More Snow Biking

Saturday I got out and did a bit of riding. A combination of an "urban decay" ride and a nice ride in some wilderness on some packed snowmobile trails.

First, the urban decay. These pictures are from the defunct Rath Packing Company that was located on the north side of the Cedar River near downtown Waterloo.

The big, monolithic building shown on top is where the animals were processed back in the day. I remember the last days of Rath's operations were when I came to live in Waterloo. If the wind was out of the Northeast, the stench from the kill was overwhelming. I really do not miss that part!

The other picture here is of the old entrance to the Administartion Building across the street from the first building pictured here. Note the date of 1925 on the facade.

I find this sort of scene ironic and sad. Ironic because Waterloo is in an area known as "Silos and Smokestacks" which is supposedly in existence to save stuff like Rath Packing's old structures and make them some sort of tourist attraction. Yeah.....right! Wherever that money went to/is going to, it isn't going to save anything here. These buildings are now used to store ice and are literally chipping away into tiny flakes. I saw several on the street as I rode by. These buildings are literally crumbling into dust before our very eyes, and there is a Federal Park set up that is supposed to take care of this? Amazing. (In essence, Silos and Smokestacks is basically a league of pre-existing museums, barn attractions, schoolhouses, and historical sites. Not what they originally said it would be.)

That's the irony. The sad part is that we used to make stuff here. That is what this represents to me. We used to employ hundreds of people to make stuff that is now made overseas. Why is that? Too many ways to answer that one, but I think we need to figure out how we can become a nation that makes things again. My opinion. Now enough about that!

The rest of the ride was on these packed in snowmobile trails I found along the Cedar River further East. The trails were hard, crisp, and fast. If I wandered too far off the beaten path though, I sunk and came to a grinding halt. It was so cold that the snow crystals tearing apart under my 2.4" Ardents were making a really loud noise. 

The trails weren't all that long, so I found a loop and went all the way around to lengthen it out as much as possible.

It is pretty amazing. In the photo at the left, if you rode where you see the tracks you were fine. If you got over there to the left, where the snow was undisturbed, you sunk down several inches and came to an abrupt halt.

I learned to stay on the tracks pretty quickly!

I can really see where things like Pugsleys and Fat Back bikes are appealing. We are having a banner winter for such a bicycle, but I am resisting getting one because I know that this probably is an aberration and we'll be returning to brown, snowless winters again. Well, I know that would happen if I got a snow bike! That's the way it goes, seemingly. If I stay away from getting one, it'll be snowy and cold 8 winters out of 10 for the next decade probably!

Here's the Dillinger all set up with 2.4 inch Ardents now. I probably should have just went with a rear 2.4 from the get go. That weak, dead 2.25"er was a time waster. It is so obvious that Maxxis has beefed up the 2.4 and changed the bead to interface with rims better that I do not understand why they just don't come out and say this is tubeless ready, because it is.

I ran the tires at 30psi rear and 25psi front which out in 8 degree Fahrenheit temps is "somewhat lower psi". At any rate, the tires gripped really well and that wide P-35 rim kept me up on top of the snow where the snomobiles and 4 wheelers had been riding. I rode about a hour and a half, and stayed pretty warm. I got the usual amazed and disdainful looks from the locals. Ah well......I was having fun, so I don't care!

The RAGBRAI route was announced Saturday. Looking for a gravel road alternative? Check out this.

More Snow Biking

Saturday I got out and did a bit of riding. A combination of an "urban decay" ride and a nice ride in some wilderness on some packed snowmobile trails.

First, the urban decay. These pictures are from the defunct Rath Packing Company that was located on the north side of the Cedar River near downtown Waterloo.

The big, monolithic building shown on top is where the animals were processed back in the day. I remember the last days of Rath's operations were when I came to live in Waterloo. If the wind was out of the Northeast, the stench from the kill was overwhelming. I really do not miss that part!

The other picture here is of the old entrance to the Administartion Building across the street from the first building pictured here. Note the date of 1925 on the facade.

