Home Made Cycling Reflective Vest For Cheap!

Good old Illuminite Wind Vest

Since the old Rando Belts are frowned upon (and no reflection after several washings) it's time for some new reflective night gear. Best deal going is the basic reflective vest from RUSA for $6. Ditto that for a ANSI approved Harbor Freight vest for under $6.00. Both these vests will work, but aren't really wind vests and are real open in the front for the wind to catch. RUSA has the answer for $60. Nice looking day/night reflective wind vest. John Mestemacher has one of those and it looks good.

Harbor Freight ANSI vest

Since I don't like the lime or orange look while cycling and didn't want to blow off $60, I came up with the idea of remodeling an old Performance Illuminite Vest. These were the ones that the reflection was in the total fabric. They really worked good under car lights. But after multiple washings they fade away into a solo wind vest. I'll take that and sew on some reflective stripes. Good idea, huh?




I searched locally for some fabric reflective tape. Craft stores, JoAnne's, Fabric Shops and everywhere else. Onthe web, I located several rolls of 3M tape. This is real good stuff... will take 60 washings! Problem it cost $16 for 10 feet + shipping. Nope. IDEA! I'll go to Harbor Freight and get 2 ANSI vests and take off the reflective fabric stripes! Two vest for under $9 with a 20% coupon. Bingo!

Sewing along with Bernina

Easy work to unpick the 2" stripes from one vest. Then I unpacked the Bernina sewing machine and had at it. Had to get some thread out of the sewing box to match the tape. RUSA/ACP like to see 30 sq in of reflective material on the back of your vest AND 27 sq in on the front and shoulders. Local US ANSI rules require much more reflective material: 70 inches of 2" wide reflective stripes total!

Back is finished! WOW!

I played around with the layout for a while and even put one piece on wrong side out! Quite difficult to sew those on, as the vest had "raglan" cut shoulders. These are curves seams instead of straight ones. I managed to sew a triangle thing on the back with a bar for a total reflective area of 40 sq. in. Hopefully, the front will be much easier to sew onto with straight stitches! Might try this out on the Kitchen Creek Brevet on Saturday!

Total Cost: $4:50 for reflective tape from one Harbor Freight vest.

-randorides

Feelin' Good Rub Kit

Several randos have asked about leg prep before a ride. I try to explain and have made up a PDF sheet on what I use. I rub this in really well before stretching out before a ride. This really works great to get you going and feeling good from the get-go!

1. Mark a small plastic bottle with 5 equally spaced lines.
2. Add 1 part Muscle Rub($3.87) with 4 parts of your favorite lotion or sunscreen($4-5). This ratio changes with the season. Summer may be 1/8, Winter may be 1/3. You will know what to make it by the feeling.
3. Shake very well! Add a few drops of lavender or other scent if you like.
4. Before a ride, apply with plastic gloves(100 for $.99 at Dollar Store) or rubber gloves
5. Massage those leg muscles, calves, tendons and tendonitis joints well till legs are dry.
6. During full sun rides, I spray over with Bannana Boat Sunscreen Spray. It really smells good too!
7. For long overnight rides, I'll carry a tiny bottle of this mix and wrap several plastic gloves around it.
8. After a long ride and you've cleaned up, and your masseuse isn't around (ya, right), use "The Stick" instead. Rub each muscle group at least 30 times. Calves, tendons, neck and back. Lay it on the floor for your feet. You can also use your water bottle or rolling pin in a tight squeeze!

* Background afghan for the above image hand-knitted by the Ms.(Zaharah). Colorful eh?

-randorides

Veterans Day Rando Route

Veterans Day "Not On Weekends" route

Arranged with Keith Olsen to do his "Not On Weekends" Rando Populaire today. Loaded the SOMA and rode down to the train station. Hopped the 0614 bound for Oceanside, CA. Arrived at the Coast Highway station around 0650 and rode south to the Carlsbad start at 7-Eleven.

Quite light out by 0700, but I had both rear blinkies on anyway. Came up on a MTB rider hammering along the coast on a hi-end Giant 29'er full suspension ride. Looked new to me. Had some tubeless 2.5 tires and a dropper seat-post. Said "good morning" but the asian had no answer. Must have a bad attitude today? He ran the red light at Poinsettia Lane. I caught him again near LaCosta Ave. He ran that one too! Caught him again and shadowed him on his left. He got nervous and was out of the saddle crankin' up to 18mph. I had enough of this red-light runner and ramped it up to 19mph as I passed him. He followed, sucking wind.
I notched up to 20mph. He was sucking air.
Clicked up to 21mph. He was dropping!
22mph. Gonzo!
I was planning on a nice casual ride south, but didn't appreciate this red-light runner at all. Thank goodness I never saw him again.

