Tuesday, August 27, 2013

Really ripped

Torn tire_1

I really enjoy my bike commute home after a long day at at work. I usually get a tail wind, and it's only 8 miles; just enough to work out the days stress and think a bit. Usually....

I was getting too many flats on the trail with all its glass and stickers, so I bought a set of Schwalbe Marathon Racer tires, Schwalbe claims they are the fastest and lightest in their Marathon line, with HD-Speed-Guard for the highest level of puncture protection, RoadStar Triple Compound for the best handling characteristics, and a greater tread depth increases lifespan. They are well known and well loved by flat-hating bike tourists. They did hold up well against the sorry roads and paths of East Contra Costa County.

But now, about 3500 miles in, I have a huge unrepairable rip in my rear tire. I was riding home it it just went "boom." I'm not sure if I wore it out, or hit something that ripped it. Whatever the cause, it put an end to my commute home. I did the walk of sadness back to the college, pushing my bike (which is no where near as much fun as riding it) and waited for my sweet Tricia to come collect me with the car.

Old unloved tire installed, new tire on order, commute ready for the morning. Case closed.

Sunday, August 18, 2013

Number one, with a bullet

yet another bullet

Didn't I just post about my finding bullets on my bike rides? Here's another one. Maybe there are so many littering the streets of Antioch it isn't even noteworthy any longer. I know I'm running out of ways to photograph them.

More actual bike stuff again, soon. Really.

Monday, August 12, 2013

Post ride fueling

Cocina Medicina by Tricia
Photo by Tricia
You know you're in the right place when, after you park your bicycle on the patio and sit down, your waitress comes out and says "Your margarita is on the way, what else would you like?"

Along with her food, Tricia liked the shadow of her chair, and the way the light came through the cutout name of the iron back and played on the ground.

Cocina Medina, our just-down-the-street restaurant, is one of our favorite places to stop after a long ride when we're almost home. The have a patio we can ride our bikes on to without going inside, then we can sit outside so as not to frighten the other patrons with our lycra. They have great service and delightful food, and it's a joy to patronize a business run by real people and not some faceless distant corporation.

Highly recommended:  Fajitas, and of course, the margaritas.

Tuesday, August 06, 2013

Babyless baskets and a bullet

Three babyless baby things
Photo by Tricia
On recent rides around Antioch Tricia has noticed a trend in roadside detritus: babyless baby holding objects. It caused such a degree of wonderment and perplexafacation that she stopped to photograph them. She wonders "Where have all the babies gone?" I have no answer.

I usually find bullets. And I found another one. This one, however, wasn't found in Antioch, but on a ride in Port Orchard, Washington. Unlike the live rounds I find locally, this one was used. I am unable to draw any conclusions from such a small sample size. But overall, I still wonder why I find bullets, and is this normal? I sure didn't find any growing up in Walnut Creek. Just sayin'.

another found bullet