Attitude Is Everything

ABORT ABORT ABORT!!!

Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhh crap, I just hate it when that happens. It is a rare occasion I tell you. I am the one who started an organized urban thread on MTBR that was supposed to meet yesterday afternoon and I was a no-show. I posted the cancellation out on MTBR but it was too late. Work threw me a curveball and I was huggin’ the inside of the plate.

Only one person showed up and he rode alone. I will try this again soon.

Weekly Humor:

I have decided to let you all in on a little humor in my life. I live in a quadplex in downtown Greenville. A big house that is divided into four apartments and as we all know these situations can lead you to meet some . . .uhhhhh interesting people.

Lately the one-bedroom downstairs has been un-occupied. Just recently I noticed someone moving in. Last week while getting into my car to go to work I met the lady who had moved in. We said our hellos and then we both got in our cars. Well I glanced over at her door as I was pulling out and what did I see? A hot tub, yes a real hot tub. There are stones on the grass used as foundation and she has a hot tub outside of the house. ARE YA KIDDIN’ ME?

I knew you wouldn’t believe me so here it is:



The hot tub is in the back of the building there by the charis and that window in the upper left hand corner is my bedroom window. So I am thinking a properly timed cannon ball off the roof should make for some good humor huh?

Edit: Oh yah I finally changed my sidebars. I basically included everyone that I read on a daily basis. If you don't update often I proably didn't include you. If you drop by the site all the time and you want your blog/website included just drop me a line. On the other hand if you don't want endorsement from me you can also drop me a line and I will disclude your link.

Organized U.A.

This weekend BrouSSard Joe and I hit up Lynch's again. The first lap was fast and my legs started to fall apart on the second lap. That is a hard 7.5 miles.

I had one momentary slip up whilst leaning to hard into a rooted corner. I was trying to cut it too close on a tight corner with multiple trees. Luckily I felt the tires start to go and saved the fall by giving the tree a nice abrazo.

Tonight will be the first attempt at a organized Urban Assault ride. Hopefully this will turn into a weekly get rid the Monday blues ride.

If you want to go, we are meeting at the tennis courts in Cleveland at 5:30.

In other news. Kristin has the Icycle pics up on her site now. Go take a look and save them off if you so desire.

Here is one that she snapped of me showing my attitude towards all of those who beat me in the XC race:

Stairs

When I go on my Urban rides I love to ride stair cases. I don’t mean concrete stair cases either. Its not that I discriminate against smooth concretes steps its just that I would rather find steps that mimic trail features.

In Greenville, we have some awesome steps. The kind that are made from real rocks and look like they could cut your tires with their sharp edges. I found a new set last night that blew my mind. The top was super steep and there were about 15 steps before the first platform. After thinking about my line for a few seconds, I went for it.

I normally wouldn’t ride a staircase that had this combination of steep numerous steps right in the beginning on the fully rigid bike since there is virtually no way of slowing down in a safe manner but what the hell.

The top set were steep enough that after two steps I slipped behind the seat and just held on. My seat looked like a un-experienced construction worker handling a jack hammer and then I was on the first platform. After that, there were a bunch of quick steep steps that led to platforms. I will be back to conquer those steps often.

While working hard yesterday I found this picture on the Indy Cycle Specialist site. It is from when we all rode Pisgah together back in January. It is a cool picture as I didn’t even realize it was being taken. Thanks Scott!



Ride at Lynch’s at 9:00 on Saturday.

Peace

Dollar Bills

Bled my front brake last night, I love doing this knowing that it saves me money every time I do it. For some reason this is one of the more costly things to have done to your bike in a shop. It is so self gratifying to know that the lever was completely useless before the bleed and then afterwards PRESTO they are plush and ready to go.

So Mr. Goat Epics left a comment yesterday about our ride. 15.6 miles at a 10 mph pace, that’s more than double the speed limit. Thank god there weren’t many cops out.

So here is the deal. I love my Drunken Monkey. Since I have purchased that bike I haven’t ridden much else even though I have two other bikes. I love the fact that I can take the DM out on ride after ride and hardly give it any love at all but she still loves me back. For me, that is the appeal of riding a bike with minimal moving parts.

However, I still have the desire to get a full squish 29’er. The thoughts of shocks blowing out and de-railer hangers being ripped off makes me cringe even if I have a backup. I would like to see some statistics on how much money people put into their bikes during a period of one year. I am not talking purchase price, I am talking about maintenance alone. I am also talking about a real rider who rides at least 150 off road miles a month. I know that for me it was pretty high dollar when I was trying to keep my CAKE running 100% throughout the year. I know that now I could minimize those costs by trading time between two bikes but I don’t want a new bike to be that Ferrari that just sits on the garage getting flat spots on the tires either.

