Don't Call It A Comeback

It's been a long, long time.  Sorry 'bout that.  I've been busy for sure, and time has slipped away from me.  I know lots of people read this crap and nonsense, but it never really hit me that people would actually notice when I stopped writing it.  Maybe they thought I was dead or something.  I mean, the last thing I posted about was my vacation in the Florida swamps.  There were lots of photos of me and Lunchbox playing with alligators, so maybe we met our demise that way.

Meh.  It's not like I left off with this photo:

 
Nah, I'm still here.

Actually, it all started when some of my friends started asking me when I planned to write this junk again, and more importantly, if I even still rode bicycles.  Then I got a sorta concerned text from Dicky that seemed to inquire about my well-being.  That got me thinking about getting back into this shit, but I didn't do it.  Then former NC Hillbilly and current AZ Desert Dweller D-Wayne got back into blogging and did this:

I was missing.  Now I am not.

Blogs are dead, but I'm gonna beat this one even dead-er.

So yeah, I'm back again.  Let's call it a Grand Re-Opening.  Or, since I've done this a bunch of times in the past...

Will this be a regular thing again?  Yes.  No.  Maybe.  Who gives a shit.  I'm probably not gonna try to do it every weekday like I did once upon a time, but it should be more often than not.

Hopefully.

I mean, I have been busy.  I guess I should start catching up.  So, here goes.  When Lunchbox and I returned from our vacation way back when is when shit got crazy.  Work picked up a bunch, but more importantly, we ended up looking for a new house.  We were tired of living in one of those "Vinyl Villages" with neighbors right on top of us.  The process happened so fast, and before we knew it we were in our dream house.

Okay, so maybe it doesn't look exactly like this.

While the house is nice and has had lots of improvements done to it, we still had a ton of stuff to do.  Moving was a pain in the ass after being in the other house for almost ten years, but unpacking our shit was even more of a pain in the ass.  Then it was the countless trips to the home improvement stores.  Too much work.  I'm just now finally able to enjoy the place, and I'm planning on cutting trail behind the house at some point.

A few weeks after we moved in, I somehow found the time to be around the bike scene.  I've done few rides here and there (by myself), but I'm talking about that time InterBike came to Charlotte and I got to work "in the industry" again.

Photo cred:  Alice

I did one ride (on the road), and decided that I would get out to "race" my bike for three hours straight with one gear.  It hurt, but it was fun.  Just like I remembered.

And I did okay I suppose.

That just about covers the first few weeks since I was last here.  I'm getting back into the bike thing full speed, which includes getting my workspace in order.  New house means moar room for a proper shop for bikes (and other shop-y things.)

I guess I do have a few things to talk about to keep this thing going.  I'm not dead, and this ancient form of social media isn't yet either.

See y'all soon.  

I promise (this time.)

Fun Friday

We made it again.  That’s good, because I really thought that I’d have to visit a doctor soon to get a prescription…

It’s been a really long week too.  Well, I guess it would be more accurate to describe it as “moving slow.”  You see, some changes are coming (nothing to do with bikes) and these things can’t get here fast enough.  I have a bunch of stuff to accomplish in the next week or so. 

I should probably make a list so I won’t forget.

Wow, so corny today.  Srsly doe, I’m really happy that it’s Friday.  Also, I’m really happy with what’s going on behind the scenes around here (to be revealed later of course.)  I feel like a cross between a wookie and a dog.

That’s enough I guess.  I have a race this weekend over there across them hills.  I am getting ready the best way I know how.

Most likely a race report on Monday.  Have a great weekend y’all.

Strategy

So, I have another race coming up this weekend.  And no, it’s not PMBAR.  That one is on my list though.  Not on a fancy spreadsheet that details all my hopes and dreams on a bike, rather it’s kinda like it’s on a crumpled up piece of paper that’s buried deep in my pocket. 

And I found it on laundry day after it’s been through the wash.

Srsly, I’ll do it one day.  Maybe next year.

No, this weekend is another race in the Southern Classic Series.  I missed the one this past weekend due to work obligations, but I’m picking it back up on Sunday with a trip down to Harbison State Forest down near Columbia, SC.  Just like other races I’ve done in this series in the past; it’s been a while since I’ve been there.  Other than a few punchy climbs and some nasty rocks here and there, I remember it being mostly flat.  Running a single speed might be the death of me down there, since the largest cog I have for the rear is a 17 tooth.  Not having enough gear to push on the flat stuff hurt me up in Virginia, and I’m not about to let it hurt me again.

