Goals
What great weather today!
Sunshine and 84 degrees. I knew I had to ride, despite a bit of a technical issue with my bike (more about that later).
The sky was blue and the water was too!
Not as humid as yesterday, with about the same 10-12 mph wind, which I could do without, but still, just a glorious sunny June day for a bike ride.
I set two goals for myself as I headed out.
One- Do the High Cliff State Park climb
Two- Go for a season-high miles long ride today
I accomplished both goals by just taking my time and soaking up the sun. To hit a season-high 35 miles I had to do four laps of my neighborhood crit course when I got back from my route, but I was too close to getting to 35 miles and that goal to quit, so I went out and got it!
Only physical issue was a left quad that started to feel like it wanted to cramp up in the final few miles. Other than that all went very well today.
But boy, I have never feathered the brakes as much as I did today coming down from that climb. I feared something might go wrong with the bike and it would just jam up and toss me to the ground while going 40 mph downhill, skin and flesh being ripped from my body as I tumbled down the steep road.
So I was careful. Very careful.
You see I have this odd raw low-pitched squeaking noise that seems to be coming from the bottom bracket area. Mostly it makes the noise (like going around and around and around) while I am coasting, but at times does it while pedaling as well.
It almost sounds to me like there is something that needs work/lubrication or replacement inside there. It can be really loud or nothing at all. It's random, but there most of the time. There is no pattern other than it seems to be worse when coasting with my left foot at the bottom of pedal stroke. Any ideas as to what is going on?
I did manage to make a recording of the sound when it was bad. I'm waiting to see what my pal Jerry has to say once he hears the recording. I bet he'll know what it is. If you want to hear it email me and I can send it to you.
So, a new record for distance this season at 35 miles under brilliant sunshine and 84 degrees. And the bike held up for now. All is good.
RIDE ROUTE
High Cliff Climb + Neighborhood crit, 4 laps
35 miles/12.4 average mph *SEASON HIGH DISTANCE RIDE*
Sunny and warm, 84, Wind 10-12 mph
2020 SEASON MILES
Indoor: 125.6
Outdoor: 616.2