Bonus Post: Ride Report in Photos

A sun dappled day at the strangely vacant Scout Camp.





















Deserts may have sharp, pointy plant life, but Iowa has it's own way of cutting you up with leaves and thorns!












An open meadow full of flowers and butterflys demanded an extended stop to admire.













Some double track that ran up to the river. Here it was mostly single track due to the vegetation.










The beginning of a sun splotched down hill. Can you say "strobe effect"?











A full on ride report will come later. See my Mavic wheel impressions here from this ride and a couple other rides before it.

Bonus Post: Ride Report in Photos

A sun dappled day at the strangely vacant Scout Camp.





















Deserts may have sharp, pointy plant life, but Iowa has it's own way of cutting you up with leaves and thorns!












An open meadow full of flowers and butterflys demanded an extended stop to admire.













Some double track that ran up to the river. Here it was mostly single track due to the vegetation.










The beginning of a sun splotched down hill. Can you say "strobe effect"?











A full on ride report will come later. See my Mavic wheel impressions here from this ride and a couple other rides before it.

From Green To Blue

Well, I'm making this official! I've been posting this on the forums and I'm stepping out here and declaring it for the web-world to see......

Pastel Blue Is The Official Color of 29"ers

Yep! It's not green anymore. It seemed like for at least the last four years that several 29"ers were following in the footsteps of the classic Karate Monkey, which was introduced in "Campstove Green" at the 2002 Interbike show. I'm not saying every bike with 29 inch wheels was green, but a lot of them were. A disproportionate number it seemed.

Then the tide started to change last year with the Dorothy from Badger Cycles and Gary Fishers Ferrous, both in a light shade of blue which in 29"ers hadn't really been seen on a production frame. Of course, you can't leave out the Karate Monkey, which also turned blue for '07, albeit a medium shade of blue, not a pastel, light, sky blue color.

Now we're hearing about and seeing more '08 bikes that are going blue, as it were. Haro, Raleigh, and the Gary Fisher Paragon to name a few. And what's more, we're seeing more custom paint jobs done on 29"ers in a lighter blue than before too.

So, get ready for that sky blue, robin's egg blue, Carolina Blue, or whatever you want to call this pastel shade to take over as the "Official Color of 29"ers". It's coming whether you like it or not!

Ride yer bikes this weekend! No matter what color they are!

From Green To Blue

Well, I'm making this official! I've been posting this on the forums and I'm stepping out here and declaring it for the web-world to see......

Pastel Blue Is The Official Color of 29"ers

Yep! It's not green anymore. It seemed like for at least the last four years that several 29"ers were following in the footsteps of the classic Karate Monkey, which was introduced in "Campstove Green" at the 2002 Interbike show. I'm not saying every bike with 29 inch wheels was green, but a lot of them were. A disproportionate number it seemed.

Then the tide started to change last year with the Dorothy from Badger Cycles and Gary Fishers Ferrous, both in a light shade of blue which in 29"ers hadn't really been seen on a production frame. Of course, you can't leave out the Karate Monkey, which also turned blue for '07, albeit a medium shade of blue, not a pastel, light, sky blue color.

Now we're hearing about and seeing more '08 bikes that are going blue, as it were. Haro, Raleigh, and the Gary Fisher Paragon to name a few. And what's more, we're seeing more custom paint jobs done on 29"ers in a lighter blue than before too.

So, get ready for that sky blue, robin's egg blue, Carolina Blue, or whatever you want to call this pastel shade to take over as the "Official Color of 29"ers". It's coming whether you like it or not!

Ride yer bikes this weekend! No matter what color they are!

Riding In The "Jungle"

"Man! It's like riding in the jungle!"

That's Captain Bob's exclamation there from yesterday afternoons ride in the GW. (That's George Wyth State Park for you non-locals) Yeah, it's high summer in Iowa and the vegetation is at it's peak right about now. Tree branches full of leaves hanging down, slapping you in the face as you speed along. Weeds with itchy oily secretions making it burn! Nice thorny scratches across your shin bones. Yep! It's a jungle out there all right!

