On Father's Day I decided to go out to put some long miles in rural country. This adventure included one of my favorite spots to climb. Known as Alma Hill Road, in Alma NY, it happens to be the highest point in Western New York at 760m above sea level. At 4 miles and 1000 feet of climbing on dirty, grainy, rain washed road at an average of 5-6% gradient (steepest around 12%), it will quickly tell you whether you are in climbing shape, or if you aren't, readily provide a poorly done road before you to blame and vent your frustration onto.
This breezy, rainy day here in the enchanted mountains region saw me riding to Alma, Wellsville, and down south into darn rural Pennsylvania before I took the difficult highway 6 with 15mph headwind and rain to Port Allegany. From there, I rode up north to Eldred PA, switched left onto Duke Center, and climbed back into New York via one of the leg tinglers of this area, Oil Valley Road (546). From there it was all downhill to Olean, NY which is, kind of home at the moment for me.
Uff! All this trouble just to show you the kind of places I ride in! Check out the pics, all of them taken by me on the saddle while riding at good pace - an artform I call cyclophotography. Enjoy now and come ride with us sometime. This is a great place if you enjoy carefree cycling, among little but Mother Nature. Contact me if you have questions.
110 Miles
7 hours saddle time
Route 44 at Ceres into Pennsylvania
Brimmer Brook Road To Alma, NY
Alma Hill Road
Nothing but a crappy AT&T tower on the peak to greet you after you achievement
Breathtaking descent into Wellsville, NY
Road south to Eleven Mile, entering PA
Route 44 to Coneville, PA
Whitney Creek Road, a mellow climb with a connection to Route 6 via a fast descent on Fishing Creek Road
Long way on 346 towards Prentisvale and Duke Center. Check out those looming clouds.
Oil Valley Road up to Knapp Creek, NY (while the glory days of petroleum in the north east are over, this region was, for several decades in the late 1800's, the most important oil-producing region in the world. Known since the1860's as the Oil Regions, western Pennsylvania (and the adjacent area in southwestern New York) has an oil history that predates European settlement. Read more here)
Final descent into Olean, NY. We're back in the Enchanted Mountains. Thank you for checking!
Now if you don't use the Campy recommended, "200 dollar" chain tool to hook up your 11 speed chain, it will break. If not now, at some point. Because of the smaller tolerances and a special peening procedure involved, your conventional tool will not be able to seat the union bushing into the links properly. It will bend out and take the paper thin link along with it.
Only the mighty Campy tool can properly do the following while crapping in your wallet :
a) Supportthe left end of the link by clamping it while pushing the union bushing in adequately with a conical pusher.
b) Splitthe protruding end by a special holeprovided in the tool.
c) Lock the bushing in the link ("locking the link").
Trust me, this is the Cadillac of chain tools. Your grandpa's tool just won't cut it.
Now I myself thought I could somehow get away without 'following the rules'. Oh no. Didn't work.
The following chain failure happened to me while climbing a long hill. I asked my local bike shop to equip themselves with the right tool and had them fix me a new chain. (I think its the right thing to do for them as now, it is likely that customers increasingly show up at their place with a 11 speed job)
Hey, just check out the width of this chain. This is technology right here.
Now start being amazed and see how a 11 speed chain is installed :
Recently, my 5 year old Park Tool floor pump started bleeding from its ears. The gauge hose ruptured and there was a major air leak, rendering the pump useless unless I replaced that hose (this is one of the most common failures that could happen to any pump, so if you don't want to be irritated, consider keeping a replacement hose with you for safe measure).
Since the pump was old anyway, I decided to get a new one instead.
Anyway, just for fun, I opened up the pressure gauge of the old one to show you what is contained inside of it. I'm sure some of you may have wondered...'hmm, how on earth does my pump detect the pressure inside my tube?'
So what is the pressure gauge anyway? It is a pressure sensor, right? And what does it do? It does the following 3 things :
1) It senses the pressure to be measured. 2) Part of the instrument responds physically to that pressure by stretching, bending or changing positions. 3) The instrument then converts this response to a pressure signal which, in our case, is in the form of the needle moving along the dials of the scale.