I find this sort of scene ironic and sad. Ironic because Waterloo is in an area known as "Silos and Smokestacks" which is supposedly in existence to save stuff like Rath Packing's old structures and make them some sort of tourist attraction. Yeah.....right! Wherever that money went to/is going to, it isn't going to save anything here. These buildings are now used to store ice and are literally chipping away into tiny flakes. I saw several on the street as I rode by. These buildings are literally crumbling into dust before our very eyes, and there is a Federal Park set up that is supposed to take care of this? Amazing. (In essence, Silos and Smokestacks is basically a league of pre-existing museums, barn attractions, schoolhouses, and historical sites. Not what they originally said it would be.)

That's the irony. The sad part is that we used to make stuff here. That is what this represents to me. We used to employ hundreds of people to make stuff that is now made overseas. Why is that? Too many ways to answer that one, but I think we need to figure out how we can become a nation that makes things again. My opinion. Now enough about that!

The rest of the ride was on these packed in snowmobile trails I found along the Cedar River further East. The trails were hard, crisp, and fast. If I wandered too far off the beaten path though, I sunk and came to a grinding halt. It was so cold that the snow crystals tearing apart under my 2.4" Ardents were making a really loud noise. 

The trails weren't all that long, so I found a loop and went all the way around to lengthen it out as much as possible.

It is pretty amazing. In the photo at the left, if you rode where you see the tracks you were fine. If you got over there to the left, where the snow was undisturbed, you sunk down several inches and came to an abrupt halt.

I learned to stay on the tracks pretty quickly!

I can really see where things like Pugsleys and Fat Back bikes are appealing. We are having a banner winter for such a bicycle, but I am resisting getting one because I know that this probably is an aberration and we'll be returning to brown, snowless winters again. Well, I know that would happen if I got a snow bike! That's the way it goes, seemingly. If I stay away from getting one, it'll be snowy and cold 8 winters out of 10 for the next decade probably!

Here's the Dillinger all set up with 2.4 inch Ardents now. I probably should have just went with a rear 2.4 from the get go. That weak, dead 2.25"er was a time waster. It is so obvious that Maxxis has beefed up the 2.4 and changed the bead to interface with rims better that I do not understand why they just don't come out and say this is tubeless ready, because it is.

I ran the tires at 30psi rear and 25psi front which out in 8 degree Fahrenheit temps is "somewhat lower psi". At any rate, the tires gripped really well and that wide P-35 rim kept me up on top of the snow where the snomobiles and 4 wheelers had been riding. I rode about a hour and a half, and stayed pretty warm. I got the usual amazed and disdainful looks from the locals. Ah well......I was having fun, so I don't care!

The RAGBRAI route was announced Saturday. Looking for a gravel road alternative? Check out this.

Snow Biking, Tire Death, And The T.I.V6 Waiting List

<===The Maxxis Ardent 2.25 died a long, painful death.

Well, on January 27th, at approximately 9:00am, a Maxxis Ardent 2.25"er bit the dust, (as a tubeless tire) in my kitchen. Cause of death was a weak sidewall that couldn't stop hemorrahging sealant through spontaneaously created perforations.

It will be survived by an Ardent 2.4 inch tire.

The Ardent 2.25, while lauded by many across the land for its attributes, never behaved itself in like manner at my home. In fact, it was a miscreant as a tubeless tire and never more than average as a tubed tire. Society has been relieved of bearing this under producing example that I have as I will be retiring this to the dust bin. Too bad too. It seemed to have so much potential.

Snow Biking: So instead of ripping up some snow packed streets with the Dillinger/Velocity/Ardent package I instead called into duty the Salsa Cycles El Mariachi named "Grimace" outfitted with the porcine WTB Kodiak tires mounted to the wide Gordo hoops. This proved to be a stellar choice. I ended up finding some well travelled snowmobile tracks and the big WTB's floated me right quick down the trail. Now I can finally understand just a bit what it would be like to have a Pugsley or some other fine snow bike.