We have this overgrown state of trails every year. This year is a bit unique though. A lot of early vege was frozen off after a really early warm spell was followeed by three days of super hard frost. I recall the temps getting down into the upper teens one of those mornings. This was after about two weeks of temps up in the 60's and 70's which spawned all the spring growth. The result was that a lot of the early plant life was killed.

That's resulted in a bit better trail condition than normal this year. Most years we all would be banished to road riding by now as the trails would be impassable due to the choking weed growth that would not allow your passage. This year it's still passable out there, so we're still riding those river bottom trails. It's nice, but don't be fooled. The vegetation that did survive that late season frost is thriving!

And then there is all the flying protein supplements that are available while you're out there in that jungle. You can't help but suck down a few of those every ride. (Just ask "Shrek"!) I could see the little insects all about me in certain places. Like a cloud of specs hanging in the air. You zip through them, gasping for air as you hammer along and gulp! You get your daily requirement of live food in an instant. No time to stop now, you've got to stay on that wheel that's in front of you, ya know. Just swallow and keep on keepin' on!

It's all part of the summer time riding experience here in the Mid West. Gotta take it while you can. It won't be long before all of this starts to die off and we are running in a sullen brown land that is fast falling asleep for another long winters nap.

Get out and ride that jungle! Don't mind the bugs. They aren't that bad, really!

Riding In The "Jungle"

"Man! It's like riding in the jungle!"

That's Captain Bob's exclamation there from yesterday afternoons ride in the GW. (That's George Wyth State Park for you non-locals) Yeah, it's high summer in Iowa and the vegetation is at it's peak right about now. Tree branches full of leaves hanging down, slapping you in the face as you speed along. Weeds with itchy oily secretions making it burn! Nice thorny scratches across your shin bones. Yep! It's a jungle out there all right!

We have this overgrown state of trails every year. This year is a bit unique though. A lot of early vege was frozen off after a really early warm spell was followeed by three days of super hard frost. I recall the temps getting down into the upper teens one of those mornings. This was after about two weeks of temps up in the 60's and 70's which spawned all the spring growth. The result was that a lot of the early plant life was killed.

That's resulted in a bit better trail condition than normal this year. Most years we all would be banished to road riding by now as the trails would be impassable due to the choking weed growth that would not allow your passage. This year it's still passable out there, so we're still riding those river bottom trails. It's nice, but don't be fooled. The vegetation that did survive that late season frost is thriving!

And then there is all the flying protein supplements that are available while you're out there in that jungle. You can't help but suck down a few of those every ride. (Just ask "Shrek"!) I could see the little insects all about me in certain places. Like a cloud of specs hanging in the air. You zip through them, gasping for air as you hammer along and gulp! You get your daily requirement of live food in an instant. No time to stop now, you've got to stay on that wheel that's in front of you, ya know. Just swallow and keep on keepin' on!

It's all part of the summer time riding experience here in the Mid West. Gotta take it while you can. It won't be long before all of this starts to die off and we are running in a sullen brown land that is fast falling asleep for another long winters nap.

Get out and ride that jungle! Don't mind the bugs. They aren't that bad, really!

Back to the Lab For Testing!

Well, tonight I've got a ride planned. The thing is, most of my rides have an important purpose since I have all this new gear to review and test for Twenty Nine Inches. Every ride is at a different "labratory". It's not just a trail, but what does this trail have to offer that will show me something about this new gee-gaw I have to test. Does it have off camber? How about some rocks and roots? Are we going to be descending for an extended period? That sort of thing.

I suppose you guys that train alot are the same way. You've got your specific routes/rides that offer up different aspects of pain to train with. Well, I have the pain too, come to think of it!

At any rate, this day I should be testing and riding some new equipment. Getting a handle on how it performs and works in the field. It's kind of a balancing act between having fun and work. On one hand I've got to be paying attention to my new gear. On the other hand I'm having fun blasting up short steeps, railing corners, or just taking in some outdoors. Sometimes the outdoors wins! That's okay. That just means I have to ride another lap to get the focus in on the parts I'm thrashing that day.

