One spin on this bike, and I ask myself, why is she selling it. Compared to my 2100, this 5500 is a rocket. It probably is a combination of lightness, stiffness, and drivetrain. Duh!
The 56cm frame is just a bit cramped but not at all uncomfortable. This bike has a dream ride compared to my 2100. The bumps just melt away.
The JillyTrek has a 52/39 DuraAce crankset, and the arms are a shorter 172.5mm compared to my Bontrager 50/36 compact with 175mm crankarms. So, when I step on it, the bike really shoots ahead.
Joe Dadez and I did some basic clean-up of the bike. I had a nice Bontrager saddle, and we installed new cables and cool carbon fiber lookin housings and retaped the handlebars black. I also added a nice Bontrager black bottle rack with black bolts.
The DuraAce gruppo feels more positive than the Ultegra on my 2100, and the Mavic Cosmic Elite wheels are light and tough. But the paintjob on this bike is really cool. It was done by Metal Specialties with a mirage dual tint metalic paint that changes color in the light from green to purple.
This is also the first time I've ridden a bike with real aero bars, and it is slick feeling like Lance or Levi in the TTTuck.
All in all, this is bike will bring a lot of smiles to someone for a Mille Cent.
Friday, July 3, 2009
Monday, June 29, 2009
Tour for Cancer Century - 2009
This past Saturday morning was busy around the Pretzel City. The Pretzel Fest was in full swing all over the city, and the Kids Triathlon at the YMCA were the headliners.
It was also the sixth year that avid cyclists straddled their bikes and headed into the west country on our Tour for Cancer.
Most rode the beautiful 115 mile course through the communities of Lena, Warren, Stockton, Mt. Carroll, and Pearl City. Some opted for a shorter 30 mile ride through McConnell, Buena Vista, and Scioto Mills.
This year, the Grand Century reached further southwest into the hills along Massbach Ridge and Elizabeth Roads into Mt. Carroll. It was a scenic tour de force, as the sun broke our cloud cover, and the southerly winds intensified, as the heat of the day rose into the 90s.
Thankfully, the wind pushed us back up Loran Road towards Pearl City. I slapped on more sun block and packed extra ice in my water bottles. On the way home, I poured as much water over my head as I drank.
As a side note, custom bicycle builder, Dave Wages of Ellis Cycles, joined us from Waterford, Wisconsin astride his beautifully repainted steel cyclocross bicycle. Dave won the best lugged bicycle award at the North American Handmade Bicycle Show this year. It was fun riding with Dave and hearing him talk about his craftsmanship.
We would like to thank all our riders who came out and graciously contributed to the Ferguson Cancer Center. Our Tour doesn’t require an admission fee, and we don’t hand out Tee shirts. Our riders come for the love of peddling long challenging miles in our lovely Upper Left Hand Corner of Illinois. They come for the camaraderie, and each helped our local Ferguson Center combat Cancer.
Because of the absent mindedness of yours’ truly, nearly half of our contributions were temporarily lost. But a very thoughtful honest gentleman returned them to us through the Freeport Police Department.
Thanks once again to mio amico, Chuck Beichel, for helping mark the course, and a special thanks to Joe Dadez and Ann Mattson from the Freeport Bicycle Company for their technical assistance and support for this year’s event.
Hope to see you all again next year.
It was also the sixth year that avid cyclists straddled their bikes and headed into the west country on our Tour for Cancer.
Most rode the beautiful 115 mile course through the communities of Lena, Warren, Stockton, Mt. Carroll, and Pearl City. Some opted for a shorter 30 mile ride through McConnell, Buena Vista, and Scioto Mills.
This year, the Grand Century reached further southwest into the hills along Massbach Ridge and Elizabeth Roads into Mt. Carroll. It was a scenic tour de force, as the sun broke our cloud cover, and the southerly winds intensified, as the heat of the day rose into the 90s.
Thankfully, the wind pushed us back up Loran Road towards Pearl City. I slapped on more sun block and packed extra ice in my water bottles. On the way home, I poured as much water over my head as I drank.
As a side note, custom bicycle builder, Dave Wages of Ellis Cycles, joined us from Waterford, Wisconsin astride his beautifully repainted steel cyclocross bicycle. Dave won the best lugged bicycle award at the North American Handmade Bicycle Show this year. It was fun riding with Dave and hearing him talk about his craftsmanship.
We would like to thank all our riders who came out and graciously contributed to the Ferguson Cancer Center. Our Tour doesn’t require an admission fee, and we don’t hand out Tee shirts. Our riders come for the love of peddling long challenging miles in our lovely Upper Left Hand Corner of Illinois. They come for the camaraderie, and each helped our local Ferguson Center combat Cancer.
