Treehouse:: Day 7 (and PMC)

The pictures don't show it, but today was hard. I finished framing the openings for the windows and put up the siding. I used T1-11 siding, mainly to save some time, and money. Man that stuff is heavy, especially when you are working alone and lifting it ten feet into the air. Not to mention it was about 90 degrees and humid today. It was a two t-shirt day.

I don't want to complain though, because the PMC starts tomorrow night, so I am taking off for three days of bike riding. Two of my teammates and I are riding to the start tomorrow, about 70 miles from Boston. We will then ride 110 miles on Saturday (Sturbridge to Bourne), and about 90 miles on Sunday (Bourne to Provincetown). Whatever you find yourself doing this weekend, please stop for moment and think about those in your life who have been affected by cancer. You will be part of a tremendous circle of positive energy that transcends the bounds of cancer.

Boston Red Sox - Pan-Mass Challenge’s Starr spokesman for important cause - The Boston Globe

Two days until the PMC. The Boston Globe published this story today, history of the PMC and it's founder, Billy Starr. Please join Team Luca by taking a quiet moment this weekend to think about or remember those in your life who have been affected by cancer. Thank you for all your support, it means more than you can imagine.

Boston Red Sox - Pan-Mass Challenge’s Starr spokesman for important cause - The Boston Globe

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Orange Single Speed For Sale

I recently completed restoring a vintage lugged steel road bike into a single speed. It was a fun project, but this one has to be sold. I am riding as part of Team Luca in the Pan-Massachusetts Challenge this coming August, and am selling this to help in my fundraising commitment (every rider agrees to raise $4200!). The PMC raises money for life-saving cancer research and treatment at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston.


I stripped the frame down, and had it sandblasted and powder coated metallic orange by Long Beach Custom Fabrications in Plymouth, MA. New parts include a SOMA moustache bar, white bar tape, brake cables, Jagwire housings, chain, and a Shimano 17t rear freewheel.


If anyone knows anyone in the Boston area looking for a well-built single speed, feel free to send them my info.

Team Luca Rides the Pan-Mass Challenge (or, Help Me Raise $4,200 to Fight Cancer)

This coming August 1st and 2nd, I will once again join the other 19 members of Team Luca in riding in the Pan-Massachusetts Challenge, a 200 mile, two-day bicycle ride from Sturbridge to Provincetown. The PMC, which celebrates it’s 30th anniversary this year, raises money for life-saving cancer research and treatment at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston. Team Luca was formed three ago by Jeff De Lisi in honor of his son, Luca, who died at the age of three after a courageous fight against Medulloblastoma, a pediatric brain tumor. We ride to honor Luca, and in hopes that other kids don’t have to go through what he did.

Because of the generous donations from individuals, Team Luca raised over $90,000 in 2008! All money raised by Team Luca will be used toward research for pediatric brain tumors at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. The PMC raises more money for charity than any other single event in the country. For 2009, every rider must commit to raise a minimum of $4200. This year’s goal for the PMC is to raise $36 million to help fund much needed research and treatment at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.

There is no question that we live in uncertain economic times, and I struggled with whether I could actually call on my family, friends, and local businesses once again to help me raise such a large sum of money. In fact, I almost did not register to ride this year, but I knew it was something that had to be done. In the end, I decided that, for me, nothing is worse than complacency, and that given our country’s current financial situation, the need is even greater this year. Hospitals such as Dana-Farber are surely feeling the stress of budget cuts and loss of valuable donor money. Cancer does not care that we may be in a recession. Our temporary burden pales in comparison to the anguish cancer inflicts on so many lives. I have known a few people who have had cancer, and it isn't an easy road, but it is a battle we can win. This became very clear to me while riding the PMC last August. As we passed through town after town, many families and people stood alongside the road, holding signs thanking us for riding and raising money. Nobody said congratulations when we passed, instead we heard "thank you" over and over, and they meant it. One sign that stuck with me for many miles was held by a young boy, standing alone, and it simply read, "I turned 12 this year because of the PMC". It doesn't get any more real than that. Luca never got to celebrate his fourth birthday.

