If you have never tried to accomplish a feat of cycling that was considered "crazy" by your non-cycling friends, you may have trouble understanding this post. It is a phenomenon that I have been aware of since the first Trans Iowa and accutely aware of ever since my aborted attempt at the Dirty Kanza 200 in 2006.
And just what is that phenomenon, you ask? Well, it doen't really have a name. Not in the clinical, official sense. It has been something that has haunted, motivated, and frustrated hundreds of cyclists that I am aware of. Just recently I have finally found the most succint, and true definition of "it" I have ever read. It comes to us from the inimitable Mike Curiak:
"Voluntarily quitting something that is so dear to you leaves a hole that is unfillable by anything other than that which you have quit. There can be no substitution--you simply have to go back and do it. "
Mike was relating one of his experiences on the Iditarod Trail, but it may as well be anybody that has had to "pull the plug" on any endurance event, ultra-endurance event, or long self supported tour. I have seen it first hand from the outside, watching Trans Iowa "dnf'ers" deal with their decisions. I have experienced it first hand, as I have mentioned, and this quote from Mr. Curiak seems to sum up my motivations for going back to Kansas again this coming May rather well. I suspect it does that for many of us.
Just why it is "dear" to us, is left out of Mike's quote and rightly so. He is talking from a deeply personal place, obviously, but I like that it leaves that open to interpretation for each of us. That said, I'm betting the interpretations of that are more similar between us than different.
I think it crosses over to other parts of life too, but something about an attempt at a challenge that seems to stretch us to our limits physically, mentally, and spiritually leaves a mark that is indelible. If that "mark", that change is cut short, left incomplete, I think it sets off an almost irrational longing for it to be completed. Not until every "i" is dotted and "t" is crossed do we let it go. Maybe you've been there and can relate to what I'm so inept at trying to explain here.
It's just hard to explain. But just like that old ELO hit, "Can't Get It Out Of My Head", it is a siren call to keep trying until the end has been reached. If you are there in the middle of it yet, I wish you well, and I hope you reach that goal soon.
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Can't Get It Out Of My Head
If you have never tried to accomplish a feat of cycling that was considered "crazy" by your non-cycling friends, you may have trouble understanding this post. It is a phenomenon that I have been aware of since the first Trans Iowa and accutely aware of ever since my aborted attempt at the Dirty Kanza 200 in 2006.
And just what is that phenomenon, you ask? Well, it doen't really have a name. Not in the clinical, official sense. It has been something that has haunted, motivated, and frustrated hundreds of cyclists that I am aware of. Just recently I have finally found the most succint, and true definition of "it" I have ever read. It comes to us from the inimitable Mike Curiak:
"Voluntarily quitting something that is so dear to you leaves a hole that is unfillable by anything other than that which you have quit. There can be no substitution--you simply have to go back and do it. "
Mike was relating one of his experiences on the Iditarod Trail, but it may as well be anybody that has had to "pull the plug" on any endurance event, ultra-endurance event, or long self supported tour. I have seen it first hand from the outside, watching Trans Iowa "dnf'ers" deal with their decisions. I have experienced it first hand, as I have mentioned, and this quote from Mr. Curiak seems to sum up my motivations for going back to Kansas again this coming May rather well. I suspect it does that for many of us.
Just why it is "dear" to us, is left out of Mike's quote and rightly so. He is talking from a deeply personal place, obviously, but I like that it leaves that open to interpretation for each of us. That said, I'm betting the interpretations of that are more similar between us than different.
I think it crosses over to other parts of life too, but something about an attempt at a challenge that seems to stretch us to our limits physically, mentally, and spiritually leaves a mark that is indelible. If that "mark", that change is cut short, left incomplete, I think it sets off an almost irrational longing for it to be completed. Not until every "i" is dotted and "t" is crossed do we let it go. Maybe you've been there and can relate to what I'm so inept at trying to explain here.
It's just hard to explain. But just like that old ELO hit, "Can't Get It Out Of My Head", it is a siren call to keep trying until the end has been reached. If you are there in the middle of it yet, I wish you well, and I hope you reach that goal soon.
And just what is that phenomenon, you ask? Well, it doen't really have a name. Not in the clinical, official sense. It has been something that has haunted, motivated, and frustrated hundreds of cyclists that I am aware of. Just recently I have finally found the most succint, and true definition of "it" I have ever read. It comes to us from the inimitable Mike Curiak:
"Voluntarily quitting something that is so dear to you leaves a hole that is unfillable by anything other than that which you have quit. There can be no substitution--you simply have to go back and do it. "
Mike was relating one of his experiences on the Iditarod Trail, but it may as well be anybody that has had to "pull the plug" on any endurance event, ultra-endurance event, or long self supported tour. I have seen it first hand from the outside, watching Trans Iowa "dnf'ers" deal with their decisions. I have experienced it first hand, as I have mentioned, and this quote from Mr. Curiak seems to sum up my motivations for going back to Kansas again this coming May rather well. I suspect it does that for many of us.
Just why it is "dear" to us, is left out of Mike's quote and rightly so. He is talking from a deeply personal place, obviously, but I like that it leaves that open to interpretation for each of us. That said, I'm betting the interpretations of that are more similar between us than different.
I think it crosses over to other parts of life too, but something about an attempt at a challenge that seems to stretch us to our limits physically, mentally, and spiritually leaves a mark that is indelible. If that "mark", that change is cut short, left incomplete, I think it sets off an almost irrational longing for it to be completed. Not until every "i" is dotted and "t" is crossed do we let it go. Maybe you've been there and can relate to what I'm so inept at trying to explain here.
It's just hard to explain. But just like that old ELO hit, "Can't Get It Out Of My Head", it is a siren call to keep trying until the end has been reached. If you are there in the middle of it yet, I wish you well, and I hope you reach that goal soon.
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
The "Big" Question
My colleague and well........boss, over at Twenty Nine Inches, Tim Grahl (who is the head honcho of the whole CrookedCog Network, which includes the Bike Lab, and Blue Collar MTB) asked a question on Commute By Bike yesterday regarding the "big question" amongst a lot of folks out there in the bicycle industry. The comments left there on that post are a lively discussion on what many think are the obstacles to getting more folks to leave their cars for bikes in the urban areas of the U.S.
I found one comment particularly poignant and humorous at the same time. It was left by a fellow that I happen to have met before and that I respect highly for his vast knowledge of the cycling industry. His name is Mike and here is the snippet from his comment that I found so interesting:
"A couple of years ago, I talked to the German owner of an American bike company who mentioned that one of the reasons he sees why Americans don’t ride to work is they are afraid of sweating and getting dirty. American culture has deemed it that thou shalt not stink and that you shalt have a sweet perfumey aire about them. There’s nothing wrong with a little human smell. "
At first read I laughed out loud. I mean, that is hilarious! Then it began to sink in. Maybe I'm laughing because it is true too. Think about it. How many of you would consider going without a shower for a day? Hmm? I think this strikes at something that is at the core of a lot of our deep set beliefs on "how life should be lived" that maybe need to be reviewed, but I digress.
The point is that there are deep set cultural values that are a huge hindrance to cycling for purposes of transportation and utility. Heck, we even bring our phones and video into our cars now. What's next? A microwave oven that doubles as a glove box? We are addicted to comfort and cleanliness. Until those things are addressed a lot of folks won't consider for a minute riding a bike to work, or using it for transportation to accomplish tasks like getting a gallon of milk, or running to the post office.
You know this is true if you bicycle in a city. Think about it. That look you got shot at you by that lady in the Suburban. The scowls you see behind windshields as you pass by the other direction. You know in the back of your mind those folks are thinking, "What's that person doing on a bike at this time of year? Probably a DWI, or worse. Dirty cyclist loser!" You really know it's true if you ride in street clothes and not a cycling kit.
In fact, I think it is one of the reasons cyclists wear "cycling clothing". They do it to say "I'm out here recreating. I'm a serious cyclist. I'm going home and taking a shower!" Sound goofy? Think about it. Try riding around downtown in your Levis and a t-shirt some day. Take a look at the people watching you. Tell me you don't feel it.
So, to get back to "the question", a big area of resistance is a subliminal fear of being dirty and being thought of in a negative manner, I think. Some of us don't give a rip what people think (hand goes up), but a lot of people that could ride a bike and don't do. That's a big hurdle. That's going to keep a lot of folks in their cars even with high priced gas.
That's my take anyway.