Didn't climb Torrey pines well at all. Had the big ring thing going, but kept dropping speed and sucking wind. I finally got my lungs blown out after UCSD. Not many students around. Must have Vet's Day off? Made good time down Gilman under overcast skies. Did the Mission Bay route, but cut off on the old Sea World Dr to the bridge and Ocean Beach Bike Path. Arrived at 0920 and didn't see Keith at the 7-Eleven yet. Went in and got a receipt, filled my bottle with water and ice. Hung around outside till I saw Keith across the street near the coffee drive thru. Went over there and sat at the table. Keith came over and we chatted for 30 minutes about rando Permanent stuff.

Nearly 1000 when we left. Took the bridge over to the Old Seaworld Dr. and cut onto the bike path, entering Mission Bay Dr. at Fiesta Island. Had a nice easy pace going till Keith's rear Planet Bike Blinkie fell off and broke apart on the rough Rose Creek Bike Path. We stopped and managed to find only one battery. I hooked Keith's blinkie up with a rubberband so it wouldn't come off again. Super long light crossing Mission Bay Dr. Finally we were climbing up Gilman Dr. and decided to ride through UCSD Campus. Only students we saw were Asian. No classes today. Road construction so we detoured out onto N. Torrey Pines Rd.

Use only this for SDrando wool jerseys!

Nice riding till we got to Solana Beach. We picked up some racer guys and diced it out with them to Encinitas. Hit Swami's bathroom and I went over to Nytro for water. Keith soon joined up for the ride north. Had a flat at my usual place by the mobile home park. Sat on the ledge and changed the tube. Thorn in my worn out Gatorskins. After a short nap, headed north to the finish in Carlsbad. Keith was headed on his homeward leg now. We said our "adios" and I rode north to see Dan Phillips at his shop.

Chatted with Dan for 20 minutes and handed over some "White Flower" balm in the tiny bottle. This is good stuff for those on the bike aches. Invited Dan to the Saturday Brevet in Pine Valley. He might come? Nice of John to give me a ride out. Left Dan and rode over to the Oceanside Train Station headed back to San Marcos. Got off the train and rode to the University to check out the Ralph's store for Ivory Snow. This is the only recommended thing for washing Woolistic Jerseys. Didn't have any. Wallie-Mart was out. Stater Bros had none. None at Albertson's either. Bummer.

Average short day on the road. One Advil day for the ankle tendon. Felt good the rest of the time with the exception of the Torrey climb. Bad climb for me. Overdue for some dirtwork!

Overcast all day
Hi: 70     Lo: 63
78 miles


-randorides

"Fix My Bike" Blast-Off

Garmin stats from the short Populaire ride today

Short ride today to check out ankle status. Did a muscle rub/stretch out and fired up the SOMA at 0700. Headed over to the local 7-Eleven for a cheapo receipt. Temps in the low 50's and the sun was just warming up. I could always wrap my bananas in the take-off arm warmers later on. Mike and Sandy were riding the Ursa Minor today and they would probably start around 0700. I might bump into them on today's route.

Big ring ride today with mid-cassette gearing. Saw one rider on Del Dios Highway and 2 more as I took a stop on Loma Santa Fe before Solana Beach. No stop for Red Velvet Donut at the shop today. I turned onto Coast Hwy. 101 and picked up 2 riders hammering along. Short racer guy and a taller, blue clad, white legged guy on a steel bike. I chatted with him a bit.. seems he is a defunct Tri rider with a bad ankle, which prevented him from running. He set a fast pace up the coast as I hit the Palomar roller hard. We caught a real racer with a BMC kit flying at 23mph. Followed him up to Oceanside, where I turned off onto the SLR. Good thing.. I was sucking air!

Picked up a big guy with a Brooks Saddle. We rode ahead of his wife and lady friend while chatting. He was from Minnesota and looks to do some long riding out here while working this winter. Gave him a Rando card as we waited for his wife to catch up. Proceeded solo over to Bonsall with a nice wind aid. Had my usual HF Sundae laced with GU. Ate a carry along banana and stretched out. No riders around there this late in the AM. Filled my bottle and hit the road. Saw some riders at the intersection of Hwy. 76.

