Time to check out my equipment.  Give it the once-over.  Inspect, make adjustments, break stuff that previously worked fine and add unnecessary stress right before the Super Bowl of Gran Fondos - The Mavic Haute Route Rockies.

Rather than doing it the night before a big event like I usually do, I did it a couple of weeks out.  That way there is plenty of time to go to the local shop so they can fix the stuff I tried to fix.

BUCKET RIDER SERVICE COURSE 10-SPEED ONLY. CREDIT: WOODSON
So, I head into The Bucket Rider Service Course - a small garage closet primarily filled with various implements of destruction and death like bug killer, mouse traps, weed killer, shovels and rakes.  Fortunately, there is just enough room for a postage-stamp sized corner of bike stuff, stocked with enough spare inventory to support an aging faux Pro team - at least that's what my wife says.

(Read Granfondo.com's preview of the Mavic Haute Route Rockies)

(Catch up with all of John's training HERE)

NEW CLEATS INSOLES AND BLING SILVER SIDI STRAPS. CREDIT: WOODSON
First, I inspect my shoes making sure the cleats are in good order.  Of course, they are worn out, cracked and used way beyond their life expectancy.   New cleats, check.   Also install new insoles and Sidi straps since the old ones are about to disintegrate.

Next, I clean and check the bike, looking everything over carefully for cracks, worn/missing parts and any general issues.  I prefer durable, reliable and historic over the latest, lightest and carbonest stuff.  Ok, maybe I'm just cheap since I still run old-school Campagnolo 10-speed, but it still gets the job done day-in and day-out.

FRAYING DERAILLEUR CABLE REPLACED JUST IN TIME. CREDIT: WOODSON
All looks good with the bike after replacing a few worn items - tires, chain and brake pads.  Starting out on fresh rubber for an event as long as the Mavic Haute Route Rockies is a must, especially considering all the epic dirt miles we'll tackle.  As I'm a pretty shifty guy, replacing the rear derailleur cable seems like a wise move too, just to be safe.
SPARE BIKE-IN-A-BOX EVERYTHING BUT THE KITCHEN SINK. CREDIT: WOODSON
Finally, I dig out the Official Bucket Rider Emergency Spare Parts Box to bring along.  Mavic Neutral Support "will not provide spare parts" according to the race bible, so it's best to be prepared.  If you trash a shifter or break a seat it's no fun running around trying to find the right parts in the middle of nowhere or being stuck with whatever the local ski/hike/bike/taxidermy shop has lying around from 1997.

WEEKLY TRAINING TIDBITS

MILES: 277

HOURS: 13:03

RIDES: 4

ELEVATION GAIN: 15,237

BONUS: SET NEW 60MIN MAX POWER     

TRAINING TUNE:  TIGHTEN UP, BLACK KEYS

DAYS TILL MAVIC HAUTE ROUTE ROCKIES: 11

John is a former faux pro cyclist enjoying life as a geriatric rider in search of great bucket rides to keep him in shape and out of trouble - well, at least in shape. 

He writes about his Bucket Rides in all their variety and glory for Granfondo.com. See his other pieces here.

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