Tag: oxnard

Loadeo the Roadeo

I could not resist the title with all the love the Roadeo has had with its model name. 

Today was much nicer out than last weekend’s ride across town to the Channel Islands Harbor farmer’s market.  Partly cloudy, light breeze and in the upper 50’s not quite shorts weather.

With fair weather for the forecast and working out some touring ideas for the spring I spent some time in the morning putting the Jack Browns back on, pulling the fenders and Roughy Toughys off and rotating the Carradice Nelson longflap back on.  I have been dropping a little weight and figure that gives me more loading room on the bike without fear of overload and wonky handling. 

Market was a success with the dry weather the farmers are able to get more out of the field and not have as bad of mud to contend with.  All three bags, Acorn Hobo, the Frame Bag and Nelson were all stuffed to the max.

It would be a lie if I said there was NO change in handling, but nothing went terrible in any way, no wobbles, shimmy, weird pulling or such as can happen when the load is bigger than rider and bike were meant to transport.  Cruising speed through the fields was about the same loaded or not.

Riding no hands was easy as always.  All of the above needs to be considered in light of the fact that this bicycle is designed and intended to be a lightweight club racer.  I am not advocating that you all ditch the heavier touring bikes to load up the club racer, but knowing how and what you bike is made of and can do is a good thin in my opinion.

The Bounty: 2 Dozen eggs, 2 onions, 3 cloves of garlic, 3 heads of brocoli, 1 cauliflower, a bunch of carrots, bag of beet greens, bunch of collard greens, 7 avocados and a large bag of vegetable chips.  Not bad for a lightweight steed burdened with my 215 lb self and all that produce.

Next up is to work out some gear lists and see if I can get it in the bags for some quick S24O spring rides.

Grab On Brake Lever Grips – Out of the Package

While at the post screening ride for the Ride the Divide one of the guys there had these curious grip / pad things on his drop bar brake levers. I was instantly transported back over a decade and a half to Mr. 0.7 and Ms. 0.5 who had faithfully served 8 years of engineering school and reams of notes and derivations.

Mr. 0.7 and Ms. 0.5

A bit of inquiry and it turned out that brake lever version was purpose-built by Grab On and lot a reallocated tool grip or some other find from the McMaster Carr catalog.  Once home it was straight to the computer to see if these were still in production, and or obtainable.  As usual google and the web are our friends.  I was able to turn up a couple of sets in blue.  Blue turned out to also be half the price of black, while preserving the colorway of the roadeo.   A few days later they were in my hands.

Grab On Brake Lever Grips

Grab On Brake Lever Grips

Installation was as easy as it looks and reads on the packs.  After a quick alcohol wipe, I used a dab of tube repair glue in each as it was the closest to my hand when standing near the bike.  After the overnight cure they appear to be securely in place.

It has been almost a week now with them on the bike.  I like them so far, a little cushion,  a little grip and warmer than a cold lever on a 40 something deg morning.  I know these likely seem a bit over the top, but I do not care.  The next big test will be the upcoming Santiago Peak Ride Which promises to be an epic of underbiking adventure.

Daylight Savings – Almost Done

I probably should have been surfing this morning, but would have had a 45 min time window.  I can ride with lights, surfing is a little harder in the dark.  Daylight savings time is the bane of people who enjoy their mornings, I have dreamed for years of abolishing it. 

P1030387