Category: Cycling

Bicycle Ride to the Library

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“Evening Ride” Cedar Park, 2021

I got the notification from the library that a book that I had on hold was ready for pickup! Since Koa takes my car to school and Mariko was out, I decided to ride my Peugeot bicycle to the library.

There were a couple differences from my typical rides around the neighborhood, though. First, I needed a way to carry the hardcover book, which probably wouldn’t fit in Sophie’s frame bag. And secondly, I needed to lock my bike outside the library. So, I grabbed my new REI Trail 40 backpack, put my bike lock in it and headed out the door.

I don’t like to wear a backpack when I ride but it was a necessary evil today. Surprisingly, it wasn’t that bad! The Trail 40 has a proper hip belt and sternum strap to keep the backpack secure, as well as a nice airflow channel so my back didn’t get sweaty. I almost forgot that I was wearing a backpack!

Anyways, it was a fun and productive ride. I love Sophie because she’s so much faster than my mountain bikes. The acceleration difference is definitely noticeable.

Please join us by watching the video if you have a few moments:

I hope you had a great day! またね～

Morning Ride at Lake Somerville State Park

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Photo info: FUJIFILM X-E4, 18mm, f/5, 1/250 sec, ISO640
 “Mango at the Lake” Lake Somerville, 2021

We woke up early to catch the sunrise, but heavy cloud-cover prevented us from seeing it rise above Lake Somerville. However, when it finally appeared a bit higher in the sky, it was beautiful!

Photo info: FUJIFILM X-E4, 18mm, f/7.1, 1/250 sec, ISO200
 “Sun Rays” Lake Somerville, 2021

My friend Také and I went for a short bike ride around the camp area on the hike and bike trails and saw a bunch of deer, rode through numerous spiderwebs, and worked up a good appetite for breakfast later on. I let him ride Mango, which is has front suspension, trigger-shifters, and a more upright riding position, while I rode Rossa which has no suspension, has a more aggressive position, and friction shifters.

Photo info: FUJIFILM X-E4, 20.5mm, f/9, 1/125 sec, ISO320
 “Rossa and Mango” Lake Somerville, 2021

It was so much fun, but I blew it and forgot to bring the GoPro for the ride! 😒 Man, I suck! Also, Rossa had a flat front tire when we got back to camp. Double-bummer.

But the ride was awesome so it’s all good!

Photo info: FUJIFILM X-E4, 18mm, f/9, 1/140 sec, ISO200
 “View from the Overlook” Lake Somerville, 2021

Lunchtime Black and White

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Photo info: OLYMPUS E-PL9, 13mm, f/11, 1/800 sec, ISO200
 “Crushed Cars” Cedar Park, 2021

I went on a bicycle ride on my lunchbreak, and took Mariko’s Olympus E-PL9. It’s a fun little camera!

Photo info: OLYMPUS E-PL9, 15mm, f/11, 1/800 sec, ISO200
 “Sophie and Destruction” Cedar Park, 2021

As usual, I also had my GoPro to record the ride. Please give it a watch if you have time. In it, I describe a little more about the location of the photos. 😀

Bike Model Discovery

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Photo info: Apple iPhone 12 mini, 4.2mm, f/1.6, 1/210 sec, ISO32
 “Sophie” Cedar Park, 2021

I joined a Vintage Peugeot Bicycle group on Facebook recently and while reading through the posts, discovered that Sophie is not an A-08 model as I thought, but is actually a UJ-10. I don’t know how I missed it when checking the old Peugeot catalogs but apparently the telling sign is the gold decal on the seat tube. Mystery solved!

When I brought back Sophie from California earlier this year, I also took the bags that I used on it back in the 80s. I re-fitted the Senator saddle bag to the Brooks B-17 and I think it looks good! It’s pretty small though, so if it doesn’t fit the spare tube I have on order, I’ll look for something a little bigger. I also ordered a new Zefal frame pump that should fit in the mounts. It’s not vintage, but it is made in France so I guess that’s something. 😄

Photo info: Apple iPhone 12 mini, 4.2mm, f/1.6, 1/120 sec, ISO40
 “Senator” Cedar Park, 2021

I hope you had a great day!

Gleaming Spokes and Rebuilding a Wheel

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Photo info: FUJIFILM X-E4, 18mm, f/4.5, 1/100 sec, ISO640
 “Gleaming Spokes” Cedar Park, 2021

The restoration of my Peugeot UJ-10 bicycle took a big leap today because I replaced the old rusty spokes on the front wheel with brand new DT Swiss 260 mm spokes. These are stronger and shiny. So not only is it safer, but the spokes are beautiful!

This was my first time rebuilding a wheel and lacing spokes, but with the help of this video, it was easy and actually a lot of fun!

I’m looking forward to replacing the spokes on the rear wheel next, but I am delaying starting that project because it would mean the bike would be out of service while I wait for parts. I can’t just order spokes (and hub bearings) beforehand because I need to remove them from the bicycle to measure them and ensure I order the correct parts. And I am having too much fun riding the neighborhood with Sophie right now, so I’ll wait on the repair a bit.

I’m so happy with my Peugeot project. It’s so much fun and I am learning so much about bicycles!

Photo info: FUJIFILM X-E4, 18mm, f/4.5, 1/100 sec, ISO640
 “Sophie Silhouette” Cedar Park, 2021