IF Jeff

Apex of Mid-Life

2012-01-26T12:53:00.002-05:00

Ok, so today is the big 40. Boo hoo. Hip hip hooray. I have waxed and weened for a few posts on the ascent to today. And, well enough already. Bring on the next 40.

lets ride.

be well.

Respite from a Flurry

2012-01-16T08:25:00.002-05:00

Winter arrived quickly last week and from the tire spray patterns on my kit and bike is leaving just as hurried. Whatever. Today we should see 50 and I will roll out 80k. Whatever. January is an odd time in the season of cycling. If you are Joe Road Racer you are spinning on your turbo trainer and dreaming of crit victories in March. Cross Racer is most likely unpacking from Madison and reluctantly entering the off season. MTB Racer is salivating over winter issues of Mountain Flyer and contemplating moving to AZ or UT. Then you have the Vet Master Racer, full of motivation and responsibility, stuck with choices and poor weather. You see, the Vet Master Racer most likely hates the trainer, is in a chronic crisis of off season behavior, and could never pull their child away from friends and move to Sedona. To avoid lunacy and depression and divorce Vet Master Racer clings to the velo legend of "historical miles" in the legs. The legend dictates that regardless of training neglect we old cats retain something from years in the saddle that is of benefit. As a Vet Master Racer, I have clung to such absurdities. My faith in the fairness of this velo mystic is in defiance to my Darwinian training as a scientist and only from denial can I post such blatant mumbo jumbo. You see I have invested in cycling, and the divedends are seasonal and lucrative. My return is in peace of mind and a taste of that old time feeling, and quietly an identity within me. Indeed, Vet Master Racer is a bike racer, our lead outs are varied and our patina is earned, but we are racers through and through. Racers Do what they have to survive and taste glory. We suffer and we suffer more, maybe not always in the saddle but certainly within the velo mystic. So, I say to you Vet Master Racer; historical miles exist, you are only 100k away from peak form and you are a racer though and through.

Be well.

Cyclocross With An Old Friend

2012-01-06T13:32:00.003-05:00

The weather in my portion of the mid-west continues to be off the hook (wicked warm). The other day I pushed away from my house in shorts and a long sleeve jersey and I was over dressed. I have never been over dressed in January while cycling.

Over the holiday break I built up my 2000 IF Planet X. Since I left Virginia it had been relegated to family type bike or incomplete frame in the shop. It was a trip down memory lane to rebuild her up and I was smitten to take her back out on the trails.

Smooth as peanut butter was a descriptive statement from a friend of mine in Portland back in 2000. I have the same sentiments today. Amazing, but you get what you pay for. A hand crafted bicycle rewards in spades. How many carbon or alloy wonder bikes from 2000 are still able to ride smooth and fast? I would guess not many.

Today it is 60, again.

Be well

Happy 2012

2012-01-03T09:09:00.004-05:00

A new year, a new start, and the eve of my 40th trip around galaxy. The New Years Eve was modest and uneventful, as it should be for a father of 1. With intent I went to sleep at 11pm CST, as I am east coast through and through and the new year in effect was upon us. Maybe, just maybe the new year will bring us back east...how sweet it is?

I have not ridden since the 8th ride of the Festive 500. My abstinence was not from pain or fear of the bike. Rather, the lack of spin was precipitated by the body language of a family that has had enough of daily three hour rides in the heart of the day. Ironically, mother nature had enough of this festivus on wheels as well and almost like clock work the new year ushered in 40 mph winds and a 30 degree high. Ouch, suffering conditions indeed.

So my 2012 mid-life crisis year of relevance has begun. Starting immediately, I will embark on training journey not for rainbow stripes nor a top series finish, but for something far more important. I train and ride for relevance in the cycling world. I train for ability and presence in a group of cyclists. For sure. As an introverted extrovert my mania seeks a glorious attach, a town line sprint, and a waist line reminiscent of my 18th moon. Truly heroic indeed.

Have a great new year.

Be well.

Day 8 Arrivee

2011-12-30T12:52:00.005-05:00

Day 8 of the Festive 500 and I have reached the threshold for completion! I have had a great time and the motivation to ride has been exceptional. I have no artful stories of great ascents or arduous trogs over broken cobbles and icy passes. Rather, I have had a ride every day leaving a house with an encouraging family and a little taste of that old time feeling.

The start of a short day.

Damp and perfect.

Migratory Starlings and Grackles.

Indeed.

Total Ride 42.5 km

Total Festive 510 km

Be well.

Day 7 Warm Sunshine

2011-12-29T16:02:00.002-05:00

The ride was warm, really warm.

The Crown Jewel has handled the kilometers with grace.

Total Ride 64.6 km

Total Festive 468 km

Be well

Day 6 Life in the Wind

2011-12-28T13:04:00.002-05:00

Lovely day to be on the bike. Cold 35 degree air, strong wind out of the SSW and lots of frost on the road. I headed west then south out into the fields and pastures of the Troy area. Beautiful country and a challenge to ride. Several long hills with tough sections of rough pavement.

I have really enjoyed the challenge so far, and the daily riding takes me back to racing in my 20's. I would be lying if I did not suggest that the kilometers are begining to take their toll. The resultant fatigue is bringing to light all the little rises and hills on my normal routes that pass as after thoughts with fresh legs.

I am grateful to my family encourgaing my participation in the 500, what a Christmas present indeed. I have about 97 km to go in 3 days to complete it. Word up.

Total Ride 72.1 km

Total Festive 403 km

Be well.

Day 5 Who Needs a Stinking Rest Day

2011-12-27T18:56:00.003-05:00

Snow was abundent early in the e. Snow men and snow mountains were made. By noon all the snow, with the exception of said men and mountains was gone. I spent the morning building up my vintage Independent Fabrication Planet X, with the exception of a lame ergo FSA bar and a cassette that has seen better days, the bike build up well and despite the dust rode just like it was brand new in 2000. Something to be said for custom steel bikes.

It was my intention to rest day today, let the weather improve and complete a bunch of writing. Well, by 2:30 pm the weather was betterish, a few quailty pages had been written, and my old friend was built back up. So a rest day ride it was.

Made it home into LeClaire just in time for the sunset to paint the old water tower pink. Tommorrow we will ride again.

Total Ride 46.1 km

Total Festive 331 km

Be well

Day 4 The Suffering Has Settled In

2011-12-26T12:54:00.004-05:00

The honeymoon of the Festive 500 is over, I am half way through and the cumulative kilometers are taking this toll. The ride today was a similar loop to last week albeit in a the opposite direction. No dog attacks today, all the mutts must have been indoors, a wise choice.

The start of the ride was in the 30's with a warming sun and strong frost. The legs took a while to warm up and would have prefered a spin to a cafe for an espresso and scone.

As the ride progressed I felt better and was holding 30+ kmh. The wind was out of the south west and far colder than the previous few days. Winter is coming. Indeed, tomorrow is forecasted to be snow and rain for about 36 hours. Perfect day for a rest day and writing in my mid-tenure papers. Doh!

Total Ride 72.1 km

Total Festive 285 km

Be well.

Day 3 Merry Christmas

2011-12-25T14:57:00.004-05:00

Great Christmas morning with the family. Managed to get away for a quick 2 hour ride on the MCT bike paths. Beautiful 50 degree day with a stiff NW head wind the whole way. The bike paths were pretty empty, but a few holiday walkers and riders were out. Smiles all around.

Total Ride 60.6 km

Total Festive 212.8 km

Made my way down to Horseshoe Lake and enjoyed a few Christmas Cookies while taking in the view of St. Louis Missouri.

Be well.

Day 2 Festive 500

2011-12-24T14:20:00.008-05:00

Beautiful sunny day with a cold 35 degree start and rising temperatures throughout the ride. I headed out dead east into the ashphalt desert, enjoyed a nice tail wind and easily rolled 35kmh. Two right hand turns and I was headed dead west for 90 minutes in the chilling wind at 24kmh. Several of the open prarie sections were windy and felt like I was pulling an anchor. Arghh.

Total Ride 80.6 km

Total Festive 152.7 km

I rode a favorite section of bike path, the Glen Carbon Heritage Trail. I enjoy the wooded stretches, bridges, and broken narrom surface.

No dog attacks on todays ride, quite different from yesterdays multiple dog sprints!

Have a Merry Christmas ya'll.

Be well.

The Grand Depart

2011-12-23T13:36:00.004-05:00

Day one of the Festive 500.

Total ride 71.5 km.

Total Festive 71.5 km.

Ride was 35 degrees F under overcast skies with a cold western wind. I rode solo a traditional loop that generally heads north and covers rolling and varied terrain. Fun fun fun. There were about 7 dogs that chased me throughout the ride, including one Irish Setter that narrowly avoided the end of days from a parcel truck.

Home in time for a pot of tea with the family and a few Christmas cookies.

Be well.

Game On

2011-12-22T09:17:00.005-05:00

Rapha's Festive 500km begins tomorrow. Will I? Can you? Time will tell.

My ride for the challenge is below:

Follow my efforts on this blog, Facebook, and Strava. Social media blitzkreig!

Bonzai!

Be well.

The End and the Begining

2011-12-21T13:22:00.004-05:00

"spent a lot of time searching for that old time feeling" A. Lee

Mission Bell has been the only disc in the car as of late and for reasons that fall in terrain best left for 19th century phisophers in empty bread ovens. However, the writings and associated music have occupied the mind of a man approaching middle age. As of late January I turn 40, and as the quote states I have spent a fair amount of time seeking that old time feeling. The romantic memories of cycling and youth are rich and textured with the good and seemingly only a whisper away. Indeed the endless rides through damp mystic New England forests and the steep pitchs of the Appalachian mountains touch the spaces described best by Thoreau. A deja vu or a fitting of pieces together, either way it was meant to be and equally meant to pass. In the process of aging deliberate action is important to produce memories of good and places best discovered. At the approach to 40 I am finally learning to only glance back in reverance and rather focus ahead with youthful vigor to the road that rises up. To that end, in seeking adventure and growth we foster that old time feeling in a new and unique compostion. A new trail, a new road, and a new day are the order of the future.

Be well.

Epic Fail?

2011-11-27T10:35:00.002-05:00

Strava and Rapha combined to offer the 9000 calorie Turkey Takeoff Challenge. The challenge ran from the 23rd until today. Despite riding every day I only have 3600 calories on the Books, albeit a very low software determination and different from the 6600 estimated from the same rides on Garmin's Training Center. As it stands I have a very long ride required today to hit the 9k and win a patch. Once the morning rains subside I will try, whether I hit 9000 or not, the competition was fun and welcome none the less.

Be well.

On the Edge

2011-11-24T10:09:00.004-05:00

Kicking and screaming I entered into the GPS army by purchasing a Garmin Edge 500. In spite of my smug purist ideals that GPS has no place on a bicycle, I must repent and say "ok, this is cool". Indeed, the real time "data" while riding is great, albeit the calorie estimates are off to say the least. In my opinion, the best aspect of the Edge data collection is the tracking of workouts and training improvements within the various software packages available. I have chosen to use Strava, and must say it is fairly nice with a decent amount of options and customization. Within Strava, you have the option to create rides, think local "classics" and track your performance on those rides. Cool. The software will even set up segments where individuals can compete for the best time; best times earn icons on their profile dashboard, again cool. So what you say? Well personally, the motivation hidden in my Edge 500 is the real gem. As I enter my 3rd decade of racing and training on bikes, a little extra motivation at 5pm on a cold Wednesday is very much appreciated.

So look for me on Strava and lets race.

Be well.

