Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Friday, July 31, 2009
Okay I suck...
All's quite on the blogging front. I've been training my but off for cross season, the shop has been busy, and I have been brainstorming ideas for this -----
www.mywifeinc.com
It is still in it's baby stages but swing on over and take a looky and tell me what you think.
only 50 more days until Jackson Park...
www.mywifeinc.com
It is still in it's baby stages but swing on over and take a looky and tell me what you think.
only 50 more days until Jackson Park...
Friday, May 29, 2009
Monday, April 20, 2009
Sunburns, dirt, dogs, and sprints...
This is how I spent last week. LeBam was out of school so the fam headed south back to KC for the week. We hung out with some old friends and I got to ride all the places I miss so much. I got sunburned on the first day down there - I forgot what it's like to not where arm and knee warmers. It was the best vacation that I've had in some time, and the first non "race vacation" the family has had in some time.
This is one of my favorite signs, it still makes me laugh every time. It is the reason I first wanted a small digi cam to take on rides with me. You just never know what weird stuff you are going to find out in the country.
Crusty first introduced me to gravel road rides. I think roads like this are what I miss riding the most since moving to cheeseland. There is nothing quite like making the turn onto a nice gravel road, dropping down a gear, and just floating through the soft stuff - it brings a smile to my face just thinking about it.
They have had a bunch of rain in KC so most of the gravel was packed down quite a bit, but there were still plenty of spots where loose gravel was lingering. I can remember a few times turning onto one of these long gravel sections right after they laid down fresh gravel - nothing makes you pucker up quite like hitting loose gravel at speed.
The trail gnomes down in KC do an AMAZING job of building and maintain trail in the area. There is all kinds of XC trails from smooth and flowing to rocky and technical. One of my favorites is Rim Job at Landahl Park. It will make you sharp and keep you honest about how good of a technical rider you are, let's just say I was a little rusty in the handling department.
Rocks.
More Rocks.
Lots of exposed limestone on Rim Job. I didn't take as many pictures as I should have to do the trail justice, but I was to busy having fun. There are quite a few of these exposed outcroppings that you ride up, over, around, and through on the trail - it's a blast. Although there was a time when it was my least favorite trial in KC, funny how some experience and saddle time can charge your opinion of a trail, it used to kick my ass all over the place almost as much walking as riding. There is so much to ride, but time and weather constraints kept me to just one day and a few trails. I need to take a MTB only trip for a week, I could ride somewhere different every day and never leave the metro area!
I don't think he's trying hard enough...
Crusty and I hit up some Roller races on Friday night, it was tons of fun. $5 to race and more swag than I have seen at a race in a long time. I came away with a set of Surly hubs and a Jethro Tule not bad for First Place, I would have just taken the satisfaction of beating Crusty - the hubs are just a bonus.
The final showdown. This was our first race of the year against each other - not a good way to start off the year Crusty. Is his defense, he had some beers (I couldn't drink anything after the first race I thought for sure I was going to puke from the effort) and had to race one more heat than me (that's what he gets for not posting the fastest heat time), but a W is a W and I will take any I can get.
Got to ride with Crusty and G-Love on the most assbackwards route I think I have ever been on - thanks G-Love.
I also got chased by 6 dogs during the week, one of which was a wiener dog. I have never been chased by a wiener dog before, I was amazed at how long he chased me. After I realized what it was that was chasing me I slowed down a bit and he just kept coming. Most dogs will give up once they realize they aren't going to catch you, but this little guy just kept coming. I only had one close call, but it was enough to remind me how much I hate being chased by dogs when riding solo. I don't mind the dogs when I'm riding with others because there is always someone slower or less attentive than myself.
Lots of riding, dinner with old friends, and some R&R just what the family needed.
Now that I am back, I am going to make a serious effort to vary my routes this year, it's getting boring. I have pretty much ridden a variation of the same few road routes since moving to Wisco three years ago - it's time for some variety!
This is one of my favorite signs, it still makes me laugh every time. It is the reason I first wanted a small digi cam to take on rides with me. You just never know what weird stuff you are going to find out in the country. 
Crusty first introduced me to gravel road rides. I think roads like this are what I miss riding the most since moving to cheeseland. There is nothing quite like making the turn onto a nice gravel road, dropping down a gear, and just floating through the soft stuff - it brings a smile to my face just thinking about it.
They have had a bunch of rain in KC so most of the gravel was packed down quite a bit, but there were still plenty of spots where loose gravel was lingering. I can remember a few times turning onto one of these long gravel sections right after they laid down fresh gravel - nothing makes you pucker up quite like hitting loose gravel at speed.
The trail gnomes down in KC do an AMAZING job of building and maintain trail in the area. There is all kinds of XC trails from smooth and flowing to rocky and technical. One of my favorites is Rim Job at Landahl Park. It will make you sharp and keep you honest about how good of a technical rider you are, let's just say I was a little rusty in the handling department.
Rocks.
More Rocks.
Lots of exposed limestone on Rim Job. I didn't take as many pictures as I should have to do the trail justice, but I was to busy having fun. There are quite a few of these exposed outcroppings that you ride up, over, around, and through on the trail - it's a blast. Although there was a time when it was my least favorite trial in KC, funny how some experience and saddle time can charge your opinion of a trail, it used to kick my ass all over the place almost as much walking as riding. There is so much to ride, but time and weather constraints kept me to just one day and a few trails. I need to take a MTB only trip for a week, I could ride somewhere different every day and never leave the metro area!