I found one comment particularly poignant and humorous at the same time. It was left by a fellow that I happen to have met before and that I respect highly for his vast knowledge of the cycling industry. His name is Mike and here is the snippet from his comment that I found so interesting:
"A couple of years ago, I talked to the German owner of an American bike company who mentioned that one of the reasons he sees why Americans don’t ride to work is they are afraid of sweating and getting dirty. American culture has deemed it that thou shalt not stink and that you shalt have a sweet perfumey aire about them. There’s nothing wrong with a little human smell. "
At first read I laughed out loud. I mean, that is hilarious! Then it began to sink in. Maybe I'm laughing because it is true too. Think about it. How many of you would consider going without a shower for a day? Hmm? I think this strikes at something that is at the core of a lot of our deep set beliefs on "how life should be lived" that maybe need to be reviewed, but I digress.
The point is that there are deep set cultural values that are a huge hindrance to cycling for purposes of transportation and utility. Heck, we even bring our phones and video into our cars now. What's next? A microwave oven that doubles as a glove box? We are addicted to comfort and cleanliness. Until those things are addressed a lot of folks won't consider for a minute riding a bike to work, or using it for transportation to accomplish tasks like getting a gallon of milk, or running to the post office.
You know this is true if you bicycle in a city. Think about it. That look you got shot at you by that lady in the Suburban. The scowls you see behind windshields as you pass by the other direction. You know in the back of your mind those folks are thinking, "What's that person doing on a bike at this time of year? Probably a DWI, or worse. Dirty cyclist loser!" You really know it's true if you ride in street clothes and not a cycling kit.
In fact, I think it is one of the reasons cyclists wear "cycling clothing". They do it to say "I'm out here recreating. I'm a serious cyclist. I'm going home and taking a shower!" Sound goofy? Think about it. Try riding around downtown in your Levis and a t-shirt some day. Take a look at the people watching you. Tell me you don't feel it.
So, to get back to "the question", a big area of resistance is a subliminal fear of being dirty and being thought of in a negative manner, I think. Some of us don't give a rip what people think (hand goes up), but a lot of people that could ride a bike and don't do. That's a big hurdle. That's going to keep a lot of folks in their cars even with high priced gas.
That's my take anyway.
The "Big" Question
My colleague and well........boss, over at Twenty Nine Inches, Tim Grahl (who is the head honcho of the whole CrookedCog Network, which includes the Bike Lab, and Blue Collar MTB) asked a question on Commute By Bike yesterday regarding the "big question" amongst a lot of folks out there in the bicycle industry. The comments left there on that post are a lively discussion on what many think are the obstacles to getting more folks to leave their cars for bikes in the urban areas of the U.S.
I found one comment particularly poignant and humorous at the same time. It was left by a fellow that I happen to have met before and that I respect highly for his vast knowledge of the cycling industry. His name is Mike and here is the snippet from his comment that I found so interesting:
"A couple of years ago, I talked to the German owner of an American bike company who mentioned that one of the reasons he sees why Americans don’t ride to work is they are afraid of sweating and getting dirty. American culture has deemed it that thou shalt not stink and that you shalt have a sweet perfumey aire about them. There’s nothing wrong with a little human smell. "
At first read I laughed out loud. I mean, that is hilarious! Then it began to sink in. Maybe I'm laughing because it is true too. Think about it. How many of you would consider going without a shower for a day? Hmm? I think this strikes at something that is at the core of a lot of our deep set beliefs on "how life should be lived" that maybe need to be reviewed, but I digress.
The point is that there are deep set cultural values that are a huge hindrance to cycling for purposes of transportation and utility. Heck, we even bring our phones and video into our cars now. What's next? A microwave oven that doubles as a glove box? We are addicted to comfort and cleanliness. Until those things are addressed a lot of folks won't consider for a minute riding a bike to work, or using it for transportation to accomplish tasks like getting a gallon of milk, or running to the post office.
You know this is true if you bicycle in a city. Think about it. That look you got shot at you by that lady in the Suburban. The scowls you see behind windshields as you pass by the other direction. You know in the back of your mind those folks are thinking, "What's that person doing on a bike at this time of year? Probably a DWI, or worse. Dirty cyclist loser!" You really know it's true if you ride in street clothes and not a cycling kit.
In fact, I think it is one of the reasons cyclists wear "cycling clothing". They do it to say "I'm out here recreating. I'm a serious cyclist. I'm going home and taking a shower!" Sound goofy? Think about it. Try riding around downtown in your Levis and a t-shirt some day. Take a look at the people watching you. Tell me you don't feel it.
So, to get back to "the question", a big area of resistance is a subliminal fear of being dirty and being thought of in a negative manner, I think. Some of us don't give a rip what people think (hand goes up), but a lot of people that could ride a bike and don't do. That's a big hurdle. That's going to keep a lot of folks in their cars even with high priced gas.
That's my take anyway.
I found one comment particularly poignant and humorous at the same time. It was left by a fellow that I happen to have met before and that I respect highly for his vast knowledge of the cycling industry. His name is Mike and here is the snippet from his comment that I found so interesting:
"A couple of years ago, I talked to the German owner of an American bike company who mentioned that one of the reasons he sees why Americans don’t ride to work is they are afraid of sweating and getting dirty. American culture has deemed it that thou shalt not stink and that you shalt have a sweet perfumey aire about them. There’s nothing wrong with a little human smell. "
At first read I laughed out loud. I mean, that is hilarious! Then it began to sink in. Maybe I'm laughing because it is true too. Think about it. How many of you would consider going without a shower for a day? Hmm? I think this strikes at something that is at the core of a lot of our deep set beliefs on "how life should be lived" that maybe need to be reviewed, but I digress.
The point is that there are deep set cultural values that are a huge hindrance to cycling for purposes of transportation and utility. Heck, we even bring our phones and video into our cars now. What's next? A microwave oven that doubles as a glove box? We are addicted to comfort and cleanliness. Until those things are addressed a lot of folks won't consider for a minute riding a bike to work, or using it for transportation to accomplish tasks like getting a gallon of milk, or running to the post office.
You know this is true if you bicycle in a city. Think about it. That look you got shot at you by that lady in the Suburban. The scowls you see behind windshields as you pass by the other direction. You know in the back of your mind those folks are thinking, "What's that person doing on a bike at this time of year? Probably a DWI, or worse. Dirty cyclist loser!" You really know it's true if you ride in street clothes and not a cycling kit.
In fact, I think it is one of the reasons cyclists wear "cycling clothing". They do it to say "I'm out here recreating. I'm a serious cyclist. I'm going home and taking a shower!" Sound goofy? Think about it. Try riding around downtown in your Levis and a t-shirt some day. Take a look at the people watching you. Tell me you don't feel it.
So, to get back to "the question", a big area of resistance is a subliminal fear of being dirty and being thought of in a negative manner, I think. Some of us don't give a rip what people think (hand goes up), but a lot of people that could ride a bike and don't do. That's a big hurdle. That's going to keep a lot of folks in their cars even with high priced gas.
That's my take anyway.
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Winter Blahs
Okay, I'm going to admit it. This winter is killing me! I mean, between the uninhabitable temperatures of last week and the snow before that, things have fairly dried up here in terms of cycling. The brief respite we had with the wave of warm air was a welcome relief, but today a severe reversal is taking place and plunging us back into winters icy grip.
I guess that the real problem lies in the fact that we have not experienced such a winter since that notorious snow fest of 2000-2001 around here. It seems that in between then and now we could count on a "winter" lasting all but a month- month and a half maybe. A short period of time that you might not bicycle much, if at all outdoors. This winter is dragging on for what seems like forever, in comparison.
I might sound like a whiner to some of you who have been piling on the miles in places like Minneapolis or Alaska. I don't know why folks in the Omaha/Lincoln area have been having group rides every weekend seemingly all year long, but around here, we just seem to be in the Vortex of Suck, to coin a new weather term.
The whole Vortex of Suck came into play here on the first weekend in December when we got slammed with four inches of sleet that quickly turned into a sheer slab of ice. Yeah, that stuff was like an icy version of Quick-rete, and it has closed down the off road trails since then. After that, the Vortex of Suck dumped various amounts of snow on us at even intervals making sure that the brief moments of melting in between didn't deplete the snow cover. Then, as already mentioned, The Vortex of Suck put us in the deep freeze for about a week.
Yeah, it relented for a spell, but the Vortex of Suck returns with a vengeance again, sucker punching us for believing for a moment that warmth and melting snow were going to reveal dirt. Dirt that I have not set tires to since November. That is waaaay too long to go without dirt.
I suppose I am at that latitude and longitude that promotes this mess, this Vortex of Suck phenomenon that haunts this area and causes cycling to be driven indoors where it ought not to be. I refuse to retreat to such haunts. Others may ply their roller skills and sweat their brains out at spin classes, but I am not cut from such cloth. Nope. I am riding outdoors or not riding at all. I am committed. Vortex of Suck or no.
It ain't easy, but that's the path I've chosen. Winter blahs and all.
