2009 Riding Recap

I keep a cycling log of my rides using a form from Suburban Cyclist Unlimited.

Total 2009 miles on Raleigh Grand Prix: 1610 miles.
Total number of 2098 rides: 119
Average ride: 13.5 miles
Longest Ride: 25.5 miles August 01, 2009
Most miles in a month: 228 miles June and November
Least miles in a month: 22 miles January
Most miles in a week: 81.5 miles November 22 to 28

4000 Miles !!!!

Today I completed 4000 miles on my Raleigh Grand Prix

I reached 400 miles on Rt 282 at Springton Road.

It was pretty cold-- about 25 degrees F but very sunny.

I really wanted to get 4000 miles by the end of the year. I started thinking about it in the beginning of November. I rode 228 miles in November which was tied with June for the most miles. December was a challenge because we had 22 inches of snow on December 19 so I didn't ride for a week until the snow melted and the roads were good.

I have been doing my 20 mile ride to Downingtown where I head on down Rt 282.



Then down the Struble Trail.

Then into Downingtown a bit. This is Downingtown National Bank.




This is a Mexican restaurant. I will have to give it a try.

Then I return the same way.

3402 miles Front Derailleur Replacement

Today I replaced the front derailleur. It was actually pretty easy with the included detailed directions. I received the Shimano Tiagra derailleur from JensonUSA today. It only took 5 days from the order.

First I removed and cleaned the chain.

I have a quick link on this chain so it is easy to remove.

Then I removed the old derailleur. The spring retainer broke off so the spring did not function. The retainer is a small piece of metal so I am wondering if the tiagra derailleur is susceptible to this failure. If this one fails, I will upgrade next time.

Old derailleur with broken spring retainer.

New derailleur with alignment block pre-installed.

The derailleur has an alignment block installed and a marker tape to get the proper alignment when you attach the derailleur to the bike frame.

You use the cable adjustment barrel to adjust the cable tension to tweak in the settings when the chain is on the intermediate chain ring.

In no time I had the derailleur properly adjusted.

3359 Miles: Front Derailleur Failure

Today I noticed that my front derailleur wasn't shifting. When I got the bike home I noticed that the spring retainer was broken so the spring wasn't working at all.



I ordered a replacement at JensonUSA for $42.99 plus $6.95 shipping. It is a Shimano Tiagra FD-4503. I decided not to upgrade because I felt the derailleur worked well. The 105 was $60 and the Ultegra was about $80 and I did not feel it was worth the difference.

I am still able to ride the bike using the middle chain ring, which is where I normally ride.

3000 Miles !!!

Today I hit 3000 miles on the Raleigh Grand Prix. I reached this milestone right in front of the pond on Bollinger Road near the house with the curved front porch.

This house is at the corner of Little Conestoga and Adams Road.

I thought this patch of day lilies was interesting next to the garage.

The roads near my house are great for bike riding. Many bike event markings are on the roads. This marking is from the 2009 French Creek Iron Tour .

Pedal to Preserve

Today I rode the 20 mile Pedal to Preserve ride for the Lancaster Farmland Trust. The Trust works in partnership with landowners to preserve their farms and way of life for future generations by placing a conservation easement on their property.

This is the third year that I participated.







The ride is well organized. They have 6, 20 and 51 mile rides through the farmlands of Lancaster County.
















The rodes were well marked with bright orange numbers.

Part of the route uses the Pennsylvania S Route.

The ride takes you by many preserved farms.

I caught a draft behind this family! Turns out he is a distributor for the 4 wheel bike. I believe they are 7 speed.

This Amish boy was in a wagon and barefooted. He was kneeling in the wagon and pushing off on one of his bare feet. He was moving pretty good!

69 RPM not MPH!

There were two water stops on the 20 mile route. They had water, bananas, twizzler licorice and Cliff fruit packs.

There was a great lunch at the end. I had a hot dog, pretzels, apple, water ice and a drink.