Friday News And Views

 Twin Six Standard Rando v2 In Slate:

We got our Standard Randos, Andy and I, and then Twin Six comes along and does this. A limited edition color. "Shale" they call it. Andy was beside himself when he saw it as he wants that color over black. I told him, "They gotcha!" That's marketing for ya. Change the color and Bam! New demand for the same ol' thing. Tell me color doesn't matter. Just go ahead.....

But seriously, Twin Six has been doing this very thing with the original Standard Rando all along. The frame never changed, just colors. Surly Bikes does the same thing. Frame details very rarely change, but colors? This changes with the seasons, seemingly. So yes, of course color matters, or these companies and others wouldn't do this. I mean really- it is just paint. The bicycle fundamentally rides exactly the same no matter what color it is. But try and tell yourself you don't care about color. Go ahead..... I'll be here.....

It's genius and maddeningly successful. Part of me wants to laugh and part of me wants to stamp my feet in displeasure when Twin Six introduces another color of this bike. Just wait. I'll see whatever it is they do next and want that color too. It's crazy, I tell you. But I'm all right with the Gravel Bus. It's an awesome bike, so if you are moved by this bike in "Slate", well then, I say 'good on you". You'll love it no matter what color it is. But it matters what color it is. (I wonder if "Slate" is smoother riding?......ARRGH!)

Six Years+ With Ardennes+:

I was refreshing the wheels off the Black Mountain Cycles Monster Cross rig the other day, the bike I refer to here as "Orange Crush", and I had to replace the rim tape on the rear one. I then saw something which maybe I hadn't noted before. I cannot recall, but if I knew this I had forgotten all about it. The wheel builder had signed the wheels to me with "Guitar Ted 4-9-14" and added a smiley face and a peace sign symbol.  

Ironically, that wheel builder's name is Andy Tetmeyer. I work for a different guy named Andy Tetmeyer. Yes- they are related. But that's another story... Andy from HED- let's call him that to keep things straight here- got a hold of me in early 2014 to see if I wanted to review the upcoming HED Ardennes+ wheel set. These were going to be HED's first gravel wheel set and, if you can believe it, the set I received was the very first set they made. Andy from HED laced them to Center Lock disc hubs with rim brake rims so I could use these either way. At that time, disc for gravel bikes wasn't a set-in-stone spec standard, so that made sense back then. 

Anyway, these wheels have had several sets of tires reviewed on them and have logged thousands of miles. They are still as true as ever, I just checked them again this week, and still as smooth rolling as ever. Just an amazing wheel set from a time that is long gone, that being the rim brake days. Not that there is anything wrong at all with rim brakes, but you are not going to see new development into rim brake technology, not in general anyway. Too bad. I could stand a new, wide internal width, tubeless rim brake rim. 

And The Bike Those Wheels Have Lived On....

Of course, the wheels mentioned above have spent 99% of their life on the BMC Orange Crush, now a single speed. I got those wheels refreshed, mounted up with tires, and took it out for a spin on Tuesday in the rain. Perfect! I have fenders and a single speed drive train. Bring on the bad weather! 

I set this up single speed last year and I really just think it is a better bike as a single speed. I've got those long, 180mm Sugino cranks on this and that is a nice combination with the higher bottom bracket that the first generation Monster Cross frames have. I can pedal around a corner and not clip a pedal on anything. 

I still have the Gevenalle mounts on the levers, which I can remove, but I haven't gotten around to that just yet. Otherwise this is set for the return of bad weather and Winter riding where a full coverage fender makes sense. I also got a Wolf Tooth B-Rad rail for dual bottle cage set up and a place to strap a repair kit on there as well. This sets me up for longer rides. The front bag? Not available anymore. It was a small manufacturer which made their bags out of the same material as convertible car tops along with real leather trim. It was a bit on the expensive side, as I recall. Something like $160.00 or thereabouts. But this thing looks as good today as it did eight years ago. 

I wouldn't change much on this bike, really. Probably the only thing I'd try is a Brooks Team Professional saddle. I've got an old one I could try on there, I just need to recondition it. Maybe I'll get around to that sometime....

Calendar Freeze:

Since 2008 I have compiled a list of gravel events. First they were just the locally run ones, then I added nationwide ones, and eventually world-wide events were added. This started as a page on a separate blog I had dubbed "Gravel Grinder News", which eventually became its own "dot com" site in 2012. This eventually became a review site and was merged into Ben Welnak's RidingGravel.com in 2015. 