It's all bicycles in the end, and what better way to have to "work" than to have to ride out on the dirt? I can't think of any. Besides, I'm needing a distraction from all of this pre-RAGBRAI hoopla going on here. The town the bike shop I work at is in is an overnight stop for the annual ride. It's featuring a Blues Traveler concert and an appearance by The Lance. I want to be far, far away that day! Out on some solitary dirt single track, surrounded by the serene sounds of nature, and testing some new equipment. Let the others bust themselves up trying to get a glimpse of The Man With The Fading Yellow Tunic. Me? I'll be testing in my favorite local lab.

See ya on the dirt!

Back to the Lab For Testing!

Well, tonight I've got a ride planned. The thing is, most of my rides have an important purpose since I have all this new gear to review and test for Twenty Nine Inches. Every ride is at a different "labratory". It's not just a trail, but what does this trail have to offer that will show me something about this new gee-gaw I have to test. Does it have off camber? How about some rocks and roots? Are we going to be descending for an extended period? That sort of thing.

I suppose you guys that train alot are the same way. You've got your specific routes/rides that offer up different aspects of pain to train with. Well, I have the pain too, come to think of it!

At any rate, this day I should be testing and riding some new equipment. Getting a handle on how it performs and works in the field. It's kind of a balancing act between having fun and work. On one hand I've got to be paying attention to my new gear. On the other hand I'm having fun blasting up short steeps, railing corners, or just taking in some outdoors. Sometimes the outdoors wins! That's okay. That just means I have to ride another lap to get the focus in on the parts I'm thrashing that day.

It's all bicycles in the end, and what better way to have to "work" than to have to ride out on the dirt? I can't think of any. Besides, I'm needing a distraction from all of this pre-RAGBRAI hoopla going on here. The town the bike shop I work at is in is an overnight stop for the annual ride. It's featuring a Blues Traveler concert and an appearance by The Lance. I want to be far, far away that day! Out on some solitary dirt single track, surrounded by the serene sounds of nature, and testing some new equipment. Let the others bust themselves up trying to get a glimpse of The Man With The Fading Yellow Tunic. Me? I'll be testing in my favorite local lab.

See ya on the dirt!

I'm Not Watching

Okay, here it is folks. My answer to all of you to the question, "Did you see the Tour today?"

uhh..............No!

(Silent amazement) "Why not?"

Well, that's a long answer. The main thing is this. I get invested in something like the Tour emotionally, time-wise, and even physically to some extant. Then either during or most likely afterwards some scandalous plot, scheme, or other takes all the joy right out of it. All that previous investment is an embarassment. Like sending the new employee to find the left handed monkey wrench. (There isn't such a thing, by the way!) I feel duped when the punch line is read.

Then there is the "time suck" aspect, of which I alluded to above. You Tour junkies know exactly what I mean. Your whole day is rearranged around finding out how the stage of the day unfolded. "Hey! Can I talk to you in a minute. They're about to set up for the field sprint!" If you only knew what your wife was thinking when you said that!

Nope! I'm not falling into the trap this year. I'm looking the other way. And yeah...........I'll actually ride more in July. It's a good thing. No emotional attachment, no possibility for another let down. Besides, the whole pro road scene is quagmire right now. What do you believe? Is what you are watching even going to go down in the record books? Who knows.

So I'll be doing my riding, testing, and living my life sans Tour, thank you very much. That's my take. You can watch if you'd like, I've no problem with that. Just don't expect me to share when you ask the question, because I won't know.

I'm Not Watching

Okay, here it is folks. My answer to all of you to the question, "Did you see the Tour today?"

uhh..............No!

(Silent amazement) "Why not?"

Well, that's a long answer. The main thing is this. I get invested in something like the Tour emotionally, time-wise, and even physically to some extant. Then either during or most likely afterwards some scandalous plot, scheme, or other takes all the joy right out of it. All that previous investment is an embarassment. Like sending the new employee to find the left handed monkey wrench. (There isn't such a thing, by the way!) I feel duped when the punch line is read.

