Mild Winter Means Great Riding

Portland has been having an extremely mild winter - no extreme cold and, even, not a lot of rain! We have had some moody foggy mornings which is kind of cool, I like the imagery of fog - is that weird? The morning commutes are, like last year, providing more solitude which is nice for mellowing the mind before thrusting myself into the hecticness of the workday.

Each day is a different day including the scenery that surrounds me. Even during my second year of bike commuting, there are times I just have to stop to take a picture and enjoy the light, shadows, calmness. Occassionally I will wonder if those passing think I am a rookie commuter, snapping pictures of, to them, just another day. See, that's why I need this, to distract my constantly fleeting thoughts.

One would think project SUB (MB-5) is no longer a project ... well, not quite. I decided to use it for test lab as I plan out another MB-1 project (Project MB-1.2). Here I am testing a variation on the drop bar, On One Midge bar and playing with a set of balloon tires, Schwalbe Big Apples (26" x 2.15" = 55-559).

Riding around on this set up is actually enjoyable and fun. The Midge bars are much better than the Moustache bars, since they have actual straight tops and the brake levers are not completely horizontal, and there is some drop to them. The balloon tires are quite different and not as slow as one might think. The last time I rode around on tires that took such low pressure (currently running 30psi) was way back in my childhood days on the Schwinn single speed!

Okay, so when I build up MB-1.2, I'll use the Midge bars and Schwalbe Big Apples. Having two MB-1s will be fun and they will be fairly different for different riding purposes, but both will be fun riding bikes. SUB will be re-converted to the errand bike, the one I can use panniers on.

There seems to have been quite a few Bridgestones for sale in and around the Portland area recently. Given that, you would think I would see more Bridgestones on the road, but that does not seem to be the case. So, the other day, I stopped at City Bikes on my way home to check their used parts bins for some brake parts. While paying, someone came in and asked, "Who owns the MB-1?" I said, "It's mine." He said, "Nice bike."

When I left and as I unlocked my bike, I realized why he asked. There locked to the next over rack was a Bridgestone MB-0.

The MB-0 is on the right. Cool, a first for me!

Ice Bits Riding, Missed Snow Day, More Project MB-1

This past week started out with nearly 24 hour local news of the big storm coming to town. Monday, as you can see from above, we got something, it was not really snow and not really ice, snice? While cold, it was not bad for the morning commute, not slippery like our earlier frozen frost mornings. Well, it was so cool out with the ice bits, that I took some on the bike shots, too.

The trick with the moving shots was I had some camera button issues because of the winter gloves I was wearing. Danged buttons are pretty small and close together. Several times I shot the camera off when I was trying to push the shutter button.

After Monday's snice, Tuesday was just kinda wet, with some coldness. Then, Tuesday night we got our snow. It was wet snow, I could tell by the way it droooooped off the car in the driveway.

I like the snow. I love the quietness it brings. I went outside to take this shot at around 11pm something. So . . . . . quiet. And, pretty.

Well, very, very shortly after I shot this . . . BAM . . . no more electricity. The wet, heavy snow was starting to take its toll and areas were blacking out.

Now it was even quieter . . . and darker. It was still amazing how bright it was though. If you look closely, you can see how the snow was drooping off the rear window of my car. Can you say, wet snow?

Project MB-1

As has been said many times before me, "A project bike is never done . . ." I decided to refine the headlight battery mount just a little, as it was not as tight as I would like.

(Fabrication pictures: Project MB-1 Battery Mount Pictures)

The refinement is a bit subtle, but remember, I be a perfectionist, lol. The key change was to lengthen the lower support piece and use a small piece of double-sided tape to reduce twisting and offset the jostling happening while avoiding road junk and hitting driveways and ramps. Also, I added a upper lip to do the same thing.

Installed, you cannot really see a whole of difference, except the bracket appears a little longer, which, of course, it is.

Overall, the bike is working out great and is fun to ride. The geometry and fit feel good and I just like looking at it, so that is a good sign, too.

The only sad thing is that I missed the chance for a snow ride, since I ended up getting sick. I think the issues of harder breathing in the cold recently finally caught up with me, plus, apparently a bunch of us in a meeting Monday were dropping out sick, so I get to blame someone at work.