As you can tell, I still have a lot of thoughts to figure out before I purchase a new bike.

Peace.

Paris @ 5 MPH

That’s a little joke for all the Greenvillians in the house.



I met up with Mountain Goat and David who I had never met before along with Rick for a ride at Paris.

We flew around the trails. That may be the fastest circuit to date. I always feel incredible the few days after racing. Even though my legs scream at me when I push them, everything else just feels so good.

For the first time, I cleaned every uphill climb along the way which is no easy feat on the single. I was leading down the technical rutted section on Firetower and got slightly out of control before the turn but no biggie.

There was even some frozen spots with left over snow still out there on the backside of the mountain.

Goat Epics and David were really ripping the trails even though this was the first time they had seen Paris proper. I don’t think it gets any better than showing skilled riders your local trails. They will be back.

Mountain Goat Epic himself:

Downhill Gangsta'

This is a huge shout out to everyone who made this weekend’s festivities possible.

Wes D the organizer of it all did a great job on the course and logistics. All the sponsors rocked. I got a cool long sleeve Maxxis racing T for my downhill efforts. Thanks to BradO and Darrin for organizing our cozy cabins and taking pictures during the event. Thanks to Kristin for taking pictures.

Major cool points for Sir Bikes (and stomps) a lot for wearing the camera gear in both races!

Last but not least thanks to Fontanna Village for being very tolerant of our behavior.

How do you prepare for a below freezing night of downhilling? About the same way you prepare for skiing.



After my downhill run this guy says “Holy Crap, he doesn’t have any suspension.”



Paris ride tonight at 5:30.

Peace

The Icycle Experience

This weekend was a lot of fun. I am not quite sure where to start, so I will break it up for those who don’t want to hear about all the pre-game jazz. However, what happened off the race course was probably more exciting than on.

Friday’s Pre-Game:

Kristin and I left Greenville around 3:30 on Friday headed toward Fontanna Village. I had thoughts of the Tail of the Dragon as I wound through the mountains at a blistering 15 mph. The roads were pretty slippery but we made it to the village without incident.

We arrived to cold kegs and a warm place to rest our heads. I put my game face on and prepared for my first XC single speed race by downing about 10 sweetwater 420’s. Carb loading.

Saturday’s Pre-Game Warm-up:



I decided that two five mile laps was not nearly enough exercise for the day so I suited up early and pre-rode the XC course. The course started in a ball field and immediately went straight up a grassy hill. Fifty yards of pavement put you at a left turn onto a hike-a-bike steep double track climb. The course was pretty tacky and hard with some frozen snow thrown in for extra traction. After the hike, you went up and up. The first downhill was rocky but there was a ripping line all the way down with two tight switchbacks. After that there was a couple frozen bridges thrown in the mix and some flowing single track. There was one steep uphill that I could hardly hike up. It was super steep and frozen.

After the pre-ride, I had determined my mountain gear would work nicely. The course would be more appropriately named Cross Mountain.

Single Speed Racin’:

We watched the Expert class run to their bikes and take off up the hill. Twenty-three single speeder’s were up next. We got the go-ahead and took off toward our bikes. I had laid my bike at the end of the line so that is where I ran. Oooops, where is my bike? Where is my bike? A couple people had come after me and I lost a few seconds running around screaming “Drunken Monkey WHERE ARE YOUUUUUUUU?”



I hate the beginning of races, I got off the bike and pushed up the first single track climb along with 22 other racers. I hate pushing in races even more because I am no good at it. I was third to last once I was back on my bike.

I felt ok and passed a few people on the climb. As I neared the first downhill I passed a couple more and was able to rip the downhill and catch up to a train of seven people close to the bottom. We slowly navigated the frozen bridge (which I walked in my warm up and I found out later that at least one racer fell off the bridge) and took off on the single track. I was not happy knowing that I could have been faster on the only turns on the course. I yelled for the front man to pick up the pace. I got around a few people to only be passed when the trail kicked up hill. I wasn’t climbing very well.

Out of the woods and up the ball field again for the second lap. I felt even faster on the downhills and single track the second time but my legs were still sluggish going up hill. I ripped the one wet section too fast and found myself in the woods paralleling the trail for a couple seconds. That was my only navigational error. I ended up 14/23.

It’s amazing how 10 miles at full power can do the same as 50 semi-easy miles. I had almost forgotten the pain of XC.

Post XC:

Filled up a few beers and we all warmed up by the fire. I had to stop after a few beers since I wanted to do the “Hard Ass” class in the downhill. I watched as Jason got ready for the downhill. I started to wonder how the course would be as I watched Terminator 7,000 get ready in the cabin.