Then there is the "time suck" aspect, of which I alluded to above. You Tour junkies know exactly what I mean. Your whole day is rearranged around finding out how the stage of the day unfolded. "Hey! Can I talk to you in a minute. They're about to set up for the field sprint!" If you only knew what your wife was thinking when you said that!

Nope! I'm not falling into the trap this year. I'm looking the other way. And yeah...........I'll actually ride more in July. It's a good thing. No emotional attachment, no possibility for another let down. Besides, the whole pro road scene is quagmire right now. What do you believe? Is what you are watching even going to go down in the record books? Who knows.

So I'll be doing my riding, testing, and living my life sans Tour, thank you very much. That's my take. You can watch if you'd like, I've no problem with that. Just don't expect me to share when you ask the question, because I won't know.

Mavic Crossmax 29"er Wheel Set, News and Views

Friday I recieved these Mavic Crossmax wheels to review for Twenty Nine Inches and they are yet another example of how the walls between 26 and 29 inch wheels are being torn down.

Just a few years ago even a 29"er specific rim was a dream, and now we have several. Not only that, but the prized tubeless moniker can now be associated with 29 inch wheels. Add these Mavic hoops to the already excellent Bontrager Race Lite Tubeless Ready wheels and the Bontrager Rhythm model line of 29"er tubeless wheels.

Now all we need are more tubeless ready tires! I know that Bontrager is working on getting a complete line out as soon as possible. Hutchinson's Python is currently the only "Mavic approved" choice for their wheels. I suspect that by Interbike the tire selection will be adding numbers rather quickly!

In Other News: I was able to get out on a couple of short, low intensity rides this weekend. The knee is doing much, much better. I think regular trail thrashing will commence once again this coming weekend.

I was able to take a "farewell" cruise on my Haro Mary which has been sold to a lucky and entusiastic new owner. I needed to come up with some cash to fund the completion of a couple bike projects going on here. I also need to plan ahead for the coming "slow season". Yes, as amazing as that sounds, I know it's just a short time until business slows down, school starts again, and "The Man" decides I don't need to be there as much at work. Gotta plan ahead!

Speaking of planning ahead: The plans for GTDRI are still being worked on. It looks as though the course is coming along. No real road re-routes need be done. We have a campground group rate possibility, and even a pre-ride breakfast at a local cafe' is being contemplated. Check the site for more updates in the coming days. Remember that the date is August 4th and not what the header says. (Mr 24 lost the artwork and can not change it!)

Blood on the Rocks! Mr. 24 became "Mr 6" for the weekend and left a sacrifice of blood on the trail to garner a first place bit o hardware at Blue Mound this past weekend. Check out the story. Crazy!

And Finally..... I was cruising the web and came across this cool report on the Big Wheeled Ballyhoo that happened two weeks ago in Decorah, Iowa. Check out the dude in the running shorts. (Yes, he rode that way and yes, that's Everclear in his flask) If you missed this years edition the good news for you is that we are putting it on again next year. Make sure you keep the last weekend in June free. Read the report and you'll get a small slice of just what it was all about.

Mavic Crossmax 29"er Wheel Set, News and Views

Friday I recieved these Mavic Crossmax wheels to review for Twenty Nine Inches and they are yet another example of how the walls between 26 and 29 inch wheels are being torn down.

Just a few years ago even a 29"er specific rim was a dream, and now we have several. Not only that, but the prized tubeless moniker can now be associated with 29 inch wheels. Add these Mavic hoops to the already excellent Bontrager Race Lite Tubeless Ready wheels and the Bontrager Rhythm model line of 29"er tubeless wheels.

Now all we need are more tubeless ready tires! I know that Bontrager is working on getting a complete line out as soon as possible. Hutchinson's Python is currently the only "Mavic approved" choice for their wheels. I suspect that by Interbike the tire selection will be adding numbers rather quickly!

In Other News: I was able to get out on a couple of short, low intensity rides this weekend. The knee is doing much, much better. I think regular trail thrashing will commence once again this coming weekend.

