So there are 2 newbie things that have been annoying me cycling, easing myself up and down off my saddle and the seemingly permanent grease smear on my calf, no wait, CALVES. I have proportionately thick calves that touch so when I’m standing on the ground or mounting/dismounting my bike I get chain oil and dirt all over my calves. I put too much oil on and I didn’t know I’m supposed to be wiping my chain down after each ride. Did someone tell me this before? Oh probably but I’m not the most attentive and my recall is often spotty plus it seems like THERE IS SO MUCH TO LEARN. So some of the new information leaks out.
I knew I had to get a de-greasing solution soon as the teasing at work was getting heavy and it didn’t look very professional. Last weekend I had occasion to be at an auto parts shop and I knew there was an orange de-greasing product we used when I was in the military. Of course they had it but when I went to buy it the sales guy asked me what it was for and I told him removing my bike chain tattoo. “You want the cherry stuff, no really, it works better.” So I got a huge honking bottle that came with a scrub brush. “You won’t need the scrub brush, it works that good.” Oh it better Mister, because I have a lot of calf de-greasing to do.
As luck would have it, Mallory had scheduled a fun Sunday ride to break in her new touring bicycle. My youngest son Eric hopped on his new fixie he got from Randonneur Dave (his not so hidden agenda, get everyone on fixies doing randonneur brevets).
We met up with Mallory and my new friend Gary at the park and had a nice, easy ride about the park. When I got home I was so excited to see the double smear on my right calf and a small one on the left, time to try the cherry scented gojo!
So a quick pump and a dab of water and I’m getting skeptical…
But it worked like gangbusters and my calf was properly clean in about 15 seconds. No more bike chain tattoos for me!
Oh and Eric had a hoot on his fixie and totally passes me on the uphills, the stinker.