http://www.cyclingnews.com/news.php?id=news/2006/jun06/jun30news3
ahhh crap!
I'm stunned................
I don't have words for this.
Going for a ride...........Have a great weekend and keep pedaling. Just keep pedaling. The joy of cycling shouldn't be predicated upon a few who do the sport injustice.
But I am really bummed right now...........
Late!
Friday, June 30, 2006
Here We Go Again.......
http://www.cyclingnews.com/news.php?id=news/2006/jun06/jun30news3
ahhh crap!
I'm stunned................
I don't have words for this.
Going for a ride...........Have a great weekend and keep pedaling. Just keep pedaling. The joy of cycling shouldn't be predicated upon a few who do the sport injustice.
But I am really bummed right now...........
Late!
ahhh crap!
I'm stunned................
I don't have words for this.
Going for a ride...........Have a great weekend and keep pedaling. Just keep pedaling. The joy of cycling shouldn't be predicated upon a few who do the sport injustice.
But I am really bummed right now...........
Late!
Thursday, June 29, 2006
What's That Noise I Hear?: Part II
Backround: Lance Armstrong, winner of seven Tours deFrance, has made it public that he would like to come to RAGBRAI to help further the agenda he has concerning cancer research and fund raising for his foundation. What it is: RAGBRAI, (acronym for "Registers Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa" ) is a week long trek across the state on paved roads. Originally started as a challenge between two Des Moines Register writers, the ride has morphed into the largest week long, organized recreational rides in the U.S.A. It features a daily route covering approximately 70 miles on average, and is catered to by food and beverage vendors at various points all along the route. Once the "Ultimate Party Ride", RAGBRAI has become far more tame in the last ten years, but still carries the reputation of wild, out of control parties, featuring drunkeness, nudity and other forms of debauchery. It's route can still be filled with hundreds of drunken bicycle riders way after the sun goes down, even though the "official" closing of the route is at six in the evening everyday. To be fair, there are a large number of decent, clean riders on RAGBRAI, but they are certainly overshadowed in the overall veiw of the ride by the "party riders" in the minds of the public.
Guitar Ted Rant Mode engaged!: I have been reading with interest about the giddy reactions and unreal expectations the Iowa public has about the news that Lance is going to "ride on RAGBRAI" I hate to be the shiny, pointed object that bursts the bubble, but Lance isn't going to "ride" RAGBRAI like "you" think he is going to "ride" RAGBRAI.
Riding RAGBRAI like most folks do includes using a bike as a means to transport yourself from one vendor stand or bar to another to over indulge yourself on home made pie and cold beer. (if you can call any mainstream American adult beverage "beer"...hrrumpf!) Not that there is any thing inherently wrong with that pursuit, it's just not really about "riding bikes" anymore. It's, well..............it's RAGBRAI! You know! It's something uniquely different that just happens to use bikes as a tool to reach some other objective. That "objective" being a variable depending upon the time of your departure every morning of the ride. (RAGBRAI'ers know what that means...it's code for something!)
Anyway, Lance isn't going to be doing any of that! Oh no! If he shows up at all, ( it's not guaranteed that he will) he will be doing highly structured, pre-planned, "spontaneous" looking public appearances. Some while riding a bike, (for a short period of time at an unannounced point on the route) or some while posing with various cancer patients, survivors, and other political people, pundits, and luminaries. He won't be sleeping in a tent, or an R.V. He'll be coming in and out of Des Moines, where the route of this years RAGBRAI scrapes the northern suburbs of that city. He won't be partying, drinking beer at a local bar, or hob nobbing with any RAGBRAI "teams". In fact, most RAGBRAI riders won't even see him, and have a better chance of doing so on the local six o'clock news reports.
Not that there is anything wrong with what Lance is doing, (there isn't, really) it's just that he won't be doing it with you, RAGBRAI rider. He'll be using the publicity generated by the rides reputation to further his agenda. You on the other hand, will be going about your merry way as a RAGBRAI rider, none the wiser.
And don't even think for a minute that this legitimizes RAGBRAI as a "real" cycling event! We're not even going to go there!
Guitar Ted Rant Mode engaged!: I have been reading with interest about the giddy reactions and unreal expectations the Iowa public has about the news that Lance is going to "ride on RAGBRAI" I hate to be the shiny, pointed object that bursts the bubble, but Lance isn't going to "ride" RAGBRAI like "you" think he is going to "ride" RAGBRAI.
Riding RAGBRAI like most folks do includes using a bike as a means to transport yourself from one vendor stand or bar to another to over indulge yourself on home made pie and cold beer. (if you can call any mainstream American adult beverage "beer"...hrrumpf!) Not that there is any thing inherently wrong with that pursuit, it's just not really about "riding bikes" anymore. It's, well..............it's RAGBRAI! You know! It's something uniquely different that just happens to use bikes as a tool to reach some other objective. That "objective" being a variable depending upon the time of your departure every morning of the ride. (RAGBRAI'ers know what that means...it's code for something!)
Anyway, Lance isn't going to be doing any of that! Oh no! If he shows up at all, ( it's not guaranteed that he will) he will be doing highly structured, pre-planned, "spontaneous" looking public appearances. Some while riding a bike, (for a short period of time at an unannounced point on the route) or some while posing with various cancer patients, survivors, and other political people, pundits, and luminaries. He won't be sleeping in a tent, or an R.V. He'll be coming in and out of Des Moines, where the route of this years RAGBRAI scrapes the northern suburbs of that city. He won't be partying, drinking beer at a local bar, or hob nobbing with any RAGBRAI "teams". In fact, most RAGBRAI riders won't even see him, and have a better chance of doing so on the local six o'clock news reports.
Not that there is anything wrong with what Lance is doing, (there isn't, really) it's just that he won't be doing it with you, RAGBRAI rider. He'll be using the publicity generated by the rides reputation to further his agenda. You on the other hand, will be going about your merry way as a RAGBRAI rider, none the wiser.
And don't even think for a minute that this legitimizes RAGBRAI as a "real" cycling event! We're not even going to go there!
What's That Noise I Hear?: Part II
Backround: Lance Armstrong, winner of seven Tours deFrance, has made it public that he would like to come to RAGBRAI to help further the agenda he has concerning cancer research and fund raising for his foundation. What it is: RAGBRAI, (acronym for "Registers Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa" ) is a week long trek across the state on paved roads. Originally started as a challenge between two Des Moines Register writers, the ride has morphed into the largest week long, organized recreational rides in the U.S.A. It features a daily route covering approximately 70 miles on average, and is catered to by food and beverage vendors at various points all along the route. Once the "Ultimate Party Ride", RAGBRAI has become far more tame in the last ten years, but still carries the reputation of wild, out of control parties, featuring drunkeness, nudity and other forms of debauchery. It's route can still be filled with hundreds of drunken bicycle riders way after the sun goes down, even though the "official" closing of the route is at six in the evening everyday. To be fair, there are a large number of decent, clean riders on RAGBRAI, but they are certainly overshadowed in the overall veiw of the ride by the "party riders" in the minds of the public.
Guitar Ted Rant Mode engaged!: I have been reading with interest about the giddy reactions and unreal expectations the Iowa public has about the news that Lance is going to "ride on RAGBRAI" I hate to be the shiny, pointed object that bursts the bubble, but Lance isn't going to "ride" RAGBRAI like "you" think he is going to "ride" RAGBRAI.
Riding RAGBRAI like most folks do includes using a bike as a means to transport yourself from one vendor stand or bar to another to over indulge yourself on home made pie and cold beer. (if you can call any mainstream American adult beverage "beer"...hrrumpf!) Not that there is any thing inherently wrong with that pursuit, it's just not really about "riding bikes" anymore. It's, well..............it's RAGBRAI! You know! It's something uniquely different that just happens to use bikes as a tool to reach some other objective. That "objective" being a variable depending upon the time of your departure every morning of the ride. (RAGBRAI'ers know what that means...it's code for something!)
Anyway, Lance isn't going to be doing any of that! Oh no! If he shows up at all, ( it's not guaranteed that he will) he will be doing highly structured, pre-planned, "spontaneous" looking public appearances. Some while riding a bike, (for a short period of time at an unannounced point on the route) or some while posing with various cancer patients, survivors, and other political people, pundits, and luminaries. He won't be sleeping in a tent, or an R.V. He'll be coming in and out of Des Moines, where the route of this years RAGBRAI scrapes the northern suburbs of that city. He won't be partying, drinking beer at a local bar, or hob nobbing with any RAGBRAI "teams". In fact, most RAGBRAI riders won't even see him, and have a better chance of doing so on the local six o'clock news reports.
Not that there is anything wrong with what Lance is doing, (there isn't, really) it's just that he won't be doing it with you, RAGBRAI rider. He'll be using the publicity generated by the rides reputation to further his agenda. You on the other hand, will be going about your merry way as a RAGBRAI rider, none the wiser.
And don't even think for a minute that this legitimizes RAGBRAI as a "real" cycling event! We're not even going to go there!
Guitar Ted Rant Mode engaged!: I have been reading with interest about the giddy reactions and unreal expectations the Iowa public has about the news that Lance is going to "ride on RAGBRAI" I hate to be the shiny, pointed object that bursts the bubble, but Lance isn't going to "ride" RAGBRAI like "you" think he is going to "ride" RAGBRAI.
Riding RAGBRAI like most folks do includes using a bike as a means to transport yourself from one vendor stand or bar to another to over indulge yourself on home made pie and cold beer. (if you can call any mainstream American adult beverage "beer"...hrrumpf!) Not that there is any thing inherently wrong with that pursuit, it's just not really about "riding bikes" anymore. It's, well..............it's RAGBRAI! You know! It's something uniquely different that just happens to use bikes as a tool to reach some other objective. That "objective" being a variable depending upon the time of your departure every morning of the ride. (RAGBRAI'ers know what that means...it's code for something!)
Anyway, Lance isn't going to be doing any of that! Oh no! If he shows up at all, ( it's not guaranteed that he will) he will be doing highly structured, pre-planned, "spontaneous" looking public appearances. Some while riding a bike, (for a short period of time at an unannounced point on the route) or some while posing with various cancer patients, survivors, and other political people, pundits, and luminaries. He won't be sleeping in a tent, or an R.V. He'll be coming in and out of Des Moines, where the route of this years RAGBRAI scrapes the northern suburbs of that city. He won't be partying, drinking beer at a local bar, or hob nobbing with any RAGBRAI "teams". In fact, most RAGBRAI riders won't even see him, and have a better chance of doing so on the local six o'clock news reports.
Not that there is anything wrong with what Lance is doing, (there isn't, really) it's just that he won't be doing it with you, RAGBRAI rider. He'll be using the publicity generated by the rides reputation to further his agenda. You on the other hand, will be going about your merry way as a RAGBRAI rider, none the wiser.
And don't even think for a minute that this legitimizes RAGBRAI as a "real" cycling event! We're not even going to go there!
Wednesday, June 28, 2006
Wednesday News And Bits
Just got sight of the update to the Guitar Ted Death Ride Invitational site that Mr. 24 did for me. It's the route map for the ride which is clickable and zoomable, and well.......it's all interactive like that! Looks like it should be right at 150 miles. Hmm.....we'll see! It'll be tough and I've yet to determine whether or not to start it earlier in the morning, which would mean having a light on board. I guess there are worse things!
Speaking of looong gravel rides, check this offering out. I'm not the only crazy gravel grinding looney out there! This looks good. I even have that weekend off. Hmmm............. Maybe, just maybe!
Raleigh XXIX Update: The good folks from Raleigh Bicycles have told me that the XXIX is expected to be delivered to their two new U.S. warehouses by sometime next month. Look for bikes ordered back in May/ early June to be delivered first. Raleigh says that the response to this bike has been excellent and that because of it's popularity the supply will be limited. A cool note on this frame: The company that produces this frame has two people welding all of these XXIX's and one of those two folks is the owner of the company! How cool is that? Kind of gives the Raleigh 29"er that small builder, cool, soul vibe, don'tcha' think?
And futhermore.... The XXIX will be joined by an as yet un-named geared version sometime yet this fall. The bike is going to feature the same steel frame construction with braze ons for cable guides, a hangered drop out insert, and a 80mm suspension fork. The price point that is currently being talked about is $1200.00. Look for any further details here or for the official introduction of this new model at Interbike this fall.
GDR Update: Last I saw, Matthew Lee was still in the lead with his locked out Lefty and looking to get a repair for it somwhere in Idaho..............Dave Nice, whose bike got stolen while he was napping roadside in Montana, is safely on his way home to Denver, Colorado. His close friends have sent him bus fare, and also set up a Paypal account to raise funds to get him back onboard a bike ASAP( contact: scott@salvagetti.com )............Kevin Montgomery, whose knee looked bad, but rode through that semmingly, has now got a shifter issue that might be a problem. He is currently in second on the route...............The Fixie Brothers are still perpetrating their shenanigans somewhere in the wilderness of Montana or Idaho..............several other racers still on route in Montana as of yeterday. Check for more info as it becomes available.
Speaking of looong gravel rides, check this offering out. I'm not the only crazy gravel grinding looney out there! This looks good. I even have that weekend off. Hmmm............. Maybe, just maybe!
Raleigh XXIX Update: The good folks from Raleigh Bicycles have told me that the XXIX is expected to be delivered to their two new U.S. warehouses by sometime next month. Look for bikes ordered back in May/ early June to be delivered first. Raleigh says that the response to this bike has been excellent and that because of it's popularity the supply will be limited. A cool note on this frame: The company that produces this frame has two people welding all of these XXIX's and one of those two folks is the owner of the company! How cool is that? Kind of gives the Raleigh 29"er that small builder, cool, soul vibe, don'tcha' think?
And futhermore.... The XXIX will be joined by an as yet un-named geared version sometime yet this fall. The bike is going to feature the same steel frame construction with braze ons for cable guides, a hangered drop out insert, and a 80mm suspension fork. The price point that is currently being talked about is $1200.00. Look for any further details here or for the official introduction of this new model at Interbike this fall.
GDR Update: Last I saw, Matthew Lee was still in the lead with his locked out Lefty and looking to get a repair for it somwhere in Idaho..............Dave Nice, whose bike got stolen while he was napping roadside in Montana, is safely on his way home to Denver, Colorado. His close friends have sent him bus fare, and also set up a Paypal account to raise funds to get him back onboard a bike ASAP( contact: scott@salvagetti.com )............Kevin Montgomery, whose knee looked bad, but rode through that semmingly, has now got a shifter issue that might be a problem. He is currently in second on the route...............The Fixie Brothers are still perpetrating their shenanigans somewhere in the wilderness of Montana or Idaho..............several other racers still on route in Montana as of yeterday. Check for more info as it becomes available.