I guess that the real problem lies in the fact that we have not experienced such a winter since that notorious snow fest of 2000-2001 around here. It seems that in between then and now we could count on a "winter" lasting all but a month- month and a half maybe. A short period of time that you might not bicycle much, if at all outdoors. This winter is dragging on for what seems like forever, in comparison.
I might sound like a whiner to some of you who have been piling on the miles in places like Minneapolis or Alaska. I don't know why folks in the Omaha/Lincoln area have been having group rides every weekend seemingly all year long, but around here, we just seem to be in the Vortex of Suck, to coin a new weather term.
The whole Vortex of Suck came into play here on the first weekend in December when we got slammed with four inches of sleet that quickly turned into a sheer slab of ice. Yeah, that stuff was like an icy version of Quick-rete, and it has closed down the off road trails since then. After that, the Vortex of Suck dumped various amounts of snow on us at even intervals making sure that the brief moments of melting in between didn't deplete the snow cover. Then, as already mentioned, The Vortex of Suck put us in the deep freeze for about a week.
Yeah, it relented for a spell, but the Vortex of Suck returns with a vengeance again, sucker punching us for believing for a moment that warmth and melting snow were going to reveal dirt. Dirt that I have not set tires to since November. That is waaaay too long to go without dirt.
I suppose I am at that latitude and longitude that promotes this mess, this Vortex of Suck phenomenon that haunts this area and causes cycling to be driven indoors where it ought not to be. I refuse to retreat to such haunts. Others may ply their roller skills and sweat their brains out at spin classes, but I am not cut from such cloth. Nope. I am riding outdoors or not riding at all. I am committed. Vortex of Suck or no.
It ain't easy, but that's the path I've chosen. Winter blahs and all.
Winter Blahs
Okay, I'm going to admit it. This winter is killing me! I mean, between the uninhabitable temperatures of last week and the snow before that, things have fairly dried up here in terms of cycling. The brief respite we had with the wave of warm air was a welcome relief, but today a severe reversal is taking place and plunging us back into winters icy grip.
I guess that the real problem lies in the fact that we have not experienced such a winter since that notorious snow fest of 2000-2001 around here. It seems that in between then and now we could count on a "winter" lasting all but a month- month and a half maybe. A short period of time that you might not bicycle much, if at all outdoors. This winter is dragging on for what seems like forever, in comparison.
I might sound like a whiner to some of you who have been piling on the miles in places like Minneapolis or Alaska. I don't know why folks in the Omaha/Lincoln area have been having group rides every weekend seemingly all year long, but around here, we just seem to be in the Vortex of Suck, to coin a new weather term.
The whole Vortex of Suck came into play here on the first weekend in December when we got slammed with four inches of sleet that quickly turned into a sheer slab of ice. Yeah, that stuff was like an icy version of Quick-rete, and it has closed down the off road trails since then. After that, the Vortex of Suck dumped various amounts of snow on us at even intervals making sure that the brief moments of melting in between didn't deplete the snow cover. Then, as already mentioned, The Vortex of Suck put us in the deep freeze for about a week.
Yeah, it relented for a spell, but the Vortex of Suck returns with a vengeance again, sucker punching us for believing for a moment that warmth and melting snow were going to reveal dirt. Dirt that I have not set tires to since November. That is waaaay too long to go without dirt.
I suppose I am at that latitude and longitude that promotes this mess, this Vortex of Suck phenomenon that haunts this area and causes cycling to be driven indoors where it ought not to be. I refuse to retreat to such haunts. Others may ply their roller skills and sweat their brains out at spin classes, but I am not cut from such cloth. Nope. I am riding outdoors or not riding at all. I am committed. Vortex of Suck or no.
It ain't easy, but that's the path I've chosen. Winter blahs and all.
I guess that the real problem lies in the fact that we have not experienced such a winter since that notorious snow fest of 2000-2001 around here. It seems that in between then and now we could count on a "winter" lasting all but a month- month and a half maybe. A short period of time that you might not bicycle much, if at all outdoors. This winter is dragging on for what seems like forever, in comparison.
I might sound like a whiner to some of you who have been piling on the miles in places like Minneapolis or Alaska. I don't know why folks in the Omaha/Lincoln area have been having group rides every weekend seemingly all year long, but around here, we just seem to be in the Vortex of Suck, to coin a new weather term.
The whole Vortex of Suck came into play here on the first weekend in December when we got slammed with four inches of sleet that quickly turned into a sheer slab of ice. Yeah, that stuff was like an icy version of Quick-rete, and it has closed down the off road trails since then. After that, the Vortex of Suck dumped various amounts of snow on us at even intervals making sure that the brief moments of melting in between didn't deplete the snow cover. Then, as already mentioned, The Vortex of Suck put us in the deep freeze for about a week.
Yeah, it relented for a spell, but the Vortex of Suck returns with a vengeance again, sucker punching us for believing for a moment that warmth and melting snow were going to reveal dirt. Dirt that I have not set tires to since November. That is waaaay too long to go without dirt.
I suppose I am at that latitude and longitude that promotes this mess, this Vortex of Suck phenomenon that haunts this area and causes cycling to be driven indoors where it ought not to be. I refuse to retreat to such haunts. Others may ply their roller skills and sweat their brains out at spin classes, but I am not cut from such cloth. Nope. I am riding outdoors or not riding at all. I am committed. Vortex of Suck or no.
It ain't easy, but that's the path I've chosen. Winter blahs and all.
Monday, January 28, 2008
One Down, One To Go
<===All done and ready to ride! Now.......where is the dirt?
One down: The Blackbuck is ready to roll. I finished it off at work on Friday. No clipless yet, I'll actually have to buy a pair since all of my toss off sets have been installed on other rigs. Salsa CroMoto stem and carbon 17 degree flat bar are coming as well. Otherwise she's good to go.
Of course, I haven't got a place to really throw this into a true off road situation. All the trails are socked in with snow now. I left the WTB Vulpines on it for now. I may do a bit of gravel road riding on it to start out with and the Vulpine should prove to be an excellent gravel road tire.
You'll notice two silver "thingies" on the seat post. Those are an extra water bottle mount. I have them there for the really long days out on the gravel.
The disc brake mount is really a cool feature on this bike and keeps things looking "sano", as the old hot rodders would say.
The quick little spin around the shop confirms that the steering and fit are much like the old Inbred these parts used to be on.
The way the rear end flows into the top tube is another cool little detail I like about the frame.
But enough gawking. I want to ride it in the dirt! It is going to be tough waiting out this long winter we're having this year!
One last shot. Here you can see the downtube route on the rear brake. Also, you can spot the the only other decal on the bike, other than the head tube badge. Not a lot of graphic treatment to the Blackbuck, which I find refreshing. Just a lot of "Kerkove Nation Black" (yes....that is an official color!)
One thing you can't see and that is the upside down King headset cups and stem face plate on the Easton stem. (I'm a bit of a rebel!)
Okay, so that's one build. The Badger is only needing one crucial part to be complete. I'm hoping it will be here this week!
One Down, One To Go
<===All done and ready to ride! Now.......where is the dirt?
One down: The Blackbuck is ready to roll. I finished it off at work on Friday. No clipless yet, I'll actually have to buy a pair since all of my toss off sets have been installed on other rigs. Salsa CroMoto stem and carbon 17 degree flat bar are coming as well. Otherwise she's good to go.
Of course, I haven't got a place to really throw this into a true off road situation. All the trails are socked in with snow now. I left the WTB Vulpines on it for now. I may do a bit of gravel road riding on it to start out with and the Vulpine should prove to be an excellent gravel road tire.
You'll notice two silver "thingies" on the seat post. Those are an extra water bottle mount. I have them there for the really long days out on the gravel.
The disc brake mount is really a cool feature on this bike and keeps things looking "sano", as the old hot rodders would say.
The quick little spin around the shop confirms that the steering and fit are much like the old Inbred these parts used to be on.
The way the rear end flows into the top tube is another cool little detail I like about the frame.
But enough gawking. I want to ride it in the dirt! It is going to be tough waiting out this long winter we're having this year!
One last shot. Here you can see the downtube route on the rear brake. Also, you can spot the the only other decal on the bike, other than the head tube badge. Not a lot of graphic treatment to the Blackbuck, which I find refreshing. Just a lot of "Kerkove Nation Black" (yes....that is an official color!)
One thing you can't see and that is the upside down King headset cups and stem face plate on the Easton stem. (I'm a bit of a rebel!)
Okay, so that's one build. The Badger is only needing one crucial part to be complete. I'm hoping it will be here this week!
Sunday, January 27, 2008
Riding Again: Finally!
Finally, after several days of weather unfit for man or beast we got a nice day. I didn't hesitate to grab my bike and ride.
The plan was to get in about two to three hours worth of base level riding. So I tooled around town for a bit.
<===I was super stoked to be riding outside. There's a smile there, you just can't see it. My face was frozen!