Fantastic Fall

2011-11-03T12:14:00.005-04:00

Surprisingly, and against previous experiences, the weather in the e this fall has been excellent. Truly the type of fall most easterners would like every year, and I happen to experience such a season in the lame ass midwest. Go figure, and thank god. As a result of such lovely weather, I have been fortnuate to ride both road and trail extensively. In fact several weeks I have accumulated 5 rides and over 15 hours on the bike. Not since I left the Commonwealth have I had such an opportunity to ride so much.

Now with daylight savings, night rides are inevitable on most days. Last evening was the first of the season with a small crew of locals. Trails, as to be expected, were fast and enabled lengthy sections of flow. Awesome. An odd turn of events occured on the pre-dusk lap I rode solo. On trail 3 of the e's only trail system a large bird, most likely a hawk or owl, crashed into the right side of my helmet. The fowl was in the brush on the side of the trail and as I approached took flight and smacked solid into my Giro. I stopped and inspected the damage, which there was apparently none for both me and the bird. I was stunned and little out of it following the collision, and in some sense jovial to the occurence. Certainly not a regular encounter on the trail and worthy of pub stories at some time. I feel I have joined a fratenal family of wildlife collision victims, only my happenstance will most likely not go viral.

Enjoy the day.

Be well.

Fear and Loathing in Steelville Missouri

2011-09-27T16:04:00.005-04:00

Welcome.

Bring this and charge your Garmin.

A small group from the e made the short drive down to Mark Twain national forest to pre-ride the Berryman Epic Course. We arrived friday night at the Bass River Resort in Steelville, MO in a very gonzo fashion. The resort was more a convinience store with beer, tobacco, and condoms that served the local "float" crowd. A "float" is Midwest speak for spending the afternoon floating on objects down a creek and drinking enormous amounts of beer. The float scene was modest, most likely a casualty of the colder fall air and the return of football to the television. However, the remnants and spirtis of thousands of midwest hoopla heads drinking piss beer and fighting on inflated tractor trailer tubes was evident (like drunk ghosts reaking of urine). Luckily it was fairly quiet and tame.

Riding in the Ozarks is actuually quite nice and very Appalacian like without the elevations. The trail surface is varied from smooth dirt, to rugged rock to gravel over hard and the occasional low land mud trough. I enjoy the trails and really appreciated the Berryman Trail, a true epic. The trail reminded me of the Southern Traverse in Virginia, again without the long climbs.

Despite any real mountain peaks to speak off, the BTE course is far from flat, by all acounts the 55 mile loop we rode consisted of ~6000 feet of climbing, albeit lots and lots of short ascents. Either way an epic none the less.

I rode pretty strong with only a minor bonk and pace drop half way into the ride. The Deluxe was a great ride for this sort of course and only hurt me on the worst washed drainage fall line descents. Several sections of the BTE were under plan for reroute (thankfully all were the fall line sections). The ride corodinator Gibbs, a founding member of Team Green midwest chapter, briefly placed us in the lost category at hour 5 of the ride. Needless to say we made it out alive under a rapidly approaching dusk.

The race is on October 22 and I anticipate a competitive finish, I am completely comfortbale on the terrain and if I can keep fatigue and boredom at bay, I should ride strong.

Be well.

Vanity

2011-09-06T12:55:00.004-04:00

Here are a few update photos. Yes I still ride and race, no embelishment there.....

6 Hour Tall Oak Challenge, Jefferson City Missouri.

I wore and older team kit as I feel it fits better and is more comfortable than the current team offerings.

Be well.

A Lifetime

2011-09-05T21:16:00.002-04:00

It has been too long since my last post, and I feel like it is time to update. Twitter feeds are great, but lack personality. Fast forward to the first real fall like weekend in STL and I finally feel human. Summer heat is unbearable in this part of the country and up until last week it was in the 100's for far too long. I rode early this morning under 55 degree sun, perfect.

A nice aspect of the region is the prevalence of mountain bike races in the fall. The oppressive heat forces race hibernation through the heart of summer and come falls mild days racers flock to the enduro events. Last week I raced the 6 Hour Tall Oak Challenge in Jefferson City, Missouri. I was on a duo team and my team mate dropped out under dubious injury claims. Thus I raced solo duo, popped out 5 laps and had fun. Disappointed but fun. Quitting is lame.

Next race is on 9/24 at the 12 hours of Canal Lake in Western Kentucky. By all accounts the event is fun and located in the Land Between the Lakes forest, lots of trails and the like. Solo or duo depending on finding a teammate that wants to race and not bitch out. Form is the best it has been in the last 2 years but far from expectation. I have the ambition to train through the fall and see where the enzymes gather. Funny, how over two decades of racing i feel physically capable but struggle with touching the pain void. Fun for fun sake over pain for glory? Not sure, riding fast does really hurt if you do it right. In contrast, riding long hurts, but, a lot less. The trick as I roll into 40, is the balance between really hurting and maintaing a perspective of pleasure. More data needed.

Be well.

Like the iPod my blog may be obsolete

2011-06-14T04:20:00.002-04:00

With the rise in social networking media, the cumbersome blog may be outdated. In fact this blog content is already old as I have Tweeted already about breakfast. Sorry.

Be well.

Another Season on the eve of 40

2011-05-11T08:03:00.002-04:00

A moment of reflection on bikes and racing. Seasons come and seasons go, and with the passing laps each scene changes. Over the years racers hug the line and then fade into life and responsibility. With pride, two decades of balancing laps and life, I am still in the game.

Where you at? Never leave; commit.

Be well.

Bone Bender 36

2011-04-18T13:44:00.004-04:00

Follow me to the podium.

Raced this weekend, had a blast. Tim and I raced hard and finished 3rd in the Open men Duo 6 Hour Event. The Deluxe was perfect for rocky flawy trails; sharp like razor. The best part of our result was our combined age exceeded 80 while the rest of the podium barely broke 50. Hell yeah master racers!

Next race is on May 22, 3 hour endure in Missouri!

Fun.

be well

Game On

2011-04-12T12:54:00.003-04:00

Spring as sprung in the blowing mid-west, and with such a change comes the first MTB race of the season. This weekend I will travel to Lawrence, Kansas for the 6 hour Bone Bender Endurance Moutnain Bike Race.. I completed in the race last year and had a great time, albeit I was sick with the consumption. This I bring health and better form and anticipate a fine time.

The bike set up for the year is pretty similar to last year with a few fit changes and a set of way to slipper WTB Vulpine tires. Low pressure will be essential for these tires to work for me!

Small tread and low profile makes me happy. Something pleasent about light weight gear with rapid speed and razor like handling. No time for knobbies!

Race post will be up following.

Be well.

First Cycle

2011-03-26T21:43:00.002-04:00

This week wrapped up my first block of training. Training in as much as I set a riding schedule and create goals for every ride. My humble efforts and willingness to suffer have yielded form. To that end I am grateful. Not sure of when and what I will race first. More happy with the process than the start line.

Be well.

Gear For Sale

2011-03-15T07:23:00.002-04:00

Lots of IF team gear for sale on . Get Some.

Be Well.

More to come....Click above for info.

Early Spring is Best Viewed From a Bike

2011-02-25T13:08:00.004-05:00

Love this time of the year. Cool air with the promise of long days; makes me mighty. Over the past two decades of riding I find I prefer the bookends of the season rather than the book(?)er the cycling season(?). Yeah I know, we all do. True. But I mean it, really. In fact I can prove it. Just the other day, I was riding my road bike on this: See Below. It was awesome and spun me silly with little effort or resistance from any bad thought or sensation.

The uneven surface, warm but still sharp air, and solid physical effort were exceptional. So much so, I celebrated the classic spring season with this. See Below.

Now, as evidence to my enjoyment of said season, let me describe further. You see I chose to celebrate with a fine beer. And by fine, I mean a delightful Trappist Ale from Belgium. None other than Orval (leather and horse blanket esters and all). Damn the evidence.

Be well.

What a drag it is getting old...

2011-02-19T11:36:00.002-05:00

Weather Renaissance in the mid-west; the people know it and the rides are beautiful.

Be well.

That time

2011-02-18T05:30:00.002-05:00

Weather improved, doping articles in cycling press, filthy road bike; must be approaching spring. Indeed, past week was a 70 degree blast along with the greatest total ride time of the year. I even ripped a road tire. This time of the year I always tend to consume myself with road riding and racing. Love the sore legs, seared lungs, wind burnt skin, fading leg embro, and perception of fitness gains that accompany late winter early spring. Get some.

Be well.

50 degrees and Snowy?

2011-02-05T14:45:00.003-05:00

Woke up and the digital mercury read 25 degrees. Brief peek our the window and snow was falling heavily from the sky. Damn. Several cups of espresso and I geared up for the morning ride. First step outside I was greeted with a blast of warm air and glaring sunshine. WTF? OK, I can handle warm air. Made my way to the trail and immediately recognized that the conditions were perfect. Tacky, fluffy, firm, soft, perfect surface for rolling 20psi 29ers on.

Sometimes, it just works out.

Be well.

Busy Lil Beaver

2011-02-01T16:03:00.002-05:00

Freezing rain thungerstorm blizzard. No not an ice cream treat, but the weather waring in the e for the past 24 hours. Nice, love shitty weather that offer nothing to the out door enthusiast. Regardless, when you have malt, better to make it into beer than let it weigh you down. Indeed, with the close confinds of a weather induced house arrest I did what any self respecting spin freak would do and headed into my velo man cave. Like the falling moisture from the sky grease and grim fell from my Crown Jewel with alarming aggression. In short I removed the entire drive train from the frame, soaked it all in citrus degreaser, and proceeded to scrape and polish the components clean. How nice and fun you say? Well, yes it was. Now the CJ sits shinny and new like in the basement with a drive train you could handle with white gloves. Hmm, yes indeed. I applied a fresh layer of Squirt to my freshly polised gears and ran a few cycles through and BAM, perfect again. Now can I hold out to ride it outside until the shitty mid-west weather sub-sides? I hope so, but I only have a case of micros in the basement so, time is of the essence.

Be well.

Friday Night, Just Like Saturday

2011-01-28T20:49:00.002-05:00

Winter months are dragging on at an evolutionary pace; brutal to be hindered by such a cumbersome tail. Needless to say I am alive and happy. First ATB race of the season is in early March, and that, my friends is closer than you think. With a racing age of 39 and a strong case of indifference on the progression of my "form", I happily anticipate none the less. My race bike for the meantime will most likely remain my custom IF Deluxe that I piloted last season. Upgrades here and there will freshen up the drive train, wheels, bars, grips, and rubber. As such, the bike should be freaking perfect (again).

With the well publicized take over and changes at IF, the impact on Team Green remains to be seen. We have heard nothing yet, and rightly so, we are minor responsibilities compared to the relocation and brand saving actions of the company. I hope it all works out. Either way, in the presence of team uncertainty, the idea of selling the Deluxe and buying another hardtail for the sake of seeking "sponsorship" is absurd. My bike is better than anything that would come pressed into a carbon form from Asia. One major benefit (or risk) for my 13 years of sponsorship from IF is riding custom fitted and designed bikes, and now I am spoiled with the taste of aged esters and fine cocoa. Malt liquor and Hershey's will simply not fit. Seriously, have you had your bike fitted to you (not from a shop dude with a plumb bob) rather by the welder and painter of said tubes? No? Then you are truly missing out. No $10,000 pro tour rig can touch it. Like a finely tailored suit that hugs your shoulders with a sleeve length that sets. up. just. perfect. ain't nothing like it. So sorry, sponsorship or not, custom for life.

In the end were just babies man...

Be well.

