Did Team NC/DC Bring Down the Sheriff?

You'll recall that on last week's fleche Team NC-DC used the Brunswick County Sheriff's Office in Bolivia as our 22-hour control. That's Sheriff Ron Hewett pictured above.

Now, I'm not saying these two events are related, but I thought it only fair to bring you this news update from earlier today:

SHERIFF INDICTED
Bolivia | A Brunswick County grand jury indicted Sheriff Ronald Hewett today on three counts of embezzlement by a public official and one count of obstruction of justice.

At a hearing soon after the indictments were handed up, Hewett appeared before Superior Court Judge Ola Lewis, who set his bond at $25,000 on the four felonies. If convicted, he could face up to two and a half years in prison on the obstruction charge and nearly five years on each embezzlement charge.

Coincidence? Probably. However, I feel compelled to note that teammate Jerry Phelps paid for several sodas, as well as a couple Little Debbie snack cakes, with $100 bills.

Wool wear for a rainy day on the bicycle

Today was one of those days when smart cyclists took one look at the forecast, rolled over and went back to sleep.

And the not-so-smart cyclists? A laurel and hardy crowd of about 20 lined up for the overcast start of today’s N.C. Bike Club Spring Rally. Several of the local randonneurs – me, Branson, Jerry and Dean - had signed up to sag the event. The NCBC leaders must be on to us – they know we’ll show and ride in any conditions short of an F5 tornado.

However, maybe even some of our crowd are slowly wising up. Jerry bagged out early with the flu, although he was on hand to drive sag on the 60-mile route. Branson showed up in street clothes. I never did find out what ailment he had, but he drove sag on the 40-miler and flipped burgers at the finish. Thus the incorrigible sweep team of Dean and Yours Truly cracked the whip on the 60-mile loop.

As it turns out, we picked up a third sweep in the parking lot. A woman named Tracey was running a few minutes late and was still gearing up as the crowd rolled out of the Apex community park. Dean and I waited on her as she loaded up. We’d ride the rest of the day with her. She was a strong rider and good company. And so our little threesome managed to make the best out of a cold and soggy day. What started as a light sprinkle slowly picked up steam. By ride’s end we were in a veritable downpour.

I had to ask: what brought her out in these conditions? She owned up that she had a big birthday coming up and planned to celebrate by riding from coast to coast? After watching her dogged determination, suffering through what she said was her “most challenging day,” I have no questions about her ability to achieve that noble goal.

As we finished up, I told Dean that today’s ride was actually a good “dry run" for my wet/cold weather gear. The fact is, I don’t get out in the wet stuff often enough. We have so many good cycling days here in North Carolina, and like most other riders I pick and choose, rolling over and going back to sleep when the forecast looks bleak.

So: here’s what worked today.

* Boure’ wool base layer. This 100% extra fine Merino wool base layer is one of two wool base layers I reviewed for roadbikerider.com.

* Wabi woolen jersey. The more I wear this, the more I like. A fantastic product. This may be the best jersey I've ever owned. Period. I have the red one, which I also got as a review product for roadbikerider.com.

* Joneswares wool tights. Deb Jones sent a pair of these to try out. A perfect choice today. My legs felt warm and dry all day. I'm a big fan of Joneswares products. My new favorite is the merino wool lightweight base layer with short sleeves.

* Smartwool thick socks. The feet stayed warmed -- and mostly dry, thanks to these socks and the extra long Berthoud fenders on my Coho.

* Joneswares wool helmet liner. I wear this religiously in cool weather. It fits with ease under the helmet and keeps my bald head warm.

Randonneur In Transit

Here's a first. Our friend Sridhar is at this very moment out on the the Lake Loop, taking advantage of an 80-degree, sunny day here in NC.



He just sent this photo from the dam, about 50 miles into the ride. Looking good!

1:23 p.m. Update. Sridhar says:

66 miles done. 63 left....Yes, it is a lovely day

Raleigh Bicycle Planning Meeting

This just landed in my e-mailbox. Here's your chance to talk with Raleigh leaders.

The e-mail text:

The City of Raleigh is developing a Comprehensive Bicycle Plan that will guide future bicycle improvements in Raleigh and we want YOU to be part of the process.

