Walking Into 2011

While most of my friends and cycling aficionados that I know, (and even those I do not know), were out busily doing training rides, or "notable feats of cycling" while I was simply taking it easy.

I mean, it's a holiday weekend, fer cryin' out loud. You can take it easy. Really. Once in awhile.

And why not do it with close family and friends while it is cold out? I don't know, but somehow it got to be "cool" to do the New Year's Day ride thing, and well, that's all well and fine.

And it doesn't mean you have to become a sedentary pig while you do it either. Although, for other reasons, my physical activity level was on low this weekend. I did get out for a hike with my son. It was good.

Winter time always amazes me with the low angle of the sun, and the way it plays off things in the sky and on the ground. It is great to be out at sunrise, or near sunset, (as I was), to check out the amazing beauty of it all.

So anyway, here's a thought for all you cyclists out there for next New Years time. Do your ride at night, on New Year's Eve, and celebrate New Year's coming out in the woods somewhere. I've done that a couple of times. Pretty cool.



I walked into 2011. Probably will get my first ride in as a commute to work, just like my last ride was in 2010. The holiday times are over. Time to start riding in earnest again!

Walking Into 2011

While most of my friends and cycling aficionados that I know, (and even those I do not know), were out busily doing training rides, or "notable feats of cycling" while I was simply taking it easy.

I mean, it's a holiday weekend, fer cryin' out loud. You can take it easy. Really. Once in awhile.

And why not do it with close family and friends while it is cold out? I don't know, but somehow it got to be "cool" to do the New Year's Day ride thing, and well, that's all well and fine.

And it doesn't mean you have to become a sedentary pig while you do it either. Although, for other reasons, my physical activity level was on low this weekend. I did get out for a hike with my son. It was good.

Winter time always amazes me with the low angle of the sun, and the way it plays off things in the sky and on the ground. It is great to be out at sunrise, or near sunset, (as I was), to check out the amazing beauty of it all.

So anyway, here's a thought for all you cyclists out there for next New Years time. Do your ride at night, on New Year's Eve, and celebrate New Year's coming out in the woods somewhere. I've done that a couple of times. Pretty cool.



I walked into 2011. Probably will get my first ride in as a commute to work, just like my last ride was in 2010. The holiday times are over. Time to start riding in earnest again!

Between The Deluges, There Was A Ride

Whoa! The rain is coming in buckets and I thought that my Wednesday was going to be rained out there for awhile. Then about noon it straightened out and the radar looked good for a short jaunt in the woods near my home. So I kitted up and hit the trails.

Of course, everything was wet, muddy, and generally a mess, but the Dillinger SS was ready and had done yeoman's work in the winter already. I found the Green Belt Trail, which is positively okay to ride when it's muddy, and took off at a measured pace. It gets flooded in there so much that there is no way a bicyclist can screw up the trail, at least not for very long. As you can see above, the trail gets a fair amount of sand deposited on it, which caused one of those "Bicycling Miracles" to happen. I washed out my front tire and came to a dead halt. I dismounted, and the bike remained as you see it here. Like it had an invisible kickstand!

Okay, so here's an outflow of backwater, which happens right at this spot everytime we get too much rain. Once I plowed into this back in 1990 and lost my entire bicycle under water!

Well, it isn't that deep now, since it silted back in over the years, but it is pretty deep and the water is moving really fast here. I didn't want to risk trying to jump across because the mud here is like grease. You can barely stand, much less try to stick a landing after a jump.

So, I came up with a plan. I put the Dillinger in the rivulet parallel with the banks. I then leaned it over towards me, carefully mounted it, leaned over to the other side, and dismounted, all without getting a drop on me. I was proud of that manouever!

As I moved on I saw that the woods have reached "jungle status" already. Green everywhere you look and the weeds are nearly choking out the trails. Soon they will and the Green Belt will be left alone till the grasses begin to die out in the fall. In fact, if it had been like May today and not October temperature-wise, there would have been myriads of insects in here too. Too cold for them today, but I didn't mind their hiding.

This pool in the pic there should prove to be a great little mosquitoe factory in the coming months. That's another reason to leave the Green Belt till fall. The mosquitoes are not all that big in here, but they are so numerous that they form brown clouds of death if you dare to enter here in the summer months. Scary if you have a flat tire for sure!

Finally I reached the lake and made a slow loop around it, then I headed back home. I never did go very fast, but I didn't want to throw mud up all over me and tear things up more than I had too. I think I was successful. The thing is, it rained so hard last night that I bet all my tracks are washed away by now!

That or under water.

At least I got out for a ride, and although the weather has been fickle of late, I have been having some cool cycling adventures none the less.

Here's hoping ya'all have been getting out too.

Between The Deluges, There Was A Ride

Whoa! The rain is coming in buckets and I thought that my Wednesday was going to be rained out there for awhile. Then about noon it straightened out and the radar looked good for a short jaunt in the woods near my home. So I kitted up and hit the trails.