January

2011-01-17T22:28:00.002-05:00

Sup y'all nice and cold out here with grey skies to boot. Riding is often nice this time of the year if the cold air and wet trails meet to create solid fast track. Today was not the case. 40 degrees makes for a wet ass and slippery corners and a less than inspiring ride. Regardless, I pushed for 2 hours and made a few hard efforts to warm the mind.

The season is in view and my mind turns to events and equipment. New comments and reviews to come.

Be well.

Road Riding in the Winter is Very Cold

2010-12-02T11:23:00.002-05:00

Winter has finally fallen on the e and we are paying for our easy fall. As I type the mercury is settled in the high 20's and light flurries fill the gray sky. Brr to say the least. Needless to say, cold is cold and if the surface allows for it, I will ride road or trail. So yesterday in a "man hours" moment I dedieded to not ride the frozen trails and in place, make my out on the MCT's bike trails around the county. Determination at 39 is like a cracked egg; cook it up quickly and eat it or it spoils. So i cooked up a slick winter kit and styled out like a WCP clothing model. The first few blocks were great, then I became quite cold. The fist pain was the fingers, specifically my pinkies done froze up! My 20 minutes in my thighs were numb (Roubaix smoobaix). At 30 minutes in I was plotting bail out routes. By 40 minutes in I was warmed up and actually had feeling in my fingers. By an hour in I was cocky and stopped to snap photos. By 90 minutes in I was actually glad I stuck it our, even if my lips felt frozen solid and my bike developed those "cold creaks" when ever I lifted the pace (hammer time?). By the 2 hour mark I was done and waiting a the light near my house. By the 2 and a half hour mark I was sipping a Hoptober and thawing it our over an enchilada.

It was fun none the less, riding rails to trails at night, solo, with no traffic was very nice. It was comforting to put in a solid ride, safe from drunk drivers and hollering rednecks. The ride was not completely euphoric as every shape of wild life seemed to be intent on crossing and bath and darting about the trail. Luckily no cotton tails were injured.

Be well.

Wind and Cold

2010-11-28T09:43:00.004-05:00

November weather has finally settled into the e with strong cold winds and rain. In the misery of such weather I do feel at home. The past few weeks I have been motivated to ride the Crown Jewel and allow the Deluxe to rest. More importantly I am enjoying road rding again. Maybe i need bad conditions to enjoy the roads more, as this summer the road bike was not high on my list and pedaling in July and August was no fun.

I have a few irons in the fire that may lead to a new way and mild disruption, but for now I must find contentment with my current post. Regardless, for now given my settled state, I have ambitions for fitness for at least the spring, which may provide that bike racer sensation we all love.

Also; we will be in VA for the upcoming holiday, I would like to ride in RVA and GWNF at least once. I will have the ATB.

Be well.

The Lone Traveller

2010-11-17T16:51:00.002-05:00

Busy week in the e. Lots of late semester craziness and attitude that often required a fire extinguisher during daylight and barley, malt, and hops in the eveninig. Looking forward to my week off.

Our beloved Crackario has embarked on a solo ride cross country on his bicycle. He departed from Truckee, CA on October 18th and made it to my home in metro St. Louis, MO on monday of this week. It was a pleasure to see him and he appeared in exceptional spirits. We helped him recharge and prepare for the cold task of riding to the east cost in mid-November. He left STL on tuesday morning with plans of heading to Blacksburg VA within a week with a goal to ultimately end up in the 'Burg for turkey day. he was rolling a sweet new toruing Gunnar with a smart aray of gear. I busted his jobs for having only 2 tubes and no spare cables, chain parts, or other items that may stem a crisis. In zen like fashion and with a cool cat demeaner he shrugged off my concerns stating he had enough. How True.

On a side not I found the following video my regulars (part of at least). Check it, not bad for Midwest of nowhere. Ride tonight if ya'll in.

Be well.

29>26: math says so

2010-11-08T16:02:00.008-05:00

Monday's are always rough and often more so when the individual feeling roughness purchased a "Folly Pack" on Sunday afternoon and chased the sun into a fall euphoria. In other words, shit happens and we all pay with malaise. But for what it is worth, the weekend was great and the riding currently in the e is the best it has been all year. It is a shame there are few to no races left to attend.

I have lived here (Midwest of nowhere) for over a year now, and it is around this time that I realize that I have put together a nice off road loop that is worthy of being "the regular". As an ATB rider I have always preferred trail rides after work, when time is short, or to blow off steam. And as such, I always like a loop that works at scratching the itch. The "regular" only has a few requirements, first and foremost is that the loop originates from my house with minimal road, incorporates all form of trail from short 100m stretches between streets to 10 miles loops on private property, is challenging and singletracky, is fun and flowy, and can produce a crash at a moments notice (see challenging). In my 2 decades of off road riding I have had several regulars that have woven their way into my (and friends) life. In the early days in CNY it would have to be Green Lakes State Park; a delightful roll through old growth forest, with descent, ascents, and views of the beautiful green and round lakes.

I moved away from CHY and to live in "the way life should be" and over my dreamy 7 years there fell in love with the South Portland Loop. This 2-hour push was awesome in every way a regular urbanish loop should be. For starters it had the best descending entry point any urban trail could have, a nice New England style drop into loamy pine soil that was so nice to roll it hurt. The "Loop" as SoPo regulars called it would wind it way through public, private, in-between, and state lands, often culminating with a short moment at the Portland Head Light to take in wave activity. Loved it, so fun, never boring, and the best fix for a lame Monday fo sho.

Then I moved to H-Burg and rolled around in single track paradise for 3 years. The local loop that fit the "regular" bill the best would involve riding out to the Nut and back into town. It was the most mountain like of all my "regulars" in that it was actually a mountain. I have fond memories of rolling the trails in the heat, rain, wind, and ligthtening, and the occasional spray of rifle bullets durin' huntin' season. H-Burg as regulars goes was the least urban is linking of open spaces, and since there was so much rad riding in the Burg, we rarely rode the same trail within the same week, but the Nut fit the description and was often a solo or small group get away from reality.

From the Burg I moved to RVA and what is most likely a classic urban regular. I probably rode this loop the most of all regulars as it was so convenient and fun that is never warranted driving to ride. Also, given my schedule, the RVA regular simply worked. For those familiar with RVA you know the loop as JRP and all the connectors and spots that we would pedal over. The challenge was fun, the conditions nearly always perfect and the threat of being mugged quite high. For these reasons the RVA loop was t-i-t-e! I miss it like I miss the things that are fun and scary at the same time. Cityline views at sunset from the Belle Isle bridge were awesome, even with unleashed pit bulls running around.

Well, I can report that I have after roughly 17 months in a new locale put together another "regular" loop that is fun and unique in its own right. For local readers it goes like this: LeClaire>Nature Trail>Bluff Trail> Settlement entry> Sweet William Trails counter clockwise with a spiraling approach (you clmib more than descend)>cross the quad>Morris Bike Path>Trail 4>Trail 3>Trail 1>Powerline Descent >Trail 6> Morris Bike Path> Goshen Trail> LeCLaire. Perfect, I breath hard the whole time, have several points were I could crash and burn (and have), can taste speed, avoid cars (whole loop is only on traffic roads for about 1 block), and I can ride it almost all the time. I am finally settled as it were, like a junkie I miss a "regular" and am happy to have one back.

Get regular to be well.

Whatever

2010-11-06T18:10:00.002-04:00

OK so the "season"is over, I suppose I should stop "training", and begin my pre-conditioning portion of my "training cycle". Seems logical and to all my athletes it is the right thing to do; but I am 38ish and have little ambition for much beyond a good time on the (any) bike. For instance, yesterday I kitted up and rolled out with a tite crew at 130ish under arguably perfect weather (sunny 48 and dry dry dry). We met in Old Town and rolled on Goshen trail to the "chute" and began the task of hopping felled trees of all style; normally rad, but today not so, you see my $250 dollar 252 grams Candy Ti pedals broke at the shiny gold ti axle. Yes I know Cranks are cranky and you get?......blah blah blah. It sucked, so the crew followed me home (one legged), I swapped them out for $48 egg beaters and a few Sierra Celebrations with the boys. We rolled back via Nature Trail to the Sweet William trails (won't you marry me pretty Peggy o) where we ascended past the settlement and rolled the cork screw through the most challenging terrain in the e; within reason mind you they are no Elliots knob. So we rolled in what felt like mid season form, and I was "killing it", within reason and again relative to the cross sectional rings under my jersey. We rolled. And rolled and rolled and made our way back to the "new trails" (lame name and a contest for a better Dewey decimal is on the way). Flow was evident and my 669 mm bar coupled with ESI grips felt like the hammer of Thor in my hand; I could do no wrong bee hatch. So we rolled more and finally ended up in town where we split like wood and I took the long way home. Key in lock, turn the handle...ahhh. Legs worked (mid-season like), skin burned from a tag team effort of wind and sun, contentment spilling over like Niagra frakin falls. Oh my.

So the moral of my IPA fueled tail is to have fun with friends in November on your mountain bike with little concern for the monkeys on your back. Oh, Hoppy ale is a fine replacement for Gatorade.

Be well.

Where's the beef

2010-10-26T18:57:00.002-04:00

Uh-oh AC, pissed off the Spanish cattle farmer!

You know, maybe they are right. Oh my, too good for day time TV.

On a positive note. Jim is riding solid on the Sunday group ride, and his daughter is recovering just fine from strep.

Be well.

Tainted Meat

2010-10-22T07:51:00.002-04:00

Bad farmers and pharmacists in the Canary Islands? Apparently so. I find it ironic that the SCG have "exposed" an animal doping ring, and provide evidence for the reversal of public opinion on Contador's recent positive test for clenbuterol. The recent sting and subsequent media report stink of BS and government spin to save face for Spanish sport and their beloved AC. I feel this story sheds light on the outcome of the WADA and UCI investigation into AC; he will most likely be given a "soft" punishment and available to make money for sponsors at Le Tour. As a result, the Spanish and AC media team have begun to spin AC's image as an innocent meat eating victim. Who cares? Had enough yet? In general, if you win in pro cycling you most likely are doping. The evidence is out! The trends are established, and unfortunately we can do nothing about it. So what do we do? At the pro level, just let them dope; and give in to the idea of LeTour as entertainment in the same line as Wrestlemania, XFL, UFC, and on and on and on. If pro athletes want to risk early death for fame, let them, just keep it open and exposed; A circus of enhanced human might. As such, the American cycling media should focus more on Grassroots racing in the US and report on cycling stories that are focused on the sport as a lifestyle that is fun, healthy,and unique. We should take control of our sport before the talented and greedy destroy it's image and make it ( us ) a bigger laughing stock than we already are.

We can change cycling, after all the sport is for you to control not the UCI or SCG.

Be well.

New design

2010-10-18T23:36:00.001-04:00

New design same blog. Fresh new content.

Organic.

Yeah yeah yeah...

Go ride it is fall!

Be well.

LeClaire Parkfest

2010-10-17T17:59:00.003-04:00

Another spectacular day in the e. Serious, not sure how much longer I will be saying that but daaaamn, weather is t I t e! As such a small group rolled over to the same old on the trails and put in a nice solid push. The track was nice and the added leaf coverage was not all that bad. I had a near death scare while rolling a nice off camber section. While approaching an odd shaped log that required hop pin' I heard a loud crack, my neck was snapped to the right and I hit the deck, hard! Freaked by the "snap" and the rush of friends my way! I was dazed. WTF was that? It seems there was a high angled branch that worked it's way into my helmet and snapped my helmet vent, my neck, and threw me from my bike! Phuq fo real! Dazed and confused I laid on the trail stunned while taking inventory of life! Arms worked, skin not separated from scalp, neck seemingly fine, albeit quite sore.....helmet ripped to shreds! There was a huge hole where the top of my helmet used to be! Whoa, that sucker did it's job, took one for the captain! Needless to say I am OK and will mossy likely have a sore neck tomorrow. Moral of the story, helmets work, shit happens, and damn Jeffro is lucky. More later.

