I began the day by riding a couple of miles to the stone bridge on the George Washington Memorial Parkway to watch the annual 10 mile road race. I didn’t properly know anybody running. I knew a friend of a friend was running. That was it. The spectators on the bridge with me were cheering and yelling at the runners. I didn’t see the friend of a friend. I doubt she recognized me. I did see one of my regulars from my bike commute. She’s a runner that recently had a baby. She was MOVING! I yelled, “GO MOM!” I don’t think she knew I was yelling at her though. After the race I learned that @ultrarunnergirls running buddy Teresa had run. Never saw her either.
I rode home after most of the runners had gone past.
Then I put The Mule on the car and drove to Spokes to buy the Surly Disc Trucker. After I posted yesterday about my buying excursion, I received tweets from several people who are really happy with their Surly bikes.
The reason for bringing The Mule was to compare dimensions with the new bike and to cannibalize parts. As soon as I put the bikes side by side I saw a problem. The Disc Trucker was the same size as The Mule, 56 cm. I test rode it two times. With the saddle that came with the bike, it was a pretty nice ride, especially after we raised the handlabrs a touch. Past experience says that my bottom only wants to ride on leather. When I put my Brooks Flyer leather saddle on it, the ride became uncomfortable. I could not get the Flyer’s seat back far enough. This is exactly the problem I’ve had for 24 years with The Mule. After trying to tweak things to make the bike work for me, we gave up. Both the sales clerk and a mechanic agreed that the bike was a tad too small. They will try to locate a 58 cm bike. In the meantine I’ll be riding The Mule from Pittsburgh to DC.
Suffice it to say, I am really frustrated and disappointed. Never the less, it’s worth it to take a few weeks to make sure I can get a better fit with a slightly larger frame. Lord willin’, I’ll be riding this bike for a decade or more.
A Few Spokes Shy of a Wheel 
If you’re setting out from the Point, I (and perhaps some other Burgh cyclists) would love to send you off!
Could be. Might do breakfast with friends of mine first. Sunday morning the 10th.
Is there safe/secure bike parking at PNC Park. Saturday night game is on our agenda.
If you’re using a u-lock, sure. I’d suggest taking off anything that isn’t bolted to the bike and running a lock through your Brooks as well, but some folks call me paranoid. I asked PNC Park to add more bike parking, so they added racks all around the streets surrounding the park. I’m going to that game too! Perhaps I’ll see you!
At Nats Park we have a bike valet. Secure bike parking with attendance. For free (plus tips). You all should get the Pirates to do the same.
Valet… wow… wouldn’t that be nice.
Check it out http://washington.nationals.mlb.com/was/ballpark/directions/index.jsp?content=biking
You waited this long … it can’t take THAT long to locate a Surly 58.
Is there a reason you want disc brakes?
I have less than 2 weeks. And next Saturday is booked. So I’m essentially out of time to deal with it. I will re-focus on it later in May.
What would happen with just a longer (front to back) handlebar stem to change the geometry? Might be worth a try anyway.
The reach is less of an issue than my saddle position relative to the bottom bracket. I can’t get far enough back on a 56