I’ve come up with sort of a plan.  Here’s a hint:

Recognize that?  No?   How about another hint?

 

Yeah, that is a cassette.  And that means gears.  I didn’t put gears on my bike though.  I only have single speed bikes (unless you count the road bike I guess), and adding gears that I don’t have to a single speed bike seemed a little ridiculous.  I guess trying to race a bike with gears after “being a single speeder” for a while now is ridiculous too.  However, I don’t want any excuses when it’s all over Sunday afternoon.  I’m feeling much better after recovering from Death Virus 2015, and my legs sorta feel strong.  With a few gears to help on the really flat stuff, I figured that I just might be okay.

So, who’s bike is it then?

Here’s another hint:

Got it?  Good, because I have no idea what I’m doing.

See y’all tomorrow.

More Changes?

The new blog header was something I never really thought about until D-Wayne hit me up and said I needed an upgrade…bad.  Since he started doing them for me, I’ve been much happier than I would with any homemade shit I could come up with.  Not that this blog is all that important, but it does make me feel nice.  I like to feel nice.

More changes will probably come along later.  I still have to organize/change a few of the people/logos/companies for my “supporters”, and I also should probably update the reading list of the blogs I follow.  Some folks haven’t posted in years, some that post regularly are sucky, and some, well, I probably should add since I read them and haven’t told you about it. 

I don’t like change a whole lot.  I know it’s good for me, blah blah blah, but since this isn’t my real job it’s kinda hard to get motivated to do it sometimes.  Hell, speaking of my real job, it’s hard to get motivated to do anything lately other than get up to go to work (which I do against my will most days.)  One thing on my ever-growing to-do list finally got completed though…

Reorganizing my bike storage:

Instead of these taking up most of my precious floor space, I get a little more room to walk around, work on bikes, and stumble around after I drink beer.  That’s only a few of the bikes we have here at the B-43 Worldwide Headquarters, but those few being hung up against the wall made a big difference.  I are happy.

While I was in a cleaning mood, I “organized” my music room.

In just a few short months, I’ve gone from barely being able to play the guitar to being slightly (or overly obsessed) with it.  I have three guitars now, which with all the other stuff I already had makes it a little crowded in that small room (it’s also a man cave/sports watching room for me and my boy.)

I’ve been so burned out, tired, and whatever else lately that it’s been all I can do to get out of the house.  Since I’ve been home a lot more now, at least I’ve managed to take the time to get my proverbial ducks in a row.

Hell, I even managed to make a cabinet/cover/whatever you want to call it for Lunchbox’s car so he can hide stuff in the back of his man wagon.

I’ll get motivated.  Soon I hope.  I’ve been playing my guitars quite a bit, but only riding a little.  There is time to ride, but I just can’t seem to get out and do anything.  Maybe a trip to the hills will cure all that ails me.

It usually does.

A New Beginning?

Waking up to that sunrise in Florida on Sunday made me realize that I had some stuff to think about. I was in a foul mood, confused, upset, and left wondering what the future holds. Although you can't officially DNF a lap endurance race, I still felt like a quitter. I mean, I'm usually that guy that keeps going no matter what, until the race is “officially” over. Cramps, pain, mechanical issues, etc. have never kept me down, because my mind always made sure I continued on. To me, that was fun. The feeling I had when a race was over was so awesome. I'd accomplished something, and I was much stronger for it.


I have no idea why I didn't want to have that same feeling after the 12 Hours of Santos. I'd accomplished one of my goals that weekend though, which was to get away from the cold weather to ride my bike on some really fun trails with good people. After that, I didn't care. I realize now that this feeling started way before last weekend.


Back a few years ago when I decided to do my first complete season of the Southern Classic Series, I took it seriously. I had fun pushing myself, but I also worked very hard both on and off the race course. I got on the podium a few times in individual races, and even ended up 2^nd overall in my class when it was all over. The next year, I tried to do the same thing and I struggled. Less podium trips, and eventually I limped into 2^nd overall again somehow. I remember wishing that the season would hurry up and be finished, and I vowed not to race in it again. I was burned out, and I “retired” from cross country racing.


I switched to endurance racing, thinking that it would keep things fresh. It did for a while, but this time the burnout came quicker. Although I didn't drop out of races early, the voices in my head worked overtime to try to get me to. I never trained, ate what I wanted, and drank all the beer I could get my hands on. I still did okay, and damn it I was having fun. More fun than those super serious people that train all the time I thought. “They can't be having fun” I told myself. “Who the hell wants to spend all their free time training for this shit and take it so seriously?”