Be well.

12 Hours Burning at the Bluff

2010-10-11T10:53:00.004-04:00

Saturday was the 7th annual Burning at the Bluff 12 hour race in Postosi, Missouri (left of nowhere). I made the trip south from STL with the Gibbs boys where we landed friday afternoon at our Group B campsite. The weather was forecasted to be perfect and it was, absolutly the best you could ask for cool, dry nights, warm dry days with no humidity. We partyed on the eve and slept under the trees, perfect respite.

I admit to ignorance when ingnorance admission is warrented, and in the case of the trail I was clearly not in the knowing. I have had a few nice rides in the Ozarks and felt I had an idea of what to expect. Luckily, I was wrong and the trail was oh so right. The 13 mile loop that we were charged with riding non-stop could best be described as rugged; as a trail somalier I would liken the bouquet of the trail to 2parts Appalachian mountains with all the ascending and descending, moderate ground foliage, old growth pine and hard wood and a non-stop line of embeded stone coupled with 2 parts Northern California trail surface of dry dusty soil that easily lost structure over time riddled with loose rocks and gravel (AKA loose over hardish). As a ride the trail was awesome and fun, as a 12 hour non-stop fight it was a heavy hitter that never yielded.

We started at 9am with a modest LeMans style run that was not that bad. About a 150 foot U to our bikes, under the timing arch and down hill (See Bob's Video, I am in there if you can find me>>?

Mesa's Burnin 2010 from bob arnold on Vimeo.

After the right turn out of the S/F area we BOMBED down a road to a loose narrow steep single track trail with 2 big high speed ass over tea kettle switch backs (which proved to be comedic fair as the day moved on). The first lap was a modest pace line that linked end to end the trail, by the 5 mile point we were nice and strung out and pacing as we desired.

THE GUN GOES OFF

THROUGH THE SMOKE WE WENT

I felt great, stayed low and spun with ease. The only mishaps of the day were on the first lap; two front tire wash outs and a yellow jacket sting on my ankle. Smoothish sailing from that point on.

I completed 4 laps by 1ish and took a nice 30 minute lunch break at the camp. Pasta, Coke, and several stretches later I rolled out for what was the Music portion of the race. I donned my ear buds, rolled my wheel and set off to finish the day with base thumping in my head. Music does sooth the savage beast and my first lap after lunch seemed quicker and at least less painful. By this part of the race my main source of pain was my hands, which were quickly becoming blistered (final count was six blisters on each hand). I am not whining, I am just saying that has never happened before, and the only two factors that may have contributed to this were my age (I am old and shit breaks easy) and my Ergon grips. I will not choose either, but both as to why my hand suffered so. Either way, the pain in my hands did distract from the pain in my legs and for that I am grateful.

Ahh the night laps. At 5:30 I left for two night laps under a sparkling star sky. Combing darkness and low glycemia make for interesting bed fellows as I hallucinated my way around what seemed like a fairy land lurking with eye glowing spiders and black bears hiding in the trees. Regardless, it was very fun, it was so dark I felt like I was riding in a magical tunnel of light as the outer range of my HID bulb was very defined! Fantastic!! I stopped in a clearing at one point shut the light off and attempted to count the endless number of stars that were out, I lost count and 3. There were more than I have seen in a while. Very nice!! Lapping through I set out for what was mentally my last lap. I cut it off at 7 laps, 88 miles, and was content calling it quites at 11:58.01. It was fun, hard, painful, euphoric, memorable and most importantly all mine.

A TIRED MACHINE

As my life becomes busier and more "important" I relish moments when a singular purpose takes hold and hogs my attention. For me, this race was a complete immersion in the simple hunting and gathering life we all grew from. I woke, I wondered, I ate when I could, and I ignored the pain. For this I was grateful and look forward to next year.

Be well.

Prelude to a Burning Report

2010-10-10T18:32:00.002-04:00

The 12 hour Burning was a blast. 3 days of bikes and backcountry. Given the 12 blisters on my hands (Ergons for sale, call me), I will issue a formal report in the coming day. In short, the course was excellent, a combo of Applachian and Northern California styles with more rocks than a body can handle. Had fun, seriously tested my abilities.

More later.

Be well.

The eve of the eve

2010-10-07T21:51:00.002-04:00

Packed up, for the most part, and sipping a Bell's Octoberfest on the sofa. The Burning is Saturday and a small crew from the e will roll out to Potosoi, MO tomorrow morningish. I have not had a weekend of racing in over 5 years, a complete 3 days dedicated to travel, camping racing, campfire,travel, Sunday night. Damn geeked fo sho.

Have a great weekend.

Be well.

Tuned and Ready

2010-10-04T10:37:00.003-04:00

Hmm sugar.

Great weekend in e with exceptional weather (I hardly say that here) and even better trail conditions. As the 12hr Burning at the Bluff approaches I had a little work to do on the Deluxe in preparing for the challenges the race shall offer. For starters my I9 free hub needed some work; specifically, the rear hub shell has developed a slight crack and I am waiting (for a long time) for a new one to be sent to me. Either way, I have had lateral play that needs attention until the new parts arrive. I disassembled the drive mechanism, inspected all bearings, and ensured they were all pressed in the hub properly. Check. Inspected the beautiful 6-pawl mechanism for proper engagement. Check. Finally, I inspected the crack and the bearing seated in the cassette lock ring bore. Ahhh, not seated. It appears the cracked shell in it looseness allows the bearing to shift slightly. I attempted the best I could to seat the bearing, ensure the body and axle are installed to spec, and complete the reassembly accordingly. Much better, but for how long? Hopefully a shell body will find its way to me, most likely the best cure for the problem. Second task was to add tires with a little beef for the race. The Conti Race Kings have been exceptional all summer, but quickly become overwhelmed when the soil becomes wet. Since, I have a box of WTB tires in the basement (thanks Buck!) I chose new rubber, Prowler Sl's (Russell's favorite?). At first glance they looked fine; round shape, small well spaced nobs, a fairly nice casing ands light but not too light (673, 679g). They mounted up fairly quick with a on Stan's rims with a Joe Blow and a bucket of suds. First, ride was fair and they should be OK, maybe not the best but shold be fine. Lastly, I needed to choose a grip. I have been running ESI chunky with stubbie bar ends, but felt maybe I needed a more enduro grip. I have several pairs of Ergon grips and elected for the GX2 with mag bar end. After a couple of rides I have them set up in a comfortable postion and the bar ends are perfect to grab when ascending. I put about 8 hours this week on the bike and feel it it ready to go. Tuned, aired, and comfy.

More later.

Be well.

Back At It

2010-10-01T13:19:00.003-04:00

Fall is great on more levels than I have patience to type. A a few big MTB events are in the "south central mid-west area along the Mississippi" that deserve mention.

First is October 9, the Burning at the Bluff 12 Hour Race. By all accounts and a few grains of salt the course and riding area are superb. Bluffish trail with rocks, moss, bench, hard and softwoods, elevation gain the "hundy's", and a scene reminisent of a friday night 6-pack. I hope all is true as I have pre-reg for the "one lone hombre" class. I am counting on what Gary at Allspeed refered to as "historical miles" to pull me through the event as I have not ridden 12 hours total in a month in a while. Regardless I am in and looking forward to the adventure.

The second race is the Berryman Epic , a 55-mile point to point that shares the same promise as the Burning.

I have ridden a few times in the Missouri Ozarks and they are the real deal. Lots of nice trail, laid out in national forests, embedded granite, moss lined trails, fast turns, and a fair amount of bench trail. Good stuff.

I have a few gear choices to make, such as: tires, grips, bar, and hydration method.

More later.

Be well.

Fall Enduros

2010-09-29T23:01:00.003-04:00

Two big races in the October, first is October 9, 12 hour burning at the bluff, second is October 23, Berryman Epic, a 55 mile point to point race. I am looking forward to both events. Deluxe is in great shape and should be fine.

More coming.

Be well.

Could cross racing bring cycling to America?

2010-09-24T13:57:00.002-04:00

For years I have felt that cyclocross in America's cities would work, if marketed correctly and accesable to the masses people would be interested. I feel that for longer than 3 weeks in July, cyclcross could be the cycling discipline that draws non-particpant numbers over the duration of a season (just like X-games). Cross Vegas is an example to me of the format that would work: night time, fast course, beer tents, brauts, and so on. Think NYC, Boston, Chicago, San Franciso, Los Angelos, 5 or 6 race season, Friday or Saturday night events, in city centers accesable by train, cab, bike, car, parachute and TV. Why not? If the courses are fast and short and vissible from both course side and stadium seat locations people would watch. The sport offers close contact with the competition, short fast action, with an easy to follow flow (the fastest wins) and you do not need to understand jersey color or why you win without winning. Cross races are NASCAR; loud, colorful, and lots of fast action (rubbin's racin'); the perfect storm for the American entertainment mind. I feel with the right investor (Bud, Chevy, NBC,ESPN, Red Bull etc) people would be interested. It offeres something new in what has seemingly become a predictable entertainment and sports market in the states. I envision no amateur events, straight pro only races, 50 minutes for women, 105 minutes for men and a great color commentator to call the action (think Bob Costas' brain with Howling Wolf Man Jacks delivery) it would work, it would look great live and on TV. get em excited, get em drunk, sell em t-shirts; simple as that.

Visit cyclingdirt.org for more Videos

Be well.

Finally Fall

2010-09-16T21:49:00.005-04:00

Nice time of the year. I love fall,everything about it; the cold air, damp earth, changing leafs, golden sunsets, night rides, and on and on. On tonight I love even more, specifically harvesting Wild American Hops. Yea, them hops. The effervescent flower in the hemp family that is best when steeped in an ale wort lined the bike path we were riding on. For me, beer and cycling have always fit, especially hoppy IPA, but tonights discovery was both fun and olfactoryilyily out of sight!

I pose a question to you. Are skateboarder pros cooler than MTB pros? They must be, since they seem to be everywhere in the pop and media world. Odd, we take a back seat to a very inefficient mode of transportation. Could you imagine a world where everywhere a skateboard was seen it was instead a MTB? Damn! The what if.

Big endure events coming up in October: Burning at the Bluff 12 hour race and Berryman Epic 55 mile race. Hell yeah!!

Be well.

Love when plans come together

2010-08-21T22:31:00.003-04:00

Thank you Industry 9 for designing an ingenious rear hub. I spent an hour with your brain child and must say, brilliant. Complex and simple. Solid and intricate. Your pawl design is brilliant yet so simple to work on I was in awe.

WWW.industrynine.net

Rollin' solid.

Be well.

Big Road Ride Today

2010-08-18T22:08:00.003-04:00

Small group rolled out into the farm lands in the early afternoon. High heat, high pace, high wind, no room to hide. Legs are spent. Spund. Spand. Tired.

Rear rim kissed a train track hahrd...flated, dented, brake bumping.

More later.

Be well.

Dogs Days of Summer

2010-08-13T16:06:00.002-04:00

The heat in STL is rough. Brutal to be exact, near too much for life. Hard to believe it, but it is true, this part of the country is possibly hotter than the South. So hot in fact, that rides bookend the days like a tight rope walker. I find myself either riding at pre-dawn hours or in the dark of night. Wednesday I rode the first, real night ride of the year. A small group of 5 made our way over to the trails at the new and old trails at the e. The trails were in great shape, a mild benefit of the heat of the past month. We rolled a solid pace that felt heavy at times. It was a fun ride, always great hitting the night again. I took a nice solid stick in the back wheel and bent a spoke, similar bend to the front wheel. My I9's really need some TLC. New bearings, spokes, and some TS-1 time would set them right. No rush, as long as I am rolling straight by this fall. Several big enduro events in September and October that have me excited to keep training.