Practice Downhill:

I convinced Jody to run a practice lap with me. So we geared up and caught the Budget rental shuttle to the top of the hill. That was by far the scariest part of the downhill as I spied a Coors in the driver’s side beverage holder.

Big bikes first, then myself and Jody followed them down the hill. It was a fast beginning with one drop off and a couple jumps that shot you over some roots. There was a quick uphill and then three tight switchbacks to the end. We passed two fully rigged riders on the quick up and then there was a couple fast banked turns. I spied a camera man up ahead and took my hands off the brakes. As I was looking at the camera, I realized I was at the first switchback. I burned right through it and shot about 40 feet into the woods. I wrestled my way back up and slid around the next corner to find Jody lying on the ground. The last two switchbacks were frozen solid with ice. YIKES!

Downhill:

Women first, experts, sport, beginner then fully rigid, my number was 149 and we were going in order at one minute intervals. Shit.

I killed time by building up the barrel fire and watching everyone else stay warm.

After an agonizing hour and a half of standing around I was up. I was the first rigid rider, and I didn’t go nearly as fast as I did on my practice. I just wanted to get down. I was slow and luckily they had salted the last two switchbacks so they were ride able.

I made it down without incident and ended up third out of four and 5 seconds behind second.

Icycles and Colts

If you aren't worried about where you are going in the after-life and you want to laugh hard. Click here.

Check back later this afternoon to see the "Spirit of the Colts."

Morning Edit: HAHAHAHHA, I read a piece in the Greenville News this morning that stated that "Poop Park" is so popular it attracts visitors from all over the country. Are you kidding me? It is 100 foot by 100 foot mud hole where dogs make their owner's look like idiots. Fantastic, Greenville is so Hip.

Afternoon Edit: Colt's spirit pictue is going to have to wait until Sunday Afternoon.





GO COLTS! The Icycle was awesome. Snow, bikes and lots of beer.

Poop Park

I went on my second Urban Assault yesterday. As I rolled by our newly found “Dog Park” I noticed it had turned into a dog fighting arena. Five dogs were really going at it to maintain possession of a frisbee. All of the owners except for one just watched like nothing was going on. The lady closest to the action was mildly saying “Now y’all play nice together.” I am sure that turned out great.

I haven’t quite determined how this park is supposed to help the community.

So I am one of two people out of well over a hundred people that made it into the office today. I saw quite a few wrecks. Snow doesn’t go over well in South Carolina. Most of the wrecks I saw were from trucks. Imagine that.

Here is what it looks like outside my office window right now:

U.A.

I threw a new tube in my front tire last night and took the Drunken Monkey out for an Urban Assault. I pumped up the old tube and let it lay around while I was out.

I finally found a clean line down a tricky set of steps in Reedy River Park. It was pretty fun being out on the town. I have a really great UA route now. I need to try and get some people together and make this a weekly happening. Any takers?

When I came back home the tube was still perfectly inflated. That leads me to the conclusion that the bit of mud on my rim strip plus the soapy water killed my seal between the tire and rim Sunday.

Kristin and I went out to the Congaree National Swamp on Sunday. We did a really fun hike. The water was a ton higher than the last time we were there. Last time we saw these stalagmite looking roots everywhere:



This time they were mostly underwater. It was pretty cool knowing what was under there.

The park boasts that it has six of the world’s largest trees for their particular species. One is the loblolly Pine. Here is a picture of the world’s second largest Loblolly Pine.



From the angle I took the picture any tree would look big but trust me this tree is huge.

One last note, one of my good riding buddies in Greenville thought he was having minor ACL surgery and it turned into total re-construction. Take care of that leg and get well soon!

A Lighter View

How would I explain my moment of Zen Biking right now? I am not on the Drunken Monkey so I can’t tell you.

I guess the hip thing to do, would be to talk about the boring race that’s coming up. I really hope the Icycle holds true to its name. I love watching cold southerner’s run around in the snow. Right now the forecast is calling for flurries on Saturday. Yaaaaaaaaaaayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy!

Here is the latest. Since I purchased the Exi-wolves, I have never had a trail flat but Sunday my front tire went flat while cleaning my bike. Yes, that’s right I was actually washing my bike with soap and water (rare, even more rare than a steak ordered by a Mountain Lion) when I picked up the bike and noticed the front tire was awful squishy.

It could have been on the trail or something I did during the cleansing but I didn’t inspect the tube. Not yet at least. I will throw a new tube in there tonight and see what happens.

