Sunday, October 5, 2014

Coffeeneuring Without a Chain Tool


For this first one, better safe than sorry

To kick off my participation in the Chasing Mailboxes 2014 Coffeeneuring Challenge, I made some adjustments to my Trek 950 to make it rideable for my older daughter, and enticed her into a shorter ride with promises of iced tea and fresh-baked muffins. We rode about three miles to Terra Java as our first destination.

Terra Java. Lock to handicapped parking sign.

For such a brief and carefree trip, which, by its very name ought to be easily begun and performed without cares, you would think I could bring myself to just hop on the bike and go, without carrying much or anything. So, while one U-lock to secure both bikes to a signpost is probably justifiable, anything else just seems like impediments: to gather, to carry, to walk around with, to keep track of. There's some kind of minimalist principle at work here, that the less you carry, the easier and more relaxed the trip would be. It should be about the coffee, and the fun, time spent with the daughter, enjoyment of the sunshine and the morning, rather than about the gear. 

I think, though, since I wanted to make sure that my daughter's ride went as smoothly as possible on the unfamiliar-to-her bicycle, I took gear along anyway: a frame pump in case there was any trouble with the new tires I had mounted. A six foot cable in addition to the U-lock to give more options for securing the bikes at the destination. A multitool. My camera to support this post.

All that stuff is probably acceptable, given the circumstances. But when you get right down to it, there's little or no justification for taking the chain tool on a three mile coffeeneuring fun ride. That's just pure OCD tool toting. Next time, next weekend, no chain tool. I will be bold and brave. Maybe.

Good coffee, good turkey pesto pannini.

The food and coffee at Terra Java was fresh and tasty. For dine-in I would prefer my coffee in real cups not paper, particularly since the food came on an actual plate, but I didn't ask so perhaps that was my doing--I'm sure just as many people would request that coffee served in a ceramic mug was poured into a paper cup so they could take it with them, and since I didn't ask I'm not criticizing. The ambiance was quiet and calm, just as I prefer.

Ambiance shot

Did I overthink and overpack for a short coffeeneuring ride? Since I want to go with what is both comfortable and easy, I'm looking at a basket for her coffeeneuring bike along with something like a Sackville Shop Sack from Rivendell to just toss everything in and go. I'm not saying if "everything" includes a chain tool or not, that will be concealed within the great and easygoing darkness of the bag of stuff. Pretty sure a pump and an extra tube will be in there, though. Just in case.

Trek 950 tuned up for coffeeneuring: Brook's leather grips, easy bars, Crane bell, comfy saddle, smooth city tires.



12 comments:

  1. I can't recall the last time I took along a chain tool on any kind of ride. Perhaps JRA is becoming a little too focused?

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    1. I know, right? I've never even need a chain tool! I've never broken a spoke, though, either, which seems pretty weird because I'm not a small guy. Do I need one of those Fiber Fix emergency spokes for a coffeeneuring ride?

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  2. The only time that I ever carry a chain tool is on a long distance multi day touring ride the same with spare spokes and the same as you I have never needed them.....

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    1. I think I would carry extra ball bearings on a long ride like that, just in case.

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  3. Nice to see you out with your daughter. Give her treats everytime! Perhaps she could choose which place to visit next time. I bet she'll forget the chain tool!

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    1. Thanks anniebikes! She ruled out my first choice for this inaugural coffeeneuring because the coffee there is no good, in her opinion. I'll consult with her on the proper loadout for the second one. I think she thinks I carry too much, though.

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  4. I've twice snapped a chain - once around 10 miles from home and once when cycling in Thailand. I admit to feeling pretty smug because I was able to fix the chain and get going again.

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    1. I wonder what the common causes of a snapped chain are...
      My chain tool is part of on of my bike multitools, includes spoke wrenches as part of its body, and is so small you hardly know it's there until one day you need it. And I know that if I leave it at home, I'll need it.

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  5. Sometimes it's easier for me to just bring everything along so I don't have to think about it. Last week I brought a sweater even though it was like 80 degrees. 950's looking good!

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    1. Yes! And I've got everything down to a pretty compact package. Fits in a bulky pocket. It's not like I'm taking a wheel dishing gauge or a truing stand along. The 950 rides good, too. With those original wheels you would think I might break a spoke or something, but not yet.

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  6. I have broken chains twice. Both times they were due to obvious errors on my part.

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    1. This Wippermann Test of Chain Breaking Loads (PDF alert) shows what one might hope, that it takes a lot of force to break a bicycle chain--in the neighborhood of 2000 pounds, in this test. So I suppose that either human error or specific wear factors can play a significant role.

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