The plan is intended to reflect the needs and wishes of the community; therefore, the City is asking for your input: the first public workshop will be held on April 2nd, 2008 at the Glen Eden Pilot Neighborhood Center (1500 Glen Eden Drive, Raleigh). Please stop by anytime between 4:00 – 7:00 PM to learn more about the project, talk to City staff and project consultants, and provide your input to the process. The City wants to hear the citizens' priorities for bicycle facilities and programs. Attached is an advertisement flyer for that meeting. Please feel free to distribute this so that all Raleigh citizens are informed.

In addition, please take a few minutes to fill out an online comment form for the project.

Online Comment Form Link: (http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=xyxe0TrdbunTnFsUR7hp8w_3d_3d)

Please pass the word along to any and all cyclists in the Raleigh Area!

Thank you for your time. Happy and safe bicycling!

Would somebody please mention that there's no good way for most bikers to commute uptown on workdays? Nearly every route throws you in an uncomfortably heavy mix of motorists, while new construction and changes have mucked up once acceptable routes, like Oberlin Road.

We spend lots of money putting new parking garages uptown. Let's put an equal amount of thought in getting cyclists up there safely.

Here's another question for our planners: When do they plan to reopen the greenway trail that crosses Capital Boulevard near Yonkers Road? It's been closed for repairs for six months or more.

Calling All Bicycle Collectors

Hey you! Yes, you at the dull desk job. Here's a fun way to kill the rest of the afternoon: the Copake annual bicycle auction.

The auction is scheduled for April 12. Here's the full online catalog.

It doesn't take long to find some gems from our cycling past.


I believe this is used to get the crew moving at the controls.


Here's your 19th century "Dog Scarer" cap pistol.


They have this Alex Singer, with wheels, with an expected going price of $600-$800. What the....? That's my size. Where is my checkbook?


Here's an 1899 Messenger bike. Not much has changed here. Expected price: $150-$200.


And of course lots of high wheelers. This is an American model.


I don't know a lot about advertising, but I'm guessing this "Bat Tray" was a flop. This is lot #154: "Figural "bat" metal tip tray, "Demorest Bicycle", 2 3/4" x 4 1/4". Demorest Mfg. Co. Williamsport PA. 1894-98. Brass patina good cond."


Is this a brand name or a warning from some religious group? From the catalog description: "19th c. French poster mounted on linens "Joie d'enfer Sur Lucifer", artist "Nike" pub. by Charles Vernear Paris 82" x 46", good cond."


This is the best truing stand I've ever seen. The description: "C. 1900-30 "Whaley Mfg. Co. St. Paul Minn." complex wheel truing stand, 17 1/2" HT., good cond."

Go ahead. Take the rest of the afternoon off. Your boss won't mind.

Fleche Team NC-DC

Team NC-DC has just wrapped up a successful 2008 fleche ride from Raleigh, NC to Ocean Isle, NC, a 240-mile, 24-hour trek through the lowlands and wastelands of eastern North Carolina. The team was comprised of DC-Rand members -- Lynn Kristianson and Bob Sheldon as a tandem team and Lothar Hennighausen -- and NCBC members Jerry Phelps, Byron Morton and Mike Dayton. Both contingents kicked equal shares of booty.

I'm fresh out of words, so I'll let the photos do the talking.


Here's the team test of our reflective gear. We had to dock Jerry a week's pay. Photo taken at sunrise on the causeway bridge heading to Ocean Isle. Only two miles left. But I'm getting ahead of myself.


A flounder for breakfast? Actually, Gordon, the designated driver for the DC crew, is set to carve into the world's biggest pancake. Our ride started at Big Ed's restaurant in downtown Raleigh.


Here's what Jerry got. Those sausages remind me of something...


Byron does a few last-minute calisthenics. Too late, pal!


Here's Bob "Ice Man" Sheldon riding the pine at Boyette's convenience store.


Even after 12 hours in the saddle, Lothar can manage complex mathematical equations, converting kilometers into the equivalent number of minutes.


Byron managed to snatch the Best Jersey Award away from perennial winner Jerry Phelps.


Upset by the upset, Jerry immediately fires his wardrobe designer.


Lynn did a masterful job of hunting down meal stops. We had lunch at Janice's Country Kitchen in Walstonburg. Formerly Johnny's Gas N Go.


No question about it -- the best restaurant in town. The pork barbecue sandwich special was a crowd favorite, which means nearly everybody ate high on the hog, although Lynn opted for grilled cheese and Byron got the burger. A warm piece of pecan pie was the unanimous choice for dessert.


Byron at Janices.


Lothar at Janices.


