I pulled cranks a hundred times before running into one that wouldn't budge. The odds are with you. Good luck. - Mark
Just got back from my first road ride in over a year. Forgot how much I missed it. Thought about riding the loop twice but figured I'd leave myself something to look forward to tomorrow.
Took the boy up to my parents on my off-days this week, and while they were being Grandma&Grandpa, I took the Vaya out to recon some forest roads and trails in the area. 49.2 miles@15.3mph avg. It was relatively flat, though the last 10 miles or so, I was fantasizing about calling them to come and pick me up along the road somewhere... I'm guessing that 10-12 miles or so were unpaved. Here, the road morphed into an ATV trail. I only went a couple hundred yards down it before I decided it was too sandy, and I was about 20 miles from home at this point, so I turned around. A gust of wind blew the bike of the rock I perched it on... I finished the day with four miles of this.
Guess for me, it all started with a bicycle. Never realized that my body was capable of wondrous things till I pushed down on a pedal. Perhaps I am patting myself on the back, but at least it is 'thread appropriate'. Circa 1973, morning of my solo cross-country departure; Chico Ca. to Boston, Mass. A couple of years after, here I am heading to La Paz. Some long lonely days on the road, as days can be for a solo adventurer. One of my current mounts. Not nearly as physical, but still lots of fun. Gerry
...and I've pulled more'n a few that I *thought* were screwed in tight only to have the tool pull out with threads attached, but no crankarm. If anyone needs one, I have a French thread crank puller I'll loan ya for a 6-er of your favorite local adult beverage. M
Would that be TA or Stronglight? Back on the bike for the first time in a long time. A trail just a short bit from my house: Feels good. I may do more.
Great year for it. Trails were nice and dry and the course was great - 28 miles of singletrack. I was shot on the second lap but saw the photographer so I gave it a little loft for him. Got my 7 yr old on the trails this year too. I was apprehensive until about ten minutes in he says :This is cool, Daddy". It was all good after that.
"I've pulled dozens and dozens of crankarms....." "I've pulled hundreds of crankarms....." Yeah? Well I've pulled a BAJILLION crankarms, so there!!
A little over 100 miles between yesterday and today, with a shitload of hills... I rode in the woods last Sunday for the first time in a few weeks. The road miles really make it so much more fun, as I can ride whole sections without blowing up!
I'd have to go look. The puller came with a bike with French thread HS and BB. Gave the bike away. Kept the tool. M
I was out Fri with a Marine over on Quantico. He took us on a tour of the little trail system next to his office. Lots of fun, but he was getting tired at about the 50min mark. Buddy of mine that 'found' the guy and I went out for a 4:14 road ride after. Coupla thoughts: McD's doesn't make good pre-ride food. Dose your efforts if you're going out for a 4+ hour ride. Don't burn all your matches in the first 30min I had to pull the last 75min or so 'cause he'd blown up right before the halfway mark. M
If you get the Park tool, they usually have 2 sides: Shimano and Campy. The thread pitches are different enough that you *shouldn't* be able to screw one into the wrong crank M
I've come to the conclusion that anything greasy/oily is to be avoided before a strenuous ride. I ate some Chinese takeout on Saturday and went riding an hour later. Two laps around a trail comprised of steep climbs, and I began to feel sick, but decided to press on. Eventually I had to get off the bike and take a breather. By that time I not only felt like I was about to vomit, but had gotten quite dizzy on top of it. I had to lie down next to the trail, as I was afraid I might pass out. :eek1 Lying down seemed to do the trick, as after about 10 minutes I felt totally recovered and just walked my bike back to the trail exit. I'm thinking that in future it might be wise to forego any 'real' food before a ride and just eat an energy bar or two.
For me, a big bowl of oatmeal at least 45 minutes before a long ride works great. The whole grains contain complex carbohydrates that last longer than simple sugars. YMMV.