I only lasted about an hour, but I need to work into things gradually, since I haven't had many outdoor opportunities of late. The single speed and weight of the wheels made for a constant effort that was taxing, but enjoyable. Good riding at any rate. I feel snow riding, at least the style I do, sharpens my handling skills and balance. I was putting out a pretty consistent effort too, so I thought it was a better way to spend an hour than I would have otherwise.

Speaking Of Training: How is the T.I.V6 training going? Are you going to be on that start line in front of Bikes To You in Grinnell on April 24th? No? Then please let me know so I can move some folks off The Waiting List to the roster before Sunday at midnight! That's when The Waiting List turns back into a pumpkin until next time.

Snow Biking, Tire Death, And The T.I.V6 Waiting List

<===The Maxxis Ardent 2.25 died a long, painful death.

Well, on January 27th, at approximately 9:00am, a Maxxis Ardent 2.25"er bit the dust, (as a tubeless tire) in my kitchen. Cause of death was a weak sidewall that couldn't stop hemorrahging sealant through spontaneaously created perforations.

It will be survived by an Ardent 2.4 inch tire.

The Ardent 2.25, while lauded by many across the land for its attributes, never behaved itself in like manner at my home. In fact, it was a miscreant as a tubeless tire and never more than average as a tubed tire. Society has been relieved of bearing this under producing example that I have as I will be retiring this to the dust bin. Too bad too. It seemed to have so much potential.

Snow Biking: So instead of ripping up some snow packed streets with the Dillinger/Velocity/Ardent package I instead called into duty the Salsa Cycles El Mariachi named "Grimace" outfitted with the porcine WTB Kodiak tires mounted to the wide Gordo hoops. This proved to be a stellar choice. I ended up finding some well travelled snowmobile tracks and the big WTB's floated me right quick down the trail. Now I can finally understand just a bit what it would be like to have a Pugsley or some other fine snow bike.

I only lasted about an hour, but I need to work into things gradually, since I haven't had many outdoor opportunities of late. The single speed and weight of the wheels made for a constant effort that was taxing, but enjoyable. Good riding at any rate. I feel snow riding, at least the style I do, sharpens my handling skills and balance. I was putting out a pretty consistent effort too, so I thought it was a better way to spend an hour than I would have otherwise.

Speaking Of Training: How is the T.I.V6 training going? Are you going to be on that start line in front of Bikes To You in Grinnell on April 24th? No? Then please let me know so I can move some folks off The Waiting List to the roster before Sunday at midnight! That's when The Waiting List turns back into a pumpkin until next time.

Frost And Flash

<===Mrs. Guitar Ted said that "They sure won't miss you on that one!"

So here ya go, the Velocity wheels, Ardent tires, big long fork, 20mm through axle, one speed, and a cool aluminum frame. No goofy names. Just a killer ride. I can't wait to find some dirt on this one.

Yup, that's about it really. No crazy story. No wild tales of how everything came together. I guess I am just boring that way. Oh well!

The tires are tubeless using my buddy MG's cool system which went together in a snap and I am betting will hold up really well. The Ardent 2.4 is up front here with an Ardent 2.25 in the back cause that's how we roll in the Mid-West. Good news is that the Ardent has stretched up to 59 plus silly-meters so far. Still not a 2.4 incher, but it's gettin' close.

<===Click on the pic to make it bigger and find the smiley face Jack Frost left behind!

So we were treated to about three or four days of crazy hoar frost this week. Frost like I can't ever remember seeing. I was stuck inside with family duties for three days and figured I'd miss getting out in it, but when Tuesday came I was treated to an incredible ride to work. The hoar frost had accumulated to such a degree that many of the smaller branches were completely obscured in a brilliant, feathery white. It was as if the trees had sprouted leaves of pure white color. It was an amazing morning!

I was running late, but I just had to stop and pull out my Panasonic LX-3 and take a few hurried shots to remember this by.