At the start it was 15 degrees Fahrenheit and the wind was out of the west-Northwest at about 20-25mph. Yeah.........windchill! I made my way over to the Greenbrier district of Waterloo, over onto Wagner Road, and turned onto Diagonal Road. Before I got there I had to battle a bunch of car snow plowed up onto the sidewalk along Conger. Slow going!
Anyway, once past Diagonal, I turned west on Airline Highway and straight into the wind. Yikes! It was super cold and a slow grind. I was trying to keep things low on the effort and just spin it. I was successful, but it took awhile to get to the turn off to Aikey's dump/car salvage/death yard.
Funny how people get bent because you are riding a bike. I had a guy waving his arms wildly, ( yes....both of them. No hands at 35mph.....nice!) gesturing at me as if I was violating some cosmic law because I was riding my bike in January. Whatever dude!
So, I got into the Big Woods Road area and found that the bike path was cleared at some point, so I made a rest stop there before continuing. By this time the temperature was rising and I could tell. I wasn't freezing anymore since I wasn't shivering when I stopped. I remounted after some photos and hit the trail back home.
<===The Blue Colnago gets his temperature shots here, I think. No temp on the sign today, but another sign not far off said 23 degrees.
So I wandered around the back roads going towards Waterloo and made it home in time for some lunch. (Good timing, huh?) It was a great day on the bike, especially so since I hadn't ridden in over a week. The roads were getting a bit messy by the time I got home and I was glad I was off the slush. Two hours and twenty minutes of ride time. Yeah, that'll work.
<===Normally there is a lot of traffic out this way. The bitter cold chased folks off all last week. Not many tracks out here except those of the ever present deer.
I rode the Diamondback Overdrive on this ride. It is a really decent rig for the money that I am testing/reviewing for Twenty Nine Inches. I also am testing a new (to me) lube on the chain of this bike which so far has been fairly impressive. I will be detailing that in another round of the Guitar Ted Lube-Off coming soon.
I hope to be getting back to commuting again here. Miss that ride! Driving cars isn't my gig so much. Let's hope this super bitter cold leaves us alone for the rest of the winter!
Riding Again: Finally!
Finally, after several days of weather unfit for man or beast we got a nice day. I didn't hesitate to grab my bike and ride.
The plan was to get in about two to three hours worth of base level riding. So I tooled around town for a bit.
<===I was super stoked to be riding outside. There's a smile there, you just can't see it. My face was frozen!
At the start it was 15 degrees Fahrenheit and the wind was out of the west-Northwest at about 20-25mph. Yeah.........windchill! I made my way over to the Greenbrier district of Waterloo, over onto Wagner Road, and turned onto Diagonal Road. Before I got there I had to battle a bunch of car snow plowed up onto the sidewalk along Conger. Slow going!
Anyway, once past Diagonal, I turned west on Airline Highway and straight into the wind. Yikes! It was super cold and a slow grind. I was trying to keep things low on the effort and just spin it. I was successful, but it took awhile to get to the turn off to Aikey's dump/car salvage/death yard.
Funny how people get bent because you are riding a bike. I had a guy waving his arms wildly, ( yes....both of them. No hands at 35mph.....nice!) gesturing at me as if I was violating some cosmic law because I was riding my bike in January. Whatever dude!
So, I got into the Big Woods Road area and found that the bike path was cleared at some point, so I made a rest stop there before continuing. By this time the temperature was rising and I could tell. I wasn't freezing anymore since I wasn't shivering when I stopped. I remounted after some photos and hit the trail back home.
<===The Blue Colnago gets his temperature shots here, I think. No temp on the sign today, but another sign not far off said 23 degrees.
So I wandered around the back roads going towards Waterloo and made it home in time for some lunch. (Good timing, huh?) It was a great day on the bike, especially so since I hadn't ridden in over a week. The roads were getting a bit messy by the time I got home and I was glad I was off the slush. Two hours and twenty minutes of ride time. Yeah, that'll work.
<===Normally there is a lot of traffic out this way. The bitter cold chased folks off all last week. Not many tracks out here except those of the ever present deer.
I rode the Diamondback Overdrive on this ride. It is a really decent rig for the money that I am testing/reviewing for Twenty Nine Inches. I also am testing a new (to me) lube on the chain of this bike which so far has been fairly impressive. I will be detailing that in another round of the Guitar Ted Lube-Off coming soon.
I hope to be getting back to commuting again here. Miss that ride! Driving cars isn't my gig so much. Let's hope this super bitter cold leaves us alone for the rest of the winter!
Friday, January 25, 2008
Friday News And Views
Titanium 29"ers: There seems to be a bunch of new titanium 29"er news afoot, some of which I have captured in my latest Twenty Nine Inches post. Note the comment in the comment sections as well from Motobecane. I find it interesting that it seems that titanium has become fashionable once again. The grayish hued metal is revered for its smooth ride quality and its ability to withstand oxidation (rust). However; as one frame builder once told me, steel can attain the same ride quality, be rust proofed, and cost half as much or less than a similar titanium frame and steel is more "tunable". That said, there is at least one titanium manufacturer that can draw any tube profile you want, but it will also cost you a small fortune to get it done. Still, the majority of titanium frames are going to be of the limited tube selection variety. I am not sure how big a deal that is, since I rode one of these straight guage titanium frames off road once and I thought it was a nice riding bike. Is titanium worth it? Hmm........I don't know. A lot of new titanium entries in the market would indicate that a lot of folks do.
Completion Of Builds Soon: I have posted a bunch on the OS Bikes Blackbuck recently and it is going to be ride able this weekend. Final details like cables and brake tuning are all that remain there. Beyond that it is about getting out to ride it and then start tweaking with the addition of some nicer parts here and there and swapping forks. That will come later. For now I will be happy just to ride any bike! This insane weather has all but shut down out of doors biking, but the good news is the weather is set to turn around. Anywho........this was about finishing bikes up. Yeah............... The Badger, that long, long ongoing build will finally see the end of that process this weekend also. Stay tuned next week and I'll post up final build pics of both rigs.
RAGBRAI Announces Route: Yes, that annual summer bicycle bacchanalia is set with a route for 2008. We already had a customer in looking for a new RAGBRAI bike too. I guess it is time to start hearing about " how epic" RAGBRAI is from all the clueless masses. You know, for them it is, but it is for all the wrong reasons. Most of which are conjured up in their heads. Heck, a monkey can ride RAGBRAI. It isn't that tough. Mindsets like these are why no one wants to ride their bike to work, or on errands because, well........you know, only nutcases that do RAGBRAI can handle that sort of riding. (This kind of spew coming from folks that actually do ride bits of RAGBRAI) Reality is created for these folks, believe me. So, I was ruminating on all of this yesterday and came up with a truly sick, evil idea. Like the Grinch, when he thought of a plan to stop Christmas from coming, my face curled up in a devilish smile. I hurried over to the computer and tapped out a message to d.p., my partner in Trans Iowa. My idea? Read on!
I call it GrRBRAI. (Gravel Road Bike Ride Across Iowa) It would consist of riders that would be totally self sufficient, self contained, riding across Iowa on a route that ran in close proximity to the RAGBRAI route. Each day would be a stage that would be raced beginning at 6;00am. The winner of each stage will have self navigated the gravel road course using cue sheets ala Trans Iowa style racing. Then when each stage is finished at a RAGBRAI overnight town, riders would simply avail themselves of the ammenities already placed there for the cyclists coming into town. A seven day gravel road stage race with infrustructure already in place to accomodate cyclists. Brilliant! At least I thought so. Anyway.........it was just a thought, so don't go off making any plans!
Oh yeah. The RAGBRAI route? Whatever! This gravel road idea is where you'll really see Iowa. Not that I am doing it. Just sayin', ya know?
Completion Of Builds Soon: I have posted a bunch on the OS Bikes Blackbuck recently and it is going to be ride able this weekend. Final details like cables and brake tuning are all that remain there. Beyond that it is about getting out to ride it and then start tweaking with the addition of some nicer parts here and there and swapping forks. That will come later. For now I will be happy just to ride any bike! This insane weather has all but shut down out of doors biking, but the good news is the weather is set to turn around. Anywho........this was about finishing bikes up. Yeah............... The Badger, that long, long ongoing build will finally see the end of that process this weekend also. Stay tuned next week and I'll post up final build pics of both rigs.
