Chain Maintenance - KMC X10SL DLC Red/Black

As part of chain maintenance (cleaning and lubing) chain length should be measured. In a typical road chain the links are half an inch apart, so 24 links should measure 12 inches. Here my chain has "stretched" to 12 1/8 inches which is about a 1% stretch.
There are many types of chain checkers. This is a good detailed article about chain wear and chain measuring tools. I use a Park CC-2 chain checker tool. As they wear, chains don't really stretch, but the pins and bearings wear, causing the taut chain to elongate. A worn chain will not match the pitch of the sprockets and can cause skipping, decreased transmission efficiency, and sprocket teeth wear.
The CC-2 has two pins that fit between links of a chain. The top wing is pressed until the pins are tight and the amount of chain wear is read in the top window.
Top view of the CC-2 shows that my old chain has worn over 1%. Park recommends replacing a 10 speed chain at .75% wear.
The new KMC chain comes in a jewelry box. Like a diamond necklace does. . . it costs almost as much.
Not sure if I should wear it around my neck or use it on my bike. KMC chains feature hollow pins and links making it the "Super Lightest" in the world, an "X-bridge" outer plate for quick and quiet shifting, a Titanium Nitride coating for durability. This red/black chain also has a DLC - diamond like coating which makes it even more wear resistant. I am not sure if you can get more catch phrases and acronyms to describe a chain as KMC does. Does anyone know what KMC stands for?
Laying out the new and old chains. Same number of links, but the old chain is longer. I've logged over 6,200 miles on the old chain without any problems.
Once the new chain is measured side-by-side to the old chain, a chain break tool is used to remove the pin at the appropriate link.
After routing the new chain through the sprockets and gears, the free ends are joined by the "Missing Link".
Red and Black links complement the graphics on my BMC. Who says only "fixies" can be stylish?

Spooktacular Ride - My Handlebar Cockpit

Handlebar real estate becomes very valuable especially on a bar with a flat top. My Polar CS600 sits on an extended mount by FSA and gives me information such as heart rate, cadence, power, speed, distance, time, temperature, elevation. My Garmin Edge 705 is mounted to my stem and gives me real time navigational information such as a colored map and turn-by-turn instructions as well as altitude climbed and hill gradient. I can even race against a virtual rider. A "Bento Box" sits on my top tube and holds my cell phone, camera, gels. I wonder if I can stuff it with a Spam Musubi? On the left handlebar drop you can also see my Italian Mirror so I can see who's yelling: "On your Left!"

This picture was taken during the Kern Wheelmen Spooktacular ride which offers various lengths and elevation routes. It starts just outside of Bakersfield and goes east to the foothills of the Sequoia Nationals.

This is the profile of the Horrible Hundred-8,600 feet of climbing. If that is not enough, challenge yourself with the 10,800 feet Hidious Hundred.

But don't get left in the dust.

MC Spandex "Performance"

Stage 6 - The Solvang Time Trial

The Solvang time trial is a 15 mile course over slightly hilly terrain. Riders go out individually at one minute intervals and ride the route in the fastest time possible. They usually average 25-30 MPH. Carlos Sastre, 2008 Tour de France winner, better known for his climbing skills, placed 82nd - 3'30'' behind the winning time. Tyler Farrar in his Garmin skin suit. In indivudual time trials it's about being aerodynamic, maintaining the highest power output throughout the entire course, and getting to the finish line in the quickest time. All while trying not to get a heart attack! Yaroslov Popovych takes a neck break or maybe his helmet slipped. Michael Rogers taking the "high road" above his support car, placed 4th-22 seconds off the pace. Phillip Gaimon experiencing a major sugar rush - visions of jelly beans dancing in his head. Pedro Horillo about to make use of his snot pad on his cycling glove. Lance Armstrong had his own personal photographer during the Tour of California, and his own personal driver. Jason McCarty, foaming at the mouth, will not win the neatness award, but did come in 8th - 41 seconds behind the winner. Are those chocolate stains on his left sleeve? Big Tom Boonen struggles to get aero. "Paco" Mancebo could be in a Cadillac comercial here. Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit. Chris Horner (32' 19" for 24th) being cheered on by the Mavic wheelmen. Christian Vande Velde (12th position) and his support argyle BMW. Chris Baldwin sports the golf ball time trial helmet. Floyd Landis 54th overall grips at the aerobars as he heads downhill. Winner Levi Leipheimer (30 min:40 sec) shows his "praying mantis" style, making himself small and cutting through the wind like an arrow. L3VI!

