Commute Loop – 2023.05.04

The only thing better than the first ride on a new bike is the first ride on your old bike after a tune-up by Swanny’s Cycles.

I received a surprise mid-morning text from Swanny’s that Shadow was ready for pick up, a full day earlier than expected. I’d carpooled with the wife that morning so I wrangled a ride from the kiddo.

It’s been 8,500 miles since Shadow was in last and he’s riding like he’s brand new. New chain and “touring” wheel set installed (including new discs, cassette, and 36T hub ratchet upgrade). Shadow’s 100% ready for the Pacific Coast and the next month will serve as a shake down before I leave.

It was sprinkling at the house as I was going through my pre-flight checks so I threw on the fenders. Glad I did because the roads were wet enough that I would have been covered in road spray had I not. Only minor sprinkles in Anthem and along Hacienda.

Getting ready to leave campus I was a little nervous about the wind. Riding through campus I briefly considered calling in a ride. It’s amazing how much the wind whips around the taller buildings. Once I crossed Tropicana the winds were still up, but much more manageable. I attribute that to the shallower wheels. The way these new wheels performed made me confident I made the right decision getting a shallower wheel set for the trip. I can’t afford to take zero days because of something as minor as a stiff on shore breeze.

New bike fund: $2.23(+$0.01)
Cloudy-Mostly cloudy, 61°F-67°F, Feels like 57°F-66°F, Humidity 40%-21%, Wind S 5mph-SW 9mph – by Klimat.app
— myWindsock Report —
Weather Impact: -1.4%
Headwind: 55% @ 9.5-20.8mph
Longest Headwind: 09h 32m 54s
Air Speed: 17.2mph
Temp: 55.5-66.2°F
Precip: 0% @ 0 Inch/hr
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