Friday News And Views

"Once you held your finger on the trigger.
Now the gun is pointing at your head.
Once you reigned supreme,
Over all that you could see.
Now you walk on the other
side of the street. "

"How The Mighty Fall" by The Alarm

Well, if you haven't heard by now, supposedly the most damning evidence against Lance Armstrong will be presented on "60 Minutes" Sunday as they interview Tyler Hamilton, himself a convicted doper, and former lieutenant of Armstrong's in his early Tour victories.

Look, whatever you might think about doping, Lance Armstrong, his foundation's work, and the "effects" he had on cycling, the bigger picture here is that Americans, nay- The World, loves, loves, loves, to tear down the exalted. And we're witnessing the piecemeal dismantling of "Lance" into a mere mortal. Sunday will be just one more wrecking ball to the icon. Frankly, I'm amazed it took this long for it to happen. (Disregarding "the truth", whatever that may be.)

Still, there is another, human side to this, and it is very disappointing for a lot of folks, I am sure. Lyrics from "The Alarm " come to mind once again......(From "Sold Me Down The River " )

" I don't know why,
I don't understand,
How you sold me down the river. "

Indeed!

Geax Evolution 1.9" 29 "er Tires:


In the past, I have run stories on Twenty Nine Inches about commuting on 29 inch wheeled bikes and have gotten an overwhelming response confirming that many folks are using the big wheels to get around town on.

So, it was great interest that I heard about these new 29"er tires by Geax called the "Evolution" and that they were aimed at folks commuting on 29"ers.

Now I have a pair in hand to test on Twenty Nine Inches, and I will link my thoughts here as that unfolds. Right now, I haven't gotten any details on the availability of these, or how much they might be, but that will also be coming soon. You know what? I think these could even be great gravel road riding tires too.

Good Luck Cheq 100 Riders! Saturday is the second Chequamegon 100 event up around Cable, Wisconsin. Those are some mighty fine trails up there, and by the sounds of it, the weather is conspiring to make this one epic event. (70% chance of afternoon thundershowers, anyone?) If it does rain, it'll be chilly in them thar woods, I know that much, and riders better be prepared to be layered up, and then be prepared to peel it all off the minute the sun comes back out. In fact, these conditions sound a lot like the last time I rode up there. It was showering intermittently, then the sun would shine, and the humidity would kill ya!

Well, at any rate, the stories out of this event should be good. Good luck to Captain Bob, and Mike J, who are locals going up for this ultra-mtb ride.


Have a great weekend and I hope ya'all get some bike riding in.

Friday News And Views

"Once you held your finger on the trigger.
Now the gun is pointing at your head.
Once you reigned supreme,
Over all that you could see.
Now you walk on the other
side of the street. "

"How The Mighty Fall" by The Alarm

Well, if you haven't heard by now, supposedly the most damning evidence against Lance Armstrong will be presented on "60 Minutes" Sunday as they interview Tyler Hamilton, himself a convicted doper, and former lieutenant of Armstrong's in his early Tour victories.

Look, whatever you might think about doping, Lance Armstrong, his foundation's work, and the "effects" he had on cycling, the bigger picture here is that Americans, nay- The World, loves, loves, loves, to tear down the exalted. And we're witnessing the piecemeal dismantling of "Lance" into a mere mortal. Sunday will be just one more wrecking ball to the icon. Frankly, I'm amazed it took this long for it to happen. (Disregarding "the truth", whatever that may be.)

Still, there is another, human side to this, and it is very disappointing for a lot of folks, I am sure. Lyrics from "The Alarm " come to mind once again......(From "Sold Me Down The River " )

" I don't know why,
I don't understand,
How you sold me down the river. "

Indeed!

Geax Evolution 1.9" 29 "er Tires:


In the past, I have run stories on Twenty Nine Inches about commuting on 29 inch wheeled bikes and have gotten an overwhelming response confirming that many folks are using the big wheels to get around town on.

So, it was great interest that I heard about these new 29"er tires by Geax called the "Evolution" and that they were aimed at folks commuting on 29"ers.