The calendar at the time I merged with Ben's site had about 250+ entries. Since then it has grown to nearly 600 events, well.......that is until COVID came around. Since that happened in March, we froze the calendar. It just was too volatile a situation to keep track of at that point. So many events were cancelling, or postponing, that it was near impossible to devote enough time to it to keep it current. 

Now with things running into the end of the year, and with no vaccine or real change in the situation, we are still left with a very volatile and fluid situation regarding 2021 events. With the amount of estimated work it would take to get the calendar even partially correct, Ben and I have made the decision to freeze the calendar for the foreseeable future. It will be a reference for when events were run pre-COVID. It is what it is. If I had all the time it took, (I do not) to fix the calendar, and if I had recompense, (I do not) for my efforts, I would undertake the monumental task of updating the calendar. However; at this time, frankly? It isn't worth my efforts. 

Also- I do not think it will be missed. I never have seen any real feedback on the calendar, and what feedback I do get is from people thinking I (or Riding Gravel) run the events listed and either are complaining to me or asking questions I cannot possibly answer. So, that is another thing motivating me to back out of pursuing the calendar efforts. 

There are other calendars as well. So, it isn't like I'm the only source for information. In my mind, the genre' is in good hands with those who are doing the work on calendars for gravel events. I wish those sources well, as it will be a very unstable situation going forward until major changes in the pandemic situation occur. 

That's a wrap on this week! Get your layers out, fire up the lights, and ride!

Friday News And Views

 Twin Six Standard Rando v2 In Slate:

We got our Standard Randos, Andy and I, and then Twin Six comes along and does this. A limited edition color. "Shale" they call it. Andy was beside himself when he saw it as he wants that color over black. I told him, "They gotcha!" That's marketing for ya. Change the color and Bam! New demand for the same ol' thing. Tell me color doesn't matter. Just go ahead.....

But seriously, Twin Six has been doing this very thing with the original Standard Rando all along. The frame never changed, just colors. Surly Bikes does the same thing. Frame details very rarely change, but colors? This changes with the seasons, seemingly. So yes, of course color matters, or these companies and others wouldn't do this. I mean really- it is just paint. The bicycle fundamentally rides exactly the same no matter what color it is. But try and tell yourself you don't care about color. Go ahead..... I'll be here.....

It's genius and maddeningly successful. Part of me wants to laugh and part of me wants to stamp my feet in displeasure when Twin Six introduces another color of this bike. Just wait. I'll see whatever it is they do next and want that color too. It's crazy, I tell you. But I'm all right with the Gravel Bus. It's an awesome bike, so if you are moved by this bike in "Slate", well then, I say 'good on you". You'll love it no matter what color it is. But it matters what color it is. (I wonder if "Slate" is smoother riding?......ARRGH!)

Six Years+ With Ardennes+:

I was refreshing the wheels off the Black Mountain Cycles Monster Cross rig the other day, the bike I refer to here as "Orange Crush", and I had to replace the rim tape on the rear one. I then saw something which maybe I hadn't noted before. I cannot recall, but if I knew this I had forgotten all about it. The wheel builder had signed the wheels to me with "Guitar Ted 4-9-14" and added a smiley face and a peace sign symbol.  

Ironically, that wheel builder's name is Andy Tetmeyer. I work for a different guy named Andy Tetmeyer. Yes- they are related. But that's another story... Andy from HED- let's call him that to keep things straight here- got a hold of me in early 2014 to see if I wanted to review the upcoming HED Ardennes+ wheel set. These were going to be HED's first gravel wheel set and, if you can believe it, the set I received was the very first set they made. Andy from HED laced them to Center Lock disc hubs with rim brake rims so I could use these either way. At that time, disc for gravel bikes wasn't a set-in-stone spec standard, so that made sense back then. 

Anyway, these wheels have had several sets of tires reviewed on them and have logged thousands of miles. They are still as true as ever, I just checked them again this week, and still as smooth rolling as ever. Just an amazing wheel set from a time that is long gone, that being the rim brake days. Not that there is anything wrong at all with rim brakes, but you are not going to see new development into rim brake technology, not in general anyway. Too bad. I could stand a new, wide internal width, tubeless rim brake rim. 

And The Bike Those Wheels Have Lived On....