How can you help?
There are three easy ways to donate money to the PMC and support me in my fundraising goal:
1. Visit the Luca’s Light website, to learn more about Luca De Lisi and Team Luca. While visiting the site I encourage you to watch the video, “Why We Ride”, which introduces Luca, the riders of Team Luca, and explains why we ride in his honor. From the site you can make a donation by clicking on my name in the right hand column.
2. Go to the Pan Mass Challenge website. Click the eGift link at the top left hand corner of the site to get started. You can find my profile and make a donation by entering my eGift ID (JH0303), or my first and last name. The average eGift donation takes less than five minutes of your time.
3. For those of you whom wish to donate, but do not want to donate online, you can mail a personal check directly to me. Checks may be made payable to Pan-Mass Challenge, The Jimmy Fund, or DFCI.

Unlike generic Jimmy Fund donations, 100% of contributions to Team Luca benefit the innovative pediatric brain tumor research conducted by Dr. Mark Kieran's Pediatric Medical Oncology team at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.

Regardless of how you give, I encourage you to visit Luca’s Light website, and watch the video and read the message from Jeff. It is a powerful piece that will undoubtedly touch your heart. Despite these difficult times, I know I made the right decision to register with the PMC. We all have causes that are close to our hearts. This one is mine. Whether you can donate $200 or $20, please know every penny you contribute will be used to help beat this awful disease, while at the same time honoring the spirit of little Luca De Lisi.

Thank you for your support!

PMC 2008 Recap

We ride bicycles for many reasons; we commute to work and school, we ride to the beach, we ride for exercise, we run errands, go to the bank, get a haircut, and stop by the farmer's market. But for two days earlier this month nearly 5,500 people rode their bikes 200 miles to help raise money to fight cancer. The Pan-Mass Challenge, now in it's 28th year, will raise in upwards of $34 million this year, which will go to aid research and treatment at Boston's Dana Farber Cancer Institute. Many people beat cancer, little Luca De Lisi did not, and if you ask me, that just sucks. If you don't know about Luca, click here. I chose to join Team Luca because I wanted to honor Luca, and help out in my own small way. I am so very lucky, I have a great family, and a simple, fulfilling life. I am able to ride my bike to work most days, and I get my summers off to play with my kids. Life is good for me. Life isn't so easy for someone fighting cancer. I have known a few people who have had cancer, and it isn't an easy road. This became very clear to me while riding the PMC. First off, I have to say that the ride is the icing on the cake. I felt lucky, and at times guilty, to ride with such a great group of people. The ride itself was amazing, though it almost became secondary to the inspiring stories from the people we met along the way. As we passed through town after town, many families and people stood alongside the road, holding signs thanking us for riding and raising money. Nobody said congratulations when we passed, instead we heard "thank you" over and over, and they meant it. One sign that stuck with me for many miles was held by a young kid, standing alone, and it simply read, "I turned 12 this year because of the PMC". It doesn't get any more real than that.

As far as the ride itself, we rode 111 miles on Sunday, and 85 miles on Sunday. It wasn't a race, but any time you get that many people together, all on bikes, it becomes a race. I love passing $6,000 plastic bikes on my steel SOMA. I am not that competitive, but I found myself pushing myself to ride fast and keep a good pace. Day one provided the most varied terrain, the first 50 miles consisted mostly of long climbs, before dropping down the last 60 miles into Bourne. Day two, though the mileage was less, was probably more challenging. The last 2o miles, from Wellfleet to Provincetown, were a constant uphill, with a steady headwind, so it was necessary to draft off other riders, and to let others draft you. At this point I had dropped back from the two guys I had been riding with for most of the day, and I hooked up with four other cyclists who were also looking forward to the finish line. We spent close to an hour taking turns drafting along the final stretch of Route 6, each of us taking turns upfront. Once we got close to P-town, I reconnected with some other teammates, and we waited for the rest of the team to catch up, so that we could cross the finish line as a team. We crossed the finish line around noon, then quickly split up, meeting family that had gathered to greet us. The day ended with the team reconvening at Race Point Beach for some food and much needed rest.