Not much else.

Be well.

Summer Comes to a Theoretical End

2010-08-07T17:47:00.002-04:00

I wrapped up my summer work and in theory have a week or so off until I am to report back to the U. However, the theory is flawed as I have a pile of writing and sitting yet to do. Oh well. The best part of my time off will be several days with junior. We can spend time together eating cookies and biking around the area with an occasional walk with the dog in the woods.

I have been riding quite a bit to regain some form for a few select fall competitions. The weather is the only challenge as it is either raining electricity and dumping dynamite or 100 plus degrees with 80 plus humidity. I am excited and almost delusional at the thought of riding in knee and arm warmers.

I rode at Pere Marquette State Park with Gibbers last Wednesday. 40 miles, 3700 feet of total climbing, 90 degrees at the start and 100 at the finish. BRUTAL for sure. I had a middle age moment as I pulled a muscle in my neck while eating a gel on the side of the road. Laugh as you must, but it hurt and hampered the end of the ride. Somehow, I have no memory of injuries during rides while standing, age is rough.

In conjunction with a few ultra events on the MTB this fall, I would like to race the regional cross series. About 8 events in and around St. Louis, real grassroots and perfect for bringing junior and the wife. Many ideas for a bike to race, but I have settled on a repaint of my old Planet X and will use the 7800 Duar Ace kit from my Crown Jewel. Should build up to an 18ish pound bike with my Ksyrium SSC's. The only foil to this plan, is the removal of a XTR octalink BB. I have tried the basics for removal and may have to recruit a burly table top vise to crack the BB free. Time will tell.

Road ride tomorrow if ya'll in?

Be well.

2010-07-28T23:48:00.002-04:00

In a rash of spontaneousnessess...I have added a Twitter account to my blog, now updates on rad rides in the mid-west can be more current and relevant. It is all about the moment. Send me an email to follow me from your twitter account..

Be Well.

Wednesday Night

2010-07-28T22:44:00.002-04:00

Mid-summer blues are here in the inglorious mid-west. Stiffling heat, massive thunderstorms, and rednecks in trucks fill the day. The trails at the U that I regularly ride have finally reached a point where they are dry and can handle rain without a return to muddyness. However, all that "fitness" is to no avail as racing in both the UFD and MWFTS has taken a brief haitus I can only assume as a result of the brutal summer weather. A quick glance at the calendar shows several nice events in late August, September, and November.

More later, and cyclocross is on my mind.

Be well.

Missouri State Championships

2010-06-14T09:39:00.003-04:00

The suffering is blurred.

I know I know...been a long time. This is true on many levels. Needless to say I am alive and kicking and enjoying the crappy mid-west weather.

A small crew from the e rolled out to Castlewood Missouri for the state mountain bike championships. I knew nothing of the course and almost preferred it that way. We arrived about 30 minutes before the start and before I knew it I was charging up a loose stone road under ridiculous humidity at 10AM.

I raced the 3 hour endurance event, and that was more than enough for me. The course was two loops on both side of the access road to the park. The start loop was a nice touch and avoided the foolish LeMans start. The first loop of the course was a solid climb up loose stoney trails. The ascent leveled off at the top of the bluff and we rolled on well worn trail for several miles; fast but not too fast. Fun none the less. We dropped down, crossed the access road and climbed up and over to the other half of the course. A pleasent stream crossing met us as we began a very Mt.Snow type climb up to the summit of the second bluff. We had to ride a moderatly challenging sequence of granite slabs, muddy roots, and rugged bench; quite a nice challenge in comparison to the smooth "other side". I cleaned the ascent every time, albeit with near cramping legs. The climb summitted at the top of a nice view of some muddy river. A clean breeze greeted you and the descent to the finish was on. Another surprise was the steep and loose descent to the S/F area. Nice and pocked with loose rock, roots and a touch of speed. It was great descending, even if it was short lived. For most of my race this section was lined with spectators. Fun! And thank you for the cheers. I am amazed that people know me, not from fame but the slick top tube name tag from IF, thanks ya'll!

I finished 5 laps right at 3:01 hour (few minutes faster and I could have made it 6!), and in the top ten somewhere. I had "fun" and suffered hard from the heat. The course was nice, a mix of too easy and kinda hard. Had fun and would race it again next year at the ripe age of 39! Ouch.

Be well.

Friday

2010-04-30T14:59:00.003-04:00

Friday is ride day eve. Given the gray sky and bustling wind that ride will most likely be on 23c tires. Oh well, you can not rip trail all the time.

May 9th is the Greensfelder Race. I may be able to make the enduro start. Many things will need to work out. Time will tell.

Beer world? Hmm lots of choices for the weekend. I am most likely going with Ska Brewing's Modus Hoperandi...a spicy mix of hops layered over hops. So hoppy it looks green when it pours....

be well.

Phew

2010-04-29T13:47:00.002-04:00

Welcome to spring, a nice change from the harsh midwest winter. Racing is in full swing and there are no shortage of bike races around the greater St. Louis area. I have raced two endurance mountain bike races so far, and have several more on the horizon. So far all the midwest series events seem to include a 3 hours enduro class. Perfect. Nice touch, a little XXC. Most of the 3 hour races are usually 4 hours given the lap through rule. Again perfect.

I raced the Bone Bender 6 hour race in Kansas City Missouri a few weeks back. It was excellent. Great course and conditions, in fact perfect for my tastes and fitness level. Lots of twisty side to side riding on dry dusty singltrack with just enouigh elevation gain and rock sections to keep things interesting. Scene was chill and the racing was the real deal. I started out well and felt excellent on the bike. At the 3.5 hour mark I began to struggle with a lung infection I had over the past week. At the 35 mile mark I pulled out of the race, enough already. Frustrated, but a reality and in hindsight the best move as I am still struggling with "the consumption" today. I should be fully recovered by next week. At nearly 3 weeks of illness, I have had my fill with feeling crappy.

The 29er Deluxe continues to amaze me. Love it, in fact I have loved it hard enough that several parts need to be replaced. The list is vast and most likely expensive: chainrings (all), chain, cassette, pedals, cables, bottom bracket, all wheel bearings, and rubber. Damn.

The plan will be to set up my drivetrain in a 2X9 settup. I have been riding 2X9 for several years and often was left with 42/32 or when money was flowing 42/30 from Extrlite of Italy. Luckily, Blackspire of Canada has started making the Super Pro chain rings in 104 40 and 64 28. Perfect for my tastes, and supporting of big ring eternity. Chain will be the new PG991 from Sram, XTR cassette, and King Bottom bracket (everything else most likely sucks). Coupled with the new XTR cable set I picked up and my wrist cracking Gripshift XO the new set up should be rad. Photos as it progresses.

I may have to switch front derailers for two reasons: fist, the Sram X9 sucks and has never workded as good as any Shimano I have ever used, second the 104 40 sits in the middle slot, and may need a front der with a better cage angle. Luckily Shimano SLX come in a 2 speed front for DH that hands small rings well.

Crank Brother has updated their pedal designs (Egg and Candy) and added an inside needle bearing and alloy body. This should increase durbility and feel, although how much we do not know. I have tolerated the high failure rate of Cranks for years because they are so damn light (sorry but yes). Unfortunately for Crank Brothers their new design is much heavier than previous, thus I feel with the gain in pedal weight and a long history of suspect durability, there is no longer a need to ride their pedals. Shimano and Time, durable and light enough (compared to new CB weights) may see a slight resurgance. Funny, I have a broken CB TI axle I need to send back this weekend for a warranty.

Be well

Rain. Really?

2010-03-28T22:39:00.002-04:00

Today was supposed to be race #2 of the season, the Lost Valley Luau just west of Saint Louis. I was planning on racing the enduro again, 3plus hours of what the locals call a "roadies course". Or what I would call it, gravel with 2 miles of singletrack. Either way I was looking forward to it, but the promoter cancelled last night. Bummed, but a good call as it rained hard all day today and only cleared up until around 4pm. Just as well the Deluxe needs a little TLC. I need new bearing for my bottom bracket, front hub, shifter cables, pedals, and tires. Damn, that last "grassroots" race in the mud really cost me.

Next race is the bone bender in Paradise Missouri; out west near Kansas. Dang.

Be well.

Leadbelt XC

2010-03-15T15:59:00.004-04:00

First enduro race of the year in the books. I made the 90 mile drive into Missouri Mine country to race the Leadbelt XC event. The weather was 45, rainy, and overcast; but I did not care, I wanted to roll on the 29er and have fun while racing. My event was in the marathon class. The format was as many laps within 3 hours as possible (lapping through with time left before 3 hour mark was fine). 10 racers showed up to tackle what would amount to a fairly hard course (in no part thanks to the rain). The lap was 8 miles of mostly singletrack that appeared to be designed by motocrossers. Lots of straight rutted sections. However, several sections were fun, and worked well with the race format. The forest was a mix of hard and softwoods and equally mixed soil structure; Lots of soft mud, clay, sandy pebbly type stuff, and everything in between. There were 3 or 4 creek crossing, a bridge culvert ride through, and enough bumpy trail character to rough you up. (29rs = roll it straight) Overall I liked the course and enjoyed the challenge. Given that, it had rained hard for 24 hours prior to the gun, and everything that could turn into mud did. Each lap the track became worse and worse. Loose mud turned to peanutt butter mud and fast trails became sllllloooooowwwww trails. By my last lap I was cursing the mud gods.

My race could be summed up as consistent. At the gun I jumped into a lead group of 4and sat in and spun with ease over the best conditions of the day. I felt good and never felt like the pace was too high to sustain throughout the event. The lead group shuffled a bit and stayed intact unitl a rider rolled off the front. I let him go and kept my pace. After a little of this and a little of that I ended up alone in 3rd place. Tired yet motivated I suffered in solace. Each lap became harder to pedal and ride, several sections became difficult to climb and I elected to walk them. When it was all said, I finished 3rd with 4 laps in 3:20ish time, maybe 5-10 minutes out of first. Average lap was 50 minutes or so but that was a sliding scale for sure. Fun yes, pain yesser.

Notes on the race:
My bike rode excellent, 29er is better for enduro.
Reba Race with 120psi +Air was perfect, finally dialed in.
XO Drivetrain (Now with sassy XO Gripshift) was freaking t-i-t-e!
WTB Nano's, seriously AWD type tread design on rolling muddy terrain, they always cleared and were predictable throughout the entire race.
Bar ends are back (I formally apologize for EVER leaving you, I love 'em)

Crank Brother are the best for this type of race, never an issue.
No cramps at all (that means none).
No GI distress from all the mud I ate (yet at least).
Missouri is not all that flat.
Do not forget chamois creme.
Bars are not as good as gels (speed and breathing are necessary)

Thanks UFD, had fun, next year maybe it will dry out.

Be well.

Batter Up

2010-02-26T08:05:00.002-05:00

St.Joe Park MO....ORV park? Sounds like...ouch!

The competitive mountain bike season will begin on March 14th at the Leadbelt XC. I will enter the 10am enduro/marathon event. The event has an odd in between XC and XXC duration of 3 hours. I assume the format goes like this: line up> bang!> race hard like a 2 hour race> complete as many 8 hour laps as possible> over. Should be fun regardless, judging pace may be odd, but I would imagine riding at or just below normal XC effort. Setting up a bottle station will be necessary, no hydration pack for this event. Interested in the event? GO HERE.

The race is a part of the United Federation of Dirt group.