Rain a coming ... or so they say

Well, rain or snow/rain or some snow is being predicted for the second half of this coming weekend. Well it feels cold enough to be close, at least. For now, we had a great week for bike commuting -- it was dry! There were some great mornings of awesome city views, and there was some east wind which was cool for the ride home, which of course added to the joy of going uphill into a headwind, right?

These two images show the change from day to day, with a little difference in my ability to get a good point-and-shoot camera exposure and getting use to my DSLR - lol. The second image was a morning with a bit of fog and shot with the point-and-shoot. The first image I used my Pentax K5. That is one pretty cool thing about Portland is you can go out day after day and come back with a different sense of the same image, in this case Portland - Willamette River - Hawthorne Bridge.

Project MB-1? The MB-1 is doing great and I am loving the ride! The fit is good, I think I have pretty much dialed in seat position and that lines up well with the handlebar position. The Dura-Ace downtube shifters are doing their job and working out nicely. I am getting the hang of friction-only shifting, though I only seem to miss when I am downshifting going uphill - why is that, anyway, haha?

I did do a small update to my wire routing along the top tube rear brake cable set up. To eliminate the need for the zip ties and just clean up the look a bit, I ran a longer piece of spiral wrap that extends a little past each brake cable boss. This keeps the wiring lined up nicely.

Now, there is no more white zip tie on either end and the line is cleaner. The following picture shows how I bridged across the cable boss.

You can see the single wrap around the cable, then a couple wraps around the wiring, then the wrapping around both the wiring and cable housing. This keeps everything nice and tidy. The other thing is that, should I change my mind, which I often do, I can easily remove everything for re-use and without having to undo the brake cable.

I remember this ...

... commuting in the dark mornings.

Ooooo, sunrise, Jan 3, from my commute through Mt. Tabor Park in SE Portland. What a great greeting for a morning ride into work.

Things are looking familiar now, since I am now starting my second year of bike commuting - yay, I made it through my rookie year! Leaving early means darker mornings, but right now it seems to be right around sunrise, unless I get up a little earlier and on my way without dragging my feet, that is.

We have been quite lucky here in Portland in we have had pretty dry weather, recently. Only on my way home Frday did I get significant rain. It was a good test of the MB-1's fenders and long mudflaps. The bike stayed pretty clean overall, save for the brake goo that always comes off the pads and rims. In the late afternoon, basically end of the day, I had a doctor appointment, which is only about 3/4 mile away from work, so I rode there. (BP 116/68, Pulse 67 - we're good, yeah) While at my bike getting my rain gear on, my doctor walked by on his way home. He liked the color choice of the bike - cool.

I saw quite a few bike commuters on my way home, more than I usually see, since I usually leave work earlier than 4:30pm. That was pretty cool to see people still riding regardless of the weather. I had one person, while we were at a stop light, compliment me on using a MB-1 for a commuter - another cool. Then she roared on away when the light turned green.

I have to say I still love the winter mornings for the later sunrise. I can get some great views without necessitating having to get up earlier - lol. Even structures that in broad daylight are rather boring take on a more romantic-ish persona. On the left, above, is the rather mundane on-ramp from I-5 south to I-84 east. In this light, it acts like a pointer to the wonderful colors of the sunrise - that's my opinion, anyway. The Willamette was very calm, too.

Having the Willamette River bisect Portland is both good and bad. Bad, in terms of getting across it sometimes, especially in a car. Good, or is it great, in that we have some amazing views and it totally breaks up what would otherwise be just steel and concrete, building to building with no real views or vistas.

I always slow down once I have reached the river, both to cool down before starting work and to just enjoy the view. This is good, also, because it helps keep me from going too far in to commuting zombie mode - you know, where you just get in/on your transportation, put the blinders on, and head to work. I really do not want that to happen, though I have found myself in the mode a few times. Of course, I think it has more to do with having to go to work than my mode or route - hahaha.

Happy New Year, Project MB-1 Continues

Happy new year, everyone!