Wednesday News And Bits
Just got sight of the update to the Guitar Ted Death Ride Invitational site that Mr. 24 did for me. It's the route map for the ride which is clickable and zoomable, and well.......it's all interactive like that! Looks like it should be right at 150 miles. Hmm.....we'll see! It'll be tough and I've yet to determine whether or not to start it earlier in the morning, which would mean having a light on board. I guess there are worse things!
Speaking of looong gravel rides, check this offering out. I'm not the only crazy gravel grinding looney out there! This looks good. I even have that weekend off. Hmmm............. Maybe, just maybe!
Raleigh XXIX Update: The good folks from Raleigh Bicycles have told me that the XXIX is expected to be delivered to their two new U.S. warehouses by sometime next month. Look for bikes ordered back in May/ early June to be delivered first. Raleigh says that the response to this bike has been excellent and that because of it's popularity the supply will be limited. A cool note on this frame: The company that produces this frame has two people welding all of these XXIX's and one of those two folks is the owner of the company! How cool is that? Kind of gives the Raleigh 29"er that small builder, cool, soul vibe, don'tcha' think?
And futhermore.... The XXIX will be joined by an as yet un-named geared version sometime yet this fall. The bike is going to feature the same steel frame construction with braze ons for cable guides, a hangered drop out insert, and a 80mm suspension fork. The price point that is currently being talked about is $1200.00. Look for any further details here or for the official introduction of this new model at Interbike this fall.
GDR Update: Last I saw, Matthew Lee was still in the lead with his locked out Lefty and looking to get a repair for it somwhere in Idaho..............Dave Nice, whose bike got stolen while he was napping roadside in Montana, is safely on his way home to Denver, Colorado. His close friends have sent him bus fare, and also set up a Paypal account to raise funds to get him back onboard a bike ASAP( contact: scott@salvagetti.com )............Kevin Montgomery, whose knee looked bad, but rode through that semmingly, has now got a shifter issue that might be a problem. He is currently in second on the route...............The Fixie Brothers are still perpetrating their shenanigans somewhere in the wilderness of Montana or Idaho..............several other racers still on route in Montana as of yeterday. Check for more info as it becomes available.
Speaking of looong gravel rides, check this offering out. I'm not the only crazy gravel grinding looney out there! This looks good. I even have that weekend off. Hmmm............. Maybe, just maybe!
Raleigh XXIX Update: The good folks from Raleigh Bicycles have told me that the XXIX is expected to be delivered to their two new U.S. warehouses by sometime next month. Look for bikes ordered back in May/ early June to be delivered first. Raleigh says that the response to this bike has been excellent and that because of it's popularity the supply will be limited. A cool note on this frame: The company that produces this frame has two people welding all of these XXIX's and one of those two folks is the owner of the company! How cool is that? Kind of gives the Raleigh 29"er that small builder, cool, soul vibe, don'tcha' think?
And futhermore.... The XXIX will be joined by an as yet un-named geared version sometime yet this fall. The bike is going to feature the same steel frame construction with braze ons for cable guides, a hangered drop out insert, and a 80mm suspension fork. The price point that is currently being talked about is $1200.00. Look for any further details here or for the official introduction of this new model at Interbike this fall.
GDR Update: Last I saw, Matthew Lee was still in the lead with his locked out Lefty and looking to get a repair for it somwhere in Idaho..............Dave Nice, whose bike got stolen while he was napping roadside in Montana, is safely on his way home to Denver, Colorado. His close friends have sent him bus fare, and also set up a Paypal account to raise funds to get him back onboard a bike ASAP( contact: scott@salvagetti.com )............Kevin Montgomery, whose knee looked bad, but rode through that semmingly, has now got a shifter issue that might be a problem. He is currently in second on the route...............The Fixie Brothers are still perpetrating their shenanigans somewhere in the wilderness of Montana or Idaho..............several other racers still on route in Montana as of yeterday. Check for more info as it becomes available.
Tuesday, June 27, 2006
What's That Noise I Hear?
Tour deFrance time again and what do I hear? More "Lance" allegations! He did this and he put that into his body. Unnngh! Does anybody else think this is getting stale?
I really could care less what Lance said or did according to all of his accusers. Here's what I find to be specious in their statements. First, if these spectacular accusations are true, then why didn't you say something WHEN IT HAPPENED! What........were you afraid that the "Lance Patrol" were going to sweep down upon your humble abode, kick your door in, and haul you off to the Postal Concentration Camp? Come on! These allegations of wrong doing that surface years after the fact are rather lame, folks. It looks more like a money grab and less like a call for justice.
Secondly: What do you hope to achieve? Are you really interested in "The Truth" or do you just want to topple the grand monument that sits in the Public Square? Look, the "Public" has moved along, thank you very much! Nothing to see here anymore since Lance has given up the Quest of the Yellow Tunic. I'm sure that in a few more years Lance will be about as well known as..........well, Greg LeMond! The once flaming Molotov cocktails the accusers had to fling look more like a kids Fourth of July sparkler these days. Lance is done and he has written his story. Quit trying to open the book to add more chapters. I don't care to read that story anymore anyway. It's old and "you" are a nuisance!
Besides, can't we just have a good ol', throw down cycling event for once? Why is it that every May we have a new policia raid and every July we have this drivel about a cycling Texan. Can we quit the dirt digging and rear view mirror gazing long enough to see the pure joy of cycling for once? Please..........
Okay, I guess maybe I'm asking for a little too much. I will leave the "Accusers" to wrestle for the Fame and Fortune while I go out and ride my bicycle. At least no one is trying to bring me down for that...........yet!
I really could care less what Lance said or did according to all of his accusers. Here's what I find to be specious in their statements. First, if these spectacular accusations are true, then why didn't you say something WHEN IT HAPPENED! What........were you afraid that the "Lance Patrol" were going to sweep down upon your humble abode, kick your door in, and haul you off to the Postal Concentration Camp? Come on! These allegations of wrong doing that surface years after the fact are rather lame, folks. It looks more like a money grab and less like a call for justice.
Secondly: What do you hope to achieve? Are you really interested in "The Truth" or do you just want to topple the grand monument that sits in the Public Square? Look, the "Public" has moved along, thank you very much! Nothing to see here anymore since Lance has given up the Quest of the Yellow Tunic. I'm sure that in a few more years Lance will be about as well known as..........well, Greg LeMond! The once flaming Molotov cocktails the accusers had to fling look more like a kids Fourth of July sparkler these days. Lance is done and he has written his story. Quit trying to open the book to add more chapters. I don't care to read that story anymore anyway. It's old and "you" are a nuisance!
Besides, can't we just have a good ol', throw down cycling event for once? Why is it that every May we have a new policia raid and every July we have this drivel about a cycling Texan. Can we quit the dirt digging and rear view mirror gazing long enough to see the pure joy of cycling for once? Please..........
Okay, I guess maybe I'm asking for a little too much. I will leave the "Accusers" to wrestle for the Fame and Fortune while I go out and ride my bicycle. At least no one is trying to bring me down for that...........yet!
What's That Noise I Hear?
Tour deFrance time again and what do I hear? More "Lance" allegations! He did this and he put that into his body. Unnngh! Does anybody else think this is getting stale?
I really could care less what Lance said or did according to all of his accusers. Here's what I find to be specious in their statements. First, if these spectacular accusations are true, then why didn't you say something WHEN IT HAPPENED! What........were you afraid that the "Lance Patrol" were going to sweep down upon your humble abode, kick your door in, and haul you off to the Postal Concentration Camp? Come on! These allegations of wrong doing that surface years after the fact are rather lame, folks. It looks more like a money grab and less like a call for justice.
Secondly: What do you hope to achieve? Are you really interested in "The Truth" or do you just want to topple the grand monument that sits in the Public Square? Look, the "Public" has moved along, thank you very much! Nothing to see here anymore since Lance has given up the Quest of the Yellow Tunic. I'm sure that in a few more years Lance will be about as well known as..........well, Greg LeMond! The once flaming Molotov cocktails the accusers had to fling look more like a kids Fourth of July sparkler these days. Lance is done and he has written his story. Quit trying to open the book to add more chapters. I don't care to read that story anymore anyway. It's old and "you" are a nuisance!
Besides, can't we just have a good ol', throw down cycling event for once? Why is it that every May we have a new policia raid and every July we have this drivel about a cycling Texan. Can we quit the dirt digging and rear view mirror gazing long enough to see the pure joy of cycling for once? Please..........
Okay, I guess maybe I'm asking for a little too much. I will leave the "Accusers" to wrestle for the Fame and Fortune while I go out and ride my bicycle. At least no one is trying to bring me down for that...........yet!
I really could care less what Lance said or did according to all of his accusers. Here's what I find to be specious in their statements. First, if these spectacular accusations are true, then why didn't you say something WHEN IT HAPPENED! What........were you afraid that the "Lance Patrol" were going to sweep down upon your humble abode, kick your door in, and haul you off to the Postal Concentration Camp? Come on! These allegations of wrong doing that surface years after the fact are rather lame, folks. It looks more like a money grab and less like a call for justice.
Secondly: What do you hope to achieve? Are you really interested in "The Truth" or do you just want to topple the grand monument that sits in the Public Square? Look, the "Public" has moved along, thank you very much! Nothing to see here anymore since Lance has given up the Quest of the Yellow Tunic. I'm sure that in a few more years Lance will be about as well known as..........well, Greg LeMond! The once flaming Molotov cocktails the accusers had to fling look more like a kids Fourth of July sparkler these days. Lance is done and he has written his story. Quit trying to open the book to add more chapters. I don't care to read that story anymore anyway. It's old and "you" are a nuisance!
Besides, can't we just have a good ol', throw down cycling event for once? Why is it that every May we have a new policia raid and every July we have this drivel about a cycling Texan. Can we quit the dirt digging and rear view mirror gazing long enough to see the pure joy of cycling for once? Please..........
Okay, I guess maybe I'm asking for a little too much. I will leave the "Accusers" to wrestle for the Fame and Fortune while I go out and ride my bicycle. At least no one is trying to bring me down for that...........yet!
Monday, June 26, 2006
Recon in Photos
Early morning haze over the fields south of Waterloo, Iowa. The temperatures were a bit too chilly for stopping for long. Your sweat would freeze you as the wind evaporated it off you. This was as clear as the skies were all day, by the way.
From a bridge crossing Wolf Creek. About around here is where the hills of Tama County start in taking their toll on your legs.
"B" level maintenance road south of Traer. If the "B" roads were like this on Trans Iowa, folks would have been overjoyed! Look closely and you can see how the road disappears on a steep down hill and you can barely make out the climb back out in the distance. This is where the road crosses Salt Creek.
Tama County is pretty hilly. Look closely and you can see the lay of the land. Let me tell you, the roads follow it closely!
This was near the end of the recon for me. I got up the road about another seven or eight miles from this point before I peeled off north again to go back home. Notice the greater number of clouds. They were thickening and lowering as the day progressed. This is why I made the decision to get home. That and the winds, which were 15-20mph straight into my face for the remainder of the trip.
The Guitar Ted Death Ride Invitational is going to be a really tough course. I may have to make a few changes to the planned course so that I can actually count on someone being able to finish it before sundown!
Great Divide Race Update: For those of you who haven't already been following the unfolding of this years GDR, I have these tidbits of news for you.
......Dave Nice had his bike swiped while he was napping by the side of the road, thus putting him out of the GDR, unless support from locals is accepted. It seems that there are some kindly souls out there in Montana willing to lend Dave a bike and some gear.
........Mathew Lee is out in front, and still on schedule to be in contention to break the record. His Lefty has developed an oil leak though, forcing him to run it locked out for now.
......A few other competitors are either dropping out or are about to. The GDR is waaay tough and attempting it is no small feat! By the sounds of it, the major mountain climbs, passes and decents are taking their toll.
.......Rudi Nadler and Matt Chester are still plugging along on their fixies. Much praise from cycling luddites, romantics, and retro grouches for these two on the internet.
Follow the goings on here and here.
Recon in Photos
Early morning haze over the fields south of Waterloo, Iowa. The temperatures were a bit too chilly for stopping for long. Your sweat would freeze you as the wind evaporated it off you. This was as clear as the skies were all day, by the way.
From a bridge crossing Wolf Creek. About around here is where the hills of Tama County start in taking their toll on your legs.
"B" level maintenance road south of Traer. If the "B" roads were like this on Trans Iowa, folks would have been overjoyed! Look closely and you can see how the road disappears on a steep down hill and you can barely make out the climb back out in the distance. This is where the road crosses Salt Creek.
Tama County is pretty hilly. Look closely and you can see the lay of the land. Let me tell you, the roads follow it closely!
This was near the end of the recon for me. I got up the road about another seven or eight miles from this point before I peeled off north again to go back home. Notice the greater number of clouds. They were thickening and lowering as the day progressed. This is why I made the decision to get home. That and the winds, which were 15-20mph straight into my face for the remainder of the trip.
The Guitar Ted Death Ride Invitational is going to be a really tough course. I may have to make a few changes to the planned course so that I can actually count on someone being able to finish it before sundown!
Great Divide Race Update: For those of you who haven't already been following the unfolding of this years GDR, I have these tidbits of news for you.
......Dave Nice had his bike swiped while he was napping by the side of the road, thus putting him out of the GDR, unless support from locals is accepted. It seems that there are some kindly souls out there in Montana willing to lend Dave a bike and some gear.
........Mathew Lee is out in front, and still on schedule to be in contention to break the record. His Lefty has developed an oil leak though, forcing him to run it locked out for now.
......A few other competitors are either dropping out or are about to. The GDR is waaay tough and attempting it is no small feat! By the sounds of it, the major mountain climbs, passes and decents are taking their toll.
.......Rudi Nadler and Matt Chester are still plugging along on their fixies. Much praise from cycling luddites, romantics, and retro grouches for these two on the internet.
Follow the goings on here and here.
Sunday, June 25, 2006
A Recon Report for G.T.D.R.I.
Hey all! I hope you are having a great weekend! I decided that Saturday looked iffy, weatherwise, for a recon run so I went out Sunday instead. The winds were forcast to be out of a Northerly direction, which was favorable to me for the first leg. (More on that later)
I managed to hit the road around six thirty in the morning. It was rather cool with just a jersey on! I almost wished I had a wind breaker. Once I slipped the evil clutches of Waterloo, I found the gravel road I wanted and motored off. Shreds of morning fog hung in the valleys and there was a quiet peace about the land for awhile. When I stopped to see if I packed a pen in the back pack, (I didn't) I noticed that the fog was being ripped to pieces just above tree top level by a hurrying North West wind. I scowled and remounted the bike, thinking in the back of my mind that this didn't look so good.