Park Tool's pressure gauge here is a dry instrument (no liquids), and looks to be a C-shaped Bourdon tube, named after Eugene Bourdon, a French scientist who invented it in the 1840's. This is basically a bent tube in the form of a C that actually straightens out as the pressure in it rises. So consider that it acts like a spring that stretches when pressure is applied.
One end of the tube is sealed shut, while the other is open to process pressure. This straightening out is converted to a signal the human can read through a geared linkage connected to the pointer or needle and a pressure scale. As the tip of the tube moves, it rotates a sector which turns a pinion attached to the dial pointer.
See the diagram below and you'll go : "Wow, that is clever!"
Now say that you use a pump for over 5 years. Think about the number of times this tube stretches and unstretches. Isn't it amazing that this elastic material can undergo so many cycles of flexing without fatigue or hysteresis? I'm not sure of what this metal is, but it maybe a phosphor bronze, or a beryllium copper. Maybe even monel?
More later. Take care now.
P.S : Say hi to my buddy's new puppy. Her name is Olive. Hey Olive, you're on the web!!!
"The early bicycle manufacturing industry laid the groundwork for interchangeable parts and the assembly line was used to bring down the costs of automobiles. Even Henry Ford's first automobile was driven on four bicycle wheels. The Wright Brothers utilized much from their knowledge of bicycle stability and component design to loft the worlds first airplane into the air. The automobile and airplane have received unbridled attention since their discoveries. We are now flying into space and developing cars with engines that run on water, but the bicycle has sadly lost the interest, both scientifically and financially, of the past century's scientists and engineers. If a renewed emphasis were given to the bicycle we may find we have already developed the truest "green" solution to many of the world's environmental, global warming, obesity, sprawl and gridlock problems. Using other industries as examples, these kinds of solutions most likely did not come from tinkering and backyard experimentation. Rather they required devotion of time and energy from the world's greatest scientists and engineers. At the Sport Biomechanics Lab at UC Davis,we like to think that we are taking a small step in this direction and we hope to aid the bicycle revolution in our own special way."
- Jason Moore, Bicycle Researcher and Graduate Student in Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering, Delft University. Morehere.
P.S : You can read all about Delft University's exciting exploits into studying Bicycle Motion here. You can also read about Jason's bicyling experiences on his blog. Great stuff, Jason! Teach us all some Bicycle Dynamics when you can. And drop a hi sometime!
Update : Before you read the following article, it may perhaps do you good knowledge wise to read a small analysis of the bicycle "endo", that I wrote recently on this blog. While it is physics driven, it will give you an appreciation for what happens when you apply brakes suddenly.
* * *
Front wheel lockup upon brake lever activation is something that often sends riders (beginners and experienced alike) to pitch-over the handlebars and get injured often seriously. We are all told to feather the front brakes, and apply more braking to the rear wheel especially in a downhill scenario. But what happens in a panic situation? We are all bound to get the shivers and haphazardly slam both levers with full might in the hope that it will stop us quicker. But that's when the front wheel locks up, the bike skids and off you go toppling over the bars.
Now, can a mechanical contraption be made to commit to such braking control automatically for you while you enjoy your ride?
Thats where this nifty little device comes in. I contacted Bud Nilsson from Lodi, CA to explain his patented invention to me and perhaps send me his last sample (incidentally, he had it installed on his bike) so I could take a look at it and see what it was for myself. I have previously introduced the brakes to readers. See here. I always welcome ideas to make cycling a safer experience.
The Budbrake is about the size of your cell phone and is installed close to the levers at the front. Brake cables are routed to this mystery black box before they are connected to both brakes. There is a level of much abstraction to it, so much so that it compels curiosity. With this installed, one immediately observes that no matter which brake lever is pressed (either one or both), the system ensures a safe stop by activating the rear brake slightly before the front.
Magic?
