New PSI Test Ride
Less than 24 hours after yesterday's High Cliff climb under the hot sun, there I was back on the road again without much recovery time.
As a follow up to yesterday's issue with my front tire presta valve breaking, I took it to my guys at Cranked Bike Studio and they indeed were able to simply replace the valve. No new tube was needed.
When the shop mechanic asked me what pressure I rode so he could air it up, I told him 120 psi. That's when the owner Steve "Pratter" Pratt came prancing out of his office to inform me that I might want to try lowering that number.
I always thought riding a lower tire pressure makes you more susceptible to getting pinch flats. But he explained the pressure would have to be very low in order for that to happen. They also explained to me how riding higher pressure creates a stiffer, harsher ride for me and wastes just a bit of effort because the tires are actually losing contact with the road every time you end up bouncing over road cracks or potholes.
They suggested I could go all the way down to 85-90 pounds. In a compromise with myself, I picked about 100 and rolled out today.
Indeed, the ride did feel a bit more comfy....more 'mushy'....but NOT as a negative. I didn't feel it slowed me down at all, it just felt like a bit of a softer ride. So I guess I'll stay down around 95-100 psi.
Look at it!
The woods of Woodland Rd. on my loop today out to the west.
I had to stop in here to take a quick video, picture and listen.
I listened to the nothingness that is out here and it was delicious.
Take a look at this road and tell me you don't want to hop on your bike right now and get out there to take it in for yourself in person!
After I came out of here (which is the road at the halfway point that makes the end portion of the rectangular route) my energy bar kicked in for a few miles, which was a good thing.
At mile number 20 I felt like I had been riding 40.
My legs tired.
My neck tired.
My feet tired.
I was getting gassed from the past 24 hours in the hot sun. I'm not going to lie to you, the final 6-7 miles were a chore.
Still, the valve was fixed. The new tire pressure felt good. My cycling tan picked up another 2+ hours of sunshine and I felt good about my accomplishment today.
RIDE ROUTE
Woodland Loop
30.0 miles
Average Speed= 13.8 mph
Sunny and warm, 86
Wind 5-10 mph
2020 SEASON MILES
Indoor: 125.6
Outdoor: 1,272