I forgot about the wind for awhile as I rode quietly over the rollers south of Waterloo. I finally escaped Black Hawk County and turned East for a bit. Here I met the first salvos that Tama County would lob at me for most of the day. Hills that are steep up and steep down. It wasn't too much of a problem at first. I found a rhythm that carried me along just fine. I followed a road that shadowed Wolf Creek until I got to the first watering hole of Traer, a little over 30 miles in.
I stopped and watered up, and had a V-8 juice drink. Salty goodness! Speaking of salt, I consumed my first Salted Nut Roll in eons there. It's supposed to be the schiznit, and it seemed to do a trick for me.
I left Traer and headed south crossing Highway 63. I found a really cool "B" level maintenance road that was a blast to ride on. There was a really fast downhill section where I had a deer on the run in front of me. That was cool! Leaving the "B" road behind, I went south some more and I noticed that the hills were getting steeper and coming more often. Fast downhills gave me the momentum I needed to clear the top of the next hill. This was pretty fun!
There always comes a time when you have to pay the piper though, and today was no exception. After turning West, the hills got worse in that there was no rhythm to them any more. Grinding out the climbs was the order of the day. It was about then that my legs decided to play a dirty trick on me........
Right Leg: Hey, Lefty! Wanna play "Gates of Pain II"? I'm at level 12! The Curse of the Lactic Acid Queen.
Left Leg: Sure! I'm in. This cycling is boring me to tears! Always the same thing! Go around and around and around........
So, my legs go kaput right about mile 41. Great! I end up walking part of a heinously steep pitch. I went down the road to a "T" intersection, stopped, and sat down to eat, hydrate, and consult the map. By now the wind had picked up to around 15 to 20mph. The clouds were getting thicker and closer together. It was time to head home. I bagged about 45 miles of the Death Ride course, so that was cool. I packed up to go and face the wind.
And what a wind! It was one of those it never stops blowing kind of winds right at my face! This was going to be hard, but I had no idea how hard it really was going to be. I had about 15 miles of road that ran pretty much straight north to get me out of Tama County. I didn't think it would be so bad, but it was! Once I crossed Highway 63, things took a turn for the worse.
Have you ever been on a ride where you crested a hill, looked across the bucolic abyss before you and seen a wall? You know.....one of those earthen things with a ribbon painted down it's face that is supposed to be a road? Yeah......I saw about four of those today. My legs were screaming! I think I walked parts of all four of those, I can't remember..........the memories are repressed! Too much pain!
About the time that I reached the Tama/ Grundy County line, I noticed thunder and big black clouds. Fortunately, I missed out on that, but I did get nailed just about three miles west of Hudson by a downpour that lasted about five minutes. Oh well! I passed Hudson and scooted up the flat, wind protected bike trail. Ahh! A little shelter! Gimme a little shelter. And it'll be all right!......Sorry! I digress!
I thought I was home free when some dude on a department store bike stops me by waving his sausages at me. Oh wait! Those are fingers! On a hand! (Dang! I musta been hungry!) Anyway, he starts with the 96 questions about cycling and penile numbness and all sorts of gibberish! Wow! Where do they come from? I thought I might be bonking, but no........he was real all right! After politely answering all his cycling questions I pedalled the final seven miles home.
Stats: 80.3 miles. Time gone: 6:30am to 2:30 pm. Hills walked: approximately 5. Village Idiots: 1. Fluids consumed: 7 water bottles, one V-8, and three gel flasks. Nutrition: Petersen's Salted Nut Roll: 1, Power Gel: 2, Carb Boom gel: 1, Hammer Nutrition Organic Bar, in the yummy Almond Raisen flavor: 2, Various pills: Enduralytes and Ibuprofen, and last but not least, my trusty Elete electrolyte add in- getcher self sum!
Look for a course update on gtdri.blogspot.com soon and some pictures here tomorrow.
I managed to hit the road around six thirty in the morning. It was rather cool with just a jersey on! I almost wished I had a wind breaker. Once I slipped the evil clutches of Waterloo, I found the gravel road I wanted and motored off. Shreds of morning fog hung in the valleys and there was a quiet peace about the land for awhile. When I stopped to see if I packed a pen in the back pack, (I didn't) I noticed that the fog was being ripped to pieces just above tree top level by a hurrying North West wind. I scowled and remounted the bike, thinking in the back of my mind that this didn't look so good.
I forgot about the wind for awhile as I rode quietly over the rollers south of Waterloo. I finally escaped Black Hawk County and turned East for a bit. Here I met the first salvos that Tama County would lob at me for most of the day. Hills that are steep up and steep down. It wasn't too much of a problem at first. I found a rhythm that carried me along just fine. I followed a road that shadowed Wolf Creek until I got to the first watering hole of Traer, a little over 30 miles in.
I stopped and watered up, and had a V-8 juice drink. Salty goodness! Speaking of salt, I consumed my first Salted Nut Roll in eons there. It's supposed to be the schiznit, and it seemed to do a trick for me.
I left Traer and headed south crossing Highway 63. I found a really cool "B" level maintenance road that was a blast to ride on. There was a really fast downhill section where I had a deer on the run in front of me. That was cool! Leaving the "B" road behind, I went south some more and I noticed that the hills were getting steeper and coming more often. Fast downhills gave me the momentum I needed to clear the top of the next hill. This was pretty fun!
There always comes a time when you have to pay the piper though, and today was no exception. After turning West, the hills got worse in that there was no rhythm to them any more. Grinding out the climbs was the order of the day. It was about then that my legs decided to play a dirty trick on me........
Right Leg: Hey, Lefty! Wanna play "Gates of Pain II"? I'm at level 12! The Curse of the Lactic Acid Queen.
Left Leg: Sure! I'm in. This cycling is boring me to tears! Always the same thing! Go around and around and around........
So, my legs go kaput right about mile 41. Great! I end up walking part of a heinously steep pitch. I went down the road to a "T" intersection, stopped, and sat down to eat, hydrate, and consult the map. By now the wind had picked up to around 15 to 20mph. The clouds were getting thicker and closer together. It was time to head home. I bagged about 45 miles of the Death Ride course, so that was cool. I packed up to go and face the wind.
And what a wind! It was one of those it never stops blowing kind of winds right at my face! This was going to be hard, but I had no idea how hard it really was going to be. I had about 15 miles of road that ran pretty much straight north to get me out of Tama County. I didn't think it would be so bad, but it was! Once I crossed Highway 63, things took a turn for the worse.
Have you ever been on a ride where you crested a hill, looked across the bucolic abyss before you and seen a wall? You know.....one of those earthen things with a ribbon painted down it's face that is supposed to be a road? Yeah......I saw about four of those today. My legs were screaming! I think I walked parts of all four of those, I can't remember..........the memories are repressed! Too much pain!
About the time that I reached the Tama/ Grundy County line, I noticed thunder and big black clouds. Fortunately, I missed out on that, but I did get nailed just about three miles west of Hudson by a downpour that lasted about five minutes. Oh well! I passed Hudson and scooted up the flat, wind protected bike trail. Ahh! A little shelter! Gimme a little shelter. And it'll be all right!......Sorry! I digress!
I thought I was home free when some dude on a department store bike stops me by waving his sausages at me. Oh wait! Those are fingers! On a hand! (Dang! I musta been hungry!) Anyway, he starts with the 96 questions about cycling and penile numbness and all sorts of gibberish! Wow! Where do they come from? I thought I might be bonking, but no........he was real all right! After politely answering all his cycling questions I pedalled the final seven miles home.
Stats: 80.3 miles. Time gone: 6:30am to 2:30 pm. Hills walked: approximately 5. Village Idiots: 1. Fluids consumed: 7 water bottles, one V-8, and three gel flasks. Nutrition: Petersen's Salted Nut Roll: 1, Power Gel: 2, Carb Boom gel: 1, Hammer Nutrition Organic Bar, in the yummy Almond Raisen flavor: 2, Various pills: Enduralytes and Ibuprofen, and last but not least, my trusty Elete electrolyte add in- getcher self sum!
Look for a course update on gtdri.blogspot.com soon and some pictures here tomorrow.
A Recon Report for G.T.D.R.I.
Hey all! I hope you are having a great weekend! I decided that Saturday looked iffy, weatherwise, for a recon run so I went out Sunday instead. The winds were forcast to be out of a Northerly direction, which was favorable to me for the first leg. (More on that later)
I managed to hit the road around six thirty in the morning. It was rather cool with just a jersey on! I almost wished I had a wind breaker. Once I slipped the evil clutches of Waterloo, I found the gravel road I wanted and motored off. Shreds of morning fog hung in the valleys and there was a quiet peace about the land for awhile. When I stopped to see if I packed a pen in the back pack, (I didn't) I noticed that the fog was being ripped to pieces just above tree top level by a hurrying North West wind. I scowled and remounted the bike, thinking in the back of my mind that this didn't look so good.
I forgot about the wind for awhile as I rode quietly over the rollers south of Waterloo. I finally escaped Black Hawk County and turned East for a bit. Here I met the first salvos that Tama County would lob at me for most of the day. Hills that are steep up and steep down. It wasn't too much of a problem at first. I found a rhythm that carried me along just fine. I followed a road that shadowed Wolf Creek until I got to the first watering hole of Traer, a little over 30 miles in.
I stopped and watered up, and had a V-8 juice drink. Salty goodness! Speaking of salt, I consumed my first Salted Nut Roll in eons there. It's supposed to be the schiznit, and it seemed to do a trick for me.
I left Traer and headed south crossing Highway 63. I found a really cool "B" level maintenance road that was a blast to ride on. There was a really fast downhill section where I had a deer on the run in front of me. That was cool! Leaving the "B" road behind, I went south some more and I noticed that the hills were getting steeper and coming more often. Fast downhills gave me the momentum I needed to clear the top of the next hill. This was pretty fun!
There always comes a time when you have to pay the piper though, and today was no exception. After turning West, the hills got worse in that there was no rhythm to them any more. Grinding out the climbs was the order of the day. It was about then that my legs decided to play a dirty trick on me........
Right Leg: Hey, Lefty! Wanna play "Gates of Pain II"? I'm at level 12! The Curse of the Lactic Acid Queen.
Left Leg: Sure! I'm in. This cycling is boring me to tears! Always the same thing! Go around and around and around........
So, my legs go kaput right about mile 41. Great! I end up walking part of a heinously steep pitch. I went down the road to a "T" intersection, stopped, and sat down to eat, hydrate, and consult the map. By now the wind had picked up to around 15 to 20mph. The clouds were getting thicker and closer together. It was time to head home. I bagged about 45 miles of the Death Ride course, so that was cool. I packed up to go and face the wind.
And what a wind! It was one of those it never stops blowing kind of winds right at my face! This was going to be hard, but I had no idea how hard it really was going to be. I had about 15 miles of road that ran pretty much straight north to get me out of Tama County. I didn't think it would be so bad, but it was! Once I crossed Highway 63, things took a turn for the worse.
Have you ever been on a ride where you crested a hill, looked across the bucolic abyss before you and seen a wall? You know.....one of those earthen things with a ribbon painted down it's face that is supposed to be a road? Yeah......I saw about four of those today. My legs were screaming! I think I walked parts of all four of those, I can't remember..........the memories are repressed! Too much pain!
About the time that I reached the Tama/ Grundy County line, I noticed thunder and big black clouds. Fortunately, I missed out on that, but I did get nailed just about three miles west of Hudson by a downpour that lasted about five minutes. Oh well! I passed Hudson and scooted up the flat, wind protected bike trail. Ahh! A little shelter! Gimme a little shelter. And it'll be all right!......Sorry! I digress!
I thought I was home free when some dude on a department store bike stops me by waving his sausages at me. Oh wait! Those are fingers! On a hand! (Dang! I musta been hungry!) Anyway, he starts with the 96 questions about cycling and penile numbness and all sorts of gibberish! Wow! Where do they come from? I thought I might be bonking, but no........he was real all right! After politely answering all his cycling questions I pedalled the final seven miles home.
Stats: 80.3 miles. Time gone: 6:30am to 2:30 pm. Hills walked: approximately 5. Village Idiots: 1. Fluids consumed: 7 water bottles, one V-8, and three gel flasks. Nutrition: Petersen's Salted Nut Roll: 1, Power Gel: 2, Carb Boom gel: 1, Hammer Nutrition Organic Bar, in the yummy Almond Raisen flavor: 2, Various pills: Enduralytes and Ibuprofen, and last but not least, my trusty Elete electrolyte add in- getcher self sum!
Look for a course update on gtdri.blogspot.com soon and some pictures here tomorrow.
I managed to hit the road around six thirty in the morning. It was rather cool with just a jersey on! I almost wished I had a wind breaker. Once I slipped the evil clutches of Waterloo, I found the gravel road I wanted and motored off. Shreds of morning fog hung in the valleys and there was a quiet peace about the land for awhile. When I stopped to see if I packed a pen in the back pack, (I didn't) I noticed that the fog was being ripped to pieces just above tree top level by a hurrying North West wind. I scowled and remounted the bike, thinking in the back of my mind that this didn't look so good.
I forgot about the wind for awhile as I rode quietly over the rollers south of Waterloo. I finally escaped Black Hawk County and turned East for a bit. Here I met the first salvos that Tama County would lob at me for most of the day. Hills that are steep up and steep down. It wasn't too much of a problem at first. I found a rhythm that carried me along just fine. I followed a road that shadowed Wolf Creek until I got to the first watering hole of Traer, a little over 30 miles in.
I stopped and watered up, and had a V-8 juice drink. Salty goodness! Speaking of salt, I consumed my first Salted Nut Roll in eons there. It's supposed to be the schiznit, and it seemed to do a trick for me.
I left Traer and headed south crossing Highway 63. I found a really cool "B" level maintenance road that was a blast to ride on. There was a really fast downhill section where I had a deer on the run in front of me. That was cool! Leaving the "B" road behind, I went south some more and I noticed that the hills were getting steeper and coming more often. Fast downhills gave me the momentum I needed to clear the top of the next hill. This was pretty fun!
There always comes a time when you have to pay the piper though, and today was no exception. After turning West, the hills got worse in that there was no rhythm to them any more. Grinding out the climbs was the order of the day. It was about then that my legs decided to play a dirty trick on me........
Right Leg: Hey, Lefty! Wanna play "Gates of Pain II"? I'm at level 12! The Curse of the Lactic Acid Queen.
Left Leg: Sure! I'm in. This cycling is boring me to tears! Always the same thing! Go around and around and around........
So, my legs go kaput right about mile 41. Great! I end up walking part of a heinously steep pitch. I went down the road to a "T" intersection, stopped, and sat down to eat, hydrate, and consult the map. By now the wind had picked up to around 15 to 20mph. The clouds were getting thicker and closer together. It was time to head home. I bagged about 45 miles of the Death Ride course, so that was cool. I packed up to go and face the wind.