Of course, everything was wet, muddy, and generally a mess, but the Dillinger SS was ready and had done yeoman's work in the winter already. I found the Green Belt Trail, which is positively okay to ride when it's muddy, and took off at a measured pace. It gets flooded in there so much that there is no way a bicyclist can screw up the trail, at least not for very long. As you can see above, the trail gets a fair amount of sand deposited on it, which caused one of those "Bicycling Miracles" to happen. I washed out my front tire and came to a dead halt. I dismounted, and the bike remained as you see it here. Like it had an invisible kickstand!

Okay, so here's an outflow of backwater, which happens right at this spot everytime we get too much rain. Once I plowed into this back in 1990 and lost my entire bicycle under water!

Well, it isn't that deep now, since it silted back in over the years, but it is pretty deep and the water is moving really fast here. I didn't want to risk trying to jump across because the mud here is like grease. You can barely stand, much less try to stick a landing after a jump.

So, I came up with a plan. I put the Dillinger in the rivulet parallel with the banks. I then leaned it over towards me, carefully mounted it, leaned over to the other side, and dismounted, all without getting a drop on me. I was proud of that manouever!

As I moved on I saw that the woods have reached "jungle status" already. Green everywhere you look and the weeds are nearly choking out the trails. Soon they will and the Green Belt will be left alone till the grasses begin to die out in the fall. In fact, if it had been like May today and not October temperature-wise, there would have been myriads of insects in here too. Too cold for them today, but I didn't mind their hiding.

This pool in the pic there should prove to be a great little mosquitoe factory in the coming months. That's another reason to leave the Green Belt till fall. The mosquitoes are not all that big in here, but they are so numerous that they form brown clouds of death if you dare to enter here in the summer months. Scary if you have a flat tire for sure!

Finally I reached the lake and made a slow loop around it, then I headed back home. I never did go very fast, but I didn't want to throw mud up all over me and tear things up more than I had too. I think I was successful. The thing is, it rained so hard last night that I bet all my tracks are washed away by now!

That or under water.

At least I got out for a ride, and although the weather has been fickle of late, I have been having some cool cycling adventures none the less.

Here's hoping ya'all have been getting out too.

Scheduling

Scheduling the year is getting hairy already. Coming up in less than two weeks I have the annual dealer open house at QBP called Frostbike to attend. I look forward to this as on Friday evening I will be spending time in Northfield again at Mike's Bikes. Certain other Mid-Western luminaries will also be in attendance. You'll just have to check back later to see who was there!

Then after Frostbike it will be full court press on Trans Iowa V6 details. This will be mixed in with trying to get some riding in for Twenty Nine Inches testing, which all by itself would keep me plenty busy as it is. Add in that RAGBRAI is coming through our area, and I am sure spring tune-ups will be falling into the shop like rain.

I will try and get some racing in this year early on as well. This will serve to get some much needed testing done, and will help with training. Make no mistake, I am not going out to be competitive. My goal will be to keep the rubber side down, get a good high intensity workout, and get some valuable saddle time on some test bikes. I may only squeak in one, maybe two of these types of rides, but my eyes are open for opportunities.  I have seen the IORCA schedule and there is Sylvan Island and maybe the Camp Ingawanis race might work out. We'll see. But before any mtb racing starts around here I'll be going to Texas in March for a chance to ride Franklin Mountain Park again. This might be a one day shot, and if I am lucky, it'll work out to be a two day affair. Basically just getting in some riding here on some test rigs is the goal. (Yes- I drag them on the Thule T-2 all the way down and back!)

Of course, the end of April will be all about Trans Iowa. No Sea Otter this year. Too much going on and I can not afford it!

Then the next big deal on the event calendar is the Chequamegon 100, which will be quite the adventure. I've ridden here before and it is tough, killer, fun single track. If it rains anytime around or during this event, it could be epic. Late May still can bring the cold and wind, or it could be beautiful and kind of hot. Who knows? (I'm betting on the rain to affect this event) I rode up there last year in some rain, and I've been in some pretty moist single track up there, so hopefully I can use that to my advantage. This will happen in late May, and then two weeks later, much further south.........

....I'll be riding the Salsa Fargo in Kansas again. The third attempt at the Dirty Kanza 200 should be a toughie. More folks to keep me company out there this time though, which should be interesting.

After Kansas, I'll be doing another Fargo Adventure Ride in Minnesota. That's three big rides in the space of six weeks! If I am still alive after the Fargo Ride, we immediately head up to Chequamegon again for another dose of single track.

Whoa!

As if THAT wasn't enough, the Guitar Ted Death Ride Invitational is in the middle of July and we'll be re-tracing the route from last year's GTDRI up in the West Union/Strawberry Point area. Last year someone measured the route on a GPS at just shy of 10.000 feet of climbing with several ascents at plus 10% grade and one at an amazing 18%!

I will be trying to ride all the ascents out this time, but it will be insanely tough! This was by far the hardest GTDRI course ever and also the most scenic. We'll be camping out right afterward and hanging out till Sunday morning. This will be a great time.

Then just over a month later I'll be back in the Lincoln, Nebraska area for the Gravel World Championships/Good Life Gravel Adventure put on by the Pirate Cycling League. The 150-ish mile course is awesome and last year I attempted it on a single speed. This time I am entering in the SS class again, because I know I could do it on a single. If I had went to sleep at a decent hour last year, I would have made it in. So this time, even if MG says it is a bad idea, I'm goin for the single speed attempt again!