RAGBRAI Announces Route: Yes, that annual summer bicycle bacchanalia is set with a route for 2008. We already had a customer in looking for a new RAGBRAI bike too. I guess it is time to start hearing about " how epic" RAGBRAI is from all the clueless masses. You know, for them it is, but it is for all the wrong reasons. Most of which are conjured up in their heads. Heck, a monkey can ride RAGBRAI. It isn't that tough. Mindsets like these are why no one wants to ride their bike to work, or on errands because, well........you know, only nutcases that do RAGBRAI can handle that sort of riding. (This kind of spew coming from folks that actually do ride bits of RAGBRAI) Reality is created for these folks, believe me. So, I was ruminating on all of this yesterday and came up with a truly sick, evil idea. Like the Grinch, when he thought of a plan to stop Christmas from coming, my face curled up in a devilish smile. I hurried over to the computer and tapped out a message to d.p., my partner in Trans Iowa. My idea? Read on!
I call it GrRBRAI. (Gravel Road Bike Ride Across Iowa) It would consist of riders that would be totally self sufficient, self contained, riding across Iowa on a route that ran in close proximity to the RAGBRAI route. Each day would be a stage that would be raced beginning at 6;00am. The winner of each stage will have self navigated the gravel road course using cue sheets ala Trans Iowa style racing. Then when each stage is finished at a RAGBRAI overnight town, riders would simply avail themselves of the ammenities already placed there for the cyclists coming into town. A seven day gravel road stage race with infrustructure already in place to accomodate cyclists. Brilliant! At least I thought so. Anyway.........it was just a thought, so don't go off making any plans!
Oh yeah. The RAGBRAI route? Whatever! This gravel road idea is where you'll really see Iowa. Not that I am doing it. Just sayin', ya know?
Friday News And Views
Titanium 29"ers: There seems to be a bunch of new titanium 29"er news afoot, some of which I have captured in my latest Twenty Nine Inches post. Note the comment in the comment sections as well from Motobecane. I find it interesting that it seems that titanium has become fashionable once again. The grayish hued metal is revered for its smooth ride quality and its ability to withstand oxidation (rust). However; as one frame builder once told me, steel can attain the same ride quality, be rust proofed, and cost half as much or less than a similar titanium frame and steel is more "tunable". That said, there is at least one titanium manufacturer that can draw any tube profile you want, but it will also cost you a small fortune to get it done. Still, the majority of titanium frames are going to be of the limited tube selection variety. I am not sure how big a deal that is, since I rode one of these straight guage titanium frames off road once and I thought it was a nice riding bike. Is titanium worth it? Hmm........I don't know. A lot of new titanium entries in the market would indicate that a lot of folks do.
Completion Of Builds Soon: I have posted a bunch on the OS Bikes Blackbuck recently and it is going to be ride able this weekend. Final details like cables and brake tuning are all that remain there. Beyond that it is about getting out to ride it and then start tweaking with the addition of some nicer parts here and there and swapping forks. That will come later. For now I will be happy just to ride any bike! This insane weather has all but shut down out of doors biking, but the good news is the weather is set to turn around. Anywho........this was about finishing bikes up. Yeah............... The Badger, that long, long ongoing build will finally see the end of that process this weekend also. Stay tuned next week and I'll post up final build pics of both rigs.
RAGBRAI Announces Route: Yes, that annual summer bicycle bacchanalia is set with a route for 2008. We already had a customer in looking for a new RAGBRAI bike too. I guess it is time to start hearing about " how epic" RAGBRAI is from all the clueless masses. You know, for them it is, but it is for all the wrong reasons. Most of which are conjured up in their heads. Heck, a monkey can ride RAGBRAI. It isn't that tough. Mindsets like these are why no one wants to ride their bike to work, or on errands because, well........you know, only nutcases that do RAGBRAI can handle that sort of riding. (This kind of spew coming from folks that actually do ride bits of RAGBRAI) Reality is created for these folks, believe me. So, I was ruminating on all of this yesterday and came up with a truly sick, evil idea. Like the Grinch, when he thought of a plan to stop Christmas from coming, my face curled up in a devilish smile. I hurried over to the computer and tapped out a message to d.p., my partner in Trans Iowa. My idea? Read on!
I call it GrRBRAI. (Gravel Road Bike Ride Across Iowa) It would consist of riders that would be totally self sufficient, self contained, riding across Iowa on a route that ran in close proximity to the RAGBRAI route. Each day would be a stage that would be raced beginning at 6;00am. The winner of each stage will have self navigated the gravel road course using cue sheets ala Trans Iowa style racing. Then when each stage is finished at a RAGBRAI overnight town, riders would simply avail themselves of the ammenities already placed there for the cyclists coming into town. A seven day gravel road stage race with infrustructure already in place to accomodate cyclists. Brilliant! At least I thought so. Anyway.........it was just a thought, so don't go off making any plans!
Oh yeah. The RAGBRAI route? Whatever! This gravel road idea is where you'll really see Iowa. Not that I am doing it. Just sayin', ya know?
Completion Of Builds Soon: I have posted a bunch on the OS Bikes Blackbuck recently and it is going to be ride able this weekend. Final details like cables and brake tuning are all that remain there. Beyond that it is about getting out to ride it and then start tweaking with the addition of some nicer parts here and there and swapping forks. That will come later. For now I will be happy just to ride any bike! This insane weather has all but shut down out of doors biking, but the good news is the weather is set to turn around. Anywho........this was about finishing bikes up. Yeah............... The Badger, that long, long ongoing build will finally see the end of that process this weekend also. Stay tuned next week and I'll post up final build pics of both rigs.
RAGBRAI Announces Route: Yes, that annual summer bicycle bacchanalia is set with a route for 2008. We already had a customer in looking for a new RAGBRAI bike too. I guess it is time to start hearing about " how epic" RAGBRAI is from all the clueless masses. You know, for them it is, but it is for all the wrong reasons. Most of which are conjured up in their heads. Heck, a monkey can ride RAGBRAI. It isn't that tough. Mindsets like these are why no one wants to ride their bike to work, or on errands because, well........you know, only nutcases that do RAGBRAI can handle that sort of riding. (This kind of spew coming from folks that actually do ride bits of RAGBRAI) Reality is created for these folks, believe me. So, I was ruminating on all of this yesterday and came up with a truly sick, evil idea. Like the Grinch, when he thought of a plan to stop Christmas from coming, my face curled up in a devilish smile. I hurried over to the computer and tapped out a message to d.p., my partner in Trans Iowa. My idea? Read on!
I call it GrRBRAI. (Gravel Road Bike Ride Across Iowa) It would consist of riders that would be totally self sufficient, self contained, riding across Iowa on a route that ran in close proximity to the RAGBRAI route. Each day would be a stage that would be raced beginning at 6;00am. The winner of each stage will have self navigated the gravel road course using cue sheets ala Trans Iowa style racing. Then when each stage is finished at a RAGBRAI overnight town, riders would simply avail themselves of the ammenities already placed there for the cyclists coming into town. A seven day gravel road stage race with infrustructure already in place to accomodate cyclists. Brilliant! At least I thought so. Anyway.........it was just a thought, so don't go off making any plans!
Oh yeah. The RAGBRAI route? Whatever! This gravel road idea is where you'll really see Iowa. Not that I am doing it. Just sayin', ya know?
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Race News and Sneak Peek
<====The Of Spirit Blackbuck in "bicycle form"
I was able to start the transfer of parts over from my old single speed race frame to the OS Bikes Blackbuck yesterday. It looks pretty nice so far, I think.
I wanted to get it dialed in position-wise as close to the old set up as I can get, ( which looks like it will be easy to do) before I start tweaking with the different forks and what not. This is the Superlight Carbon fork from On One that is on it now. I will derive a "baseline" of handling from this point, since it should be the most similar to the old bike. Then after I get a handle on this set up, I'll start the mad scientist fork swapping.
A couple of tech notes, for those curious about such things: The Avid BB-7 calipers fit fine on the chain stay. No interference with the actuation arm of the caliper. Also, the frame with seat collar and EBB installed weighed 5.6lbs. I figure the completed bike should weigh in at about 25-26lbs when I'm finished. I could cut that down with a different bar/stem combo. (That is in the plans as of now. Salsa carbon bar and a Salsa stem are on the radar)
As for racing this beast, I have already committed to doing the Dirty Kanza 200 on May 31st. There are still spots open to get on board with this long gravel grinder, and I recommend it highly! Good times! Many Iowans are already on the list and several other well known area enduro-freaks are too. Anyway, that will be the first real test of the rig planned so far in terms of racing conditions. I may find another local event before that to test the waters. We'll see.
Of course, it will be getting ridden for the fork tests all along. Also on the radar is the 24 Hours of Seven Oaks which will see the re-appearance of Team Stoopid. The all rigid, all single speed team of four that won their category at the event last year. Now all I have to do is to convince the team leader to acquire a set of adult wheels for the campaign. It'll help keep him upright, I think.
More on the racing scene as it becomes pertinent.
<====Not normally found on my training table!
Had a little celebration last night and I wanted to say Thanks!
Having my little ones sing "Happy Birtday" to me was the best present I could get.