And what a wind! It was one of those it never stops blowing kind of winds right at my face! This was going to be hard, but I had no idea how hard it really was going to be. I had about 15 miles of road that ran pretty much straight north to get me out of Tama County. I didn't think it would be so bad, but it was! Once I crossed Highway 63, things took a turn for the worse.
Have you ever been on a ride where you crested a hill, looked across the bucolic abyss before you and seen a wall? You know.....one of those earthen things with a ribbon painted down it's face that is supposed to be a road? Yeah......I saw about four of those today. My legs were screaming! I think I walked parts of all four of those, I can't remember..........the memories are repressed! Too much pain!
About the time that I reached the Tama/ Grundy County line, I noticed thunder and big black clouds. Fortunately, I missed out on that, but I did get nailed just about three miles west of Hudson by a downpour that lasted about five minutes. Oh well! I passed Hudson and scooted up the flat, wind protected bike trail. Ahh! A little shelter! Gimme a little shelter. And it'll be all right!......Sorry! I digress!
I thought I was home free when some dude on a department store bike stops me by waving his sausages at me. Oh wait! Those are fingers! On a hand! (Dang! I musta been hungry!) Anyway, he starts with the 96 questions about cycling and penile numbness and all sorts of gibberish! Wow! Where do they come from? I thought I might be bonking, but no........he was real all right! After politely answering all his cycling questions I pedalled the final seven miles home.
Stats: 80.3 miles. Time gone: 6:30am to 2:30 pm. Hills walked: approximately 5. Village Idiots: 1. Fluids consumed: 7 water bottles, one V-8, and three gel flasks. Nutrition: Petersen's Salted Nut Roll: 1, Power Gel: 2, Carb Boom gel: 1, Hammer Nutrition Organic Bar, in the yummy Almond Raisen flavor: 2, Various pills: Enduralytes and Ibuprofen, and last but not least, my trusty Elete electrolyte add in- getcher self sum!
Look for a course update on gtdri.blogspot.com soon and some pictures here tomorrow.
Friday, June 23, 2006
A BIG Weekend For Bike Riding.
It's a Big Week End For..........
. . . Mr. 24 as he goes up to Milwaukee, Wisconsin for the 12 hours of Metro. This is a race that you could say he's done rather well at in the past couple of years. (ahem!.........winner!) Here's a shout out to him for a good result again this weekend!..........
..........My recon mission on the planned course for the Guitar Ted Death Ride Invitational. I hope to get at least halfway into it and back home again. I haven't had a super long ride since the Dirty Kanza a month ago. Hopefully I'll be good to go. My tweaks to the Inbred have come out well, so I may ride that bike. It's got the most reliable computer on it, for mileage checks, so that also is a plus in it's favor. The Karate Monkey has those Midge bars though, so it' s a tough choice. Look for a report on the recon this weekend.........................
.................The Great Divide Race starts at noon today! It looks like Matthew Lee made it into the Port of Roosville late last night, so he is on schedule, so far. Check out his progress here, and other race reports can be found here. ..........
So, yeah! It's a big weekend for all of this and more. Hopefully you have a bike ride or race planned for your weekend. If not.....why not? Just go around your neighborhood a couple times if nothing else. Bike riding = good.
Do it!
. . . Mr. 24 as he goes up to Milwaukee, Wisconsin for the 12 hours of Metro. This is a race that you could say he's done rather well at in the past couple of years. (ahem!.........winner!) Here's a shout out to him for a good result again this weekend!..........
..........My recon mission on the planned course for the Guitar Ted Death Ride Invitational. I hope to get at least halfway into it and back home again. I haven't had a super long ride since the Dirty Kanza a month ago. Hopefully I'll be good to go. My tweaks to the Inbred have come out well, so I may ride that bike. It's got the most reliable computer on it, for mileage checks, so that also is a plus in it's favor. The Karate Monkey has those Midge bars though, so it' s a tough choice. Look for a report on the recon this weekend.........................
.................The Great Divide Race starts at noon today! It looks like Matthew Lee made it into the Port of Roosville late last night, so he is on schedule, so far. Check out his progress here, and other race reports can be found here. ..........
So, yeah! It's a big weekend for all of this and more. Hopefully you have a bike ride or race planned for your weekend. If not.....why not? Just go around your neighborhood a couple times if nothing else. Bike riding = good.
Do it!
A BIG Weekend For Bike Riding.
It's a Big Week End For..........
. . . Mr. 24 as he goes up to Milwaukee, Wisconsin for the 12 hours of Metro. This is a race that you could say he's done rather well at in the past couple of years. (ahem!.........winner!) Here's a shout out to him for a good result again this weekend!..........
..........My recon mission on the planned course for the Guitar Ted Death Ride Invitational. I hope to get at least halfway into it and back home again. I haven't had a super long ride since the Dirty Kanza a month ago. Hopefully I'll be good to go. My tweaks to the Inbred have come out well, so I may ride that bike. It's got the most reliable computer on it, for mileage checks, so that also is a plus in it's favor. The Karate Monkey has those Midge bars though, so it' s a tough choice. Look for a report on the recon this weekend.........................
.................The Great Divide Race starts at noon today! It looks like Matthew Lee made it into the Port of Roosville late last night, so he is on schedule, so far. Check out his progress here, and other race reports can be found here. ..........
So, yeah! It's a big weekend for all of this and more. Hopefully you have a bike ride or race planned for your weekend. If not.....why not? Just go around your neighborhood a couple times if nothing else. Bike riding = good.
Do it!
. . . Mr. 24 as he goes up to Milwaukee, Wisconsin for the 12 hours of Metro. This is a race that you could say he's done rather well at in the past couple of years. (ahem!.........winner!) Here's a shout out to him for a good result again this weekend!..........
..........My recon mission on the planned course for the Guitar Ted Death Ride Invitational. I hope to get at least halfway into it and back home again. I haven't had a super long ride since the Dirty Kanza a month ago. Hopefully I'll be good to go. My tweaks to the Inbred have come out well, so I may ride that bike. It's got the most reliable computer on it, for mileage checks, so that also is a plus in it's favor. The Karate Monkey has those Midge bars though, so it' s a tough choice. Look for a report on the recon this weekend.........................
.................The Great Divide Race starts at noon today! It looks like Matthew Lee made it into the Port of Roosville late last night, so he is on schedule, so far. Check out his progress here, and other race reports can be found here. ..........
So, yeah! It's a big weekend for all of this and more. Hopefully you have a bike ride or race planned for your weekend. If not.....why not? Just go around your neighborhood a couple times if nothing else. Bike riding = good.
Do it!
Thursday, June 22, 2006
The Snowball Gets Bigger!
About a year or so ago, I predicted that the 29"er would become more "mainstream" with more companies entering the marketplace with their own versions of 29 inch wheeled bikes.
Boy, does it ever look to be coming true!
I have documented several entries or upcoming entries into the fray including Cannondale, Fishers new full suspension model, Flyte, Astrix, Redline, Raleigh, Haro, and the new full suspension model from Niner. Added to this impressive array of new comers is a solid rumor of a bike from KHS, maybe two bikes from Marin, and something from Specialized. That's alot of companies jumping in since I made that prediction about a year ago!
What does it all mean, other than a wider choice of bikes? Well, I think that now with so many manufacturers of bikes on board we will start to see the 29"er specific parts choices start to proliferate. Things like forks, shocks, and wheels will start showing up from companies that now can afford to tool up to make these products and offer them as original equipment on new bikes. The original equipment market is a big deal to these companies as that's a big chunk of money for them when someone like Specialized orders up a bunch of Fox forks, (as an example) for a 29"er bike. That paves the way for aftermarket sales to happen, and that's where the 29"er enthusiast will reap the benefits of all these new entries into the 29"er market.
Of course, that's assuming that the new bikes actually sell on bike shop floors! If the whole endeavor falls flat on it's face, we could be seeing nothing more than what we have now, and maybe less. I do not think that will happen. But, it could!
For now, I'm hopeful for the fall trade show season, where I think we will be seeing a story written about the 29"er hitting the market in a big way. Will it be the bicycle industries "holy grail" - the "next big thing"? Who knows? I'm guessing that it won't be anything near what the mtb boom of the 90's was or even close to the now waning road bike boom of this decade. It's just going to be another niche market that will be around for awhile, maybe on the scale of the "free ride/ all mountain" kind of thing. We'll see.
One thing is for sure. This 29"er thing is snowballing into something much bigger than it was before!
Boy, does it ever look to be coming true!
I have documented several entries or upcoming entries into the fray including Cannondale, Fishers new full suspension model, Flyte, Astrix, Redline, Raleigh, Haro, and the new full suspension model from Niner. Added to this impressive array of new comers is a solid rumor of a bike from KHS, maybe two bikes from Marin, and something from Specialized. That's alot of companies jumping in since I made that prediction about a year ago!
What does it all mean, other than a wider choice of bikes? Well, I think that now with so many manufacturers of bikes on board we will start to see the 29"er specific parts choices start to proliferate. Things like forks, shocks, and wheels will start showing up from companies that now can afford to tool up to make these products and offer them as original equipment on new bikes. The original equipment market is a big deal to these companies as that's a big chunk of money for them when someone like Specialized orders up a bunch of Fox forks, (as an example) for a 29"er bike. That paves the way for aftermarket sales to happen, and that's where the 29"er enthusiast will reap the benefits of all these new entries into the 29"er market.
Of course, that's assuming that the new bikes actually sell on bike shop floors! If the whole endeavor falls flat on it's face, we could be seeing nothing more than what we have now, and maybe less. I do not think that will happen. But, it could!
For now, I'm hopeful for the fall trade show season, where I think we will be seeing a story written about the 29"er hitting the market in a big way. Will it be the bicycle industries "holy grail" - the "next big thing"? Who knows? I'm guessing that it won't be anything near what the mtb boom of the 90's was or even close to the now waning road bike boom of this decade. It's just going to be another niche market that will be around for awhile, maybe on the scale of the "free ride/ all mountain" kind of thing. We'll see.
One thing is for sure. This 29"er thing is snowballing into something much bigger than it was before!
The Snowball Gets Bigger!
About a year or so ago, I predicted that the 29"er would become more "mainstream" with more companies entering the marketplace with their own versions of 29 inch wheeled bikes.
Boy, does it ever look to be coming true!
I have documented several entries or upcoming entries into the fray including Cannondale, Fishers new full suspension model, Flyte, Astrix, Redline, Raleigh, Haro, and the new full suspension model from Niner. Added to this impressive array of new comers is a solid rumor of a bike from KHS, maybe two bikes from Marin, and something from Specialized. That's alot of companies jumping in since I made that prediction about a year ago!
What does it all mean, other than a wider choice of bikes? Well, I think that now with so many manufacturers of bikes on board we will start to see the 29"er specific parts choices start to proliferate. Things like forks, shocks, and wheels will start showing up from companies that now can afford to tool up to make these products and offer them as original equipment on new bikes. The original equipment market is a big deal to these companies as that's a big chunk of money for them when someone like Specialized orders up a bunch of Fox forks, (as an example) for a 29"er bike. That paves the way for aftermarket sales to happen, and that's where the 29"er enthusiast will reap the benefits of all these new entries into the 29"er market.
Of course, that's assuming that the new bikes actually sell on bike shop floors! If the whole endeavor falls flat on it's face, we could be seeing nothing more than what we have now, and maybe less. I do not think that will happen. But, it could!
For now, I'm hopeful for the fall trade show season, where I think we will be seeing a story written about the 29"er hitting the market in a big way. Will it be the bicycle industries "holy grail" - the "next big thing"? Who knows? I'm guessing that it won't be anything near what the mtb boom of the 90's was or even close to the now waning road bike boom of this decade. It's just going to be another niche market that will be around for awhile, maybe on the scale of the "free ride/ all mountain" kind of thing. We'll see.
One thing is for sure. This 29"er thing is snowballing into something much bigger than it was before!
Boy, does it ever look to be coming true!
I have documented several entries or upcoming entries into the fray including Cannondale, Fishers new full suspension model, Flyte, Astrix, Redline, Raleigh, Haro, and the new full suspension model from Niner. Added to this impressive array of new comers is a solid rumor of a bike from KHS, maybe two bikes from Marin, and something from Specialized. That's alot of companies jumping in since I made that prediction about a year ago!
What does it all mean, other than a wider choice of bikes? Well, I think that now with so many manufacturers of bikes on board we will start to see the 29"er specific parts choices start to proliferate. Things like forks, shocks, and wheels will start showing up from companies that now can afford to tool up to make these products and offer them as original equipment on new bikes. The original equipment market is a big deal to these companies as that's a big chunk of money for them when someone like Specialized orders up a bunch of Fox forks, (as an example) for a 29"er bike. That paves the way for aftermarket sales to happen, and that's where the 29"er enthusiast will reap the benefits of all these new entries into the 29"er market.
Of course, that's assuming that the new bikes actually sell on bike shop floors! If the whole endeavor falls flat on it's face, we could be seeing nothing more than what we have now, and maybe less. I do not think that will happen. But, it could!
For now, I'm hopeful for the fall trade show season, where I think we will be seeing a story written about the 29"er hitting the market in a big way. Will it be the bicycle industries "holy grail" - the "next big thing"? Who knows? I'm guessing that it won't be anything near what the mtb boom of the 90's was or even close to the now waning road bike boom of this decade. It's just going to be another niche market that will be around for awhile, maybe on the scale of the "free ride/ all mountain" kind of thing. We'll see.
One thing is for sure. This 29"er thing is snowballing into something much bigger than it was before!
Wednesday, June 21, 2006
A Long and Winding Road: Part II
I was at work with Mr. 24 today when we got a phone call:
Ring!.....
G-Ted: "Europa Cycle and Ski, how can I help you?"
Voice: "Hello, Is this Mark?"
G-Ted: "Yeah!"
Voice: "Hello! This is Matthew Lee......" (!!!!!!)
Yeah! That Matthew Lee. The one that was just about to set off on an epic adventure/ race called the GDR! I was floored. He called me with about an hour and a half to spare before he had to depart from Banff, Alberta Canada. He wanted to discuss some details concerning his GDR blog. Anyway, I just was amused and so surprised by that call. Matthew really wants to get the word out about the event, so as a favor to him, I encourage all of you to not only check out the blog, but to pass it along so others can enjoy what Matthew and the others are doing. Matthew seems to really care about the GDR and the efforts he has gone to to get the word out show it, at least I think so.
That phone call still makes me smile!
You think he'd have more important things to be thinking about an hour and a half before depart!
Ring!.....
G-Ted: "Europa Cycle and Ski, how can I help you?"
Voice: "Hello, Is this Mark?"
G-Ted: "Yeah!"
Voice: "Hello! This is Matthew Lee......" (!!!!!!)
