The Snow Dog Returns: Part 3

The last ride of '16 was the first for the Snow Dog in a long time.

The Snow Dog, a 2011 Salsa Cycles Mukluk that was part of my 50th birthday present, has been resurrected from behind a pile of stuff in the basement of the palatial Guitar Ted Laboratories once again. This time I used what I had on hand, and some of that was a bit of a surprise.

When I say that the bike was under a pile, I mean that. I should also add that it was without a rear wheel, and because it was sitting at such an odd angle, I did not know if it had a drive train attached to it. The wrong fork was in it, and the seat post and saddle was stuck in the frame as a place keeper. So, I had no idea what I was going to have to work with once I retrieved it from its ignominious place up against the basement wall. When I peeled away the detritus that was obstructing my access to the Snow Dog, and I lifted it up, I saw that it already had a complete drive train!

Somewhere in the sands of time I had transferred over the original Ti Mukluk's 1 X 9 drive train to the Snow Dog. So, I had a decision to make. To use the drive train as I had found it would make the Snow Dog rideable with much greater ease. To go back to the 2X or 3X set up would have meant more fiddling and work. Besides, I had to configure a new brake set up, since I must have stripped all of the old stuff off to set up the son's original fat bike.

So, I went with the 1 X 9 set up for the time being, got a tandem length brake cable and new housing for the rear brake, and put the old Ti Muks wheels on the Snow Dog. In another surprise, I found that the frame bag made for my Gen I Fargo was a perfect fit for the Snow Dog! I popped on a Cane Creek Thudbuster ST I had laying around with a WTB Laser V saddle already attached to it and that was that. I was ready to ride.

The purpose for the Snow Dog in the future will be for commutes to work in winter and to go fishing with my son in Spring and Summer. I already got him a portable fishing rig set up and I will get myself one as well. Looking at something super simple for myself, like the Tenkara stuff.

Then it will maybe see an upgrade or two after Winter, but for now this is the set up and it should do exactly what I want it to do until we get out of the Winter weather and I can start thinking about how to make it work for fishing with my son.

The Snow Dog Returns: Part 3

The last ride of '16 was the first for the Snow Dog in a long time.

The Snow Dog, a 2011 Salsa Cycles Mukluk that was part of my 50th birthday present, has been resurrected from behind a pile of stuff in the basement of the palatial Guitar Ted Laboratories once again. This time I used what I had on hand, and some of that was a bit of a surprise.

When I say that the bike was under a pile, I mean that. I should also add that it was without a rear wheel, and because it was sitting at such an odd angle, I did not know if it had a drive train attached to it. The wrong fork was in it, and the seat post and saddle was stuck in the frame as a place keeper. So, I had no idea what I was going to have to work with once I retrieved it from its ignominious place up against the basement wall. When I peeled away the detritus that was obstructing my access to the Snow Dog, and I lifted it up, I saw that it already had a complete drive train!

Somewhere in the sands of time I had transferred over the original Ti Mukluk's 1 X 9 drive train to the Snow Dog. So, I had a decision to make. To use the drive train as I had found it would make the Snow Dog rideable with much greater ease. To go back to the 2X or 3X set up would have meant more fiddling and work. Besides, I had to configure a new brake set up, since I must have stripped all of the old stuff off to set up the son's original fat bike.

So, I went with the 1 X 9 set up for the time being, got a tandem length brake cable and new housing for the rear brake, and put the old Ti Muks wheels on the Snow Dog. In another surprise, I found that the frame bag made for my Gen I Fargo was a perfect fit for the Snow Dog! I popped on a Cane Creek Thudbuster ST I had laying around with a WTB Laser V saddle already attached to it and that was that. I was ready to ride.

The purpose for the Snow Dog in the future will be for commutes to work in winter and to go fishing with my son in Spring and Summer. I already got him a portable fishing rig set up and I will get myself one as well. Looking at something super simple for myself, like the Tenkara stuff.

Then it will maybe see an upgrade or two after Winter, but for now this is the set up and it should do exactly what I want it to do until we get out of the Winter weather and I can start thinking about how to make it work for fishing with my son.

Getting Back To It

MukTruk hauling fishing rods

Saturday I did a little experimentation with my son. He wanted to go fishing, and I wanted to ride my bicycle, so I had to do a bit of on the fly thinking to accommodate both requests.

I could have easily taken the Xtracycle, but that was too easy, and I wanted to try using the new "MukTruk". (29+ wheels in a titanium Mukluk) I had a few Velcro straps and I used them to lash the two fishing rods and reels to either side of the top tube/seat stays. A bungy cord for more security, and it was done! Then all I had to do was squeeze in some supplies into the Bike Bag Dude frame bag, and then we were off, with everything we needed for a bit of fishing. Yep.....there we go! Off to the water then.