Oh yeah.........I like me chocolate!
Race News and Sneak Peek
<====The Of Spirit Blackbuck in "bicycle form"
I was able to start the transfer of parts over from my old single speed race frame to the OS Bikes Blackbuck yesterday. It looks pretty nice so far, I think.
I wanted to get it dialed in position-wise as close to the old set up as I can get, ( which looks like it will be easy to do) before I start tweaking with the different forks and what not. This is the Superlight Carbon fork from On One that is on it now. I will derive a "baseline" of handling from this point, since it should be the most similar to the old bike. Then after I get a handle on this set up, I'll start the mad scientist fork swapping.
A couple of tech notes, for those curious about such things: The Avid BB-7 calipers fit fine on the chain stay. No interference with the actuation arm of the caliper. Also, the frame with seat collar and EBB installed weighed 5.6lbs. I figure the completed bike should weigh in at about 25-26lbs when I'm finished. I could cut that down with a different bar/stem combo. (That is in the plans as of now. Salsa carbon bar and a Salsa stem are on the radar)
As for racing this beast, I have already committed to doing the Dirty Kanza 200 on May 31st. There are still spots open to get on board with this long gravel grinder, and I recommend it highly! Good times! Many Iowans are already on the list and several other well known area enduro-freaks are too. Anyway, that will be the first real test of the rig planned so far in terms of racing conditions. I may find another local event before that to test the waters. We'll see.
Of course, it will be getting ridden for the fork tests all along. Also on the radar is the 24 Hours of Seven Oaks which will see the re-appearance of Team Stoopid. The all rigid, all single speed team of four that won their category at the event last year. Now all I have to do is to convince the team leader to acquire a set of adult wheels for the campaign. It'll help keep him upright, I think.
More on the racing scene as it becomes pertinent.
<====Not normally found on my training table!
Had a little celebration last night and I wanted to say Thanks!
Having my little ones sing "Happy Birtday" to me was the best present I could get.
Oh yeah.........I like me chocolate!
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
OS Bikes Blackbuck Pics
<===Sparkly!
I arrived at work yesterday and took a bit of time to snap off some images of the OS Bikes Blackbuck. Pretty cool that a company decided to go the subtle, classy route instaed of doing the huge "billboard" company graphics
Of course, it'll be hard to escape notice with those arched seat stays!
<===The Blackbuck comes with a quick release seat collar.
The intersection of tubes here is cool. Captain Bob said it reminded him of a GT. I think it is reminiscent of what that triple triangle seat stay weld looked like.
I am swapping over parts from my Inbred to this frame. The 27.2mm seat post worked out as did the nicer quick release seat collar I had on it. Both are Salsa items, by the way.
<===Dainty looking drop outs.
The caliper mount is on the chainstay instead of the seat stay, a unique touch. This keeps the frame looking clean with nothing on the top of the seat stay to break up that graceful arching line. No extra bracing necessary.
Notice the two holes in the drive side drop out? Those are for mounting the pin mount derailluer hangar, which comes with the frame in case you are wanting gears.
<===Split shell EBB here.
The old split shell EBB. I have worked on old tandems that utilized this type of eccentric bottom bracket. No pinch bolts to distort the shell and no fancy wedges requiring special tools or force to bang loose. Simple and effective. We'll see if the creaks come or if there are any other problems after I ride it in dirt and mud.
Of course, I'll be greasing this baby up but good!
<====Big external butt on the lower end of the head tube. Beefy!
So, you may be asking yourself, "where's the fork?" Well, I did get the rigid Blackbuck fork for this too. The really cool thing about the frame is how Mark Slate, the designer of the Blackbuck, designed the bike to be ridden with both a non-suspension corrected fork, with suspension forks, or with rigid suspension corrected forks. The Blackbuck rigid fork is really interesting in that it has a 440mm axle to crown measurement and 51mm offset! Mark sent me pictures of his rig with the rigid fork on it all muddied up. He said it rides quite well in this configuration. The Blackbuck also is available as a complete bike and in this configuration it comes with a Reba. I happen to have a spare Reba, so I'll also test it with that fork.
I will be trying out two other forks on it that I have here. The RST M-29 80mm travel/44mm offset fork and my On One Superlight Carbon fork that is suspension corrected and has 47mm offset. In fact, the On One fork will go on this first so I can dial in my cock pit and get some stems to help fit the Blackbuck properly.
I'll have this together soon and I will post some pics then. Be forewarned though! The Inbred has quite the menagerie of annodized parts which will be seeing duty on the Blackbuck. I can't say it'll be a classy, subtle build! That's what I have though, so that's what I'll use.
In related news, the Badger drop bar bike is nearing total completion, so I'll be posting pics of that very soon. Stay Tuned!
OS Bikes Blackbuck Pics
<===Sparkly!
I arrived at work yesterday and took a bit of time to snap off some images of the OS Bikes Blackbuck. Pretty cool that a company decided to go the subtle, classy route instaed of doing the huge "billboard" company graphics
Of course, it'll be hard to escape notice with those arched seat stays!
<===The Blackbuck comes with a quick release seat collar.
The intersection of tubes here is cool. Captain Bob said it reminded him of a GT. I think it is reminiscent of what that triple triangle seat stay weld looked like.
I am swapping over parts from my Inbred to this frame. The 27.2mm seat post worked out as did the nicer quick release seat collar I had on it. Both are Salsa items, by the way.
<===Dainty looking drop outs.
The caliper mount is on the chainstay instead of the seat stay, a unique touch. This keeps the frame looking clean with nothing on the top of the seat stay to break up that graceful arching line. No extra bracing necessary.
Notice the two holes in the drive side drop out? Those are for mounting the pin mount derailluer hangar, which comes with the frame in case you are wanting gears.
<===Split shell EBB here.
The old split shell EBB. I have worked on old tandems that utilized this type of eccentric bottom bracket. No pinch bolts to distort the shell and no fancy wedges requiring special tools or force to bang loose. Simple and effective. We'll see if the creaks come or if there are any other problems after I ride it in dirt and mud.
Of course, I'll be greasing this baby up but good!
<====Big external butt on the lower end of the head tube. Beefy!
So, you may be asking yourself, "where's the fork?" Well, I did get the rigid Blackbuck fork for this too. The really cool thing about the frame is how Mark Slate, the designer of the Blackbuck, designed the bike to be ridden with both a non-suspension corrected fork, with suspension forks, or with rigid suspension corrected forks. The Blackbuck rigid fork is really interesting in that it has a 440mm axle to crown measurement and 51mm offset! Mark sent me pictures of his rig with the rigid fork on it all muddied up. He said it rides quite well in this configuration. The Blackbuck also is available as a complete bike and in this configuration it comes with a Reba. I happen to have a spare Reba, so I'll also test it with that fork.
I will be trying out two other forks on it that I have here. The RST M-29 80mm travel/44mm offset fork and my On One Superlight Carbon fork that is suspension corrected and has 47mm offset. In fact, the On One fork will go on this first so I can dial in my cock pit and get some stems to help fit the Blackbuck properly.
I'll have this together soon and I will post some pics then. Be forewarned though! The Inbred has quite the menagerie of annodized parts which will be seeing duty on the Blackbuck. I can't say it'll be a classy, subtle build! That's what I have though, so that's what I'll use.
In related news, the Badger drop bar bike is nearing total completion, so I'll be posting pics of that very soon. Stay Tuned!
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Crunch!
Had a wreck today. Someone plowing out a driveway with a Ford Super Duty backed out in front of me on Baltimore. Too slippery, couldn't stop.
Took on the five foot pile of snow on the side of the road in an effort to miss, but caught the sand spreader mount.
Had the SUV at a 45 degree angle climbing up that snow drift/pile. To no avail!
No one got hurt, the plow truck didn't get a scratch, and no tickets.
Now I get to have more insurance fun!
Happy Birtday to me, huh?
Oh well, cars and trucks are replaceable. Thank God my son and I weren't injured.
Be careful out there folks!
Crunch!
Had a wreck today. Someone plowing out a driveway with a Ford Super Duty backed out in front of me on Baltimore. Too slippery, couldn't stop.
Took on the five foot pile of snow on the side of the road in an effort to miss, but caught the sand spreader mount.
Had the SUV at a 45 degree angle climbing up that snow drift/pile. To no avail!
No one got hurt, the plow truck didn't get a scratch, and no tickets.
Now I get to have more insurance fun!
Happy Birtday to me, huh?
Oh well, cars and trucks are replaceable. Thank God my son and I weren't injured.
Be careful out there folks!
New Steed News
Okay, up front I will say I have no pics.........yet! I had to take the day off and spend it with my little girl since she didn't have school yesterday due to the MLK Jr. holiday. We spent the day doing a few odd jobs together and running some errands. I even let her use a hammer while I held a nail setting punch. (Talk about trust!) She never missed the punch, not even once. Whew!
