Hi everyone.
[sorry for the longish post to follow]
At the beginning of the spring, I decided it was time to get my sorry butt in shape. I made a goal to ride 300 miles before the end of the summer. I sure that 300 miles is laughable to some of you, but it was a mountain to me.
I started out going 5 miles...slowly worked my way up to 8, then 10. Before long, it became addictive. After a couple of months, I took my first 20 mile ride...I thought I'd never want to suffer that much again. Today, 20 is routine.
So, here I am...35 pounds lighter than when I changed my diet this winter and started lifting in the gym. I hit 270 miles today, setting myself up for my first ever 30 mile ride to hit 300.
To hit 270 today, though, I ended up riding in a pretty nasty rainstorm. Now my chain and the gears are all sandy (from riding through all the puddles). I'm not sure how to clean the chain - should I hose it off with water, then relubricate (will washing with water hurt the chain)? Should I remove the chain and use solvent?
Thanks so much for your help - I don't want to get derailed so close to my goal.
Roy
[sorry for the longish post to follow]
At the beginning of the spring, I decided it was time to get my sorry butt in shape. I made a goal to ride 300 miles before the end of the summer. I sure that 300 miles is laughable to some of you, but it was a mountain to me.
I started out going 5 miles...slowly worked my way up to 8, then 10. Before long, it became addictive. After a couple of months, I took my first 20 mile ride...I thought I'd never want to suffer that much again. Today, 20 is routine.
So, here I am...35 pounds lighter than when I changed my diet this winter and started lifting in the gym. I hit 270 miles today, setting myself up for my first ever 30 mile ride to hit 300.
To hit 270 today, though, I ended up riding in a pretty nasty rainstorm. Now my chain and the gears are all sandy (from riding through all the puddles). I'm not sure how to clean the chain - should I hose it off with water, then relubricate (will washing with water hurt the chain)? Should I remove the chain and use solvent?
Thanks so much for your help - I don't want to get derailed so close to my goal.
Roy