• Bar Tape

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    Bar-top levers

    I installed some bar-top levers on the Sirrus and learned how to wrap bar tape. Luckily, I didn’t tear the tape and the result was pretty good. I also replaced the brake cables and housings on the Gunnar with Aztek Powerlines, and in the process rewrapped the bars as well. I’ve been apprehensive about rewrapping bars, but it isn’t all that bad.

    1994 Mongoose Hilltopper

    While unpacking (yes, we’re still unpacking), I found a poorly composed photo of my old ’94 Mongoose Hilltopper. This was my first *real* mountain bike. If I recall, it had an STX/Alivio drivetrain, rigid fork, and a black-chrome finish. It was sold prior to the purchase of my ’95 Specialized M2 FS, which I still ride.

    2007 Subaru Outback Sport SE

    Oh yeah, we got a new car. An ’07 Subaru Impreza Outback Sport SE. The SE (special edition) is a mid-year addition to the Impreza 2.5i sedan and Outback Sport. The package is pretty nice, and no doubt a result of the impending release of the new body style ’08 Imprezas later this year. It has a manual transmission, upgraded sound system with in dash CD changer, satellite radio, iPod input and sub. This model also came with automatic climate control and fog lights. I’ll be installing a receiver hitch for the Yakima rack and a few other accessories. If I don’t have anything else to talk about, or I’m bored, I’ll post all kinds of painful details on the various installations.

    After a some time, and a few more miles, I’ll post a full review of the Impreza.

  • Camera Mount

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    Almost all of my cycling photos have been from my phone camera. I haven’t been too happy with the poor photo quality.

    Camera Mount

    A few years ago I built a video camera mount for autocrossing. I haven’t been autocrossing much, and the prospect of doing so in the near future doesn’t look good. So, I’ve adapted the camera mount for bike duty. While the articulated mount will allow for a wide range of camera positions, it may transmit too much vibration. If this proves to be the case, a simpler mount may be a better solution.

    Camera Mount

    The mount will work with any tripod mountable camera; initially I’ll be testing out the mount with my circa 2001 Sony 1.3 mega pixel camera. More to come soon…

    Camera Mount Photo

  • C&O Towpath

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    C&O Towpath

    Two hours, one minute, 28.45 miles, average speed 14.21 mph. I started from Potomac, MD on the C&O Towpath. I rode about 13-14 miles south and connected to the Capital Crescent trail. I’m not sure where I ended up, but it was somewhere around Washington Harbor in Georgetown.

    C&O Towpath

    The first half of the ride was not too bad. It was in the low 50s, a little muddy, and all slightly downhill. The second half of the ride was not quite as pleasant. The temperature dropped into the 40s, 30-50 mph gusty headwinds, the mud was still there, and now I was going slightly uphill. On the bright side, the trails were fairly empty. Hopefully I’ll have more rides to post as the weather gets warmer. Unfortunately we have some snow forecasted for tomorrow…