Over the winter, we decided our trike needed to have a name. After all the flat tires, we had last season, we were tempted to name her, "Flat Tire Flossie," but decided it would be best to put that era to rest. So we settled instead, on the name , Rosie. It fits the color of our trike, and where we live. So if you hear me refer to Rosie," you'll know who, or what, I am talking about.
The warm weather arrived early this year, but I have been waiting for my orthotics (and cycling sandals, that had to be sent in with my foot castings,) to arrive. Although it is mid March, we have had July weather, which is enough to awaken the urge to ride, in any cyclist. However, since our tandem trike, sits only 18 inches from the pavement, we could get seriously injured if our feet slip off of the pedals, so we ride clipped in. For us, no cycling shoes, means no riding. Remembering my mothers saying "A watched pot never boils," we tried to keep busy, using the time to clean up the trike and get it ready to ride.
Wanting to make sure we didn't have a repeat of the flat tire saga of 2011, we loaded Rosie up, and headed to Terra Trike. Rain was predicted for our trip, so we got Rosie on the trailer, and into the garage, the night before. Our preference would have been a sunny day, but we had to do what fit in our schedule, so off we went. Terra trike is about 90 miles from where we live, we wanted to make sure, ALL the metal shavings were out of the rims, so felt the trip was necessary. We had asked the technician to rinse the rims out with windex, to make sure all the shavings were out. Our hope is that along with blowing it out with an air compressor, using the windex, would pick up the metal shavings , which could then be dumped out. The windex, alcohol based, would evaporate, not leaving any moisture behind. The proof it worked, will come in the form of no more flat tires. We are hoping for the best.
When the tech had the back rim off, he could see that, when it was drilled, a great mangling had taken place. It looked as if a drill had been stuck in the rim and pulled forcibly out, or perhaps the hole had been punched through, instead of drilled. Anyway, the event, was causing the Aero Heat ,Velocity rim to crack. The cost of a new rim? A $125.00. Since we had the rims drilled at our local bike shop, the previous summer, we decided to take it back there and see if they would replace it, at no charge. They took one look at it, and said, yes they would. I think the willingness to help, is the difference in dealing with a local, small town, bike shop, versus one in the city. Things are more personal in small town America and customer service, still matters. A new rim has been ordered, and thankfully, the crack in the rim we have now, isn't bad enough, that we can't ride.
We are trying something a bit different with keeping hydrated this year. We bought 2, 70 ounce, camelback, unbottles, with bite valves on them.
I can strap them on the back of our seats and bring the tubing right over our shoulder. We will keep our electrolyte water, in our caged, water bottles.
At the end of each riding season, I clean all 10 feet the chains, give them a good lube, with Bo-Shield T-9, and make sure Rosie has a good wash and shine. That way, come spring, she's all ready to roll. However, since our trip in the rain, involved a gravel road, she had to be cleaned up all over again, including the chain.
Sand on a chain is equivalent to washing fine china with sand, so even though it's not my favorite job, it had to be done.
The frame was filthy too, so the wash and shine routine from last fall was repeated. Now we are really eager to get out on the road.
Once again, we will be doing the Pedal Across Lower Michigan bike tour. Better known as PALM. This year, over 750 riders will be starting in St Joseph MI and riding 290 miles across the state. From there we go on to Paw Paw, Battle Creek, Perry, Leslie, Ortonville, and ending in New Baltimore, which is on the shore of Lake St Clare. My niece and great niece from SD, will be joining us for this great adventure. We are hoping that we don't end up with 5 rainy days, like we did last year. Regardless of the weather, we will be relying on the Lord to get us through our training and the tour.
Our warm weather is supposed to hold throughout the week, we are looking forward to picking up my orthotics and biking sandals in a few days. Meanwhile we will have to settle for taking walks and dreaming of biking. Rosie will be in her usual spot in the garage, waiting for action.
Stay tuned for the official start of our 2012 cycling adventures. Let the games begin.
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