Ass Man

2010-02-21T21:57:00.003-05:00

Euro road racing is on. The media coverage is all over everything. Pro customization is everywhere; frames, shoes, glasses, and now seats. I liked customization around 10 years ago, now it is too produced and pop music like. Hard to beat name on the top tube or helmet. Now pro roadies have graphics and customization that rivals BMX, skaters, and monster trucks.

Check out Al's saddle. Does the "finger bang" on the ass perch seem appropriate? Any symbolism there? Or maybe Al supports prostate health? Or maybe Al gives us a clue to his fetish..or maybe the location of the missing Operacion Puerto evidence. Regardless, more poor taste from el Patron de Bano.

blaaaat...er bang.

be well.

Not Dead Yet

2010-02-12T16:46:00.001-05:00

Cycling Videos on CyclingDirt

Winter sucks. This video is wildly calming and reassuring that dirt riding will happen again.

Be well.

Tubeless Tires Are Better

2010-02-08T19:01:00.004-05:00

A few weeks back I commented on an enormous thorn that punctured my tire while riding my 29er on the road. My tire (WTB Nano) held air while I rode the 8ish miles home. The thorn, or bear claw, was the biggest I have ever seen.

Check it out.

Be well

Plain Rush

2010-02-07T08:36:00.002-05:00

Saturday riding was a temperature challenge. It all began with 1 inch of wet snow falling Friday evening. By Saturday, the skies cleared, temps int he 35 plus zone and all that snow soft like warm frosting. Only it was actually cold. Wet. And did not taste like vanilla or chocolate.

I ruled out the Crown Jewel and chose the 29er Deluxe. Smart move. Roads were iffy for sure. One of the benefits of the Metro East for cyclist are the paved bike paths that snake all around the county. I have written about them before. They are flat, straight, and protected from civilization by groves of hardwoods, conifers, and corn fields. Far the paved ascent up Reddish Knob, but perfect when such solitude calls.

Out I went. I spun about 10 miles towards St. Louis and was having a nice time. Fairly warm, but soaking slowly from the cold icing spray. At the hour mark my feet were damp frozen chunks of meat. Damn cold to be sure. The wind was stiff and stiffening, drawing any warmth from my body. Committed to the loop I continued to ride and chose the paths that are a little more challenging than the smooth glass that I hade been riding. By the 90 minute mark I was pretty much frozen and looking for a sulpher spring to bath in. No luck. Head down and jam the better reality to focus on. As I pounded on my Candy's I noticed little areas freezing on my bike. Water was accumulating on the front control cables and feezing in dirty water sheaths. My downtube, bottom bracket, and crank interface was freezing into a filet brazzed mess. My nice green XO rear derailer, was a greasy frozen glob that was begining to chatter and creak. Damn. I new it was near 40 degrees F out, must be a the wind chill that was freezing all that water on my frame. Cool. My effort was warming my body and freezing my bike. Who needs a power meter when you can have the frozen water wind chill meter. At the 2.5 hour mark I made my way back into LaClaire a numb bloodless mess of damp frozen extremities. Ouch fo sho.

Dismounting a frozen bike with frozen limbs is very uncomfortable. Those first few steps are painful as blood fills the cold tissue of your feet and hands. Warming up too quick can really increase the pain meter, like a deep sea swimmer ascending too quick can lead to the bends, jumping into the warm house and thick wool socks can send brain freeze slushy pain throughout your entire body. Yes, ouch fo sho.

This morning, I shall try it all again.

Be well.

Cold is Better

2010-01-30T18:07:00.003-05:00

I went to bed last night hoping the temperature would drop to Artic ranges. It did, and it was good.

Why you ask?

6 weeks since my last trail ride I needed a long pop in the woods. Luckily, and almost perfectly, I awoke to 17 degree sun this morning. Very nice.

As i sipped french roast and read the new Mountain Flyer, the anticipation built to a horny mess. By 9:30 we crossed the into the cozy 20's and I was on my way to the riders room.

Dressed, lubed, and aired up away I went. It was very very very on the ride to the trails. I rode over crunchy shadow snow and took an intimate survey of all the drafty areas in my ensamble. At 20, there are many.

The trails were solid and frozen with a small dusting of snow scattered throughout the forest. Perfect. It was fun; the trails were a little pocky but mostly smooth and the traction was quite good.

I managed to put in about 180 minutes and finished tired but ready for tomorrow's AM ride with the crew.

Form is approaching. How nice.

Be well.

Rollers

2010-01-27T21:51:00.002-05:00

The weather has been modest at best and as a result I find myself driven to ride inside....on a stationary trainer. Now, I really hate the trainer. It is everything I hate about not riding in general (with the exception that I am actually riding, or pedaling, while on a bike). The inside, windless, going nowhere, atmosphere is modest at best. So i am in a no win situation. In a walk of shame I made the short trip to my garage and grabbed my Kreitler Challenger rollers from the back shelf. I carried them to my basement and upon setting them on the floor noticed the roller belt was gone. The roller belt is essential as it allows the front and rear rollers to spin together and simulate the sensation of ripping it down the ashphalt. I tried to use an old road tube but all the attempts failed. Damn, not being able to ride inside is bumming me out. So now I have to track down a new belt, hopefully someone in E'ville of St. Louis has one in stock.

time will tell

be well

French Roast

2010-01-22T07:06:00.002-05:00

The end of a rainy week and what have we learned?

It rains a lot in southern Illinois.

Fog has degrees of thickness.

I missed a group road ride on Wednesday afternoon for a "meeting" at work.

Patching bicycle tubes is cheaper than replacing them. Go green.

Weather has been nice in Richmond.

When your through improving your through.

Be well.

3 More Days

2010-01-18T22:00:00.002-05:00

Big weekend on the bike, I managed to put in 3 long solo rides. 2 on the 29er on the road (love it!) 1 on the CJ. I had a massive puncture while riding the bike paths around madison county on the 29er. Somehow a 3 inch thorn, or dragon claw nail, or bear tooth worked its way in the center of my Nanoraptor and through to the rim. The only benefit of such an enormous puncture is that it was so large it stayed put in the tire and even held air. The calamity occured toward the end of the ride about 8 miles from the house. My only option was to ride it, and I did. Oddly, the Stan's fluid squirted out the entire ride back in to E'ville and coated my post, stays, and ass. Go figure. I will post a photo, this sucker was seriously big. Like Dirk Diggler big, phuc it scared me.

I managed to patch the tire with a Hutchinson Tubless Patch back in my shop and it appears to have worked as I rode it for several hours. I have used the Hutchy patches in the past and they work as sold. Nice stuff and they come in nice sizes and shapes for the everyday gash. Check em, they can save you some loot and a tire.

Today's road ride was a nice big loop that lead me out to some chugging and Thunderdome like refinerary, phucing ugly. Wanda Road is not like riding on Shore Road in Portland that is fo sho. I headed south past Thunderdoma and made my way back to town and chose to take a gravel road along the way. Big mistake, the gravel road was so muddy and silly wet I was maxxed out just to make the mile. Nothing like jamming it on 23mm slicks and Open Pros. Bad move, should have known better as the Midwest is mostly overcast, damp as phuc, and wetter than hell, too much for me (Dixie!?).

Did I mention all the roads out here are straight and battered with head winds like Bobby blasted Whitney. How sweet it is, very Vlanderen like. Training here for a few seasons and my quads and hamstrings will swell to Marty Nothstein proportions, phuc! Enough with the wind and corn less corn fields. How about a tree or two, you know a little buffer. Phuuuuuc. Maybe throw in a turn that is not at a 4 way stop, come on already, seriously. I should remove my road bike headset and glue my steerer, I could save like 110 grams and remove something I never really need to use anymore. Seriously.

Well, get to work.

Be well.

Forgive me father for I have sinned..

2010-01-13T11:41:00.003-05:00

Over the last two decades I have tried to replace cycling with other equally cool and rad activities. Often persuaded by weather, time, friends, or other devilish forces; I have taken the comfort of another.

My last ride was December 19th 2009, my last anything else is forgotten.

In attempts to find than thing, to feel that something, I have done other things than pedaling.

I grew up skiing, and have slid within every discipline of the sport (except knuckle dragging) and love it. In my hay day I put in 60 plus days a year for what amounted to my entire 20's. I made turns in most of the cool areas on the US and Eastern Canada. I have stood in lift lines, punched holes up boiler plate head walls, skied tracks, and skated over groomed love. I became obsessed with powder runs in the trees and laughed at fear and risk. I spent hours measuring air and snow temps and applying layer upon layer of high flouro wax. I love and miss it, but not like trail riding in the damp woods.

I shed my planks often when time and weather required a more direct response. I strapped on running shoes, trail shoes, snow shoes, and even ice skates. I have run mile of miles, skated on ponds and frozen creeks (single track skating is pretty freaky), and even tried (gasp!) a treadmill. I love and miss them all, kinda, but no where near the same as ridding a gravel road descent at 40 MPH.

As a matter of confession, I have even tried to fill the void with gym workouts. Weights, dumbbells, Smith racks, legs press, yeah all that. Cool, but, yeah you know not that cool.

I even became so desperate at times to feel like a cyclist that I would break down and rebuild my entire bike in my home shop on a stormy snowy evening. I would remove every sweet component off the frame, wash and wax it with flannel, and soak and strip grime and grit from every part. My wheels would look show room new, my chain shinny and immaculate, and my tires finished to a jet black. My assembly would be precise and surgical; each cable measured and cut to the exact length needed, tension checked and re-checked, and cockpit instruments set at the perfect angle. I would consume delicious beers and listen to dozens of albums. I would gaze, tighten, and adjust that bike to perfection. I love it, the act is timeless and perfect, but not the same as rolling switchbacks sans brakes.

So today as I packed my running bag for a lunchtime trot on the local trails, I realized I was living a lie. I was a phony. I would rather be packing my riding gear and rolling over a pile of logs.

Be well.

Winter

2010-01-07T18:04:00.004-05:00

Nate dog and myself representing Team Allspeed Circa 1999

Allspeed Thursday Night Group Ride Circa 1999, if you listen close you can hear Geary's Pale Ale chilling in the fridge.

Snows fell in the mid west and continue as I type. I hade planned on trail riding this week, but will have to wait for now. The snow is shallow enough that riding once the storm settles should be a lot of fun.

This winter may be the hardest winter I have lived through since I left Portland. combining the Arctic cold of early December, with 12 days in Upstate NY, and now the "big one" in the blah-west all add up to my snowest days in over a decade.

Speaking of Portland, Maine, I heard that Gary has sold Allspeed Bike and Ski to two young guys. I hope it works out and the Allspeed feel stays the same. I spent 7 years of my life at that shop; riding bikes, drinking beer, scamming wheel truing favors from Gary, and designing ski adventures. We also shared a nice pile of smack talking on almost every night of the week along often around the furious town line sprint on Washinton Ave. (I beat gary most of the time, errr yeah..most). Best to both parties.

I would kill for spring weather right now.

Be Well.

..while the boys sing 'round the fire

2010-01-04T19:30:00.005-05:00

I spent several days over the holiday running and hiking around the snowy trails of my youth. As I moved through the old growth forests of the sweet years gone by I could not help but look fondly on all those warm summer days. As my thoughts hopped from one dreamy memory to another I began to think about how those days have now become the rabbit I chase so often. Riding in my late teens in that forest was a complete adventure in every way. The newness of the bike, my skills, flora, fauna, sun, wind, heat, sounds, scent, speed, fear, triumph, ease, stress, high, low, left and the right it was all awesome. Each ride on the trails offered more than just a little exercise. They offered the joy of exploration and challenge for the first time. I cannot stop from smiling when I think about stumbling on that new trail head or that sweet descent over mossy rooty love that seemed to last forever. Those rides were orignial, the 501 of the ride world, the Lewis and Clark of the Lewis and Clark world. Untouched by anything other than the experience of rolling. As I fell deep in poetic dribble I realized rides over the past decade have attempted to regain that feeling. An orechestrated attempt to capture that raw adventure and rush of novel glisse that filled so much time in my life. Every ride, was an intentional quip to capture a rabbit that had no design to begin with and certainly no intention of being caught. So where do I go? The taste that developed my appetitie was sweet, but certainly not exclusive. So it came that I realized on that cold morning run, that the rabbit had no begining and has no end, it runs for the sake of running, and the carrot at the end has many flavors and all are worth savoring.

