Mercedes CLK320 / AVIC D3 install

Earlier in the year I installed a Dension IceLink in my SL55, and thereby came to experience the joys of integrated ipod playback while driving. The IceLink is imperfect because the integration with the COMAND head unit is limited. My CLK320 is a 1998 edition, and consequently has a pretty poor head unit by modern standards. It has no GPS, no text display and of course no auxiliary input (though it does have a cassette deck!). I therefore decided to replace the whole thing with a new head unit, and chose the AVIC D3

The D3 is a double din unit, while the OEM head unit is single. Mercedes installs a useless storage tray beneath the single DIN OEM unit, so pulling that out exposes a hole big enough to shove the D3 into, after removing the spacer bar. I figured this was easy enough to do, and hence ordered the D3 instead of one of the single DIN units with the pop out screen. I don’t like the way they look, plus I think it would partially cover the dash vents.

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Tandem, recumbent

Lisa and I went to Fort Collins over labor day weekend to visit our good friends Suki and Greg. Not wanting to miss a training ride I decided to combine cycling with two new experiences: riding a recumbent and riding a tandem.

I’d heard that recumbent riding is quite different to riding an upright and requires an element of relearning. I’d heard the same thing about riding a tandem, so it seemed best to get both out of the way in a single event.

A quick Googling and I found a retailer of recumbent tandems, Angletech in Colorado Springs. I setup a test ride and arranged to rent a big SUV so we could collect the bike upon our arrival at Denver. The guys at Angletech were incredibly helpful and patient with us.

The recumbent tandem is long - very very long. In fact it only just fit in the full size SUV with all possible seats folded down, diagonally, with both wheels removed, and with the front sprocket shoved against the drivers headrest and the rear derailleur pressing against the closed tailgate. We scattered our suitcases around the frame and drove onward.

With the bike reassembled we set out on our first ride, around the neighborhood. We wobbled and struggled at first, but gradually got into the groove. A few notes comparing the experience to my regular, upright, single rider bike:

• It’s much more sensitive to steering input. In fact the handlebars should not be used much during riding, if possible. A slight steering input causes the bike to wobble and both riders to get uneasy. The bike is actually steered by leaning more than steering, requiring careful planning of every maneuver.
• My riding position was very definitely feet forward. Perhaps too much so - my feet actually went numb after 10 miles.
• Lisa was delighted with the comfort and the efficiency.
• We averaged about 16 MPH over 20 miles. Not great, but not bad either.
• People have told me recumbents are faster than upright, and tandems are faster than single. Neither was true in our case.
• Communication is crucial.

We returned the loaner to Angletech unsure what to do next. We loved the relaxed riding style, greatly enjoyed riding together and being able to chitchat as we pedalled through rural Colorado. Will we buy one? The problem is transporting it. There’s no way it could fit into any of the cars we own, even using a roof rack. We’re told an upright tandem with both wheels removed will fit onto a standard bike rack so I’m thinking we’ll try riding one of these next.

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Pizza party photos

Somehow Lisa and I decided to get a wood fired pizza oven for our back garden. We learned of Mugnaini Imports and discovered they are based in Watsonville, close to us. After taking one of their introductory classes we committed to installing one. It was quite a project and the construction took a few weeks.

Subsequently we’ve been learning how to build the fire, control the temperature, make the dough and each time the results get better. When we decided to have a large party at our house, however, we didn’t feel confident enough to cook for 40 people. Hiring a catering company makes sure the food is excellent, and of course means Lisa and I have more time to spend with our friends. To our delight, Andrea Mugnaini herself was available to apply her considerable skills to the event. We knew the pizzas would be excellent, and the meats perfectly roasted. Let the dining begin:

Andrea Mugnaini hard at work at our pizza oven

The evening was a total delight for me. Many good friends, good food and no need for Lisa to make perfect pizza dough, nor for me to pop them into the oven.

—-> More and better photos— taken by my good friend and photographer, Brad Haakenson.

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45 miles

Our training ride today was intended to be 45 miles through Almaden valley. Unfortunately because of the fires to the south, it was decided we’d ride north from Almaden instead. The ride was consequentially choppy with many stops, pauses to consult the route plan and general discussion while riding. A shame, but unavoidable.