Well, anyway.............about that bike thing! Yeah, I basically got a deal I couldn't refuse on a new frame and fork that I will be replacing the On One frame and fork with....sort of. (I'll explain further) The bike is something you may never have heard of out of California by way of Taiwan. It's called "Blackbuck" and it's by a company called OS Bikes. The Blackbuck is the only model and it only comes in one size for now. Low and behold, that size fits me to a "T".
It is a single speed bike with a eccentric bottom bracket and about the only thing going for it at first glance is the highly arched seat stays. But that's just the most obvious thing, there are a lot more details that make the Blackbuck quite an interesting bike. I won't get into that right now. I'll be detailing all the subtleties on Twenty Nine Inches. I'll post some of that here too. For now suffice it to say that it is mostly painted in "Kerkove Nation Black" and we'll let it go at that. (Seems odd to say "black" in reference to Jeff these days though, since he is festooned in Ergon's neon pea green.)
This bike replaces the Inbred, as I stated. I'll be throwing on most of the gear from that bike over to the Blackbuck for racing purposes in '08. (Although I'll probably just ride it around a fair bit too) Here's where it gets interesting. The fork choices play a huge part in how the OS Bikes Blackbuck handles. It was designed with this in mind too. For instance, the bike comes with a non-suspension corrected rigid fork with 51mm offset. (!!!) The bike can also be mounted up with a standard 80mm travel Reba. To add to all of this, I am retaining the On One Superlight Carbon fork to use as a test on this bike which has 47mm offset and is suspension corrected. It'll be a fun test to see just what types of handling will result, since I have all three fork options at my disposal, plus I could play with a 44mm offset RST M-29 just to make it even more interesting.
Ahh! Mad scientist type experimenting! So.............like when is all of this snow going to be gone? And like, Get it warmer out there already, mmmmkay! I gotta ride!
Stay tuned! More to come..........
Well, anyway.............about that bike thing! Yeah, I basically got a deal I couldn't refuse on a new frame and fork that I will be replacing the On One frame and fork with....sort of. (I'll explain further) The bike is something you may never have heard of out of California by way of Taiwan. It's called "Blackbuck" and it's by a company called OS Bikes. The Blackbuck is the only model and it only comes in one size for now. Low and behold, that size fits me to a "T".
It is a single speed bike with a eccentric bottom bracket and about the only thing going for it at first glance is the highly arched seat stays. But that's just the most obvious thing, there are a lot more details that make the Blackbuck quite an interesting bike. I won't get into that right now. I'll be detailing all the subtleties on Twenty Nine Inches. I'll post some of that here too. For now suffice it to say that it is mostly painted in "Kerkove Nation Black" and we'll let it go at that. (Seems odd to say "black" in reference to Jeff these days though, since he is festooned in Ergon's neon pea green.)
This bike replaces the Inbred, as I stated. I'll be throwing on most of the gear from that bike over to the Blackbuck for racing purposes in '08. (Although I'll probably just ride it around a fair bit too) Here's where it gets interesting. The fork choices play a huge part in how the OS Bikes Blackbuck handles. It was designed with this in mind too. For instance, the bike comes with a non-suspension corrected rigid fork with 51mm offset. (!!!) The bike can also be mounted up with a standard 80mm travel Reba. To add to all of this, I am retaining the On One Superlight Carbon fork to use as a test on this bike which has 47mm offset and is suspension corrected. It'll be a fun test to see just what types of handling will result, since I have all three fork options at my disposal, plus I could play with a 44mm offset RST M-29 just to make it even more interesting.
Ahh! Mad scientist type experimenting! So.............like when is all of this snow going to be gone? And like, Get it warmer out there already, mmmmkay! I gotta ride!
Stay tuned! More to come..........
New Steed News
Okay, up front I will say I have no pics.........yet! I had to take the day off and spend it with my little girl since she didn't have school yesterday due to the MLK Jr. holiday. We spent the day doing a few odd jobs together and running some errands. I even let her use a hammer while I held a nail setting punch. (Talk about trust!) She never missed the punch, not even once. Whew!
Well, anyway.............about that bike thing! Yeah, I basically got a deal I couldn't refuse on a new frame and fork that I will be replacing the On One frame and fork with....sort of. (I'll explain further) The bike is something you may never have heard of out of California by way of Taiwan. It's called "Blackbuck" and it's by a company called OS Bikes. The Blackbuck is the only model and it only comes in one size for now. Low and behold, that size fits me to a "T".
It is a single speed bike with a eccentric bottom bracket and about the only thing going for it at first glance is the highly arched seat stays. But that's just the most obvious thing, there are a lot more details that make the Blackbuck quite an interesting bike. I won't get into that right now. I'll be detailing all the subtleties on Twenty Nine Inches. I'll post some of that here too. For now suffice it to say that it is mostly painted in "Kerkove Nation Black" and we'll let it go at that. (Seems odd to say "black" in reference to Jeff these days though, since he is festooned in Ergon's neon pea green.)
This bike replaces the Inbred, as I stated. I'll be throwing on most of the gear from that bike over to the Blackbuck for racing purposes in '08. (Although I'll probably just ride it around a fair bit too) Here's where it gets interesting. The fork choices play a huge part in how the OS Bikes Blackbuck handles. It was designed with this in mind too. For instance, the bike comes with a non-suspension corrected rigid fork with 51mm offset. (!!!) The bike can also be mounted up with a standard 80mm travel Reba. To add to all of this, I am retaining the On One Superlight Carbon fork to use as a test on this bike which has 47mm offset and is suspension corrected. It'll be a fun test to see just what types of handling will result, since I have all three fork options at my disposal, plus I could play with a 44mm offset RST M-29 just to make it even more interesting.
Ahh! Mad scientist type experimenting! So.............like when is all of this snow going to be gone? And like, Get it warmer out there already, mmmmkay! I gotta ride!
Stay tuned! More to come..........
Well, anyway.............about that bike thing! Yeah, I basically got a deal I couldn't refuse on a new frame and fork that I will be replacing the On One frame and fork with....sort of. (I'll explain further) The bike is something you may never have heard of out of California by way of Taiwan. It's called "Blackbuck" and it's by a company called OS Bikes. The Blackbuck is the only model and it only comes in one size for now. Low and behold, that size fits me to a "T".
It is a single speed bike with a eccentric bottom bracket and about the only thing going for it at first glance is the highly arched seat stays. But that's just the most obvious thing, there are a lot more details that make the Blackbuck quite an interesting bike. I won't get into that right now. I'll be detailing all the subtleties on Twenty Nine Inches. I'll post some of that here too. For now suffice it to say that it is mostly painted in "Kerkove Nation Black" and we'll let it go at that. (Seems odd to say "black" in reference to Jeff these days though, since he is festooned in Ergon's neon pea green.)
This bike replaces the Inbred, as I stated. I'll be throwing on most of the gear from that bike over to the Blackbuck for racing purposes in '08. (Although I'll probably just ride it around a fair bit too) Here's where it gets interesting. The fork choices play a huge part in how the OS Bikes Blackbuck handles. It was designed with this in mind too. For instance, the bike comes with a non-suspension corrected rigid fork with 51mm offset. (!!!) The bike can also be mounted up with a standard 80mm travel Reba. To add to all of this, I am retaining the On One Superlight Carbon fork to use as a test on this bike which has 47mm offset and is suspension corrected. It'll be a fun test to see just what types of handling will result, since I have all three fork options at my disposal, plus I could play with a 44mm offset RST M-29 just to make it even more interesting.
Ahh! Mad scientist type experimenting! So.............like when is all of this snow going to be gone? And like, Get it warmer out there already, mmmmkay! I gotta ride!
Stay tuned! More to come..........
Monday, January 21, 2008
Trans Iowa: A Dichotomy
Trans Iowa: The "under-the-radar", low brow, ultra-endurance ride that is in parts gritty, torturous, and ultimately rewarding isn't what most people would regard as a reason to be "elevated" to iconic proportions. It isn't an event one would associate with a "top tier" cycling clothing company, or any "high brow" discussion concerning cycling. Yet that is where one Trans Iowa rider finds himself and where one cycling apparel company has gone to help market itself.
Check out this page on the web. I was tipped off to its existence by d.p. this past weekend while we were, (ironically) doing research on the T.I.V4 course. I am a bit flattered, and confused as to just what to think of this.
First off, let me say that I am happy for Ira Ryan. He's taken his two wins at Trans Iowa and gone on to greater things. He is the only winner of the event and since we don't pay much for that honor, (as in zilch, nada, nuttin'!) at least he is making hay out of that fact and I am glad to see it. As for Rapha, I have heard nothing but raves for them from cycling's elite. The reason I haven't heard anything from elsewhere is because their products are stratospherically expensive. A "Ferrari" amongst Chevrolets. (Or Fords, Toyotas, and Hondas.......you get the idea!)
