The Cyclists

Instant Classic... Ever feel like your friends are like this?

Angel Bike

I totally stole this picture from Bikeportland.org. I had too. It is just so perfect.

Look closely at the picture of the bike crushed by the minivan. The bike angel arrises from the destruction. Although the bike was destroyed, no humans were hurt.

This makes me laugh

Kermit on a fixed gear

2500!

It's a crappy screenshot, but I just realized that I had hit 2500 miles + 184 hours of riding on Velog. This isn't to say that without Velog I wouldn't have rode that much, but using it has forced me to record it. It has been a great training device. I haven't recorded every single mile - not junk miles (ie riding around doing errands and such) but it has included commuting, training rides and racing.

If you haven't checked it out yet, do it. While you are at it, join one of my groups.

I love velog.

Weather, oh how I hate thee

Rain, with a side of crappiness (well, maybe Sunday will be nice). So, I've been avoiding this post because so many others have been bitching about the weather on their blogs: see here, here, here, etc. , but this is killing me. I've been on rides where I have been rained on, hailed on, snowed on, and then 5 minutes later the sun comes out and taunts my shivering hypothermic self. All of this in April. It's now May 1, and I keep hoping the weather will get better, and bam the weather forcast comes out and it is rainy for the forseeable future! Arggh.

New Bike

Scott CR1. 17.2 lbs with pedals

The new bike is done. I've been out town or the weather has been so poor that I haven't really been able to ride it since I picked it up, so I've only had a chance to do a couple rides. So far so good though. Carbon has a different feel than steel or aluminum, that is for sure, as does Campy. I've never ridden either.

Once again, the guys at Cyclepath did me right, as did my family members with their generous birthday gift certificates to the shop for my recent birthday.

Indiana

I've been in Indianapolis, Indiana for work for the past 4 days which prevented me from being on the bike. Commuting or otherwise. I had been riding the bike in the hotel gym as well as some weights, but it is just not the same. To make matters worse, It was unseasonably gorgeous in Indy. If I was a sales guy and I traveled alot, I'd definately need to get a breakaway.

I was definately excited to get back in the saddle again this morning for my usual Friday AM pre work workout. Did a nice 18.5 miler up and around Mt Tabor this morning.

What's in your bag?

I had my first race a week ago and as I was packing up my 'race' bag I got to thinking about the lists that I typically make, and the prep that I do the night before the race. I thought it might be interesting to construct a list - What's in your bag. Note, this is mountain bike specific and it assumes you are driving to the race venue. It also assumes that weather conditions are unknown. I typically take a much more abreviated list of equipment to races/rides that I ride to.

Clothing, etc.
Shoes
Helmet
Short Sleeve Jersey Long Sleeve Jersey
Bib shorts
Bib knickers
Arm Warmers
Knee Warmers
Vest
Windbreaker
Gloves (2 pairs) Glasses
Socks (2 pairs)

Food, etc.
Pre race energy food - clif blocks, clif shots, clif enery drink
Post race recovery food/drink - clif recovery and/or promax bars
"Real" Food - Sandwiches, Fruit, etc. for after the race
Water bottles (2-3) pre, during, post


Misc:
# plate
Racing license
Prefilled out Waiver
Chamis Butt'r
Diaper creme (don't ask, but it helps)
Baby Wipes
Embrocation (not for summer races)
Zip ties
Safety Pins
First Aid Kit (minor)





Other:
Dirtworker
Pump
Tools
Spare tubes
Chain lube
various plastic bags for dirty clothes, shoes, etc. Changing Kilt
3+ Towels of various sizes(for cleaning body, bike, etc.)

So, what's in your bag?

It's coming....

New bike.....

Soon...

Hornings Hustle Season Opener

April 6th 2008
Hornings Hideout
North Plains, Oregon
Single Speed

"The race that was won by the guy who could push his bike the fastest". A bit of a joke, but only half way. Seriously, though there was a ton of running/pushing the bike. This race was more cross race than the past 2 cross races I've done out at the same venue. It was a mud bog suffer fest.

