Goodies

I got home from work on April 1st to find a package sitting on the front porch. It contained my 08 goodies from Twin Six. Good stuff, some of my favorite so far. The jersey is sweet, the socks are sweet, the t-shirt is super sweet (probably my favorite t-shirt now). It's funny, I get periodic orders from T6 (both purchased & comped) and each time I think I like the new stuff better than the last.

I pimped out on my ride today and wore the new jersey, socks and carried a new water bottle.

Socks - 'nuff said

t-shirt - what would Jesus ride?

CPR

It's been a while between posts. I guess it is that time of year in the middle/end of winter where not much is going on. I haven't yet started racing (won't happen for another month) and have basically just been struggling to get as many miles in as possible during these dark days.

On a related note, I was invited to join a new Cyclepath Racing Team ("CPR"). This is a bit different than the existing team as it will apparently be a bit more focused on results and will be a smaller group of guys/girls. We will also apparently be getting a new kit. Members are currently being recruited from other Cyclepath supported teams (only a few of us from the old team are joining the new one) and there is not really a specific focus on one discipline or another.

I'm pretty excited, as this was actually one of my goals for 2008 (still to be published). I was hoping to take a core group of guys from the team and make it more "team/results oriented". Basically something that I need to take it to the next level.

Enough chit chat- the rain has stopped, time for a ride.

Props to the shop

Falls City Fire Cracker

Also, most likely my first race of the 2007 season...

Soma Juice...

The new Soma Juice I mentioned way back here. is finally done. Actually, it has actually been completed for a month or so. Thus far it has been mostly ridden around town and with the family 'trailer bike in tow', though it has also been on a couple Forest Park rides (Forest park is a huge urban park here in Portland. The trailhead is about 1 mile from my new office, so hitting the trails at lunch will become a sweet summer time activity). The first time in "The Park", I basically stayed on the dirt road that leads through it cause everything was pretty mucky. Today however I rode with a coworker (on a geared bike no less) and we hit the firelanes - Up firelane 1 to Skyline, down firelane 2 firelane 3 and then down lower firelane 1 to hwy 30 and back to the office. It was still pretty muddy on the firelanes, but all in all worth it as I really got to get the feel for the bike.



I love the way it rides - I'm really not seeing much in the way of rear wheel drag (some people complain about 29er bikes feeling like boat anchors when you get them going). The thing climbs like a monkey on crack! I opted for a rigid carbon fork on the bike, so that definately makes it feel different, climbing is much much nicer...

Anyway, I'm stoked on the bike. A shout out to Stan @ Soma and to the guys at Cyclepath for helping me pull together all the missing components.




The stats:

• Soma 29er Juice Frame
• Black Chris King Headset
• Pace Carbon 29er fork
• Easton Seatpost
• IRD Seatpost clamp
• WTB Speed V titanium rails
• RaceFace AlloyAir bars
• RaceFace Prodigy stem
• ODI Lock on Grips
• SRAM 9.0 levers
• Avid BB.7 Mechanical Disc Brakes & Rotors
• Avid Full Metal Jacket Brake Cable System
• RaceFace Turbine (old school) cranks
• RaceFace 36T Chainring
• Time Z Atac petals
• Shimano Square Taper Ultegra BB
• BBG Bashguard
• Avid 8 spd chain
• Bontrager Race Disc wheels with ‘Gusset’ single speed converter
• IRC Mythos F&R 2.1 29er tires

Misc

• Zefal Bottle Cage
• Specialized ‘Turbo’ Odometer
• Jand Mountaineering seat wedge
  
• 2 Spot Brand ‘rocket’ chain tensioners

Soma Rush

I started & finished the transformation of the Soma Rush this weekend. I took it on it's inaugural ride to return a movie and it rode great. I can't wait for the commute tomorrow.

frame with headset

frame, fork, cranks, bars, etc.

finished!

Much of the bike was transferred from my old fixed gear. New stuff includes frame, chain, tires, bar tape...

Here are the stats
55 cm Soma Rush
Forte Carbon Fork
Kore bars
Fizik tape
Sette stem
Shimano brakes hoods (the left is a dummy)
Shimano 105 front brake
Surly fixed/fixed hubs with 15/17 cogs laced to black velocity aerohead rims
Soma extra thick tires
Hurricane components cranks with a 42 tooth downhill RaceFace chain ring
Time ATAC pedals
Sram chain
black seatpost (forgot the brand)
Specialized seat

Surly Tuggnut Chain Tensioner/keeper
Zefal cage
One Less Car sticker...

Some Soma Love

Friday afternoon I got home from work and found these two big boxes sitting there waiting for me.

Boxes arrive

Simon thinks the boxes are for him

Juice Unveiled

Rush Unveiled

Both frames are super pretty - I can't wait to build them up. Here's the dilemma - I can build up the Rush now by pulling apart my other fixed gear frame (I already mounted a headset). the problem is that it is sooo pretty that I don't want to ride it in the winter! I have all the parts for the Juice as well minus the fork and wheels (though I did order a Pace Carbon fork) . Unfortunately I need to sell some stuff before I can build the wheels, so if you know anyone who needs a 54cm track frame & fork, a 26' Single Speed Eccentric Eno wheelset, or a 17 inch mtn frame & fork let me know)

Soma Fabrications

I recently sent out letters to a few choice bike related companies - hoping for sponsorship opportunities. I got few responses - mostly to the tune of "Thanks for your interest, but not at this time".

I did however get a hit from a great company, Soma Fabrications out of the Bay Area. They responded back to my 'pitch' with a favorable response and are now offering me a limited sponsorship - Similar to the deal I have with Twin Six.

So anyway, I'll be replacing a couple of the bikes in the stable with some high quality steel bikes - The bikes on the chopping block are my Fixed Gear (being replaced with a Rush) - Actually the Rush I am getting will be Red.



and my single speed (being replaced with a Juice), and actually the Juice I'll be getting will be grey.