Upped the training

Upped the training, well the cycling part so far.  I hope to end this week on a high note of crushing 100 miles in my weeks worth of riding.  I know it nothing big, but it a goal I am trying for this week. I have 71 miles down and am have two more planned rides on the calendar for this week. 

Soon, even though it will be tough, I have a half-marathon to start training for. Running!  The run is not until early November and I already have a decent base below me workout wise. 

Slime Tubeless Ready (STR)

Of course I’m up for trying the newly released Slime Tubeless Ready (STR) sealant. They sent me a four ounce bottle to try out.  They claim it is suppose to stay liquid longer than others on the market. It’s work a try. They recommend between two and four ounces per mountain bike tire and one and a half to two ounces per road tire. 

I am now using a combination of Stan’s and Orange Seal.  This Slime sample will be interesting to test against the other two. 

Another key advantage with (STR) Sealant is that it’s able to withstand a wide range of temperatures and environmental variations. Whether cold winter temperatures or baking hot asphalt, the sealant remains unaffected. The (STR) Sealant is CO2 compatible. Other sealants can dry out or degrade when subjected to the cold temperatures created by CO2 cartridges, but the synthetic latex blend has an ultra-low freezing point of 3°F/-16° C so it won’t freeze or dry up when you’re making a roadside repair or setting a tire bead, lets face it we all don’t own air compressors,  with a CO2 cartridge.

#SwitchToSlime 

Continental's Mountain King 29 inch tires by 2.2 inch width

Finally, I have a good set of mountain bike tires on my mountain bike, but it’s been a rough ride, PUN intended. After installing the Continental's Mountain King 29 inch tires by 2.2 inch, the tubeless tires were wobbly and didn’t feel right after only riding under ten miles on them. I contacted the company to complain about the issue. Through the process I found out there was a bad batch of tires out there.  Needless to say, the company sent me out replacement tires, as I ripped off and destroyed the wobbly tires.  

The tread pattern is great for the desert trails here in Arizona and like the tire now that I have a set of useable rubber. 

I was able to get a 12 mile ride in on Friday night before the sun went down.  This set of new Continental's Mountain King 29 inch tires seems to be holding air well and does not wobble.  I think they are keepers. Shout out to the customer service on making things right Continental. 

Focused on some running while bike is needing repairs

The last week I have started up getting back in to running. I need to start getting a good base under my belt, as I am looking at a trail running race in the fall. 

Not to mention I am waiting on a few parts to get both my road and mountain bike tuned up and ready for a good year of riding. 

Friday afternoon, I came home and started to prep my road bike for a group ride on Saturday. Both tires were flat. I swapped out the bad tubes for new ones. I inflated them and prepped the bike on the car rack for Saturday’s ride. This would be the last weekend for later start group rides, with the summer heat arriving early. 

Saturday morning, I woke up got dressed and grabbed my gear. I happened to check the tires before leaving and both were flat again. The tubes were good as well as the tires, but I’m thinking it was the rim strips, even though I checked them before.  With the great weather outside, I loaded up a water bottle in my Orange Mud Hydra Quiver, put my running shoes on and got out the door.  I went for a six mile run, not really focused on speed, but just the long steady distance. 

I felt great the entire time. Slowing down and walking a few times. Watched my heart rate so I didn’t get it too high and explode myself out there. 

I will continue running and have some repairs/tune ups to do on my bikes went the parts get shipped.