny how I have to use the most of my energy when vehicle traffic is around.
08-23-20, 09:38 PM
#62
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Last few Sundays I've been heading out to Kissena Velodrome for getting in some rides and timing for an individual time trial that's being done locally. Stem is a little short for me and gearing isn't quite right but I also share it with my wife and its between our sizes and geared to her strength.
Still did a flying 1k in 1:43 and a 4k in 7:14 so its at least close enough to get decent times for a cheap steel raleigh.
It has had me thinking that a nicer single speed could be good for riding the MUP with the kids. I'd thought of using this one at one point but early on I swapped the really cheap and heavy rims out for a set of take off rims from my wife's cross bike so there's no brake track to ride it that way.
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08-29-20, 06:07 PM
#63
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I missed Single Speed Sunday thanks to my single speed breaking a spoke on the rear on Friday (June 5th) morning's ride. I heard the "tink" when it happened and the rear wheel wobbled like it had a flat, as viewed from the saddle. 
Since the rear brake is a coaster, I had no issue pedaling the remaining few miles home. Gotta get me some spare spokes, though.
Since the rear brake is a coaster, I had no issue pedaling the remaining few miles home. Gotta get me some spare spokes, though.
Looks like low end 15 gauge spokes aren't up to the task.
08-30-20, 06:12 PM
#64
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08-31-20, 07:38 AM
#65
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I had a single-speed Saturday and Sunday! Saturday I took my (somewhat cheating) Surly Dingle-equipped Raleigh Competition out. I rode the pavement sections on the 44x17/70-in fixed-gear, and paused at the start of the gravel sections to loosen the rear wheel and move the chain over to the 42x19/60-in fixed-gear combo. The 35 mm Continental Cyclocross tires and the 60-in fixed were PERFECT for the mix of dirt, gravel, and red clay mud I encountered, and pausing to switch it back to pavement mode took less than one minute and minimal hassle. Still have to get off the bike to do it, but I get TWO fixed gear ratios to choose from. Yay!
Sunday I took my lovely old Gitane TdF converted to fixed out for a longer ramble. I was struck by how peaceful, green and genuinely beautiful some of the roads I covered were - I used to ride these routes all the time, but they just seem lovelier to me now. Instead of continuing straight home, I wound up turning left and heading for Hodges again, taking a break to chill for a moment in the tiny town square before rolling home and feeling surprisingly refreshed for my morning in the saddle.
Sunday I took my lovely old Gitane TdF converted to fixed out for a longer ramble. I was struck by how peaceful, green and genuinely beautiful some of the roads I covered were - I used to ride these routes all the time, but they just seem lovelier to me now. Instead of continuing straight home, I wound up turning left and heading for Hodges again, taking a break to chill for a moment in the tiny town square before rolling home and feeling surprisingly refreshed for my morning in the saddle.
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09-13-20, 06:56 AM
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Mother Nature has messed up another SS Sunday (for me). It's raining and cold....conditions that this Old Fart does not ride in
For those of you who have better conditions (or hardier).....enjoy the Ride and be safe.
For those of you who have better conditions (or hardier).....enjoy the Ride and be safe.
09-13-20, 12:02 PM
#67
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Cutting my Sunday ramble short
It rained here yesterday morning so I did maintenance miles on a beater until I couldn’t stand it any more. Today I woke up a little later than I meant to, then I thought I had a mechanical issue that turned out to be a rattling fastener on my saddlebag, then I ran into an old friend and spent some time talking bikes with him - so 22 miles instead of the planned 30-ish. Still got to see some quiet back country and some vernacular architecture and suffer up some climbs, and I am re-learning how much I love this Mercian fixed-gear!
09-13-20, 07:47 PM
#68
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We had really nice autumn weather today. I did 60 miles today in two outings, mostly just because I wanted to be out and about in the nice weather. 😊
I think it’s been about 40 years since I’ve done 60 or more miles in a day, but I’ve been upping the miles in recent weeks since I switched back to riding both bikes as SS. I think there may be a “fun” factor going on that encourages more riding.
While I’m at it, the RockHopper is now back to drop bars, also.
Otto
I think it’s been about 40 years since I’ve done 60 or more miles in a day, but I’ve been upping the miles in recent weeks since I switched back to riding both bikes as SS. I think there may be a “fun” factor going on that encourages more riding.
While I’m at it, the RockHopper is now back to drop bars, also.
Otto
Last edited by ofajen; 09-13-20 at 07:52 PM.
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09-20-20, 11:15 AM
#69
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After 7.5yrs apart, Mom decided to rejoin dad. We laid her to rest on Friday.
I'm thankful that the cemetery is close enough to be one of my riding destinations.
My first Single Speed Sunday ride with both parents together again....RIP Mom.
I'm thankful that the cemetery is close enough to be one of my riding destinations.
My first Single Speed Sunday ride with both parents together again....RIP Mom.
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09-20-20, 12:14 PM
#70
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I'm sorry to hear about your Mom. It's a hard thing and we all have to go through it. The pain gets a little less with each passing day.
09-20-20, 06:48 PM
#71
Clark W. Griswold
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I have been there. My mother passed when I was a lot younger and it is still a bit tough. I haven't ridden out there yet but I have wanted to to do that for years this has given me inspiration to get out there.
09-20-20, 09:06 PM
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I put aero levers back on the RockHopper last night and then wrapped with new cotton twill bar tape this morning before a nice, long ride in the glorious fall weather 😊
Otto
Otto
09-20-20, 10:59 PM
#73
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Sycip Super Boy, ready for our 33-mile Sunday ride. Gorgeous day!
Last edited by Rolla; 09-20-20 at 11:04 PM.
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10-11-20, 07:46 PM
#74
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No pics but i did a thirty miler today. All flat but a great day for it.
11-01-20, 03:51 PM
#75
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This morning was a fine morning for a Single Speed Sunday. The time change made people sleep in. I almost had the streets to myself. 
