Rear View 2018: Late Summer

Team Pink bikes at the 24 Hrs of Cumming

A short week after the Guitar Ted Death Ride Invitational I made the trek to Des Moines, Iowa to hang out with my brother, Sam, and we were scheduled to do the 24hrs of Cumming. This was an endurance mtb style event where the course was set up in four separate loops which yielded a 400K-ish distance if you did all of it. Spanning Saturday and Sunday, it was to be a big deal for Sam and I.

Sam drew first ride in our two man attempt. So, I had to await his return in the early afternoon. Meanwhile I spent a bunch of time waiting, waiting......fooling around with my set up, waiting......messing with how much nutrition to carry.....and a few minutes talking to a few of the folks hanging out. The attic above the Cumming Tap was our roost for the weekend, so that was part of the reason I was sort of "invisible" much of the time.

When Sam came in and I left, things seemed good for a while but then the weekend previous reared its ugly head, my legs went away, and well..... I finally got back, but we were doomed. Sam started the next loop but cut it short. We then celebrated his birthday at the Tap, I stayed up all night, and the weekend ended with a good time amongst friends.

Following this melt down of the legs was Gravel Worlds, only a mere two weeks later. I tried to recover, but after about 80 miles......... Not so much. I was supremely disappointed, but there ya go. That event ended with at least a good time hanging out with good people. Still, I haven't quite got over the physical meltdown I had over this period, at least mentally. I think physically I have been back on good footing for a while, but the disappointing performances are tough to forget.

At least I got to see some great new territory in Nebraska. This was one of my favorite stretches here.

I also did a little of my own exploration after abandoning Gravel Worlds, and why not? It is a beautiful area to ride in.

Well, after all of that came September and hopes of single track in the Fall. No more events though! I needed to take it easy the rest of the year.

Next: A Wrap On 2018's Rear View.....

Rear View 2018: Late Summer

Team Pink bikes at the 24 Hrs of Cumming

A short week after the Guitar Ted Death Ride Invitational I made the trek to Des Moines, Iowa to hang out with my brother, Sam, and we were scheduled to do the 24hrs of Cumming. This was an endurance mtb style event where the course was set up in four separate loops which yielded a 400K-ish distance if you did all of it. Spanning Saturday and Sunday, it was to be a big deal for Sam and I.

Sam drew first ride in our two man attempt. So, I had to await his return in the early afternoon. Meanwhile I spent a bunch of time waiting, waiting......fooling around with my set up, waiting......messing with how much nutrition to carry.....and a few minutes talking to a few of the folks hanging out. The attic above the Cumming Tap was our roost for the weekend, so that was part of the reason I was sort of "invisible" much of the time.

When Sam came in and I left, things seemed good for a while but then the weekend previous reared its ugly head, my legs went away, and well..... I finally got back, but we were doomed. Sam started the next loop but cut it short. We then celebrated his birthday at the Tap, I stayed up all night, and the weekend ended with a good time amongst friends.

Following this melt down of the legs was Gravel Worlds, only a mere two weeks later. I tried to recover, but after about 80 miles......... Not so much. I was supremely disappointed, but there ya go. That event ended with at least a good time hanging out with good people. Still, I haven't quite got over the physical meltdown I had over this period, at least mentally. I think physically I have been back on good footing for a while, but the disappointing performances are tough to forget.

At least I got to see some great new territory in Nebraska. This was one of my favorite stretches here.

I also did a little of my own exploration after abandoning Gravel Worlds, and why not? It is a beautiful area to ride in.

Well, after all of that came September and hopes of single track in the Fall. No more events though! I needed to take it easy the rest of the year.

Next: A Wrap On 2018's Rear View.....

Friday News And Views

Gear Review From The 24Hrs Of Cumming:

Well, not really much of a gear review  as it is a further word on the Black Mountain MCD, or as it has been dubbed, the "Bubblegum Princess", or BgP for short.

Essentially what I am finding is that it feels and rides a whole lot like a Gen I Fargo to me. Long time blog readers here will find that as high praise because they know how much I like that bike. I just fits me, and the ride is very comfortable.

It does handle a bit differently than the OG "Orange Crush" Black Mountain Cycles bike I have. It doesn't feel as short, and it feels as though I am a bit more "in" the bike and "behind" the bars which is what I prefer on a gravel rig. I don't like bicycles that make it feel as though the front wheel is pinned down either by geometry or weight distribution, or both. Those sorts of bikes don't handle looser, deeper stuff well at all. In other words, most gravel I travel.