Not me. I have better things to do.


Bike riding is supposed to be fun. I have a job, and they pay me to work. I don't need to turn my hobby into a job. Even if you win a race, what the hell does that get you? Bragging rights? Who gives a shit. I rode my bike, hung out with some cool people, and drank some beer while you monitored your cadence, heart rate, and lactate threshold. I won every time, even if you were on the podium.


Maybe they're on to something though. I used to have fun when I trained a little and did well in races. I wasn't that serious, but I could have been. Maybe I was afraid of turning out just like them. You know, not having any fun. Who the hell am I to say that those people aren't having fun? Is that why I make fun of dirt roadies? Maybe. After all, we do race mountain bikes. Sure, riding on the road does help, but to me it didn't make sense. I'm still confused, but I know for sure that I don't want to spend so much time on the road getting “in shape” that I forget how to ride technical stuff in the woods.


That's where my problem lies. If you like to train on the road to get stronger for mountain biking, then go for it. If the only time you actually ride your mountain bike is on a race course, then you sure as shit better not call yourself a mountain biker. I understand the need to train, and even see the benefit of road riding to help with endurance, etc. I just don't know if I can balance that with riding off road.


I'll admit it...


I'm afraid that I might become what I have despised over the years.


This is why I need to make a decision. I used to love racing my mountain bike. Why don't I anymore? Is it the influx of dirt roadies getting in my way on the tech stuff (and blowing by me on the easy shit?) Is it my own personal demons? Can racing ever be fun for me again?


I don't know the answers. I don't know shit, quite honestly. Well, I know that I pretty much have three options.


I can give up racing for good and just ride my bike for fun. I may miss it, and eventually jump back into it full steam just to get burned out again.


I can pick it back up and become more serious, going to spin classes (or whatever the hell y'all call it), hiring a coach, shaving my legs, and basically being a dick about riding my bike. Since I don't know when to say when, it would only be a matter of time before I came a super serious dirt roadie, getting heckled to death and cussed out by real mountain bikers.


The third option is kind of a gray area. Maybe I can “train” a little. You know spend some time on the road working on my fitness. The majority of the time I'll be on knobby tires, and I won't worry about how many beers I can drink based on how many miles I rode. I can race here and there, and heckle others when I don't feel like racing. I guess this would be like how it was in the past.


I know when I started the drive home from Florida, I was done racing. I thought for sure that after the race report I would be on here talking about how I'm quitting for good. Luckily it was a long drive, and I didn't have to make any decisions right away. I still don't, so I haven't. I've bought and paid for two races this season so far, and I'm pretty sure I'll do them. Now it's a question of whether or not they will be my farewell tour.


I don't have to decide today. I don't expect y'all to decide for me either. I'll figure it out though, hopefully sooner rather than later. It all boils down to me wanting to have fun on my bike, and how I'll go about it.


I think I'm even more confused now than when I started writing this.

Crap.

Creepy

In an effort to be more “single speedy”, I decided to do something a little different.  But first, I needed a little help. 

Yeah, it’s like that now.  I’m all fancy, like a sir.

Um, wait, that’s not me.  Try this one:

Black and white for effect or some shit like that.

While I’m not really a cycling cap kinda dude (it was a gift from the guys at Good Runnings), I think it goes well with my new moustache.  Dicky says it’s creepy, and I tend to agree with him.  That’s sorta why I did it.

Who gives a shit.

Anyway, me and my new moustache will be arriving in Minnesota two weeks from now for Single Speed USA, and I expect to be much more in tune with my old timey bike technology when I ride.  After all, don’t guys that look like this always do old school shit?

Um, yeah.

Anyway, enough creepy shit.  Looks like I’m headed to the hills tomorrow for some bike riding and beer drinking. 

Full report Monday.

I Don’t Need Five

Before I talk the whole five rides thing, I probably should mention that we had a ride da udda night.  Every trail was pretty much unrideable due to recent wet weather (a recurring theme around here lately), so we scheduled an urban ride.  Instead of the usual ride down stairs and through parks thing, we rolled through a couple of neighborhoods like a pack of wild roadies.