Now I have a pair in hand to test on Twenty Nine Inches, and I will link my thoughts here as that unfolds. Right now, I haven't gotten any details on the availability of these, or how much they might be, but that will also be coming soon. You know what? I think these could even be great gravel road riding tires too.

Good Luck Cheq 100 Riders! Saturday is the second Chequamegon 100 event up around Cable, Wisconsin. Those are some mighty fine trails up there, and by the sounds of it, the weather is conspiring to make this one epic event. (70% chance of afternoon thundershowers, anyone?) If it does rain, it'll be chilly in them thar woods, I know that much, and riders better be prepared to be layered up, and then be prepared to peel it all off the minute the sun comes back out. In fact, these conditions sound a lot like the last time I rode up there. It was showering intermittently, then the sun would shine, and the humidity would kill ya!

Well, at any rate, the stories out of this event should be good. Good luck to Captain Bob, and Mike J, who are locals going up for this ultra-mtb ride.


Have a great weekend and I hope ya'all get some bike riding in.

Decisions, Decisions......

I'm in a place where I have to make some decisions lately. Not the regular, everyday type either....

<====Do I take a single speed to the mounatins of West Texas?

In particular, I have been presented with a particularly difficult decision that is compounded by the fact that it involves travel in the thousands of miles for a period of stay that would last approximately 36 hours. Top that off by the fact that it would be necessary to make the trip by land, and it gets tougher to justify. You see, something would be coming back with me of the two wheeled nature.

That two wheeled vehicle would be a boon to my website, as it would be an exclusive test, (long term). And........it involves meeting and possibly riding with a women's professional mounatin bike team.

<=====Do I dare run these paper thin sidewalled tires in the rocks of West Texas?

But again, I would be driving as much as I would be there, and on my dime. Now as if that wasn't enough, there's more to it. And this is where it gets real, real difficult! This potential event is sandwiched inbetween two others I have already scheduled for 2010.

I am registered for the inaugral Chequamegon 100 on May 22nd. I've never done a "hundy" off road, and this event is being run in a way that is right up my alley by two awesome guys. I know lots of the folks that are going too. It just would be a killer thing to do.

<=====What would Obama do? Vote for the Rasta hub, or go with the red ano Ukai rims? (No! You can't vote for both! It's a partisan issue, ya know.....)

The event on the other side is the Dirty Kanza 200. A gravel event I need to cross off my list as a completion. Plus, really good friends are going to this event put on by some really good friends! Besides that, it's gravel, and in the Flint Hills.

I can not do all three events.

See, I told you it was a toughie!

p.s.- The event in question is in Texas, but NOT West Texas. That trip is a planned vacation in about a weeks time.

Decisions, Decisions......

I'm in a place where I have to make some decisions lately. Not the regular, everyday type either....

<====Do I take a single speed to the mounatins of West Texas?

In particular, I have been presented with a particularly difficult decision that is compounded by the fact that it involves travel in the thousands of miles for a period of stay that would last approximately 36 hours. Top that off by the fact that it would be necessary to make the trip by land, and it gets tougher to justify. You see, something would be coming back with me of the two wheeled nature.

That two wheeled vehicle would be a boon to my website, as it would be an exclusive test, (long term). And........it involves meeting and possibly riding with a women's professional mounatin bike team.

<=====Do I dare run these paper thin sidewalled tires in the rocks of West Texas?

But again, I would be driving as much as I would be there, and on my dime. Now as if that wasn't enough, there's more to it. And this is where it gets real, real difficult! This potential event is sandwiched inbetween two others I have already scheduled for 2010.

I am registered for the inaugral Chequamegon 100 on May 22nd. I've never done a "hundy" off road, and this event is being run in a way that is right up my alley by two awesome guys. I know lots of the folks that are going too. It just would be a killer thing to do.

<=====What would Obama do? Vote for the Rasta hub, or go with the red ano Ukai rims? (No! You can't vote for both! It's a partisan issue, ya know.....)