When I set up this bike I had the benefit of having two other bikes I had spent a lot of gravel time on around here and, of course, the Fargo. Between the three I basically set the BgP up as something in between those bikes. Not as high and stretched as the Fargo, but not as low and compact as the Orange Crush or Tamland.

I said that I may tweak the set up, but honestly, I don't think that is going to happen after riding it this past weekend. The RedShift Sports ShockStop stem is amazing on here and I can highly recommend the Whiskey seat post that I have on here. VERY comfy! The Whiskey carbon bars are great as well. My bad shoulder never gave me any aches or pains from vibrations all weekend.

Sam Auen, host of the Cyclist- Not Biker Podcast

Cyclist- Not Biker Podcast:

This came out last Tuesday, but you should give it a listen. I didn't know how it would be as a podcast, but this conversation between myself and my "Team Pink" partner, Sam Auen came out really good, I thought. I figured that if it makes me laugh out loud, think, and generally feel good, then maybe you would like it too.

We rambled for sure since we had zero planning going into this. You can tell at the beginning and at another point where we really didn't know what to do, but for 95% of it we were pretty much on fire, and the dang thing is two hours long! 

We cover the death of Trans Iowa, some good TI stories, and then we get into the future of gravel, and what will keep it going strong from here. Like I have said elsewhere, there are swear words and you may not want to play this out loud in front of certain folks. Otherwise, enjoy! I had a blast doing it.


Sam has a post-event podcast in the can that we did, listen to that HERE. Again- it's sweary, so NSFW and certain tender ears. This episode is a bit more focused on the event.

 Trade Wars Update:

The tariff on bicycles and related parts, plus raw materials which I wrote about last week is in the news again. It is being reported by the trade publications that the 25% tarrif on e-bikes is going to be implemented.

This will have a detrimental effect on many e-bikes because most of them are manufactured in China at present. However; efforts are being made to move production by many companies. Not to the U.S.! Oh no...... But to cheap labor sources like other Southeast Asian nations, India, and Eastern Europe.

My view is that outside of the larger urban areas e-bikes are seen as being too expensive as is. This tariff will now affect those inner-urban centers where these sorts of bicycles are flourishing and pretty much kill e-bike sales in places like the areas I live in. I don't see e-bikes being real hot around the Mid-West anyway. What I do see are do-it-yourself conversions using gas motors and a few electric ones. Scooters with chainsaw motors and the like. Mad Max-like stuff. This tariff will only push that sort of thing further along in these parts.

Okay, Summer is winding down. What are you waiting for?! Get out and ride!

Friday News And Views

Gear Review From The 24Hrs Of Cumming:

Well, not really much of a gear review  as it is a further word on the Black Mountain MCD, or as it has been dubbed, the "Bubblegum Princess", or BgP for short.

Essentially what I am finding is that it feels and rides a whole lot like a Gen I Fargo to me. Long time blog readers here will find that as high praise because they know how much I like that bike. I just fits me, and the ride is very comfortable.

It does handle a bit differently than the OG "Orange Crush" Black Mountain Cycles bike I have. It doesn't feel as short, and it feels as though I am a bit more "in" the bike and "behind" the bars which is what I prefer on a gravel rig. I don't like bicycles that make it feel as though the front wheel is pinned down either by geometry or weight distribution, or both. Those sorts of bikes don't handle looser, deeper stuff well at all. In other words, most gravel I travel.

When I set up this bike I had the benefit of having two other bikes I had spent a lot of gravel time on around here and, of course, the Fargo. Between the three I basically set the BgP up as something in between those bikes. Not as high and stretched as the Fargo, but not as low and compact as the Orange Crush or Tamland.

I said that I may tweak the set up, but honestly, I don't think that is going to happen after riding it this past weekend. The RedShift Sports ShockStop stem is amazing on here and I can highly recommend the Whiskey seat post that I have on here. VERY comfy! The Whiskey carbon bars are great as well. My bad shoulder never gave me any aches or pains from vibrations all weekend.