Whew! That's going to be an epic year of cycling if it all pans out. Of course, after all of this, at the end of September, I'll likely be headed out to Interbike too. So more riding in Bootleg Canyon. Oh yeah!

So, as you can see, I'll be plenty busy all year long. If I have to decline your offer to do something else, I think you'll be able to figure out why!

Scheduling

Scheduling the year is getting hairy already. Coming up in less than two weeks I have the annual dealer open house at QBP called Frostbike to attend. I look forward to this as on Friday evening I will be spending time in Northfield again at Mike's Bikes. Certain other Mid-Western luminaries will also be in attendance. You'll just have to check back later to see who was there!

Then after Frostbike it will be full court press on Trans Iowa V6 details. This will be mixed in with trying to get some riding in for Twenty Nine Inches testing, which all by itself would keep me plenty busy as it is. Add in that RAGBRAI is coming through our area, and I am sure spring tune-ups will be falling into the shop like rain.

I will try and get some racing in this year early on as well. This will serve to get some much needed testing done, and will help with training. Make no mistake, I am not going out to be competitive. My goal will be to keep the rubber side down, get a good high intensity workout, and get some valuable saddle time on some test bikes. I may only squeak in one, maybe two of these types of rides, but my eyes are open for opportunities.  I have seen the IORCA schedule and there is Sylvan Island and maybe the Camp Ingawanis race might work out. We'll see. But before any mtb racing starts around here I'll be going to Texas in March for a chance to ride Franklin Mountain Park again. This might be a one day shot, and if I am lucky, it'll work out to be a two day affair. Basically just getting in some riding here on some test rigs is the goal. (Yes- I drag them on the Thule T-2 all the way down and back!)

Of course, the end of April will be all about Trans Iowa. No Sea Otter this year. Too much going on and I can not afford it!

Then the next big deal on the event calendar is the Chequamegon 100, which will be quite the adventure. I've ridden here before and it is tough, killer, fun single track. If it rains anytime around or during this event, it could be epic. Late May still can bring the cold and wind, or it could be beautiful and kind of hot. Who knows? (I'm betting on the rain to affect this event) I rode up there last year in some rain, and I've been in some pretty moist single track up there, so hopefully I can use that to my advantage. This will happen in late May, and then two weeks later, much further south.........

....I'll be riding the Salsa Fargo in Kansas again. The third attempt at the Dirty Kanza 200 should be a toughie. More folks to keep me company out there this time though, which should be interesting.

After Kansas, I'll be doing another Fargo Adventure Ride in Minnesota. That's three big rides in the space of six weeks! If I am still alive after the Fargo Ride, we immediately head up to Chequamegon again for another dose of single track.

Whoa!

As if THAT wasn't enough, the Guitar Ted Death Ride Invitational is in the middle of July and we'll be re-tracing the route from last year's GTDRI up in the West Union/Strawberry Point area. Last year someone measured the route on a GPS at just shy of 10.000 feet of climbing with several ascents at plus 10% grade and one at an amazing 18%!

I will be trying to ride all the ascents out this time, but it will be insanely tough! This was by far the hardest GTDRI course ever and also the most scenic. We'll be camping out right afterward and hanging out till Sunday morning. This will be a great time.

Then just over a month later I'll be back in the Lincoln, Nebraska area for the Gravel World Championships/Good Life Gravel Adventure put on by the Pirate Cycling League. The 150-ish mile course is awesome and last year I attempted it on a single speed. This time I am entering in the SS class again, because I know I could do it on a single. If I had went to sleep at a decent hour last year, I would have made it in. So this time, even if MG says it is a bad idea, I'm goin for the single speed attempt again!

Whew! That's going to be an epic year of cycling if it all pans out. Of course, after all of this, at the end of September, I'll likely be headed out to Interbike too. So more riding in Bootleg Canyon. Oh yeah!

So, as you can see, I'll be plenty busy all year long. If I have to decline your offer to do something else, I think you'll be able to figure out why!

The Picture Gets A Little Clearer

<===Hoping to get a bit of snow biking in before it snows again!

2010 planning is going on here at Guitar Ted Productions. Talking over things with the family and setting some dates with some firmness now that another piece of the 2010 puzzle has been revealed.

What's that you say? Why the "second" Fargo Adventure Ride which is set for June 17th-18th with an optional Cable area mountain bike excursion following directly. I went on last years version of this and it comes highly recommended! Now as for Gnat calling this the "second" annual Fargo Adventure, well he must be using some "new math" or the first Fargo Adventure Ride was the prologue to these other ones.

All I can say is that it is too bad this years Fargo Adventure ride won't be taking in a ride on "Mr. Raftypants".

So with that event scrabbled onto my calendar for 2010, I have set in motion the wheels of figuring out how to fit all the puzzle pieces together.

Lessee...........

I will be going to Frostbike next month, March will see me going to Texas to visit the family I have there and ride the excellent Franklin Mountain State Park trails in El Paso. Then I come back and will be putting on Trans Iowa in April. May is a "sandwich month" with nothing going on as yet. June will bring the Dirty Kanza 200 and the Fargo Adventure Ride #2, then July will be GTDRI. August might bring the Good Life Gravel Adventure, but that date has yet to be announced. September is Interbike, and then I'll get to watch the leaves fall off the trees again in October after several months of riding and having fun. (hopefully!)