TD’s post piqued my interest. Ever since I bought the Drunken Monkey I have only had one complaint. I wear size 12 extra wide cycling shoes and I pedal like a duck walking through the forest (this means I pedal heals in for those of you who don’t get it.) Because of this, the inside of my shoes rub against the chain stays at the bottom of my frame. Don’t believe how much they rub?



Yes, that is a little more than six months worth of polishing steel. That little cable guide that is on the drive side reeks havoc on my shoe as you can see.



I need to have that guide cut off. I will show my ignorance here, I wasn’t sure if cutting that piece off would effect the integrity of the steel in any way. Now I understand that when done properly, it should be an easy fix.

This is something that will stay implanted in my mind when buying another bike. So that’s the next question. Is it actually possible to heat and temper those steel stays again to shape them inward and pull the rubbing out of the equation all together? My un-educated answer is probably not easily if it is possible at all.

Last Dance With Mary Jane

I don’t normally make posts about my personal thoughts on employment or really any life happenings besides outdoor activities. This one warrants it as it is bike related.

Grab a mug of your favorite beverage and settle in, this is a long one.

Let me set the scene.

Two weeks ago my truck took a rock to the windshield. I have yet to call the insurance company to take advantage of the SC law that states I can have the windshield replaced without meeting my deductible. I have taken advantage of that law 5 times with my truck.

The only bike shop that I have ever purchased a bike in and truly believe in has had some very qualified employees leave as of late. This opened up some bicycle job opportunities in Columbia South Carolina. Being personal friends with the owner for quite some time, I have the inside scoop.

On the way to ride Lynch’s on Saturday, Joe and I spoke of this opportunity.

Driving into work at 78.7mph on the highway this afternoon I slid into deep thought.

I could call Paul and ask him to interview me for the position. I could leave my corporate job and pursue a job that I am passionate about. Really put some feeling into my work and have something to show for it. Sure I would be headed back to the town that I have ill feelings for but that doesn’t matter does it. . .

I slip deeper into thought as I remind myself that one winter a not so long time ago, I had this same type of opportunity and ran with it.

During my High School and some college days, I was a passionate golfer. It stemmed from my father showing me the game when I was very young. By the time I was 10 or 11, I was losing every junior tournament in Evansville Indiana. By losing, I mean I was last, dead last EVERY TIME.

I didn’t care. I just waited for that one moment every round, where I would hit the ball so clean that I wouldn’t even feel it come off the club face. That was bliss and I begged for more. I practiced so much that a local pro took me under his wing and taught me the game for free.

By the time I graduated High School, I had become a golfer to recon with in my town. I had won many tournaments. I placed 11th in our city’s tournament and even had one partial scholarship offer from a local college. I didn’t take it as it was not a school I was interested in.

After one year of college, I gained employment for the summer at Victoria National Golf Club as a caddy. You know, in Bill Murray’s words I was “a Loopa’”.

This led into an offer to be a caddy at Augusta National, one of the greatest golf clubs in the world. After much instigation and a final plea from the pro who helped me in High School, my father allowed me to take the job with the promise that I would return to school after one semester. I was elated. Every golfer’s dream is to touch this golf course. More or less actually get to play it and I would have my chance.

It was everything I imagined it would be and more. I met some of the World’s most powerful and influential people. I also met some real crack heads.

After walking on the course for over 90 days straight, and carrying bags over 900 miles, I had determined one thing from my experience. Every job is exactly that after a while. I was to return to school.

A rock flies up and hits the windshield and I realize I am listening to Tom Petty’s “Last Dance With Mary Jane.” I sure am glad I didn’t replace it yet as the rock left another spider mark in my windshield.

Why is that song so important? It contains the lyrics that I played over and over in my head when I lived in Columbia:

“Last dance with Mary Jane, one more time to kill the paaaiiiinnnnnnnnn. I feel Summer creepin’ in and I’m tired of this town agaaaaaaaaaaiiiiiiiiinnnnnn.”

While growing up in Indiana, I promised myself that I would live somewhere that suited my geographical need to be close to the mountains. I was taught how to ski before I was taught how to golf and skiing is by far my number one passion. Mountain Biking fits the bill perfectly now.

I moved to Greenville because this town fits me perfectly. I am gainfully employed. I get way more vacation than I should. I am able to maximize my time on the bike and in the mountains because of this.

As much as I hate to admit it, my passion is actually being outside in the mountains more so than riding a bike. If I am hiking cool. If I am mountain biking, even better however, if I am skiing you better get ready for an excited Tomato. Aiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiieeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee.

As all this evaluating goes on, I come up over the hill on 385 and I see the mountains in the distance. That is where I belong.