Sam Auen, host of the Cyclist- Not Biker Podcast

Cyclist- Not Biker Podcast:

This came out last Tuesday, but you should give it a listen. I didn't know how it would be as a podcast, but this conversation between myself and my "Team Pink" partner, Sam Auen came out really good, I thought. I figured that if it makes me laugh out loud, think, and generally feel good, then maybe you would like it too.

We rambled for sure since we had zero planning going into this. You can tell at the beginning and at another point where we really didn't know what to do, but for 95% of it we were pretty much on fire, and the dang thing is two hours long! 

We cover the death of Trans Iowa, some good TI stories, and then we get into the future of gravel, and what will keep it going strong from here. Like I have said elsewhere, there are swear words and you may not want to play this out loud in front of certain folks. Otherwise, enjoy! I had a blast doing it.


Sam has a post-event podcast in the can that we did, listen to that HERE. Again- it's sweary, so NSFW and certain tender ears. This episode is a bit more focused on the event.

 Trade Wars Update:

The tariff on bicycles and related parts, plus raw materials which I wrote about last week is in the news again. It is being reported by the trade publications that the 25% tarrif on e-bikes is going to be implemented.

This will have a detrimental effect on many e-bikes because most of them are manufactured in China at present. However; efforts are being made to move production by many companies. Not to the U.S.! Oh no...... But to cheap labor sources like other Southeast Asian nations, India, and Eastern Europe.

My view is that outside of the larger urban areas e-bikes are seen as being too expensive as is. This tariff will now affect those inner-urban centers where these sorts of bicycles are flourishing and pretty much kill e-bike sales in places like the areas I live in. I don't see e-bikes being real hot around the Mid-West anyway. What I do see are do-it-yourself conversions using gas motors and a few electric ones. Scooters with chainsaw motors and the like. Mad Max-like stuff. This tariff will only push that sort of thing further along in these parts.

Okay, Summer is winding down. What are you waiting for?! Get out and ride!

The 24hrs of Cumming Report: Part 2

Team Pink bikes, ready to engage!

Just before Sam headed out for his first leg of the 24hrs of Cumming, I realized I had forgotten my lights! This was bad! I certainly would be needing them. I desperately dug through all my stuff, and frustratingly found all the accessories for the light: the charging cord, the extra battery, but no light! 

I had my tail light, as I had that affixed to the bike before I left for the event. I also had a bike light I had intended to use as a flashlight in the upper room where we were staying. Hmm......

Mechanic problem solving mind engaged! I decided that I should try to see if I had a USB to charge up this light, and I did. Good! While the light was being fully charged, I thought about how I could affix the light to my bicycle. After I threw out a few ideas, I decided to try taping it to my helmet with gaffers tape I had brought along. I had a pretty solid solution in mind, but I wasn't going to tape it on until I needed it, since this light is kind of clunky, and I didn't want it bobbing my head around all day long. So I wrapped a good length of gaffers tape around my mini pump's barrel. Then, while foraging for other stuff in my bag I came across my original plan for the helmet light, and older Lezyne light which I had the helmet mount for. I decided to try it on my stem, which seemed like it might work. Okay! Good! I had a serviceable light set up.

Sam and the group of 400K entrants- some solo, some team- upon the start of the event.

I then took a break from that to see what was going on in the start area. I ran across N.Y.Roll who was pulling out due to a knee issue. I mentioned my light fiasco and he offered up his Lezyne light to use. Boom! Now I could put the helmet light I had on the helmet and be good to go. Thanks N.Y. Roll!!! He also downloaded his peanut butter sandwiches to me so I had a bit something different to eat during the event.

Now I was all set to go, but I had to wait. I spent quite a while in the upper room, just going over everything in my mind, trying to relax, and trying to stay hydrated and topped off on electrolytes. I had no clear idea when Sam might come in, but he had been riding a LOT more than I had been, so I was assuming he would be faster than I would be.

Suddenly there was a commotion outside and I heard that a team rider had come in. A little over three hours! Wow! Maybe Sam would be in sooner than I thought even! I decided I'd better be getting kitted up and set to go at any minute. I used my RidingGravel.com kit and since it was kind of overcast, I skipped the arm covers. Okay! Ready!