Of course, the wheels mentioned above have spent 99% of their life on the BMC Orange Crush, now a single speed. I got those wheels refreshed, mounted up with tires, and took it out for a spin on Tuesday in the rain. Perfect! I have fenders and a single speed drive train. Bring on the bad weather! 

I set this up single speed last year and I really just think it is a better bike as a single speed. I've got those long, 180mm Sugino cranks on this and that is a nice combination with the higher bottom bracket that the first generation Monster Cross frames have. I can pedal around a corner and not clip a pedal on anything. 

I still have the Gevenalle mounts on the levers, which I can remove, but I haven't gotten around to that just yet. Otherwise this is set for the return of bad weather and Winter riding where a full coverage fender makes sense. I also got a Wolf Tooth B-Rad rail for dual bottle cage set up and a place to strap a repair kit on there as well. This sets me up for longer rides. The front bag? Not available anymore. It was a small manufacturer which made their bags out of the same material as convertible car tops along with real leather trim. It was a bit on the expensive side, as I recall. Something like $160.00 or thereabouts. But this thing looks as good today as it did eight years ago. 

I wouldn't change much on this bike, really. Probably the only thing I'd try is a Brooks Team Professional saddle. I've got an old one I could try on there, I just need to recondition it. Maybe I'll get around to that sometime....

Calendar Freeze:

Since 2008 I have compiled a list of gravel events. First they were just the locally run ones, then I added nationwide ones, and eventually world-wide events were added. This started as a page on a separate blog I had dubbed "Gravel Grinder News", which eventually became its own "dot com" site in 2012. This eventually became a review site and was merged into Ben Welnak's RidingGravel.com in 2015. 

The calendar at the time I merged with Ben's site had about 250+ entries. Since then it has grown to nearly 600 events, well.......that is until COVID came around. Since that happened in March, we froze the calendar. It just was too volatile a situation to keep track of at that point. So many events were cancelling, or postponing, that it was near impossible to devote enough time to it to keep it current. 

Now with things running into the end of the year, and with no vaccine or real change in the situation, we are still left with a very volatile and fluid situation regarding 2021 events. With the amount of estimated work it would take to get the calendar even partially correct, Ben and I have made the decision to freeze the calendar for the foreseeable future. It will be a reference for when events were run pre-COVID. It is what it is. If I had all the time it took, (I do not) to fix the calendar, and if I had recompense, (I do not) for my efforts, I would undertake the monumental task of updating the calendar. However; at this time, frankly? It isn't worth my efforts. 

Also- I do not think it will be missed. I never have seen any real feedback on the calendar, and what feedback I do get is from people thinking I (or Riding Gravel) run the events listed and either are complaining to me or asking questions I cannot possibly answer. So, that is another thing motivating me to back out of pursuing the calendar efforts. 

There are other calendars as well. So, it isn't like I'm the only source for information. In my mind, the genre' is in good hands with those who are doing the work on calendars for gravel events. I wish those sources well, as it will be a very unstable situation going forward until major changes in the pandemic situation occur. 

That's a wrap on this week! Get your layers out, fire up the lights, and ride!

One Year With The HED Ardennes+

HED Ardennes+

About a year ago, I got a set of HED Ardennes+ wheels to test out from HED Wheels. These have been ridden in all sorts of weather on road and off since then with a variety of tires. Following are some points of interest about these wheels that I have noted. I'll have a more detailed "review" of these on Gravel Grinder News this week.

But before I get to my points, I have to say that these wheels are a bit different than most Ardennes+ in that they were built up as an "either or" set in that they can be used as rim or disc brake wheels. Most sets of these I've seen since are either one or the other. These were always used as a rim brake wheel.

Okay, now on with my main highlights.....

• Heavy-ish: These weigh as much as a lot of 29"er wheel sets do. In the end, I never really noticed this, nor did I feel it held me back. 
• Wide inner rim dimension: Made almost every tire I mounted better, especially the narrower ones in the 32-34mm range. 
• Aero: There is some amount of aero push from behind, but not noticeable in the crosswinds and I didn't ever perceive a benefit in a headwind, but I'm sure it didn't hurt that they were somewhat aero. Tailwind rides were even better with these though. 
• Tough: These always have stayed true with zero issues. I am a bigger guy, (230lbs), and I not only rode them on gravel, but on single track, and curb hopped these several times during commutes. No issues whatsoever. 