I only put this into words to remind you and me that we have to weigh our options carefully when making life-changing decisions. Will working in a bike shop maximize my time in the woods and on my bike? Probably not, but if the shop was in Greenville it would make my decision much more difficult.

If you are in Columbia and a qualified candidate, drop me a line or go into the shop and let Paul know you are interested. It could be your life-changing moment.

Peace.

Lynch’s Woods

PalmettoSolo, Joe, Barrett, Clint and I rolled around the trails twice in Newberry today. Clint, Toby, Toby and Monty have been working dillegently to get these trails back into shape. They are doing a fine job!

I had a ton of fun today, my mountain gear worked out fantastic as I didn’t really have to do any walking and never spun out either. There were a couple wet spots, but for the most part the trail is in excellent condition. They took a blower to some of the sections so you can really rip.

Technical creek crossings and a gigantic log crossing that takes you toward the sky. That was the most fun I have had riding XC trails in a long time.

Clint, Barrett and Joe:


Toby, How are those gears working out?


Barrett, creekin’


Toby, rockin’ the sky log:

Juggling

I am still struggling with thoughts about bicycles. It is time for me to get rid of my current full suspension set up all together. I am going to sell the frame and maybe the suspension and keep all the other parts. Hopefully, I can get a good idea of the frame price from Paul this weekend. It only has 75 miles from the SM-100 on it and maybe another 30 pisgah miles on top of that. So it basically looks brand new. The drive train is wore out so bad that I wouldn’t even sell it to El Guapo.

This leaves me with a predicament. I love my Drunken Monkey but I am not sure if it will take me all the places I want to go in 2007. I know that I am going to do the Icycle on it but I haven’t made any decisions beyond that.

So new bike thoughts are in my future for sure. I am once again dedicated to the big wheels. So I will definitely be watching the reviews of some more “all mountain” type 29’ers as the year rolls on. I am also really kicking around the idea of an internal transmission as well. I am just looking to talk to some people who have “real life” experience with these sorts of things.

Enough about that, some folks and myself will be rolling at Lynches around 9:00 tomorrow if anyone wants to join in.

Ride your bike and have a great weekend.

Because I Can

Tuesday night I was headed home from work and decided that I would be better off riding to Paris instead of driving.

This adds in quite a bit of mileage, yes I have to deal with some cars and spin like crazy in a couple flat sections but it is pretty quick for the most part.

I left my house and took the route that included the sharpest ups and downs I could find. This keeps passing cars from projecting movies on my legs.

Once out of town, I roll up the front side of Paris. This house has been for sale ever since I moved to Greenville:



When you go this way you enter the park from a secret location and you have to stop by the highest point in Greenville for a looksie:




I dropped into Paris after that. Finally some dirt to rub on my tires, I cruised down the techy side of Firetower and then made the left turn and headed down to the lake. I stopped at the lake for a moment and watched about 8 lights wander around the trail. Pretty cool.

On the way down I had stopped for all uphill riders as there are some tough steep pitches. On my way out nobody really wanted to stop going downhill for me until I saw Broussard. He was pulled over to the side. I said a quick hello and proceeded on. I got to the top and found out that I knew some of the group that I was watching flow around the lake.

Flew down Brissy and then climbed the road and Firetower to my exit of the park. Yes Ty I had my pass with me.

That was the first time I had taken the road down Paris at night. It was awesome seeing the lights of Greenville as I coasted around 30 mph down the mountain. I was frozen at the bottom so I stopped to change lights and then rolled home.

3 and ½ hours on the bike. Lots of miles and climbing.

Modnar yllaer

A look inside my brain:

Should I blog or blog today? Maybe I will just post a MTB picture.



Riding Paris tonight with a focus on intervals.

Work is so slow right now, time to start a picture roll.

I wonder if there are any arguments about which is better.

Maybe Anthony Sloan has done some more Passion posts.

I like Pink Flamingos too!

Will that idiot behind me let his cell phone go off again?

Will I ever have anything meaningful to post about?

Why are there so many of us?

Some people have given me props and I haven’t returned it. Should work on that.

29’er, downhill, endurance, where should I live?

Hope work gives me something to do before my head blows up or waste my analytical skills.

Peace.

Artic Wind

Dark thirty Saturday morning I was riding in the car headed toward what I thought would be the devil ride. Eric was the instigator. I went past the rich people place while the sun was just casting rays across the sky. The morning looked bluebird and heavenly as though we were out west.

However, I was still in the east headed toward the great Appalachian mountains. I was geared up for a death march of preposterous proportions. I hadn’t slept well and I was wondering if I would be able to hold out for the projected 52 miles and infinite amounts of ascending.