Steve Cannon, (sitting in the chair with black hat) the event director of the 24hrs of Cumming

I sat near the scoring and timing tent and waited. Suddenly, a group of about four to five riders approached. Event director, Steve Cannon, jumped up to help them get across the road safely, as traffic is pretty high right there on the paved county road we were located by. Steve turned to me and said, "Hey! I think you might know this guy!" It was Sam! He looked me straight in the eye with a smile, but didn't say anything as I tagged him and headed across the street. He looked really dusty! So dirty and dusty I almost did not recognize him! But we shared no words in that hurried exchange where I just took off. I guess I was pretty antsy to get going. Maybe had I spoken with Sam a few minutes we would have had a different experience, but oh well!

Next: Part 3

The 24hrs of Cumming Report: Part 2

Team Pink bikes, ready to engage!

Just before Sam headed out for his first leg of the 24hrs of Cumming, I realized I had forgotten my lights! This was bad! I certainly would be needing them. I desperately dug through all my stuff, and frustratingly found all the accessories for the light: the charging cord, the extra battery, but no light! 

I had my tail light, as I had that affixed to the bike before I left for the event. I also had a bike light I had intended to use as a flashlight in the upper room where we were staying. Hmm......

Mechanic problem solving mind engaged! I decided that I should try to see if I had a USB to charge up this light, and I did. Good! While the light was being fully charged, I thought about how I could affix the light to my bicycle. After I threw out a few ideas, I decided to try taping it to my helmet with gaffers tape I had brought along. I had a pretty solid solution in mind, but I wasn't going to tape it on until I needed it, since this light is kind of clunky, and I didn't want it bobbing my head around all day long. So I wrapped a good length of gaffers tape around my mini pump's barrel. Then, while foraging for other stuff in my bag I came across my original plan for the helmet light, and older Lezyne light which I had the helmet mount for. I decided to try it on my stem, which seemed like it might work. Okay! Good! I had a serviceable light set up.

Sam and the group of 400K entrants- some solo, some team- upon the start of the event.

I then took a break from that to see what was going on in the start area. I ran across N.Y.Roll who was pulling out due to a knee issue. I mentioned my light fiasco and he offered up his Lezyne light to use. Boom! Now I could put the helmet light I had on the helmet and be good to go. Thanks N.Y. Roll!!! He also downloaded his peanut butter sandwiches to me so I had a bit something different to eat during the event.

Now I was all set to go, but I had to wait. I spent quite a while in the upper room, just going over everything in my mind, trying to relax, and trying to stay hydrated and topped off on electrolytes. I had no clear idea when Sam might come in, but he had been riding a LOT more than I had been, so I was assuming he would be faster than I would be.

Suddenly there was a commotion outside and I heard that a team rider had come in. A little over three hours! Wow! Maybe Sam would be in sooner than I thought even! I decided I'd better be getting kitted up and set to go at any minute. I used my RidingGravel.com kit and since it was kind of overcast, I skipped the arm covers. Okay! Ready!

Steve Cannon, (sitting in the chair with black hat) the event director of the 24hrs of Cumming

I sat near the scoring and timing tent and waited. Suddenly, a group of about four to five riders approached. Event director, Steve Cannon, jumped up to help them get across the road safely, as traffic is pretty high right there on the paved county road we were located by. Steve turned to me and said, "Hey! I think you might know this guy!" It was Sam! He looked me straight in the eye with a smile, but didn't say anything as I tagged him and headed across the street. He looked really dusty! So dirty and dusty I almost did not recognize him! But we shared no words in that hurried exchange where I just took off. I guess I was pretty antsy to get going. Maybe had I spoken with Sam a few minutes we would have had a different experience, but oh well!

Next: Part 3

The 24hrs of Cumming Report Part 1

The front of Sam's place in the DSM.

This past weekend was the annual 24hrs of Cumming, a gravel event based upon what the old 24hr mtb races were like where a team, or a solo rider, does a prescribed distance (or as many laps as possible in many cases) over a 24 hour time period. The 24hrs of Cumming is set up such that there are 4 loops of approximately 60 miles each. Sam, my Gent's Race teammate, invited me to partner with him in the 2 Man/400K challenge.

The weekend started off with my heading down to Des Moines, Iowa to hook up with Sam Friday afternoon. When I arrived at his casa, he gave me the tour and we downloaded my stuff into his Sprinter van for the trip the next day to Cumming, Iowa, which is just Southwest of Des Moines.

But first, we had to get ourselves checked in at the race headquarters, which was located at the Cumming Tap. There are bike paths right from Sam's place all the way down to the tap and it is about a 12 mile ride one way. It was great to get down there and back with Sam. We had a lot of time to chat and catch up. After we got back it was time to get vittles at Sam's own Krunkwich Ramen House. I highly recommend it if you are ever in Des Moines.