I don't think he's trying hard enough...
The final showdown. This was our first race of the year against each other - not a good way to start off the year Crusty. Is his defense, he had some beers (I couldn't drink anything after the first race I thought for sure I was going to puke from the effort) and had to race one more heat than me (that's what he gets for not posting the fastest heat time), but a W is a W and I will take any I can get.
Got to ride with Crusty and G-Love on the most assbackwards route I think I have ever been on - thanks G-Love.I also got chased by 6 dogs during the week, one of which was a wiener dog. I have never been chased by a wiener dog before, I was amazed at how long he chased me. After I realized what it was that was chasing me I slowed down a bit and he just kept coming. Most dogs will give up once they realize they aren't going to catch you, but this little guy just kept coming. I only had one close call, but it was enough to remind me how much I hate being chased by dogs when riding solo. I don't mind the dogs when I'm riding with others because there is always someone slower or less attentive than myself.
Lots of riding, dinner with old friends, and some R&R just what the family needed.
Now that I am back, I am going to make a serious effort to vary my routes this year, it's getting boring. I have pretty much ridden a variation of the same few road routes since moving to Wisco three years ago - it's time for some variety!
Friday, March 27, 2009
Bike spotting...
Looks like a Sponsored rider got his hands on a yet to be announced Carbon 29er Hardtail from "S". He says it currently weighs in just over 20 lbs.
I was hoping the "S" would use their own FS forks on their new 29ers, but this one has a Reba, does kind of look like the bottom of the head tube is flared out? Maybe RockShox is coming ouut with a tapered steerer tube fork... Or maybe it is just shimmed down, or it could just be me wanting it to have a tapered 1 1/8 to 1 1/2 inch headtube. At any rate it appears The big Red S is bringing Carbon to their bigwheels for 2010.
looking forward to a test ride...
I was hoping the "S" would use their own FS forks on their new 29ers, but this one has a Reba, does kind of look like the bottom of the head tube is flared out? Maybe RockShox is coming ouut with a tapered steerer tube fork... Or maybe it is just shimmed down, or it could just be me wanting it to have a tapered 1 1/8 to 1 1/2 inch headtube. At any rate it appears The big Red S is bringing Carbon to their bigwheels for 2010.looking forward to a test ride...
edit: origianl posters blog has been changed and any mention of this bike has been removed....
Monday, March 23, 2009
Product News...
So I have been wishing for some wider tubular rims for cross. Not only did I find out there is something available now but there are options...
Wisconsin locals - Sun Ringle have a new aluminum tubular rim out called the Vista Cruiser, I am guessing a nod to That 70's Show. It is a 32 Hole Black 21.2mm wide 14mm deep 385g tubular rim and retails for $45.
Another northern Midwest company has their C2 rim profile now available in a carbon tubular - HED Stinger 6 23mm wide 60mm deep carbon tubular wheel set. Retail $1500
From HED -
"The C2 tire well secures the tire in a wider and slightly deeper “cradle”. With increased support of the tire carcass, sidewall flexion is reduced, and less flexion vastly increases cornering stability and general handling. It also improves tire efficiency. One hard corner at speed will show you just how much the C2 well decreases tire wash under heavy loading."
Sure they are talking about typical road tubular widths, but the same should apply for cross tires as well. I am intrigued by the idea of a larger gluing surface for tubular cross tires. The idea makes sense especially with the increased casing size of a 32mm cross tire. A wider rim is going to better support the wider tire and allow for better handling, a larger contact patch, and better rolling. Just look at the evolution of 29"er MTB rims guys were using 19mm wide road rims in the beginning, but now the standard has been pushed into the mid 20mm and even into the 30mm wide range all to support the larger casing size and give better handling.
I think I may have to have one of each this year. I love trying out new technology and every season it is something different. Wider rims may be just the ticket this year.
Wisconsin locals - Sun Ringle have a new aluminum tubular rim out called the Vista Cruiser, I am guessing a nod to That 70's Show. It is a 32 Hole Black 21.2mm wide 14mm deep 385g tubular rim and retails for $45.
Another northern Midwest company has their C2 rim profile now available in a carbon tubular - HED Stinger 6 23mm wide 60mm deep carbon tubular wheel set. Retail $1500
From HED -
"The C2 tire well secures the tire in a wider and slightly deeper “cradle”. With increased support of the tire carcass, sidewall flexion is reduced, and less flexion vastly increases cornering stability and general handling. It also improves tire efficiency. One hard corner at speed will show you just how much the C2 well decreases tire wash under heavy loading."
Sure they are talking about typical road tubular widths, but the same should apply for cross tires as well. I am intrigued by the idea of a larger gluing surface for tubular cross tires. The idea makes sense especially with the increased casing size of a 32mm cross tire. A wider rim is going to better support the wider tire and allow for better handling, a larger contact patch, and better rolling. Just look at the evolution of 29"er MTB rims guys were using 19mm wide road rims in the beginning, but now the standard has been pushed into the mid 20mm and even into the 30mm wide range all to support the larger casing size and give better handling.
I think I may have to have one of each this year. I love trying out new technology and every season it is something different. Wider rims may be just the ticket this year.
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