Fortunately, forward thinking town officials have made a long standing effort to preserve farmland. Today, we can enjoy beautiful scenes like this.
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
NJ: Training Ride With A Friend
Ms. D., a strong cyclist and Ironman triathlete, came over for a visit and for a hilly ride. We did many smaller climbs plus Point Mountian and Hickory Run roads. Fortunately, she took easy on me. In the background is her seriously equipped carbon Cervelo P3.
Photo: after the ride
Sunday, July 6, 2008
NJ: Point Mountain Road
My three years in Italy made me a better climber. Now I seek out roads I used to avoid. One that I've been using for training lately is Point Mountain Road which is in Lebanon Township, Hunterdon County.
It's a pretty road, almost totally canopied by trees. Few cars use it and it's rare to see a cyclist going up. I'm guessing the average grade is 7% to 9%. A far cry from the Stelvio but enjoyable nevertheless.
I continue to be awed by how green it is here, I had forgotten.
Photos: four section of Point Mountain Road, at the top.
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
My Next Bike Project: Jamie Swan Cyclosportif
I've been thinking about some long distance rides, and doing my bit to use a car less, and was looking for something appropriate. Through good fortune I had the opportunity to acquire an unpainted frame built by Jamie Swan (http://www.centerportcycles.com/).
Jamie described the frame like this:
"This is a cyclosportif style frame set with traditional geometry and clearances for slightly wider tires and fenders. The seat tube is disproportionately long in the interest of creating a higher handlebar position. A head lug extension has been added as an additional measure to put the handlebars in a higher, more comfortable position. The extension can easily be removed. The lugs have been carefully thinned."
Dedacciai Zero Uno tube set (medium weight, non heat treated)
Newvex lugs and fork crown
1" threadless steerer tube
Brazed on head lug extender
73 degree head tube angle
73 degree seat tube angle
55mm fork rake75mm drop
43cm chain stays
Built for 57mm long reach brakes
Clearances for 700 x 28 tires plus fenders
Fender braze-ons on brake and chainstay bridges
Pump peg
Vertical drop outs with fender eyes
Llewellyn STI / Ergo bosses
O.L.D. 130mm
Jamie Swan Stiletto semi-wrap over top-eyes
Frame builder Curt Goodrich describes a sportif bike as follows: "A sportif does everything a road bike does but race, unless you like to race with fenders, use the advantage of long reach caliper brakes for wider tires, or surprise your friends with a bike that looks well-mannered for the weather but goes as fast as you can. When you order a Sportif we talk not only about the way you want to ride but also about important, practical needs like tire size, fender clearance, and brake options. The Sportif design emphasizes all-weather options as well as practical and simple solutions for all-day riding. You can be confident your bike will be comfortable but also capable for speed, great on smooth roads, grass, and even gravel. This is the bike for all roads and all seasons, not a tourer or for heavy loads but just right for about everything else."
Monday, June 30, 2008
NJ: A Visit to Clinton
With some of my house projects behind me I had a chance for a long ride including a visit to Clinton. Clinton is nestled in the hills of Hunterdon County, New Jersey. It is a quintessential American small town that attracts many visitors. A charming historic shopping area, cherry tree lined streets, a beautiful red mill, and a river meandering through it makes Clinton a picture perfect hamlet.
The old truss bridge that spans the Raritan River was constructed circa 1870 overlooks a 200 foot wide waterfall which separates two old grist mills; Clinton's landmark Red Mill (built in 1810), home of the Hunterdon Historical Museum, and the Stone Mill, which houses the Hunterdon Museum of Art.
Photos: truss bridge with trout fishermen, Stone Mill in background, the Red Mill, a trout fisherman, Main Street
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