I was able to take a "farewell" cruise on my Haro Mary which has been sold to a lucky and entusiastic new owner. I needed to come up with some cash to fund the completion of a couple bike projects going on here. I also need to plan ahead for the coming "slow season". Yes, as amazing as that sounds, I know it's just a short time until business slows down, school starts again, and "The Man" decides I don't need to be there as much at work. Gotta plan ahead!

Speaking of planning ahead: The plans for GTDRI are still being worked on. It looks as though the course is coming along. No real road re-routes need be done. We have a campground group rate possibility, and even a pre-ride breakfast at a local cafe' is being contemplated. Check the site for more updates in the coming days. Remember that the date is August 4th and not what the header says. (Mr 24 lost the artwork and can not change it!)

Blood on the Rocks! Mr. 24 became "Mr 6" for the weekend and left a sacrifice of blood on the trail to garner a first place bit o hardware at Blue Mound this past weekend. Check out the story. Crazy!

And Finally..... I was cruising the web and came across this cool report on the Big Wheeled Ballyhoo that happened two weeks ago in Decorah, Iowa. Check out the dude in the running shorts. (Yes, he rode that way and yes, that's Everclear in his flask) If you missed this years edition the good news for you is that we are putting it on again next year. Make sure you keep the last weekend in June free. Read the report and you'll get a small slice of just what it was all about.

Ergon's G-Ride!

I was recently able to catch Mr. 24 in one of his increasingly rare appearances in the Cedar Valley. He's finally gotten the new wheels and it's pretty sweet.

Here you can see the tiny Ergon decal on the rear "C" pillar. (Body shop talk) Anyway, I suspect this to not last too long since the original plan was for an Ergon wrap job, ala NASCAR.

I've a feeling Mr. 24 would assume leave it in this state which is predominantly in the colors of The Kerkove Nation. (read: black!)


Here's the rig fully loaded. I don't think it'll pass through the overheads at the drive through there buddy!

If you happen to see this giant black rig festooned with bikes and boxes coming down the highway at you, never fear! It's just ol' Jeff. Give him a honk and a wave. If you see him at an event, say howdy for me, won'tcha?

He doesn't get around these parts much anymore.

Can't say I blame him either!

Ergon's G-Ride!

I was recently able to catch Mr. 24 in one of his increasingly rare appearances in the Cedar Valley. He's finally gotten the new wheels and it's pretty sweet.

Here you can see the tiny Ergon decal on the rear "C" pillar. (Body shop talk) Anyway, I suspect this to not last too long since the original plan was for an Ergon wrap job, ala NASCAR.

I've a feeling Mr. 24 would assume leave it in this state which is predominantly in the colors of The Kerkove Nation. (read: black!)


Here's the rig fully loaded. I don't think it'll pass through the overheads at the drive through there buddy!

If you happen to see this giant black rig festooned with bikes and boxes coming down the highway at you, never fear! It's just ol' Jeff. Give him a honk and a wave. If you see him at an event, say howdy for me, won'tcha?

He doesn't get around these parts much anymore.

Can't say I blame him either!

Friday News and Views

Hey ya'all! It's the weekend already! Didn't we just have a weekend? (I get thrown outta whack by this mid-week holiday stuff!)

Anyway...............here's a shot of that RST fork that didn't make the Twenty Nine Inches story. It's the new M-29 air shock with 80mm travel. So far I've got it mounted up to my Dos, but I had to order a part. A disc mount to be precise. You see, everything fork-wise from here on out is going 74mm post mount, so I had to invest in the proper Avid mount to get me up and rolling. Well, not rolling just yet! The part is on order. I'll be really rolling it by this time next week.

In other news, Specialized's newest 29"er offering that I linked to yesterday is getting mixed reviews from a looks standpoint. I don't like the way it looks, personally, but hey! Maybe it performs just fine. If so, cool! I just don't think it's going to add up to a bike that will rip Mid West single track. I'm hoping the Big Red "S" has some of these at Interbike to test ride so I can check it out for myself and see if I'm wrong.

