Category: Cycling

Brake Work

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Photo info: FUJIFILM X-E4, 27mm, f/3.2, 1/80 sec, ISO3200
 “Mafac Racer” Cedar Park, 2021

In a previous post, I mentioned how the Mafac Racer brakes on Sophie, my Peugeot bicycle, were really loud. Well, I dedicated some time to remedy the problem, with some good results! Instead of a loud screech, the brake now emits a low groan. It’s not silent, but “good enough”. 😁

Using a piece of tape, I determined that the right rear brake pad was the one causing the noise, so I went to work adjusting the angle of that block so that there was more toe-in. This was more difficult than it should have been because the washer that allows you to adjust the angle does not turn easily, but I was able to add a little more toe-in, just not as much as the other pads.

Hitting the rear brakes will work to alert pedestrians that I am approaching which is fine since I don’t have a bell for Sophie. 🤣

Also, I got a frame bag which is nice because I can put my camera and phone in it. And I also found my handlebar GoPro mount, which gives me a good option for filming when out with Sophie. She’s such a fun bicycle!

Photo info: FUJIFILM X-E4, 27mm, f/3.2, 1/100 sec, ISO800
 “Sophie” Cedar Park, 2021

Burger and Bicycle

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Photo info: FUJIFILM X-E4, 27mm, f/5, 1/100 sec, ISO1600
 “Big Burger” Cedar Park, 2021

Big burgers were on the menu at the Fujimoto house today, and the toppings were grilled jalapeño peppers and red onion, American and Havarti cheeses, and the usual condiments. Plus, I bought a bag of frozen crinkle-cut fries, which were a nice change from potato chips!

Happily, I only got two mosquito bites while grilling outside, which I consider a win. These days, I don’t mind getting bitten so much because Zap It works great for me. No more itching (after the initial bite). I even took my Zap It to China when I went on vacation, where it almost got taken away by the Chinese TSA… I would have been so sad.

Anyways, the burgers were delicious, but I felt guilty about eating so many calories so I went for a ride with Sophie around the neighborhood. Bicycling brings a huge smile to my face, so I try to do it (or go running) as much as I can.

In the video below, you can hear the super-loud brake squeal. Sorry about that… I’ll try to fix it in the future. It’s really embarrassing. 🙃

Evening Ride Around the Neighborhood

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Photo info: FUJIFILM X-E4, 27mm, f/5, 1/300 sec, ISO320
 “Waiting for Mercury and Venus” Cedar Park, 2021

I originally intended to just ride my bicycle down to my sunset spot for a photo and then back home, but it was such a pleasant evening that I rode on past my house and kept going towards the library, and what would have been a 2 km ride turned into an 11 km evening cruise around the neighborhood.

Photo info: FUJIFILM X-E4, 27mm, f/3.2, 1/140 sec, ISO320
 “Twilight Panorama” Cedar Park, 2021

My first stop was at my go-to sunset location (see top photo), where I chatted with a man who was settled in to try to see the Mercury-Venus Conjunction. The clouds were not cooperating, but at least he got to enjoy the cool evening and brilliant colors of the sunset.

Photo info: FUJIFILM X-E4, 27mm, f/2.8, 1/110 sec, ISO320
 “Colors over In-N-Out” Cedar Park, 2021

After that I cruised around by our city library area and took a few more sunset photos and then on one bit of trail, I noticed there were fireflies blinking all around. It was so cool! I tried to video the fireflies with my phone, but it really doesn’t capture the magic.

I’m so glad I decided to go for the longer ride this evening. There were lots of neat things to see. ☺

Photo of Rossa Before the Storm

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“Stormy Skies” Cedar Park, 2021

Our crazy weather continues in Texas – today thunderstorms were in the forecast, which postponed several high school graduation ceremonies. Anyways, I changed the brake pads on the Bianchi Alante and wanted to go for a ride and photoshoot. With the storm threatening to hit, I went to the nearby elementary school, quickly grabbed a few photos, and then headed home just as the front hit our neighborhood.

Mission accomplished:

Photo info: FUJIFILM X-E4, 27mm, f/4, 1/170 sec, ISO160
 “Rossa” Cedar Park, 2021

Oh, and I asked my brother what to name the bicycle (since it is his old bike) and he said “Red”. I decided to ultimately name her “Rossa” which means red in Italian. I think it’s a good name.

I hope you had a nice day! またね～

BBQ Thoughts While Riding

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Photo info: FUJIFILM X-E4, 27mm, f/6.4, 1/1100 sec, ISO320
 “Graduation Setup” Cedar Park, 2021

I went for an evening bicycle ride around the neighborhood, and it seems that many people had fired up the barbecues! Some of the scents of grilling brought back memories, specifically the smell of grilling hot dogs. That smell will always remind me of summer picnics at the parks, where people would use the park grills. I prefer eating burgers over hot dogs, but absolutely love the smell of the frankfurters getting a bit of crisp over the fire!

Anyway, the bicycle ride was nice. I rode over to the school stadium, where they were setting up for graduation ceremonies. The chairs were all set up perfectly, and the band was rehearsing Pomp and Circumstance – it was an idyllic suburban scene. 😀

I even took a photo of beautiful Sophie:

Photo info: FUJIFILM X-E4, 27mm, f/4.5, 1/280 sec, ISO160
 “Sophie” Cedar Park, 2021

I hope you had a nice day!