We had a group of seven including myself gathering together at the Black Mountain trailhead. Our projected route would not be sustained. This was the ultimate route:

Black Mountain, Maxwell Cove, Z Hammer, Black Mountain, Buckwheat, Bennett, Coontree, 276, 475, 475B, Paint Shaker, ?????, ?????, Daniel Ridge, Davidson River Trail, 475 276

38 miles according to Dennis’ odometer.

Black Mountain is everything but an easy warm-up. I was breathing heavily early on and not feeling the steeps with the single speed. A wind that could chill a Canadian snowman blew from what seemed like every direction and chilled us to the bone.

We made it to the first gap and Erinna announced that she was frozen through and through. My hands and toes were frozen and I was pretty chilly. We flew down Maxwell trying to hold on with frozen mitts.


Mike and Dennis

Erinna looked awfully cold and decided she was done with shivering. Therefore the two of them took off headed to a warmer place. No one blamed them.

The rest of us took off up Clawhammer hoping to get the blood flowing. Every time we turned the corner we were pounded with a glacieresque headwind.

I could finally feel my feet and hands when we arrived at the top. We quickly headed toward Buckwheat as standing around added to our frozen status.

I wasn’t feeling the steep climbs at all and ended up pushing a bunch. I felt really good descending Buckwheat. I cleaned the first techy section and then made more moves than normal on the Devil’s Staircase but I didn’t have the confidence to negotiate the last step down.

I turned around at the bottom to watch the others come down the staircase when I finally witnessed what had been talked about for weeks. A local Professional downhiller came around the corner nailing the first steep and hucking the big rock like it was nothing. He was on a hardtail and to quote Dennis “His suspension hardly flexed.” It was cool to see someone nail it.

We flew down Coontree and Jeremy and his friend cut off as Mike, Dennis and I were headed for some Fish Hatchery action. We rode to Cove Creek and I bounced down it as fast as I could.


Climbing Daniel

We nailed Daniel Ridge and headed back toward the cars. Fantastic Ride!!!

Beer Snobs, Dot 4 Nightmares

Cruised over to Andrew’s house last night for some wrenchin’. This makes my life easier because he has a bike stand and proper tools.

If we had a LBS like ICS in town that offered “rent a bench,” I wouldn’t have to call on my friends in my time of need. Are you reading this Greenville? Simple idea, wonderful idea.

Back to the story, the entire reason I needed said stand and tools was to get my old Hayes off the Drunken Monkey and the new ones on. An especially good idea when a death march is planned for Saturday.

I also installed some new fatty oversized bars and a new stem on the DM too. Not too long after I had Catastrophic Failure on my front brake with the “new Hayes,” I took them into a local LBS to have the line fixed. This is where I am a eggnorramoose because I took them into a shop that doesn’t have the capability to bleed the Hayes. DUH!

So I recently bleed the brake and it seemed to be working well during a driveway test.

Well we were standing there admiring our handiwork having a Sierra Nevada out of Andrew’s new Kegorator when I noticed that there was some oil on the cable. It was seeping out of the connection where the brake failed last time. Not a lot but enough. The only way I noticed it was because I was squeezing the lever a bunch. CRRRRRAAAAAAPPPPP! Nothing you can do about that.

So we proceeded to take the faulty brake off and put the old one on. Now I have two different levers and brake systems on the front and back.

The good news, I have a great brake on the back and a functional bike with a new stem and bar that I think will position me perfectly in the cockpit. The bad news, I don’t know if I should take the brake back and say “Hey no fixie,” or if I should just suck up the cost and take it to another shop where it might not get fixed proper either. I guess I will give it a go so I can only be mad at me. Can I rent a bench somewhere?

Late Edition: I decided that I would take the brake by the LBS today. Said mechanic deserved a chance to right his wrong. After a quick analysis by him and myself we determined it was the fastener that holds the cable to the master cylinder through the lock on bolt. We replaced it and there was no movement so hopefully I can bleed it and replace it.

A Sad Sad Blog Roll

So you know it is a sad day when things like this happen. The stick thinks he has a sense of humor these days. He did a post about what people watched while riding the rollers. I will have to admit that it made me chuckle a little. He pretty much pegged me right on. I wouldn’t know what a roller was if it rolled over me.

It seems a lot of people talk about these rollers. I don’t think I could do it unless it was really nasty for a long time. I would rather run in the freezing rain then be stationary.

Apparently some are using the “Tomato’s” spread on their website’s and blogs these days. I noticed that MountainGoatEpics has the picture I snapped of Eric rolling chainless and tensionless out at Wilson’s up on his site. Pretty cool.