The Faces of The Tour Of California

Team Astana registers from Luxembourg, but is sponsored by five companies in Kazakhstan (capital Astana), will be allowed to ride in this year's Tour de France. It is made up of some former members of the Discovery Channel team and the "clean" Astana riders. Team Saxo Bank's Jason McCartney, born in Honolulu, wears the red King of the Mountain Jersey. He's explaining to Lance Armstrong the latest techniques for a successful hill climb. I wonder what Lance is thinking? -whatever. Commentator Phil Liggett arranging for afternoon high tea at the Fess Parker, or maybe happy hour at The Hitching Post. Mark Cavendish of Columbia Highroad won Stage 4 and Stage 5 in an all out sprint finish, deserving of the Herbalife Sprinter's Jersey. Lance imagining he's riding in the Tour de France. Oscar Sevilla Rivera peeking out the Rock Racing Motor-suite to see if the sun is out. Mark Cavendish and Tom Boonen - the fastest in the peleton. That's why they call him Big George Hincapie. Tyler Hamilton and Floyd Landis discuss what they did while serving their suspension from cycling. Ouch! Tom Danielson takes his last swig before the grueling Solvang Time Trial. Swiss Cervelo Testteam wear Catlike Whisper Plus Helmets made in Spain.Canadian Michael Barry sporting the new Oakley shades. Pretty cool, Eh? Chris Horner going out for a donut and coffee run for Team Astana. Christian Vande Velde back from a morning spin. Lancemania! is alive and well. The Champion waves to the crowd. 2 million people showed up. The highest attended sporting event in California. The peleton heads west. Just another 135 mile day at the office.

The Machines of the Tour Of California

Three time Tour of California winner Levi Leipheimer's time trial machine. It has a custom paint job with a Golden Bear on the top tube, stars and a Solvang windmill on the seat post, roses on the seat stay, and fancy scrollwork on the handlebars. Lance Armstrong's Trek Madone 6.9 Livestrong road bike. The 1274 on the seat post refers to the number of days he was "retired". The 27.5 on the seat stay is the number of deaths (in millions) due to cancer during that time. Must be rough maintaining Lance's time trial bike to his exact standards. Must be even harder to guard it. You never know when someone might want to steal it. BMC Racing Team truck full of DT Swiss wheels at over $1,000 per set. The "90's" team BMC is a USA team that rides Swiss based BMC cycles. Team OUCH, formerly Health Net, was named initially as a joke by Dr. Brent Kay the orthopod who resurfaced the hip of Floyd Landis. Kuota is their bike of choice. Jelly Belly Cycling Team, very colorful, rides GT Cycles powered by Sport Beans. Felt is the ride for the Garmin Slipstream team, and wouldn't you know it, all their bikes have Garmin 705 GPS's on them. Garmin Slipstream's David Zabriske used this time machine to come in second in Solvang, 8 seconds behind Leipheimer. "DZ" used the new Shimano electronic shifters (Dura Ace Di2 7970) on his road bike. Garmin Slipstream's Christian VdV's Felt, complete with the new Camelback water bottles. Bissell Pro Cycling mechanic shows off his Pinarello. Dutch team Rabobank rides Giant bikes-the seatpost looks like it might fit a giant. The sexy Fuji time trial bikes for the sexy Rock Racing team. sexy saddles, sexy wheels, . . . even sexy water bottles. Oh, yes, you can't forget the support vehicles.The engine that powers these machines, courtesy of Saxo Bank's Gustav Larsson.