Just another of the odd things that have occurred this winter. Now we're supposed to get rained on Saturday which should make everything glum and nasty looking. Makes me even more happy that I stopped a second or two to take these shots. Winter can be beautiful too. I know some folks can't understand how we put up with the cold, but it isn't all that bad once you've lived here awhile.

That said, I am getting that itch for spring to come. I want to hit the dirt with that Dillinger set up with the Rock Shox. I want to ride miles of gravel. I sure would like to see some flowers again too.

It'll be coming!

Ride yer bike if you can and have a great weekend!

Frost And Flash

<===Mrs. Guitar Ted said that "They sure won't miss you on that one!"

So here ya go, the Velocity wheels, Ardent tires, big long fork, 20mm through axle, one speed, and a cool aluminum frame. No goofy names. Just a killer ride. I can't wait to find some dirt on this one.

Yup, that's about it really. No crazy story. No wild tales of how everything came together. I guess I am just boring that way. Oh well!

The tires are tubeless using my buddy MG's cool system which went together in a snap and I am betting will hold up really well. The Ardent 2.4 is up front here with an Ardent 2.25 in the back cause that's how we roll in the Mid-West. Good news is that the Ardent has stretched up to 59 plus silly-meters so far. Still not a 2.4 incher, but it's gettin' close.

<===Click on the pic to make it bigger and find the smiley face Jack Frost left behind!

So we were treated to about three or four days of crazy hoar frost this week. Frost like I can't ever remember seeing. I was stuck inside with family duties for three days and figured I'd miss getting out in it, but when Tuesday came I was treated to an incredible ride to work. The hoar frost had accumulated to such a degree that many of the smaller branches were completely obscured in a brilliant, feathery white. It was as if the trees had sprouted leaves of pure white color. It was an amazing morning!

I was running late, but I just had to stop and pull out my Panasonic LX-3 and take a few hurried shots to remember this by.

Just another of the odd things that have occurred this winter. Now we're supposed to get rained on Saturday which should make everything glum and nasty looking. Makes me even more happy that I stopped a second or two to take these shots. Winter can be beautiful too. I know some folks can't understand how we put up with the cold, but it isn't all that bad once you've lived here awhile.

That said, I am getting that itch for spring to come. I want to hit the dirt with that Dillinger set up with the Rock Shox. I want to ride miles of gravel. I sure would like to see some flowers again too.

It'll be coming!

Ride yer bike if you can and have a great weekend!

Backlog Of Stuff!

<==Christmas Eve Treat!

It has been awhile since I could write about the current goings on here what with the Rearview Of '09 going on. Well, plenty of stuff was happening, let me assure you!

A-Lo, my former co-worker and now resident Velocity U.S.A. wonk, was in town and passed off this pimpy set of Velocity wheels for testing on Twenty Nine Inches. They feature Velocity's new hubs and the new P-35 rims. The rims were designed in conjunction with Kirk Pacenti and are a whopping 35mm wide! Velocity is recommending a Stan's rim strip for now, but will have their own system to set these up tubeless in the future, I am told.


<===Check out that wide rim profile!

The hubs are Velocity's newest hubs and I have a 20mm through axle front hub here with a single speed specific rear hub that interfaces with a thread on freewheel. The bearings are really smoooooth!! Disc specific too, by the way.

These will be fitted with some Ardent 2.4 inch rubber tubeless and slammed on the following bike sometime soon................




<===But first, could you please pass the Gray Poupon?

Yeah....those yellowy-green beasts are weird looking, but underneath that Kevlar exterior lies the carbon fiber goodness that is a Ragley Bikes Carnegie's Bar. Oh yeah! It has indicated to me that it has some lovely "give" but still retaining that great feel of control. Directly swapped out without a stem change, the Carnegie's is a really great "alt-bar" for mtb-ing. Look for more words on this cool little bit of componentry coming soon. Oh, by the way, the look of this will be changing, so don't get to hung up on the "phlegm yellow" look, although I know Johnny Rotten would have been proud of it. Ragley's head honch, Brant Richards was kind enough to let me have this pre-production proto-type to play with. Thus the looks.