The event on the other side is the Dirty Kanza 200. A gravel event I need to cross off my list as a completion. Plus, really good friends are going to this event put on by some really good friends! Besides that, it's gravel, and in the Flint Hills.

I can not do all three events.

See, I told you it was a toughie!

p.s.- The event in question is in Texas, but NOT West Texas. That trip is a planned vacation in about a weeks time.

Chequamegon 100: A New Dirty Hundy

<===This here rig would work!

I got an e-mail from T.I.V5 winner Joe Meiser yesterday regarding some nit-witted idea he and his co-worker Tim Krueger hatched up. They decided to put on a 100 mile, self supported race through Chequamegon National Forest lands on CAMBA trails and fire roads.......for free!

Those doofuses. They oughtta talk to someone that could tell them a thing or two about numbskulled ideas like this. (Awesome! Way to go you guys!) I would tell them a thing or two about what they've gotten themselves into.

But, it would appear that it is too late for that. In keeping with the viral nature in regards to how fast rosters are filling up these days, by the time you read this, the event will likely be filled to its 100 rider capacity. And you know, if you've already invited people to come, it is really hard to tell them, "Whelp! We thought this over and we realized we were being rediculous, so ya'all just go on home now!" No.......that wouldn't really work very well now, would it?

Possibly the only thing that could be more silly than these two guys putting this event on is that I committed to doing it. Yup! My name is on the roster. Cleared it with Mrs. Guitar Ted, and it fits into The Schedule. Sure.....it's two weeks before the Dirty Kanza, so I can always say "Hey! I'm just training, yo!" (Everything is training, right?) Anyway, I've already been told I have to "file a report" by the XXC Man hisself. I guess I better plan on showing up and finishing, even if I about die trying! Who knows what a guy that goes by "The Soiled Chammois" might be capable of! (I don't need to find that out!) 

Yeah, this idea is so whacked that it qualifies as a "badder idea" than Bad Idea Racing. Yes- that bad! But what can I do? I figured after last years embarassing outing that I had at the Rock Lake Trail I should get back for some revenge. We'll see how that all works out.

And like I said yesterday, I'll give it a try! 

Have a great weekend and if you are not in the "snow-pocalypse", maybe you can get some riding in! (I know I better get busy!)

Chequamegon 100: A New Dirty Hundy

<===This here rig would work!

I got an e-mail from T.I.V5 winner Joe Meiser yesterday regarding some nit-witted idea he and his co-worker Tim Krueger hatched up. They decided to put on a 100 mile, self supported race through Chequamegon National Forest lands on CAMBA trails and fire roads.......for free!

Those doofuses. They oughtta talk to someone that could tell them a thing or two about numbskulled ideas like this. (Awesome! Way to go you guys!) I would tell them a thing or two about what they've gotten themselves into.

But, it would appear that it is too late for that. In keeping with the viral nature in regards to how fast rosters are filling up these days, by the time you read this, the event will likely be filled to its 100 rider capacity. And you know, if you've already invited people to come, it is really hard to tell them, "Whelp! We thought this over and we realized we were being rediculous, so ya'all just go on home now!" No.......that wouldn't really work very well now, would it?

Possibly the only thing that could be more silly than these two guys putting this event on is that I committed to doing it. Yup! My name is on the roster. Cleared it with Mrs. Guitar Ted, and it fits into The Schedule. Sure.....it's two weeks before the Dirty Kanza, so I can always say "Hey! I'm just training, yo!" (Everything is training, right?) Anyway, I've already been told I have to "file a report" by the XXC Man hisself. I guess I better plan on showing up and finishing, even if I about die trying! Who knows what a guy that goes by "The Soiled Chammois" might be capable of! (I don't need to find that out!) 

Yeah, this idea is so whacked that it qualifies as a "badder idea" than Bad Idea Racing. Yes- that bad! But what can I do? I figured after last years embarassing outing that I had at the Rock Lake Trail I should get back for some revenge. We'll see how that all works out.

And like I said yesterday, I'll give it a try! 

Have a great weekend and if you are not in the "snow-pocalypse", maybe you can get some riding in! (I know I better get busy!)