Dalmac Survied

What an eventful year.  The heat was an issue for the first day and a half.  The wind was a problem for about 40 miles, then the rain fell.  The last day was one of those perfect days.  We surived, and Arron commented that each Dalmac feels a little less difficult.

It is time

The 2011 Dalmac is this week, I will tweet updates as the ride unfolds.

Dalmac near

With this heat in DC, I am riding in the A. M.  Short hard rides. I hope this year's Dalmac
is as fun as years past.

Clarks Gap

Today, 37 miles into my ride, I knew I was tired.   My pace slowed, and I was out of water.  I was close to finishing my planned 41 mile ride, so I pushed on.   I was returning from my destination, Clarks Gap on the W & OD Trail. 

It was a great day to ride through the Loudoun County countryside.  I averaged 13.4 mph.  I am still tired several hours later.

Riding and working

My life has been very busy in the last two weeks.  We are getting closer to opening the Fiat Studio.   I had the chance to bike 17 miles before work today.   I could feel that it had been a week since I had been on the bike.   It feels like I am fighting ether fighting time, weather, or both, so today felt great.

My Proudest Moment: Trailer Park Cyclist Vs Cervelo Guy

My Proudest Moment: Trailer Park Cyclist Vs Cervelo Guy

Weather Breaks, l Ride

I got the chance to ride after some strong storms rolled though this morning.     I was lucky to have the day off.   I have been busy at the new Fiat Studio. Thankfully   I am on track to complete my 1000 mile goal.  

Flip Camera Tribute

Cisco Has decided to abandon the Flip Camera.   Will the Flip camera go the way of the Sony Walkman cassette player?   Whatever happens, I will continue to use my camera.    As a tribute to the Flip,  I put together a little vid you might enjoy

Biking past history

Wiehle Town Hall

In Fairfax County, history can be found along the W&OD trail, the history of The Civil War, A struggling railroad, and a Bourbon distillery can be discovered if you know where to look. 


This old Town Hall was suppose to become the utopia of Wiehle it was abandoned about 1901 and became a part of the Bowman Distillery that would produce Virginia Gentleman bourbon until the company relocated in 1988.

This Caboose is located near a skirmish that occurred in Vienna Virginia during the Civil War.  Confederate Troops attacked a Union Locomotive forcing a hasteful retreat by the engineer and Union Troops.

Wet weather Dalmac traning

Today, Aaron and I had a rare chance to train for the Dalmac together.   I checked the local forecast.   The forecast was reporting a break in the wetness that would give us a 3 hour window of dry cycling.    It started to rain about 2 miles into the ride.  3 miles into the ride and the rain got heavy, and the wind got stronger.   We made it 10 miles to Carolina Brothers BBQ for Lunch.  Our BBQ was great and the return trip was less dramatic as the rain had relented.    Total miles for today was 20.

Spring Activity

 Today,  I noticed a lot of activity in Northern Virginia.  Fresh asphalt on the trail, a new bridge, a new office building, new homes, new roads, new commuter lots.  It was the kind of activity that makes me think we are all going to have a great year! 

 Today, it was about 60 with a 20 mph cross wind that was making going downhill a challenge! I have never experienced a reduction of speed after cresting a hill before.

Spring in Loudoun County, VA

I recently purchased an Android OS smart phone.  I found an app that I used for the first time today.  The app is called Endomondo.    The app is configured so you can put it on your handlebars and monitor while you are cycling.  I put my phone in my bag and looked at the phone when I was finished with my ride.    This is the data I was able to collect using the app: Total 28.8 miles. Time 2h, 20min, 1 sec. Avg speed 12.03 mph.  The app saves a google map of your ride that is saved with your workout.  I burned 1,918 calories.  My first mile was the slowest at 7:47sec. My fastest mile was mile 8 at 3:25.  Very interesting.  I would recommend.

2011 Goals

Without goals I feel like I am riding in a dense fog without a clear view of the road ahead.   My personal goals for 2011 consist of riding in the Dalmac, and raising money for charity using my bicycle.   Last year it felt good to ride in the Tour De Cure and help raise over $500 to help fight diabetes.  

