Penguin Waddle Report
Boy, have I had a great week of bike riding. For those folks completely frozen or snowed in I'm sorry, but amidst the cool, cold, and damn cold temps I've a a great commuting week and tonight I topped it off with my first FuckGas ride (sorry you clean-mouthed folks) with the "We don't give a shit how cold it is..." Penguin Waddle. I mapped it our leaving from my imaginary 'near' house (privacy, you know) and you can take a look here.
LithoDale was working off some sickness this week and joined me for our first soiree with this respective pack of cyclists. We met at my house, suited up and lighted up and took the 4m ride to OnYourLeftCyles. After chilling out there for a while- with a bit of brew and coffee to get the spirits going- we departed, perhaps 12 strong. It was a mixed crew, with LithoDale and I the only "cyclists-looking" type, but, hey, I was prepared to be warm. We had a good chat, too, with Melissa, who had recently moved to the 'Ville from Denver, where she said the cycling scene was quite good. I saved Dale finger loss by loaning him a pair of old Hind running mitts. At one point I was going to wear thick wools and these water-proof mitts but I lost 1 of the gloves in the process (garage?) so I wore the slightly damp lobsters. Then, within moments of leaving the store a guy on the ride- stated that he had forgotten his gloves. Let's see: no gloves, no helmet, no lights, 12F. Excellent propositions. So I saved him too with the extra woolie. And again, a bike bag saves the day. ALL, and I mean, ALL bikes should have a big of reasonable size.
The ride was relatively quick at 10m total. I was rather surprised that the group split up quite quickely. After going on many a LBC ride and watching the fallen left in the dust, I assumed this would be different, but not really. I think, though, and the good wife concurs, that it was so cold that it was every cyclist for him/herself. Lithodale and I ended up in the front pack of 5 which became a front pack of 4 when one fixie guy stopped to futz with his socks. In the front were me on the TrekSS, Lithodale on the RB-1, a fixie Jamis and a shop guy on a nice IndependentFabrications road bike. We made good progress down Zorn, across and up Mockingbird and back on the return. I set the pace up Mockingbird for the sole purpose of not getting dropped in the dark and cold. Mockingbird Valley Rd. was my favorite moment, and I know Lithodale's too. Complete darkness, bitter but brisk cold, the sound of our breathing, the narrow beams of small bike LEDs (except LD's niterider, which I also lent him). It was great.
We briskly returned, finishing 3 and 4 after the other two put a little burst on Frankfort. I couldn't handle the PayneSt. downhill (SS you know) with the IF roadiebike riding a big gear. Although we spread out, the other folks came in pretty soon after us. It was quite what I expected, but it was alot of fun. Once back at the shop we watched a big of fixie mania from SF, frank a bit of BBC beer, talked a bit of NAHBS, which is going on locally in Indy in March. Don't know yet, but I might be interested in going up on Sunday (Fri. and Sat. aren't going to happen). After a bit we headed home b/c of the many parental functions on Saturday.
It was a fabulous day of riding, especially given the conditions. I have clothes for 15F locked down for future need; I'm sure I'll forget. And I think I'll undertake another FuckGas ride b/c it's there, and why not?
LithoDale was working off some sickness this week and joined me for our first soiree with this respective pack of cyclists. We met at my house, suited up and lighted up and took the 4m ride to OnYourLeftCyles. After chilling out there for a while- with a bit of brew and coffee to get the spirits going- we departed, perhaps 12 strong. It was a mixed crew, with LithoDale and I the only "cyclists-looking" type, but, hey, I was prepared to be warm. We had a good chat, too, with Melissa, who had recently moved to the 'Ville from Denver, where she said the cycling scene was quite good. I saved Dale finger loss by loaning him a pair of old Hind running mitts. At one point I was going to wear thick wools and these water-proof mitts but I lost 1 of the gloves in the process (garage?) so I wore the slightly damp lobsters. Then, within moments of leaving the store a guy on the ride- stated that he had forgotten his gloves. Let's see: no gloves, no helmet, no lights, 12F. Excellent propositions. So I saved him too with the extra woolie. And again, a bike bag saves the day. ALL, and I mean, ALL bikes should have a big of reasonable size.
The ride was relatively quick at 10m total. I was rather surprised that the group split up quite quickely. After going on many a LBC ride and watching the fallen left in the dust, I assumed this would be different, but not really. I think, though, and the good wife concurs, that it was so cold that it was every cyclist for him/herself. Lithodale and I ended up in the front pack of 5 which became a front pack of 4 when one fixie guy stopped to futz with his socks. In the front were me on the TrekSS, Lithodale on the RB-1, a fixie Jamis and a shop guy on a nice IndependentFabrications road bike. We made good progress down Zorn, across and up Mockingbird and back on the return. I set the pace up Mockingbird for the sole purpose of not getting dropped in the dark and cold. Mockingbird Valley Rd. was my favorite moment, and I know Lithodale's too. Complete darkness, bitter but brisk cold, the sound of our breathing, the narrow beams of small bike LEDs (except LD's niterider, which I also lent him). It was great.
We briskly returned, finishing 3 and 4 after the other two put a little burst on Frankfort. I couldn't handle the PayneSt. downhill (SS you know) with the IF roadiebike riding a big gear. Although we spread out, the other folks came in pretty soon after us. It was quite what I expected, but it was alot of fun. Once back at the shop we watched a big of fixie mania from SF, frank a bit of BBC beer, talked a bit of NAHBS, which is going on locally in Indy in March. Don't know yet, but I might be interested in going up on Sunday (Fri. and Sat. aren't going to happen). After a bit we headed home b/c of the many parental functions on Saturday.
It was a fabulous day of riding, especially given the conditions. I have clothes for 15F locked down for future need; I'm sure I'll forget. And I think I'll undertake another FuckGas ride b/c it's there, and why not?
Comments