I decided to "eat like Sam" for the weekend and be vegan. It wasn't hard to do, and it was very tasty! You do have to think past your usual conventions and habits, which can be a good thing to make yourself do, I think. Anyway......

Then we had an "endurance podcast" session. Sam has his own podcast called "Cyclist- Not Biker", and I was his first guest! (NOTICE- this podcast is a bit "sweary", so you may not want to play it out loud in front of certain folks.) Sam doesn't have the marathon podcast up yet, but when it goes live, I'll put a link up. We didn't know we were going to record for two hours, in fact, we didn't really have a clear idea of what we were going to say. But it came out well. I covered Trans Iowa, promoter woes, the gravel scene as it stands today, and what I think will be its future and why. It's all in the unvarnished, raw, opinionated format Sam is known for, I think some of you might find it interesting.

The DSM skyline as seen out on Sam's balcony.

Afterward we chatted a bit more and then we hit the hay. No big rush, since the event didn't start until 11:00am. We would have plenty of time in the morning to get down to Cumming, set up, and then wait for the start, which Sam was planning on taking. He was going to do Leg 1 and Leg 3, while I would tackle 2 and 4.

 Our place of abode for the weekend's activities was a huge open area above the building the Cumming Tap is in.

 

 

Breakfast was had and we moseyed on down to Cumming and downloaded our stuff into the huge area above the Cumming Tap. Then Sam got kitted up and at precisely 11:00am he headed on out to tackle the first leg of the event for us.

Stay tuned for the Part 2 of this report tomorrow.

The 24hrs of Cumming Report Part 1

The front of Sam's place in the DSM.

This past weekend was the annual 24hrs of Cumming, a gravel event based upon what the old 24hr mtb races were like where a team, or a solo rider, does a prescribed distance (or as many laps as possible in many cases) over a 24 hour time period. The 24hrs of Cumming is set up such that there are 4 loops of approximately 60 miles each. Sam, my Gent's Race teammate, invited me to partner with him in the 2 Man/400K challenge.

The weekend started off with my heading down to Des Moines, Iowa to hook up with Sam Friday afternoon. When I arrived at his casa, he gave me the tour and we downloaded my stuff into his Sprinter van for the trip the next day to Cumming, Iowa, which is just Southwest of Des Moines.

But first, we had to get ourselves checked in at the race headquarters, which was located at the Cumming Tap. There are bike paths right from Sam's place all the way down to the tap and it is about a 12 mile ride one way. It was great to get down there and back with Sam. We had a lot of time to chat and catch up. After we got back it was time to get vittles at Sam's own Krunkwich Ramen House. I highly recommend it if you are ever in Des Moines.

I decided to "eat like Sam" for the weekend and be vegan. It wasn't hard to do, and it was very tasty! You do have to think past your usual conventions and habits, which can be a good thing to make yourself do, I think. Anyway......

Then we had an "endurance podcast" session. Sam has his own podcast called "Cyclist- Not Biker", and I was his first guest! (NOTICE- this podcast is a bit "sweary", so you may not want to play it out loud in front of certain folks.) Sam doesn't have the marathon podcast up yet, but when it goes live, I'll put a link up. We didn't know we were going to record for two hours, in fact, we didn't really have a clear idea of what we were going to say. But it came out well. I covered Trans Iowa, promoter woes, the gravel scene as it stands today, and what I think will be its future and why. It's all in the unvarnished, raw, opinionated format Sam is known for, I think some of you might find it interesting.

The DSM skyline as seen out on Sam's balcony.

Afterward we chatted a bit more and then we hit the hay. No big rush, since the event didn't start until 11:00am. We would have plenty of time in the morning to get down to Cumming, set up, and then wait for the start, which Sam was planning on taking. He was going to do Leg 1 and Leg 3, while I would tackle 2 and 4.

 Our place of abode for the weekend's activities was a huge open area above the building the Cumming Tap is in.

 

 

Breakfast was had and we moseyed on down to Cumming and downloaded our stuff into the huge area above the Cumming Tap. Then Sam got kitted up and at precisely 11:00am he headed on out to tackle the first leg of the event for us.

Stay tuned for the Part 2 of this report tomorrow.