With a couple of weeks to reflect on the ride, I can say that it was inspiring in so many ways. It's no secret that I love bikes in a big way. The long training rides I did this spring have turned me on to long-distance riding and possibly some touring in the future. I am riding a century next month with the Charles River Wheelmen, and am considering entering a cross race this fall. But more importantly, the ride made me look at my own life in a new light. I am pretty damn lucky, and I need to remember that. Later this month, the PMC will present Dana-Farber with a check for $34 million, I am proud that Team Luca raised close to $75,000. We rode to honor a little boy that I never met, yet I feel he was with us the entire ride. Luca would have loved bikes, that I am sure.

Listening to: The National- Boxer

Ride to The Ride (and other Pan-Mass Challenge News)

Man, it’s been a long time since I’ve posted anything. I still find the time to check other people’s blogs, but just haven’t felt like updating mine lately. We’ve been pretty busy with company from New York, some camping with the kiddos in Maine, and general summer time laziness.

This past week has been all about bikes here, gearing up for the Pan-Mass Challenge this coming weekend. I feel strong, and am not so worried about the distance; 111 miles on Saturday, and only 84 miles on Sunday. I’ve been doing 60-85 miles training rides by myself for the past couple of months, and though I actually enjoy riding by myself, I am looking forward to riding with the team. One of the other members of the team and I have decided to ride to the starting line in Sturbridge on Friday. It’s about a 60 mile trip from his house in Westwood, so we are planning on leaving early Friday morning and taking our time. Some people think we are nuts for wanting to add a third day of riding onto the weekend, but for us it makes the most sense, neither of our wives are able to drive us, and we don’t want to wait until everyone else gets off work to leave. Some other members of the team are transporting our camping gear, so we are able to travel light. From what I hear, quite a few teams and individuals ride to Sturbridge, so we shouldn’t be alone. I just hope we don’t have any mechanical problems (see below) and we should be all set.

Over the past couple of months of doing longer rides, I’ve learned the importance of staying hydrated and eating. You just can’t ride for five and a half hours and NOT eat. My problem is that I don’t like to stop and eat, and I don’t like to feel weighed down carrying, then eating, “real” food. I’ve been trying all sorts of energy gels, and find the GU ones to be my favorite, not as sweet tasting as the Power Bar gel, which are a little hard to get down. I have also been digging the Clif Bar Shot Bloks, which are almost like gummy bears. They also contain 50 mg of caffeine, which gives you a little boost.

When I get sick of all the electrolytes and organic ingredients of the gels, I plan on stashing a couple of these in my jersey pocket, from what I can tell they just may be the perfect cycling food:

Check out the ingredients of the bar; applewood smoked BACON and milk chocolate! What more could you want? I wonder if they come in dark chocolate? Thanks to Sean for the heads up on this one.

To get ready for the ride I decided to splurge and buy some new tires last week. I went with Panaracer T-Servs (700 X 25c) again, which are closer to 23c when you actually measure them. I’ve been training on 28c T-Servs and felt the narrower tires would be a little faster. On Sunday I went for a ride, and 50 miles in the rear tire failed, not a flat mind you, but the tire actually began to separate from the bead. I felt something wobbling in the rear end, then a loud crack, just like a firecracker going off. I think the sound was the tube pushing through the opening in the tire, then bursting open. Scared the shit out of me. Check it out:

I don’t think I was in any risk, glad I wasn’t bombing down a hill at 35 mph, but it definitely makes me nervous, wondering if it could happen again. Needless to say, I am getting new tires tomorrow. The guys at the bike shop said they have never seen anything like it before, probably a faulty tire to say the least. I am just glad I went for that ride, because it would have really sucked to have it happen this weekend (or worse, on the ride to Sturbridge). The good news is I'm getting two new tires, so I will have a spare tire to fold up and keep under the seat, just in case anything like this happens again.

I’ll post an in-depth review of the ride next week. Thanks to all of you who have supported the cause, I am getting close to my goal, and the team has raised almost $50,000! Go Team Luca!

Now I got to go find those bacon bars!