Well, the fish weren't biting, but it was a good two hours or so spent with my son and we learned a few things together. He's getting the hang of casting, and figuring out patience is a good trait for a fisherman. We'll be back out doing this again soon. Me? I figured out why I liked that old Boron Carbon rod and Shimano reel. Smooth and sensitive! It's been a while since I had that rod and reel out. Kinda forgot how it felt, I did.

Flat repaired......

Sunday I made good on my threat to get out and single speed on some gravel. This was the first ride back out in the country for me since July 26th when I was hit by that truck. It was the first ride of any significance since then as well, since I have been recovering from the crash, and sickness intervened in there also.

So I wasn't really sure how that would go. I noticed my bibs fit looser, for sure, which was quite a surprise. I figured I would go the other way there. Then there was the bronchitis I had, which I wasn't sure was gone, but hey! I needed to get out and ride. It had just been too darn long.

It was hot and just a bit humid yesterday here. About 85°F when I left, so that was another concern. The flat bicycle trail South would be a good warm up, and maybe an indicator of how long this ride would really be. I had aimed at going as far as Petrie Road and the B Level section. The bicycle trail sector didn't faze me, so I turned left and hit the gravel.

Things were clicking along well until I turned West on Washburn Road to get a mile over to catch the B Level section on Petrie Road. It was then that I felt the soft, wiggly sensation that we as cyclists know is your sign for a flat tire. Bummer! It's been a while since I've flatted on the gravel roads.  

The change went well, and actually, it wasn't a puncture, but a failed tube, so that was nice to have found out at least. Swapped out the tube and moved along to the B Road, which was pretty loose and deep with sand and fine dirt. Getting out of there I found more dusty gravel and I made my way home after 25 miles. It was good to test myself, and honestly, I came through in a lot better shape than I had expected. Still feeling where the truck hit me, but at least I am back riding again.

Getting Back To It

MukTruk hauling fishing rods

Saturday I did a little experimentation with my son. He wanted to go fishing, and I wanted to ride my bicycle, so I had to do a bit of on the fly thinking to accommodate both requests.

I could have easily taken the Xtracycle, but that was too easy, and I wanted to try using the new "MukTruk". (29+ wheels in a titanium Mukluk) I had a few Velcro straps and I used them to lash the two fishing rods and reels to either side of the top tube/seat stays. A bungy cord for more security, and it was done! Then all I had to do was squeeze in some supplies into the Bike Bag Dude frame bag, and then we were off, with everything we needed for a bit of fishing. Yep.....there we go! Off to the water then.

Well, the fish weren't biting, but it was a good two hours or so spent with my son and we learned a few things together. He's getting the hang of casting, and figuring out patience is a good trait for a fisherman. We'll be back out doing this again soon. Me? I figured out why I liked that old Boron Carbon rod and Shimano reel. Smooth and sensitive! It's been a while since I had that rod and reel out. Kinda forgot how it felt, I did.

Flat repaired......

Sunday I made good on my threat to get out and single speed on some gravel. This was the first ride back out in the country for me since July 26th when I was hit by that truck. It was the first ride of any significance since then as well, since I have been recovering from the crash, and sickness intervened in there also.

So I wasn't really sure how that would go. I noticed my bibs fit looser, for sure, which was quite a surprise. I figured I would go the other way there. Then there was the bronchitis I had, which I wasn't sure was gone, but hey! I needed to get out and ride. It had just been too darn long.

It was hot and just a bit humid yesterday here. About 85°F when I left, so that was another concern. The flat bicycle trail South would be a good warm up, and maybe an indicator of how long this ride would really be. I had aimed at going as far as Petrie Road and the B Level section. The bicycle trail sector didn't faze me, so I turned left and hit the gravel.

Things were clicking along well until I turned West on Washburn Road to get a mile over to catch the B Level section on Petrie Road. It was then that I felt the soft, wiggly sensation that we as cyclists know is your sign for a flat tire. Bummer! It's been a while since I've flatted on the gravel roads.  

The change went well, and actually, it wasn't a puncture, but a failed tube, so that was nice to have found out at least. Swapped out the tube and moved along to the B Road, which was pretty loose and deep with sand and fine dirt. Getting out of there I found more dusty gravel and I made my way home after 25 miles. It was good to test myself, and honestly, I came through in a lot better shape than I had expected. Still feeling where the truck hit me, but at least I am back riding again.