<===Snow on the Soul.

Bicycling has been on the down low of late. So much snow, ice , and cold make it a lot harder to get out and play, but I have a few rides on this new Soul Cycles Dillinger Gen III frame which is a pretty nice riding frame. The fork is a cro-mo steel unit that is optimized for a 100mm travel suspension correction. It's all been tweaked recently by Chad at Soul Cycles with a total commitment to disc only brakes and a re-routing of the cable guides. All wrapped up in a gorgeous midnight blue color. Soul Cycles really nails it in the looks category, that's for sure. Watch Twenty Nine Inches for the upcoming review to see if the performance can match the high standards set by the good looks.

Notice the white cages on that Dillinger? Well, they are Velocity's new water bottle cages. The long running aluminum anodized ones were discontinued due to the ancient machine that made them and it's propensity for breaking down. Velocity decided to ditch that old design, and now with this new design they have something that is pretty close to a Cat Eye cage in looks and even in bottle retention. Yes- this cage does not like to let go of bottles. It almost works too good. I want to relent on passing judgement until warmer weather, but right now the grip on bottles here is insane.

And the Velocity wheels? Well, after I reduce the travel on my white Rock Shox through axle fork to 100mm, I will be popping it on the Dillinger with these wild, white wheels. Stay tuned!

Backlog Of Stuff!

<==Christmas Eve Treat!

It has been awhile since I could write about the current goings on here what with the Rearview Of '09 going on. Well, plenty of stuff was happening, let me assure you!

A-Lo, my former co-worker and now resident Velocity U.S.A. wonk, was in town and passed off this pimpy set of Velocity wheels for testing on Twenty Nine Inches. They feature Velocity's new hubs and the new P-35 rims. The rims were designed in conjunction with Kirk Pacenti and are a whopping 35mm wide! Velocity is recommending a Stan's rim strip for now, but will have their own system to set these up tubeless in the future, I am told.


<===Check out that wide rim profile!

The hubs are Velocity's newest hubs and I have a 20mm through axle front hub here with a single speed specific rear hub that interfaces with a thread on freewheel. The bearings are really smoooooth!! Disc specific too, by the way.

These will be fitted with some Ardent 2.4 inch rubber tubeless and slammed on the following bike sometime soon................




<===But first, could you please pass the Gray Poupon?

Yeah....those yellowy-green beasts are weird looking, but underneath that Kevlar exterior lies the carbon fiber goodness that is a Ragley Bikes Carnegie's Bar. Oh yeah! It has indicated to me that it has some lovely "give" but still retaining that great feel of control. Directly swapped out without a stem change, the Carnegie's is a really great "alt-bar" for mtb-ing. Look for more words on this cool little bit of componentry coming soon. Oh, by the way, the look of this will be changing, so don't get to hung up on the "phlegm yellow" look, although I know Johnny Rotten would have been proud of it. Ragley's head honch, Brant Richards was kind enough to let me have this pre-production proto-type to play with. Thus the looks.

<===Snow on the Soul.

Bicycling has been on the down low of late. So much snow, ice , and cold make it a lot harder to get out and play, but I have a few rides on this new Soul Cycles Dillinger Gen III frame which is a pretty nice riding frame. The fork is a cro-mo steel unit that is optimized for a 100mm travel suspension correction. It's all been tweaked recently by Chad at Soul Cycles with a total commitment to disc only brakes and a re-routing of the cable guides. All wrapped up in a gorgeous midnight blue color. Soul Cycles really nails it in the looks category, that's for sure. Watch Twenty Nine Inches for the upcoming review to see if the performance can match the high standards set by the good looks.