I don't doubt that some things will change on this list while other unforeseen things will pop up. Stay tuned. It's gonna be a wild ride in 2010!

The Picture Gets A Little Clearer

<===Hoping to get a bit of snow biking in before it snows again!

2010 planning is going on here at Guitar Ted Productions. Talking over things with the family and setting some dates with some firmness now that another piece of the 2010 puzzle has been revealed.

What's that you say? Why the "second" Fargo Adventure Ride which is set for June 17th-18th with an optional Cable area mountain bike excursion following directly. I went on last years version of this and it comes highly recommended! Now as for Gnat calling this the "second" annual Fargo Adventure, well he must be using some "new math" or the first Fargo Adventure Ride was the prologue to these other ones.

All I can say is that it is too bad this years Fargo Adventure ride won't be taking in a ride on "Mr. Raftypants".

So with that event scrabbled onto my calendar for 2010, I have set in motion the wheels of figuring out how to fit all the puzzle pieces together.

Lessee...........

I will be going to Frostbike next month, March will see me going to Texas to visit the family I have there and ride the excellent Franklin Mountain State Park trails in El Paso. Then I come back and will be putting on Trans Iowa in April. May is a "sandwich month" with nothing going on as yet. June will bring the Dirty Kanza 200 and the Fargo Adventure Ride #2, then July will be GTDRI. August might bring the Good Life Gravel Adventure, but that date has yet to be announced. September is Interbike, and then I'll get to watch the leaves fall off the trees again in October after several months of riding and having fun. (hopefully!)

I don't doubt that some things will change on this list while other unforeseen things will pop up. Stay tuned. It's gonna be a wild ride in 2010!

There Ain't Enough Room On These Roads Fer The Both Of Us!

This is a Special Edition Post

<===If certain Iowans have their way, you won't be able to do this anymore.

Freedom. Freedom to live and pursue your dreams. Freedom to move about the country and assemble in groups. This is a big part of what makes America different. It is what we are and what we do.

To that end we developed transportation routes so that we could pursue our dreams and live the way we chose to within reasonable limits. Now there are several ways to move around, to go from one place to another. It's all good, as they say, but not to certain narrow minded individuals that would have us lose part of what a lot of our fore bearers died to give us.

If you want to know, some nutjobs in Colorado tried to ban cyclists from county roads in that state and now here in Iowa some nutjobs are trying to suggest the same thing. Check out the details and links here.

Essentially the argument here is that "farm to market" roads are being populated by ever increasing numbers of cyclist. Cyclist that are "significantly impacting" the movements of rural residents and commerce. (Check out the verbal jibberish in detail here) Accordingly, "safety" is impacted because of all the "deaths and injuries" incurred by having these cycling pests out there in the way.

You know, I love it when folks suggest limiting freedoms due to "safety" concerns and how "commerce" and the local populace suffers from the "unwanted heathens". Okay you "Citizens For Safety Coalition of Iowa" folks. Let's follow your esteemed logic through to its conclusions, shall we?

Let's assume you are correct about bicyclists. My, wouldn't you agree that in terms of sheer numbers, bicyclists represent the smallest "outside" influence on "farm to market" roads in this fine state? Why, there must be far more motorcyclists inhibiting "commerce" out there. Oh, and how about those city folks going hither and yon across Iowa's county black tops at high rates of speed to avoid the clogged major highways. Shouldn't we be concerned about these yahoos as well? They far outnumber cyclists, by a long shot. Oh yeah, and what about all of those nubile young teens and college agers out for a good time, drinking and carrying on as they do. Surely you notice the beer cans and refuse as clues to their passing on the back roads of Iowa, don't you?

Well, since these folks are also "inhibiting the flow of commerce" and obstructing "rural residents", shouldn't they also be banned from "farm to market roads"? I mean, they are for rural commerce and residents only, right? And while we are at it, let's ban any movement on these roads unless it directly relates to "rural commerce" and the allowance for the passage of its "residents". You know, the folks that actually live out there 12 months out of the year?

Yeah, that's the logic right there folks. If you can't get along, ban them! How droll. I thought maybe we were more civilized than this, but I guess not.

Well, as ridiculous as this proposal is, we as cyclists must take it seriously. I suggest you write your State Representative and give them notice of this and that we as cyclists have a right to use the "farm to market" roads just like any other automobile, truck, motorcycle, tractor, quad, walker, runner, horse rider, and horse drawn wagon have. Because if we don't, then a lot of these other user groups don't either. Think about it. (You can find your legislator through the links on this site)

Freedom. Fight for it now or lose it.

You choose.

There Ain't Enough Room On These Roads Fer The Both Of Us!

This is a Special Edition Post

<===If certain Iowans have their way, you won't be able to do this anymore.

Freedom. Freedom to live and pursue your dreams. Freedom to move about the country and assemble in groups. This is a big part of what makes America different. It is what we are and what we do.

To that end we developed transportation routes so that we could pursue our dreams and live the way we chose to within reasonable limits. Now there are several ways to move around, to go from one place to another. It's all good, as they say, but not to certain narrow minded individuals that would have us lose part of what a lot of our fore bearers died to give us.

