Grandpa Patents a Bike?

A rider on the DC-Rand list who works at the National Archives shared this image of a velocipede patented on this day in 1869. Looks like they hadn't quite figured out the chain thing yet. Click on the image for a larger view. Notice the last name. No relation that I'm aware of.

The posting drew this response from another DC-Rand rider: "Back to the Future!"

2009 3 Brothers Lake Loop

The English folks will like this -- three steel British bikes on Saturday's 3 Brothers Lake Loop: a Roberts that Brother Rob had built for him when he lived in England; a Bob Jackson from the mid 70s ridden by Brother Tim; and my 1970 coffee Raleigh International, set up as a fixed gear.

This is the fifth year we've gathered in Clarksville for our annual bike ride, usually timed to coincide with Boydton Day, although this year they tricked us and moved it to Halloween. We brothers don't see each other that often, and the ride is a fine way to catch up and test each other's legs.

We had heavy showers in the morning, but by the time we reached the dam at mile 50, the skies had lifted. We lunched at Rose's in Boydton, where we had sandwiches and fries and a brief argument about politics. Normally we do a century, but we cut out the loop to Chase City and pulled into Clarksville with 75 miles. That turned out to be a good call. The skies opened up as we watched the lake from the balcony of the motel room.

Dinner at the Lamplighter with the bass fisherman, the goodbyes, then down the road to Raleigh.

Phun Physiology: Regular Exercise May Prevent Weight Regain after Long-Term Weight Loss

With the demanding portion of the cycling season pretty much in the rear-view mirror, we now head into the offseason. I seem to grow in girth just relishing the thought of the upcoming holidays! Some cyclists, myself included, intended to and ultimately succeeded in shedding a few pounds during the cycling season. But don’t we ultimately share the same fate as dieters who successfully lose weight only to regain it again?

We know that for many individuals weight-loss diets sooner or later fail. In fact, not only do most dieters regain all of the weight they lose while dieting but are dismayed at how quickly they regain the weight. The “yo-yo” phenomenon in fact has a physiological basis.

Dieting triggers numerous physiological changes aimed at efficient weight regain as if the body seeks to reestablish its pre-diet “steady state.” Weight loss causes a decrease in hormone levels of leptin and insulin. The brain perceives an energy store deficit and signals us to eat. Ironically, weight loss actually triggers the production of additional fat cells, which facilitate rapid weight regain, should we overeat just once. And when we overeat, we feel less like exercising, which is the very antidote for preventing weight regain.

But it may be possible to turn the body’s physiology in the opposite direction so that we can benefit long term from a successful weight loss program, according to experts. This is the claim made by a team of researchers in an article published just this summer in the American Journal of Physiology entitled, “Regular exercise attenuates the metabolic drive to regain weight after long-term weight loss.” This topic might be of interest to cyclists heading into the off-season.

But haven’t we known for some time that most successful weight maintenance programs include exercise? True, but now it seems that the science (i.e., underlying physiological mechanisms) may be getting closer to this observation, giving us a reason and also the motivation to stay on track.

Of note, the researchers contend:

The novel observations from this study are that regular, aerobic, treadmill exercise in male rats countered several metabolic adaptations to weight loss that are known to facilitate weight regain and the eventual relapse to obesity.
One physiological change brought about by regular exercise after a period of successful weight loss is the body’s utilization of fat as an initial energy source rather than carbohydrate.

There is more good news. So far as it might apply to humans, the regular exercise required to keep weight regain in check is not only of low intensity but low duration calculated at four percent of daily energy expenditure, or thirty minutes of fast walking, for example.

What does this mean for cyclists? Think about the added benefit of base training this winter, consisting of long slow distances (the cyclist’s LSD). One benefit is weight maintenance. As an increased, albeit negative, incentive, recall that weight gain automatically lowers VO2max, since the calculation of the latter includes dividing by one’s body weight.

Consequently, to retain many of the physiological gains posted during the year, some cyclists may want to consider at least regular doses of low-intensity exercise with the approaching holiday season. See you out there!

A Bike Video Worth Watching

Riding buddy Cap'n Ende sent along this inspiring video. Want better bike facilities in your community? Here's how it happens.

Boulder Bike Story from Bikes Belong on Vimeo.

Phil Creel's LEL Post

Phil Creel, our good friend from South Carolina, has done a fine write-up of his recent LEL adventure. Definitely worth a read. It's here.

Cowboy Mike Rides Again

When the horse throws ya, you're supposed to get right back on. Well, I've been bucking that rule for three years now.

My fixed gear threw my butt to the asphalt in 2006. Completely my fault. I stepped out of a pedal on a short but steep hill. Went right over the handlebars. Broke a finger and a rib and developed a big fat hematoma on my right knee.

I found myself blaming the bike, not the messenger. My fixie found itself parked in a dark corner of my basement, under the stairs. For three years.

But enough is enough. This weekend, I installed a better set of pedals, climbed back on and rode Black Creek 200K permanent with 12 other riders.