So I see this connection and I can understand it on one level, but the irony is not lost on me. For some reason, (call me mad if you must) I just don't see a Rapha kitted cyclist doing Trans Iowa. At least not somebody who actually paid for their kit. It certainly isn't anywhere near the description of what the first winner of T.I. was wearing during his turn as T.I. champion. Weathered Atlas Racing kit, cobbled leg warmers, and minimal protection against the elements. That's my memory of a gritty, unmatched, and functional cycling kit worn by the winner. It fit the event perfectly.
The dichotomy of this dusty, rural, and barely noticed event seems at odds with the ultra-chic cycling duds that Rapha puts out. Yet this company draws a parallel with it. I don't know, maybe I'm the only one that finds this strange. I just think it's weird.
Check out this page on the web. I was tipped off to its existence by d.p. this past weekend while we were, (ironically) doing research on the T.I.V4 course. I am a bit flattered, and confused as to just what to think of this.
First off, let me say that I am happy for Ira Ryan. He's taken his two wins at Trans Iowa and gone on to greater things. He is the only winner of the event and since we don't pay much for that honor, (as in zilch, nada, nuttin'!) at least he is making hay out of that fact and I am glad to see it. As for Rapha, I have heard nothing but raves for them from cycling's elite. The reason I haven't heard anything from elsewhere is because their products are stratospherically expensive. A "Ferrari" amongst Chevrolets. (Or Fords, Toyotas, and Hondas.......you get the idea!)
So I see this connection and I can understand it on one level, but the irony is not lost on me. For some reason, (call me mad if you must) I just don't see a Rapha kitted cyclist doing Trans Iowa. At least not somebody who actually paid for their kit. It certainly isn't anywhere near the description of what the first winner of T.I. was wearing during his turn as T.I. champion. Weathered Atlas Racing kit, cobbled leg warmers, and minimal protection against the elements. That's my memory of a gritty, unmatched, and functional cycling kit worn by the winner. It fit the event perfectly.
The dichotomy of this dusty, rural, and barely noticed event seems at odds with the ultra-chic cycling duds that Rapha puts out. Yet this company draws a parallel with it. I don't know, maybe I'm the only one that finds this strange. I just think it's weird.
Trans Iowa: A Dichotomy
Trans Iowa: The "under-the-radar", low brow, ultra-endurance ride that is in parts gritty, torturous, and ultimately rewarding isn't what most people would regard as a reason to be "elevated" to iconic proportions. It isn't an event one would associate with a "top tier" cycling clothing company, or any "high brow" discussion concerning cycling. Yet that is where one Trans Iowa rider finds himself and where one cycling apparel company has gone to help market itself.
Check out this page on the web. I was tipped off to its existence by d.p. this past weekend while we were, (ironically) doing research on the T.I.V4 course. I am a bit flattered, and confused as to just what to think of this.
First off, let me say that I am happy for Ira Ryan. He's taken his two wins at Trans Iowa and gone on to greater things. He is the only winner of the event and since we don't pay much for that honor, (as in zilch, nada, nuttin'!) at least he is making hay out of that fact and I am glad to see it. As for Rapha, I have heard nothing but raves for them from cycling's elite. The reason I haven't heard anything from elsewhere is because their products are stratospherically expensive. A "Ferrari" amongst Chevrolets. (Or Fords, Toyotas, and Hondas.......you get the idea!)
So I see this connection and I can understand it on one level, but the irony is not lost on me. For some reason, (call me mad if you must) I just don't see a Rapha kitted cyclist doing Trans Iowa. At least not somebody who actually paid for their kit. It certainly isn't anywhere near the description of what the first winner of T.I. was wearing during his turn as T.I. champion. Weathered Atlas Racing kit, cobbled leg warmers, and minimal protection against the elements. That's my memory of a gritty, unmatched, and functional cycling kit worn by the winner. It fit the event perfectly.
The dichotomy of this dusty, rural, and barely noticed event seems at odds with the ultra-chic cycling duds that Rapha puts out. Yet this company draws a parallel with it. I don't know, maybe I'm the only one that finds this strange. I just think it's weird.
Check out this page on the web. I was tipped off to its existence by d.p. this past weekend while we were, (ironically) doing research on the T.I.V4 course. I am a bit flattered, and confused as to just what to think of this.
First off, let me say that I am happy for Ira Ryan. He's taken his two wins at Trans Iowa and gone on to greater things. He is the only winner of the event and since we don't pay much for that honor, (as in zilch, nada, nuttin'!) at least he is making hay out of that fact and I am glad to see it. As for Rapha, I have heard nothing but raves for them from cycling's elite. The reason I haven't heard anything from elsewhere is because their products are stratospherically expensive. A "Ferrari" amongst Chevrolets. (Or Fords, Toyotas, and Hondas.......you get the idea!)
So I see this connection and I can understand it on one level, but the irony is not lost on me. For some reason, (call me mad if you must) I just don't see a Rapha kitted cyclist doing Trans Iowa. At least not somebody who actually paid for their kit. It certainly isn't anywhere near the description of what the first winner of T.I. was wearing during his turn as T.I. champion. Weathered Atlas Racing kit, cobbled leg warmers, and minimal protection against the elements. That's my memory of a gritty, unmatched, and functional cycling kit worn by the winner. It fit the event perfectly.
The dichotomy of this dusty, rural, and barely noticed event seems at odds with the ultra-chic cycling duds that Rapha puts out. Yet this company draws a parallel with it. I don't know, maybe I'm the only one that finds this strange. I just think it's weird.
Saturday, January 19, 2008
T.I.V4: Some Recon Photos
<===Required Trans Iowa Recon nutrition!
Well, d.p. and I decided to do a truncated version of recon today. Just to see about our check point sites and maybe toodle around here and there. I will say that the check point sites were more than we could have asked for. We were really pleased!
The course? What we could see of it is super exciting!
<===Ambient air temps were sub zero for the entire outing.
We saw some pretty outstanding scenery, roads, and cool stuff in the little bits that we took in. This course should be at least as fun as last years, if not more so.
<===Read the bottom line on the road sign. Low slung vehicle and this scene means we will have to come back later.
As you can see, there are B Maintenance sections on the course this year again. I have no idea how "bad" they are with the blanket of snow over the road bed.
<===A wilder corner of Iowa.
d.p. and I are "B" road connoisuers, I suppose you could say. Nobody gets as excited as us at the prospect of checking these out as we do. We stopped to look at every one we went past!
<===Is this Iowa? No, this is........
Some say T.I. should venture into Minnesota territory. What do you think?
All I can say is that this road wasn't passable in d.p.'s Beetle, so we had to hoof it down a piece to take a look in sub-zero weather.
We'll be back for another peek at what's going on with the T.I. course after the roads clear off. That might be a bit with the way that this weather/winter has been going. All I can say is that we are super pumped about the way things are shaping up so far. We can't wait to see the whole course in one uninterrupted drive. That should give us a clearer picture of what to expect time-wise from the course. That will help us determine checkpoint cutoffs and volunteer timing. But really, we just want to check out more B roads!
Stay tuned!
T.I.V4: Some Recon Photos
<===Required Trans Iowa Recon nutrition!
Well, d.p. and I decided to do a truncated version of recon today. Just to see about our check point sites and maybe toodle around here and there. I will say that the check point sites were more than we could have asked for. We were really pleased!
The course? What we could see of it is super exciting!
<===Ambient air temps were sub zero for the entire outing.
We saw some pretty outstanding scenery, roads, and cool stuff in the little bits that we took in. This course should be at least as fun as last years, if not more so.
<===Read the bottom line on the road sign. Low slung vehicle and this scene means we will have to come back later.
As you can see, there are B Maintenance sections on the course this year again. I have no idea how "bad" they are with the blanket of snow over the road bed.
<===A wilder corner of Iowa.
d.p. and I are "B" road connoisuers, I suppose you could say. Nobody gets as excited as us at the prospect of checking these out as we do. We stopped to look at every one we went past!
<===Is this Iowa? No, this is........
Some say T.I. should venture into Minnesota territory. What do you think?
All I can say is that this road wasn't passable in d.p.'s Beetle, so we had to hoof it down a piece to take a look in sub-zero weather.
We'll be back for another peek at what's going on with the T.I. course after the roads clear off. That might be a bit with the way that this weather/winter has been going. All I can say is that we are super pumped about the way things are shaping up so far. We can't wait to see the whole course in one uninterrupted drive. That should give us a clearer picture of what to expect time-wise from the course. That will help us determine checkpoint cutoffs and volunteer timing. But really, we just want to check out more B roads!
Stay tuned!
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