No Rain Going, Rain Homeward - Gear in Review Keen Presidio Pedal

Everything was wet, but at least no rain on my ride in to work. Been feeling so good, I think I am actually pushing myself a bit harder even on my ride in. This morning I had to tell myself to ride in cool-down mode along the esplanade. Still instantly went into sweat mode as soon as I went from cool outside in to the warm inside of my work building. Wow. I even stopped to take the picture over there.

Part of my ride purpose was getting a readjustment ride to my re-installed longer stem (maybe 10mm). This particular stem was what I had run with waaaay back when I was riding a whole lot. It does not seem like much, but it gives me just a bit more room across the top of the bars and I just feel less scrunched up.

Thanks to the changing to daylight savings, I'm back to riding in dark - thanks, Ben! You know who I'm talking to. I guess I need to keep using the mongo headlight for a bit longer.

Well, my dry good fortune of the morning was gone this afternoon. Plain and simple rain, with a bit of south, southwest wind thrown in for luck. Still had a good ride, the Harrison/Lincoln hill continues to get flatter, climbing the bump on Mt. Tabor can be done much more easily.

Here's my view looking back up the road where I came from, standing in the dry cover comfort of my garage.

Gear in Review - Keen Presidio Pedal

As long as we are talking, and riding in, rain, now would be a good time to chat about my commuter shoes, Keen Presidio Pedal. Not only are they my biking shoes, but I wear these all day, so I do not have tote around an extra pair of shoes.

I do use Shimano clips on 'em, so even with the recessed mounting, they will clickety clack occasionally, especially walking outside, but it is not bad.

Comfort -- These shoes are actually quite comfy, lot's of toe room and do not have any pressure points even when wearing wool, ski socks. Design -- The soles are not overly stiff so walking is comfortable, but stiff enough to work well with the clipless side of my pedals. They also have a lace holder to keep those laces out of spinning things. Bonus -- The leather uppers look nice and, by the way, keep the rain out! Saves the wear and tear on my neoprene booties.

I do recommend these shoes. Yes, they are not as stiff as my carbon soled Specialized MTB or Sidi road bike shoes, but they do much better than wearing non-cycling shoes. I can wear 'em all day, they keep the feet dry, what more could you ask for, heh?

Awesome Commuting Weather Today!

Wow, the weather was so different than most reports for Monday (3/7). Some sun, a bit cool temperature wise, but so nice for riding in with Evan and to work. This picture was taken just before reaching the Steel bridge.

There goes Evan on our route to school. What an enjoyable difference to ride in something other than rain and wet! Really enjoyed riding, chatting and being out in the fresh morning air.

We spun along fairly easily, not being in a great hurry to get anywhere, we have the route timing down pretty well these days, so no rushing around. Funny, when I drove we always seemed to push the time to the last minute, I guess it seemed like we should get there faster than we usually did. You'd think we would figure that out and leave earlier. Must be something about cars that makes one feel faster or to be far more lax and leaving with enough time to not be rushed. Go figure.

Loving being back on the road bike and the backpack is working out nicely. For me, I am also making my return from work trip over the edge of Mt. Tabor park so I'm working a bit harder, which has been good training.

Today's ride was also nice and I do feel I am beginning to build up the strength. This morning, instead of riding on the flatter Division St. to 52nd Ave then cutting over to Lincoln/Harrison, I decided to ride Harrison over the southern edge of Mt. Tabor Park. I've often been reluctant as I sort of felt intimidated to start my ride with a slow climb. Anyway, the climb was not too bad and I just took it easy and focused on how my legs were feeling or was it yelling back at me?

Once I made the intersection where the road drops back out of the park or continues up into the park I decided this is not a bad way to go. From the intersection it is all down hill until a brief flat section to SE 60th. Then I am basically on my regular Lincoln/Harrison ride into downtown Portland. I felt very good, maybe it was the climbing warm-up, the legs felt strong, I was in my big chainring all the way until MLK.

Home bound I also had a good ride, felt strong, and even climbing the 2 miles up Harrison/Lincoln from 21st to 60th was not bad. Climbing is getting easier, I am spinning in higher gears. Nice to have the hip healing, only some limits with my right side, but not too bad - actually feel better riding than walking.

Gear in Review

This is my Lowe Alpine backpack with the air zone, which places an air space between the pack and your back. It is small, but can hold my lock and cable, tool kit, space for clothes and my small purse. There are not too many dangling straps and there are two side stash pockets that are handy. This pack also comes with a rain cover that really keeps everything inside dry -- and I have totally tested this in downpours recently.

The backpack is not the lightest with all my stuff, but carries well, feels balanced and I do not have any hot spots or points of excess pressure. Very comfortable and only at the point that actually rests on my back do I get a little sweaty wet.

My only complaint was I did not have easy places for my phone and camera pouches like on my messenger bag. Well not wanting to overly compromise, I came up with a working solution. I removed the strap from an old shoulder bag, that had already donated a portion as my tool pouch (I wrote about that earlier).

Since I don't use the backpack waist strap, I took the clamps from my messenger bag chest strap and attached the short end to the waist strap fastener. Through other clamp end I forced the wide shoulder strap and then stitched the strap end closed. The loose end of the shoulder strap I threaded through the hydration tube loop on the backpack shoulder strap. I have a single plastic webbing loop that keeps the strap from pulling back through. I now have a handy chest strap that I can attach my phone and camera pouches. If I am not using it, I can just remove the strap, which happens anytime I am riding in the rain. I did send my request to Timbuk2 for waterproof pouches, so we'll see if anything comes of that.