Fall Breaks Back To Winter

Had a chance to get out on the Surly a little today. Rode to Lower Hackett Park, up over rt 22...

To get to Upper Hackett Park. You can pick up the path along the Bushkill Creek from there; it's not 'officially' connected. You need to ride through Crayola's parking lot, but it's there.

I really like this path, nice scenery, easy access.

This might be the last ride of the year...

New Sneakers for the Rudge

I haven't put new tires on this hoopty since I built it about 15 years ago, so it was time. 

But it's not so easy to find 26x1 3/8 tires anymore, and the ones you do find are a modern tread pattern which just won't work.

I found these white walls on ebay and I'm very happy with them.

Almost a Year

Life happens, and things like blogs get left behind. Oh well, not much has been missed that can't be summed up.

The youngest child got big enough for the trailer bike this year, and the oldest is big enough and confident enough to ride on the road with me.

Here's some pics from our most recent ride:

My Surly Pacer is back on towing duty until I can get the Free Spirit sorted out. The Surly is comfy and reliable.

On the Lehigh Canal towpath.

Took a break at a playground.

The big guy does well on his single speed, and he's growing so fast we raised the seat more than an inch since last year, and had to push the saddle all the way back on the rails.

The middle child wasn't with us because she threw a fit about the prospect of riding too far. We have to do shorter rides with her.

Hope to get to some other areas to ride this year, we'll try!

video when you don't have a smartphone...

Quick little video from our visit to the park today, The little guy is doing great on his Strider! Sorry for the crummy quality of the video...

the most awesomest derailleur

This.

I run a mid '80's Suntour cyclone front changer on my Surly Pacer (yes, seriously!) Suntour always had the best front changers. There is just something about them that is rock solid reliable and fast.
Something else about them; they are serviceable. Mine had developed a problem from last winter. It was hanging up on the big ring and didn't want to downshift. WD-40 wasn't able to loosen it up, so I took it apart. One C-clip and pop the return spring and you can clean and lube the pivots. Works as good as new.
The arms and clamp are all forged aluminum, the pivots are chromed steel. Just awesome.
The cable pinch bolt is another bit of genius; you can use either a 4mm allen key OR a 6mm wrench. It too is steel so it won't strip out.

the better way to learn how to ride a bike

How did you learn to ride a bicycle? Lots of people it seems used training wheels, and after a while, Dad would remove the training wheels, and give the little one a good push down the street.
This method hasn't worked too well in our household...

But I've stumbled onto something that seems like a better way: balance bikes. These are bicycles without pedals or a drivetrain. My friend Tomias, who owns Genesis Bicycles , turned me on to Striders . These are really cool, check out the video:

I had my 3yo in Genesis the other day, and he immediately took to the Strider! He was able to lift it off the display himself (they are VERY light) and got on it and instinctively knew what he had to do.
Now, if the middle girl will be willing to ride her older brother's hand-me-down Haro mini BMX, I won't have to buy two bikes this year...

The Orange Singlespeeder Is Coming Along Nicely

I ordered some parts for the orange Trek. Got some Shimano cranks, Alivio I think. They were the most economical ones w/ removable rings, and it's a forged crank too, 104mm 4 bolt. I'll be getting a Surly 36t stainless ring for it and save the stock 22-32-42 if we ever go geared.
The brakes are Shimano V brakes, a generic lower end set. What I like about Shimano stuff is, it just plain works. The lower end stuff (if you choose carefully) works pretty well, does away w/ the fluff and is economical.
I dug out a vintage pair of Cannondale CODA grips in yellow! Free is always better than having to spend money, especially on a bike like this.
just waiting on the Surly ring, a chain and pedals.