I looked into marshaling for this year's 100 mile ride but the web site said they didn't need any more marshals. I'm planning to marshal for the Five Borough Bike Ride next year. I figure I'll come away with lots of interesting stories.

As for this year's TA Century, make sure there's someone patrolling the very beginning of the route. The last time I did this ride I double-flatted somewhere around 28th st. If that happens this year I'll need someone with a hand/floor pump to help me out because I'll be running low on CO2.

Quoted from "Air"
That's why I carry a pump instead of CO2 :P

Yeah, I wanted one of those portable pumps with the fold-out foot pad and the built-in pressure gauge but the guy at the bike shop convinced me to get CO2 instead. I should pick up one of those pumps, anyway.

BTW, do you know the details of this year's route? The earlier rides had this big, nasty climb right after The Bronx going into Manhattan but the last time I did the ride the organizers found a different route with no knee-busting climb (I think it was right around mile 93). Anyway, I say bring back that climb! It was really cool. It went straight up for gobs of blocks; so many that at the bottom the sidewalks on either side seemed to converge at infinity. Then SURPRISE! when you get to the top you turn right and there's more climbing. Just my 2-cents.

Get the Topeak Road Morph. It'll be the last pump you'll ever need.

Don't have any info on the route yet - hopefully soon though!

There's a mounting bracket that you can attack to where your watter bottle cage would be if you don't use all of them. I throw it in my hydration pack, fits perfect.

I don't like those water-cage attachments for pumps, either. I had a frame pump that attached under the top tube on my old bike but the newer bikes don't seem to be designed for those. I've seen people carry pumps around in the back pockets of their cycling jerseys; that's probably what I'd do. I've been having really bad luck with flats this season.

A lot of people bike with skull caps; you have really thick hair but I bet that could work (or the helmet cap)...

I hate getting up this early - see ya Shaggy at Central Park!

Quoted from "Air"
A lot of people bike with skull caps; you have really thick hair but I bet that could work (or the helmet cap)... I hate getting up this early - see ya Shaggy at Central Park!

Sorry I didn't run into you; I looked for you by the marshal's table at the end of the ride.

I got up at 4:30 this morning. The ride went very well. I saw a couple of accidents but nothing major (like the one back in '04 when I saw someone get hit by a car and go flying). The ride was well-organized and the route was well marked. I'm glad I made the effort to get up & get there.

I saw that too. Mixed feelings - I almost wish he wouldn't in case he loses but it would bring back some more interesting racing along with legitimacy if he wins.

Really need his blood tested in Sweden, anywhere other than France.

It's a rumor gathering steam - he already checked into an antidoping program (apparently needs to be done after retiring at least 6 months before competition).

I think it's a bad idea and it's a no-win situation for Armstrong's legacy. Let's face it, the chances of him winning are slim, so his lack of performance will just bolster up the people who believe he doped is way through 7 Tours. It'll be fun to watch him race though.

While I wouldn't argue that it's important to protect the riders during the Tour of Missouri, I just can't help but wonder if there might have been a more efficient way to do so. :o

Flickr Bikes = Photo Mapping the World. Linky.

Quoted from "rikomatic"
As some know, I got a new Brompton for my daily commute, which for the most part is a dream. However it has a slightly different handlebar than my previous Brompton. It's more of a straight, mountain-bike style handlebar. I find that my hands, particularly my left hand, gets annoyingly numb within 15 minutes of riding. I have tried wearing bike gloves, but it doesn't seem to help. Anyone have any ideas?

Numb is never good. It means that there's pressure somewhere where there shouldn't be. On long rides cyclists must remember to take posture breaks. I'll sometimes coast downhill so that I can lift my butt off the saddle and give my butt a break, and I'll make an effort to change the position of my hands on the handlebars at regular intervals. What you should do is shake out your hands at regular intervals before they get numb. Just let go of the handlebars (one hand at a time, of course) and give your hand and arm two or 3 good shakes to get the blood flowing past the pressure point. Do this every 10 minutes or so and you should be fine.

Gloves won't help with numbness; in fact they may make it worse. Something else you can try is pushing a heavier gear. The more downforce your legs exert the less weight (pressure) you'll put on your hands. Focus on keeping your hands and arms relaxed. Focus on keeping your arms slightly bent and your elbows pointing downwards. A lot of people will apply a death grip to their handlebars, especially when they're pedaling hard. Don't do this. Focus on keeping your upper body as relaxed as possible, even on difficult climbs.

woah, thanks for all the links!

I messed with the height of the seat before my ride from Brooklyn to Manhattan tonight, lowering it so that I sat more upright. That seemed to do the trick because my hands felt fine, and overall I enjoyed the ride more.

Thanks, guys!