I did have the chance to try out my new bike computer, a Garmin 305. I’ve used it a few times and I’m very happy with it. Not only do I get the usual heart rate, cadence and distance, it also tells me (thanks to the GPS tracking) my total ascent for a given ride. 2654ft for this one, for example.

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35 miles, Lisa does great

The ride today started in Los Altos and wound up the peninsula and back, covering just under 35 miles in around 2 hours. I was pleased to be able to maintain a good pace, and I feel the group was a little stronger than last week. More importantly, Lisa was granted her request to be moved up to a faster group. She’s now in the third group, which means she’s not far back from me and we saw each other at the water stop. She did great, and is really gaining confidence and getting fit.

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First Team Ride

Based on the time trials last week we went out in groups of about 7 riders plus a coach. I was thrilled and a little surprised to find myself in the fastest group. There are other riders participating that certainly look faster than me (or at least, they have better looking bikes) but perhaps they are simply smarter than me. They know that to last 100+ miles you can’t go super fast.

This was the first time we really got going in a group, using the pace line, and it was wonderful. I have never ridden in a group before and I found the cameraderie inspiring and the whole process of mainting the line, keeping the gaps tight, focusing on the pedalling and breathing to be liberating. The ride itself was easy since I’m already doing 30-40 miles with hills on my weekday training sessions, though I was rightly chastised for riding too fast when at the front and setting the pace for everyone else. Our coach, Tom, knows a thing or two about endurance rides (plus he has the coolest matt black bike I’ve ever seen) and he warns we won’t do well at the pace I was setting. Crucially, he explained that although your muscles might make it, you lose focus and your riding gets sloppy. That puts other members of the team at risk. We ride as a team, and I’m having to learn to put the team ahead of every thing else. It’s the team that wins.

 I also setup my fund raising site. If you’d like to make a contribution and support this excellent cause, there’s a quick and easy form setup for the purpose.

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Time Trials

The organization of the TNT events is amazing. Everything is carefully coreographed with great care. I’m very impressed. 

This second ride is designed to sort the riders into groups of 6 to 8 people who have a similar riding pace. We all set out in blocks of 4 and gradually broke up into our own pace. I tried hard to scale back my pace because I naturally enjoy riding fast, but I doubt I could maintain it over > 100 miles. I ended with an average speed of approx 18MPH over the 13 miles in Portola.

I was pretty quick, so I went back to find Lisa and encourage her along. She did fine, and I’m very proud of her for grinding away at something she has watched me do for years.

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So I’m Riding a Century And Raising Money For Leukaemia Research

I’ve been a moderately keen cyclist for the past few years. I have a good road bike and a tolerable mountain bike and I was riding 30 miles once a week, and running 5 miles.

 In July I started riding more, partly to take advantage of the good weather, and also because I developed plantar fascitis in my left foot and I don’t want to run on it until it’s fully recovered.

In 1999 and again in 2000 my wife Lisa ran a marathon, receiving training through Team in Training (TNT) and raising money for Leukaemia / Lymphoma research. TNT also supports people attempting a century ride (approx 100 miles by bicycle), triathlon and others. Lisa decided we should both attempt the Tucson century ride in November, and we were just in time for the introductory ride.

The ride itself was around 10 miles in Los Altos, with the purpose of making sure everyone can ride safely, and getting newbies like me familiar with the ‘pace line’, ie riding close together in a line drafting the person in front. The frontmost rider changes position to the back every couple of minutes. I went out with the fast group and was pleased to manage the pace with no problems.

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Mercedes SL / Dension IceLink install

The Dension IceLink 500 is an interface between factory head units and an ipod, along with other sources. It enables playing of the ipod in the car, with the high quality sound, and some control of the ipod itself from the head unit. In essence it does this by emulating a CD changer.

My 2004 SL55 has the Mercedes COMAND unit installed, and I was reluctant to replace it. It’s well integrated into the car and although the GPS is pretty clunky, it does at least work. The IceLink seemed like a good compromise of cost, hassle and quality.

Now that I have been using the IceLink for a few months I can report that it works perfectly, though there are some unavoidable quirks due to the limitations of the head unit. For Mercedes owners with COMAND and D2B or MOST interfaces, it’s the easiest way to get lossless ipod control. This article explains how I completed my installation. Follow at your own risk.

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