This year, my XL Jersey's feel tight, and I am going to have to put the miles in to make my Dalmac enjoyable.  I hope to ride 1,000 miles before August 30th.   I will be keeping track of my miles so everyone can see my progress on this blog. 

The journey will be interesting.. 

Muse steps out

Today, I took the Muse out for a ride.  I wanted to see how the 28c tires would affect the ride.  The ride is much improved, it feels like a different bike.  A plusher, less pissed off kind of feel.    I am now getting a good feel for the seven after two seasons.   I felt the Cat Eye was giving me suspect numbers, When I got back from the ride I adjusted the tire size in the V2c cycle computer 2136 vs 2096. 

Urban riding is interesting,  It requires a lot of communication with others.  I have to let cars know what my intentions are.  I have to let runners know when I am passing on the left.   I have to anticipate  pedestrians, buses, other bikes and dogs on leashes.   The world it seems has tuned out.   ipad, ipod, iphone, text, call, and the intranet while walking and driving  makes my communication with others more difficult. 

Muse Updates

The Seven received some updates this week.  The 2009 Dalmac proved that 23c tires were not the best choice for Michigan back roads.  I purchased a pair of 28c all condition armadillo elite tires.  I also replaced my Gore Ride-On shift cables with conventional Dura-Ace cables.  My friends at Spoke's recommended Lizard Skins DSP 2.5 bar tape.  The bar tape has a grippy, spongy feel. I went with blue.

What 2 Ride on your Dalmac

Today, I was thinking about bikes of Dalmac past.  It would seem presumptuous of me to tell you what to ride on Dalmac.  I have seen and sold a variety of the bikes on Dalmac over the years.  It's been 10 years since my first Dalmac, I feel I have earned the right share my advice with you.  Before I do, I wanted to talk about the bikes I have ridden on Dalmac.  

My first 2 years I rode a rigid steel 1994 Barracuda mountain bike. Dalmackers would say "wow! your on a Mountain Bike, must be hard to go 90 miles on that"    I felt I had a secret that no one had ever discovered.  It was hard, but I was comfortable.   I loved this bike, and it went up The Wall without drama.  It could also go fast downhill.  Unfortunately for me the friends I rode with the first two episodes both rode road bikes.  I would make it to lunch spent, my legs hurt and I would ride the afternoon by myself.   My friends would get into camp about 1pm unload my bags for me (Rick) and I would roll in about 2pm exhausted and wonder where everybody was. 

My third and forth editions were spent on a 2005 Specialized Sirrus Pro hybrid .  This hybrid was fast with Mavic 700c Speed City's, an Ultegra compact drive drain and Hydraulic Disc brakes.   I rode with my Dad on his superlight Trek 8000 Easton EA60 ProGram aluminum Mountain Bike.  That was the year we rode the East Route.    I rode with Aaron on his vintage Giant steel bike the next year.  I remember 2007 as the year I was quoted as saying.  "This is my first day of training for the Dalmac" as we left the MSU Pavilion.

#5 was spent on the Seven, Aaron had a Lemond.  Greg was on the Cannondale Tandem with Andy, everyone else just wanted to go our pace, Tony amazed me with his endurance on his Mountain Bike.

My advice, ride the same wheel size that your friend has. You will hear a lot less bitching.

First ride of 2011

The weather was very nice today around Washington, I had to take the opportunity and hit the W&OD trail.   In D.C. a bike trail is typically paved, unlike when we talk about bike trails in Michigan they are typically off-road.  So, I only went 5 miles down the trail but it felt so good.   I shook down the Sirrus(a 2x veteran of the Dalmac), I have not ridden the Specialized in a long time, still dirty from the muddy Allegheny Passage. 

Dalmac Return

I have cleared the calendar in 2011.  I will be riding the 4 day west this year.  I am going to make sure Dalmac #6 is going to be my best.