Our first stop was NoDa Brewing Company, where we enjoyed some good local beer and socializing.  Eventually we rolled up the street to Smelly Cat Coffee, where we proceeded to hang out again for way too long.  The theme for the evening seem to be more social, less riding.

After realizing that we’d been out for quite a while, the decision was made to cut the “ride” short and head back for $1 tacos.  Lunchbox wasn’t able to join us for the ride because he was out doing trail work with the local race promoter.  Luckily when we got back from our ride we found out that he had dropped my kid off at the restaurant so he could take a crack at breaking the record for most tacos consumed.

Unfortunately, the service was shitty and we were only able to eat fifteen each.  I won’t get into the horrible time we had there, but Eastwood summed it up pretty well yesterday.  My son was disappoint, but he knows that he could’ve beaten that record by a mile.

Anyway, back to the “changes.”  After only four dirt rides on the geared bike (including my Pisgah adventure) I’m ready to make my decision.  Why only four when I said five?  Well, mostly because I haven’t had a chance to properly clean all the grime out of the geared bike, and when I finally get to do it (tonight) I probably won’t have time to ride it again.  I also have to get my single speed ready for this weekend, and I’m not giving up the single speed for the sake of “testing” my geared bike.

I basically learned all I need to know this past Sunday, and my announcement with be forthcoming.  But it won’t be today.  I’m kind of waiting for something to show up at the B-43 Worldwide Headquarters, and that will probably be when I make my announcement.

Until then I’ll find other shit to talk about. 

Which will also be tomorrow.

Not A Ride Report

Because my dumbass brought my bike with me yesterday but forgot riding apparel. 

So, I’ll talk about some new shit I got instead.  After getting the single speed setup just right I’m starting to find things that need to be changed on the geared bike.  Other than removing the gears, I mean.  We’ll get into that another time.  Anyway, I’d gotten really accustomed to the big, fat 2.4 Maxxis Ardent on the front, but because my SS is a rigid I didn’t think I should run one on a bike with front suspension.  Lately I’ve (obviously) been riding the geared bike, and while the Ignitors are really good I found myself missing the super duper grip of the Ardent.

You with me?

Good.

So, I got with my people down there in Georgia and had a box sent my way.

In that big box among all the other stuff I needed (not very exciting stuff like tubes, etc.) was a new tire.

It’s an Ardent of course, but this one’s a wee bit narrower.  It’s a 2.25, and even though it’s a little lighter it has the same tread pattern (and therefore the same grip) as the big fatty.  I haven’t put it on yet, but I will soon.  I can’t wait to enjoy good ol’ front end traction on the geared bike just like the SS, and I'll even save a little weight.  That means I can drink extra beer, you know.

Apparently I can only change one tire at a time, so I used that one time on the rear tire of my SS.  The Crossmark is a fine dry condition XC racing tire, but it was giving me a little trouble when I stood up to climb.  I solved that problem by installing a still fast, yet slight bit gripper tire.

There was one more change made to the SS, but I’m not at liberty to say what it is right now.  I'll just tell you that I’m trying something out right now to see if I like it.

Let’s keep this one between us, mmmkay?

So yeah, bike shit is getting swapped around here at the B-43 Worldwide Headquarters.  One for a bike that I’m not currently riding right now due to a self-imposed hiatus and the other for a bike that is probably gonna see a major change anyway.

I confuse the shit outta myself sometimes.

Two rides to go on the geared bike, and I’m not sure if the next one will be soon.  I’m busy tonight, and after that I’ll probably save myself for some big ride I’m planning this weekend. 

I’ll tell you all about it tomorrow.

Unneccesary Changes

I forgot to mention that we went on a group ride Tuesday night.  It was fun, but I didn’t really take any photos.  Well, except this blurry one of Good Guy Greg.

And, this one.

Yeah, that’s TK-421, my geared bike.  I’ll get to that in a little bit.

Anyway, with some kind of sickness catching up to me after our trip to FATS last Saturday, I decided to take it easy on Sunday.  I had originally planned to ride every day of my three day weekend, but honestly I didn’t feel like doing a damn thing.  After sleeping in a little bit I forced my way outside to the garage to work on bikes.  Well, one in particular anyway.

My single speed had a few issues from some shitty weather riding so I had to address them.  I cleaned out the bottom bracket and headset, replaced the chain, and put more sealant in my tires.  And that’s when it hit me…

I probably should change some shit that doesn’t need changing.

I love things to stay the same for the most part, but every once in a while I like to switch it up for no apparent reason.  In this case I took off my 32 tooth chainring and replaced it with a 34.