I'm happy to report a fine time was had by all. It was a joyous reunion of bike and rider. The day started with cool temps, the low 40s, and warmed to the high 50s by the afternoon under a mostly cloudy sky, but with sunshine and a slight headwind on the return trip. Our baker's dozen hung together for most of the day, but stretched out a bit as we neared the barn.

Once again, we timed this permanent, a fundraiser for the Friends of the Mountain to Sea Trail, to coincide with Black Creek's Fall Festival. Cowboy Bob and Aflac the duck, two highlights from last year, were no-shows. A newcomer to this year's festival was Brewer's organic sausage booth. We set upon this like flies on a rib roast. The sausages were served up on a hot dog bun, topped with chili, mustard, onions and green peppers. Yes, that's a dicey gastronomical adventure at the halfway mark of any bike ride, and it apparently knocked a couple miles an hour off Byron's pace.

Special thanks to Tom B from South Carolina for making the trip up to ride with us, to Branson for the chocolate "pain" and to Jerry for the coffee, for the long pulls from Joel, to the company of relative newcomer John O, to Fearless Leader Al, who is chasing an R-12. Also congratulations to NC's newest RAAM-qualified riders, Lynn and JoAnn, who were both with us on Saturday.

A donation of $200 has been made to Friends of Mountain to Sea Trail in the name of NCBC/NC Randonneurs.

Variety Six-Pack: Tar Heel 200 Permanent, October 4, 2009

The variety six-pack? There they are—Tarheel riders this past Sunday at the turn-around contrôle in Tar Heel, NC—(from left to right) John, Andy, Dean, Gary, Janis, and Maria.

Why the grin on my face? The photographer was an absolute hoot. The impromptu team photo was snapped by a lady who was apparently taken by our brightly clad group hanging out in Tar Heel. Spotting the camera in my hand, she volunteered to take our group picture. She “barked” feigned orders for us to hurry and get lined up so that she could be on her way and attend to the rest of her pressing obligations. Later, “Miss Congeniality” bade us farewell and wished for us a safe journey.

Mid-week last week, the only thing I knew for certain was that I was going to ride my Permanent come Sunday. The only question was whether anyone else would be able to come out and play. A couple of regular riding buddies had other commitments. Although riding Permanents, like fly fishing, ranks high on my list of enjoyable solo activities, if given a choice, unlike fly fishing, I’d rather ride with others.

Sometimes organizing a ride can be as spontaneous as falling into a game of pick-up basketball. The main ingredient of course is someone itching to play. The weather was also a co-conspirator Sunday and, for some, the hunt for the R-12 Award. Additionally, by signing up for a 2010 RUSA membership in October, two new riders were benefitting from a free RUSA membership for the remaining three months of 2009.

In response to my mid-week call to ride, I became more excited with each inquiry. In truth, I was expecting perhaps one other rider besides myself.

Well before the 7 AM start, one could find five vehicles in close proximity all parked on E Church St behind Burger King and in front of Subway’s in Benson. Riders introduced themselves as most had never ridden together. Then we were off. One rider has provided a great account of the ride located here with a wonderful storyline. My account, which follows, is more of a picture scrapbook.

Morning sunrise as we head toward Dunn. Soon we will be waking. The only creatures awake at this time of the morning are crowing roosters and barking dogs.



Gary, Janis, and Maria on a cotton morning.


Gary, Janis, Maria, Andy, and John near Godwin, NC.

Anatomy of a randonneur. Work gloves and work shoes, Andy gets the blue-collar, lunch-pail award. Talk about looking at old problems in new ways, I’m stealing his idea of attaching a small saddlebag up front, and writing an article about it. Don’t tell him!

Andy again, this time at the Stedman contrôle. Since joining RUSA earlier this year, Andy’s ridden a Permanent every month. I finally got to ride with him. What a sense of humor! Looking forward to many more rides with him and reading his ride accounts.

Super Randonneur Gary is certainly a friend of local cycling and cyclists as an officer of the North Carolina Bicycle Club (NCBC). Which reminds me: the NCBC is hosting its Fall Rally and Picnic Lunch this coming Sunday. I’ve enjoyed Gary’s company on several rides and conversations on a variety of subjects. His mild-manner demeanor belies an intense determination. I’m still mad at him though for beating me in our “sprint” to the Cumberland County line sign on the way back from Tar Heel. I guess my end of the conversation just before the incident just wasn’t engaging enough.

One intrepid lady, can you believe Janis used to commute while in Charlotte? With her plaid skirt, she’s set a new standard for randonneuring wardrobe. Since joining RUSA, Janis has a string of seven consecutive months of riding Permanents!

One of RUSA’s newest members, here’s John. Although he just received his RUSA number, John rode Alan’s 200km Anniversary brevet in August. I’m indebted to him for alerting me to a slight wobble in my rear Gatorskin tire that I thought I might have corrected by remounting it 180 degrees. Look for John on more brevets. Chasing each other, he and Gary were the first to reach the penultimate contrôle.

Maria won the coolest jersey award with her Old Kentucky Home Tour jersey. The Tar Heel 200 Permanent marked her longest one-day ride. Congratulations, Maria! I enjoyed our conversation on science education and the mention of Cincinnati chili. I’m sure she has an informed opinion or two about Xavier, Cincinnati, and Kentucky basketball. By the way, a lot of thought went into the urban background configuration for this shot in order to bring out the green, silver, and skyness of the jersey.