If you want to know, some nutjobs in Colorado tried to ban cyclists from county roads in that state and now here in Iowa some nutjobs are trying to suggest the same thing. Check out the details and links here.

Essentially the argument here is that "farm to market" roads are being populated by ever increasing numbers of cyclist. Cyclist that are "significantly impacting" the movements of rural residents and commerce. (Check out the verbal jibberish in detail here) Accordingly, "safety" is impacted because of all the "deaths and injuries" incurred by having these cycling pests out there in the way.

You know, I love it when folks suggest limiting freedoms due to "safety" concerns and how "commerce" and the local populace suffers from the "unwanted heathens". Okay you "Citizens For Safety Coalition of Iowa" folks. Let's follow your esteemed logic through to its conclusions, shall we?

Let's assume you are correct about bicyclists. My, wouldn't you agree that in terms of sheer numbers, bicyclists represent the smallest "outside" influence on "farm to market" roads in this fine state? Why, there must be far more motorcyclists inhibiting "commerce" out there. Oh, and how about those city folks going hither and yon across Iowa's county black tops at high rates of speed to avoid the clogged major highways. Shouldn't we be concerned about these yahoos as well? They far outnumber cyclists, by a long shot. Oh yeah, and what about all of those nubile young teens and college agers out for a good time, drinking and carrying on as they do. Surely you notice the beer cans and refuse as clues to their passing on the back roads of Iowa, don't you?

Well, since these folks are also "inhibiting the flow of commerce" and obstructing "rural residents", shouldn't they also be banned from "farm to market roads"? I mean, they are for rural commerce and residents only, right? And while we are at it, let's ban any movement on these roads unless it directly relates to "rural commerce" and the allowance for the passage of its "residents". You know, the folks that actually live out there 12 months out of the year?

Yeah, that's the logic right there folks. If you can't get along, ban them! How droll. I thought maybe we were more civilized than this, but I guess not.

Well, as ridiculous as this proposal is, we as cyclists must take it seriously. I suggest you write your State Representative and give them notice of this and that we as cyclists have a right to use the "farm to market" roads just like any other automobile, truck, motorcycle, tractor, quad, walker, runner, horse rider, and horse drawn wagon have. Because if we don't, then a lot of these other user groups don't either. Think about it. (You can find your legislator through the links on this site)

Freedom. Fight for it now or lose it.

You choose.

Friday News And Views

Trans Iowa V5: Here's a reminder of what Trans Iowa is.........We are informing you all that are in the event that if you don't agree that you are on your own, that you are responsible for yourself, and that this is being undertaken of your own volition, then don't take the start.

Read that and consider it carefully.

Healthy Development: 29"ers seem to be popping out and developments seem to be occurring despite the sour economy. I can not divulge all that I know, but suffice it to say that there are things happening out there just as much as they were last year, or the year before. Frankly, I am surprised by that, but there you go. Look forward to new announcements soon.

Local Trails Opening Up? I will be doing some recon on some local trails again in the coming week. I am expecting to find much improved conditions since the last foray I made into the woods. I think that trails will be rideable in spots, but if I see a longish section, or even a loop that is rideable, I'll be surprised. But, it has been real dry and windy of late, so who knows?

Welcome Spring! That's right folks, today is the first day of spring! I keep hearing folks say we're in for one more snow, but I'm not buying that. I think we're done. My weather prediction, for what that is worth, is that we'll have a dry, windy spring. We'll see how that pans out, but don't expect me to take a position as a weatherman anytime soon!

That's it. Have a great weekend and ride on!

Friday News And Views

Trans Iowa V5: Here's a reminder of what Trans Iowa is.........We are informing you all that are in the event that if you don't agree that you are on your own, that you are responsible for yourself, and that this is being undertaken of your own volition, then don't take the start.

Read that and consider it carefully.

Healthy Development: 29"ers seem to be popping out and developments seem to be occurring despite the sour economy. I can not divulge all that I know, but suffice it to say that there are things happening out there just as much as they were last year, or the year before. Frankly, I am surprised by that, but there you go. Look forward to new announcements soon.

Local Trails Opening Up? I will be doing some recon on some local trails again in the coming week. I am expecting to find much improved conditions since the last foray I made into the woods. I think that trails will be rideable in spots, but if I see a longish section, or even a loop that is rideable, I'll be surprised. But, it has been real dry and windy of late, so who knows?

Welcome Spring! That's right folks, today is the first day of spring! I keep hearing folks say we're in for one more snow, but I'm not buying that. I think we're done. My weather prediction, for what that is worth, is that we'll have a dry, windy spring. We'll see how that pans out, but don't expect me to take a position as a weatherman anytime soon!

That's it. Have a great weekend and ride on!

Bike Building......And Riding!

Well, it has been a pretty productive weekend at Guitar Ted Laboratories. I even got to ride my bicycle! Woo Hoo! With temperatures over the freezing mark, finally.....I actually rode outside for a bit. I did take it pretty easy though, since I haven't ridden in a few weeks and I needed to start out with a slow, steady pace to get back into putting some base miles in.

