When I got up this morning I thought I had a good plan to get the new SRAM Rival Quarq power meter crankset installed on my Cervelo Caledonia bike. I started executing the plan but ran into a problem removing the 46×33 chain rings from the new crankset so I could replace them with the 48×35 from my current crankset. I used a Torx T25 bit but the correct size was a T30 and I stripped one bolt on the new crankset. I tried to get it loose but I think the factory tightened too much. This delayed my plan to be at Trek Bicycle Kingwood when they opened at 10 AM and get back home to reassemble the chain and install the new Ultegra pedals. The mechanic at Trek tried to get the stripped bolt out but it was too messed up. Fortunately the original spider arm was the same as the new one so he used that. The Trek even cleaned the dirt and wax from the old crankarm. Thank you!!

Back home with the new crankset installed I lubricated the chain with Silca Super Secret, put on the Ultegra pedals, added the crankset to the SRAM phone app and updated the firmware. Then I deleted the Favero Assiomo Uno power meter pedal from the Wahoo Bolt computer and added the Quarq power meter.

It was getting later than I planned on starting today’s bike but I pressed on. Before getting dressed I checked the weather radar because the forecast called for scattered rain. I saw a couple of patches but figured they would move away by the time I got near them. I rolled out the driveway at 12:11 PM planning on riding my Kingwood – FM 1485 – Kingwood route to the north. As I rode beside Northpark Drive light rain started so I made a stop back home to give it time to pass. That didn’t take long and I was back on the bike. Continuing on the route I rode through small patches of light rain. Again, I thought they would go away. I altered the route slightly taking Adams Street to US59. Another cyclist passed me gong the opposite direction and we waved. As I neared the intersection rain began. I turned right hoping I would ride out of it but it rained harder. I made a u-turn heading to Woodridge Forest as I got soaked. No place for shelter so I decided to ride back home. As I rode through Woodridge Forest the rain stopped but the streets were very wet. My clean bike was no longer clean. On Woodridge Parkway the streets were dry but I wasn’t. I rode home and washed the Cervelo. I finished the ride at 1:13 PM. I rode 12.37 miles allowing me to count this as an “official” bike ride (10 miles is the definition).

I’ll try again tomorrow.