Sunday, August 3, 2008

Sunday Rides

I've decided to start doing longer rides on Sunday mornings, to keep in shape and prepare some randonneuring or touring next year. I like to ride long distances on the bike, but sometimes it can get lonely and boring. So these rides are sort of proof to myself that it could be fun and worthwhile, or just tiring and boring.
Anyway, today I was riding north on Sheridan road and all the sudden was passed by a large group of bikers. Naturally since I was riding alone, I decided to follow for awhile. Before too long, I realized it was the Turin (Evanston Bike Shop) Sunday morning training ride. Just after I figured out that it was the that ride, I found myself riding with a bunch of strangers in unfamiliar territory. They were averaging about 20 mph and above and to get dropped meant to be lost in the far north suburbs. Luckily, I was able to hang with them long enough to figure out a route home, and after some impatience and wrong turns I made it home with 57 miles under my belt. Not bad for something not planned out.

Thursday, July 24, 2008

Help the Bees

I thought these videos were funny and informative




Take a second and think about how important bees are. Without them, what would pollinate all of our plants.

Stamp


Stamp
Originally uploaded by El Duke Degreaser
I got my rubber stamp in the mail the other day. This will be used to mark all home-made stationery and packages being shipped out. It seemed wrong to send out packages without any markings on them, and I need all the brand recognition I can get!

The Commute


The Commute
Originally uploaded by El Duke Degreaser
Here's what I usually carry in the saddlebag on a daily basis (minus the helmet, I carry that on my head).

Saddlebag in place

I've been commuting with the WIG saddlebag prototype for a few weeks now. It's huge, and holds my lunch, clothes, shoes, tools and has room to spare. I hardly know it's there when I'm riding, and doesn't catch the wind like panniers do. Also, it doesn't cause the sweaty-back problem that messenger bags cause in this warm weather.
WIG put it together at just about the same time that I was looking into either making my own saddlebag or buying a Carradice Super C. There's a few kinks to work out, but I have a great appreciation for cyclotouring-style saddlebags now. I suppose I look unusual/weird using this thing to carry all of my stuff with me to work. That doesn't matter to me anyway since there are so few cyclists on the roads that are on my route, and I probably look silly to everyone else simply because I'm biking.

Friday, July 18, 2008

El Duke Logo Stickers

Just had 500 log stickers made. Hopefully will help get the word out.

El Duke T-shirts!


El Duke T-shirts!
Originally uploaded by El Duke Degreaser
Guaranteed to make you 100% sexier. Available in extra small, small, medium, large and extra large.

Visit www.eldukedegreaser.com for ordering information.