• About Me

Cycle Seattle

~ Posts on bikes

Cycle Seattle

Tag Archives: bicycle

Middle Nomad

30 Saturday Mar 2013

Posted by Brian Hanson in Cycling

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

bicycle, bike, cycling, dureme, Hunqapillar, Nomad, Resist, rivendell


My continued adventure on the Hunqapillar.  Today I put Resist Nomads on the beast, and removed the 50mm Duremes.  Although I love these tires, they are heavy, and make my ~1000ft ascent home tougher than I want it to be.  These Nomads may be a good medium.

The cushion for pushin’

This tire is rated as a 45mm, but most folks measure it out at about 41mm.  I’m going to wait a few days for a measurement so it can stretch.  First impressions are good.  It rolls smoothly, has plenty of plushness, and less weight than the Schwalbe.  It’s definitely not as plush as the Cypres or Jack Brown Green, but for what this bike is for, I would like a bit more rubber on the road, and I’m always chasing the mythical Hetre in 700c.  This is a haulin’ tourin’ mountain bike.

Up Front

The tire is a wire bead.  It mounted on the Synergy with minimal finger pressure – no need for irons if you have a flat.  The sidewall is a bit darker than the light yellowish typical skinwall.  This works really well on the bike with the amber overtones of the shellac, and the mahogany wood fenders.

Tread

The tread is a square pattern similar to the Jack Browns, but without the slick parts.  It handled riding no-handed in my short test ride without unusual amounts of wobble.  I felt the street, but most of the hi-frequency vibration was absent.  The tires were inflated to 30psi front and 50psi rear.

Purdy

Next steps are to do some serious riding in the dirt and trail.  I will take them for a quick ride down my favorite dirt path tomorrow and check for grip.  Need some more mountainy bars on this beast.  The noodles are great for road riding, but this thing wants to be in the dirt, and I have a nice road bike.  Next up are either Midge bars or Albatross.  I may put the basket back on, too!

 

 

Commuting Balance

12 Tuesday Feb 2013

Posted by Brian Hanson in Cycling

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

200k, bicycle, bike commute, randonneur


I’ve got both of my regular bikes dialed in pretty well now, and have been trading them off for commute duty.  I am also thinking about the upcoming Rando season, and have been trying to get  in an occasional longer ride in on the weekends.  Timing with family duties has been tough, as always.  I find that I need to commute to get my “bike on”, and when I try to save energy for the weekend rides by not commuting, I start to get pretty miserable fast.  This must be a special condition built up over years of conversion to a bike commute, so when I don’t do it for a few days I start to go through withdrawal.

I’m not sure if others have this problem.  I get the feeling that most Randonneurs are more of the weekend warrior type that have a hopelessly long commute and just ride on the weekend.  I am quite sure that’s bunk, and there are folks all over the spectrum that have the rando kind of crazy.  Anyway, I’ve been doing about 150-250 miles/month in commutes, and have gradually started to take a longer, less crowded route to work.  I look at it as the “scenic route”, but also view it as “base miles” that I need to keep my fitness at to even attempt the longer rides.  I know that by doing this, I’ll be able to finish a 200k if I bring enough food/water, but I certainly won’t be in the top 20% time-wise without more dedication.

Do I want to dedicate the time to that?  Sure.  Eventually.  When my daughter wants to spend more time with her friends.  When the house projects are back to the single digits.  When work isn’t a primary focus for me?  You can see where this is going.  I think I’m a Randonneur like I’m a Fisherman.  For me, it’s an outlet, and I want it to be enjoyable.  That’s the plan…

Rando or Commuter?

Night Ride

13 Sunday Jan 2013

Posted by Brian Hanson in Cycling

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

a. homer hilsen, acorn bags, ahh, beer, bicycle, bike, burke gilman, jack brown, just ride, randonneur, Ride, rivendell, Rivet saddle, Seattle, sidi gtx


BeginningRando StyleBig Front BagSafety?Nice and LightOld Style
Snowy CascadesAcross Lake Washington

Night Ride, a set on Flickr.

