Author Archive for risu

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Whistler Lite

Published on November 13, 2007 in bike by risu. Closed

Monday, 12 November 2007

Time to rideThree XC rides on one long weekend? It’s starting to sound like riding in Whistler! Jeff, Chris, Ckucke, and I hit Maunawili Ditch Trail again on Monday afternoon. It was clear and starry at 0530 when I got up, but by the afternoon, the clouds had rolled in. I would have actually liked to do maybe a Wailuna ride in the early morning, but I didn’t think anyone else was up for that. Even with the overcast sky, there were no signs of rain, so it was all good. It was crazy hot and humid again like on Saturday. Continue reading ‘Whistler Lite’

Doppler Ride

Published on November 13, 2007 in bike by risu. Closed

Saturday, 10 November 2007

Manana IslandThe blue sky of yesterday afternoon continued into Saturday. Ckucke called me to say that Jeff had called him and said Atomman got rained on in Waimanalo on his road ride in the morning. Also citing Doppler radar information indicating continued rain in the area, Jeff, Sara, and Chris were opting out. I went outside and it was indeed overcast over the Pali area, even though a bright noontime sun hung in the cloud-spotted sky above Kaneohe. Ckucke and I agreed to give it a chance and hit the trails. Continue reading ‘Doppler Ride’

Weather Relief

Published on November 13, 2007 in bike by risu. Closed

Friday, 09 November 2007

Last weekend’s thunderstorm and the continued heavy rain persisting through the beginning of the week kept me indoors and off the bike. The rain had subsided by Wednesday, but a late drizzle and dark skies put a damper on riding by the time I got home. I managed to get home fairly early on Friday. The sun was still above the mountains and was challenging the mixed clouds for dominance, but there were no hints of rain. Gearing up, I went out on my normal loop. Continue reading ‘Weather Relief’

Tons of Fun

Published on November 8, 2007 in car and Review by risu. Closed

Diehard Platinum P-2Weeks after verifying that the FJ80 didn’t have some kind of electrical problem causing the battery to drain, I finally got around to going to Sears and picking up a new Enersys-built Diehard Platinum battery.  Hot or cold, the current draw was below 10-miliamps which was well within spec, and the old Optima was only putting out 12.3-12.5 volts.  I’ve grown dissatisfied with Optima batteries.  My first one lasted almost as long as my original factory Toyota Yuasa open battery (which lasted about 7-years with maintenance!), but my second Optima went flat in less than 5-years. Continue reading ‘Tons of Fun’

Toe-in Dialed

Published on November 6, 2007 in bike by risu. Closed

Northwave Ninja SPD shoesIt took three tries to finally get the toe-in adjustment set correctly on those new Northwave Ninja shoes.  Now they’re all set and I only need the camber shims to set the rotational angle.  I took them on a test spin, and they feel a lot better than when I first installed the cleats, but I really do need the shims.  I put on a set of shortened Nike spikes.  The threaded holes in the sole are fairly deeply recessed, so you need about 7mm of thread showing below the base of the spike for them to be fully engaged.  I pushed out the threaded studs, cut down the ends of the plastic spikes, then reinserted the studs so more thread would show.

Ninja soleNinja inside

D = 4.22-miles, Vavr = 11.3 mph, Vmax = 25.4 mph, T = 22-minutes

Whistler MTB – Day 10

Published on November 5, 2007 in bike, Food, Review and Travel by risu. Closed

Sunday, 05 August 2007

Clear to partly cloudy, 20-25C, still

We awoke early and puttered around the condo until opening time then headed down to Blendz for Belgian dark chocolate mochas. The sun was just coming over the mountaintops, and the still-sleeping village was quiet and deserted, save for a few odd souls who had risen with the sunrise. We wandered down toward the health clinic, passing fresh bear scat on the sidewalk. The intent was to go to the tennis club for breakfast, but mapless and going on only a vague recollection on its location, we ended up going on a nice 1.5km stroll down Blackcomb Way, then over to 99 and back again – basically circling around the tennis club! Not to say a brisk walk on a crisp, clear morning was unwelcome – it was a good way to loosen up the tightness and soreness from the many riding days before. The air was cool and a layer of convective fog hung in the low-lying areas aside Blackcomb Way. The sun rising in the clear sky would soon heat the air and burn the fog away, but in the meantime the wispy ether cast a faint rainbow in the light that managed to ply the spaces between the pines. Continue reading ‘Whistler MTB – Day 10’