Our January 1, 2012 began with some great, for winter, weather. Some clouds, but also some sun shining through. Because we  had some afternoon family activities planned, I decided to do a solo, new year day ride. I should note the wind was blowing pretty good from the east (17 mph), which is not unusual for our area. National Weather Service showed gusts up to 24 mph.

Rather than head toward Portland (west) because of the wind, and the fact I ride toward Portland every work day, I planned out an eastward journey. This would also give me one more shake down ride of the MB-1 before it begins its daily commuting duties. This would also be the first test of the the Shimano Dura-Ace shifters which replaced the Silver ones. The Dura-Ace ones  have more friction which should prevent the auto-shifting I experienced on the xmas eve epic ride.

At the junction of the I-205 bike path and the Springwater Corridor trail, seeing the graffiti was a little saddening. I mean, really, not even creative nor artistic nor anything. Just plain ugly. The last time I was east of this junction was the Sunday Parkways way back when.

I stopped at a crossing of Johnson Creek to see some of the restoration work going on. While there, I saw the only other cyclists I would see on my route, 3. I guess most were waiting for the in-town rides. I enjoyed my new, recreation ride - even with all the wind. Part of my route included taking a tour through my old, old neighborhood where I grew up (ages 1 to 16). Structurally everything looked mostly the same. I rode by the house and could see some of the very original structures my Dad had built - side concrete for extending the off-street parking, the back patio roof. Ah, some cool memories.

After that, I enjoyed a helpful push home from the east wind. Ah, yes, a good way to bring in the new year with that first day, sunny, fun ride.

Project MB-1 : Headlight Wiring
As with most projects, at least for me, Project MB-1 is an on-going exercise in my pursuit of perfection and aesthetics. One of the goals was to minimize excessive cable and wiring, to maintain a focus of attention on the frame rather than a lot of the "accessories."

One challenge for me is how to connect the headlight lithium battery pack to the headlight without the wiring being in the way or looking overly "just stuck on." I solved the rear light issue by buying the DiNotte 300R with the battery pack built-in. Since I wanted a smaller profile headlight, that also meant a separate battery pack.

With the battery pack mounted under the seat stay, the wiring would run along the top tube and rear brake cable. Now the trick is how to keep the wiring from flopping around?

Well, after some sitting and staring at the wiring, I figured I needed something that would allow me to use the brake cable to securely attach the wiring. Whatever I used, I also needed to make sure the braking was not affected. As you can see in the picture above, the wiring is routed above the brake cable and there are 3 white, spiral cable wraps. Now the wiring will stay in place and there is no negative affect on braking.

Of course, after I made my own spiral wrap I found a place on-line that has just what I need. I did place an order for some black, spiral wrap (1/8" inside diameter).

I started with a piece of tubing taken from my old refrigerator thermostat sensor (see, there is a value to keeping things around for a little while). To make the spiral, I began snipping at an angle and just kept snipping for a while.

Once I had enough length, a purely, scientific guestimate approach, I test installed a piece to figure out what length I needed for each attachment point. I ended up with approximately 2 wraps on the wiring on either side of a long wrap around the wiring and brake cable.

I guess it is true, necessity is the mother of invention. Now my wiring will stay in place and maintains a fairly clean line along the top tube. Just in time for daily commuting.

(Oh, the on-line store that has a wide range of spiral cable wrap is, Cable Ties And More).

A White Christmas - Project MB-1 Assembly & Fabrication

Well, this being Portland, OR, it was a white bicycle xmas. That's right, Project MB-1 is now road ready! I was able to get all the parts on and fitted in time for a xmas eve ride with a  couple of ride buddies for a tough, hill climbing 32 mile inaugural ride. The picture above is from our high point at Bald Peak Park.

Last week Gene from Rad Finishes called to say the bike would be ready and we arranged to pick up the frame on Thursday, 12/22.

As soon as I saw it I was, "Wow!" While the factory color is Pearl Tusk, which is a stronger ivory white, this is more white-white with the orange pearl on top. Then, when we took it back into the paint booth for some pictures, it just glowed.