Felt good on the 17mph leg over to Hwy. 395. 3 racers pulled in front near Old Castle Road. I figured if I could maintain loose contact with them, I might be able to pace up Champagne climb. Not to be as they cranked er up to 20 mph past Lawrence Welk Resort. They had a 1/2 mile on me as we started the climb. I almost caught one dropped rider before the top. A little under 12 minutes for that climb in the big ring. I welcomed the rough Centre City downhill. Caught some remnants of the NCCC ride at Country Club Drive. Brad said they were coming in from Valley Center. Drafted them over to Mulberry where I said "adios" . I was finished up for today.

Good ride today. Lots of speed work all the way up the coast. Made it up Champagne after a long week of riding in the sore tendon ankle. Probably a 4/5. Kitchen Creek next Saturday. Might go if John rides. Keith O. is talking about a Veterans Day ride along the coast. He is hesitant about riding with someone.

Clear skies and sunny today
Hi: Hi 80's    Lo: 54
67 miles

-randorides

Ursa Minor Windage

High Wind Advisory today inland. Flags were flying!

Hi-wind warning today for the inland areas with a fire danger warning thrown in too! Thought about the Hemet route but soon nixed the idea when @ 0500 winds were in the 20+ mph range up there. Looks like Ursa Minor in REVERSE today. Did a detail check of the SOMA G'skin Hardshells yesterday. Those suckers are just about done in. Esp the rear! Wearing thin with holes, cracks and slices. I did remove several small pieces of hidden glass from both tires. I'm running them to the cords, brother!

Left as the sun was peaking over the hills to the east. Headed north (reverse) and soon stripped off my arm warmers. Wearing the classic shredded RUSA jersey from the Feb. 13, 2013 rear end hit. Stopped at Bonsall McDonalds for a ice refill. Chatted with a old couple who said what a nice day for a bike ride! Yes, I agree. Any day you can ride with wheels is a good day! Big tailwind on Hwy. 76 westward as I was out of gears! SLR had a slight tailwind as I steadied at 19mph. Thought I saw Ron Peterson riding a recumbent with a windshield? Used to ride with him as he now rides with Pete Pensyres on Wednesdays from Bonsall. As I neared the harbor, the wind turned to NW.

Watched BP drug-search on I-5 near Trestles

Took the I-5 route northward, by-passing the Camp. Side wind along there. Hit the headwind after the Las Pulgas exit. No construction south of there, yet. Hooked up with 2 TT racers for a while. They soon left me as I went back to my norm of 17mph into the headwind, slogging up the coast. By the time I got to the bikeway north of San Clemente, my legs felt like rubber. Got a full shake at SLO and added a new flavor of GU: Orange Burst! The road back was much easier with the slight tailwind pushing. Nice push back up the hill to San Clemente! I hit that hard in a big ring combo. Stopped and watched the Border Patrol boys do a dog-drug search of a car along side I-5. Looks like they were a little disappointed in no positive results!

Maintained a nice easy 20 mph through the campground. Turned through the Camp and chatted a bit with the Marines on sentry duty at the gate. Stopped for 2 OFR riders who had left Orange early. They were ahead of the main OFR gruppo. Rode with them through the Camp. Nice easy riding south along the coast, as the slight tailwind made it enjoyable with little energy. I was blasting everything at 20 mph. The turn inland at Solana Beach was a different matter. Not much wind to Rancho Santa Fe town. After that it was a headwind slog up to Escondido. Took the Inland Rail Trail over to San Marcos under temps in the high 80's.

Middle part of the route was a slog into the wind. After that, it felt like I was riding good again! Hehe. Only the tailwind, bud!  Got in some hi-speed work with the TT riders and with the wind. Regular rating for this ride.

Clear sunny skies
Hi: 88    Lo: 54
125 miles

-randorides

Sandia Creek Odd Adventures

High Wind Advisory with High Fire Danger today!

DRR=Double Reverse Route! That's what is was today. Overnight temps plunged down to 43 degrees, so with ride chill temps into the 30's it was a after sunrise start for me! Don't appreciate the cold stuff anymore when you can have full sun and WARMTH if you wait 1 hour. I did just that and rolled out of San Marcos at 0730 for the Sandia Creek Century. Started northward on the first part of the "Reverse".

NOTES:
1. High wind warning today for foothills. Light Santa Ana also brought high fire danger warnings. Yep, that's where I was going! Hit the headwinds near Rainbow and Rancho California Road climb. Hunkered down and ground it out.

2. 2 bananas for $1 at Temecula 7-Eleven. Combined that with 95 cent IC Sandwich for a snack control. By-passed my usual longer stop at Carl's Jr. next door on Bedfort Court. Met several local club racers... black/red kits and they didn't look like they were having fun.

