Snow Chains Pt.2

Well, first snow has fallen, so it is another round of trying the snow chains. This year, I have scrapped the external tensioning wire on both sides, saving about 120g,  and the install takes less than 20 minutes for both wheels:

Before

After

The only change I noticed in having the chains being held in place by zip ties alone was that the tension needed to hold them in place created unneeded stress on the sidewalls of the tires. One of the chains where the entire link was not fully aligned ended up rubbing a hole into my rear tire, ending the ride prematurely.

I stopped here for a photo op, and to let the tubeless goo seal the hole:

Click for larger image

One last photo really shows how cold it was outside; all of the grit and water that flew up onto my frame froze. This created an impenetrable fortress of frozen gunk on the bottom side of the downtube:

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Let There Be Light!

I purchased a cold cathode kit and two latern batteries and wired it up to my steel bicycle. This light is ostentatious and really gets car’s attention. The whole setup took one hour, and $35 after shipping of the computer cathode kit.

Cathode Tube Off:

Cathode Tube On:

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Sunday Video Post – Anquetil

The first rider to win five Tours de France, Jacques Anquetil was a calculating madman who either tore the field apart, or determined when he needed to strike. Easily Anquetil is placed into the pantheon of riders along with Coppi, Merckx, etc.

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Behold, The Crying Wolf Challenge

Someone gave me a link to an event in West Virginia that I thought should be shared with everyone; it is called the Crying Wolf Challenge. This event is going to be located in Mercer County, WV and held on May 16th, 2010. (Mixer on May 15th) It is primarily hosted by Bill Cole Subaru, which some people may be like UGH CARS? Two Wheels forevarrr!, but I think it is a great promotion and really brings people from all over the state together.

iPlayoutside has this listed under the description:

Distances/Course Map

Experts 4 laps (22 miles), Sports 3 laps (17 miles), Beginners 1 lap
View the [Course Map]

The event also has its own big, crazy website with all sorts of social networking widgets and places to register for everything from the race to getting a tattoo of the race standings on your neck.

So with a quick scan of the site, I have determined that on Saturday May 15, the mixer will happen from 5-7pm; this was said about it:

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West Virginia Bike Polo: Part 1

I have been getting a lot of hits to my site with people looking for WV Bike Polo, or West Virginia Bike Polo. I feel a storm is brewing and is going to hit this state soon. the internet is pretty broad, yet is vapid on taking the terms West Virginia and Bike Polo in any kind of mixture and combining them.

I’ve done some research and this is what I came up with:

Bike Polo

• Bike Polo Rules
• Just a few places to buy bike polo equipment: http://bicyclepolo.org/bpequip.html
• Make your own mallet:
  • http://www.flickr.com/photos/tink20seven/sets/72157594573372516/
  • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MvXMtEI0KBw
  • http://www.hardcourtbikepolo.com/?page_id=6
  • http://londonbikepolo.wordpress.com/how-to-make-a-polo-mallet/
• About Bike Polo (wikipedia)
  • About Bike Polo by Bikesnobnyc

West Virginia

• Bike Polo clubs in WV
  • Gil Willis
    Elk River Touring Center
    U.S. Rte. 219
    Slatyfork WV 26291
    Tel:(304)572-3771
  • http://www.athensbicycle.com/2009_stories/April/09Apr_20.html

I have a letter out to Gil Willis, Athens Bikes, and the creator of the youtube videos attempting to get a grasp of the bike polo scene in WV.

iplayoutside.com and wvmba also speak about bike polo events, but no real info about them except they state games are planned at large cycling race event days.

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