Amber on my Brompton

For technical reasons I drove to Playa Del Rey and met Amber and Edger there to ride up and down the beach path between Santa Monica and Torrance. Amber's still thinking about buying a Brompton so I lent her mine to ride for a week.

Here's some video of her looking pretty solid on it.

REI has a good deal on a green M6R right now about $100 less than I've seen elsewhere. With her 10% membership discount, she gets $186 credit on her next purchase making it under $1700.

Green M6R for $1700 after membership credit

I'm really liking Rouvy and my wife is using it too so that helps assuage the guilt of spending $500 on a smart trainer and $600 on a dedicated computer. I definitely think this was a good decision. My hip is completely healed so I'm able to add some climbing to my workouts.

Story of a chain ring

The last ride on my Serotta I had just replaced my chain because I keep a close eye on my chain's wear. Unfortunately my middle chain ring had worn and started slipping with the new chain. So I had to buy a new one. It's a Campagnolo Racing T middle chain ring 40 tooth with 135mm BCD. My LBS couldn't lay their hands on one and Amazon was no use either.

I Googled it and found very little online. The few options I found were $70 or more plus shipping. I found one at bikerecyclery.com but when I tried to order it their website said it was out of stock even though the webpage said there was one. I tried calling them but the person who answered wasn't interested in helping. The photo looks like it was used anyway - I should have guessed it from the name.

In the end I found it on Wiggle.com which is a popular online bike store in the UK. Several people on Cyclechat.com had mentioned them and they have a good reputation. The only problem is, the image doesn't match the description. They have an image of an outer chain ring alongside the middle chain ring description.

It says 40 tooth but the image is the wrong chain ring

So I don't know what they're going to ship, plus I hate the high pressure Hurry message. It's probably right, though, there were three and I ordered two of them.  I took a chance and they shipped almost immediately and arrived in the USA in two days. Then they sat in Arlington for five more days until FedEx picked them up and got them to me in two more days. If Arlington had done their job faster I could have had them in 4-5 days.

The good new is the description is correct and I fitted it on the Serotta last night. They're from a cheaper group set than the Chorus I had before, but beggars can't be choosers. Plus I have a spare 😀

I also received the new rear wheel from Peter White (far less drama there) and so my Serotta is ready to ride with the Redlands Bike Club tomorrow.

Third time's a charm

A month ago, while riding the 50 mile route from Anaheim to Seal Beach and back, I was knocked off my bike by an inattentive pedestrian and managed the fracture my hip. Even though I was not moving very fast, I just fell badly. So I didn't get to finish that ride.

Last week, Amber, Edgar, and I rode the same route. I kept flatting and, while fixing the second one, I realized my rim had split and the jagged edge was eating inner tubes every five miles. I booted the rim and the third tube got us back to the cars. On top of that, I had replaced the chain and found I also need to replace the middle chainring. Attempt number two had failed.

I had already ordered a new rear wheel from Peter White but finding a replacement chainring turned out to be impossible. I eventually found replacements from Wiggle.com in the UK. They should be here next week.

Last night I got the Brompton out and tried to ride to Seal Beach for the third time after work. I finally made it. Poutine at the Bistro St. Germain was a real treat. I finished at about 10:15pm. Lovely ride, but I'm pretty sore this morning. Longest real bike ride in a month, so not surprised there.