Uninam - Vietnam Unicycle Tour http://uninam.net Uninam - Vietnam Unicycle Tour - Ryan Langton :: Rider Blog en returned home! http://uninam.net/index.php?blog=ryan-langton&display=76 Fri, 28 Mar 2008 01:58:50 -0600 So, I didn't update this while on tour, but I'm glad others did! It's neat to relook at things now thatI know some of the folks I've traveled with. People really reflect themselves well in their writi[...] So, I didn't update this while on tour, but I'm glad others did!  It's neat to relook at things now that I know some of the folks I've traveled with.  People really reflect themselves well in their writing.

Having gone the entire way on 150mm cranks, I'm thoroughly convinced that a shorter length is high on my list of ways to improve--besides more and better training and a few equipment modifications.

I now know I have the physical power and mental power to undertake such a venture as a tour and plan to continue refining how I handle my gear, my nutrition while on tour and my expertise in making repairs.

First on the list is to see the difference a non-air saddle makes to energy transferred to the wheel.  I plan to take Andy's suggestion of installing an oak wood dowel into the seatpost for added strength during a severe UPD.  The 150mm cranks are coming off and the 125mm's are going on.  I am also going to look into Louises' suggestion of getting cranks that aren't as flaired and (if I'm really ambitious) get a pair that has multiple holes drilled for easy transitioning.

Looking forward to becoming a better distance rider and joining others for tours in the future.

There's no better way to see the world than perched atop a wheel...

]]> 03/02 training ride http://uninam.net/index.php?blog=ryan-langton&display=46 Tue, 04 Mar 2008 05:24:24 -0700 Ok, so I haven't put in anywhere near the amount of training I know I probably need to have! Sunday's ride was a breeze, although it wasn't all that far--no elevation gain/loss to speak of and lots of[...] Ok, so I haven't put in anywhere near the amount of training I know I probably need to have!  Sunday's ride was a breeze, although it wasn't all that far--no elevation gain/loss to speak of and lots of signals to stop for.  I really need to get onto a real bike path down by the beach instead of riding through the city all the time.  If only they let us ride on the shoulder of L.A.'s freeways!  Paved roads were first advocated for by cyclists after all...

The route I've used so far and hope to get a few more rides in on before leaving is along the new Orange Line that runs from North Hollywood to Warner Center through the center of the San Fernando Valley.  It's a combination of bike lane, bike path and street riding with the added plus that at anywhere along the route you're not more than a mile from a bus stop in case anything goes wrong and you need a lift somewhere.  A great way for a single inexperienced rider such as myself to cover his bases.  It's about 14 miles one way--so if I do that five times back to back that should roughly equal the distance of our longest ride on Uninam.

Still a bit apprehensive about trying out the 125mm cranks, but it seems everyone uses them for the flat, so I'd better get used to it fast.  I like the little 'rooster tail' I've put on the back of the T7 handle, but it sort of keeps me from learning to mount unassisted very well!  That's definitely going to be a challenge on this trip. Otherwise, though, I'm in good spirits and good health!

]]> Coker V2 arrived and assembled http://uninam.net/index.php?blog=ryan-langton&display=34 Thu, 24 Jan 2008 06:15:51 -0700 So, after a long wait and some confusion the new Coker V2 has arrived and is assembled. I've even given it a couple of rides to and from class as well as made sure it is still transportable on the fro[...]
The long wait and confusion were due to a couple of things.  First, I believe the scheduled shipment of the new Cokers was somewhat delayed.  Then, when they arrived, the type I originally ordered (standard frame w/brake bosses) didn't have the brake bosses attached!  So Coker, in their generosity, (thank you, Coker) offered me a free upgrade to the more expensive V2 frame!  They apparently had come with break bosses attached, so this filled my order nicely.  I'm still not sure whether the different frame design and extra 4 pounds of weight is worth it, but it's definitely a quality product that should last awhile if I take care of it.

The latest challenge with this set-up is determining how tight I need to have the KH rail-type seat post screwed down on the T7 touring handle so it doesn't work loose while riding.  It has to take a lot of force from the leveraging it gets while going up hill--even more with what a bad UPD would do to it.  So far things aren't too dinged up and I do have a pair of rubber covers over the end of the handle to minimize paint chipping after UPDs.  Now I just need to figure out how to freemount unassisted!
]]> T7 touring handle en route http://uninam.net/index.php?blog=ryan-langton&display=24 Tue, 16 Oct 2007 04:32:10 -0600 UDC order of new KH airseat with rail-type seatpost and T7 touring handle should arrive this week. Now I just have to decide whether to wait for the new Cokers to come out or to go with a Nimbus 36er [...]
Tested a friend's 29er with 125mm cranks last week but seat post was too short to really get a good feel for it.  I think I like the leverage of longer cranks though--especially for going up/down the hills of Westwood.  Going to perhaps try it with a set of 140mm's and see if that helps any.
]]>