The Soma Double Cross in light-shopper configuration.
It being World Bicycle Day, I thought I’d go for a run, then do some light resistance training.
I’m funny that way. Maybe not.
Still, days, weeks, months, and years don’t much interest me. I’m more about moments.
Anyway, the run was delightful. Lots of flowers around and about, on cacti and elsewhere. Headwind out, tailwind home. It was already 71 degrees by the time I started pounding ground at 8:30 in the a.m., so when I got home and started lifting I actually had to crack a window on the shady side of the house, let a little cool air into the “gym.”
I did get out on a bike, eventually. Herself was out of rosé, and since no less an authority than the United Nations has described the bicycle as “a simple, affordable, reliable, clean and environmentally fit sustainable means of transportation,” I decided to cycle up to the grocery to fetch some.
Rosé, not bicycles. Bicycles we got, and then some.
Didn’t see a single grizzly, but then I wasn’t on a mountain bike. Anyway, I was focused on the automobiles, which are a good deal more numerous than grizzlies and even deadlier.
Speaking of deadly, there was a time when Apple could’ve nailed me with a new Mac Pro. But this ain’t it. Doing my little bit of business with one of these bad boys would be like using Thor’s Mjölnir as a tack hammer.
Tags: grizzlies, Mac Pro, Soma Double Cross, World Bicycle Day
Mad Blog Media 
June 3, 2019 at 6:56 pm |
I had a busy day yesterday, so I goofed off today including no riding. But the computers have been off the bikes for almost two weeks, since I returned from the Santa Fe ride, and I don’t miss them at all. Riding the mountain bike tomorrow. No numbers or distractions and trails seems to go together. More room on the handlebar for the bell!
June 4, 2019 at 6:41 am |
The goofing off is a good thing. I can recommend it. In fact, I just did.
I still use computers, but I’m not sure why. I ride a pretty regular series of routes, and I know how long they are and how long it takes me to ride them. And it’s not like I’m religious about keeping the training log up to date. Right now I need to go back to around mid-March to start tidying up the stats.
I even have GPS on one bike. A Lezyne. I’m pretty sure I don’t know what the hell I’m doing with the sonofabitch, but I think it tells me that my go-to route is 24 miles with 2,700 feet of vertical gain. I know my legs tell me that it’s easier some days than others.
June 4, 2019 at 8:44 am |
In the last two weeks I have been paying close attention to what the legs and lungs say. They are as good as a computer, and maybe better. Plus, I find myself paying a lot more attention to the road or trail surface. That is comforting to an old goat like me.
June 3, 2019 at 8:18 pm |
Today was Dodge the Thunderstorms and Pelting Rain While Riding the BMW Home From Work Day. Followed by Clean the House After DeWorming the Dog and Cleaning Up the Worm Segments Day.
Wish I had the UN’s time to celebrate bike day. Shit….oh…dear.
June 4, 2019 at 6:37 am |
The weather keeps trying to crank up to some nastiness down here but can’t quite git ’er done. Hot as balls yesterday — 80-sumpin’ when I cycled to the grocery.
June 3, 2019 at 8:47 pm |
bet you could buy two Foresters for what they’ll want for the Pro + 6k screen.
June 4, 2019 at 6:32 am |
My Furster Blue Books at around $1,400. This new Mac Pro and the Pro Display XDR would set me back, what, about $12K? Here’s Jason Snell on who’s gonna buy it (spoiler alert: almost nobody).
June 4, 2019 at 10:09 pm |
$12k, and that’s a monitor you have to lean up against the wall or have a small child hold for you. The stand is another $200, if I heard correctly
June 5, 2019 at 5:32 am |
Just think: All that skull sweat, time, and money invested in a product almost nobody will buy. If the Mac Pro were a human, it would be a Democratic candidate for the presidency.
June 4, 2019 at 5:03 am |
Whaddya figure that Soma rig weighs POG? I’m afraid to weigh my Joe Breezer what with internal gears, Dynamo for lighting, racks and fenders. No hefting this one to the rafter hooks. It helps me noodle my way to the bank and post office and does duty when roads are wet since I loath cleaning my other rides. Nimble, supple and quick witted do not describe the Breezer and me. The frame sticker says aluminum but I think it’s gas line pipe.
June 4, 2019 at 6:30 am |
In that configuration, the Soma Double Cross weighs 31.9 pounds. That’s with the Jandd handlebar bag, Arkel rack trunk, kickstand, fenders, bell, mirror, the works.
As a cyclocrosser it went about 23 pounds, if memory serves. But it’s more useful in its present state.
It helps that the wee beastie has triple chainrings, with a low end of 24×32 (20.5 gear inches).
Since it has the kickstand I leave it parked on the garage floor. Its brother Somas, both Sagas, weigh even more, and lifting those sonsabitches to their hooks takes a bit of doing.
June 4, 2019 at 9:01 am |
Having a Soma Wolv with Roloff, well, If I don’t pick it up, it’s not heavy. Truly awesome going down hill with all that weight converted to momentum, at least that’s my story.
Your Double Cross is a gorgeous shopping maven! See ya at the liquor store.
June 5, 2019 at 6:00 am |
It’s a fun bike to ride, especially now that I have the Rivendell Albatross bar on it. That going-to-market feel makes it an entirely different machine.
June 4, 2019 at 10:07 pm |
gotta keep setting the example for the young’uns, even if it’s a lost cause
https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2019/06/04/fewer-kids-are-riding-buying-bicycles-industry-is-worried/
June 5, 2019 at 5:35 am |
Good man y’self. There may be hope, if only a glimmer: On yesterday’s ride I saw quite a few adults riding with children. It was cheering to see all those squirts motoring along next to mom or dad.
June 6, 2019 at 1:06 pm |
The kid with bib number 258 is going places.
https://www.icloud.com/sharedalbum/#B0SGq6kMgGOPILU;2E83621D-9681-4404-A711-04142DB4892E
June 5, 2019 at 7:30 am |
Bicycling is the new golf? Fading fast? Not if you follow NICA and the high school MTB scene. Check it out: https://outspokin.nbda.com/stories/2018/11/30/we-make-mountain-bikers-benefits-sponor-nica-team.
Ride on!!
June 6, 2019 at 1:05 pm |
Our Zero-to-8 year old group:
https://www.icloud.com/sharedalbum/#B0SGq6kMgGOPILU;1B0C51AA-55AA-4580-AE36-38393DE600C3