A Few mm

I rediscovered over the course of my weekend rides why I am so uptight about my bike fit. I didn’t change anything on the bike, but the cold weather has forced me to put on my long cycling tights, which results in an extra layer of chamois between my scranus and the saddle. By the end of the weekend’s rides, my left hamstring began calling out to me as a dissatisfied reminder that I need to lower my saddle to compensate for the extra material. This feels in a way like a capitulation to the forces of winter that I’ve been reluctant to make thus far. But it is time.

Knee Warmers, Belgian Style

It's that time of year when I again break out the glasses of enforced sunny optimism.  The mercury is dropping, yet the sun is even more mercurial in making its appearances.  On days like today, I need to keep the legs warmer than I would have to on a summer day, but still want to go sans knickers.  I've found Bag Balm to be an inexpensive and indispensable tool in the box for such occasions.  Yes, that which was originally designed to prevent cows' udders from chapping also makes a fine wind and moisture barrier for the thighs and knees on coolish spring and fall days.

The lanolin based product doesn't really warm the legs from the outside the way more specifically designed embrocations do, but it does form an effective barrier against rain and wind.  This lack of warming, pays dividends; however, as the stuff can also be used as a chamois cream.  It's also very inexpensive compared with some of the artisanal embrocations and creams out there.  The stuff is thick and gooey and stays where it's put, whether that be the legs or undercarriage.  And last but not least, extending the time of year into which I can go on rides bare legged helps keep the tan lines sharp.

Really Inexpensive Compression Socks

Often, when I'm finished with a hard ride, the legs need to cleared.  It's helpful to cool down in the last 10-15 minutes of a ride, but one of the best things I've found to help clear the legs is to lean them up against something whilst laying down apres velo.  The point is to have the legs at an angle of about 30-45 degrees to horizontal such that they are above the heart.

Many of the gear heads and marginal gains wonks out there swear by the use of compression socks, but these can be expensive and don't really add value given that you can put your legs up.  In such cases, I'd much rather spend my coin on stuff that wears out than duplicating what can be achieved easily with what's already on hand.

Value

Which of these is the better value?

A: A dedicated bike stand with adjustable clamp, approximately $150.

or

B: A loop of rope, hanging from the ceiling joists, from which you can hang your machine by the seat, about 50 cents? Hey, I just noticed that there isn't a "cent" character on my keyboard! What's the ASCII code for that? I guess they've become obsolete.

To my mind, the clear choice is B. After all, given that I live in a world of limited resources (note the somewhat dingy basement in example B), how much stronger, faster, or lighter will either choice make me or my bike? The answer, of course, is none.

That is what this is about.