Yeah! That Matthew Lee. The one that was just about to set off on an epic adventure/ race called the GDR! I was floored. He called me with about an hour and a half to spare before he had to depart from Banff, Alberta Canada. He wanted to discuss some details concerning his GDR blog. Anyway, I just was amused and so surprised by that call. Matthew really wants to get the word out about the event, so as a favor to him, I encourage all of you to not only check out the blog, but to pass it along so others can enjoy what Matthew and the others are doing. Matthew seems to really care about the GDR and the efforts he has gone to to get the word out show it, at least I think so.
That phone call still makes me smile!
You think he'd have more important things to be thinking about an hour and a half before depart!
A Long and Winding Road: Part II
I was at work with Mr. 24 today when we got a phone call:
Ring!.....
G-Ted: "Europa Cycle and Ski, how can I help you?"
Voice: "Hello, Is this Mark?"
G-Ted: "Yeah!"
Voice: "Hello! This is Matthew Lee......" (!!!!!!)
Yeah! That Matthew Lee. The one that was just about to set off on an epic adventure/ race called the GDR! I was floored. He called me with about an hour and a half to spare before he had to depart from Banff, Alberta Canada. He wanted to discuss some details concerning his GDR blog. Anyway, I just was amused and so surprised by that call. Matthew really wants to get the word out about the event, so as a favor to him, I encourage all of you to not only check out the blog, but to pass it along so others can enjoy what Matthew and the others are doing. Matthew seems to really care about the GDR and the efforts he has gone to to get the word out show it, at least I think so.
That phone call still makes me smile!
You think he'd have more important things to be thinking about an hour and a half before depart!
Ring!.....
G-Ted: "Europa Cycle and Ski, how can I help you?"
Voice: "Hello, Is this Mark?"
G-Ted: "Yeah!"
Voice: "Hello! This is Matthew Lee......" (!!!!!!)
Yeah! That Matthew Lee. The one that was just about to set off on an epic adventure/ race called the GDR! I was floored. He called me with about an hour and a half to spare before he had to depart from Banff, Alberta Canada. He wanted to discuss some details concerning his GDR blog. Anyway, I just was amused and so surprised by that call. Matthew really wants to get the word out about the event, so as a favor to him, I encourage all of you to not only check out the blog, but to pass it along so others can enjoy what Matthew and the others are doing. Matthew seems to really care about the GDR and the efforts he has gone to to get the word out show it, at least I think so.
That phone call still makes me smile!
You think he'd have more important things to be thinking about an hour and a half before depart!
A Long and Winding Road
Hey enduro freaks! One of the most epic; if not the most epic, long rides is about to set off from Banff, Canada. It's the "prologue" portion of the Great Divide Race, otherwise known as the "GDR". This event is fully self supported, back road mountain bike touring/racing/ time trialing down the Great Divide Route as laid out by Adventure Cycling and utilized as the race course. Although "officially" the event doesn't start until the junction with the U.S. - Canadian border, the intrepid Matthew Lee, a veteran of the event, utilizes the Canadian section as a "prologue" to the event proper in hopes that one day the entire Great Divide Route will be utilized as the race course.
If you care to follow Matthews adventure, you can do so at his own blog for the event, which features audio blog entries for each day he is out. He sets off at around noon today, so he can join the others at the border on Friday for the "official launch".
Another good place to follow the goings on would be the "official" blog for the race. Check it out for other viewpoints gathered from event participants and past veterans of this grueling grind over the Rocky Mountains spine.
Matthew is riding on a specially built Cannondale 29"er for this attempt and he is hoping to keep a pace that will see him to the U.S. - Mexico border in record time. I'm excited to see how things will pan out over the next two to three weeks for all the folks involved. Good luck and Good Journey to all who are brave and bold enough to accept this awesome challenge! I salute all of you!
This long and winding road that these guys are on makes Trans Iowa or GTDRI look like a cruise around the block! ..............sheesh!
I'll be watching as things unfold, will you?
If you care to follow Matthews adventure, you can do so at his own blog for the event, which features audio blog entries for each day he is out. He sets off at around noon today, so he can join the others at the border on Friday for the "official launch".
Another good place to follow the goings on would be the "official" blog for the race. Check it out for other viewpoints gathered from event participants and past veterans of this grueling grind over the Rocky Mountains spine.
Matthew is riding on a specially built Cannondale 29"er for this attempt and he is hoping to keep a pace that will see him to the U.S. - Mexico border in record time. I'm excited to see how things will pan out over the next two to three weeks for all the folks involved. Good luck and Good Journey to all who are brave and bold enough to accept this awesome challenge! I salute all of you!
This long and winding road that these guys are on makes Trans Iowa or GTDRI look like a cruise around the block! ..............sheesh!
I'll be watching as things unfold, will you?
A Long and Winding Road
Hey enduro freaks! One of the most epic; if not the most epic, long rides is about to set off from Banff, Canada. It's the "prologue" portion of the Great Divide Race, otherwise known as the "GDR". This event is fully self supported, back road mountain bike touring/racing/ time trialing down the Great Divide Route as laid out by Adventure Cycling and utilized as the race course. Although "officially" the event doesn't start until the junction with the U.S. - Canadian border, the intrepid Matthew Lee, a veteran of the event, utilizes the Canadian section as a "prologue" to the event proper in hopes that one day the entire Great Divide Route will be utilized as the race course.
If you care to follow Matthews adventure, you can do so at his own blog for the event, which features audio blog entries for each day he is out. He sets off at around noon today, so he can join the others at the border on Friday for the "official launch".
Another good place to follow the goings on would be the "official" blog for the race. Check it out for other viewpoints gathered from event participants and past veterans of this grueling grind over the Rocky Mountains spine.
Matthew is riding on a specially built Cannondale 29"er for this attempt and he is hoping to keep a pace that will see him to the U.S. - Mexico border in record time. I'm excited to see how things will pan out over the next two to three weeks for all the folks involved. Good luck and Good Journey to all who are brave and bold enough to accept this awesome challenge! I salute all of you!
This long and winding road that these guys are on makes Trans Iowa or GTDRI look like a cruise around the block! ..............sheesh!
I'll be watching as things unfold, will you?
If you care to follow Matthews adventure, you can do so at his own blog for the event, which features audio blog entries for each day he is out. He sets off at around noon today, so he can join the others at the border on Friday for the "official launch".
Another good place to follow the goings on would be the "official" blog for the race. Check it out for other viewpoints gathered from event participants and past veterans of this grueling grind over the Rocky Mountains spine.
Matthew is riding on a specially built Cannondale 29"er for this attempt and he is hoping to keep a pace that will see him to the U.S. - Mexico border in record time. I'm excited to see how things will pan out over the next two to three weeks for all the folks involved. Good luck and Good Journey to all who are brave and bold enough to accept this awesome challenge! I salute all of you!
This long and winding road that these guys are on makes Trans Iowa or GTDRI look like a cruise around the block! ..............sheesh!
I'll be watching as things unfold, will you?
Tuesday, June 20, 2006
Little Changes = Big Differences
I have been spending some time swapping back and forth between my Inbred 29"er and my Karate Monkey lately. I have been very curious as to the differences in the two set ups that I was running and how I might want to change one or the other. One thing that became more and more apparent was that I really liked the KM and the Inbred bugged me.
Initially when I set up the Inbred, I took measurements off of my Karate Monkey, to mimic the same seated position, height, and saddle to handlebar length. The biggest difference was that I was running the stem on the Inbred in a positive rise which put the handle bar slightly higher than the KM's. Should be good I thought, just wanted to see if a more relaxed posistion on the upper body would work for me. With the exception of the Salsa seat posts slipping, the answer seemed to be yes at the Dirty Kanza. I felt great all day riding that bike. However; when I got back and started the swapping between the KM and the Inberd, something was really off on the Inbred.
I felt more in the bike on the KM instead of on top of the bike as I was on the Inbred. Another thing was the saddle height and posisition. They were feeling way off from the KM. Even though I had set up the Inbred off of measurements from the KM, I was not getting the same sensations on both bikes.
So, I disregarded the previous set up on the Inbred and made some minor changes based upon feel. I felt the saddle was too low, so up it went about 5mm. That was better, but about two weeks later it went up another 5mm. Ahh! Much improved! Then I was chatting with Mr. 24 at work and he mentioned reposistioning his Arione, making it feel much better. Oddly enough, I had just decided to try the same thing. I did the change yesterday and it looks to be a winner. The last change was to flip over the stem to negative rise, which places my hands in about the same posistion as they are on the KM. Looks like that one will work too!
The point is that the changes are slight, and the sensations that they give on the bike are huge! I am much happier with the Inbred after a short single track ride yesterday afternoon than I have been previously. In fact, I was about to condem the Inbred to the sales block the other day, that's how unhappy I was with it!
So, if you are not quite happy with your current bike, it might not be a bad idea to tweak a few things first before you run out and spend a bunch of money on a new bike. My changes didn't cost me any money. Just some thought and time to effect the desired changes. The results were fantastic for me. Maybe you won't be so fortunate, but at least you'll know what you like, and that alone makes tweaking worth it.
Just remember small changes will make big differences on the bike. Do not do anything radical right out of the box! A little bit here and there might be all you'll need to change a so-so ride into your favorite rig!
Initially when I set up the Inbred, I took measurements off of my Karate Monkey, to mimic the same seated position, height, and saddle to handlebar length. The biggest difference was that I was running the stem on the Inbred in a positive rise which put the handle bar slightly higher than the KM's. Should be good I thought, just wanted to see if a more relaxed posistion on the upper body would work for me. With the exception of the Salsa seat posts slipping, the answer seemed to be yes at the Dirty Kanza. I felt great all day riding that bike. However; when I got back and started the swapping between the KM and the Inberd, something was really off on the Inbred.
I felt more in the bike on the KM instead of on top of the bike as I was on the Inbred. Another thing was the saddle height and posisition. They were feeling way off from the KM. Even though I had set up the Inbred off of measurements from the KM, I was not getting the same sensations on both bikes.
So, I disregarded the previous set up on the Inbred and made some minor changes based upon feel. I felt the saddle was too low, so up it went about 5mm. That was better, but about two weeks later it went up another 5mm. Ahh! Much improved! Then I was chatting with Mr. 24 at work and he mentioned reposistioning his Arione, making it feel much better. Oddly enough, I had just decided to try the same thing. I did the change yesterday and it looks to be a winner. The last change was to flip over the stem to negative rise, which places my hands in about the same posistion as they are on the KM. Looks like that one will work too!
The point is that the changes are slight, and the sensations that they give on the bike are huge! I am much happier with the Inbred after a short single track ride yesterday afternoon than I have been previously. In fact, I was about to condem the Inbred to the sales block the other day, that's how unhappy I was with it!
So, if you are not quite happy with your current bike, it might not be a bad idea to tweak a few things first before you run out and spend a bunch of money on a new bike. My changes didn't cost me any money. Just some thought and time to effect the desired changes. The results were fantastic for me. Maybe you won't be so fortunate, but at least you'll know what you like, and that alone makes tweaking worth it.
Just remember small changes will make big differences on the bike. Do not do anything radical right out of the box! A little bit here and there might be all you'll need to change a so-so ride into your favorite rig!
Little Changes = Big Differences
I have been spending some time swapping back and forth between my Inbred 29"er and my Karate Monkey lately. I have been very curious as to the differences in the two set ups that I was running and how I might want to change one or the other. One thing that became more and more apparent was that I really liked the KM and the Inbred bugged me.
Initially when I set up the Inbred, I took measurements off of my Karate Monkey, to mimic the same seated position, height, and saddle to handlebar length. The biggest difference was that I was running the stem on the Inbred in a positive rise which put the handle bar slightly higher than the KM's. Should be good I thought, just wanted to see if a more relaxed posistion on the upper body would work for me. With the exception of the Salsa seat posts slipping, the answer seemed to be yes at the Dirty Kanza. I felt great all day riding that bike. However; when I got back and started the swapping between the KM and the Inberd, something was really off on the Inbred.
I felt more in the bike on the KM instead of on top of the bike as I was on the Inbred. Another thing was the saddle height and posisition. They were feeling way off from the KM. Even though I had set up the Inbred off of measurements from the KM, I was not getting the same sensations on both bikes.
So, I disregarded the previous set up on the Inbred and made some minor changes based upon feel. I felt the saddle was too low, so up it went about 5mm. That was better, but about two weeks later it went up another 5mm. Ahh! Much improved! Then I was chatting with Mr. 24 at work and he mentioned reposistioning his Arione, making it feel much better. Oddly enough, I had just decided to try the same thing. I did the change yesterday and it looks to be a winner. The last change was to flip over the stem to negative rise, which places my hands in about the same posistion as they are on the KM. Looks like that one will work too!
The point is that the changes are slight, and the sensations that they give on the bike are huge! I am much happier with the Inbred after a short single track ride yesterday afternoon than I have been previously. In fact, I was about to condem the Inbred to the sales block the other day, that's how unhappy I was with it!
So, if you are not quite happy with your current bike, it might not be a bad idea to tweak a few things first before you run out and spend a bunch of money on a new bike. My changes didn't cost me any money. Just some thought and time to effect the desired changes. The results were fantastic for me. Maybe you won't be so fortunate, but at least you'll know what you like, and that alone makes tweaking worth it.
Just remember small changes will make big differences on the bike. Do not do anything radical right out of the box! A little bit here and there might be all you'll need to change a so-so ride into your favorite rig!
Initially when I set up the Inbred, I took measurements off of my Karate Monkey, to mimic the same seated position, height, and saddle to handlebar length. The biggest difference was that I was running the stem on the Inbred in a positive rise which put the handle bar slightly higher than the KM's. Should be good I thought, just wanted to see if a more relaxed posistion on the upper body would work for me. With the exception of the Salsa seat posts slipping, the answer seemed to be yes at the Dirty Kanza. I felt great all day riding that bike. However; when I got back and started the swapping between the KM and the Inberd, something was really off on the Inbred.
I felt more in the bike on the KM instead of on top of the bike as I was on the Inbred. Another thing was the saddle height and posisition. They were feeling way off from the KM. Even though I had set up the Inbred off of measurements from the KM, I was not getting the same sensations on both bikes.
So, I disregarded the previous set up on the Inbred and made some minor changes based upon feel. I felt the saddle was too low, so up it went about 5mm. That was better, but about two weeks later it went up another 5mm. Ahh! Much improved! Then I was chatting with Mr. 24 at work and he mentioned reposistioning his Arione, making it feel much better. Oddly enough, I had just decided to try the same thing. I did the change yesterday and it looks to be a winner. The last change was to flip over the stem to negative rise, which places my hands in about the same posistion as they are on the KM. Looks like that one will work too!
