[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next][Date Index][Thread Index]

[teamrc17] First Long Ride of 2002

Well, the weather was cloudy (about 80% overcast and thin clouds), but the
time was right, and you can always put on lots of clothes
         Which I did: Insulated underwear, street cloths on top, leathers
(coat is insulated) an insulated vest, my down pants from the pipeline days.
Also loaded  in the soft saddle bags and seat bag were various tools,
canteen, spare oil, full raingear and boots (you never know when its going
to turn and pour on you), down coat in case it got really cold, a lighter
down coat to go over the leather jacket).
    Sort of discouraging when the ponds at sea level are iced over, the big
marsh on the South end of town is iced over, which meant the pass was going
to be cold, and it was.  But the road was clear of ice, the temperatures
started at +1 C and was at least that warm through the pass, and eventually
got up to 9.5 C.
    Yes it was cold at times (I put on the outer coat after lunch), but the
clouds were intermittent, sort of hazy, wind was blowing in a few places,
still its hard to beat the mountains, its a gorgeous ride, and it felt damn
good to get out.
    I got about 530 kilometers on today, speed ranged from around 110 kph to
130, couple excursions higher, but not much. Its hard to maneuver with that
much clothing on, and when you get stiff from the cold, it also inhibits how
aggressive you can be.
    Bike ran like a top, even the rear tire felt better, so maybe it needs
some breaking in before it works ok, still will not buy another one like it,
but am hoping if it did ok this cool, then as it gets warmer it may get
better was well.
    Changed the oil when I got back, I have put on my last Fram filter (back
to Mr. H in the future) and put in Mobil Synthetic.  I did find out why it
was rattling a bit when I checked the level before I left, it was down to
the bottom.  It must have burned some on the long trip last year.  I topped
off before I left.
    So, maybe not so warm, but between the mountains and traveling down Cook
Inlet, (discovered  in 1788 by that enterprising English fellow Mr. Cook and
his handy side kick Bleigh who went on to fame of his own) scenery is hard
to beat.  Move to NZ and get the best of both worlds? (warmer and scenery)

Greg in Anchorage AK (and yes, all the snow should be gone, ponds should not
be iced over at sea level, let alone the lakes in the pass that you would
need an ice breaker to navigate,  what's wrong with the global warming
picture?)


---
Send e-mail to 'listar@teamrc17.net' with 'unsubscribe teamrc17' in
the message subject to unsubscribe from this list.