It’s August 2014 now and the problem is back. Apparently the previous years fix was just temporary and now we really need to dig into it, literally, in to it, all of it. “It” is the stuff inside the pipes in the field.
Fully clogged – A section of pipe at the far end of the field
There are 4 pipes going out across the field. It’s decided that we could replace 2 while running the operation on the remaining 2, so the digging begins. Step 1 is to remove the walkway which covers the far end of the field. After doing this and digging part of 1 pipe, the weekend is over.
The first two pipes are fully uncovered.
On he next weekend Len & Darlene are with us and Len is a good sport and a great help as we uncover the two pipes.
Full House – Just about clogged solid.
Here is another example of the extent of the pipe clogging. Within 2-3 feet of the head of the pipe the clogging is about 75% going up rapidly to virtually 100% blocked.
The following weekend I splice in two new pipes and cover them over.
Garry splicing in the new pipes.
That’s a wrap for 2014 and we’ll get to the other two in 2015, preferably with some digging help.
It’s August 2013 and it’s backing up. Never happened before. Another cottage 1st. The “it” is the septic field.
This is not a good thing.
The fluid from the rectangular settling tank is not flowing out into the field. This pretty much puts the cottage on high alert as everything that flows into the tank is about to start spilling out all over the yard.
After probing with a garden host to try an clear any unknown/unseen blockages with out any success, I decide that we really need to dig into this problem a little deeper.
Repair Stage #1
After digging from the settling tank to the header pipe and across the header a bit I decide to cut out some of the pipe to gain better access to the pipes going out into the field in an attempt to flush them out. In the photo black pipe is the old stuff and white is the new. The flushing seems to be effective so I splice back in the new white pipe and call it a day. Time will prove that this was not the complete answer.
It appears that I’m a winer in the Tour of Sufferlandria! My prize? Well, interesting that you should ask. The prize is Taylor Phinney signed pair of Giro Empire shoes (Collectible – size 45)
At first I was thinking what will I do with a pair of his shoes? I wonder if they are used or new? I might be able to fit into size 45 (11 1/2). Turns out these are north of $400 at the LBS. I just might need to step up my gear to go along with these bad boys.
I rode the IceBike today, probably my 10th or more, I’ve lost track, but I’ve got quite a few T-shirts from the events at home.
Ready to go and it’s only -20°C
For me, this year was one of the worst. Within the first couple of minutes I had a mechanical issue with chain suck that had me stopped and off the bike for 2-3 minutes. After that I probably went out too hard trying to make up time. The bulk of the course was flat (well this is Winnipeg) and on well shovelled paths of on the river trail. That made the bulk of the course quite fast, which was nice.
IceBike 2015 Abominable
However, at the far end of the loop there was a fairly big single track section which was very challenging to ride. A small center track was hard packed and on each side, deep loose snow. If you slipped off the straight and narrow, your were in the rough, and for that meant off the bike. I’d say on the 1st lap I was able to ride 50% of this section, the 2nd lap 25%, and on the 3rd lap I walked or jogged the entire thing. This was the first IceBike where I had not been able to ride the full course. Even the last downhill onto the river gave me trouble and I should have been able to handle that section.
Passed quite a few phat bikes and after riding one a few weeks ago, I know why. Those thinks are a bear to ride fast with the fat tires and low pressure. The cross and road bikes ruled the day as the bulk of the course was built for speed. Not even very much ice!
Crossing the finish line at IceBike 2015
Having pre & post race activities at Muddy Waters Smokehouse was excellent! I really enjoyed siting at a table and having a cool one with Smothered Poutine covered in pulled pork and chili while they announced the race winners and gave our door prizes.
Update: the results are in. 16 (72:08) out of 24. Achieved my goal, to have a good time, finish, and not be last. Winning time was 53:31, so I’ve got lots of room for improvement.
Today’s Fight Club just killed me. Had to stop multiple times in the last two intervals to recover. I’m going to have to dial down my FTP from 308 to something like 290 in order to survive the next 6 days. Last year I tested a 311FTP shortly before the Tour in 2014, and got about this far before I had to turn it down. With no rest days, the legs just can’t handle multiple days with this load.
For the 1st time, we welcomed in the new year from the cottage. With the forecast for temperatures in the -10 to -20°C over night it seemed quite manageable from a heating and temperature perspective so we headed out around noon on the 31st for a nice sunny drive to the lake. Once at the cottage, the 1st priority was getting the heating systems turned on to the max. The fireplace was set and the kerosene heater was fuelled an in place so they were quick to start. The electric furnace took a little bit more persuasion to get operational. When it was turned on you could hear the motor trying to spin the fan. Rrrr, Rrrr, Rrrr, “click” as the motor protector shut it down because it was too cold to get the motor spinning fast enough. No big deal, I’d experienced and solved this problem before. By running an interior car warmer inside the furnace for about 10-15 minutes, it warmed up the electric motor enough so it could get up to full speed. It took from about 3pm to 10:30 pm to bring the cottage from -12°C to +20°C.
During the warm up time we unloaded the car, chopped/drilled a hole in the 12″ lake ice to bring up some water, enjoyed some snacks, and had a wonderful rack of lamb dinner and a few movies. Across the bay someone even put on a very professional 15 minute fireworks display for our enjoyment as well.
From the main foot bridge at Rushing River Provincianl Park, Ontario, Canada
On New Years Day, after a leisurely bacon and eggs breakfast and tidying up the dishes we headed over to Rushing River for another first, a winter hike along the lower river trail.
It was a beautiful sunny day, and while there was a light wind, in the shelter of the trail it was fairly warm. I took quite a few photos, and enjoyed the outing, as did Shirley.
Down the river trail, close to the bridge, the snow and ice flanks the faster moving water.
Back at the cottage it was time for some late lunch and then cozying up in front of the fireplace with good book for a lazy afternoon. Dinner and some movies, and another day is done.
January 2nd is a bit colder outside and after a few cups of coffee, some reading and breakfast, we’re packing up and getting ready to head back to the city. With a stop at Ye Old Chip truck in Kenora, we’re on our way. It was a very nice, peaceful and quiet getaway before returning back to the normal routines after the holiday break.
Best Christmas present ever was having our entire family, extended family and church family together in the Christmas Eve service. Having your children and grandchildren together at church, worshiping, keeping the young ones engaged, and just reflecting on the family is the best gift ever. So proud of them all.
