This weekend was the SCNCA race schedule meeting and picnic.  Normally this wouldn't be news except that I was invited to attend and be recognized as the Second place Overall Endurance Track racer in Cat 3/4 for the SCNCA SoCal Cup.  Whew, that's a mouth full. 

Anyhow, it was cool to see that I had finished second in the Endurance series, and sixth overall - not too bad for not doing a single "sprint" event in the cup.

We didn't go to the picnic however because Jenelle found a bike she wanted!!  We went Saturday AM and bought her an Electra Amsterdam.  It's the "Tulip" model.  Bright yellow paint, red tulip accents, full wrap chain guard, generator lights, fenders w/mudflaps, rear rack and skirt guard.   It's the bomb of a city bike.  Except for it's price, it's everything that Copehagen Cycle Chic would approve of - "Style over speed," indeed.

This is all part of my "Commuter Man" plan.  Here I am formulating the beginning of my plan while at Interbike in Las Vegas this year, while coming back from the Crit finals.  Photo courtesy of Dave Lettieri.



In trying to reach full Commuter Man Nirvana, in addition to riding my bike to the train station and then bi-modaling it to the office, I did some research on how to carry as much stuff on a bike as is safely possible.  Racks, panniers, BOB trailers....

The answer: Xtracycle Free Radical.  Here's the Free Radical with the Free Loader kit filled after a run to the grocery store with a full week of food.  Both side panniers are chocked full.  It's a fairly stable operation - about like riding a tandem with a well behaved stoker.

Here's an unsolicited product endorsement: if you want to try and live and do more on your bicycle in your daily life, buy an Xtracycle Free Radical.  It will breathe new life back into that old hard tail mountain bike you've got taking up space in the stable not being ridden.



Later in the day I went to Home Depot for some 4x4's for a project.  I never thought I'd haul lumber home on my bike, but today I did.  I got some crazy looks from people on the way home.  Other hardware was loaded in the pannier opposite.



Yes, that's right, those are three full length 8', 4"x4"s lashed to the side of my bike using the Long Loader kit.  This was MUCH less stable than having the panniers fully loaded with the grocery run earlier.  Frankly, this is not something I'd necessarily advise an inexperienced cyclist to attempt.  Handling was squirrely, especially in right hand turns.

Both loaded runs today pointed out something very important to a good Xtracycle set up - bomber wheels.  As soon as I can I'm getting a set of 36h high flange hubs with the gnarliest free-ride/DH rims I can find to put on the bike.  The corollary to this is the Xtracycle performs better with 26" wheels.  If you want to carry big loads don't waste your time with the 700c kit.  In addition, tires that are symmetric (read: round with very little, if any, run out) will improve handling stability. 

Tomorrow starts the fourth week of the bike/train Great Transportation Experiement.  Let's just say I like it enough that come Friday, I'll need to go back to the SB station to get another mothly ride pass.

J.