The point is that the changes are slight, and the sensations that they give on the bike are huge! I am much happier with the Inbred after a short single track ride yesterday afternoon than I have been previously. In fact, I was about to condem the Inbred to the sales block the other day, that's how unhappy I was with it!
So, if you are not quite happy with your current bike, it might not be a bad idea to tweak a few things first before you run out and spend a bunch of money on a new bike. My changes didn't cost me any money. Just some thought and time to effect the desired changes. The results were fantastic for me. Maybe you won't be so fortunate, but at least you'll know what you like, and that alone makes tweaking worth it.
Just remember small changes will make big differences on the bike. Do not do anything radical right out of the box! A little bit here and there might be all you'll need to change a so-so ride into your favorite rig!
Monday, June 19, 2006
Johnny T. in the Great Plains
Here is something I never thought I'd see. A mountain bike company based out of Nebraska! And not just any ol' mountain bike company either, but one that bears the name of one of the greatest American mountain bikers of all time, John Tomac.
It seems that the former director of North American sales for Answer Products, Joel Smith, ( who himself has been a sort of icon over at Answer) is from Lincoln, Nebraska. He licensed the Tomac Bicycles name and plans on relaunching the line. Tomac Bicycles had originally been started as a joint venture between John Tomac and Doug Bradbury,( who was responsible for starting the Manitou line of bikes and front suspension components, which later was bought out by Answer Products). Then the Tomac line was purchased by the American Cycling Group, which also handled Litespeed bikes. What a tangled web!
Anywho, this whole new venture being based out of Nebraska is great. Like the linked article explains, lots of folks have no idea that there is good mountain biking in Nebraska, or anywhere in the Mid West for that matter. Coupled with that is the fact that you have a living legend in John Tomac being affiliated not just in name only makes it even cooler. You gotta remember for us old codgers, Johnny T. was the schiznit! Him and Deadly Nedly..........and Tinker. Anyway, I digress!
Finally, the thought lit on my mind while pondering this news. Hmm.......Lincoln, Nebraska has a pretty good population of 29"ers, I think...........Hmmm.........maybe, just maybe........
Just thinking!
Congrats and good luck to Joel Smith, Johnny T. and Doug Bradbury. I hope the re-launch is sucessful!
It seems that the former director of North American sales for Answer Products, Joel Smith, ( who himself has been a sort of icon over at Answer) is from Lincoln, Nebraska. He licensed the Tomac Bicycles name and plans on relaunching the line. Tomac Bicycles had originally been started as a joint venture between John Tomac and Doug Bradbury,( who was responsible for starting the Manitou line of bikes and front suspension components, which later was bought out by Answer Products). Then the Tomac line was purchased by the American Cycling Group, which also handled Litespeed bikes. What a tangled web!
Anywho, this whole new venture being based out of Nebraska is great. Like the linked article explains, lots of folks have no idea that there is good mountain biking in Nebraska, or anywhere in the Mid West for that matter. Coupled with that is the fact that you have a living legend in John Tomac being affiliated not just in name only makes it even cooler. You gotta remember for us old codgers, Johnny T. was the schiznit! Him and Deadly Nedly..........and Tinker. Anyway, I digress!
Finally, the thought lit on my mind while pondering this news. Hmm.......Lincoln, Nebraska has a pretty good population of 29"ers, I think...........Hmmm.........maybe, just maybe........
Just thinking!
Congrats and good luck to Joel Smith, Johnny T. and Doug Bradbury. I hope the re-launch is sucessful!
Johnny T. in the Great Plains
Here is something I never thought I'd see. A mountain bike company based out of Nebraska! And not just any ol' mountain bike company either, but one that bears the name of one of the greatest American mountain bikers of all time, John Tomac.
It seems that the former director of North American sales for Answer Products, Joel Smith, ( who himself has been a sort of icon over at Answer) is from Lincoln, Nebraska. He licensed the Tomac Bicycles name and plans on relaunching the line. Tomac Bicycles had originally been started as a joint venture between John Tomac and Doug Bradbury,( who was responsible for starting the Manitou line of bikes and front suspension components, which later was bought out by Answer Products). Then the Tomac line was purchased by the American Cycling Group, which also handled Litespeed bikes. What a tangled web!
Anywho, this whole new venture being based out of Nebraska is great. Like the linked article explains, lots of folks have no idea that there is good mountain biking in Nebraska, or anywhere in the Mid West for that matter. Coupled with that is the fact that you have a living legend in John Tomac being affiliated not just in name only makes it even cooler. You gotta remember for us old codgers, Johnny T. was the schiznit! Him and Deadly Nedly..........and Tinker. Anyway, I digress!
Finally, the thought lit on my mind while pondering this news. Hmm.......Lincoln, Nebraska has a pretty good population of 29"ers, I think...........Hmmm.........maybe, just maybe........
Just thinking!
Congrats and good luck to Joel Smith, Johnny T. and Doug Bradbury. I hope the re-launch is sucessful!
It seems that the former director of North American sales for Answer Products, Joel Smith, ( who himself has been a sort of icon over at Answer) is from Lincoln, Nebraska. He licensed the Tomac Bicycles name and plans on relaunching the line. Tomac Bicycles had originally been started as a joint venture between John Tomac and Doug Bradbury,( who was responsible for starting the Manitou line of bikes and front suspension components, which later was bought out by Answer Products). Then the Tomac line was purchased by the American Cycling Group, which also handled Litespeed bikes. What a tangled web!
Anywho, this whole new venture being based out of Nebraska is great. Like the linked article explains, lots of folks have no idea that there is good mountain biking in Nebraska, or anywhere in the Mid West for that matter. Coupled with that is the fact that you have a living legend in John Tomac being affiliated not just in name only makes it even cooler. You gotta remember for us old codgers, Johnny T. was the schiznit! Him and Deadly Nedly..........and Tinker. Anyway, I digress!
Finally, the thought lit on my mind while pondering this news. Hmm.......Lincoln, Nebraska has a pretty good population of 29"ers, I think...........Hmmm.........maybe, just maybe........
Just thinking!
Congrats and good luck to Joel Smith, Johnny T. and Doug Bradbury. I hope the re-launch is sucessful!
Sunday, June 18, 2006
Summer School
I was recently contacted by the web genius behind the Crooked Cog web network to do a series of articles about the geometry of 29"ers. Well, some of you long time G-Ted blog readers might remember the series I did last fall on bicycle geometry called "Geometry Class". I am ressurecting the series with a few new tweaks for Twenty Nine Inches, so go check out the first installment.
The series is rather timely in light of the recent dust up over the cyclingnews.com 26 versus 29 test. It's important to see that the two wheel formats have entirely different geometry requirements. This in turn makes riding a 29"er a wholly different experience than riding a 26"er. They both must be handled differently and are not at their best until you learn how to unlock their potential. Those hopping onto a 29"er for the first time are probably not going to experience the very best performance that 29"ers can offer. It takes awhile to gain the knowledge of the nuances of the wheel format.
Having this series will start to help you to see why these differences are so important. One thing I can say is that any small change on a bike that you are used to can be felt immediately and feels much "bigger" than it really is. For instance: I can really tell the difference in power and feel if my seatpost slips just a couple of millimeters! Or if my handlebars rotate just a smidgen, my hands get uncomfortable. Just think what adding all the differences a 29"er brings to the party will do to a rider that has always ridden 26"ers. You can get your contact points all lined up, sure......you'll be comfy that way, but the handling characteristics will be so different that it might just seem un-doable for you. Just hang in there! Help is on the way. Read the rest of the series and hopefully it will unlock the ideas that will lead you to understanding the 29"er and it's peculiar traits.
Look for updates about every week.....or less.......whenever I decide to submit the copy to Twenty Nine Inches, that's when you'll see it!
The series is rather timely in light of the recent dust up over the cyclingnews.com 26 versus 29 test. It's important to see that the two wheel formats have entirely different geometry requirements. This in turn makes riding a 29"er a wholly different experience than riding a 26"er. They both must be handled differently and are not at their best until you learn how to unlock their potential. Those hopping onto a 29"er for the first time are probably not going to experience the very best performance that 29"ers can offer. It takes awhile to gain the knowledge of the nuances of the wheel format.
Having this series will start to help you to see why these differences are so important. One thing I can say is that any small change on a bike that you are used to can be felt immediately and feels much "bigger" than it really is. For instance: I can really tell the difference in power and feel if my seatpost slips just a couple of millimeters! Or if my handlebars rotate just a smidgen, my hands get uncomfortable. Just think what adding all the differences a 29"er brings to the party will do to a rider that has always ridden 26"ers. You can get your contact points all lined up, sure......you'll be comfy that way, but the handling characteristics will be so different that it might just seem un-doable for you. Just hang in there! Help is on the way. Read the rest of the series and hopefully it will unlock the ideas that will lead you to understanding the 29"er and it's peculiar traits.
Look for updates about every week.....or less.......whenever I decide to submit the copy to Twenty Nine Inches, that's when you'll see it!
Summer School
I was recently contacted by the web genius behind the Crooked Cog web network to do a series of articles about the geometry of 29"ers. Well, some of you long time G-Ted blog readers might remember the series I did last fall on bicycle geometry called "Geometry Class". I am ressurecting the series with a few new tweaks for Twenty Nine Inches, so go check out the first installment.
The series is rather timely in light of the recent dust up over the cyclingnews.com 26 versus 29 test. It's important to see that the two wheel formats have entirely different geometry requirements. This in turn makes riding a 29"er a wholly different experience than riding a 26"er. They both must be handled differently and are not at their best until you learn how to unlock their potential. Those hopping onto a 29"er for the first time are probably not going to experience the very best performance that 29"ers can offer. It takes awhile to gain the knowledge of the nuances of the wheel format.
Having this series will start to help you to see why these differences are so important. One thing I can say is that any small change on a bike that you are used to can be felt immediately and feels much "bigger" than it really is. For instance: I can really tell the difference in power and feel if my seatpost slips just a couple of millimeters! Or if my handlebars rotate just a smidgen, my hands get uncomfortable. Just think what adding all the differences a 29"er brings to the party will do to a rider that has always ridden 26"ers. You can get your contact points all lined up, sure......you'll be comfy that way, but the handling characteristics will be so different that it might just seem un-doable for you. Just hang in there! Help is on the way. Read the rest of the series and hopefully it will unlock the ideas that will lead you to understanding the 29"er and it's peculiar traits.
Look for updates about every week.....or less.......whenever I decide to submit the copy to Twenty Nine Inches, that's when you'll see it!
The series is rather timely in light of the recent dust up over the cyclingnews.com 26 versus 29 test. It's important to see that the two wheel formats have entirely different geometry requirements. This in turn makes riding a 29"er a wholly different experience than riding a 26"er. They both must be handled differently and are not at their best until you learn how to unlock their potential. Those hopping onto a 29"er for the first time are probably not going to experience the very best performance that 29"ers can offer. It takes awhile to gain the knowledge of the nuances of the wheel format.
Having this series will start to help you to see why these differences are so important. One thing I can say is that any small change on a bike that you are used to can be felt immediately and feels much "bigger" than it really is. For instance: I can really tell the difference in power and feel if my seatpost slips just a couple of millimeters! Or if my handlebars rotate just a smidgen, my hands get uncomfortable. Just think what adding all the differences a 29"er brings to the party will do to a rider that has always ridden 26"ers. You can get your contact points all lined up, sure......you'll be comfy that way, but the handling characteristics will be so different that it might just seem un-doable for you. Just hang in there! Help is on the way. Read the rest of the series and hopefully it will unlock the ideas that will lead you to understanding the 29"er and it's peculiar traits.
Look for updates about every week.....or less.......whenever I decide to submit the copy to Twenty Nine Inches, that's when you'll see it!
Saturday, June 17, 2006
Saturday Bits
Just a quick post today, because.......well, you should be outside riding! That's why!
Note: Guitar Ted Death Ride Invitational link has finally been added in the right side bar. Check it out if you are interested in the ride.
Kona has released photos of their 2007 29 inch wheeled range. Go check 'em out at Twenty Nine Inches . I thought the Kula was a bit too feminine for my tastes. Just me maybe......
Stans No Tubes has finally come out with the first tubeless compatible 29"er tire. Called "The Crow" the tire is a low tread, race oriented tire that should cut some significant grammage off current race tire set ups. Check out a review in this thread by a fellow Iowan, Bruce Brown. (That's his screen name as well)
A nice batch of studio shots of the new Niner R.I.P. Niner full suspension bike have surfaced with some commentary on this thread on mtbr.com. Or you could check out all of Niners offerings at their official website: www.ninerbikes.com
That's it for today!
Note: Guitar Ted Death Ride Invitational link has finally been added in the right side bar. Check it out if you are interested in the ride.
Kona has released photos of their 2007 29 inch wheeled range. Go check 'em out at Twenty Nine Inches . I thought the Kula was a bit too feminine for my tastes. Just me maybe......
Stans No Tubes has finally come out with the first tubeless compatible 29"er tire. Called "The Crow" the tire is a low tread, race oriented tire that should cut some significant grammage off current race tire set ups. Check out a review in this thread by a fellow Iowan, Bruce Brown. (That's his screen name as well)
A nice batch of studio shots of the new Niner R.I.P. Niner full suspension bike have surfaced with some commentary on this thread on mtbr.com. Or you could check out all of Niners offerings at their official website: www.ninerbikes.com
That's it for today!
Saturday Bits
Just a quick post today, because.......well, you should be outside riding! That's why!
Note: Guitar Ted Death Ride Invitational link has finally been added in the right side bar. Check it out if you are interested in the ride.
Kona has released photos of their 2007 29 inch wheeled range. Go check 'em out at Twenty Nine Inches . I thought the Kula was a bit too feminine for my tastes. Just me maybe......
Stans No Tubes has finally come out with the first tubeless compatible 29"er tire. Called "The Crow" the tire is a low tread, race oriented tire that should cut some significant grammage off current race tire set ups. Check out a review in this thread by a fellow Iowan, Bruce Brown. (That's his screen name as well)
A nice batch of studio shots of the new Niner R.I.P. Niner full suspension bike have surfaced with some commentary on this thread on mtbr.com. Or you could check out all of Niners offerings at their official website: www.ninerbikes.com
That's it for today!
Note: Guitar Ted Death Ride Invitational link has finally been added in the right side bar. Check it out if you are interested in the ride.
Kona has released photos of their 2007 29 inch wheeled range. Go check 'em out at Twenty Nine Inches . I thought the Kula was a bit too feminine for my tastes. Just me maybe......