This week’s WTS ride was called off due to icy conditions. I will miss next week’s due to a trip, so I put in a few miles tonight on the Burke Gilman Trail. It was about 30 degrees, but with little wind I stayed warm in 2 layers of merino and a soft shell top. My Sidi winter boots are not keeping my feet warm below 40 degrees, so I need to take some warmers with next time I’m out in this temp. The Hilsen made it over many an ice patch with no issues. Even with the nearly treadless Jack Browns. I had a nice comfy session on the Rivet saddle. This is the first time I’ve had it on this bike. It has some potential for longer rando rides. The Acorn bag continues to score highly. I put the tools in the bottom of the main compartment, and took the rear bag off the bike. It handles fine, and I even dropped in a 6-pack and a big bottle of beer for the final quarter mile. Utility rocks. All smiles when I got back. Love these clear cool Seattle nights!

SaddleSack Pair

02 Sunday Dec 2012

Posted by Brian Hanson in Cycling

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

a. homer hilsen, bicycle, bike, bike commute, commute, commuter, cycling, hilsen, homer, Hunqapillar, noodles, rivendell, sackville, saddlesack, Seattle


SaddleSack Small and MediumHomer and Hunqa - 42 Noodles

SaddleSack Pair, a set on Flickr.

The Rivendell Sackville line of saddle bags is the nicest bags I’ve come across. Well built, and great looking aesthetically. They also hold a tone of gear. I keep tools in both of these bags, but have room for a small iPad or laptop, a change of clothes, and in the larger Medium bag, I have hauled that plus a growler of beer with room to spare.

Taking a riding break

14 Monday Feb 2011

Posted by Brian Hanson in Uncategorized

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

a. homer hilsen, albatross, bicycle, Chilly Hilly, nitto, randonneur, rivendell, tendinitis


I’ve had a bout of tendinitis for the past year or so, and I’m going to try laying off the biking for a few weeks. I picked the perfect week as it was just hailing, and blowing way too hard today! I may try a few things to help the healing – like finally finding a good masseuse or physical therapist. I am also in the process of a house move, so it will help to not be too tired to paint.

I do plan to ride in the Chilly Hilly on February 27th, so I may put the Nitto Randonneur bars on my Hilsen and try drops one more time (no luck with noodles). I give it a 40% chance, but I like the traditional look, and have Albatross bars on the other bike.

Porteurs leaving at long last?

← Older posts
Newer posts →

Flickr Photos

IMG_9402IMG_9403IMG_9404IMG_9401IMG_9400IMG_9398IMG_9399IMG_9397IMG_9395IMG_9396
More Photos

Archive

  • November 2026 (2)
  • October 2026 (1)
  • September 2026 (3)
  • August 2020 (1)
  • March 2018 (1)
  • January 2018 (1)
  • July 2017 (1)
  • June 2017 (1)
  • May 2017 (1)
  • February 2017 (1)
  • December 2016 (1)
  • November 2016 (1)
  • August 2016 (2)
  • March 2016 (1)
  • January 2016 (6)
  • December 2015 (2)
  • November 2015 (1)
  • June 2015 (5)
  • May 2015 (1)
  • April 2015 (1)
  • March 2015 (2)
  • January 2015 (2)
  • December 2014 (2)
  • November 2014 (2)
  • October 2014 (2)
  • September 2014 (2)
  • August 2014 (1)
  • July 2014 (1)
  • June 2014 (1)
  • May 2014 (2)
  • April 2014 (5)
  • March 2014 (4)
  • February 2014 (4)
  • January 2014 (6)
  • December 2013 (1)
  • November 2013 (2)
  • October 2013 (2)
  • September 2013 (1)
  • August 2013 (1)
  • July 2013 (2)
  • May 2013 (6)
  • April 2013 (1)
  • March 2013 (6)
  • February 2013 (2)
  • January 2013 (7)
  • December 2012 (5)
  • November 2012 (2)
  • October 2012 (2)
  • September 2012 (3)
  • August 2012 (3)
  • July 2012 (1)
  • June 2012 (4)
  • May 2012 (7)
  • April 2012 (1)
  • March 2012 (1)
  • February 2012 (4)
  • January 2012 (5)
  • December 2011 (6)
  • November 2011 (4)
  • June 2011 (2)
  • May 2011 (4)
  • March 2011 (2)
  • February 2011 (4)

Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Join 93 other subscribers

Blog at WordPress.com.

  • Subscribe Subscribed
    Cycle Seattle
    Join 93 other subscribers

    Have a WordPress.com account? Log in now.

  • Cycle Seattle
    View site in Reader
    Manage subscriptionsSign upLog in
    Report this content
    Collapse this bar
Loading Comments...