The cool thing about picking the frame up on Thursday, was my vacation starts the following Friday, so I can start assembly immediately. Having collected parts and visualized how I wanted to fabricate the various pieces over the last two months would be a huge jump start. First up was the fit up the wheels to ensure paint clearance at the drop outs and to being fitting up of the SKS Alley Cat fenders. I was liking these with their matt black finish rather than the standard shiny black. These would help to keep the focus on the frame rather than distract the eye away from it.

I started with the front fender and already knew I wanted to minimize external attachment points and paint marring. My plan was to fabricate an insert to fit inside the steerer tube that the fender mount would attach to. Since a hole existed on front and back, I used the front hole as the allen wrench access to the allen head screw on the inside. The insert is a piece of aluminum that I shaped into a round shape, drilled the mounting holes, then cleaned up the edges.

I used an acorn nut on the outside for a cleaner look. (I may see about reversing the fastener set up for an even cleaner look. All fasteners are stainless steel. Once the mount was finished up, it was just a matter of adjusting the stays for an even fit around the tire.

Next, it was on to the rear fender. Again, with the goal to create simple, aesthetically pleasing fabrications I utilized the chain stay bridge threaded insert and the newly installed threaded insert in the seat stay bridge. The lower mount uses a button head M5 allen screw, a couple of aluminum spacers and a washer to protect the paint. This provided the base tire to fender gap.

Once the lower mount was done, I moved on to the upper mount. Again, a piece of the aluminum strip was just the answer. I fit the aluminum bracket to the fender mount first, allowing for some up and down adjustment. Then I measure for the seat stay mounting hole. The finished bracket is actually a little narrower than in the picture below and I moved the fender mount bracket to attach to the lower side (the side you see in the picture). This provides a nice clean look from the other side. Now all that was left was to adjust the fender stays for an even spacing around the tire.

Seat post, seat, handlebar/stem, crankset, derailleurs and chain came next. I had to shorten the 9 speed chain some but the new bottom bracket and crankset lined up nicely with the Ultegra 9 speed cassette. Of course, I suspected no problems since the 107mm bottom bracket and Sugino XD600 are the same set up as is on the MB-5. Project MB-1 was beginning to look like a whole bike, again.

I set up the handlebar in as close to actual as possible so I could begin brake and cables installation. Brake installation was straightforward since I was using the originals, just like I used the original derailleurs. The Jagwire ripcord cables and housings were a breeze to install and I actually like the black teflon coating, subdues their noticeability against the bike frame a little bit more. For the shifters, I first tried a set of Shimano 9 speed index shifters. The indexing did not line up well with the Suntour XC Pro rear derailleur, so I figured if I was going to go with friction only, I would use my Silver set. Well, their feel is great, but on my long ride, they kept auto-shifting, especially when the derailleurs were at their extended points (lowest gear in rear or large ring up front). I would then switch it back to friction mode for the Shimano Dura-Ace shifters, which  have a bit more friction.

I wanted to keep the frame lines clean, including the chain stay, so I thought about how to protect this area. The clear, thin film you can buy did not appeal to me as it did not necessarily protect against chain impact and was ugly after a while of being hit and all. What I am currently using is a piece of thin wall, vinyl tubing from the hardware store.

I kind of like it. It allows for the color and decal to show through and is thick enough to provide good chain stay protection. It is cheap and does not require adhesive, either. Well, with all the cables routed and adjusted, it was simply now just fine tune the handlebar position, which only took a few up and down the street trips, then it was time to wrap 'em up.

And then, it was like, "cooooooollllll!" MY bike, for sure. Since I knew I was going to ride it on the xmas eve ride, I took it out for a short test ride to make sure I did not miss anything significant and make sure everything was seated well. The ride was sweet, felt good, felt like an old, trusted steed, not a newly built from scratch, new-old frame bike.

The bike felt just right and quite familiar - I suppose some of that is the handlebar and seat are from the SUB (MB-5). It was more than those, though, as the comfort and feel of the bike were great.

It could be just me, but the bike seems very photogenic, too.

The xmas eve ride was physically tough, since I have not ridden any terrain like we did for the distance (2500' elevation gain, 32 miles; high point 1600 some feet). The weather, though, could not have been better - sunny, amazing views and great company. Hopefully my riding partners did not feel too held back.