Be well.

Happy New Year

2009-12-31T14:37:00.005-05:00

Wow, the Y2K decade is over, oh my. So much has happened in the last 10 years. Which is really no surprise. So toast a glass tonight to 10 Years Gone. I will be around downtown eating and dinning with old friends. MayBE I will see you out?

I mAy even sip a little champagne Tonight, but not too much as I am in tRaining for a sUper roller of a 2010 SeaSon. Get old, get smart, go fast.

Be wELl.

Hold It

2009-12-26T03:17:00.002-05:00

Ahhh, post holiday recovery. Nothing like it. Make the 900 mile trip to my families place in NY. Enjoying the easy living and ample space to stretch my legs out. Visited my old stomping ground for a 6 mile trail run through a veritable winter wonderland; fun and perfect.

Spent Christmas eve ill from a stomach flu virus of some sort. Ouch. Needless to say I am at race weight now.

Plan to visit old friends, bike shops, and the like while mixing in trail runs. Fitness is gaining, and I am beginning to feel better with every compounding workout.

Not much else, more as it happens.

Be well.

Winter Wonderland

2009-12-20T12:38:00.002-05:00

Cold and overcast in Illinois. Went for a solo MTb ride over at the U trails this morning. Conditions were perfect; 27 degrees, no wind, and a slight dusting of snow on the trail and mild flurries. Beautiful conditions for a little winter love. The trails were fairly fast, although the deeper mud sections were not frozen solid and required a little walk through. After 90 minutes or so the cold worked deep into my bones and I retreated to a warmer environment.

Well, off to NY for a little holiday cheer.

Be well.

Get Old Go Longer

2009-12-18T06:24:00.003-05:00

December cold lends to my planning for spring rain. For 2010 I plan to race primarily enduro style races, 3 hours plus would be best for me. Sit and spin, perfect for a 38 year old Gen Xer. The Bone Bender will most likely be my first of the season. Racing in April is awesome, always loved early season event. New bike, new shoes, fresh spirit, and cool air often yield times to remember.

More as the time allows.

Be Well.

Forgive Me

2009-12-17T10:33:00.003-05:00

The holidays will be spent in the snowy white north. My crew will load up the wagon and mush the horses east across the great prarie. Unfortnunately, unlike my Turkey day in the southeast riding will not be an option. So this means, running is now the new riding for me. In fact today is the innaugeral re-run on the campus trails. Yah hoo. I have a love hate relationship with running. I generally enjoy it more than doing nothing, but would rather in most cases be riding one of my sweet IF's. Saying that, as a competitor, and suddenly fueld by the notion of crushing Russell in the SM 100, I must gain fitness and stay leaner than Saint Nick. A monumnetal task as I live in the land of cheap ground beef and $11.67 12-packs of New Belgium beer? Zowie. (Love the winter Folly Pack, dang boss variety is king).

Well I am off to stomp out ignorance and increase my aggravation.

Be well.

NH3

2009-12-16T12:09:00.002-05:00

Sometimes it is the little hassles in life that have the greatest overall effect on mood, or at least how your perceive the day. I went for a road ride earlier in the week, and early into the ride I needed to raise my saddle about 5 mm or so. To my surprise my Thomson post was seized in the IF seat tube. Not good. I tried a few twists and turns and was left stumped on how to move that dang seat pin. As any new age dude would do when looking for an answer, I surfed the Internet for answers and found a link on the late Sheldon Browns site. He discussed several options, of which breaking the bond chemically was the most appealing to me.

In most cases when neglect and time dance the days away, the aluminum seat pin and steal seat tube swap ions like horny co-eds swapping humours at a frat party. The resultant bond is not marriage or a legal agreement, but rather corrosion. Hmm yes the words to old. This bond, if in the embryonic stage can be broken by a weak acid. Ahh, yes Intro to Chemistry, how you escaped me. Well, Sheldon suggested several chemical options, of which ammonia seemed the most viable to me. So I headed over to the market and picked up a liter of ammonia hydroxide (NH3 and H20) for $1.5. With the aid of my sons tiny plastic tea pot, I worked a steady stream of ammonia around my seat collar, and let the sucker sit for a few hours. Several hours later, like a kid on Christmas morn I returned to the basement to have a go at the twist. Screaaaaak! I had rotation, brief at first, but I was on the golden road. A few manly truck driver spins later and the Thomson was liberated! Oh my. I then did my best to sand off the corrosion and prepare the seat tube for its primary role of holding a seat pin. Alas, it was fixed, my mind at ease, my knee extended a little further and most importantly my ego stroked fully.

Be well

60 to 42 in a Blink

2009-12-14T17:55:00.002-05:00

Left the U early for a solo road ride. Started out under a nice 60 degree cloudy sky, ended with a windy cloudy sky at 42 degrees. Big difference in temps when riding on the road. I road the Madison County Trails for 99% of the ride. The traffic free riding on narrow asphalt paths has its place, and for me today was it.

Seat position feels a little low compared to my MTB, so I attempted to lower mt seat pin, and low and behold it was seized up solid. Dang, that is embarrassing for a connoisseur like myself. Hopefully a little silicon spray can ease my effort in free the now static height of my saddle.

Hopefully I can manage a little spin again tomorrow.

Be well.

CX Nats

2009-12-13T15:24:00.002-05:00

Thinking of all the cross racers out at Orygun. I had wonderful flashbacks looking through the masters racers results (or A Racers from another time). Seeing old friends like JF, GF, KA, GW, AS, and all the rest of you scoundrels. The track for today's Men's race looks pretty sick; tacky and deadly. Maybe next year, I do miss my weekly fall embrocation therapy. Hmm.

Props to www.cyclingdirt.org for their excellent grass roots coverage. I have enjoyed every free minute.

Rode the Deluxe yesterday on perfect December trails, met up with a few others and we rolled a nice route. Dropped the Nano's down to about 25 psi and enjoyed insane cornering angle and speed. Oh my. Finished the ride with sleet begining to fall. WTF mid-west!?

Entering into my holiday break season. Where, coffee, dog walks, rides, lunch with the family, and beer at night are the norm. Time off is so important for effective time on.

Speaking of beer, enjoyed a few nice ale's with friends last night. Sam Adams Winter; not bad for a cinnamon orange thing. Shiner Bock, good for Lance, good for me (well maybe, he does rep Ultra, still WTF) and lastly the offering with the most to mention was He'Brew's Genesis Ale. In a word or two, it was delicious. Full bodied, textured with a little smokey finish. very brown ale like, but with a little chutzpa! Check em.

brr

2009-12-12T10:19:00.004-05:00

when the temps dip, ride early. frozen trails ride like late july trails. so fun and fast and cold. heading out to the trails at big E. should be fun and fast with a whole lot of emptyness. i love the lines of sight in the winter, i can see to iowa on most swooping corners.

a road ride on a 32 degree overcast day could be the equivalent of eating glass in a walk in meat freezer.

be well.

Twitch Free

2009-12-09T12:20:00.004-05:00

Winter arrived in Southern Illinois this week, cold rain and snow ( a lil'). Good week for the bike despite the onslaught from mother nature. Hit the SIUE trails on Saturday with AG and ZR, we rolled near 3 hours of steady trail riding. The surface was fast and hard, a product of cold air and an early start. I headed out again on Sunday and the surface was much softer and muddy, so I stuck to the XC running paths and gravel roads around campus.

I hope to hit the bike one more time this week, then roll a double on the weekend. Despite the responsibilities, I should be able to develop fitness this winter and challenge a few spring racing events.

So far I have maybe 30 rides on the new Deluxe 29er with pimp kit. I am surprised how easy it has been to adjust to the new wheel size and frame design (again props to IF). For the most part, my new bike handles tight twisty singletrack with the same sharpness as my 26 inch wheel. The benefits are an overall smoother ride, lower rear wheel bounching frequency, ridiculous amount of straight away speed and stability, and an unheard of amount of cornering traction. As a consumer, I am sold so far on the 29 inch wheel. The only drawback has been climbing acceleration when encountering sudden changes in trail rises. Alot of the slow feeling could be the overall height of my bars, which feels awkward when rising from the saddle during a rapid acceleration at the base of climbs (i think i want bar ends again). In time I will tackle that issue with a few new set ups. A contributor to sluggish acceleration while ascending may also be my gearing. I am running a traditional 44,32,22 11-34 set up. I feel dropping to a 40,30 or 40,32 may be better. A few boutigue brand companies (Extralite) have smaller rings for 104 BCD, but they cost much more than run of the mill rings. I ran a 2X9 on my 26 and loved it, this may be equally loved on the 29. Time will tell.

The Extralite Gara 42/28 set up?

Lastly, I am really impressed with WTB's Nanoraptor, so far super wicked durable, grippy in all but the muddest conditions, and fairly light by 29er standards (646 grams).

Nano means small, but they ride big..

Well, happy cold as heck day.

Be well.

South Bound

2009-11-18T21:49:00.002-05:00

Raining like mad since Sunday, enough already. Who would have know the weather was so lame along the Big River? Gonna pack up the wagon and head the family south east, looking for that sunny southern weather. 820 miles.

Pocahontas on Monday, RVA on Tuesday and W'Burg area every day in between. Chamois packed, socks stuffed, bike tuned, blah blah.

Like Smokey the Bandit I will be running rocky mountain beer to a few good ole boys. Where's my snowman? Frog? Buford T. Justice! Bitch, stay in the diner.We be rollin'.

Photos to follow.

Be well.

Yah

2009-11-06T16:28:00.003-05:00

These two ladies have crazy bicycle skills, better than Kevin Bacon in Quicksilver. They make all those fixed gear free style dorks performing elephant trunk skids look like fixed gear free style dorks performing elephant trunk skids.

Fo real.

Be well.

Sunny Days Are Here Again

2009-11-06T15:54:00.003-05:00

Warm, sunny, and perfect again in So.IL. About time. I rode the trails last night and they were dry in all but a few spots where water appears to settle. The bike is riding fine and I managed to survive my first spill last night. I was rolling a little hot on a oak leaf laiden trail and washed out on a sweeping left hand turn. I was surprised but managed to slide safe into to home plate. No damage, no injuiry, we be good.

Plans for the weekend have not been made, although raking, riding, and rifting reers is the 3 R's I will live by.

Trip to VA is planned, looking forward to it.

More later.

Be well.

Let Me Roll It

2009-11-02T19:54:00.016-05:00

After two months of waiting, stroking, and tuning my new Independent Fabrication mountain bike it finally hit the trails last night. It took only 10 minutes on the trails to figure the ride of the bike out, and by the nights end I was swinging the Deluxe into corners and jamming its pedals up short hills. It is difficult to really tell what the strongest feature of the build is as everything is new, but I will feel safe in offering the IF Deluxe 29er frame design as the greatest upgrade from my previous rig. The bitch rolls like a tank and cuts like a razor. Next ffter the frame, would have to be the wheels that really stands up and wants to be noticed. The I9's are stiff as hell, stiffer than my Mavic SLR's, light, and se se sexy. Add the instant engagement from their 6 pawl free wheel and you have the stuff of legends; get up and go. Next in line for upgrade love would be the whole Sram ensemble; from cranks, gears, and to the fork; top notch and so nice. Specifically, the Avid Elixir CR Mags are the best dics brakes I have ever had, set up was a breeze and lever modulation is second to none. These brake do not skid when you want power control in corners, they simply slow you down. Smooth and easy.

