Stacks of Maintenance

 This week:

- new TRP Slate 4 brakepads for the Yeti, arrived in time for Wente so we went to Wente

- the Zombie E-Bike Faraday stopped assisting. Lights were fine, but I tore it all apart. THEN I read the troubleshooting manual online; pressing the controller button for 3 seconds then waiting 5 minutes did the trick. While putting it all together again I cleaned up the wiring, bundling the ugly wirenuts in the frame portal

- flat tire on the Solo Velo - staple in the rear required some plier action, and a patch for the tube. Bike got called out as way stylish on my commute compared to the electric Zombie usual. I felt better riding it to, like I was Alleycatting with Simpson ;)

- new batch of TRP Hylex pads from Amazon for Old Blue, the Raleigh CX rig. Installation was a pain requiring a “burp” at the lever to loosen the pistons

Scout 290 Long Term Review

 Yo, little TF in NY, do consider the Nukeproof Scout290, I can cut you a deal:

Wente 2023: Relay Fitness on a Solo Ride != Good Results

I really fried myself at Wente 2023. 

Went out a bit hard, had a lovely 3 laps chasing Ian, worked on the 4th and cramped out on the 5th. Like, really cramped, in ways I never have before. Completely conscious, just my legs bucked, hamstring and quads all at once. 

I was able to stand, and stand on the pedals to control the bike properly, just pushing a bit was too much.

I could walk to, so I did a bit, and got passed by a bunch of riders, including the mighty Phorest, who said he was cramping too. BUT afterwards he said he RODE THROUGH IT, by standing on the pedals!

Oh well, preparation matters. 5 laps was still 45 miles, so 10 would have been 90, so this really requires preparation and a plan - not something Wente's awesome course encourages. I need relay buddies next year.

Camping with Z was fun too. 

Using the Tesla and having Elon pay for the miles was good too.

And the Yeti cleaned up nicely...