Because of the absent mindedness of yours’ truly, nearly half of our contributions were temporarily lost. But a very thoughtful honest gentleman returned them to us through the Freeport Police Department.
Thanks once again to mio amico, Chuck Beichel, for helping mark the course, and a special thanks to Joe Dadez and Ann Mattson from the Freeport Bicycle Company for their technical assistance and support for this year’s event.
Hope to see you all again next year.
Saturday, June 20, 2009
Peggy in the Rockies
Our diva of ladies cycling fashion was spotted recently as she flew across the Rocky Mountains of Colorado. Our man on the scene caught up with Peggy, but only briefly as she dusted him up to Monarch Pass.
Lyle hung on, caught Diva at the top, and sent back a couple of great photos. Now the entire cycling world knows of her haute couture. Instead of strolling down a runway at the House of Chanel, Peggy gave new meaning to the French word haute by peddling up the big Rocky passes.
Formidable, Mme. Badgett.
Lyle hung on, caught Diva at the top, and sent back a couple of great photos. Now the entire cycling world knows of her haute couture. Instead of strolling down a runway at the House of Chanel, Peggy gave new meaning to the French word haute by peddling up the big Rocky passes.
Formidable, Mme. Badgett.
Saturday, May 16, 2009
Twenty Something
This Sunday is as good as it gets. “It’s tulip season again, and I’m oh so happy.”
Last week we had a bit of blackwater fever—much ado about something related to that murky paramilitary organization which operates a training facility for police SWAT teams deep in the undercover bowels of the Upper Left Hand Corner.
My instructions were not to spend too much time on the bicycle, as grandsons Luca and Massimo were in town. So, I decided to encircle the Blackwater Camp along a lovely hilly 25 mile loop which I will christen the “Twenty,” because the last and best climb is just past the 20 mile mark.
We start at the church just north of the Ville de Loran and head south through the Val de Loran then up a big hill towards Mount Carroll. At Meyers Road, we’ll turn left. As we roll easily north, crabapple, tulip, and redbud trees pop out red, pink, and purple blossoms as we head over the secluded hills and valleys past Skunk Hollow Road leading up to the training center. Why don’t they call it Skunk Hollow Camp and hang a set of whitetail horns over the entrance?
After a spectacular series of hills n dales, Meyers Road turns a hard left and intersects with Route 78 which runs between Mount Carroll and Stockton. We turn right and head down a long hill into Heavenly Valley for about a mile where East Loran Road turns east up a nice gradual incline towards the “Twenty.”
Just past the 20 mile mark, the hill kicks up to around 20%-- well maybe 17%? I’ve learned not to place too much stock in my GPS when it comes to gauging the incline of these hills, but my legs felt like it was indeed “Twenty.” So that's where we'll leave it.
So after an hour and three quarters, we’re back in the Blazer and heading home to wrestle with Luca and Massi.
Last week we had a bit of blackwater fever—much ado about something related to that murky paramilitary organization which operates a training facility for police SWAT teams deep in the undercover bowels of the Upper Left Hand Corner.
My instructions were not to spend too much time on the bicycle, as grandsons Luca and Massimo were in town. So, I decided to encircle the Blackwater Camp along a lovely hilly 25 mile loop which I will christen the “Twenty,” because the last and best climb is just past the 20 mile mark.
We start at the church just north of the Ville de Loran and head south through the Val de Loran then up a big hill towards Mount Carroll. At Meyers Road, we’ll turn left. As we roll easily north, crabapple, tulip, and redbud trees pop out red, pink, and purple blossoms as we head over the secluded hills and valleys past Skunk Hollow Road leading up to the training center. Why don’t they call it Skunk Hollow Camp and hang a set of whitetail horns over the entrance?
After a spectacular series of hills n dales, Meyers Road turns a hard left and intersects with Route 78 which runs between Mount Carroll and Stockton. We turn right and head down a long hill into Heavenly Valley for about a mile where East Loran Road turns east up a nice gradual incline towards the “Twenty.”
Just past the 20 mile mark, the hill kicks up to around 20%-- well maybe 17%? I’ve learned not to place too much stock in my GPS when it comes to gauging the incline of these hills, but my legs felt like it was indeed “Twenty.” So that's where we'll leave it.
So after an hour and three quarters, we’re back in the Blazer and heading home to wrestle with Luca and Massi.
