Tubeless?

I have a 32 oz bottle of Stan's sealant.

I need:
2 rim strips @ 22.00 = 44.00

My rims have a cloth spoke tape. Is that it?

Maybe I should get the injector too.

____

I just read about using a sliced tube to create a cheap/free rim strip. Maybe I'll try this.

____

Disc brakes -
- spacing - push pads apart, reinstall wheel, business card on each side of rotor, squeeze for spacing.

- squalling - seems to be a common problem. Here's a hint from mtbr.
"This is an update to my earlier post from last year. I've found two things that help a lot with both the horrific squealing and adjustment difficulty. Number one, clean the glaze off of the pads and rotor often. This may have to be done after every ride in wet/muddy conditions. Number two, put thin stainless steel washers on the caliper attachment bolts between the bolt head and the back of the conical washer. This has made the unit move out of alignment less when I tighten the bolts.
Lastly, I tried the UNEX replacement pads and have had a lot less brake noise. I have one set of UNEX Pads and one set of the Avid that I installed at the same time. The Avid ones make way more noise!!! Based on the fact that I have been able to improve this product on the cheep, I've upgraded its chili rating. I still wouldn't recommend them."

also

"Some say Noise - solution: The stock organic pads, once overheated, leave voids in the pad face. I have tested this twice on steep descents. Once the voids exist the noise goes through the roof. On one trail, very steep, I have twice overheated pads to where they smell of burning brakes. Noise immediately apparent. Solution is the use of metal pads as they just dont seem to overheat like organic. The organics are great until they are toasted. Going to try another pad brand next."

and

"These brakes are powerful and easy to align calipers. My problem was the ungodly, ear piercing squealing when they got even a little wet. I think I read where another reviewer called it "like a scalded monkey" and I would add "still on fire, high on crack"! I've been riding discs for years, so they aren't new to me.I always make sure the rotors and pads are thoroughly broken in before I ride a new bike, and have the fluid flushed annually. I had the "turkey warbling" and vibration in the frame like others, a squeak here and there, but that didn't bother me that much.I added washers under the calipers to make sure the pads weren't contacting the rotor spokes, cleaned the rotors and pads with alcohol, being careful not to touch them. I made sure the rotors were straight, made sure the calipers were aligned perfectly, even tried one reviewers recommendation to carefully coat the caliper bolts with grease, but nothing I did would stop the piercing howl when they got wet. It was so bad I vowed to not ride this bike until I got rid of these avids , but I tried one last thing- I replaced the stock sintered pads with a set of aftermarket "EBC" brand (I hope I got the name right) organic pads. Wow, it was like night and day! They squeak a little when they get really wet, but nothing like they were, and after a few yards, silence! No more turkey warbling, no shrill piercing squeal that won't go away, no vibration, no embarrassment,just pure singletrack heaven. I gave up a negligable amount of power with organic pads, but I can live with it.I've been riding these now for about a month and a half through rain, snow, stream and pond crossings,ice, so far so good. I didn't ask the LBS if EBC makes semi- metallics, maybe I'll try some when these pads wear out (assuming the avids are still on the bike).I'll write a follow up review if anything changes. A word to Avid- people are working harder than ever for their dollar these days and have precious little time to enjoy it.If you continue to release products that aren't quite ready for production and back it up with lousy customer service, we will spend our very hard earned money elsewhere. Shame on you."

I'm laughing out loud at the turkey warbling description. Too apt.

"The brakes are cheap pieces of crap. Poorly made/designed. They do not retract. Does anyone own a set where the rear does not drag? The rotors warp because of cheapness. You can hear Avid Juicy5s coming a mile a way, the courdoroy slacks of disc brakes. I will NEVER buy another set of Avid brakes--Period! There are too many alternatives that actually work. You are better off with V-Brakes than this garbage."

I think I should start a support group.

Windy Cold March Night

Ride #2.

30 min, intensity 5ish. That blows my 10% per week increase in time out the window.

My tibia feels fine, but the top of the patella and around the medial (in) side is irritated. Similar to last year's pain.

Wrists, elbows don't feel great either.

I need help.

Incidentally, hydraulic disc brakes never freeze up.

Baseline

I went for a ride tonight. 20 minutes, low intensity. Got home with dry layers- didn't really break a sweat. Knees feel ok. Ankle sore - maybe because I didn't use orthotics in my cycling shoes. Especially since the cranks are straight on this bike, pronation is more, well pronounced.

So, the plan:
Week

1. 20 minutes/ride, intensity4, 2x
   
2. 22 minutes/ride, intensity 4.4, 2.2x
3. 25 minutes/ride, intensity 5, 2.5x
   
4. 28 minutes/ride, intensity 5.5, 2.8x
   

Can I ramp up this gradually? I dunno. Let's see.

Ice Man 2

I biked to school today. I felt my back tire drifting a few times on the freshly ice-coated streets, but generally stayed aboard. I only fell when I stepped off my bike at school!

School was cancelled at 7:45, just as my jazz band early risers were arriving.

Tendinitis update. I've continued icing several times daily, mostly just below the patella. The tensor bandage is taking turns between left and right knees, again just below the patella. The inflammation seems to be much better most of the time. I'm going to start some low resistance riding as soon as I can. I keep reading about starting training slow, and increasing intensity by 10% each week. I guess I need to observe that, and not start with intense interval work as a shortcut. Maybe that's why I had problems last year and this winter. I'll also start stretching before and after riding.

Trouble is, what do I start with as a reasonable baseline? 20 minute moderate intensity ride? It could be hard to suppress the spring energy like that.

Old bones need to be coddled more, that's for sure.


11:55 am
Elbow pain - I wonder if reaching out far onto my desk to type on my laptop computer in an awkward position is part of the problem. I don't know if it's tennis elbow, based on this description.

Ice Man

Ice on the knees twice today. I knelt down in class today and it felt normal (good). Right now they're tight again.

Today was T's birthday. We had a great time celebrating for the past 3 days already. Go 55!

Tendinitis?

I'm trying to self-diagnose and treat. My lower knee hurts, in the front.
http://www.cptips.com/knee.htm from a cycling source.
Mayo Clinic says this.

PRICE: Protect - Rest - Ice - Compression - Elevation