I rode the Milwaukee Bicycle Company single speeder yesterday. I just cruised around town this time. It was a perfect rig for the day and great for this sort of weather. Long, lowish, and stable is good for icy, wet, slushy streets. I still got off to walk a few places though. Just too sketchy to trust.

In bike building I nearly finished off the Dissent. It just needs a new chain. I'll get one at work today and probably get that installed tonight. Then it's time to ride it! It's looking pretty cool, so I'll have to throw up some pics of it when I finish it.

The next project hit the stand tonight. The Raleigh Rainier single speed cross bike got its BB prepared,a cartridge installed, (square taper) and I mocked up the rear brake. The brakes are these really cool KORE cantilevers in powder coat white. I've got some other white bits to install too like the old Sante' cranks, brake levers, a Bontrager stem, and white Jagwire housing for the brakes. I got some gold ano Weinman DP-18 rims that look like Pilsner, so that befits a bike named "Rainier" I think. They'll get laced up to some flip flop fixed/free Origin 8 hubs.

I'll have both a fixed cog and free wheel on it for some stupid fixed gear antics. I figure I may as well use this rig for training and commuting this summer. Get used to it before I try to cross race it somewhere this coming fall. Sounds like a plan, eh?

So, that's my weekend. I've got some things to do yet, but I made a lot of progress I think. Hopefully we'll have some more good weather coming up, because I kind of liked that riding a bike thing I did yesterday. I think I'd like to do that some more!

Bike Building......And Riding!

Well, it has been a pretty productive weekend at Guitar Ted Laboratories. I even got to ride my bicycle! Woo Hoo! With temperatures over the freezing mark, finally.....I actually rode outside for a bit. I did take it pretty easy though, since I haven't ridden in a few weeks and I needed to start out with a slow, steady pace to get back into putting some base miles in.

I rode the Milwaukee Bicycle Company single speeder yesterday. I just cruised around town this time. It was a perfect rig for the day and great for this sort of weather. Long, lowish, and stable is good for icy, wet, slushy streets. I still got off to walk a few places though. Just too sketchy to trust.

In bike building I nearly finished off the Dissent. It just needs a new chain. I'll get one at work today and probably get that installed tonight. Then it's time to ride it! It's looking pretty cool, so I'll have to throw up some pics of it when I finish it.

The next project hit the stand tonight. The Raleigh Rainier single speed cross bike got its BB prepared,a cartridge installed, (square taper) and I mocked up the rear brake. The brakes are these really cool KORE cantilevers in powder coat white. I've got some other white bits to install too like the old Sante' cranks, brake levers, a Bontrager stem, and white Jagwire housing for the brakes. I got some gold ano Weinman DP-18 rims that look like Pilsner, so that befits a bike named "Rainier" I think. They'll get laced up to some flip flop fixed/free Origin 8 hubs.

I'll have both a fixed cog and free wheel on it for some stupid fixed gear antics. I figure I may as well use this rig for training and commuting this summer. Get used to it before I try to cross race it somewhere this coming fall. Sounds like a plan, eh?

So, that's my weekend. I've got some things to do yet, but I made a lot of progress I think. Hopefully we'll have some more good weather coming up, because I kind of liked that riding a bike thing I did yesterday. I think I'd like to do that some more!

Saturday Night PostToasties!

<===Tubeless at the expense of corpulence.

Somewhere out there, (Boone area) they are riding their bicycles in circles..... Ahh me! How I wish I would have made that gig! Oh well, it wasn't to be. As a good friend of mine says, "Things happen for a reason.." How true.

Got some more rubber in and mounted. Hmmm......I seem to remember these XR's as being bigger than this. Yeah, these are 2.0's at best, maybe a 2.1 after they stretch a bit. Disappointed in that fact, but they are tubeless ready and they do roll pretty well. I heard that Bontrager is going to revamp the entire tire line for 29"ers to reflect the idiosyncrasies of the bigger diameter. Good on them! Let's hope that volume makes a big comeback in the future. Of course, it wasn't all that long ago that Bontrager tires were so voluminous that they wouldn't fit in the rear of Fisher 29"er frames. Perhaps what I have here is the solution to that problem. Hrrrumpf!

Hrrrumpf! 2.0: Due to scheduling at the hospital where Mrs Guitar Ted works, I now find out that I am "Stay at home Dad" for the day on Monday instead of "Ride my bike Guitar Ted". Rats! I had great hopes of going somewhere out of the locality, but now if I am lucky, it'll be the Scout Camp again. Things could be far, far worse.

I did a re-con of the Green Belt. Not good! They blasted through the flotsam and jetsam from the spring floods with a crude blow. The city, strapped for cash as they are, (although my rising property tax bill says otherwise), decided to go through the Green Belt with an end loader. Yeah...........one of the big ones! Slash and burn like General Sherman, I tell ya. I don't even recognize some parts of the trail. Of course, the scouring of the bucket has obliterated whatever single track there was.

I suppose it was the most cost effective way to "get er duuun", but the trail is a complete disaster area and in some spots unrideable. After shock had turned to anger, I decided that if it is ever going to be anything to be worth riding again, it's going to take an effort from the locals to make it so. I don't know what that will look like, because honestly, there isn't much support for that area from cyclists, and I wouldn't be a bit surprised to see it get paved in the near future. In fact, now that I think about it, I'm sure it will. What a shame!