Listening to: Sonic Youth- Daydream Nation

SOMA Fabrications Smoothie ES Update

It’s been just over a month since I brought home my new road bike, I’ve got about 200 miles on it, so I figure it is time for a proper review. First off, I have to mention that I have not bought a new bike since 1994, when I bought my Specialized Stumpjumer, a bike I still own and use as my daily commuter. So when I made up my mind to buy my first real road bike, I wanted to do my research, because I knew I’d probably be riding this bike for a long time. I am signed up to ride the Pan-Massachusetts Challenge in August, so this was my motivation for buying a new bike. I wanted a bike that would be comfortable for long rides, capable of doing 100+ mile days, while at the same time still suitable for commuting. That meant tire clearance for fenders, and longish chainstays so my heels wouldn’t rub if I added a rack and panniers at some point.

My first thought was to get a cyclocross bike, something capable of handling the daily grind of commuting, but still suitable for long training rides and the PMC. After some internet searching, I narrowed it down to a Surly Cross or Bianchi Veloce. These two bikes are similar in many ways- steel frames, Shimano Tiagra components, cheaper wheel set, and both priced at around $900. I had ridden a Cross Check and it was my first choice, though I found a Veloce online for $675. I was tempted to pull the trigger on the Bianchi, but I just wasn’t sure a cyclocross bike was for me. Cross bikes are great, for cyclocross racing. I never had any intention of riding my new bike off-road, and was never going to enter a race, so why was I looking at a cross bike? The Cross Check and Veloce are marketed as “do everything bikes”. Yes, they can do everything, but not everything well. The bike I was looking for was somewhat unique- I wanted a steel road bike with relaxed geometry (but not as relaxed as a touring bike), plenty of tire clearance and room for fenders. Bikes like these exist, but they are usually custom frames, and I knew that wasn’t in the cards at the moment. As a compromise, I decided to buy a steel frame and build the bike up, handpicking the components.

I had stumbled across the SOMA site while searching for bikes online, their frames seemed similar to the Surlys I was looking at- both made in Taiwan, and both priced about the same. The SOMAs are made with a little better tubing (Tange Prestige vs. plain old cro-moly), and they retail for about $50 less (paid $365 for the frame). That made the decision easy, a SOMA it was. After getting fitted at the shop (highly recommended), I decided on a blue 58 cm Smoothie ES frame. SOMA describes the ES frame as an “ideal choice for multi-day charity rides, centuries and credit card touring.” What really sold me on this frame was it’s versatility. It fits 32c tires with fenders, and has rear rack and fender mounts. The frame has less aggressive road sport geometry than a traditional road frame, making it better suited for all-day riding. The rear end is beefier than other road frames I had seen, which must add some rigidity to the bike. I am a fairly large guy (6’0”, 185 lbs.), and I haven’t felt any flexing in the rear end. I also have to mention the color of the frame. While maybe not as stealth as the trademark Surly black, the Cobalt Blue on my SOMA is very sweet. The blue has some purple undertones that really shine in the light, and the decals are subdued and not too flashy. The paint quality is good, better than the Surlys I've seen. The paint does seem a little thin around the bottom bracket shell, like they forgot to do a second coat down there. On a sub-$400 frame you can't expect perfection.

I was originally going to go with the steel fork that SOMA sells on their site, but the bike shop had a new Bontrager carbon fork that was taken off another customers bike, so I scored it for less than the steel fork would have cost. I’ve only ridden road bikes with steel forks before, and the carbon really sucks up a lot of the road vibrations that are normally felt while riding.

My next decision was what wheel set to use. Because of my budget, I knew I had to skimp a little on the wheels. We found a good deal on some Salsa Delgado Cross wheels, laced to Campagnolo hubs. The wheels are not the lightest, but they are bombproof. In the future I may save up for some lighter wheels, but in the meantime it is a lot easier to shave a few grams by laying off the dessert at night.