Break time under a Spanish-moss covered tree near Tar Heel, NC.

John impressing us with his tube changing talent at the penultimate control in Erwin. When John applied the CO2 cartridge, we noticed a coat of ice forming on the valve stem. The obvious question is: Why? When our inquiring minds turned to Maria the physics teacher for an answer, without batting an eye, she responded that it was an application of the ideal gas law: pV = nRT. Any more questions, people?

I’m thinking that if there were enough interest (meaning Alan served enough home brew) we could have a bicycle-related science seminar at one of our monthly NCBC meetings. Byron could bring some water snakes, I could bring some woolly worms, and Maria could take bicycle physics questions from the audience like why a moving bicycle doesn’t tip over. Heck, even this guy might show up at the seminar.

Haven’t I seen him somewhere before? On a RUSA or NCBC ride?

Cotton crop on Old Fair Ground Rd after clearing Dunn.

Cotton sunset.

I had a fun time and was glad that I got to meet and ride with each of the riders. Ya’ll made my day!

Speaking of fun times, looking forward, you’ll not want to miss Mike D’s Showdown in Black Creek Permanent on October 17th, which coincides once again with the annual Festival in Black Creek, NC. Bug him for ride details. Here is Mike’s hilarious account of last year’s ride.

Let’s ride, soon!

Sunday Vintage Ride Part 2

A perfect North Carolina day for cycling -- low humidity, light traffic, mild temperature no wind. Me, Byron, Geof and Brian struck out from Geof's at 8:27 sharp. When I say vintage, I'm talking threads. Check out the wool on Byron and Geof.



I took the McLean for its longest ride yet -- 55 miles through rolling hills down by the nuke-u-ler plant. I've debated changing things around, but after today I'm not sure I'll change a thing, although the derailleurs still need a bit of adjusting. It's a terrific ride just as it is, and the pizza-pan size large ring, with 54 teeth, is a conversation starter. It may come in handy when I attempt a land speed record in the salt flats.

These Sunday vintage rides have real potential. Geof pushes the pace from time to time, but there's plenty of socializing too on quiet rural roads. Ya'll pull out the bikes with the Sun Tour bar ends and join us.

Still in India but I figured I post a few of the many bike/trike pictures I have taken. We'll be back in the states next weekend.

Not sure of the cargo but in sheer volume he is quite the moving company.


When I got a new couch it came on a truck. Here you can get a dresser delivered on a bike....


On the next 1200 I expect you to carry all your water for the entire ride.

A note from my buddy Lance...

Forward to a Friend | Donate | LIVESTRONG.ORG

I had a pre-existing condition Dear Michael, Lance was denied insurance when he needed it most. Sign the petition and tell Congress that no one else should be. Today is LIVESTRONG Day. Thirteen years ago today, my doctor told me I had advanced testicular cancer. What most people don’t know is that at the time, I didn’t have health insurance. In the following weeks, I received letter after letter from the insurance company refusing to pay for my treatment. I was fighting for my life—but also for the coverage that I desperately needed. The legislation currently being debated in Congress is not just words on a page—for many cancer survivors, it’s a matter of life and death. Now, as this debate enters crunch time, I need your help to ensure that what happened to me doesn't happen to any other American: http://www.livestrongaction.org/campaigns/healthcare No matter what side of the healthcare debate you're on, I believe we can all agree on two things: No American should be denied health insurance coverage because of pre-existing conditions. No American should lose their insurance due to changes in health or employment. Will you sign the LIVESTRONG Action petition to make sure any legislation includes these two critically important reforms? We’ll deliver these to Capitol Hill this month as the debate reaches its climax and make sure our voices are heard in the debate: http://www.livestrongaction.org/campaigns/healthcare When I received my diagnosis, I was between cycling contracts. My new insurer used the diagnosis as a reason to deny coverage after the new contract was signed. Fortunately, one of my sponsors intervened. At their insistence, I was added to their insurance company and was able to continue my life-saving treatment. If my sponsor, a powerful company, had not gone to bat for me, I may not have made it. I was lucky. We can't rely on luck to ensure coverage and treatment for the millions of Americans affected by cancer. Some cannot get coverage because they've already been diagnosed. Others get calls from their insurance companies saying they have been dropped. It happens all the time—and it's unacceptable. Every year on LIVESTRONG Day, we come together to take action for a world without cancer. In the U.S., a critical step is to make sure cancer survivors can get and keep their health insurance. It has been 13 years since my diagnosis, but in some ways, not much has changed. No person should have to worry about health insurance while battling cancer. That so many do is an outrage, and we must speak out. Please sign the petition and forward it along to your friends and family: http://www.livestrongaction.org/campaigns/healthcare LIVESTRONG, Lance and the LIVESTRONG Action Team P.S. Don’t forget today is LIVESTRONG Day. There are more than 1,100 events taking place to raise awareness about cancer all over the world. View our interactive map to see events in your area: http://www.livestrongaction.org/map