News Bulletin: Concrete and asphalt isn't the answer, people! I guess that's "Hrrrump 3.0"!

Anybody catch my famous Iowan reference in today's "post"? (That's another clue!)

Have a great weekend, ya'all!

Saturday Night PostToasties!

<===Tubeless at the expense of corpulence.

Somewhere out there, (Boone area) they are riding their bicycles in circles..... Ahh me! How I wish I would have made that gig! Oh well, it wasn't to be. As a good friend of mine says, "Things happen for a reason.." How true.

Got some more rubber in and mounted. Hmmm......I seem to remember these XR's as being bigger than this. Yeah, these are 2.0's at best, maybe a 2.1 after they stretch a bit. Disappointed in that fact, but they are tubeless ready and they do roll pretty well. I heard that Bontrager is going to revamp the entire tire line for 29"ers to reflect the idiosyncrasies of the bigger diameter. Good on them! Let's hope that volume makes a big comeback in the future. Of course, it wasn't all that long ago that Bontrager tires were so voluminous that they wouldn't fit in the rear of Fisher 29"er frames. Perhaps what I have here is the solution to that problem. Hrrrumpf!

Hrrrumpf! 2.0: Due to scheduling at the hospital where Mrs Guitar Ted works, I now find out that I am "Stay at home Dad" for the day on Monday instead of "Ride my bike Guitar Ted". Rats! I had great hopes of going somewhere out of the locality, but now if I am lucky, it'll be the Scout Camp again. Things could be far, far worse.

I did a re-con of the Green Belt. Not good! They blasted through the flotsam and jetsam from the spring floods with a crude blow. The city, strapped for cash as they are, (although my rising property tax bill says otherwise), decided to go through the Green Belt with an end loader. Yeah...........one of the big ones! Slash and burn like General Sherman, I tell ya. I don't even recognize some parts of the trail. Of course, the scouring of the bucket has obliterated whatever single track there was.

I suppose it was the most cost effective way to "get er duuun", but the trail is a complete disaster area and in some spots unrideable. After shock had turned to anger, I decided that if it is ever going to be anything to be worth riding again, it's going to take an effort from the locals to make it so. I don't know what that will look like, because honestly, there isn't much support for that area from cyclists, and I wouldn't be a bit surprised to see it get paved in the near future. In fact, now that I think about it, I'm sure it will. What a shame!

News Bulletin: Concrete and asphalt isn't the answer, people! I guess that's "Hrrrump 3.0"!

Anybody catch my famous Iowan reference in today's "post"? (That's another clue!)

Have a great weekend, ya'all!

Saturday South Side Camp Ride

<=== Early birds get the single track!

I finally got out to the Camp this year! Only it was on the much un-used south side. I last rode this on a wintry November day with the Salsa Crew. That was a couple years back!

This day was much better. Nice temperatures, and freshly cleared single track, thanks to the hard work of the Ingawanis Mountain Bike Association boys.





<=== The Captain and Super Saul coming up the hill.

We ran into Super Saul by chance as he was soloing out to the Camp on his Super Caliber. He joined us for a lap, watching as we swapped bikes and adjusted saddles between Capt. Bob, MTBidwell, and myself.








<=== MTBidwell waiting up for us aboard the Soul Cycles Dillinger. This guy is fast, fast, fast!

We dropped off Super Saul at the entrance after lap one and went back out after I swapped out for another rig. The single track is very, very promising. It needs a lot of tires to travel over it to "burn it in", but it's very fun and will be fast!








<=== Captain Bob is diggin' it!

All of us had a sweet time out there. I got pretty worked over since my legs are still not 100% after the Death Ride and being sick mid-week. It still was well worth all my effort to go two laps though. I had one "auger in", where my front tire gave way in a sandy corner, but otherwise we were all good.

I must mention that the kiosk at the north end is where you need to sign in. You can now pay a daily fee, or go all out for a yearly pass. The kiosk is in a bit different place than before and it's super nice. Again, the Ingawanis Mountain Bike boys did good. It's really nice. We signed in and drove back to the south side since the Camp's north end is busy with Scout activities for now.

Bikes ridden: Soul Cycles Dillinger, Salsa Mamasita, Salsa Dos Niner, OS Bikes Blackbuck. My favorite? The Blackbuck with the Dillinger a close second, but all these bikes are killer rigs. (To be fair, my set up on the Dos was waaay off for the Camp!) The Dillinger and the Blackbuck are entirely different rigs too. Even though both were single speeds, they rode vastly different.

I'll tell ya something though, the best bike for the Camp's south side would be a Big Mama! Too bad I didn't have that rig out there! Maybe someday.......

Saturday South Side Camp Ride

<=== Early birds get the single track!

I finally got out to the Camp this year! Only it was on the much un-used south side. I last rode this on a wintry November day with the Salsa Crew. That was a couple years back!

This day was much better. Nice temperatures, and freshly cleared single track, thanks to the hard work of the Ingawanis Mountain Bike Association boys.





<=== The Captain and Super Saul coming up the hill.