Stans No Tubes has finally come out with the first tubeless compatible 29"er tire. Called "The Crow" the tire is a low tread, race oriented tire that should cut some significant grammage off current race tire set ups. Check out a review in this thread by a fellow Iowan, Bruce Brown. (That's his screen name as well)
A nice batch of studio shots of the new Niner R.I.P. Niner full suspension bike have surfaced with some commentary on this thread on mtbr.com. Or you could check out all of Niners offerings at their official website: www.ninerbikes.com
That's it for today!
Friday, June 16, 2006
Bicycle "Survivor"
Yesterday Mr. 24 and I were wrenching at our jobs in the bike shop when he piped up and asked me a question.
"If you were stranded on a desert island with only one choice of bicycle tool that you could have with you, what would it be?"
Hmm........... I thought for a minute and answered, "A chainwhip. That way I could bludgeon small animals to death and be able to eat." (Yep, typical man! Thinking with his stomach!)
Jeff said he'd have a multi tool. What? A multi tool?!! What are you going to do with that? He never really explained himself, so I voted him off the island!
Mecahnics! A strange lot we are!
So............ what tool are you bringing to the island? (Keep it above the waistline, okay?)
Have a great weekend!
Go for a ride!
"If you were stranded on a desert island with only one choice of bicycle tool that you could have with you, what would it be?"
Hmm........... I thought for a minute and answered, "A chainwhip. That way I could bludgeon small animals to death and be able to eat." (Yep, typical man! Thinking with his stomach!)
Jeff said he'd have a multi tool. What? A multi tool?!! What are you going to do with that? He never really explained himself, so I voted him off the island!
Mecahnics! A strange lot we are!
So............ what tool are you bringing to the island? (Keep it above the waistline, okay?)
Have a great weekend!
Go for a ride!
Bicycle "Survivor"
Yesterday Mr. 24 and I were wrenching at our jobs in the bike shop when he piped up and asked me a question.
"If you were stranded on a desert island with only one choice of bicycle tool that you could have with you, what would it be?"
Hmm........... I thought for a minute and answered, "A chainwhip. That way I could bludgeon small animals to death and be able to eat." (Yep, typical man! Thinking with his stomach!)
Jeff said he'd have a multi tool. What? A multi tool?!! What are you going to do with that? He never really explained himself, so I voted him off the island!
Mecahnics! A strange lot we are!
So............ what tool are you bringing to the island? (Keep it above the waistline, okay?)
Have a great weekend!
Go for a ride!
"If you were stranded on a desert island with only one choice of bicycle tool that you could have with you, what would it be?"
Hmm........... I thought for a minute and answered, "A chainwhip. That way I could bludgeon small animals to death and be able to eat." (Yep, typical man! Thinking with his stomach!)
Jeff said he'd have a multi tool. What? A multi tool?!! What are you going to do with that? He never really explained himself, so I voted him off the island!
Mecahnics! A strange lot we are!
So............ what tool are you bringing to the island? (Keep it above the waistline, okay?)
Have a great weekend!
Go for a ride!
Thursday, June 15, 2006
Love Removal Machine
Every morning I get up and read the news and views on the ol' net here. It's better than a news paper, since I don't have to dispose of anything when I'm done with it. Well, at least in a physical sense. Mentally the trash still piles up. Which brings me to bicycles. Yeah, bicycles. They are a great way for me to "take out the trash" that accumulates on my mind. The stuff that I read about, the stress from daily grinding, and the pent up energy all need to get dumped. The bicycle is the perfect vehicle for it.
I can get out there, even on my commute to work, and get alot of crap unloaded. The longer the ride, the better though. That's why I like the longer rides. You get to download and then re-load. The smells, the sights, and the sounds of nature are something that can re-charge you. Inspiring the mind and spirit. Forgetting about...........well, what ever you need to forget about. Feeling real pain, you put the percieved pains into perspective, and things don't seem quite so bad.
Anyway, words are pretty useless to describe what "it" is. All I can say is, "it" works. I feel so much better after a ride. That's why bicycles are the perfect machine for dealing with "junk". Yep, the internet is the perfect newspaper and the bicycle is the perfect way to dispose of that "paper".
Are you spending too much time on the "digital paper"? It's a Love Removal Machine!
Go ride your bike!
I can get out there, even on my commute to work, and get alot of crap unloaded. The longer the ride, the better though. That's why I like the longer rides. You get to download and then re-load. The smells, the sights, and the sounds of nature are something that can re-charge you. Inspiring the mind and spirit. Forgetting about...........well, what ever you need to forget about. Feeling real pain, you put the percieved pains into perspective, and things don't seem quite so bad.
Anyway, words are pretty useless to describe what "it" is. All I can say is, "it" works. I feel so much better after a ride. That's why bicycles are the perfect machine for dealing with "junk". Yep, the internet is the perfect newspaper and the bicycle is the perfect way to dispose of that "paper".
Are you spending too much time on the "digital paper"? It's a Love Removal Machine!
Go ride your bike!
Love Removal Machine
Every morning I get up and read the news and views on the ol' net here. It's better than a news paper, since I don't have to dispose of anything when I'm done with it. Well, at least in a physical sense. Mentally the trash still piles up. Which brings me to bicycles. Yeah, bicycles. They are a great way for me to "take out the trash" that accumulates on my mind. The stuff that I read about, the stress from daily grinding, and the pent up energy all need to get dumped. The bicycle is the perfect vehicle for it.
I can get out there, even on my commute to work, and get alot of crap unloaded. The longer the ride, the better though. That's why I like the longer rides. You get to download and then re-load. The smells, the sights, and the sounds of nature are something that can re-charge you. Inspiring the mind and spirit. Forgetting about...........well, what ever you need to forget about. Feeling real pain, you put the percieved pains into perspective, and things don't seem quite so bad.
Anyway, words are pretty useless to describe what "it" is. All I can say is, "it" works. I feel so much better after a ride. That's why bicycles are the perfect machine for dealing with "junk". Yep, the internet is the perfect newspaper and the bicycle is the perfect way to dispose of that "paper".
Are you spending too much time on the "digital paper"? It's a Love Removal Machine!
Go ride your bike!
I can get out there, even on my commute to work, and get alot of crap unloaded. The longer the ride, the better though. That's why I like the longer rides. You get to download and then re-load. The smells, the sights, and the sounds of nature are something that can re-charge you. Inspiring the mind and spirit. Forgetting about...........well, what ever you need to forget about. Feeling real pain, you put the percieved pains into perspective, and things don't seem quite so bad.
Anyway, words are pretty useless to describe what "it" is. All I can say is, "it" works. I feel so much better after a ride. That's why bicycles are the perfect machine for dealing with "junk". Yep, the internet is the perfect newspaper and the bicycle is the perfect way to dispose of that "paper".
Are you spending too much time on the "digital paper"? It's a Love Removal Machine!
Go ride your bike!
Wednesday, June 14, 2006
News Flash! G.T.D.R.I. Blog is Up!
For Immediate Release! The Guitar Ted Productions blog was apparently getting "clogged up" with all of this Death Ride jibberish, so the Master Mind of Kerkove Media made an executive decision to open a Death Ride Channel for you all to check out from time to time. That banner is pretty awesome, so if you need anything done in the graphic design area, you need to see the Master Mind!
From now on, all communications regarding the Death Ride will be facilitated through The Death Ride Channel. Any of you guys or gals wanting in on the fun will need to go there for your latest news and views. Kapiche?
All righty then...........
From now on, all communications regarding the Death Ride will be facilitated through The Death Ride Channel. Any of you guys or gals wanting in on the fun will need to go there for your latest news and views. Kapiche?
All righty then...........
News Flash! G.T.D.R.I. Blog is Up!
For Immediate Release! The Guitar Ted Productions blog was apparently getting "clogged up" with all of this Death Ride jibberish, so the Master Mind of Kerkove Media made an executive decision to open a Death Ride Channel for you all to check out from time to time. That banner is pretty awesome, so if you need anything done in the graphic design area, you need to see the Master Mind!
From now on, all communications regarding the Death Ride will be facilitated through The Death Ride Channel. Any of you guys or gals wanting in on the fun will need to go there for your latest news and views. Kapiche?
All righty then...........
From now on, all communications regarding the Death Ride will be facilitated through The Death Ride Channel. Any of you guys or gals wanting in on the fun will need to go there for your latest news and views. Kapiche?
All righty then...........
Strange Numbers!
After some of the information came out on the new Raleigh XXIX, I got kind of curious. Why no suspension corrected fork? Why the shorter than normal seat tubes? I sent in a request for some answers to our trusty Raleigh rep. He forwarded my questions to the product engineering wonks, they answered him, and he forwarded it to me. Still following? Anyway.......here is the answer to "Why the non-suspension corrected fork?"
From Raleigh.....
"The actual fork being used is a 40mm offset. The information that got printed was a typo. And that stuff happens.
The actual axle to crown height is 430mm. Not quite suspension height but not too low either. And we kept it this way to keep it as a true single speed and not have look abnormal. And like Mark pointed out…it does allow for more people to fit the bike. And that is why the seat tube actuals are shorter than normal. It’s to compensate for the larger tires. We didn’t want it to be too high with the bigger wheels and with a suspension fork with sag; the geometry is not much different. This is how our completely built samples, with and with out suspension, have measured out. Please note this is with an 80mm travel Reba compensated with 20mm of sag.
Rigid 70degree HA 315mm BB height
Suspension 69.5 degree HA 328mm BB height
And we are in the works with a geared version using an 80mm travel Reba."
end message..........
So, that's the answer? They wanted it to fit shorter people? This is sort of strange, and I have noticed that alot of production 29"ers have leaned this way. Raleigh is at the extreme in this, however. The only companies 29 inch wheeled offerings that will accomodate larger riders is the upcoming Haro Mary, due out in August. I'm talking about complete bikes available at bike shops, not frame sets or custom jobs. I suppose you could make an exception for Niner and Surly, but they are not really availble on a nationwide scale on bike shop floors.........yet!
Anyway, these numbers on the head tube and fork offset are kind of weird. I'm not sure they will inspire those looking for quick handling. I might still be getting my hands on one of these, so I hope to report some real world test results. I just wish the seat tubes were longer. I'd have to run at least a 400mm post for the top tube measurement that would accomodate me!
So, it seems that the "mainstream" bicycle companies must be looking at their large and extra large sales figures for mountain bikes and saying, "well, these 29"ers better fit the medium and small sized riders, or we'll be sitting on a lot of Larges and XL's in the 29 inch sizes." So, maybe that is why we are seeing "large" sized 29"ers that would be "mediums" from custom builders. Perhaps these product managers ought to check out the mtbr.com poll that was run showing the vast majority of respondants wanting large and extra large sizes. Hmm............
These strange numbers are coming from strange ideas, me-thinks!
Strange Numbers!
After some of the information came out on the new Raleigh XXIX, I got kind of curious. Why no suspension corrected fork? Why the shorter than normal seat tubes? I sent in a request for some answers to our trusty Raleigh rep. He forwarded my questions to the product engineering wonks, they answered him, and he forwarded it to me. Still following? Anyway.......here is the answer to "Why the non-suspension corrected fork?"
From Raleigh.....
"The actual fork being used is a 40mm offset. The information that got printed was a typo. And that stuff happens.
The actual axle to crown height is 430mm. Not quite suspension height but not too low either. And we kept it this way to keep it as a true single speed and not have look abnormal. And like Mark pointed out…it does allow for more people to fit the bike. And that is why the seat tube actuals are shorter than normal. It’s to compensate for the larger tires. We didn’t want it to be too high with the bigger wheels and with a suspension fork with sag; the geometry is not much different. This is how our completely built samples, with and with out suspension, have measured out. Please note this is with an 80mm travel Reba compensated with 20mm of sag.
Rigid 70degree HA 315mm BB height
Suspension 69.5 degree HA 328mm BB height
And we are in the works with a geared version using an 80mm travel Reba."
end message..........
So, that's the answer? They wanted it to fit shorter people? This is sort of strange, and I have noticed that alot of production 29"ers have leaned this way. Raleigh is at the extreme in this, however. The only companies 29 inch wheeled offerings that will accomodate larger riders is the upcoming Haro Mary, due out in August. I'm talking about complete bikes available at bike shops, not frame sets or custom jobs. I suppose you could make an exception for Niner and Surly, but they are not really availble on a nationwide scale on bike shop floors.........yet!
Anyway, these numbers on the head tube and fork offset are kind of weird. I'm not sure they will inspire those looking for quick handling. I might still be getting my hands on one of these, so I hope to report some real world test results. I just wish the seat tubes were longer. I'd have to run at least a 400mm post for the top tube measurement that would accomodate me!
So, it seems that the "mainstream" bicycle companies must be looking at their large and extra large sales figures for mountain bikes and saying, "well, these 29"ers better fit the medium and small sized riders, or we'll be sitting on a lot of Larges and XL's in the 29 inch sizes." So, maybe that is why we are seeing "large" sized 29"ers that would be "mediums" from custom builders. Perhaps these product managers ought to check out the mtbr.com poll that was run showing the vast majority of respondants wanting large and extra large sizes. Hmm............
These strange numbers are coming from strange ideas, me-thinks!
Tuesday, June 13, 2006
It'll Cost Ya!
Some of you long time Guitar Ted Blog readers might remember this late July '05 blurb having to do with a slight of hand pulled by Trek on those planning on attending their dealer only show in Madison, Wisconsin. Well, it looks as though that the same monetary shenanigans are being employed once again.
Look, if you own a company that relies heavily upon an independant retail outlet model for sales and you would like them to be informed, supportive, and enthusiastic about selling your products, you probably shouldn't have a prohibitive entry fee to come and see the product at your own expo. Just a thought, guys. I mean, $200.00 a head to just come up and gaze upon your bikes? Last year, we practically had to pull someones teeth to even get our questions answered, because the Trek work force was sooo tired after four days of expo madness. I'm sorry, but the customers at our bike shop expect the same level of service whether we've been at the job for ten hours a day for a whole week. I'm not interested in shelling out my hard earned dough just to get ignored, and wander around a fancy convention center filled with shiny bikes when I can sit home and catch it all on the net for free.
Then there is this whole hierarchy thing with Trek where the best dealers in the country, ( the top 100 or so) get to look first, then the rest of the schmucks get in later to be coddled or ignored based upon how big they are or are not. Nice! Thanks for tossing us some crumbs dudes. We may be a small shop, but we sell Trek bikes that wouldn't get sold if we were not here. The decision to charge this rediculous fee to come and see their bikes isn't very encouraging, by the way.
Well, it all really doesn't matter since I scheduled the Guitar Ted Death March Invitational on the same weekend as the Trek Show in Madison.
Let it be known that I'd rather be riding a bike than getting charged $200.00 to look at some bikes.
Rant over.