Photo (Oregon Velo). Mid way through lap 1.

The race started neutral (meaning everyone starts slow until a point on the course). We hit the single track and it was a bit of a cluster. The race started heating up about midway 1 mile into the first lap and I started to take the race serious to try to make up lost ground from my horrible starting position at the "neutral start".

Photo #2 (Oregon Velo)- Weather heating up -lap 1

We did 3 laps, each lap was about 5 miles each (total race time on the odo: 1:56). Each lap was progressively harder with the 3rd taking me into the pain cave. It started raining towards the end of the second lap and made the mud that much deeper and thicker.

This was a muddy race. I think this was lap two:
Muddy Dan - Oregon Velo

Good times. A good early season race, but in case you haven't gathered, it was MUDDY. I was thankful I was running single speed, as I didn't see the drive train issues I saw others having.

Oh, I got 4th place. Not a bad start to the 2008 season.

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?

Upgradititis

Upgraditis: A terminal condition, the main symptom of which presents as the insatiable desire to upgrade. Ex: I have a perfectly functional cross bike, but I really really need that carbon fork, handlebar, etc.

I know it is only spring, but I’m already thinking about how to upgrade my ‘cross bike for the coming season. First off, I need to get some minor frame damage taken care of. Once that is done, I’m thinking about a variety of ways to really pimp out my Kelly. I’d love to hear peoples various perspectives.

My upgrade options look something like this:

1) At the very least I will need to replace my right side STI. This isn’t really an upgrade – it’s more like necessity. Part of the perils of cross racing. In all honesty, It still functions, but barely, and not in a way conducive to racing. I can do one of two things. Replace it with a new 9 Speed STI and call it good, OR replace it with a SRAM Rival setup. PRO: SRAM is PRO. SRAM is also rebuildable. CON: This of course would require new a new front and rear derailleur and a new 10spd cassette.

2) I’m thinking about going single chain ring up front. Because of limitations to my frame (it was designed around mountain bike components), I can only run compact cranks. The problem with, is that the little 34 is a bit low for most ‘cross courses, and I very rarely put it into the big ring (except on those rare courses like Hillsboro). This means that I spin like mad most of the time. Ideally, I’d like to put a bit bigger of a ring up front and call it good. PRO: 1) My cadence would balance out over a majority of courses, I’d lose a bit of weight (single ring), no front derailleur, etc., If I do upgrade to 10spd (item #1 above) I’d only need to by 1 shifter. The left side brake is much cheaper (and lighter) than a true STI. CON: Not quite as versatile on the road. (Currently my ‘cross bike is also my road bike, though, I am thinking/planning on getting a road bike this year as well.

a. OPTION: I could just replace the right side STI (with another Ultegra 9spd Option) and still go single chain ring.

3) Fork: Upgrade the Kelly Steel fork for a carbon one. Unfortunately, my options here are limited as I have a 1 inch steer tube. My choices basically consist of either a Winwood Dusty (828 grams) or a Wound up (682 grams). The price of the Wound Up is cost prohibitive and the Winwood doesn’t really save me that much over my Kelly Fork (861grams), which has been claimed by some as one of the best steel cross forks out there. PRO: Carbon is sexy. CON: My steel fork is pretty sweet as well and not that heavy… Thoughts on this?

4) New bars – Sadly, the bars on my bike are pull offs from my previous bike. I used them along with a stem as a way to save a bit of money (I’ve replaced the stem with a Ritchey WCS). My thought is to upgrade the bars to a Ritchey WCS aluminum version (actually lighter than the carbon and about 1/3 the price). PRO: If I’m going to change the STIs anyway (which will require new bar tape), I might as well go all out and replace the bars at the same time.