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Tube Tales - Gettin Gassed
At our Spring Banquet of the ChainLinkCyclists, I was asked to enlighten our fellow club mates on the advantages of carrying a couple small CO2 cartridges and a filler attachment instead of the tried and true traveling pump.
I was using my Bontrager regulator attachment, in the demonstration, which I thought only fit Presta valves. These are the smaller diameter stems found on most bicycle tubes today.
I noticed that we were not entirely successful in fully pressurizing our demonstration tire, and meanwhile, my fingers and palm were starting to get frost bite as we repeatedly released the gas from the cold cartridges.
During the demo, the most asked question from the audience was, “Do they make a cartridge filler attachment for a Schrader valve?” Now the Schrader valve is the one we all know when we fill our automobile tires with air. It has a larger diameter than the Presta.
I said I suspected that such things were on the market and referred my charges to Ron and Joe at the Freeport Bicycle Company table across the room.
Not a week later, while riding with Peggy Badgett out of Stockton, I got my answer.
As we descended into Apple Canyon Park, I blew a big hole in my new tube inside my new tire. After getting the bike under control and off on the shoulder, I reached into my kit and pulled forth my regulator and a CO2 cartridge in eager anticipation of showing my prowess at filling the new tube.
After expending two CO2 cartridges, the pressure was still so low that it would have been impossible to get back. Peggy was considering going on ahead to retrieve me in my Blazer. But, as an afterthought, she produced her very trusty pump, saying she did not like cold hands either. In no time, we had the tire up to pressure and continued on out of the park and over the Binkley Bonk into Stockton.
For all my trouble, Peggy bought chocolat milk shakes, and we reviewed the necessities of bicycle carryons.
On the drive back to the Freeport Bicycle Company, I was considering giving up on the CO2 system and getting a pump just like Peggy's. Joe replaced my exploded tube. He said he'd be happy to sell me a new pump, but suggested I use a Presta to Schrader adapter the next time I used my filler attachment. Opps! The missing component in my kit?
The following Tuesday afternoon, Jilly and I had a good laugh over this as we pushed through the grisley westerly wind at Bump n Jamb. She urged me share it on the blog.
So, si tutti, the regulator attachment does fit a Schrader valve. In fact, I have one along with my Presta adapter.
I was using my Bontrager regulator attachment, in the demonstration, which I thought only fit Presta valves. These are the smaller diameter stems found on most bicycle tubes today.
I noticed that we were not entirely successful in fully pressurizing our demonstration tire, and meanwhile, my fingers and palm were starting to get frost bite as we repeatedly released the gas from the cold cartridges.
During the demo, the most asked question from the audience was, “Do they make a cartridge filler attachment for a Schrader valve?” Now the Schrader valve is the one we all know when we fill our automobile tires with air. It has a larger diameter than the Presta.
I said I suspected that such things were on the market and referred my charges to Ron and Joe at the Freeport Bicycle Company table across the room.
Not a week later, while riding with Peggy Badgett out of Stockton, I got my answer.
As we descended into Apple Canyon Park, I blew a big hole in my new tube inside my new tire. After getting the bike under control and off on the shoulder, I reached into my kit and pulled forth my regulator and a CO2 cartridge in eager anticipation of showing my prowess at filling the new tube.
After expending two CO2 cartridges, the pressure was still so low that it would have been impossible to get back. Peggy was considering going on ahead to retrieve me in my Blazer. But, as an afterthought, she produced her very trusty pump, saying she did not like cold hands either. In no time, we had the tire up to pressure and continued on out of the park and over the Binkley Bonk into Stockton.
For all my trouble, Peggy bought chocolat milk shakes, and we reviewed the necessities of bicycle carryons.
On the drive back to the Freeport Bicycle Company, I was considering giving up on the CO2 system and getting a pump just like Peggy's. Joe replaced my exploded tube. He said he'd be happy to sell me a new pump, but suggested I use a Presta to Schrader adapter the next time I used my filler attachment. Opps! The missing component in my kit?
The following Tuesday afternoon, Jilly and I had a good laugh over this as we pushed through the grisley westerly wind at Bump n Jamb. She urged me share it on the blog.
So, si tutti, the regulator attachment does fit a Schrader valve. In fact, I have one along with my Presta adapter.
Sunday, April 19, 2009
MiddleMarch
The earth is still in browns, yet another mild March weekend holds the promise of greener times ahead. The hills beckon, and we are back out to Stockton with bike in Blazer.
This time, we’re on the cyclocross Las Cruces heading northwest out of town along gravel roads bypassing a big climb up Binkley and a relatively busy Canyon Park Road.