Budbrake : A brake modulator in a mystery black box
'Mystery black box' didn't come as an understatement. I didn't understand how it worked before I got the sample. The mechanic at The Bike Shop in East Aurora close to where I live had in fact no clue why it worked the way it did. And many others likewise, are confused, says Bud. He told me : "There have been many engineers, technicians and product managers testing my brakes and all are impressed with the performance and agrees that it does work but wonders how does it work and 'why'!"
Here's a small video I made. We had the device installed on my friend Dave's mountain bike.
SO HOW DOES IT WORK ANYWAY?
Instead of muddling readers with my own logic, I'll let Bud himself explain what his design philosophy behind this clever little device is. Why do the rear brakes activate first? What prompts it to do so? What on earth is in this black box?
"Ron. I will explain my reasons for this design. You are an engineer and I hope you will understand my theory. I will also welcome any comments on it.
See, the bicycle frames of today are designed in a way that places more of the rider's weight over the rear wheel for better traction when transferring the power for forward momentum. The saddle is behind the center point between the wheels and the bottom crank is forward of the seat post. You get more power when pushing the pedals around this way and you transfer more weight to the rear wheel. Consequently the rear wheel has more traction than the front.
In the first moments of decelerating speed control (applying brakes), the Budbrake automatically applies the rear brake first when it has most traction for braking. Due to the dynamic forces and forward momentum, the front wheel gets more traction and at that time, much of the momentum has decreased anyway due to the rear brake initiating the speed control.
Therefore, I designed the modulator as a mechanical means of proportional distribution of power to the brakes, just like the proportional valve (hydraulic) in the automotive braking systems to prevent front wheel skidding and maintain traction while turning.
Now do not confuse this with Antilock Brake Systems (in automobiles, there is only one brake pedal for front and rear brakes). The main objective of the Budbrake Modulator is to automatically brake the rear wheel since it has more traction, slightly before the front wheel and with more brake action compared to front, therefore eliminating unwanted skids and mishaps.
There have been a lot of bicycle engineers and technicians that can see that it works but do not understand why and how. The Modulator controls the brakes by changing the cable tensions via alternating the length of the casings, front and rear, not the length of the cable. Again, regardless of which brake handle is activated - front, rear or both simultaneously - the rear brake will apply first and then the front and automatically feather or modulate for balanced speed control. I guess the main difference from conventional braking is that the Budbrake alternate the length of the casings to achieve the goal.
If you take a look and think about the offset fulcrum point inside the Budbrake, that is what makes the rear brake apply first. When the rear brakes make contact, the system then applies the front brake. The offset pivot point, (fulcrum) and varying the length of the casings produces the automatic modulation action. This is the trick for safer speed control .
The Budbrake has been field tested and lab tested for 650.000 braking actions. It was also tested against the CPSC criteria for bicycle brakes and it resulted in superior performance against their criteria.
The product managers at Giant looked at this and told me that if one cable broke, the brakes would completely fail. I did not want to cut or brake the cables so I disconnected one at the time and tested. The stopping distance decreased (as it would without the Budbrake) but the brake, front and/or rear worked. It is a fail safe product as any other. Now if both cables snapped, then the system is trash of course.
I also took one unit and drove over it with my motor home front wheel. The unit broke somewhat but actually it still would work. The black plastic material I use in the injection molding is not ABS like most people are used to. I am using the toughest composition that I can find available and it has a Teflon in it for lubrication of the pivot. If I used ABS in production the price would be at least less than half, but I want to produce the "very best" product for cyclist's safety.
I am thinking that the reason I have a hard time to get the Budbrake accepted and on the market is that the bicycle engineers , product managers and marketing people do not understand " why" it works. I'm not much of a writer but I hope I explained this to you and your readers in a simple form. "
A big question in Bud's mind is how he can get his invention accepted. Having seen and tested it, I think it has potential for beginner riders and anyone who wants that extra margin of safety. So this is to you readers : Would you rather bike with the Budbrake or without it? What are your thoughts and feelings? Think about it and let us know by dropping your comments.