And the very next day I was feeling a little better and took it for a ride.

Running a 34X18 locally isn’t really a big deal I guess.  I liked it from what I could tell, but I was pretty tired from being sick so I couldn’t really make an honest assessment.  I felt like it was tougher to accelerate out of corners, but I had plenty of speed rolling down the trail.  I didn’t really have any problems climbing, and actually I felt like I had more power.  I’ll keep in on there for a while to see if I like it I guess.  You can’t tell a damn thing after one ride, you know.  A few more rides and I’ll make a decision.

So, back to the geared bike and why the hell I was riding it.  I like it.  Not the gears, but the actual bike.  With pretty much the same frame and exact components as my SS(other than the shifty bits and squishy fjork) it rides just the same.  After getting used to a little squish up front I enjoyed it, and I realized that I wouldn’t mind having suspension once in a while as long as I don’t have to swap out a fork. 

As for the gears, I couldn’t really get used to them after spending so much time on a single speed.  I know, I’m probably way too far gone to the Dark Side now to turn back.  I don’t want to believe that though, so that’s why I’m giving my gears one last chance.

For the next five rides (on trails), I will only ride my geared bike.  I will miss the simplicity of my single speed for sure, but I figured that five rides will be enough to decide whether or not I wanna keep them.  After all, that’s all it took for me to be convinced that I should be on a 29er full time.  If I like the gears (and can get used to shifting them), I will keep it and alternate between the two (depending on ride plans of course.)

If there’s no way in hell I can stand the gears, then they go the hell away.  As in, I’ll take the shifty shit off and convert it to a single speed.  Why two single speeds?  I dunno.  Maybe so I can be lazy and not have to swap out forks when I go to the mountains.

Five rides.

I’ll let you know soon.  

I’m Here Anyway

Despite the fact that I don’t have a lot to talk about, I still find myself here trying to come up with something.  I mean, I did ride my bike a little bit last night, but it wasn’t anything really worth talking about.  I guess I still have a story though.

Yesterday after work, Lunchbox and I were out in the yard doing the usual springtime stuff (mowing, weed whacking, etc.)  When I was on the side of the house, I was chopping down grass on the edge of a flower garden when I noticed a critter come flying out of a hole.  At first I thought it was a frog, but when another one popped out I realized what I had found.

I stopped what I was doing (obviously to take that photo) and summoned Lunchbox over to take a look.  A couple of baby rabbits had run off in terror, so we spent the next few minutes rounding them up.  Since they were really young, they weren’t hard to capture.

There were only three (that I knew of) out of the nest, so we put them back and covered it it.  Lunchbox stood guard while I finished the yard, and we made sure everyone was safe and sound.  However, later that evening when Little Miss Sunshine got home from a big day of Summer Series racing (she got 2^nd by the way) we saw another one running across the yard.  I guess we missed the little guy with the first round up, so she grabbed him and took him to safety.

I checked on them again a little while ago, and everyone seems to be doing fine.  I did get one of them with the weed whacker string, but it was a small cut and shouldn’t be a problem.  We did our good deed, so now I won’t feel so bad when they all leave the nest for good and become food for the screech owl that’s looming in the trees across the street.

Yeah, I just did a whole post about saving baby rabbits.  I have a heart, you know.  It’s cold and dark sometimes, but it’s a heart nonetheless.

In other news, you may see some changes here today.  D-Wayne redesigned my blog header again, so I will have that up here sometime today.  If you don’t see anything new right now, then I haven’t changed it yet.  I’ll get to it eventually, you know.

If I’m not too busy saving baby rabbits.

It’s Not That Bad

Despite the fact that I had a shitty race at the Grind On The Greenway, I’m not upset about it.  I seem to recall mentioning to someone,"my goal was six laps, I’ll probably do just five, and even if I got only four then I wouldn’t be disappointed." 

Way to aim high.

Since I’ve been so burned out lately, I was actually just happy enough to be out on my bike. 

Seriously.

I had no aspirations of doing well in that race, and lack of training and a “proper” race strategy helped that come to fruition.  I don’t regret taking off too fast for the first two laps, because it actually might have helped me in the long run.  Riding a bike in an endurance race for me is usually just about pushing myself, and I’m not always out there to compete with others.  It’s just me and my bike against the trail, and that’s just what I needed after a long season of trying to get on the podium.