TD used a photo that I snapped of him out on one his posts. I actually had the entire series of him rolling the nasty Black Mountain steps but I didn’t need to blow his head any further out of proportion so I only posted one up on MTBR.

I googled EXTRMTAO yesterday, I think it is important to know who is using my screen name. I need to make sure nothing malicious is going on that I could get tied too. The only other EXTRMTAO that I found was this one:

Extrmtao @ gillespie.com

Just some spam email account about selling ED pills. However, this made me think. Why would a Tomato need Viagra? Leave me a punchline in the comments and I will post the winner tomorrow. Now get creative kiddies.

Late edit: It's a great day to be a computer geek as it is freezing rain outside. Check TeamDicky out as he has to ride his messenger bike in the crappage.

French Attitude

Rick and I rode a circuit at Paris last night. It finally felt a little like winter as I had extra layers with me.

We started out with a nice easy pace and then kicked it up in the end. Rode Firetower last and that climb feels steep when I do that.

I alluded to Paris Café yesterday in my post. They honestly have the best breakfast I have ever eaten. Eggs Norwegian, I just hope I can convince myself to order something different as I am a creature of habit. If you live in Greenville, go check this place out! They have a Sunday Brunch starting at 10:00, and Pascale promised me they would have Mimosas real soon.

I am starting to get some ideas about a race bike for this coming season. More on that as I learn more.

I am now an official member of SORBA. I signed up with the local PAS chapter. Are ya reading this Woody? I will try and make a trail day sometime soon. Unfortunately the first one of the year, I will not be able to attend. Sometime soon though I will put some sweat into the trails I love so much.

Hospital Rock

In the depths of Jones Gap State Park, there lies a huge rock that is named “Hospital Rock.” Supposedly there are rumors of the rock actually being used as a shelter for wounded soldiers during the Civil War.


Me on top of HR.

I tried researching this with no luck yesterday. It definitely looks like it could be used as a shelter. If you know more about this place, drop me a line.


You can spot “Pretty Place” a couple times from the HR trail. Look closely there is a chapel up there.

We started out from the bottom of the park and climbed, climbed, climbed. When they say “strenuous hike” they mean it. It took us right around 2 hours to cover the 2 miles to get to the rock.

We ate chocolate croissants from the Paris Café while we chilled at the rock and wondered if wounded soldiers had once lain under the rock.


Our “HR dance”

The walk back seemed much shorter, but still as hard. We shaved 15 minutes off on the way back. Kristin opined that it was the Croissants.

As we were negotiating our way down the trail, we started hearing a thumping from behind us. Kristin thought it was a bear, I fashioned it as a soldier’s wounded soul. However it was an “exteeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeme trail runner.” You think I am kidding? After he went hopping/falling down the trail in front of us, I bet Kristin that some were to follow.

Some did follow, but they were in no way as “extreeeeeeeeeeeeme” as the first guy. The third and last guy looked like he needed a cliff bar in a bad way. In her sweet voice Kristin said “They aren’t too far ahead.” Too bad for him that he did not take this comment with a grain of salt and quickened his pace.


We spotted this guy on the way back down.

Saving The Day

I pulled into the Black Mountain Parking area Saturday morning and saw Team Dicky, Broussard, Jody and Ben getting ready for battle of the mountains.

I started putting my bike together when I realized that I had left a much needed washer at home. It meant that one of the bolts that holds my brake caliper to the frame was going to hit the rotor as it spun. Not good, if I couldn’t fix it somehow, I was going to have to hit a hardware store before I rode.

I announced my predicament and asked if anyone might have a washer in their car. Ben had one but it was too small a diameter internally. Just as I was getting depressed Ben walked over with two “I don’t know what these things are but they are for a Yakima rack.” I was able to get them juxtaposed in a manner well enough to keep the bolt away from the rotor.



Sheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeewwwwwww, Thanks Ben!

I was supposed to meet the Indy folk at the top of “Z Hammer” around 11:30. So we had some time to burn.

My route for the day:

Grassy Road, Sycamore Cove, North Slope (Counter Clockwise), Clawhammer, Black Mountain, Buckwheat, Bennett, 276 back to the car


Jody, Zach and Rich rolling through Davidson River Campground.

As we pulled into the Horse Stable parking lot, I saw a bike and a dog I knew. It was Obi the dog and Andrew. That was a surprise since Andrew tore his ACL and is getting surgery soon. We (meaning all of my personalities) wish him a quick recovery after surgery.


Andrew and Obi, chilling at the Gap.

While we waited for the Indy crew to roll up, TD moved his stem and needed to make sure his technical skills hadn’t washed away. I snapped this while he was “messin’.”