Notice the white cages on that Dillinger? Well, they are Velocity's new water bottle cages. The long running aluminum anodized ones were discontinued due to the ancient machine that made them and it's propensity for breaking down. Velocity decided to ditch that old design, and now with this new design they have something that is pretty close to a Cat Eye cage in looks and even in bottle retention. Yes- this cage does not like to let go of bottles. It almost works too good. I want to relent on passing judgement until warmer weather, but right now the grip on bottles here is insane.

And the Velocity wheels? Well, after I reduce the travel on my white Rock Shox through axle fork to 100mm, I will be popping it on the Dillinger with these wild, white wheels. Stay tuned!

It's Time To Embrace The Snow

<===So whatta ya call Midnight Blue in the daytime?

So, if you can't ride much of anywhere, and there is snow everywhere, I figure it is time to embrace the snow. Live with it, love it. Yep! So I got out the cross country skis and hit the trails.

Everyone knows that XC skiing is a pretty good exercise. One thing cyclists need to remember is that it uses a few different muscles than maybe you are used to using.......if ever! Yeah.....so take it easy the first few times out. I did, and I am sure I'll be glad I did once I get out and about today.



<====Cold, blue........aluminum(?)!!! Yup!

Well, this blue beauty showed up and is going to be built up as a single speed soon for a test on Twenty Nine Inches. I have to score a crank set and bottom bracket, and then I should be good to go.

Twenty Nine Inches did a test on a Soul Cycles Dillinger before in 2008, but this is the Generation III edition, so we are taking another look at this aluminum rig. Look for more on Twenty Nine Inches soon concerning this frame, the Soul Cycles rigid fork, and the build process coming soon!

Gravel Grinder News: I'm getting a great response to this and folks are already getting me new info to put up on the site. Thanks to all who have checked it out. I hope it helps promote and grow gravel/back road type "under the radar" events all across the nation. Remember, if you have anything to share, I want to know and put it on the site. Just go to Gravel Grinder News and you will find an e-mail link in the right margin. Use it!

Speaking of gravel events: I'll have some announcements to share in my next installment of Trans Iowa V6: Thoughts...................

(Special shout out to my daughter Izabel who turns 9 today! Happy Birthday!)

Note: This product was provided to Twenty Nine Inches at no charge for reviewing. We are not being paid or bribed for this review. We will give our honest opinion or thoughts through out.

It's Time To Embrace The Snow

<===So whatta ya call Midnight Blue in the daytime?

So, if you can't ride much of anywhere, and there is snow everywhere, I figure it is time to embrace the snow. Live with it, love it. Yep! So I got out the cross country skis and hit the trails.

Everyone knows that XC skiing is a pretty good exercise. One thing cyclists need to remember is that it uses a few different muscles than maybe you are used to using.......if ever! Yeah.....so take it easy the first few times out. I did, and I am sure I'll be glad I did once I get out and about today.



<====Cold, blue........aluminum(?)!!! Yup!

Well, this blue beauty showed up and is going to be built up as a single speed soon for a test on Twenty Nine Inches. I have to score a crank set and bottom bracket, and then I should be good to go.

Twenty Nine Inches did a test on a Soul Cycles Dillinger before in 2008, but this is the Generation III edition, so we are taking another look at this aluminum rig. Look for more on Twenty Nine Inches soon concerning this frame, the Soul Cycles rigid fork, and the build process coming soon!

Gravel Grinder News: I'm getting a great response to this and folks are already getting me new info to put up on the site. Thanks to all who have checked it out. I hope it helps promote and grow gravel/back road type "under the radar" events all across the nation. Remember, if you have anything to share, I want to know and put it on the site. Just go to Gravel Grinder News and you will find an e-mail link in the right margin. Use it!

Speaking of gravel events: I'll have some announcements to share in my next installment of Trans Iowa V6: Thoughts...................

(Special shout out to my daughter Izabel who turns 9 today! Happy Birthday!)

Note: This product was provided to Twenty Nine Inches at no charge for reviewing. We are not being paid or bribed for this review. We will give our honest opinion or thoughts through out.

