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Yesterday I had a chance to finally take out the new Habanero. After weeks of waiting for parts and one assembly issue, it was ready for the long commute home over the GWB. Switching from carbon, I will say there's no noticeable difference in weight. The addition of some Flo 30s have definitely increased speed. And the upgrade from Shimano 105 to SRAM Force 22 has upped power output. All in all it was worth the wait. Thx to Ro for joining me. Hope to see y'all soon.

#jc2nyc #cycling

Patricio and company decided to ride from Newark to Philly on the hottest day of the year.

Saturday was hot, but a crew of 5 made it to the top of Bear and celebrated with some cold beers. Special thanks to Ro for organizing.

#jc2nyc #cycling #biking #9w

A few shots from Friday's ride up to Piermont courtesy of Steph. Some climbs, some muffins, a river view, and new faces. Happy 4th.

#jc2nyc #cycling

Beaten up, not beaten down. Killa Cam and me looking as disheveled as ever post GFNY -- an absolutely brutal course. In mild delirium, we forgot to get a shot with Ken who absolutely crushed the course.

#gfny #jc2nyc

This weekend a few things happened. First, Jovannie Tirona finished his first Olympic Tri @ Wildflower. This was a guy who could barely muster a 5k two years ago and now he's rocking a kit and finishing races. Second, Patricio, Alex, George, Gmo, and me took to Bear Mountain for the NFEC half. Everyone finished and is still walking today. Cheers!

#jc2nyc #wildflower #run #Tri

I don’t intend to steal all of the lovely words that Patricio put together logging his trip, but I can’t help but provide a snippet and a link with the hopes that you’ll head over to his blog and read the full story.

-Erik

April 4, Seligman AZ, 75 mi Paty, Dery and I left Flagstaff early in the morning and headed for Seligman We arranged for Vivi to meet us about midpoint and eat lunch. She would then ride to Seligman and wait for us there. That is assuming we had no emergencies. We spent the first 25 miles on I-40. It was on this stretch of the route that we found the biggest downgrade, 8%. It ran for about 12-14 miles. As we were going downhill, we found a lone rider going in the opposite direction. He had lots of baggage, camping equipment and all. Needles to say, he was walking his bike uphill. We waved goodbye and he waved back. We got off the highway and onto a frontage road that would eventually become Route 66 and takes us the rest of the way. We stopped in Ash Fork for a quick bite at a western style convenience store. The shop owner sported the biggest pistol I've ever seen in my life. The thing was over a foot long. Fortunately for us the guy was friendly so we had a couple of drink and snacks. It is not like we had many options, it was the only store in town. After this we got back on Route 66. The Mother Road on this part of AZ runs mostly flat and through cattle ranches. It was a first good ride for the kids, good mileage, great weather and scenery. We arrived in Seligman in mid afternoon. Seligman is said to have inspired Radiator Springs (Disney's Cars.) The town is about 6 blocks long, with a few RT 66 themed shops and is stuck in the 1950s. We ate at Road Kill, a restaurant whose owner is from Pennsylvania. I had a good buffalo Burger. Across the street there was another restaurant called Westside Lilo's Cafe owned by a German fellow. Most people in Seligman came from some place else and many came there for vacation and stayed. From Seligman you can go to the Grand Canyon, caverns and many other local attractions. I'm thinking of coming back and stay around Seligman one day and check out all the sites.

#jc2nyc #route 66 #old route 66 #cycling #biking #bike #cycle #touring #bike touring #texas #new mexico #arizona #california

Day 4: Albuquerque

Tuesday’s Agenda:

* Get Patricio new tires * Load up on inner tubes * Drop off the UHaul * Get Patricio back on Route 66 * Pick up ZipCar * Get Rob’s bike packed and shipped

After three days (or ~200 miles by bike and another ~120 by UHaul) on the road to Albuquerque it was time to catch up on rest; partly out of necessity and partly due to circumstances. Two Wheel Drive, one of the larger indie bike shops in Albuquerque, opened at 10am. It wasn’t a random choice to head there. Researching the route, a kindred soul found himself (Crazy Guy on a Bike) in a similar predicament: no tubes, no bike shops for miles. Two Wheel overnighted supplies to his hotel – giving them our business was an easy choice.

The mechanics at Two Wheel Drive suggested a bomb-proof reinforced 700x25 tire (reinforced with Kevlar) for the front and back. “If you pop these you must’ve deserved it,” was the imparted wisdom. The only concern was clearance. They generously let us use their shop, a stand and tools to confirm the fit – and frequently offered to help. New tires on, 6 tubes in tow, we loaded the bikes and returned the UHaul.

By noon we were on the road. Albuquerque is an extremely bike friendly town, complete with Bike Boulevards (with 18mph speed limits), dedicated lanes, and signed routes. Navigating an exit was relatively easy – the climb out was not: 5 miles and ~1,000 feet.

A few miles down the I-40 frontage road I said my goodbye to Patricio and left him with a parting gift.

(The lady in the pharmacy told us they don’t stock sunblock until May...)

