Let’s Get Back To It

After returning to work yesterday, I realized that my vacation is indeed over. Since we only spent three days down in Charleston, SC for our trip, I had three days for myself. Of course it involved bike riding.



On my first day off (Wednesday), I decided to head over to Poplar Tent for some single speed action. This is one of the last trails in our local area that I hadn’t conquered on the SS bike yet, so I was looking forward to it. I took off at a nice pace, hoping to have a good day in the saddle.


After spending a few hours out there, I realized how much different a familiar trail can seem when you ride it without gears. I had to think a lot more on the climbs, but I didn’t have any problems clearing anything. This single speed thing is getting better every day.


Thursday morning was a little different. For some reason I decided to head out to the shop and go through all the bikes. I took each one out one by one, and gave them the once over. Some required more work than others, but they all received the proper amount of attention. After spending most of the day on this little “project”, I realized that I had little time to drive somewhere to hit a trail for a ride. That was a short-lived problem though, because I remembered that I had Captain Jim Bob’s Space Adventure close by.



My own private trail for my own private ride. I got in a little “me” time on (again on the single speed), and it was just what I needed after a long day working on bikes. I hadn’t been over there in a while, but the trail was in surprisingly good shape. I guess we did a pretty good job building it, since I haven’t really done shit to maintain it as of late.


While that might seem like a full day for someone who is supposed to be on vacation, I still had something to do. I cleaned myself up and headed down to Bicycle Sport here in Charlotte for the Foundry Cycles launch party. I got there just after it started, and snapped a few photos of the bikes on display.







They even had beer, food, and water bottles for the party goers.



My buddy Jason (HMFIC at Foundry), spent the evening talking about the bikes, and giving people all kinds of information about the brand and the bikes.




He really knows what he’s talking about, and you could tell that he has poured his heart and soul into this new brand. Some people demo’d bikes, some people ate, and some drank beer (me.) After hanging around until the shop closed, I bid my friend farewell and headed over to the Tarheel Trailblazers meeting nearby.


It was a long day, and I was tired. The next morning we would leave early for a relaxing vacation, but for some reason I don’t feel relaxed.


Maybe it’s because I’m back at work.


At least I got to ride though.

Hold On A Minute

This photo has nothing to do with today's subject.


Remember the demo I told you about for Foundry Cycles here in Charlotte? Well, this has changed. With their busy schedule, the demo has been nixed.


However, you can still come down and check out their stuff:



That’s right, it’s now a party.


They’ll be at Bicycle Sport from 4:00 p.m. to close, and it should be one heck of a party. Free beer, free food, and maybe even a chance to win some free stuff. You can look at the bikes, and if you twist their arm you can probably take one for a spin. I’ll be there…will you?


What do I get out of this? Nothing. Well, I get to help out a few friends in the cycling industry, and probably put my grubby paws on some new bike goodies. Oh yeah, I get to drink some beer. I don’t see a downside to this at all.


In other news, my home brew is finished. I put a couple more sample bottles in the fridge, and got a chance to try them out on Sunday.




The carbonation was perfect, and it actually looks like beer. How does it taste? Like a hoppy explosion. It’s hops, hops, and more hops. It’s so bitter that it will make you pucker up, but it tastes pretty good and has a nice finish. This is the kind of beer I would make if I made beer. Wait, I do make beer, and I made this shit.


It’s not the world’s best IPA, but it’s the best one I’ve ever made. I would even pay money for it if I saw it in the store. I’m not selling it though.


Do you want some? Well, quantities are limited so I have to be selective about who I share it with. I let the Dirty Party Cycle have one when he stopped by the house Sunday, and he approves. I have plans for a couple of the bottles, but most of them will be for my own consumption. I will duplicate my recipe and make another batch in the near future, but for now I’ll have to decide who gets to try this batch. Three of them are spoken for, and those folks will be contacted. As for the rest of you, I enjoy being a tease.

Try Before You Buy

I was asked recently to help with a demo here in the Charlotte area. You know, since I live here and all that. I figured that since the date, time, and location are all set, I should probably start letting people know. What am I talking about? Well, there’s a new kid on the block making some killer carbon bicycles.




Yup, Foundry Cycles, where they believe that “a bike is a tool, not a trophy.”

There are three bikes in the Foundry lineup, starting with the Auger:



(Also available in a disc brake version.)


For you road types they have the Ratchet:



And finally, the mountain bike tool. It’s called the Router:



Dirt Rag did a pretty awesome review of the Router, by the way. Check it out here


These bikes look pretty slick, even though they don’t have flashy paint schemes and graphics out the wazoo. The design is simple and to the point, and they look like they are a blast to ride. Do you wanna try one? Well, if you are close to Charlotte you can check out the demo.


Oh yeah, you want details. Here ya go:

Renaissance Park
1536 West Tyvola Road
Charlotte, NC 28210

Thursday, March 1st

3:00 p.m. until dark.


I’m not sure how many bikes, which sizes, etc. will be available, but you should come out anyway to learn a little bit about the Foundry brand. Jason Grantz, brand manager and Foundry Foreman, will be on site to answer any and all questions. He told me that this will be like a meet and greet, with some rides thrown in.



You’ll even get to hang out with me. Why would you want to miss that?


Before you ask, no, I don’t ride for Foundry (although they are looking for people.) I’m just helping a good friend spread the word about a cool new bike brand. If you want to learn more, go to the website or check out their Facepage.


Oh yeah, make sure you come to the demo.