3. Dude walking up Rancho California Road! He was sitting on the guardrail as I approached and then took off race-walking near the upper curved section. I slowed and chatted with him while avoiding the traffic and glass. Works down the hill and he has a sore back so can't do tri stuff anymore. Says he is old at 64! Made me feel good after that. I mentioned his death power-walk up this road with traffic and no "walk" lanes. Also there is an option no-traffic road up the hill further east. NAW! I hit the gas "on-climb" and cooked toward Sandia Creek Road.

4. Nice tailwind smokin' the Sandia Creek rollers! Garmin was recording multiple 40+ mph blasts through DeLuz. Yes, I stopped at the stop signs too. Multiple signs pointing to "Polling Place" I rolled over and checked out the voting turnout. Mostly local older homeowners driving MB's!

Rockhopper dude had a set-up like this!

5. Newer Specialized Rockhopper guy pulling a utility cart down Mission Road from Fallbrook! He was pulled over so I slowed and chatted with him roadside as massive traffic was whizzing by. Nice looking grey Specialized niner. Middle aged guy with a Wal-Mart little girls pink bike in the cart basket. It was hooked to his rear rack with a eye-bolt setup. One of the cart wheels was rubbing on the side of the cart basket. Nice! Said he was going back to Vista. I said "Good Luck" and cranked 'er up, turning at Heller's Bend to get away from the traffic for a bit.

6. HF Sundae with GU Orange Blast for snack at Bonsall. Yep, had to keep my energy up with this mix. I'm off freebie colas of late, so I opted for cold clear chlorinated water.

7. Lite application of "White Flower". Put on at Temecula stop with a side of 500mg Advil. Tendon felt better this back-to-back ride day.

8. Time Change. This jacks me up every year. Wake up at the same brain clock time, which is 1 hour earlier than clock time. AZ land has it right!

9. 4/5. Added another leather sole-tread to balance my right SIDI shoe. That balanced my right foot back correct again when flat on the Crank Bros pedal.. Felt good out of the saddle this trip. Quads were a little "tired". Left ankle tendon didn't hurt all day as usual. Guess the rub killed the pain. Good ride. Looking for a longer 200km on Thursday. OFR Gruppo is doing the Metro Train thing and ride back. No interest, but it's a fun time.

Clear skies
Hi: 78    Lo: 56
98 miles

- randorides

Shorty Route With Beoshield T-9 Stop

Beoshield Lube works good and clean

After 2 days working in the garage on projects waiting for the "big rain" to arrive (never did), it's time to hit the roads. Dip cleaned the SOMA directional 6701 chain and lubed it up with Beoshield yesterday. Had a few errands to do before I could start riding in earnest this morning. It was about 0800 when I punched the Garmin. Sun was up with the new Standard Time change over the weekend. That time thing usually takes me a week to adjust. Means more sun for those early starts and getting dark at 1700! Makes for short ride days.

Not a happy camper with my present rechargeable light system. Still checking one of those Panasonic GQ-CC17 chargers. COSTCO has the package with AA & AAA batteries + this Charger for $29.95 OR $19.95(sometimes SALE ITEM). These are top rated along with their Eneloop Batteries. Too bad I don't have a COSTCO Card anymore. Bought a decent $19 Charger from Harbor Freight the other day. It charged my batteries good, but was on a timer only. No "Smart Charger" there! ( In other words, no matter what the state of the battery charge, they charged for 8 hours! "Smart Chargers" will have separate charge channels and monitor each battery separate for charge state.) Took that Charger back to Harbor Freight real quick. Just because it says "Smart Charger", they all aren't. False advertising, I guess?

Top rated "Smart Charger"

Rode south through Escondido and over to SR-56 Bike Path. Checking the pain tolerance on the left ankle. Took a dose of Advil and some "White Flower" early and that neutralized stuff. Stopped by the Solana Donuts for a Red Velvet. Ate that as I managed a headwind up the coast. Stopped by Nytro to refill my single bottle. Rode around and over to REI to check bikes and stuff. Picked up a bottle of Beoshield. Price went up again to $10! Some REI girl was putting the pressure on me to join the REI Club thing. Heck no! For ever, I just put my purchases under John's account. He gets the % back at the end of each year. She said I could take a MTB niner out for a test ride. I said "Over the weekend?" Haha. She also thought she knew all about bike repair. LOL. Must be a new hire? Rode north and around the SLR over to Bonsall and back to San Marcos. Ankle felt OK then.

Quick ride on a nice wind day.

Sunshine
Hi: 74     Lo: 55
81 miles

-randorides