Conclusions: Would I buy these over another wheel set? For a "single solution" wheel with the capabilities to do gravel cross racing, training, or disc brake road bike duty? Yes. Training wheels? Yes. Race day wheels? Probably not. There are lighter wheels with similar aero benefits. Yes.....maybe not at the price of the HED's, but most folks buy racing wheels to be their really light, go fast solution, I think. The HED Ardennes are not all that light.

They are tough though, and show every sign of lasting a long, long time. So, for the everyday set of go anywhere, "all road" wheels, I like these a lot.

NOTE: HED Wheels sent these over to Gravel Grinder News as a test/review set of wheels at no charge. I was not bribed nor paid to write about these here or on GGN. I always strive to give my honest thoughts and opinions throughout.

One Year With The HED Ardennes+

HED Ardennes+

About a year ago, I got a set of HED Ardennes+ wheels to test out from HED Wheels. These have been ridden in all sorts of weather on road and off since then with a variety of tires. Following are some points of interest about these wheels that I have noted. I'll have a more detailed "review" of these on Gravel Grinder News this week.

But before I get to my points, I have to say that these wheels are a bit different than most Ardennes+ in that they were built up as an "either or" set in that they can be used as rim or disc brake wheels. Most sets of these I've seen since are either one or the other. These were always used as a rim brake wheel.

Okay, now on with my main highlights.....

• Heavy-ish: These weigh as much as a lot of 29"er wheel sets do. In the end, I never really noticed this, nor did I feel it held me back. 
• Wide inner rim dimension: Made almost every tire I mounted better, especially the narrower ones in the 32-34mm range. 
• Aero: There is some amount of aero push from behind, but not noticeable in the crosswinds and I didn't ever perceive a benefit in a headwind, but I'm sure it didn't hurt that they were somewhat aero. Tailwind rides were even better with these though. 
• Tough: These always have stayed true with zero issues. I am a bigger guy, (230lbs), and I not only rode them on gravel, but on single track, and curb hopped these several times during commutes. No issues whatsoever. 

Conclusions: Would I buy these over another wheel set? For a "single solution" wheel with the capabilities to do gravel cross racing, training, or disc brake road bike duty? Yes. Training wheels? Yes. Race day wheels? Probably not. There are lighter wheels with similar aero benefits. Yes.....maybe not at the price of the HED's, but most folks buy racing wheels to be their really light, go fast solution, I think. The HED Ardennes are not all that light.

They are tough though, and show every sign of lasting a long, long time. So, for the everyday set of go anywhere, "all road" wheels, I like these a lot.

NOTE: HED Wheels sent these over to Gravel Grinder News as a test/review set of wheels at no charge. I was not bribed nor paid to write about these here or on GGN. I always strive to give my honest thoughts and opinions throughout.

Latest Edition

The BMC as it sits now...

Okay, I thought it might be a good time to update my set up on the Black Mountain Cycles Cross frame. This has been the way I've been riding it for most of this year, (when I could ride it), so far.

Going back to last Fall, I stuck the HED Ardennes+ wheels on this rig and those have been swapped back and forth with the Velocity A-23 silver wheel set to test different tires. I've used Almanzo Open 30's, Panaracer Pasela 37's, and now I have a set of new Challenge Strada Bianca 30's on there. I'll get to the tires later, but now I want to say that the Ardennes+ wheels have two things going for them that are a "big" deal, in my opinion. First- they are wider rims. This gives tires like the skinny Almanzo Open 30 a much better profile, a better ride quality, and a bit better contact patch. Of course, it will do similar things for wider tires, but it is a must for tires like the Almanzo, in my opinion, to be run on a wider rim like the Ardennes+. Secondly, the aero factor is there. I am still uncertain what is going on in a head wind, but there is something there.  I will say that in a quartering tail wind to a straight on tail wind you get a dramatic effect. It feels like someone is pushing the bike along at times. I am still surprised when it happens. Definitely these things make these wheels better than the A-23's, but the Ardennes+ is heavy! The A-23's are certainly no slouch either, and they are lighter. Anywho....

The fenders are about to be jettisoned for the season. We've pretty much come out of slop season now, so no need to have them on. Besides, I see that they are starting to fail at a few places. I doubt Planet Bike had lots of gravel and dirt riding in mind for these commuter fenders when they were designed, so I am okay with that find today. If fenders go back on again, (and likely they will for next Fall late and then stay on through Spring of '14), they will be something fancy, like the Velo Orange fenders.