36

I celebrated my 36th birthday today, thus no longer being the youngest age in the Masters A group. – Being that it is Monday, I celebrated the bulk of it at work. That being said, the stars aligned today and I had a break during a period of time when it wasn’t raining, hailing, or snowing (yes it has been a weird spring in the Pacific Northwest). Actually, it was quite pleasant and sunny during this time period. I got some new fenders the other day and installed them on my cross bike last night, so it was nice to do the climb to skyline with gears. (Besides the fact that my fixed gear rear wheel is all wonky and I have a new wheel on order.)

Long story short, I celebrated my birthday by performing an act that is ageless. Just me and my bike. I may be getting older, but damn it, I’m not letting something like age slow me down.

Life is great.

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.

Good bye dear friend

Last week we sold the "cookie bus" our 2001 VW Eurovan Westfalia. The family had lots of very fine memories with the car and I am admittedly having some sellers remorse. This car was a great machine for camping, bike racing, hauling the kids etc. Nothing else quite like it. Actually, I can't believe I am doing a blog post on it. I guess it is just that kind of car.



The main problem with it, was that although it was a 7 passenger vehicle, only 4 of the seats (2 of which are the driver/front passenger seats) have shoulder straps, and thus carrying extra kids (that require boosters) is impossible.

Alas, the purchaser was extremely happy and I know that they (it was a family) will create new memories.

Training while sick

It can be done, but is it worth the risk?

Many of us, me included, feel a psychologically need to exercise that can often lead us to make poor decisions regarding our health.

I try my hardest to tell myself that it's ok to take a break, but I get so anxious about it (which is crazy, since this is technically the "off season" anyway).

Case in point. last week I was fighting an upper respiratory "head cold". We had a break in the weather last week and I wasn't feeling great, but I thought I was feeling 'good enough'. Plus, I figured I could sweat it out. Unfortunately, my plan backfired and I'm only now starting to feel better.

Everybody is different, but I think for me as long as my cold is in my head and I work out inside (lightly) I'm usually ok.

I found some pretty good tips here.

New Wheels...

I 'commissioned' Cyclepath to build me some new wheels for my 29er. They were just competed and I brought them home tonight... I can't wait for it to dry up so I can take them for a spin.

Specs are as follow:

Paul Single Speed Disc Hubs
DT Swiss Champion Double Butted spokes
Stans ZTR 355 rims

1800 grams (w/o tires, rotors or a SS freewheel)

My old wheels are actually not SS specific. I'm going to save them for a future project (disc brake cross bike maybe????)

Sheldon Brown: Rest in Peace

I just heard the news that Sheldon Brown passed away last night from a heart attack.

Brown was something of a living legend in the cycling community (especially to bike nerds such as myself), known mostly for his website that was packed with vast amounts of bike information. Although I didn't know the man, I've used his resources (on his website) quite extensively. He's a giant in the cycling word, and will be missed.

Here’s the message about his passing as posted to SheldonBrown.com:

“Dear…friends and customers,It is with heavy hearts that we convey to you the news that Sheldon Brown has passed away. Our thoughts go out to his family at this time. The cycling community has lost one of it’s most passionate members.”

Twin Six 4 Day Sale

M friends over at Twin Six are having a 4 day sale - with 10% of the proceeds going to a good cause (Jenny's Light). More info on their website. Just click the link below:

A great time to pick up some cool cycling duds at very reasonable prices - and support a good cause.

http://www.twinsix.com/

The indignity of using bicycles in marketing

There's been a bunch of chatter around the bikey blogosphere about this particular advertisement:
There are so many problems with this advertisement, that it's hard to start:

1. Is this a bike ad or a car ad?
2. They are using bike Polo to sell an SUV. Bike Polo? I can't think of a sport where the typical players would disdain a giant SUV more.
3. The family in the picture insinuates that they are all out playing Bike Polo... "Hey Dad, Let's go play a family game of bike polo!" "Sure son"... Gee Dad, when did you get so cool.
4. The bike picture of the SUV itself is so small compared to the rest of the ad.

The next advertisement is actually right on the mark, and I like it quite a bit. This is the correct way to integrate bikes/bike culture into an ad.

Way to go, Kaiser.