Monster’s diary

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Well I’ve taken another day off work today ... if for no other reason so that I can clean and prepare my bike.

I’m trying a new technique for lubing the chain. Instead of using chain lube I’m waxing it with paraffin wax. The theory here is that it doesn’t pick up road grime so should stay a lot cleaner. I ride on some quite dirty/dusty roads and the lube just turns to black muck and sprays up my leg no matter how much I wipe the chain in between rides and how little lube I use. It does mean I need to re-wax more regularly than I would with lube but if I continue to rotate 2 chains it’ll work; I can use one while I’m cleaning the other then basically just clean the bike and swap the chains.

We’ll see ...
 
Truffle Monster said:
I never have to run again :)
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You would be missing out. Oh, it gets so good if you just hang in there. ;)

Truffle Monster said:
It does mean I need to re-wax more regularly than I would with lube but if I continue to rotate 2 chains it’ll work; I can use one while I’m cleaning the other then basically just clean the bike and swap the chains.
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No lube required for running. Well, maybe some nipple lube depending on your shirt and how far you’re going but overall a lot less hassle and much less expensive too! :)
 
bensanon said:
You would be missing out. Oh, it gets so good if you just hang in there. ;)



No lube required for running. Well, maybe some nipple lube depending on your shirt and how far you’re going but overall a lot less hassle and much less expensive too! :)
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Haha nope. I’ve done my dash. Not interested in it any more. I’ll still jog up and down mount lofty but as for running on the street ... I’m done. It’s so boring!

Just took the bike for a test run. After a full professional style wax and powder lube it’s like a completely different bike! Average speed is up by 3km/h and I’ve just picked up a few PR’s for some local strava segments. I’d hazard a guess at I’ve saved myself a good 15-20 watts!
 
What a great decision that was!

Spent the day preparing a couple of chains and OH MY GOD what a difference it makes!

The chains were scrubbed to within an inch of their lives, cleaned with white spirits and a steam cleaner then submerged in a hot paraffin wax/paraffin oil solution for 30 minutes, cooled, dripped dry, wiped down then dusted with graphite powder before being wiped again. Sounds like a lot of work but the performance gains alone are worth it. It’s also supposed to stay much cleaner and because the pins and rollers are full of wax instead of grease simply boiling them in hot water will get them clean rather than having to scrub and soak and scrub and soak.

Took a short ride tonight just around the small circuit I rode when I first started cycling. I can’t believe I was once struggling to average 26km/h on that route. Today I did it at a respectable 29.5.

The only down side is despite being lit up better than the Rundle mall Christmas tree I was almost hit on a round about by an inattentive driver who then proceeded to pass JUST after the roundabout so close to me I could have touched her car with my elbow without even taking my hands of the bar!

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I’m a little disappointed tonight.

I made some slight adjustments to my saddle position last night and I was hoping to get out and test it tonight but it’s pouring here.

I’m tossing up whether to ride to work tomorrow or not too as it’s supposed to rain all day.
 
Wooooooo!

I didn’t end up riding to work this morning (although I could have because the rain never really came).

I did however get out and test my saddle position this afternoon.

It’s absolutely perfect. So much easier to get low and aerodynamic. I only took a short ride today but I’ve finally got myself a strava KOM. (Fasted time record on a segment). These Segments are usually climbs but this is a sprint (I’ll never get a KOM on a climb!) this is a segment I previously held 3rd place on (beat my PR by 6 seconds).

The hunt is on now for some other sprint segments ...

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This week has been tough. Lots of work, I’ve been a little sick and no time for riding let alone posting here.

Finally got out for a ride tonight. 5 days until my challenge starts and I’m a bit behind in my training.

I’ve managed to source some upgraded brakes and gearing components for a great price. Once I’m finished the challenge I think I’ll splurge and upgrade the components on the bike, strip it down and give it a custom paint job. I’ve never painted a bike before but I’ve done some custom painted lawn mower restorations so it shouldn’t be too hard.

Just because I can ... here are a couple of photos of the last mower restoration I did. This one was a particularly fun one. Once completed it was auctioned off with all funds going to a charity that helps feed disadvantaged people called OzHarvest. It eventually sold for just over $300 which was very pleasing (except there is over $250 of paint in it, $150 of replacement parts and 80 hours of labour in the paint alone; not including the engine rebuild. 406D09E6-50B3-4771-8381-2C9F018E16AC.jpegD834BAF3-12FA-4DEC-B468-DB7894113FF1.jpegFBC50BD0-7325-4958-9729-57D40B8FFE81.jpegFD880933-F030-4EB7-A4BA-3433DCAC01FA.jpeg
 
Very cool lawnmower, and for a good cause, very impressive. If it were mine I'd have trouble using it on the lawn, more of a trophy than a tool. Hope you get over that cold so you can be in tiptop shape for the challenge.

I wanted to thank you for the motivation and advice, you were part of what got me to start biking again. I am just getting started and it has turned out to be more of a struggle than I expected, but I can do it. I can't say that its fun yet, but it does hurt a little less every day, that seems like progress. There was a time when bike riding was fun for me, I expect it will be again one day.
 
What an excellent restoration TM & for a great cause. You are one very handy human. Hope you bounce back really well from your illness. It must be warming up a bit over there by now. It has chilled off again today & G has relit the fire! I love Adelaide & hope to get back again one day. Great ride :)
 
Thanks Rob.

You’re using muscles in a way you haven’t used them in a long time so yes it’s going to hurt but it’s amazing how quickly you adapt. I’m sure you’ll get used to it soon and start enjoying it.

Re the mower; I’m pretty sure the bloke who bought it uses it as a marketing tool (he’s a lawn contractor).

Oh and I’m back to normal now. No more sickies for me.
 
Thanks Cate. I’m over the illness now; half my office was off sick last week. The virus was just making everyone feel dizzy. It sucked
 
It feels really strange but I have contact lenses now.

The transformation of my lifestyle in the last 2 years has been huge. I’ve always hated contacts but I’ve opted for them now because glasses are annoying while riding a bike!

I took the morning off work to see the optometrist and took the opportunity to ride the bike there. It’s only just down the road from my house so it’s hardly a workout but very pedal revolution helps!

In other news we’ve reached the $1000 sponsorship mark for the great cycle challenge. It starts in 4 days ...9E85E6D7-39B7-4555-A8E1-D209CC6B351E.jpeg08634EF7-B04B-4DAB-A76A-9ED2CAD991B9.jpeg
 
All ready now for the challenge. One last service and the bike has new brake and gear cables, new brake calipers and pads, new bar tape and the rear derailleur has been re indexed. It’s all ready to rock ‘n roll!9B3429CC-9124-4A8A-8D8D-E647449D8092.jpeg4D96D3B9-0191-47DF-BE32-45EE73585A36.jpeg
 
Back from hiatus again ... sorry to everyone for abandoning the forum for a bit. I’ve just been getting everything sorted to start my cycling challenge. Today is the first day and I’m currently 25km in. Just got a dog training class to do then I’m back home. Should finish the day on around 60kms or so.

For anyone who would like to donate or share the challenge around here’s the link :Angel_anim:

Peter is Riding 1,300 km to Fight Kids' Cancer!
 
This is terrific! Go, you!!
 
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