Adventuring In Minneapolis

This Tuesday and Wednesday I am scheduled for an adventure in Minneapolis with Captain Bob. We are going to vote and then bug outta town on what should be quite the overnight excursion. The first part of the trip I can tell you about, but the second I can't......not yet! I don't quite have any idea of just what is going to happen on Wednesday other than the fact that I will be riding a bicycle. More on that in a minute.

First we have a Tuesday coming up that should prove to be probably the very last really nice day of 2008. And Captain Bob and I have it off! Wahoo! The festivities begin with a short stop over at Milltown Cycles to say hello to my friend Ben Witt and drop off something there. Then it is on to Murphy Hanrahan for some single speed action with Captain Bob aboard the Soul Cycles Dillinger and I aboard the trusty Blackbuck. We'll hook up with Twin Six honch Brent Gale for some action at Lebanon Hills if he hasn't already tracked us down at Murph. After riding festivities will continue with dinner and hanging out until 9pm when our host for Wednesday's madness takes us in. That would be Jason Boucher of Salsa Cycles fame.

Jason has a mad plan of attack that he is keeping close to his vest. All I know is that it involves Fargos, early morning riding in the dark, and...........???? (This isn't helping him shed the "Cagey McCagerson" tag, I'll tell ya that much!) All I can say is you'll have to tune in next Thursday for the lowdown.

Tuesday you'll get the "Touring Tuesdays" installment, but Wednesday will be a late, late post, if I post at all. You've been warned! Don't sit there refreshing your page waiting to see if I posted on Wednesday!

Okay, that's all I know. See ya Thursday! Go Vote!

Adventuring In Minneapolis

This Tuesday and Wednesday I am scheduled for an adventure in Minneapolis with Captain Bob. We are going to vote and then bug outta town on what should be quite the overnight excursion. The first part of the trip I can tell you about, but the second I can't......not yet! I don't quite have any idea of just what is going to happen on Wednesday other than the fact that I will be riding a bicycle. More on that in a minute.

First we have a Tuesday coming up that should prove to be probably the very last really nice day of 2008. And Captain Bob and I have it off! Wahoo! The festivities begin with a short stop over at Milltown Cycles to say hello to my friend Ben Witt and drop off something there. Then it is on to Murphy Hanrahan for some single speed action with Captain Bob aboard the Soul Cycles Dillinger and I aboard the trusty Blackbuck. We'll hook up with Twin Six honch Brent Gale for some action at Lebanon Hills if he hasn't already tracked us down at Murph. After riding festivities will continue with dinner and hanging out until 9pm when our host for Wednesday's madness takes us in. That would be Jason Boucher of Salsa Cycles fame.

Jason has a mad plan of attack that he is keeping close to his vest. All I know is that it involves Fargos, early morning riding in the dark, and...........???? (This isn't helping him shed the "Cagey McCagerson" tag, I'll tell ya that much!) All I can say is you'll have to tune in next Thursday for the lowdown.

Tuesday you'll get the "Touring Tuesdays" installment, but Wednesday will be a late, late post, if I post at all. You've been warned! Don't sit there refreshing your page waiting to see if I posted on Wednesday!

Okay, that's all I know. See ya Thursday! Go Vote!

Something New To Play With

Note: All photos courtesy of Captain Bob.

<===The Soul Cycles Dillinger test sled

Awhile back I had hinted that Captain Bob and I would have something special built up to test out over the summer months. Well.........here it is!








<===The AluScraper seat post from BBB Components

We have a full compliment of BBB Components on this rig to test out. (By the way, "BBB" stands for "Bike parts by Bikers for Bikers") BBB is a European company that sponsors a few pro road squads and makes a varied palette of cycling goodies.

This seat post is a no nonsense sort of component. 400mm in length and it looks to be pretty tough. 246 grams in weight for this 27.2 example. It's got a two bolt clamp which is pretty standard for quality posts these days.

Smallish logo looks understated and doesn't take away from the spartan appearance of this post.