The bike, save for one overshift which caused the chain to jump off the 46T big chainring, performed flawlessly. Okay, the Silver shifters could not hold against the max extension of the derailleurs, but that was relatively minor. We rode on pavement and hardpack dirt/gravel. I think I hit somewhere near 45 mph coming down from Bald Peak Park. The bike was very stable. I was very, very happy with how uber SUB has turned out.

And, here are my two riding buddies, Tom (left) and Mark on Mountain Top Rd., not quite our high point, yet. I am grateful they are great riding buddies and did not complain about having to wait for me at the tops of the climbs.

Fall Transitions - Still Pretty

A month! Already! Where does the time go? Fall has brought darker mornings which means some pretty cool sunrises as I climb the, what is called, south Tabor bump. Of course, this has also meant adjusting what I wear - it's cold but dry; it's cool with chance of rain; it's cold and foggy; it's who knows. Probably by the time I figure out the right combo to stay warm and dry but not too sweaty, the weather will change again as it marches toward winter.

This is also the first time I am encountering frost on my rides. That's a new experience for sure, can be pretty slick - slower cornering, leaning the body and not the bike, watch the quick moves, look farther ahead especially going downhills. Investing in lightweight base layers to help reduce the cold, wet back feeling.

Before the cold snap and all the leaves dropping, the colors were AMAZING! So, so beautiful riding amongst all the bright reds and yellows, just made me feel so awesome. Hard to be anything but happy.

Seems as soon as we went from November to December the warm fall also changed. It was a different sort of beauty out there. We have had foggy mornings which clear out for some sunny afternoons. You can see the frost in the image below which compliments the fog, grey and flat water of the Willamette River.

Even having to be more cautious on my ride, I still enjoy looking around, pedaling along. There seems to always be something different or new. Sometimes what captures my attention is a broader view as in the Esplanade view above or it could be something up close and personal, like the frost on my car in driveway in the picture below.

The little frost "hairs" were so cool!

Hope you all are enjoying fall.

Cool, foggy, rainy mornings - Yep, it's Fall in Portland

Been some lovely, fall, foggy mornings and with the darkerness some cool cityscape scenes. Above was an especially amazing morning as I rode in along the Eastbank Esplanade. The fog was rolling along the river fairly quickly. A couple of quick pictures and the scene changed drastically and the wisp of fog in front of the building was gone. I guess that speaks to be in the moment, since once it's gone, it's gone.

Time for readjusting the commuting wear, fleece - check; ear covers - check; back up rain gear - check; and so it goes. The golden red and yellow leaves on the trees and ground have been a beautiful backdrop to my commutes - though with our recent and current rains I'm sure that will change to brown mush soon.

The streets are certainly less crowded, again. I guess the much cooler temps and chance of rain has people prepping for the hibernation season - lol. Every now and then I check the indoor bike parking and it's good to see it full several days of the week. Nice knowing people have continued their commitment to bike commuting.

Not much progress on the uber SUB project, since I am still waiting on the paint. I think I pretty much have all the parts ready to go on, some old, some new. Looking forward to not just assembly, but to the fine-tune assembly to make it just right. A lot of work for a commuter/all arounder bike? Nah. I am not a member of that school of thought that a commuter should be a beater bike. Hey, if I am going to ride it that much I should enjoy it, no, love it, don't you think?

Happy Fall biking everyone.

More Fall = Lovely

Had to stop on my ride home last week to capture this beautiful, colorful view. I wish the colors started sooner and lasted longer. Living in a very green area is great, but I sure love the contrast of the yellows, reds, also the fallen leaves are pretty spectacular. Maybe I am so aware of this time of year is because we apparently are beginning what we affectionately call, the rainy season, here in the Portland area. Once that starts, the colors are not so brilliantly, being subdued by all the grey. The leaves on the ground are but a dark mushy blob - bringing more danger than beauty - they can be so, so slippery.

Project MB-1
Okay, I've come up with the name of this project. It is my vintage, retro, new age uber SUB project, because that's what it will be when I put it all together. Vintage, for the pieces I am retaining and/or making like it was originally. Retro, for the components that give the bike that old school charm. New age, for those things that are based on newer designs or technology, even though they might emote a vintage or retro feel.