Below are a few pics, more to follow and hopefully plenty of stories of rides with friends. Thanks to Kevin, Joe, and Lloyd at IF for the design and Brandi and crew at Industry 9. I never thought a bike could be so nice (or better than my previous exceptional IF MTB). I can only offer the homage of a simple thought I had while riding last night; I want every ride on every bike to feel as solid, powerful, and predictable as the IF Deluxe did tonight. Simply awesome.

Profile of love.

Profile of love in half.

Standards for performance.

Every bike, all the time.

Cash green power, stiffer than XTR fo sho!

The heart? Not sure, but certainly a critical center.

I9 is off the hook, I went for classy low flash. Although all Gold with white rims was so tempting.

XO is precision, Cash green is money.

My new cockpit, so nice and easy to love.

The end of the beginning. Many more to come.

Key words: Speed. Carve. Smooth. Fast. Precise. Evolution of the wheel.

Be well.

And Now I Present..

2009-11-02T15:57:00.003-05:00

The new bike is built and the first bike path ride happened yesterday. It was great, I will ride a few trails this afternoon. It will never be as clean as it is now, I am almost tearful. But, a picture is worth a lot, and I will snap a few this afternoon under a perfect blue sky.

Oh, and the wheels on a 29er, they are BIG.

Stay Tuned Oh my.

Be well.

Shipped

2009-10-28T19:56:00.001-04:00

Wheels and new 29er to be rolling soon.

Thank you I9 for your support.

Photos to follow.

Be well.

Sunday is Funday

2009-10-25T18:47:00.002-04:00

Big nice group ride. Had fun on the Planet X, kept up with the group for the most part, traction the greatest challenge with the trails. My nutrition was lacking and I felt a little bonky by the end. Bigger bottle and a little more sugar would be the best option.

The family and I are driving to VA for the week of thanksgiving. We plan to drive from IL to H'burg on Friday before. The on to W'burg. I would love to ride in RVA and W'burg. Email me your plans.

If I am lucky my wheels will be in by then, if not, hmmm.

Oh and the kid staring wearing tighty whities!

Be well.

4.5 Stars

2009-10-23T10:40:00.002-04:00

Race Across the Sky played in E'ville last night to a rowdy audience of about 20. I was surprised at the lack of people as the area is pretty cycling heavy. Either way it was great. The footage of the race was excellent, the Heli shots were rich and inspiring and Lance was not too cocky. Wiens was a class act, Travis Brown looked nervous as hell when speaking on the panel, and Ken was classy and real. Shriver was there. The panel was a nice idea, it set up the context of the film well and seemed to be appropriately balanced with input from each member.

After watching the film, I see the challenges at Leadville are the high elevation of the event, almost more that the distance. The terrain seemed fairly modest and hardly the grand separator of the field as with other more popular ultra MTB events. But, by no means does that limit the greatness of the event. It has its challenges and they are unique and will require a top athlete to conquer. I left wanting to do this race. Which, I think was the feeling the producers wanted. I did not feel this was a "we love Lance" film, rather I felt this was a mountain biking is great and this event is great film. For me this was what the film needed to be. Lance added a little validity and exposure, which was good.

Overall the production really followed the NBC Ironman format. Focus on the event, the rigor of competing, the passion of the participants, the pro's and their proness and, the human interest stories of the competitors. For me, that was a little weak, a unique format may have really knocked our socks off. But, I enjoyed it either way and see the film sparking a new rise in MTB popularity. Our, meaning MTB, events at the grass roots level offer more than road cycling, in my opinion. The venues are often better, the riding and racing allows for the strongest rider to win which really levels the field of competition, and we are cool. In saying that, it would be great to see the late 80-90's surge in popularity again. I loved the old days and the richness of variety in events, competitors, and racing scenes. I feel the ultra style event will grow and no longer function as a niche within a World Cup dominated race format. We will lift and seperate within the MTB world.

In closing, I enjoyed the film, and only wished it showed at 8am on a Saturday so I could have ridden afterwards.

Be well.

Even midwest hillbilies...

2009-10-22T11:51:00.001-04:00

Check it. Funny.

Be well.

Movie Night in E'ville

2009-10-21T22:24:00.002-04:00

Hard to believe but the film Race Across the Sky is coming to Edwardsville. The trailer looks great and the footage of the race and mountains should look fantastic on the big screen. I can barely wait.

I have Fandagoed my tix and should be ready for the tailgate around 5pm.

Everything else is fine, no wheels yet. DOH!

Rumor has it Russell the Muscle's frame shipped, dang homey is rolling big now. I was reading a metro St. Louis cycling forum and it appears there are many 29er skeptics in the area. I am not sure what the hate is about, but I will investigate and report back.

Be well.

The waiting is the hardest part

2009-10-19T19:23:00.003-04:00

Sunny fall weather returned to southern Illinois with a beautiful week in the forecast. That means off road and on road rides for me in the evenings, two if I am lucky. Lots of great memories of night rides over the last 2 decades.

I was planning on racing the Berryman Epic, but no wheels yet and the race in 5 days would indicate a no go.

I ordered a bunch of weight weenie shit for my 29er. Might as well tune my bike while it sits in the stand. I ordered up ti bolts for everything that needs shear strength, then alloy bolts for everything else. I will knock about 34 grams off my bike for a little over a dollar a gram. Not bad.

The riding at the local trails is nice. The trails are well maintained and designed by bikers. Nice flow, feel great in either direction and are within 3 miles of my house. We all need a local stash to bleed on.

More later.

Be well.

Dude, not cool!

2009-10-10T20:19:00.002-04:00

Lance, we have never met, but dude, not this, anything but this. With all the beer out there, you went with the active lifestyle beverage for adults. What about beer for cyclists? Beers like this or this or this or if you are desperate, even this would be better than who you will now represent.. I mean, Le Tour, Leadville, Amstel Gold, and um, ahhh oh yeah I forgot, you are planning on doing this so I guess this is OK afterall. Maybe next you could represent this and give this back to where it belongs.

Sorry, but that is how we will see it.

Be well.

WTF? part next.

2009-10-08T11:38:00.003-04:00

Amateur drug testing with USADA?. Are you serious? Will USADA be at the next training crit collecting pee? Or the SM100 collecting blood and hair samples?

I bet this story will end up contributing to a reducion in the number of USAC licenses next year, and reduce the already low number of USAC sanctioned races.

Who wants to be bothered with this crap.

Amateur racing is a hobby. No money is involved, despite what you think. Why waste USADA budget money and time on amateur drug testing.

Foolish and ulitmately bad for the sport. Also, what was that dude doing? Seriously?

My only question is, do people make the news or to people follow what they read in the news. No more drug reporting in sports would be a welcome change.

Be well.

Days Past

2009-10-06T13:16:00.004-04:00

I love viewing all the slide shows from Interbike in Las Vegas. Or you could say, I love the bike and its parts, accessories, and gadgets. I love the exepeirience of riding, and I love the experience of riding bikes that are well designed, good looking, and good feeling. I need all three.

I remember back to the old days of riding in the 80-90's, when there was a plethora of good and not so good cutom bike parts on the market. Lots of stuff in lots of well documented colors and machinced alloy love. I owned my share of Grafton Brakes, Cook Brothers E Cranks, Machine Tec Hubs, Nuke Proof broken hubs, Ringle Moby Broken Post, Onza bar ends in Judy yellow, Kooka Cr Cr Crack Cranks, b b b bent levers, cr cr creaky stem, Answer A-tac bars, Marwi Ti-dye spokes, and the occasional Mojo Cable Hanger. I loved and cursed them all equally as if it was 3am on Friday night at the Stagger Inn. But, I really loved the precision and performance of a little British Columbia based company, simply titled, Syncros.

Syncros was beauty, function, and quality all rolled into their alloy and titanium offerings. It was the post and stem found on most high bikes that were not a part of the human be-in that was anodization. Unlike the run of the mill anodized alloy crap that I mentioned earlier, Syncros parts lasted, looked f-ing rad, and they worked. I remember when I fixed my first 26.8 black alloy micro adjust seatpost and Cattle Prod Stem to my Bridgstone MB3. I was the shit. I had found perfection. I was committed and clearly in front of the scene. My gear worked, looked f-ing rad, and pushed to the front of the line of every Kooka stem out there. I still have a 13 cm 0 rise CattleProd and Alloy Post in my parts bin. Waiting for a vintage Muddy Fox to fit it to.

Needless to say I was dismayed to see at Interbike that Ritchey has sort of, kind of, lammed up Syncros. Now I know, I am sure these parts will work well. They will roll, provide direction, and allow our hands to grip. But, they are by far not the same. I mean Grunge saddle, Lo-Ball stem, Crux Pedal, that stupid gear graphic. What have you done to a once pround and intergeral part to a generation of quailty off road experiences? DUDE, SERIOUSLY?

After looking over the MTBR coverage I developed that same feeling as if I was in Vegas watching Lynnard Skynnard belt Sweet Home Alabama at just another all you can eat buffett at some gin soaked ball room off the strip in Sin City. WTF?

A few accessory companies in our world, and I really mean a few, make products that embody what Syncros did, that will stand the test of time by; working great, looking great, and lasting for a great long time. For me the list is short: Chris King Headsets, Thomson Stems and Post, and bare with me, but think about it Shimano XTR/DA skewers (gaaaaasp). Everything else will need to be replaced at some point.

This is not Ted Williams here, this is Syncros.
If you cannot let Syncros be the proud stem and post company it was, like Thomson is today, then let the brand die. I do not need to see OEM Syncros Lo-Ball stems in the show room at a Performance Bike shop.

That is all I have.

Be well.

Back Country Road Riding Rules

2009-09-26T19:09:00.003-04:00

Beautiful morning for a road ride. 60 degree's sunny with a threat of rain. I rolled the CJ early on a loop that is becoming my favorite. The loop is a collection of rural roads, bike paths, and rural dirt roads. Very fun and perfect variation in terrain to keep the riding exciting. Up down left right stone, cinder, pavement, dirt, leaf, grass, walnuts, and dew. Every cyclist in the world would love this loop. Or so I guess.

I did all this and I was not even wearing a Rapha kit. Dang. Something to just ridin' what ya brung.

Hmmm good.

Be well.

DT's

2009-09-26T09:17:00.002-04:00

Oh man, I can not take it any more. My skin is itching, I can't sleep, my guts are tore up. The thought of waiting any more for my parts and wheels is too much. I need a taste of trail, just a little, just to get me through, I will be better in October. Right?

Oh man.

I has been 2 months since my last off road binge. The road is fine but, dang, fall is for mountain biking.

Can I borrow yours? A little cycle swinging maybe?

Come on. I will be respectful.

Ugh.

Be well.

Sore beyond belief

2009-09-21T22:31:00.003-04:00

The Leg o' God brought the fury.

Over the weekend I participated in a kick ball tournament. It was fun. Friday night under the lights, $2 Buds, team of wild party animals, and a 10" rubber playground ball was more fun than expected. I have paid dearly with nearly 3 days of pain. Not sore. Pain. P-A-I-N. I thought I was in shape, maybe I am. Maybe the headfirst slide into third was a bit much for my frame. Maybe, just maybe kick ball is harder than cycling.

Oh my.

Be well.