<===UltraForce stem

The stem continues with the understated look. It is a very nicely made piece executed in 2014 alloy and 3D forged. It has a paltry weight of about 134 grams. It seems very smartly made though. Four bolt clamp should keep the 31.8mm SkyBar in place. It is a 6061-T6 piece with 35mm rise and 10 degree back sweep. It weighs in at 336 grams. it is pretty stout!




<===Selle San Marco saddle for Captain Bob's bum!

We also received this Selle San Marco Caymano saddle to mount up on the BBB post. It is a pretty well made Italian saddle and weighs in at 170 grams. Unfortunately, it doesn't agree with my tush at all, so Captain Bob will be putting this perch to the test, not me!






<===RoundAbout chain ring

The chain ring is also a BBB piece called the "RoundAbout" (which always makes that "Yes" tune start spinning in my head!) We're spinning the 34T version here though and it is 7075-T6 alloy ring. We will be single speeding this one, but it has some rad looking CNC'ed ramps on the back side for you shifter freaks out there.

A couple of other things to note here. We are also using a BBB TurnAround headset on this Soul Cycles Dillinger which Captain Bob and I will be test riding around these parts most of the rest of the year. Look for us and ask for a ride! Another interesting bit that should find its way onto this rig is a Spinner "2 Nine" fork which we may be getting soon to check out. It has an air spring, lock out, and rebound control. It looks much like the RST M-29 which I thought was an excellent fork last year. Perhaps we'll get the chance to put the Spinner through the wringer this summer and see if it measures up.

All of these components are to be reviewed and tested on The Bike Lab and Twenty Nine Inches. So, look for more on this stuff there in the future.

Something New To Play With

Note: All photos courtesy of Captain Bob.

<===The Soul Cycles Dillinger test sled

Awhile back I had hinted that Captain Bob and I would have something special built up to test out over the summer months. Well.........here it is!








<===The AluScraper seat post from BBB Components

We have a full compliment of BBB Components on this rig to test out. (By the way, "BBB" stands for "Bike parts by Bikers for Bikers") BBB is a European company that sponsors a few pro road squads and makes a varied palette of cycling goodies.

This seat post is a no nonsense sort of component. 400mm in length and it looks to be pretty tough. 246 grams in weight for this 27.2 example. It's got a two bolt clamp which is pretty standard for quality posts these days.

Smallish logo looks understated and doesn't take away from the spartan appearance of this post.






<===UltraForce stem

The stem continues with the understated look. It is a very nicely made piece executed in 2014 alloy and 3D forged. It has a paltry weight of about 134 grams. It seems very smartly made though. Four bolt clamp should keep the 31.8mm SkyBar in place. It is a 6061-T6 piece with 35mm rise and 10 degree back sweep. It weighs in at 336 grams. it is pretty stout!




<===Selle San Marco saddle for Captain Bob's bum!

We also received this Selle San Marco Caymano saddle to mount up on the BBB post. It is a pretty well made Italian saddle and weighs in at 170 grams. Unfortunately, it doesn't agree with my tush at all, so Captain Bob will be putting this perch to the test, not me!






<===RoundAbout chain ring

The chain ring is also a BBB piece called the "RoundAbout" (which always makes that "Yes" tune start spinning in my head!) We're spinning the 34T version here though and it is 7075-T6 alloy ring. We will be single speeding this one, but it has some rad looking CNC'ed ramps on the back side for you shifter freaks out there.

A couple of other things to note here. We are also using a BBB TurnAround headset on this Soul Cycles Dillinger which Captain Bob and I will be test riding around these parts most of the rest of the year. Look for us and ask for a ride! Another interesting bit that should find its way onto this rig is a Spinner "2 Nine" fork which we may be getting soon to check out. It has an air spring, lock out, and rebound control. It looks much like the RST M-29 which I thought was an excellent fork last year. Perhaps we'll get the chance to put the Spinner through the wringer this summer and see if it measures up.

All of these components are to be reviewed and tested on The Bike Lab and Twenty Nine Inches. So, look for more on this stuff there in the future.