(Rio Grande)

The descent into town was serene. I took a few hours to cruise along the Rio Grande and scope out potential eateries. For a Tuesday afternoon Albuquerque was alive with people hiking, running and biking. After a quick snack at Fuddruckers, I picked up a ZipCar at the Airport and dropped my bike off at the Better Bike Bureau (BBB).

BBB specializes in traveling bike maintenance and will meet you at your bequest for tune-ups, roadside support, a coffee… well maybe not a coffee. I stumbled across their services on r/Albuquerque and they were willing to pack the bike for $65 and ship it for the going rate on 3-day insured mail. Flexibility was key, they were willing to work with me whenever I arrived in Albuquerque, it just happened to work out that I was in town and could drop it off at a reasonable hour. At the moment the shop is run out of their house, they’re working on moving into a larger space – I was told possibly as early as May. Regardless, they were awesome people, who provided great service, and got the bike safely back to New Jersey. I definitely recommend their services to any biker in a pinch in the Albuquerque Metro.

I spent the next two days eating, drinking local beers, and checking out a few National Monuments. Rather than bore you with more text, I’ll let the pictures tell the story.

(The famous Kimo in Downtown ABQ)

(Tap lineup at Sister Bar)

(A much needed beer to close out the trip at Marble Brewery)

(A fellow cyclist stopping to recaffeinate)

(Beans roasted on premises. A little pick-me-up before hiking Sandia)

(Some pictures from the top of Sandia Peak. Over 10,000 ft above sea level)

(Farewell lunch at Mary & Tito’s. Chimichanga lunch special for $6.50)

(A few pictures from the Petroglyph National Monument)

Here’s to the next adventure: NYC --> MTL 2016?

#jc2nyc #cycling #biking #bike #touring #bike touring #southwest #new mexico #albuquerque

Day 3: Tucumcari, NM to Santa Rosa, NM (Almost...)

Wind… wind and cattle guards turned Day 3 of our trip into the single most frustrating cycling experience of my life.

The ride from Tucumcari, NM to Santa Rosa, NM isn’t particularly long, it’s hilly, but compared to the previous day's mileage, ~62 seemed like it would be a breeze. We had a few errands to take care of before hitting the road, so we slept in – the local USPS didn’t open until 8am. Patricio woke up to another flat. This was the fourth flat in three days and when changing it he realized that the shop back home had accidentally packed a 35mm tube – that went straight into the trash – we were down to 1 tube with 180 miles to Albuquerque, NM.

By the time we hit the road the sun was sitting high, but high winds kept the heat down. This would be a gift and curse. It was nice not to be cooking on the bike, but the mild wind in Tucumcari turned into a blistering 30 mph headwind once we cleared the first climb. We only covered 20 miles in the first two hours.

Our efforts were so negated that we were pedaling full effort on the down hills to maintain ~15 mph. With the closest town 15 miles away, the mental and physical drain started to creep – doubts setting in. Three-and-a-half hours in we reached the town of Newkirk (~18 miles from Santa Rosa).

Starving, we pulled into the first (only) gas station in sight and loaded up on pre-made sandwiches and sugary beverages. With one tube and high winds in the forecast and no bike shops between Amarillo and Albuquerque, we had to come up with a game plan. We were fast approaching the point of no return – should we push on or head back to Tucumcari?

I called Tristine, who back in NY started researching our options. Day 4 would have us riding a bulk of the day on the shoulder of I-40 – which to this point was full of debris. A quick search showed that between Santa Rosa and Moriarity (~90 miles) there was no lodging and just three gas stations, each roughly 25 miles from each other. Santa Rosa had no bus stop and no car rental options, whereas Tucumcari had a Greyhound stop.

It was a hard decision to turn back to Tucumcari. Although our destination was closer, the options were bleak. With the wind at our tails we turned back.

The ride back was quick. Once in town we spoke to the folks at Greyhound about getting bikes on the bus. We were told we’d have to box them. The UPS store didn’t carry boxes. They directed us to a towing company (Jacks) a mile down the road.

Patricio went in to inquire about boxes and we wound up renting a Uhaul. A quick stop at K-Mart for some bubble wrap and we were on the road -- with our bikes in cargo.

We decided to stop in Santa Rosa to check out Blue Hole – one of the main attractions on Old Route 66. We snapped some pictures, grabbed some food, and set off towards Albuquerque.

Watching the road blow by from the window of the truck it was clear to me that we had made the right decision. This stretch of the journey was barren – there were enumerable things that could have left us stranded with no support or gear.

It was about 10pm when we settled into our hotel and for the first time on the trip we went out for a few pints.

Patricio still had a long way to go and I wasn’t ready to give up, so I told him I would ride him out of town once we hit a bike shop to replace his tires and load up on tubes. But that we could take care of tomorrow.

#cycling #touring #bike #biking #new mexico #old route 66

Day 2: Vega, TX to Tucumcari, NM

After a full night of rest we hit the road at 7am with the rising sun to our backs and the brisk morning air blowing through our kits.Passing on the continental breakfast at the Days Inn, we decided to hold out for The Midpoint Cafe in Adrian, 15 miles west -- aptly named for being the halfway point between Chicago and Los Angeles.