I did pick up my new wheel set and they are gorgeous! Built by Sugar Wheel Works, an independently owned shop in Portland. Components? Velo Orange Grand Cru high-flange hubs (rear accepts 9 speed cogs), Sapim butted spokes, Velocity Synergy rims with eyelets and Continental SportContact tires (32-559) 26" x 1.3".

Rear Wheel, Hub Side

Rear Hub, Shiny and Pretty

Front Wheel

Front Hub

Now I sit around and think, "I want to build my bicycle ..."

I guess I will really, really enjoy that first ride.

Nearly Full Circle on My Bike Commuting - Fall has Arrived

The lovely fall mornings have been great for riding in to work. At the moment, if I actually get going at my desired time, I arrive at work just past sunrise. I get to now enjoy those great, peaceful mornings and enjoy the serenity of Portland's lights and waterfront. The changing season is beginning to thin out the morning crowds, again, too. Of course, I know it also means cold is coming as well as wet, oh well, loving the seasonal change.

More than the summer mornings, these cooler, darker mornings seem to be more calming to my constantly turning mind wheels before I cross that line from my space to my work space and the daily scurring begins.

By bits and pieces some of the new parts for the uber SUB are coming in, sort of a trickle in holiday, except, of course, I am also the one buying 'em. The hardest part? I can't put them on, yet, since I have to be anstily patient while the frame is being refinished. I suppose it is a good thing as I am forced to think about how I will put it all back together and think about the small details, like cable covers to keep the cable slap from beating up the paint and all that.

Haha, even work looks good in the early morning light (okay, this is a little darker than it actually was when I took the picture, but hey, looks better this way). Oh, it's the low building with all the golden windows.

If you ever get a chance, definitely go for a early morning ride, it truly is the best.

Project MB-1 Progressing; SUB Back to Drop Bars

I will start in reverse order of this blog's title. After a couple of days I had to swap out the moustache bars and put drop bars back on the SUB. My wrists were not happy with the limited positions and I really missed the tops for cruisin' and climbin'. I guess I am just a drop bar girl.

Next week our Team NWEA tshirts should be ready for pick up so I can finish up my team captain duties. In some ways, I feel a void as far as bike commuting support, since we are basically back to "normal" bike commuting. As the weather has changed I have noticed fewer bikes at work, but that's cool.

I continue to be loving the fall colors and the cooler temps, I guess I was ready to  have a change in the color of the scenery, and riding without totally sweating out on the ride in. With fewer folks out in the mornings I can relax and sort of meditate on the way in to work.

Project MB-1 (uber SUB)

I am looking forward to starting the assembly part of my project. The frame is off at Rad Finishes (Portland, OR) and work will be starting on Monday with stripping. I am having a brand new wheelset built, also in Portland, by Sugar Wheel Works. So, I have unbusy hands right now, well only if you exclude all the internet researching, so I am mentally picturing different ideas, products, and such. Also, building up the list of odds and ends to not lose track of. Some of my new parts will come from swapping with the SUB, which will save some dollars and, yet, not totally make the SUB unrideable.

See, this is what it looks like inside my imagination ... "I could do this, and if I do this, then I could do that ..."

Key highlights will be:

• Drop bars - the good ones from the SUB (which I have already taken off and put the other Cinelli ones on the SUB).
• New Tektro brake levers in silver (SUB still has her black ones).
• Down tube shifter bosses w/friction only shift levers.
• This allows me to see if I can get 8 or 9 cogs on the back with the original derailleur.
• Oh, paint wise, I am going with a reproduction of the original pearl tusk (slightly off white base with a red pearl overcoat).
• The new wheelset will consist of Velo Orange hubs, Velocity Synergy rims and wearing Continental SportContact 32-559 (26x1.3") tires - yep, it will have locking skewers, too.

This is will be a fun project, really looking forward to that first ride. A bonus has been to get to know the local folks, who know other local folks in terms of bike builders, painters, wheelbuilders. I am glad I made the choice to buy local for the service work.