OK Campers - which one to use ? Wax or grease ? I've always used something like Tri-Flow, which is an oil/ grease that sprays on, but is supposed to dry so it doesn't collect dirt. Not ! I just cleaned my chain and it had TONS of gunk on the chain rings and all over the chain, and in between the rear cogs. This stuff looked (and acted) like it was baked on. So, after cleaning the chain and everything else yesterday, I tried the wax approach. I had some Pedro's Ice Wax lying around, so that's what I'm using for the experiment.
I followed the directions, including the part about "must re-apply after every ride". And I read the horror stories of chains that started to squeak like rusty hinges after 12 miles when people tried the Ice Wax. But, if it keeps the gunk from forming, it's worth putting some on after every ride, or even in the middle of a century or metric century. So far, an added bonus is that the chain is shiny instead of black and dirty, and I don't get greasy chain marks on my right leg (a hazard with recumbents). So, I'm going to continue with the daily re-application and see how it works.
Today - 27.24 miles, no squeaks, changing gears was smooth for the whole ride.
Monday, June 23, 2008
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Kayak !!!
It's SUMMER !!! I don't care that summer doesn't officially start until June 20: for me, it starts on the Vernal Equinox (around March 20).
This year, I am going kayaking on Saturdays to celebrate the sun, get wet, and have fun. Here's the kayak model:
So, it's going to go into some local creeks, small lakes, marshes and bays near the ocean, and possibly into the ocean for some wave fun !
This year, I am going kayaking on Saturdays to celebrate the sun, get wet, and have fun. Here's the kayak model:
So, it's going to go into some local creeks, small lakes, marshes and bays near the ocean, and possibly into the ocean for some wave fun !
Better than CSI ?
At least better written.
Check out http://www.canadianmysteries.ca/indexen.html - Unsolved Canadian Mysteries.
Entertaining reading for history and mystery fans. A well-written Canadian "True Crime" site. Best part - kids can use the information to 'solve' the mysteries - with age-specific portals.
So, go learn some little-known Canadian history and meet your weekly murder and mayhem quota at the same time.
Check out http://www.canadianmysteries.ca/indexen.html - Unsolved Canadian Mysteries.
Entertaining reading for history and mystery fans. A well-written Canadian "True Crime" site. Best part - kids can use the information to 'solve' the mysteries - with age-specific portals.
So, go learn some little-known Canadian history and meet your weekly murder and mayhem quota at the same time.
Monday, June 16, 2008
What makes a GOOD blog ?
Or, why do we read the blogs we read ?
Things seem to be a little slow in the blogsphere lately (summer vacations ? US election meltdowns ?), so I've been thinking about why I have some blogs on my favorites list and read them on a fairly regular basis (rather than blogs that I view occasionally). What makes them interesting enough to visit several times a week, if not daily ?
The answer. I think there are several things that make me want to put a blog on my reading radar:
1. Blogs that talk about things that are completely outside my personal knowledge. Examples: the conservative Jwish woman who writes about her life - I found it on an index of Jewish blogs - I was looking up some obscure term.
2. Blogs that talk about things that I'm interested in, but they do a much better job. Examples: the Recumbent Blog, Valley Wag.
Of course, I drop blogs that aren't updated frequently. "Frequency" may depend on the topic -- there just aren't that many exciting events happening in the world of biking and recumbents to warrant a daily post. Even computer and technology daily blogs can boring on a daily basis. Better to take them in weekly chunks. Same for literary sites.
So, it all boils down to a daily search for new material on computer technology, bikes, coffee and caffeine-containing product, and reading material.
Things seem to be a little slow in the blogsphere lately (summer vacations ? US election meltdowns ?), so I've been thinking about why I have some blogs on my favorites list and read them on a fairly regular basis (rather than blogs that I view occasionally). What makes them interesting enough to visit several times a week, if not daily ?
The answer. I think there are several things that make me want to put a blog on my reading radar:
1. Blogs that talk about things that are completely outside my personal knowledge. Examples: the conservative Jwish woman who writes about her life - I found it on an index of Jewish blogs - I was looking up some obscure term.
2. Blogs that talk about things that I'm interested in, but they do a much better job. Examples: the Recumbent Blog, Valley Wag.
Of course, I drop blogs that aren't updated frequently. "Frequency" may depend on the topic -- there just aren't that many exciting events happening in the world of biking and recumbents to warrant a daily post. Even computer and technology daily blogs can boring on a daily basis. Better to take them in weekly chunks. Same for literary sites.
So, it all boils down to a daily search for new material on computer technology, bikes, coffee and caffeine-containing product, and reading material.
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