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An example of a crash caused by excessive front wheel braking and moment about the same caused by high forward center of gravity. Notice that a rider's vertical fall drop is much more on downhill that if it were a flat section. Possible injury could be a wrist or collarbone fracture, or the possibility of planting your entire face into the rocks and dirt.
I'm traveling today so I don't have a special topic to write on. But as my friends told me, I thought I should take this opportunity to perhaps show you one of the bikes I ride these days. This one's a bit new, and I have shown you my primary bike some years ago. See here.
My bike on top of Rock City Hill, Olean NY (2400 ft above sea level)
This one is a pre-HP B stay Colnago C-40 lugged carbon bike in Mapei theme with all Campagnolo Super Record 11 Speed gruppo. C-40 has been one of most prolific of Colnago's offerings (sadly no more), and it has won more Paris Roubaix's and World Championships than any other. The lugs of course are beautiful to look at and they are one piece molded and hand finished. The bike not only rides buttery smooth, but it is a good climber, and a great downhill bike as well. The ride is very stable and precise that I imagine it must somehow be laser guided from a control room at Colnago's headquarters.
The seatpost is a Thomson Elite, handlebars are 3T's Rotundo Pro's adorned with Brooks leather handlebar tape stopped with sweet cork plugs. The saddle is a Brooks Swallow with titanium rails, while the fork is a straight bladed Easton EC90 topped off with a Chris King Titanium headset. The wheels are no-nonsense Dt Swiss 1450s and tires are Vittoria Open Corsa's at 320 TPI, which to me are pretty supple. The braking comes from a pair of KCNCs in red. This is one of the few brakes I have seen in the market that have some character in looks, are lightweight, and are very easy to adjust on the go. The bike was put together by Dennis Baldwin at the Elicottville Bike Shop, in Elicottville NY. Show him some love, ya'll!
As you can see, this bike is a medley of the classic and the latest in components. I like straight geometry and lines, and prefer curves mostly on my woman. The dashboard has no GPS or crazy computer systems. This is one of my pet peeves. I like to give my brain a workout and commit orientations, roads and street names to memory. If I get lost, I'll stop and ask a person which I feel is much better than having to stare into a dum computer screen on the saddle all day. Cadence? I'll just count. Miles? Who cares. Just ride.
In the end, beauty aside, I pedal this bike real hard and I expect to increase the size of my lungs, thighs and calves on it.
If anyone has taken a close look at Lance Armstrong lately, it can be observed that he has put on a copious amount of both age and.... hair. As always, the wonder man is yet again displaying miracles. For a long time, it has been known that hair actually decreases as age increases. Hence, your grandpa and mine have a moonshine on top of their bulb-like cranium. But whats this? Hair is sprouting young and wild on the 7 time Tour winner like unattended weeds in an agricultural orgy.
Yet, we know this is only because Armstrong has not allowed the French doping agency (AFLD) anywhere near his sights, after last month's "surprise" visit gone wrong when they pulled out half a dozen clumps of hair with a giant tweezer, leaving the Texan in a completely disheveled and disoriented state.
The AFLD has been monitoring his hair growth closely since then. Recently however, they have begun raising alerte rouge. In a new twist of drama, experts with the agency claim that if their computer simulation studies show the correct picture, in 2 months, Armstrong's entire face could be veiled with hair. This event could allow him to hide his identity and flee doping tests. The AFLD fear they may ultimately be beaten up, slapped, or pepper sprayed on as they round up wrong yet look-alike female suspects on the street in their hunt for Armstrong. (The French, don't like getting slapped by women. Their forte is in French kissing. Well, I guess you could combine a slap and a French kiss?)
The AFLD are now proposing Armstrong a treat to get closer to him. Knowing this brash Texan loves college football, Blackberries, hometown burgers, and any other cultural insignia of the US of A, they are now reportedly joining hands with none other than Supercuts (an American barbering franchise) to service the 7 time Tour winner's hair. This initiative is being called the 'Drug-Bust Hair Salon'. Of course, every AFLD visit is unexpected and impromptu. But when they do show up at Armstrong's door, they will now be accompanied by a busty female barber (okay fine, I'll call her a hairdresser) trained by Supercuts and more graceful with scissors and number 4 trimmers than the clumsy AFLD.
