Curtis and I had planned an ambitious ride for the day, but it got cut short due to some mechanical issues. We had planned to leave my school, and head out on a loop that would take us to the top of Hanging Rock (and possibly Sauratown) and back. The mileage for that ride would have been in the 40-50 mile range, with probably about 5k-6k feet of climbing.
We took off from the school, and started our roundabout way to circumnavigate Suaratown to get to Hanging Rock. About 9 or 10 miles in there was some horrendous racket from Curtis' bike on one of the descents. It didn't take too long to figure out that it was the front brake. Thankfully no harm was done to the wheel or tire, but the pad had thoroughly loosened and slid down the bracket that holds it in place. Leave it to two shop employees to be out on a ride without a multitool! We were able to Macgyver a stick and a smashed aluminum can into a tool to tighten it a little bit. With some elbow grease Curtis was able to snug it further. After some conversation we decided that to err on the side of caution, we would not ascend either mountain, but continue on our loop. The prospect of descending in the neighborhood of 40-50 mph with a front brake that may or may not work when you need it is harrowing to say the least. Even so, Curtis and his new wheels were gapping me on every single descent. I would be tucked and pedaling, and Curtis would just glide by untucked, not pedaling. Aero wheels with ceramic bearings!
Somewhere along the line, my GPS malfunctioned (I think on all the stutter bumps on NC66) so the stats are off. Overall though we got in about 22-23 miles with nearly 3000 feet of climbing, and a 16.5 mph average. Beautiful views abound for the day. With Virginia and the Blue Ridge off in the distance, Sauratown and Moore's Wall in the foreground.
We took off from the school, and started our roundabout way to circumnavigate Suaratown to get to Hanging Rock. About 9 or 10 miles in there was some horrendous racket from Curtis' bike on one of the descents. It didn't take too long to figure out that it was the front brake. Thankfully no harm was done to the wheel or tire, but the pad had thoroughly loosened and slid down the bracket that holds it in place. Leave it to two shop employees to be out on a ride without a multitool! We were able to Macgyver a stick and a smashed aluminum can into a tool to tighten it a little bit. With some elbow grease Curtis was able to snug it further. After some conversation we decided that to err on the side of caution, we would not ascend either mountain, but continue on our loop. The prospect of descending in the neighborhood of 40-50 mph with a front brake that may or may not work when you need it is harrowing to say the least. Even so, Curtis and his new wheels were gapping me on every single descent. I would be tucked and pedaling, and Curtis would just glide by untucked, not pedaling. Aero wheels with ceramic bearings!
Somewhere along the line, my GPS malfunctioned (I think on all the stutter bumps on NC66) so the stats are off. Overall though we got in about 22-23 miles with nearly 3000 feet of climbing, and a 16.5 mph average. Beautiful views abound for the day. With Virginia and the Blue Ridge off in the distance, Sauratown and Moore's Wall in the foreground.
I promised a photo of Curtis' ride with the new wheels....looks intimidating
1 comment:
That's using your brains. Glad you stayed on the loop.
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