Look, if you own a company that relies heavily upon an independant retail outlet model for sales and you would like them to be informed, supportive, and enthusiastic about selling your products, you probably shouldn't have a prohibitive entry fee to come and see the product at your own expo. Just a thought, guys. I mean, $200.00 a head to just come up and gaze upon your bikes? Last year, we practically had to pull someones teeth to even get our questions answered, because the Trek work force was sooo tired after four days of expo madness. I'm sorry, but the customers at our bike shop expect the same level of service whether we've been at the job for ten hours a day for a whole week. I'm not interested in shelling out my hard earned dough just to get ignored, and wander around a fancy convention center filled with shiny bikes when I can sit home and catch it all on the net for free.
Then there is this whole hierarchy thing with Trek where the best dealers in the country, ( the top 100 or so) get to look first, then the rest of the schmucks get in later to be coddled or ignored based upon how big they are or are not. Nice! Thanks for tossing us some crumbs dudes. We may be a small shop, but we sell Trek bikes that wouldn't get sold if we were not here. The decision to charge this rediculous fee to come and see their bikes isn't very encouraging, by the way.
Well, it all really doesn't matter since I scheduled the Guitar Ted Death March Invitational on the same weekend as the Trek Show in Madison.
Let it be known that I'd rather be riding a bike than getting charged $200.00 to look at some bikes.
Rant over.
It'll Cost Ya!
Some of you long time Guitar Ted Blog readers might remember this late July '05 blurb having to do with a slight of hand pulled by Trek on those planning on attending their dealer only show in Madison, Wisconsin. Well, it looks as though that the same monetary shenanigans are being employed once again.
Look, if you own a company that relies heavily upon an independant retail outlet model for sales and you would like them to be informed, supportive, and enthusiastic about selling your products, you probably shouldn't have a prohibitive entry fee to come and see the product at your own expo. Just a thought, guys. I mean, $200.00 a head to just come up and gaze upon your bikes? Last year, we practically had to pull someones teeth to even get our questions answered, because the Trek work force was sooo tired after four days of expo madness. I'm sorry, but the customers at our bike shop expect the same level of service whether we've been at the job for ten hours a day for a whole week. I'm not interested in shelling out my hard earned dough just to get ignored, and wander around a fancy convention center filled with shiny bikes when I can sit home and catch it all on the net for free.
Then there is this whole hierarchy thing with Trek where the best dealers in the country, ( the top 100 or so) get to look first, then the rest of the schmucks get in later to be coddled or ignored based upon how big they are or are not. Nice! Thanks for tossing us some crumbs dudes. We may be a small shop, but we sell Trek bikes that wouldn't get sold if we were not here. The decision to charge this rediculous fee to come and see their bikes isn't very encouraging, by the way.
Well, it all really doesn't matter since I scheduled the Guitar Ted Death March Invitational on the same weekend as the Trek Show in Madison.
Let it be known that I'd rather be riding a bike than getting charged $200.00 to look at some bikes.
Rant over.
Look, if you own a company that relies heavily upon an independant retail outlet model for sales and you would like them to be informed, supportive, and enthusiastic about selling your products, you probably shouldn't have a prohibitive entry fee to come and see the product at your own expo. Just a thought, guys. I mean, $200.00 a head to just come up and gaze upon your bikes? Last year, we practically had to pull someones teeth to even get our questions answered, because the Trek work force was sooo tired after four days of expo madness. I'm sorry, but the customers at our bike shop expect the same level of service whether we've been at the job for ten hours a day for a whole week. I'm not interested in shelling out my hard earned dough just to get ignored, and wander around a fancy convention center filled with shiny bikes when I can sit home and catch it all on the net for free.
Then there is this whole hierarchy thing with Trek where the best dealers in the country, ( the top 100 or so) get to look first, then the rest of the schmucks get in later to be coddled or ignored based upon how big they are or are not. Nice! Thanks for tossing us some crumbs dudes. We may be a small shop, but we sell Trek bikes that wouldn't get sold if we were not here. The decision to charge this rediculous fee to come and see their bikes isn't very encouraging, by the way.
Well, it all really doesn't matter since I scheduled the Guitar Ted Death March Invitational on the same weekend as the Trek Show in Madison.
Let it be known that I'd rather be riding a bike than getting charged $200.00 to look at some bikes.
Rant over.
Monday, June 12, 2006
G.T.D.R.I. Update and Bits
Guitar Ted Death Ride Invitational: August 19th, (Saturday) sun up to sundown. Starting in Pfieffer Park, Cedar Falls, Iowa. Navigation by map provided at start. No fee, no support, and no prizes. I'm going for a long gravel grinder that day and you are welcome to come along. The approximate mileage is just under 150 miles. There will be only three towns on route and all three have convenience stores to re-supply from. The course is one large loop and will end at Pfieffer Park. There is parking available at the park.
Okay, that's the pertinent information. Here is what has been happening on the course developement and a little tidbit or two of information on it. I had originally sat down and planned a route through places I wanted to ride through, but the distance was far too great at 170 plus miles. I had to do some editing! I sat down this weekend to hash it out over some maps, (thanks to b.d. sahib!) and I came up with some major modifications. Right now, the course is estimated at 148 miles. I will have to confirm that for you all that are interested later. I have also found a way to pull maps off of the Iowa D.O.T. site that will work nicely for the navigation needs of anyone that decides to ride along.
The course will start in Black Hawk County, pass southwards and slightly eastwards to Tama County making a "U" shaped turn to the West and then straight North. Entering the southern portion of Grundy County we will turn west into Hardin County. We will follow the Iowa River valley for a short spell then peel off straight to the east out of Hardin and into Grundy County again. Cutting straight across Grundy County, we will arrive back into Black Hawk County and Cedar Falls hopefully before the sun sets. The towns passed through will be Traer, Gladbrook, and Steamboat Rock. Don't let the proximity of the towns fool you! I have at least 50 miles between Traer and Gladbrook, for instance.
Well, that's about it for updates now. I have to start riding the course now to verify that all the roads are there, so more updates will be posted as they become available. In the meantime; read about a real endurance event and be inspired! It's one of the best ride re-caps I have read. It's long, but well worth it. See if the closing paragraphs hit you like they did for me.
And speaking of re-caps, go check out Mr. 24's re-cap of the Ponca XC......er Marathon event that took place this past Saturday in a warmer climate than Iowa has had lately. 48 degrees this morning! Brrrr! I thought I was done with jackets for awhile!
Ride your bike today.......OUT!
Okay, that's the pertinent information. Here is what has been happening on the course developement and a little tidbit or two of information on it. I had originally sat down and planned a route through places I wanted to ride through, but the distance was far too great at 170 plus miles. I had to do some editing! I sat down this weekend to hash it out over some maps, (thanks to b.d. sahib!) and I came up with some major modifications. Right now, the course is estimated at 148 miles. I will have to confirm that for you all that are interested later. I have also found a way to pull maps off of the Iowa D.O.T. site that will work nicely for the navigation needs of anyone that decides to ride along.
The course will start in Black Hawk County, pass southwards and slightly eastwards to Tama County making a "U" shaped turn to the West and then straight North. Entering the southern portion of Grundy County we will turn west into Hardin County. We will follow the Iowa River valley for a short spell then peel off straight to the east out of Hardin and into Grundy County again. Cutting straight across Grundy County, we will arrive back into Black Hawk County and Cedar Falls hopefully before the sun sets. The towns passed through will be Traer, Gladbrook, and Steamboat Rock. Don't let the proximity of the towns fool you! I have at least 50 miles between Traer and Gladbrook, for instance.
Well, that's about it for updates now. I have to start riding the course now to verify that all the roads are there, so more updates will be posted as they become available. In the meantime; read about a real endurance event and be inspired! It's one of the best ride re-caps I have read. It's long, but well worth it. See if the closing paragraphs hit you like they did for me.
And speaking of re-caps, go check out Mr. 24's re-cap of the Ponca XC......er Marathon event that took place this past Saturday in a warmer climate than Iowa has had lately. 48 degrees this morning! Brrrr! I thought I was done with jackets for awhile!
Ride your bike today.......OUT!
G.T.D.R.I. Update and Bits
Guitar Ted Death Ride Invitational: August 19th, (Saturday) sun up to sundown. Starting in Pfieffer Park, Cedar Falls, Iowa. Navigation by map provided at start. No fee, no support, and no prizes. I'm going for a long gravel grinder that day and you are welcome to come along. The approximate mileage is just under 150 miles. There will be only three towns on route and all three have convenience stores to re-supply from. The course is one large loop and will end at Pfieffer Park. There is parking available at the park.
Okay, that's the pertinent information. Here is what has been happening on the course developement and a little tidbit or two of information on it. I had originally sat down and planned a route through places I wanted to ride through, but the distance was far too great at 170 plus miles. I had to do some editing! I sat down this weekend to hash it out over some maps, (thanks to b.d. sahib!) and I came up with some major modifications. Right now, the course is estimated at 148 miles. I will have to confirm that for you all that are interested later. I have also found a way to pull maps off of the Iowa D.O.T. site that will work nicely for the navigation needs of anyone that decides to ride along.
The course will start in Black Hawk County, pass southwards and slightly eastwards to Tama County making a "U" shaped turn to the West and then straight North. Entering the southern portion of Grundy County we will turn west into Hardin County. We will follow the Iowa River valley for a short spell then peel off straight to the east out of Hardin and into Grundy County again. Cutting straight across Grundy County, we will arrive back into Black Hawk County and Cedar Falls hopefully before the sun sets. The towns passed through will be Traer, Gladbrook, and Steamboat Rock. Don't let the proximity of the towns fool you! I have at least 50 miles between Traer and Gladbrook, for instance.
Well, that's about it for updates now. I have to start riding the course now to verify that all the roads are there, so more updates will be posted as they become available. In the meantime; read about a real endurance event and be inspired! It's one of the best ride re-caps I have read. It's long, but well worth it. See if the closing paragraphs hit you like they did for me.
And speaking of re-caps, go check out Mr. 24's re-cap of the Ponca XC......er Marathon event that took place this past Saturday in a warmer climate than Iowa has had lately. 48 degrees this morning! Brrrr! I thought I was done with jackets for awhile!
Ride your bike today.......OUT!
Okay, that's the pertinent information. Here is what has been happening on the course developement and a little tidbit or two of information on it. I had originally sat down and planned a route through places I wanted to ride through, but the distance was far too great at 170 plus miles. I had to do some editing! I sat down this weekend to hash it out over some maps, (thanks to b.d. sahib!) and I came up with some major modifications. Right now, the course is estimated at 148 miles. I will have to confirm that for you all that are interested later. I have also found a way to pull maps off of the Iowa D.O.T. site that will work nicely for the navigation needs of anyone that decides to ride along.
The course will start in Black Hawk County, pass southwards and slightly eastwards to Tama County making a "U" shaped turn to the West and then straight North. Entering the southern portion of Grundy County we will turn west into Hardin County. We will follow the Iowa River valley for a short spell then peel off straight to the east out of Hardin and into Grundy County again. Cutting straight across Grundy County, we will arrive back into Black Hawk County and Cedar Falls hopefully before the sun sets. The towns passed through will be Traer, Gladbrook, and Steamboat Rock. Don't let the proximity of the towns fool you! I have at least 50 miles between Traer and Gladbrook, for instance.
Well, that's about it for updates now. I have to start riding the course now to verify that all the roads are there, so more updates will be posted as they become available. In the meantime; read about a real endurance event and be inspired! It's one of the best ride re-caps I have read. It's long, but well worth it. See if the closing paragraphs hit you like they did for me.
And speaking of re-caps, go check out Mr. 24's re-cap of the Ponca XC......er Marathon event that took place this past Saturday in a warmer climate than Iowa has had lately. 48 degrees this morning! Brrrr! I thought I was done with jackets for awhile!
Ride your bike today.......OUT!
Saturday, June 10, 2006
A Cold One: R.A.S.H. Ride Report
Looks a lot like Trans Iowa V2. It also felt alot like T.I.V2! 43 degrees and 25 mph winds with gusts up to 40mph!
This was the campground scene. The "team" busses from the sponsoring teams of the R.A.S.H. Ride are lined up with no activity visible. The campground had about half a dozen tents where they had expected several hundred.
Well, cold, wet, and windy about sums up the 4th annual R.A.S.H. Ride. This is an event for seriously recreational cyclists that use their bicycles as a means to get from bar to bar. I usually do the ride support from the start and then move on up the route to a few of the other bar stops. This year, when I got to the start area I was told to hold off setting up, as the promoter was not expecting much of a turn out. That stuck a fork in things for me, as the start is traditionally where I get the best tip money. Not that I expected anyone to show up either!
In the end, about 80 people took the start and made their way down the road. I actually went up the road and set up at the first town out, but did not get any action at all. Not good. I was coming up on four hours of standing around in sub 50 degree weather, getting rained on intermittently, and chafing my cold, blue hands. No tip money made things even worse. I packed it in after sitting in Jesup, which was the second town out, for about half an hour with hardly any cyclists coming through. Last year, I was busy repairing several bikes at the same time, at the same spot. I wasn't about to waste anymore of my time.
Last year 500 people were on this ride and I did really well. This year, much like T.I.V2, the weather kicked me to the curb. No tip money and cold to the bone. I can't remember a June day in my life being this cold in Iowa, or having as much Esat wind as we have had all this year. Simply incredible!
Oh well. At least there's next year!
A Cold One: R.A.S.H. Ride Report
Looks a lot like Trans Iowa V2. It also felt alot like T.I.V2! 43 degrees and 25 mph winds with gusts up to 40mph!
This was the campground scene. The "team" busses from the sponsoring teams of the R.A.S.H. Ride are lined up with no activity visible. The campground had about half a dozen tents where they had expected several hundred.
Well, cold, wet, and windy about sums up the 4th annual R.A.S.H. Ride. This is an event for seriously recreational cyclists that use their bicycles as a means to get from bar to bar. I usually do the ride support from the start and then move on up the route to a few of the other bar stops. This year, when I got to the start area I was told to hold off setting up, as the promoter was not expecting much of a turn out. That stuck a fork in things for me, as the start is traditionally where I get the best tip money. Not that I expected anyone to show up either!
In the end, about 80 people took the start and made their way down the road. I actually went up the road and set up at the first town out, but did not get any action at all. Not good. I was coming up on four hours of standing around in sub 50 degree weather, getting rained on intermittently, and chafing my cold, blue hands. No tip money made things even worse. I packed it in after sitting in Jesup, which was the second town out, for about half an hour with hardly any cyclists coming through. Last year, I was busy repairing several bikes at the same time, at the same spot. I wasn't about to waste anymore of my time.
Last year 500 people were on this ride and I did really well. This year, much like T.I.V2, the weather kicked me to the curb. No tip money and cold to the bone. I can't remember a June day in my life being this cold in Iowa, or having as much Esat wind as we have had all this year. Simply incredible!
Oh well. At least there's next year!