In layman’s directions, head north on Park Road, jog west on Binkley, and continue up Park Road and another jog west then northwest up to Townsend Road.
Once over the hill, we cross Canyon Park Road and continue west on Townsend Road which, wavy of surface, can be busy with vehicles to and from Apple Canyon Lake.
Finally, we drop into the valley across the Apple River. We ride to the stop sign at Scout Camp Road and climb north up Scout Camp to the first left which is Schapville Road. We sigh relief and shed impatient traffic on our way west to the hamlet Schapville.
March legs stiffen in the hills over two climbs before we arrive at a favorite Upper Left Hand village. Just past the church at the intersection of Stadel and Shapville Roads, we turn right on Mill Creek Road.
Now, we truly are free of the beaten path as we ride northwest over chip and gravel in the midst a lovely long valley along Mill Creek. The rock outcroppings and trees offer cool shade in Summer, but this is March, and the sunlight sparkles through the naked canopy as we ride easily in bucolic splendor. Last Fall, Peggy Badget, Dennis Robinson, and I celebrated Dennis’s birthday along this road on our way to New Diggings.
Too soon, we pop out at Elizabeth Scales Mound Road and turn left. Immediately, our legs awake to an arduous grade as we head south towards Elizabeth. Just past Shapville Road, we take the next left on Menzemmer Road and cruise southeast on a long descent.
At the intersection of Stadel Road, which leads back up to Schapville, we continue straight into the gravel on Menzemmer. Back on the chipped surface, it’s up the hill to Hoffman Road. We turn left on Hoffman and left again as it meets Goosehollow Road. Caution is advised on the descent into the corner before Hoffman intersects with Grebner Road.
Keeping the creek on our left, we ride south on the Grebner Gravel. We don’t turn left over the bridge at Salem Road but stay on Grebner until it curves left across the creek and climbs over the hill and the new bridge over the Apple River. At the stop sign, we turn left on Apple River Road and ride east to fork at Woodbine Road and thence up to Woodbine. Once there, it is the third right at Brown Road which crosses Highway 20 and heads south along the east side of the golf course.
At Center Road, we could turn left and ride straight back over to Stockton. But we’ll continue climbing up Brown Road until we reach Baugh Road. Then we’ll loop around Baugh to Eden Road back down to Center. The Las Cruces helps us explore beautiful hilly gravel roads like Baugh and Eden. The Maxxis cross tire on the back wheel grips the gravel over the rollers back east to Stockton.
This time, we’re on the cyclocross Las Cruces heading northwest out of town along gravel roads bypassing a big climb up Binkley and a relatively busy Canyon Park Road.
In layman’s directions, head north on Park Road, jog west on Binkley, and continue up Park Road and another jog west then northwest up to Townsend Road.
Once over the hill, we cross Canyon Park Road and continue west on Townsend Road which, wavy of surface, can be busy with vehicles to and from Apple Canyon Lake.
Finally, we drop into the valley across the Apple River. We ride to the stop sign at Scout Camp Road and climb north up Scout Camp to the first left which is Schapville Road. We sigh relief and shed impatient traffic on our way west to the hamlet Schapville.
March legs stiffen in the hills over two climbs before we arrive at a favorite Upper Left Hand village. Just past the church at the intersection of Stadel and Shapville Roads, we turn right on Mill Creek Road.
Now, we truly are free of the beaten path as we ride northwest over chip and gravel in the midst a lovely long valley along Mill Creek. The rock outcroppings and trees offer cool shade in Summer, but this is March, and the sunlight sparkles through the naked canopy as we ride easily in bucolic splendor. Last Fall, Peggy Badget, Dennis Robinson, and I celebrated Dennis’s birthday along this road on our way to New Diggings.
Too soon, we pop out at Elizabeth Scales Mound Road and turn left. Immediately, our legs awake to an arduous grade as we head south towards Elizabeth. Just past Shapville Road, we take the next left on Menzemmer Road and cruise southeast on a long descent.
At the intersection of Stadel Road, which leads back up to Schapville, we continue straight into the gravel on Menzemmer. Back on the chipped surface, it’s up the hill to Hoffman Road. We turn left on Hoffman and left again as it meets Goosehollow Road. Caution is advised on the descent into the corner before Hoffman intersects with Grebner Road.