Lynn at Janices. Dig that crazy wall art. I think he's holding a bowl of Lucky Charms. He's certainly wearing one. Meantime, Lynn's wondering what happened to that detailed timetable she prepared. By dinnertime, Team NC-DC was three hours ahead of schedule.


Did I mention we had lots of blue sky? I'm mentioning it now because nearly every action shot I took looked just like this: all sky, no guy.


Here's our happy tandem couple, Bob and Lynn. The best thing about having a tandem along is that they can navigate like nobody's business. And the one time there was a slight bit of confusion, Lynn whipped out a cell phone, called up the nearby control and had us back on course in mere seconds.


Jerry on the move.


Byron in action.


Lothar rolling.

For dinner, Lynn made reservations at the Stoneleaf Cafe in Wallace. Folks we're talking a three-star, candlelight meal. I mean, we had class coming out the ass.


Don't believe me? Okay, here's a photo of the actual candle.


The group shot of a sated team.


Even though support between controls is not allowed on a fleche ride, we hired this guy to ride shotgun for us. It really helped out with the dog situation. This is a portrait of the Pender County sheriff. They take their sheriffing pretty seriously down east. The sheriff's office served as our 22-hour control.


Here's what folks look like at Hour 21 of a fleche. Not a pretty picture -- especially with that thumb in the photo.


Bob can't decide which he wants more -- the crutch or the bag of chicken.



Here's Lothar doing a scene from a movie classic, "The Coneheads."


My favorite shot. The sun's coming up, there's a view, and the crew is 2 miles from the finish. Life is sweet.


Here's the team at the finish. Jerry surprised us all with those great Team NC-DC t-shirts. I think poor Lynn fell asleep before the shutter could snap shut. And clearly the photographer forgot to say cheese.

Thanks to all for another great day on the bikes.

Orange Roads & Vanilla Shake.

For riding buddies it’s hard to beat JoeRay & Wes. Check this. I showed up with a new bike for a 40-miler in Orange, Alamance County. They let me take every county line and bought me a vanilla milkshake from Mapleview at the finish. That’s what I’m talking about. These guys know how to pay proper homage.

Today was a good test ride. Yesterday was more of a shake-out ride to make sure no parts fell off. Today was a bit brisker pace, with lots of chip&seal along the route. I changed a bit of the set-up, and the bike felt great today. It actually corners better than my carbon bike and tracks perfectly. I did some hands free riding at 30 mph. Not bad. The big test is coming up, with a 225-miler next weekend.

Here are photos of Wes & JoeRay at the Saxapahaw bridge, and an action shot by JoeRay.

Fait Accompli

Ain't the Internet amazing? Before I got home with my new bike, my good friend Bill Bryant had already seen pictures of it posted by Chuck Lathe on a flicker site. Very cool! That's travel at the speed of light.

Yes, the new bike is finished, and it's a black beauty. I showed up at Chuck's place this morning with a bag of parts and some bar tape, and we did the trim work.

Chuck did most of the heavy lifting today. I managed to derail our forward progress for about half an hour. We were assisted by three of the neighbor's dogs, and Chuck's lovely wife served up some potent caffeine.

We finished up around 1 p.m. and did a 20 mile test ride on Chuck's post office loop. The launch was perfect. It rained about 30 minutes before we got rolling, so I christened my new craft on wet roads. A good start for any randonneur bike.

A few details: check the frame pump location. Beautiful Berthoud fenders. The decaleur is off the bike but it comes with a brass bell. The cable stops on the top tube don't show, but they're one of my favorite details -- a throwback to my old Raleigh Internationals. The lug work looks very tidy all around. My favorite is the one at the seat post. There's a cool braze-on loop to route cables up the right fork blade. That was a touch I hadn't seen before. It was a pleasant surprise. The E6 light is tucked out of the way on the front rack. Good, that's always a pain to mount. Check out the braze-ons for those rear lights.

As for the ride? I'll get a better sense next weekend on our 225-mile fleche. I'm going for 40 miles tomorrow with Joe & Wes.

More later. In the meantime, here's a photo or 2 of the final build today at Chuck's house. But be sure to check out Chuck's shots. They're better bike photos.

BTW: that bag was a loaner for the photos.

More Progress

Chuck just forwarded this picture. We're rolling now. The paint's on, and so are some of the parts. I have a few here, and I'll try to get to Chuck in the next day or so.

Who knows? This just might be my ride on next weekend's fleche...

Oh, JD just asked what the color is. PBP Midnight.