I wanted decent components that would hold up over time. I dig the Italian design and tradition of Campagnolo, and unlike Shimano, when a Campy part breaks, you can rebuild it versus having to replace the whole part. I knew I couldn’t afford a Record or Chorus group, so I settled on the mid-range Mirage line. From what I can tell, the biggest difference between all the Campy groups seems to be weight and the amount of carbon bits that are present in the higher end components. A complete Mirage group, minus brakes, was less expensive than the similar quality Shimano 105. Call me a snob, but having an Italian drivetrain I couldn’t bring myself to slap Shimano brakes on my bike. Campy brakes were too expensive, considering I needed 57 mm long reach calipers, and were not available in the Mirage line. We found some Tektro calipers that are similar to Shimano, but the fit and finish appears to be a little better. I’m not completely satisfied with the brakes though, there is some irritating chatter and squeaking that happens from time to time, but it could be simply a matter of swapping out for some better pads.

Rounding out the rest of the components I used a Bontrager Race Lite seat post, stem, and bars. These were items that the shop had in stock so I saved a little money on them. My only complaint about the bars is I wish the drops were a slightly longer, they seem a little too short for my hands.

The bike weighs less than I'd expected, 21.25 lbs. Not bad for a steel frame. At first the top tube felt a little high, but I think I am just so used to my mountain bike, which has a much shorter frame. The first ride I did on the bike was just under 30 miles, and it felt like 10. I’ve been doing 30-50 mile rides at least once a week, and the fit seems to be spot on. The bike handles great, stability is excellent, and it feels so solid. I’ve had the opportunity to ride some really nice bikes (which also happen to be really expensive), and the Smoothie rides like a bike costing much more. It's hard not to like this bike.

So here's the skinny on all the bits and pieces:

Frame- Soma Smoothie ES 58cm
Fork- Bontrager Satellite Carbon
Crankset- Campy Mirage 34-50
Bottom Bracket- Campy Record
Rear Derailleur- Campy Mirage 10 speed
Front Derailleur- Campy Mirage 32mm
Hubs- Campy Mirage
Cassette- Campy Mirage 12-23
Chain- Campy Veloce
Brake Set- Tektro Long Reach Calipers
Brake/Shift Lever- Campy Mirage Escape
Headset- Cane Creek S-3 1-1/8” Black Threadless
Seatpost- Bontrager Race Lite 20mm
Bars- Bontrager Race Lite 46 31.8
Stem- Bontager Race Lite 31.8 120mm +7
Saddle- Selle Italia Flite XP Trans Am (best saddle ever!)
Wheels- Salsa Delgado Cross
Tires- Panaracer T-Serv 700x28c

Listening to: Pink Floyd- Obscured By Clouds

SOMA Love

Since signing on to ride the PMC this coming August, I have been in the market for a new road bike. I searched high and low, but the bike I really wanted didn't seem to exist off the shelf. I was looking for a steel-framed bike, with less-aggressive touring geometry, quality components (Campagnolo or at least Shimano 105), and since this would also become my daily commuter bike, I wanted the ability to mount fenders and 32c tires if needed. Oh yeah, and I only had so much money to spend. I looked at Surly's Long Haul Trucker and Cross-Check (I dig the Surly ethos, plenty of tire clearance, but rode like a tank, and low end Shimano Tiagra kit), the Bianchi Volpe (great price, I love Bianchi, but this one just didn't fit, and same cheap Tiagra components as the Surly), and the Trek 520 (quality components, but too much of an all-out touring bike for my needs). Most off the shelf bikes that seemed to fit my needs were cyclocross bikes, but I was really looking for something with more relaxed geometry, longer chainstays, better suited for centuries and light touring. I considered a custom bike from Ira Ryan, Circle A, or Independent, but I knew it just wasn't in the cards this year, someday. The solution was a frame from the good folks at SOMA Fabrications in San Franciso, and handpicking the components from my local bike shop. I ended up going with the Soma Smoothie ES frameset, Campagnolo Mirage kit, Salsa Delgado wheels (bomb proof), and rounded out the ride with Bontrager Race-Lite bars, stem, and seatpost. All said and done, I spent a little more than I would have for the Trek, but I now have a bike that fits me and my needs. I have to thank George and Sam at my LBS for hooking me up with the Bonty carbon fork (for the same price as a steel fork), and for helping me pick everything out and making it fit like my favorite pair of jeans. I will post a real review after my first long ride this coming weekend, but for now I feel like an 8-year-old again, who just received his first BMX. Remember that feeling? Bikes rule.

Listening to: Tool- Undertow