From there, most of the original crew broke off and went down Black toward the car. The rest of us pushed on through the originally planned route.

There are some roots in these hills.




Once we were at the bottom, ReignMan needed some extra H2O so I showed them White Pines campground and the pump there.




It was another wonderful day in our National Forest.

Shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh Harrell's Preview

Yesterday, I was able to get out to the “Queen” for a good two hour spin. That place is a little creepy at night by yourself but not as bad as Dupont. I realized on the way out there that this was going to be the first time I had ever ridden there alone. I rode what I knew, hard and then went and had some fish tacos from Clemson’s Moes. “WELCOME TO MOES!”

I snapped this in the parking lot.



So since I am the lucky man that gets to date the current webmaster for Harrell’s Bicycle world, I got to see a preview of the site last night. Let me tell you that this is going to be one awesome site.

Shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh, don’t tell Kristin but here is a link to what the front page is going to look like.

I am riding with some cool cats from here tomorrow. Yah Scott is the guy that met up with a big group of us at the top of Clawhammer last time. Should be a good time, so drop me a line if you want to ride.

Have a great weekend.

Kwinky Dinks

Here is how my afternoon was yesterday.

10:30: Lunch break, I take bike to the shop.

1:00: Shop calls no bottom bracket in stock, will be a week.

1:15: I call shops, find bottom a bottom bracket. They put it on hold.

4:30: All my test cases pass, I leave work.

4:45: Pick up Bottom Bracket.

5:00: Drop off Bottom Bracket.

5:05: Load night riding gear.

5:15: Pick up bike with new BB.

5:45: On bike, sweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeet.

5:52: Decide to take an abnormal route up the Mountain Creek side of Sulphur Springs.

6:00: Meet zee boyz, at the waterfall. Didn’t even know they were coming.



6:40: Beers on the top of Greenville.

7:30: Flying down Brissy Ridge by myself. Zee boyz were headed for pizza.

8:15: Beer, pizza, ping pong, beer pong.

10:43: Describe all the previous.

Trends

Since I tend to follow trends just like most of you do. Don't lie to me, you know you do.

I will keep up with the politics for this week. I am in a very obtuse mood this week so you all get to reap the benefits.

So I furthered my research yesterday some, thanks Brad. I went out the SORBA website last night and found the following under the FAQ’s:

How do I join?You can fill out the form that is located in the FAT TIRE TIMES, SORBA`s official newsletter, which can be found in many bicycle shops in and around the Atlanta area. There is a nomimal fee associated with membership that is used to help defray the costs of the organization. The form is also on-line at our web site at:

LATE EDIT, FINALLY HERE IT IS FOLKS

http://www17.serrahost.com/servlet/sorbaorg/StoreFront


Are you kidding me? Just leave it blank? If your going to leave it blank take it out. I know, I know I should just print the form off, fill out my check and mail it. WHAT! What did I just say? Spend money on a stamp. . . Do it “hardcore.” Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm. . .

I have a pet peeve about websites because there are so many out there. Work is making me act like a bitter old man. I hope I get to ride my bike soon.

Anybody up for a ride in the mountains this weekend?

Weekly Rides and Politics

I Got in a quick spin at Manchester yesterday before the rain. I noticed the Drunken Monkey needs some love. A new bottom bracket is on the docket for sure.

Apparently my intentions of having a night ride at Dupont on Wednesday night raised some concerns. Concerns about Pisgah Area SORBA and the fact that I scheduled a ride on the night they are meeting. OOPS!

Apparently some feel as though I should be attending the meeting instead of riding. I will be riding.

I will however go ahead and give a "heads up" on what is happening. PAS has not been around for too long. SORBA has, just not the Pisgah chapter. Last year I gave a donation to the Greenville Spinners with the hope that they would help promote trails and mountain biking in the upstate. This did not happen.

So this year I will be investing my money into PAS. How much time and volunteer hours I will be able to put in is still up in the air. So if you spend a decent amount of your ride time in areas where PAS or SORBA help maintain trails think about joining up.

Just in case you have a problem finding the "application" link on the website. Here you go. Tinsley Web Solutions did not make the "application" link very apparent. This seems like a problem to me but what do I know.

Thoughts of the upcoming "race" season fill my head. I still am not sure what bike I will be riding this year. I am having a hard time resolving that in my head.

I already know that I will be "racing" on the Drunken Monkey for the Icycle. I had thoughts of putting on a bigger gear for this race. However, after this weekends expiriments, I will be sticking to what I know.

That's about it for now. Ride tomorrow at Paris and Wednesday at Dupont.