Whistler MTB – Day 9

Published on November 5, 2007 in bike, Food, Review and Travel by risu. Closed

Saturday, 04 August 2007

Scattered clouds, 22-28C, breezy

A beautiful morning broke on our last riding day. The forecast was for clear weather for the next few days after the wet spell yesterday morning. We finished the bagels for breakfast, pretty much depleting the groceries we bought at the beginning of the week. Today was to be a medium length ride out North. According to the maps, it wouldn’t be a deathmarch like the Riverside-See Colours and Puke ride, or the Kill Me, Thrill Me-Green Lake Loop ride. Continue reading ‘Whistler MTB – Day 9’

Whistler MTB – Day 8

Published on November 5, 2007 in bike, Food, Review and Travel by risu. Closed

Friday, 03 August 2007

AM – rainy, 20-23C, still
PM – overcast, 23-25C, still

As predicted, the morning was rainy. The wispy, high-altitude clouds that rolled in yesterday afteroon were the precursors of the moist front that arrived from Hawaii via the Pineapple Express. I awoke before dawn to the sound of rain falling on the vinyl furniture out on the terrace. I closed the window and returned to sleep. We eventually had Pizza muffins then went down to Blendz for Belgian dark chocolate mochas. We wandered around the village, eventually ending up back at Opa! in Marketplace for lunch. It was busier this time, but the workers’ routines were getting more established, so I got my food quicker. The weather was clearing up and the ground was drying up, so we headed back to the condo to gear up for an afternoon spin. We could have easily taken the whole day off, but it seemed like such a waste since we came all this way to BC to ride. Continue reading ‘Whistler MTB – Day 8’

Whistler MTB – Day 7

Published on November 5, 2007 in bike, Food, Review and Travel by risu. Closed

Thursday, 02 August 2007

Clear, 20-29C, light breeze

The morning was clear and cool – perfect weather for a good long ride. That’s definitely what we would get today. We rode over to the golf course and got on the Valley Trail Northbound. Crossing the railroad tracks, we skirted around the right of Emerald Forest and headed North. We crossed over Highway 99 and picked up the bike path on the other side and followed it out to the terminus past Green Lake. Continuing along 99, we passed a pair of RCMP officers dealing with a pair of kids who drove their Southbound Hyundai off the road into a gully. A little ways on, we could see the trailhead before a concrete barrier at a right turn in the highway. Continue reading ‘Whistler MTB – Day 7’

Whistler MTB – Day 6

Published on November 5, 2007 in bike, Food, Review and Travel by risu. Closed

Wednesday, 01 August 2007

Clear, 25-29C still

This was to be a rest day after the long ride yesterday. The legs and ass both needed a little rest. Jeff had gone downstairs to Blends Coffee to get some Belgian dark chocolate mochas in the morning. I had a raisin bagel with cream cheese, milk, OJ and yogurt for breakfast then watched a little TV and had a nap. At lunchtime, we walked down to Marketplace and went to Opa! restaurant next to IGA where the Chinese restaurant used to be. It is a fast-food Greek-style franchise. They had souvlaki plates and pita wraps. I had a pita wrap with gyros meat. It was good and adequately large with fresh, quality fillings. The service was a little sketchy and random since they had just opened and none of the workers had developed routines yet. About $6 CAD with tax. Continue reading ‘Whistler MTB – Day 6’