We ran into Super Saul by chance as he was soloing out to the Camp on his Super Caliber. He joined us for a lap, watching as we swapped bikes and adjusted saddles between Capt. Bob, MTBidwell, and myself.








<=== MTBidwell waiting up for us aboard the Soul Cycles Dillinger. This guy is fast, fast, fast!

We dropped off Super Saul at the entrance after lap one and went back out after I swapped out for another rig. The single track is very, very promising. It needs a lot of tires to travel over it to "burn it in", but it's very fun and will be fast!








<=== Captain Bob is diggin' it!

All of us had a sweet time out there. I got pretty worked over since my legs are still not 100% after the Death Ride and being sick mid-week. It still was well worth all my effort to go two laps though. I had one "auger in", where my front tire gave way in a sandy corner, but otherwise we were all good.

I must mention that the kiosk at the north end is where you need to sign in. You can now pay a daily fee, or go all out for a yearly pass. The kiosk is in a bit different place than before and it's super nice. Again, the Ingawanis Mountain Bike boys did good. It's really nice. We signed in and drove back to the south side since the Camp's north end is busy with Scout activities for now.

Bikes ridden: Soul Cycles Dillinger, Salsa Mamasita, Salsa Dos Niner, OS Bikes Blackbuck. My favorite? The Blackbuck with the Dillinger a close second, but all these bikes are killer rigs. (To be fair, my set up on the Dos was waaay off for the Camp!) The Dillinger and the Blackbuck are entirely different rigs too. Even though both were single speeds, they rode vastly different.

I'll tell ya something though, the best bike for the Camp's south side would be a Big Mama! Too bad I didn't have that rig out there! Maybe someday.......

Just Ride

I think it must be the off season or something, but I have noticed that a lot of folks are on line trying to figure stuff out. You know, like geometry of bikes, how to train for things, and how to ride in the cold. I've got a suggestion: Go for a ride.

Here is the thing, there is this innerweb that provides us with a portal to information. Now it takes what........three seconds and you are neck deep in information on whatever subject your heart desires. Lets keep it on bikes here though! So, you get sucked in, and before you know it, you are probably more confused than when you started and you've wasted several minutes, ( maybe even hours!) when you could have been doing something else. I would wager that you could have figured out a clothing system in that time, gotten it on, and been headed out the door for a ride. Or maybe you could have started a long overdue clean up of that bike of yours. Perhaps you could have gone down to the bike shop and test ridden that bike that you are asking about online and found out what you think of its geometry! (Novel ideas, I'm sure) Maybe you could have even been.........training! Whatever it is, it is better than sitting in front of this screen you are staring at.

I am as guilty as anybody. I suppose I should take my own medicine. Maybe I should just be quiet and hope you stay glued to this because I get paid for that part of my time here. But the thing is, in the long run I know you and I will be better off not sitting in front of this black hole. That much I am sure of. So, I'm riding as much as I can this winter. If I can't ride, I'm going to work on projects in The Lab, and if it snows a bunch, I'll XC ski. Whatever, I am not going to spend a bunch of my time here though looking at gobble-de-gook information and driving myself nuts. Nope! Not me!

Special T.I.V4 Related Notes: Due to the poor conditions of most of the states gravel roads, (ice skating rinks) the Trans Iowa Tune Up Ride that was to take place over in the Gilbert, Iowa area has been cancelled. Also, T.I.V4 recon that was to take place Thursday has been postponed to a later date. I'll post an update when something has been decided about the recon or on any upcoming training rides.

Just Ride

I think it must be the off season or something, but I have noticed that a lot of folks are on line trying to figure stuff out. You know, like geometry of bikes, how to train for things, and how to ride in the cold. I've got a suggestion: Go for a ride.

Here is the thing, there is this innerweb that provides us with a portal to information. Now it takes what........three seconds and you are neck deep in information on whatever subject your heart desires. Lets keep it on bikes here though! So, you get sucked in, and before you know it, you are probably more confused than when you started and you've wasted several minutes, ( maybe even hours!) when you could have been doing something else. I would wager that you could have figured out a clothing system in that time, gotten it on, and been headed out the door for a ride. Or maybe you could have started a long overdue clean up of that bike of yours. Perhaps you could have gone down to the bike shop and test ridden that bike that you are asking about online and found out what you think of its geometry! (Novel ideas, I'm sure) Maybe you could have even been.........training! Whatever it is, it is better than sitting in front of this screen you are staring at.

I am as guilty as anybody. I suppose I should take my own medicine. Maybe I should just be quiet and hope you stay glued to this because I get paid for that part of my time here. But the thing is, in the long run I know you and I will be better off not sitting in front of this black hole. That much I am sure of. So, I'm riding as much as I can this winter. If I can't ride, I'm going to work on projects in The Lab, and if it snows a bunch, I'll XC ski. Whatever, I am not going to spend a bunch of my time here though looking at gobble-de-gook information and driving myself nuts. Nope! Not me!

Special T.I.V4 Related Notes: Due to the poor conditions of most of the states gravel roads, (ice skating rinks) the Trans Iowa Tune Up Ride that was to take place over in the Gilbert, Iowa area has been cancelled. Also, T.I.V4 recon that was to take place Thursday has been postponed to a later date. I'll post an update when something has been decided about the recon or on any upcoming training rides.