While I wouldn’t classify a six hour race as a fun ride, I did have a grand ol’ time.  My skills on the bike seemed to be much better, and climbing on the single speed still gives me satisfaction like no other bike can.  That being said, I may take a break from the one gear action for a while.

Since I went without a geared bike for about two months, riding the single speed exclusively really limited my “fun riding.”  With only one gear there would be no easy climbs, no spinning in a low gear to recover, and no shifting to a higher gear on flat sections to set the land speed record.  Don’t get me wrong though…I love the single speed and the fact that it’s made me a helluva lot stronger.

I’m just not having any fun right now with it.

So, I guess I’ll start riding the geared bike for a little while.  With no races on the horizon (aside from the North Carolina Single Speed Championships which I may or may not attend), I get to actually travel to trails and ride for fun, which is something I haven’t been able to do much this year.  I’m really looking forward to it.

I’m definitely not giving up the single speed bike, but I just want to have a different kind of fun right now.

The single speed can still be fun too though…

Thanks to Sandie for the idea to slap that sticker on my bike.

See y'all tomorrow.

Change Is On The Way

With all the catching up I had to do, I was surprised this morning that I felt like I didn’t really have shit going on  There’s always something I can talk about, but finding the motivation to do so is difficult at times.

I act like I’m getting paid to do this shit.

Pfffttt.

So yeah, it looks like I’ll be switching things up a bit around here.  Not necessarily on the blog, but in my bike world.  I guess they are one in the same sometimes though.  The blog will have a new look again shortly, but nothing too major.  My man D-Wayne (who is a pretty awesome designer by the way) has been working on a new blog header for me, and has also totally redesigned my pathetic attempt at the B-43 logo.  Even though he’s working for beer, he’s done a really good job.  If I wanted a totally professional look though, I probably should’ve thrown in a few donuts. 

Anyway, there are a few bike changes around here.  I did get something new, but I’m not at liberty to talk about it just yet.  When my “cross country season” is over (this weekend), I’ll spill the beans. 

Until then, here’s a little teaser.

If you know me in real life and you’ve seen me riding around here lately, then you know exactly what it is.  Do me a favor though and keep it quiet so you don’t spoil it for the rest of the millions of people that come here every day.  I’ll get to it in due time.

The “secret bike” already has a new accessory though.  I just picked it up da udda day here locally.

Yes, that is a rigid fork.  I spoke to (well, texted) Dicky a while back inquiring about a cheap and easy way to try the whole rigid fork thing.  I rode a bike with a rigid fork back when we went to the Southeast Bike Expo, but I didn’t really enjoy it.  The bike was too small for me and had other issues, so I didn’t really get a chance to properly evaluate the lack of suspension.  I felt like I should give it a fair shake with one of my own bikes, but I didn’t want to spend a ton of money doing something I might not like. 

He gave me a good option, but when the chance to buy something local popped up I took advantage.  It’s nowhere near the best rigid fork around, but it should do the job.  I haven’t installed it yet, but it will happen really soon I’m sure.  There will be photos and a review no doubt.

That should give me plenty to talk about for a while.

This weekend is another busy one.  Tomorrow I’m heading over to the Uwharrie National Forest for the River’s Edge Mountain Bike Marathon.  I had originally planned to race the 50 mile event on my favorite “local” trail, but I’ve changed my mind.  Instead, I’ll be volunteering as a course marshal, getting to ride my bike around all day at a leisurely pace and heckle, I mean help, the racers.  I did the same thing last year and had a good time. 

Sure, I really wanted to “race” my single speed out there, but I have to save my legs for something else… 

The 2012 Southern Classic Series finale is Sunday at Dark Mountain in Wilkesboro, NC.  I wanted to race the 50 miler Saturday and then do this one to go out in a blaze of glory, but I have too much on the line.  I’m in second place overall, and if I don’t have the legs to have a decent finish on Sunday I could piss it all away.  Normally I wouldn’t mind that so much, but I’ve invested a lot of time in this series over the last few months and I’d like to have something to show for it.  My season hasn’t been stellar, and I actually feel like I’m getting slower.  I will be sad to see it end, but happy at the same time.

I can’t wait to get back to “regular” riding.

See y’all Monday, and there will be some sort of race report.  Hopefully with a podium photo or two.

Bringing It Up North

No, I’m not talking about my Southern charm or my penchant for chugging RC Cola and eating Moon Pies.  I mean, it’s really time to start making plans to bring my ass to Vermont this summer for Single Speed USA.  It’s less than two months away, and I haven’t even really thought much about the logistics of such a trip.