The El Cofrecito bag has stayed on, and on, and on.... I have a hard time with the thought of riding without it now. In fact, I jettisoned the seat bag and stuffed a smaller repair kit in the El Cofrecito instead. Plus, I can jam a windbreaker, or rain jacket in there, just in case. If I go back to a Tangle Bag, it will likely come off again, but that hasn't happened....

So, that's about it, really. The BMC is still doing great. Needs a new bottom bracket soon, but otherwise, I am good to go for a season of 3GR rides and more.....

Latest Edition

The BMC as it sits now...

Okay, I thought it might be a good time to update my set up on the Black Mountain Cycles Cross frame. This has been the way I've been riding it for most of this year, (when I could ride it), so far.

Going back to last Fall, I stuck the HED Ardennes+ wheels on this rig and those have been swapped back and forth with the Velocity A-23 silver wheel set to test different tires. I've used Almanzo Open 30's, Panaracer Pasela 37's, and now I have a set of new Challenge Strada Bianca 30's on there. I'll get to the tires later, but now I want to say that the Ardennes+ wheels have two things going for them that are a "big" deal, in my opinion. First- they are wider rims. This gives tires like the skinny Almanzo Open 30 a much better profile, a better ride quality, and a bit better contact patch. Of course, it will do similar things for wider tires, but it is a must for tires like the Almanzo, in my opinion, to be run on a wider rim like the Ardennes+. Secondly, the aero factor is there. I am still uncertain what is going on in a head wind, but there is something there.  I will say that in a quartering tail wind to a straight on tail wind you get a dramatic effect. It feels like someone is pushing the bike along at times. I am still surprised when it happens. Definitely these things make these wheels better than the A-23's, but the Ardennes+ is heavy! The A-23's are certainly no slouch either, and they are lighter. Anywho....

The fenders are about to be jettisoned for the season. We've pretty much come out of slop season now, so no need to have them on. Besides, I see that they are starting to fail at a few places. I doubt Planet Bike had lots of gravel and dirt riding in mind for these commuter fenders when they were designed, so I am okay with that find today. If fenders go back on again, (and likely they will for next Fall late and then stay on through Spring of '14), they will be something fancy, like the Velo Orange fenders.

The El Cofrecito bag has stayed on, and on, and on.... I have a hard time with the thought of riding without it now. In fact, I jettisoned the seat bag and stuffed a smaller repair kit in the El Cofrecito instead. Plus, I can jam a windbreaker, or rain jacket in there, just in case. If I go back to a Tangle Bag, it will likely come off again, but that hasn't happened....

So, that's about it, really. The BMC is still doing great. Needs a new bottom bracket soon, but otherwise, I am good to go for a season of 3GR rides and more.....

Friday News And Views

Cielo's new "Overlander"

NAHBS: 

This weekend marks the NAHBS opening in Denver, Colorado. Likely some fancy-pants, outlandishly priced rig will win the "Best of Show" award, and similar rigs will take home the other traditional prizes at NAHBS, but this Cielo offering would be my pick.

Dubbed the "Overlander", you could easily say this is a high-brow steel Fargo of the Gen I variety. Cielo says" Informed by our love of gravel adventures, back country exploration, bike packing, long road tours, and urban commuting, the Overlander is constructed with the same attention to detail and elegance that is the hallmark of every Chris King product."

It isn't suspension corrected, and the fork was specially constructed for this bike. It accepts mini-top racks, low rider mounts, and even has water bottle braze ons- one on the outside of each fork leg. The bike accepts rear racks, fenders, and has a full compliment of water bottle braze ons as well. 

I like the color combo here!

Finally, Cielo also installed a swinger drop out for single speed and IGH compatibility. See that Salsa Cycles? The Fargo sorely needs this added! 

While Cielo shows it here with Jones bars and some flat bar or another, I would drop bar this bike and if it handled as well or better than my Gen I Fargo? Well, I'd probably let that old Fargo go because the one thing that bike misses is the versatility of a swinging drop out.

And I gotta say, that reddish-orange hue is killer! Love the white tire look too, but in practice, white tires don't tend to be the best quality tires for what I'd be doing.

Anyway, all that to show that adventure/gravel bikes are definitely a theme for NAHBS this year. Glad to see that too. Now- I wonder if Cielo is going to send one of these down Tour Divide? Might be a good marketing move there.