Keeping the creek on our left, we ride south on the Grebner Gravel. We don’t turn left over the bridge at Salem Road but stay on Grebner until it curves left across the creek and climbs over the hill and the new bridge over the Apple River. At the stop sign, we turn left on Apple River Road and ride east to fork at Woodbine Road and thence up to Woodbine. Once there, it is the third right at Brown Road which crosses Highway 20 and heads south along the east side of the golf course.
At Center Road, we could turn left and ride straight back over to Stockton. But we’ll continue climbing up Brown Road until we reach Baugh Road. Then we’ll loop around Baugh to Eden Road back down to Center. The Las Cruces helps us explore beautiful hilly gravel roads like Baugh and Eden. The Maxxis cross tire on the back wheel grips the gravel over the rollers back east to Stockton.
March Encore!
It is nearly spring, and the oatmeal land could hide a deer or a Weimereiner relaxing in the warm dormant grass anticipating Spring. In March, our senses are magnetized with anticipation of the coming season. The pull to get outdoors is irresistible.
Here’s a special 35 miler to jump-start your cycling season. Unless you’ve put some miles under your legs, you may want to stay out of the big chain ring for the first 20 miles.
Our preference would be to stop at Karen’s in Stockton for lunch beforehand then hop on and head west on Front Avenue to Golf Road. Follow that south to Center Road which will take you west over to Massbach Road. Continue south to the next stop sign where Massbach turns right and west up your first climb.
Once over, you’ll find a couple of nice rollers as Massbach Road begins to head southwest along the preeminent scenic ridgeline in the Upper Left. Enjoy the open country as you head over to Bethel Road, then turn right and scream down Bethel into the valley which cradles Rush Creek.
Later in the season, you may be tempted to loop back up to Massbach Ridge on Gras Road, but this is March and no time for madness. So exercise patience, because our next climb is just ahead, as Bethel Road rises up to meet Brown Road and a big view of Terrapin Ridge.
Continue on Bethel down across Little Rush Creek towards another long climb up to Terrapin Ridge. At the stop sign, you’ll find Derinda Road as it intersects with US Route 20. Turn left, and ride south on Derinda Road. You’re heading over three long grades averaging about 9%. This is March and a perfect opportunity to build up your climbing legs and enjoy the smooth tarmac and wide rolling khaki hills wooded in sepia and burnt umber.
This time of year, you ride in the leafless trees full of light and the land beyond. From April through October, Derinda is among a favorite Upper Left road for folks with big bellowing “V-twin” chromatics between their legs. But we leg propelled have merely to endure a steady hiss of the warm southern wind in our ears.
Derinda Road becomes Ridge Road at a junction where we turn left over to Massbach. At last, the wind is in our sails as we turn left and head back along Massbach Ridge to Stockton. If you need to fill a water bottle, stop at the winery, and marvel that Peggy Harmston can turn water into Ridge Red.
Here’s a special 35 miler to jump-start your cycling season. Unless you’ve put some miles under your legs, you may want to stay out of the big chain ring for the first 20 miles.
Our preference would be to stop at Karen’s in Stockton for lunch beforehand then hop on and head west on Front Avenue to Golf Road. Follow that south to Center Road which will take you west over to Massbach Road. Continue south to the next stop sign where Massbach turns right and west up your first climb.
Once over, you’ll find a couple of nice rollers as Massbach Road begins to head southwest along the preeminent scenic ridgeline in the Upper Left. Enjoy the open country as you head over to Bethel Road, then turn right and scream down Bethel into the valley which cradles Rush Creek.
Later in the season, you may be tempted to loop back up to Massbach Ridge on Gras Road, but this is March and no time for madness. So exercise patience, because our next climb is just ahead, as Bethel Road rises up to meet Brown Road and a big view of Terrapin Ridge.
Continue on Bethel down across Little Rush Creek towards another long climb up to Terrapin Ridge. At the stop sign, you’ll find Derinda Road as it intersects with US Route 20. Turn left, and ride south on Derinda Road. You’re heading over three long grades averaging about 9%. This is March and a perfect opportunity to build up your climbing legs and enjoy the smooth tarmac and wide rolling khaki hills wooded in sepia and burnt umber.
This time of year, you ride in the leafless trees full of light and the land beyond. From April through October, Derinda is among a favorite Upper Left road for folks with big bellowing “V-twin” chromatics between their legs. But we leg propelled have merely to endure a steady hiss of the warm southern wind in our ears.
Derinda Road becomes Ridge Road at a junction where we turn left over to Massbach. At last, the wind is in our sails as we turn left and head back along Massbach Ridge to Stockton. If you need to fill a water bottle, stop at the winery, and marvel that Peggy Harmston can turn water into Ridge Red.
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