Wind conditions had picked up from the day before; and Patricio and I steadily pedaled into a moderate headwind along a strech of road that became more desolate each passing mile. About an hour later we hit Adrian, Texas to find everything closed. We had no idea that traversing Old Route 66 was a seasonal activity. It was a ghost town. A sign in the window of the cafe (as well as in the window of every business not abandoned or falling into the ground) read "Closed for the season. Open April 1st." So we snapped some pictures, met Mater, and left in search of some sustinance.

(Mater)

About a mile outside of Adrian, an open gas station served up some fruit, water, Gatorade, and breakfast sandwiches. A kind lady working the counter, who must've been in her early 60s, explained the geography of the area and what we should expect to encounter during our travels to Tucumcari -- plants, geographic markers, wildlife -- and the switch from high plains to rolling plains.

20 miles west of Adrian we spotted out first ghost town. Exit 0 on I-40, Glenrio, the first town in Texas. Made famous as a filming destination for The Grapes of Wrath, it's more akin these days to the abandoned "Glenn Rio Motel" in Disney's cars. The road in was a strip of deteriorating highway with floatsom strewn everywhere. Having used two of our six tubes by this point we admired the scenery from a distance before crossing the state line.

Temperatures had started to climb into the high 70s as we hit the New Mexico Welcome Center. Clean bathrooms, free water, maps, and some helpful locals made it a great spot to take a 25 minute break.

While plotting our next stop, we met a guy who offered us a lift to Albuquerque in his camper van. He was making his way from Ohio to Los Angeles to soak up retirement. With a strong headwind gusting it was tempting, but we thanked him and passed on the offer.

The rest of the day was spent desending from the plains and riding on wide open frontage roads (where we suffered another set of flats thanks to cattle gaurds). We arrived in Tucumcari in the late afternoon as the temps soared into the 80s. Patricio's panniers were weighing down his bike and adding to the total count of tubes lost to the road. With a handful of significant climbs coming up in the next two days it was time to shed some excess gear -- we settled on shipping his panniers forward first thing in the morning -- from there it was onward to Santa Rosa, NM, 60 miles west.

#cycling #biking #bike #touring #southwest #new mexico #texas #route 66

Day 1: Amarillo, TX to Vega, TX

I don’t remember exactly when the thought to bike Old Route 66 came up, but it was certainly Patricio’s idea-- his next odyssey on two wheels. The plan: the Texas Panhandle to theCalifornia coast in two weeks with nothing more than a bike, panniers, and a generous serving of sunblock. And for whatever reason, I drank the Kool Aid. I agreed run moral support, cycling the first three hundred miles from Amarillo to Albuquerque offering quips, conversation and a fresh set of eyes to navigate the twists, turns, and tire punctures that would ultimately consume my four days on the saddle.

Day 1 – By 3am I was at Newark Liberty, anxious not only for the trip, but the idea of getting the bike I borrowed from Rob to Amarillo in one piece. We had gone back and forth – should we ship the bikes, should we carry them on – and with the assurance that there would be no cost to toss them in cargo, and that the express jet would actually fit the oversized luggage, it was decided we’d bring the bikes and assemble them at our destination. Check-in was smooth. They weighed the box at the United counter. Under 50 lbs. No problem. Patricio wasn’t so lucky. Showing up a half hour later moods had changed – “Bikes are $150.” He plead, but they wouldn’t hear it. So much for customer service.

After a brief stopover in Houston and a donut from Shipley’s we landed in Amarillo, Texas, roughly 60 miles east of the midpoint of Old Route 66, the sleepy town of Adrian, located halfway between Chicago and Los Angeles.

Surprise, surprise, there was nowhere to assemble the bikes at the Amarillo airport. Luckily we ran into an officer that after suggesting a handful of local attractions directed us to a bench out in the parking lot. “As long as nobody says anything to me, I won’t say anything to you.”

An hour later the rubber hit Route 66. Our destination: Vega, Texas (~45 miles).

On the outskirts of town we made our only real stop of the day at Cadillac Ranch. An open field along the I-40 frontage road with a single row of upturned Cadillacs, gutted to the frame, covered from bumper to bumper in what resembled finger paint graffiti.

From there it was struggle. The length of the flight and the mid-day heat wore us out, but we made it to our hotel before sundown and hit the only restaurant in town for some authentic Tex-Mex. With only a donut and some chocolate in my stomach it was one of the more memorable meals I’ve had in recent memory. The rest of the night was a blur – looking at maps, planning the route, guzzling water and checking the bikes. We set the alarm for 6 am and hit the sheets.

Next up – Day 2: Vega, TX to Tucumcari, NM (82 miles).

I love taking the long way to work ...

#jc2nyc #commute

I can admit that I've slacked on posting pictures from recent rides. Here's a quick shot from Tweed last weekend. Here's to hoping the weatherman is wrong and sunny skies prevail tomorrow for Bear.

#9w