Ardennes Plus

Also getting introduced at NAHBS will be the HED Wheels Ardennes Plus that I reviewed recently here and here on Gravel Grinder News. The wheels will be getting a new set of tires soon, and then I will be doing a longer term update on them at some point this summer.

It will be interesting to see and read about the details on these wheels from other cycling media and fans at NAHBS. I think they are an interesting product and a different take on what gravel grinding wheels should be. But you never know- maybe I have that all wrong, and the fall out from the "official launch" will tell me one way or the other.

Frostbike:

While NAHBS might be fun, and it is located closer to me than ever this year, I can't go when Frostbike is going on. This is the dealer only show by bicycle parts supplier giant, Quality Bicycle Products, located in Bloomington, Minnesota. But first-

I  have an appointment to see Salsa Cycles, in regards to the shop  where I work being a dealer, (that I won't be talking about here or anywhere for awhile, I suppose), and then its on to the "annual" shindig at Mike's Bikes in Northfield, Minnesota. It should be a scene. Usually there are three things. Okay.....four! Good friends, beer, Greek pizza, and indoor bicycle riding shenanigans.  It's more fun than a grown man should be allowed to have, however you slice it, and I look forward to it every year.

Alrighty then. I have a canned Trans Iowa post for tomorrow loaded with info, so look for that. Otherwise, get outside, have some fun, and we'll see ya soon!

Friday News And Views

Cielo's new "Overlander"

NAHBS: 

This weekend marks the NAHBS opening in Denver, Colorado. Likely some fancy-pants, outlandishly priced rig will win the "Best of Show" award, and similar rigs will take home the other traditional prizes at NAHBS, but this Cielo offering would be my pick.

Dubbed the "Overlander", you could easily say this is a high-brow steel Fargo of the Gen I variety. Cielo says" Informed by our love of gravel adventures, back country exploration, bike packing, long road tours, and urban commuting, the Overlander is constructed with the same attention to detail and elegance that is the hallmark of every Chris King product."

It isn't suspension corrected, and the fork was specially constructed for this bike. It accepts mini-top racks, low rider mounts, and even has water bottle braze ons- one on the outside of each fork leg. The bike accepts rear racks, fenders, and has a full compliment of water bottle braze ons as well. 

I like the color combo here!

Finally, Cielo also installed a swinger drop out for single speed and IGH compatibility. See that Salsa Cycles? The Fargo sorely needs this added! 

While Cielo shows it here with Jones bars and some flat bar or another, I would drop bar this bike and if it handled as well or better than my Gen I Fargo? Well, I'd probably let that old Fargo go because the one thing that bike misses is the versatility of a swinging drop out.

And I gotta say, that reddish-orange hue is killer! Love the white tire look too, but in practice, white tires don't tend to be the best quality tires for what I'd be doing.

Anyway, all that to show that adventure/gravel bikes are definitely a theme for NAHBS this year. Glad to see that too. Now- I wonder if Cielo is going to send one of these down Tour Divide? Might be a good marketing move there.

Ardennes Plus

Also getting introduced at NAHBS will be the HED Wheels Ardennes Plus that I reviewed recently here and here on Gravel Grinder News. The wheels will be getting a new set of tires soon, and then I will be doing a longer term update on them at some point this summer.

It will be interesting to see and read about the details on these wheels from other cycling media and fans at NAHBS. I think they are an interesting product and a different take on what gravel grinding wheels should be. But you never know- maybe I have that all wrong, and the fall out from the "official launch" will tell me one way or the other.

Frostbike:

While NAHBS might be fun, and it is located closer to me than ever this year, I can't go when Frostbike is going on. This is the dealer only show by bicycle parts supplier giant, Quality Bicycle Products, located in Bloomington, Minnesota. But first-

I  have an appointment to see Salsa Cycles, in regards to the shop  where I work being a dealer, (that I won't be talking about here or anywhere for awhile, I suppose), and then its on to the "annual" shindig at Mike's Bikes in Northfield, Minnesota. It should be a scene. Usually there are three things. Okay.....four! Good friends, beer, Greek pizza, and indoor bicycle riding shenanigans.  It's more fun than a grown man should be allowed to have, however you slice it, and I look forward to it every year.

Alrighty then. I have a canned Trans Iowa post for tomorrow loaded with info, so look for that. Otherwise, get outside, have some fun, and we'll see ya soon!