Sure, the portion of the trip that takes me to my in-laws’ farm near Buffalo, NY is all planned out, but after I leave there the Friday before the race, I have no idea what I’m doing.  I’m hoping to arrive at the Bike29 mothership in the early afternoon (if George is still there), but after than I don’t know where to go.  I haven’t even thought about my accommodations for the few days I’m there, although I have been looking around a little bit on the Internets.

Maybe George will let me sleep on the floor in the shop. 

  

Since I’m really starting to think about the little details involving my summer adventure, I’ve turned my eyes to my single speed bike.  I’ve been riding a comfortable (finally) 32X18 around here and in the smaller mountain areas near Charlotte, but I’ve been told that may need something a little bit easier.  George said a 20 or 21 tooth cog would be better, but I’m having a hard time dealing with the fact that I have to make a change.  Even though I have no idea what the trails up there are like, I decided that I will go for a 20.

I just so happens that I got one of those fancy cogs sent to me from Endless Bike Co.

Kick Ass, indeed.

I’ve never used one of these, but D-Wayne told me that they are pretty good.  He also said that he has yet to tear one up, which is good news since I tend to put the hammer down when I climb.  I guess I’ll find out on my own soon enough.

I also bought a new chain (not pictured because chains aren’t really sexy), so the plan is to switch everything over sometime this weekend so I can get a feel for my new, smaller gearing.  I’ll put everything back to the “regular” gearing soon after, and swap everything out again prior to my departure.  I know for sure I won’t like such an easy gear around here, but I bet I’ll be glad I had it when I’m climbing in the mountains of Vermont.

Beer is next on the list.  While I’m sure that there are many fine brews available up there, I wanted to take the opportunity to bring some down south love up north.  So George, if you’re reading (you are, right?), I need a list of brews you can’t usually get your hands on.  Otherwise, you’re stuck with whatever I decide is best.  I guess either way won’t be a disappointment.

I’m really looking forward to my trip (and the race I suppose.)  I guess that’s why I’m talking about it so far in advance.  It should be a great time, and I can’t wait for it to get here. 

In the meantime, I guess I’ll start drinking maple syrup to prepare myself. 

Perhaps a literacola would be much easier to drink.

Changes

After getting in a decent ride on Friday, I pretty much had all day Saturday to do some things around the house. Of course, those things involved bike stuff. First thing was to get rid of the shitty headset on my singlespeed bike.



Since I needed to take my geared bike apart for some maintenance, I took the Cane Creek headset off of it and put in on my SS.

Even with a blurry photo, it still looked better.



Notice the Bike29 bottle opener on the headset spacer stack. I took it off a while back and misplaced it somehow. Just as I was about to give up and ask for another one, I found it. You can get one for yourself here.


After cleaning and re greasing everything on The Big O, I put it back together…with my brand new 110 headset. The red really looks nice against the black frame.





After a quick tune-up, I was back in business. A clean bike is a happy bike.



Oops, I forgot to put my Awesome Strap back on the seatpost before I took the photo. Blasphemy. I can assure you it went right back on though.


I did add one more accessory though:



Yes, Lord Vader will now accompany me on my rides.


All that work actually didn’t take very long, so I grabbed some tools and rode over to my new “secret” trail for some work.



I had a few more sections planned out, so I got busy building trail.



Lunchbox rode over with me, and we got a lot done. I rerouted one section that I didn’t feel flowed very well, and we tested it out. We also used a downed tree to make a little rollover/jump. Lunchbox drew the shortest straw and ended up with the honor of testing our very first trail feature.



It didn’t move at all, probably because we packed it full of dirt for support. We even hit at full speed, and it makes for a nice jump. There is plenty of space to land on either side (the trail is designed to be ridden both directions.) We have several of these planned for the next phase too.


We spent about three hours on Saturday, and I went back Sunday morning to do a little bit more. I cut one more section of trail, and we will go back this weekend to put in some features. We’re even thinking about a ladder drop and a skinny. Basically we’ll cram as much shit as we can in our little neighborhood trail.


The trail is coming along nicely, and I’m really surprised at how well it rides. The Dirty Party Cycle even got in a ride, and he liked what he saw. We have our own little playground near the house, and it will only get better. Well, until something else comes along and grabs my attention. Hopefully I can keep up the excitement and stick to this.