Going Long and Hard.

[pygmypony]

While I was away, they posted the 2022 ITI Roster. I'm still not 100% that it's happening but, it's a step in the right direction...

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we will have tingley woods ready for your NJ training grounds! pray for snow here in NJ before Feb 27 2022!

 

[Steve Vai]

Inaguaral Unpaved Overnighter.

 

[Steve Vai]

 

[trailhead]

The cut corner on the pannier is to prevent interference with pedaling.

 

[Steve Vai]

The lower straps line up better backwards. I bought a rear rack with a good setback to compensate.

 

[Steve Vai]

Took a Lunch Ride today to test out gearing for Iron Cross. Running a 40x20 as it's the lowest I own. Well, without swapping the crankset anyways. Felt like a good gear as I rolled it up some of the beefier climbs in the not mention able park near where I work.

 

[serviceguy]

Took a Lunch Ride today to test out gearing for Iron Cross. Running a 40x20 as it's the lowest I own. Well, without swapping the crankset anyways. Felt like a good gear as I rolled it up some of the beefier climbs in the not mention able park near where I work.

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The more I look at it the more I want to try drop bars. Any chance to score some brake levers that work with my xt brake calipers?

 

[thegock]

Took a Lunch Ride today to test out gearing for Iron Cross. Running a 40x20 as it's the lowest I own. Well, without swapping the crankset anyways. Felt like a good gear as I rolled it up some of the beefier climbs in the not mention able park near where I work.

View attachment 168987

Wondered why u missed HELLO 😸

 

[Steve Vai]

Wondered why u missed HELLO 😸

43c tires ain't cutting it 🤣

 

[Steve Vai]

The more I look at it the more I want to try drop bars. Any chance to score some brake levers that work with my xt brake calipers?

Any Shimano hydro lever should work. Then you just swap the caliper in. We did a GRX setup with XT calipers on a Fargo and it worked well.

 

[serviceguy]

Any Shimano hydro lever should work. Then you just swap the caliper in. We did a GRX setup with XT calipers on a Fargo and it worked well.

That confirms the 'research' a did on this, the problem is actually find the parts. Is it the shortage or everything road/gravel is 3x the price?

 

[Steve Vai]

The road levers are more expensive because they have everything built into them. I've been buying Shimano stuff randomly from the internet when I find it. Everything is out there somewhere.

 

[serviceguy]

The road levers are more expensive because they have everything built into them. I've been buying Shimano stuff randomly from the internet when I find it. Everything is out there somewhere.

What is the lowest peasant level model worth buying, 105 ? I'd rather keep compatibility with 11 speed.

 

[Steve Vai]

There's a 505 or 515 or something along those lines that's an unspecified group. That's the lowest. The hoods are a little long on those so if you're struggling for reach 105 would be better. If it's SS you can buy old Di2 for peanuts and not use the shifter...

https://www.theproscloset.com/products/shimano-st-r785-di2-left-front-shifter-lever-2x11-speed-hydraulic-disc-pre-owned?variant=13807321481325&gclid=CjwKCAjwzaSLBhBJEiwAJSRokvxDYEDjtX7_7vodGaFgLMimjDPkNleaLf43mpHUPwqojlXIVJVg-hoCXMYQAvD_BwE

 

[Steve Vai]

Maiden Commute on the Fix13, so much fun. So many accelerate. So many handles. So not coasting.

 

[Steve Vai]

Out here in PA again for Iron Cross. It rained a lot today so the course is squishy. If it dries out a bit the 40x20 gearing is gonna be mostly good. If it stays squishy though, gonna be a long day...

 

[Steve Vai]

That was not an easy day. Some really squishy sections, some stiff headwinds, and a slightly overgeared bicycle. But, I managed to snag 3rd just from being 1 of 8 people dumb enough to do this race SS.

 

[onetracker]

That was not an easy day. Some really squishy sections, some stiff headwinds, and a slightly overgeared bicycle. But, I managed to snag 3rd just from being 1 of 8 people dumb enough to do this race SS.

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That was a fun course when I did it a few years ago. Probably more fun with gears.

 

[Steve Vai]

That was a fun course when I did it a few years ago. Probably more fun with gears.

It's probably more fun with gears, but I need to do something stupid to make these shorter events worth the drive. Although this one is put on so well it's probably still totally worth it to cheat a little.

 

[Steve Vai]

5 of us. There were 5. And 2 of them are probably not my friends anymore 🤣

Anywhoo, look at the swag!!

And here's a shot from 2019 coming up the run-up to Larry's Tavern.

Coming into a well-earned recovery week. Next block is going to be hard to manage because I have 2 weddings in November so I'll more than likely need to go big over Thanksgiving break.