Through this act of appeasement, the French hope to recover some of the love lost between them and Armstrong, by getting hair samples more humanely and restoring hair to youthful state.
Now 8 hair styles have been made available to Armstrong.
The Look : A fringe cut adorned with a French beard. One eye is cleverly covered so that he has to stress only one eyeball while giving the textbook 'Look'. There is a chance he may go blind stressing out both eyes, hence this is optometrist recommended.
Mohawk Reparto Corse : This is a post-modern punkster style with Bianchi's own Reparto Corse neon green highlights to go along. Feel a little stupid and Italian at the same time.
Medieval Monk : Medieval Monk could be a choice self-reward for those days when he has been a good boy, and his tested hematocrit levels are lower than a 40%.
Afro Militant :This haircut captures the shamelessness, the non-nonchalance in him when he aggressively pursues petite blonde women young enough to be his daughters.
The Boss :Running many different organizations as the boss maybe easier said than done, but it is actually easier when he has a Donald Trump coiffure on his crown. All he then needs to do to someone is give both "The Look", and say "You're fired."
Rock n' Roll : Long, hard days in the saddle requires some new characters. Some music. Some dance. Its easier to forget the pain this way. Life is a blur. Bring on the classic Elvis hairdo, b**ch.
Short And Classic Native Indian : This is one of Supercuts' specialties, combining Native Indian heritage with a classic nerdy look of a master strategist to make him exactly that - a Native Indian strategist. Grow those locks now and make war!
Bend It Like Beckham : When you want to curveball the goal, slip in your wife's panties, fight with a journalist or take a 30 minute shower during a drug test....when you want to break all the rules, this one takes the cake. Rub that hair gel in hard and bend it like Beckham.
Here's my quiz to you for this week. Leave your answers in the comments, leaving your name, blog or website. The winner who gives all correct answers first will be credited by a free link here to their site (and consequently, Google search results). Comments close on Friday, June 5. Good luck now!(This may be easy, so go on, take a dab at it!)
1. He is the only American rider to have won both the Ghent-Wevelgem and Kuurne-Brussel-Kuurne spring classics. Who is he?
2. The death of this Kazakh rider in 2003 sparked an important event in the world of professional cycling that is still seen to this day. What event?
3. How many professional cyclists died so far in this century after crashing during a race? Was it :
a. Not a lot. Thank God for helmets! b. 23 c. 8 d. 6
4. How many strain gauges do the Quarq Powermeter contain?
5. "Something must change in the rear!" These were the words of the inventor behind the Chamois Butt'r, a famous skin lubricant for cyclists. True or false? Give your reasons too.
LAST WEEK'S ANSWERS
Last Week's QuizWinner was almost 'Evan', a blogger with no whereabouts. Thank you! Alas, he got one answer wrong which was later correctly supplied by blogger Touriste-Routier. Thank you again!
The correct answers were :
1. This year's 100th Giro included nearly every rider to have won the event since the turn of the century. The most recent winner, Alberto Contador and Paolo Savoldelli, are the only omissions from the list, with Danilo Di Luca, Ivan Basso, Damiano Cunego, Gilberto Simoni and Stefano Garzelli having shared every other race win from 2000 to 2007.
2. Alfredo Binda, who was both Fausto Coppi and Gino Bartali's trainer, won 5 Giro d'Italia's in total. Binda could have possibly won more Giro d'Italia titles, but was paid the prize money he would have won to not ride in 1930 because the organizers were worried that it would kill public interest if he won again.
5. Mini Cooper, or Cooper Car Company, recently released plans to launch a single speed, fixed gear bike. The new bikes will be named Cooper Bike (spare me). Each bike will feature the classic Cooper badge. Customers will be able to build their own bike on the website by choosing the frame size, color, seat, rims and handlebars.
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