The Guitar Ted Death Ride Invitational has been moved to Saturday, August 4th. If you can not make the new date, I appologize, but since it is my ride I thought it might be important for me to actually be there! The previously mentioned date was already committed to something else that I had mistakenly thought was on a different day. Whoops! My bad!

Anyway, this gives me time to get the Pofahl Custom together to ride and also gives myself and my "route finder extrordinaire" Wuzbeen, a chance to get a handle on the route. It's been a challenge so far what with all the flooding. Roads under water and whole bridges washed away! We hope to have a finalized route by next week.

Camping option: We are putting out the chance for a group rate at a local to the ride campground. We could get a rate of $25.00 if we see enough interest. That would cover us for one night, as I understand it. There is an e-mail link under the "My Events" column at the right here where you can contact me if you are interested in this option.

Well, I pretty much negated any reason for you to click on the Guitar Ted Death Ride Invitational site, but do it anyway so you can see Mr. 24's cool banner he did up for me!

By the way, anybody spot the FJ Cruiser yet?

Ride yer bikes this weekend and have some fun already!

Friday News and Views

Hey ya'all! It's the weekend already! Didn't we just have a weekend? (I get thrown outta whack by this mid-week holiday stuff!)

Anyway...............here's a shot of that RST fork that didn't make the Twenty Nine Inches story. It's the new M-29 air shock with 80mm travel. So far I've got it mounted up to my Dos, but I had to order a part. A disc mount to be precise. You see, everything fork-wise from here on out is going 74mm post mount, so I had to invest in the proper Avid mount to get me up and rolling. Well, not rolling just yet! The part is on order. I'll be really rolling it by this time next week.

In other news, Specialized's newest 29"er offering that I linked to yesterday is getting mixed reviews from a looks standpoint. I don't like the way it looks, personally, but hey! Maybe it performs just fine. If so, cool! I just don't think it's going to add up to a bike that will rip Mid West single track. I'm hoping the Big Red "S" has some of these at Interbike to test ride so I can check it out for myself and see if I'm wrong.

The Guitar Ted Death Ride Invitational has been moved to Saturday, August 4th. If you can not make the new date, I appologize, but since it is my ride I thought it might be important for me to actually be there! The previously mentioned date was already committed to something else that I had mistakenly thought was on a different day. Whoops! My bad!

Anyway, this gives me time to get the Pofahl Custom together to ride and also gives myself and my "route finder extrordinaire" Wuzbeen, a chance to get a handle on the route. It's been a challenge so far what with all the flooding. Roads under water and whole bridges washed away! We hope to have a finalized route by next week.

Camping option: We are putting out the chance for a group rate at a local to the ride campground. We could get a rate of $25.00 if we see enough interest. That would cover us for one night, as I understand it. There is an e-mail link under the "My Events" column at the right here where you can contact me if you are interested in this option.

Well, I pretty much negated any reason for you to click on the Guitar Ted Death Ride Invitational site, but do it anyway so you can see Mr. 24's cool banner he did up for me!

By the way, anybody spot the FJ Cruiser yet?

Ride yer bikes this weekend and have some fun already!

Speaking of Knees

I wouldn't normally put in anything on this blog about corn. I'm surrounded by it every year and quite frankly, it's a thing taken for granted here in Iowa. However; something remarkable has been happening here, so I thought I'd mention it.

I went out for my traditional 4th of July ride, a gravel grinder, and I noticed how tall some of the corn was already. My Grandfather and his peers always used to say about the early corn crop a saying that goes like this: "Knee high by the 4th of July". That meant that if the corn was at least that high by the fourth of July, the crop was thought to be coming along quite nicely. Well, that saying has been blown out of the water in modern times. Now if it's not man high by the fourth of July it's a poor planting!




The thing that caught my eye was that this field that I have pictured here has tassles on the tops already! That means that by the end of July this field might already have ears and be "drying down" already! Yikes! That usually doesn't happen, (tassles on the corn) until the end of this month. I also noticed a lot of wild flowers are about a month ahead of schedule too. Does this mean I'll be riding in the snow in October? Crazy!


Then there was my little episode stepping down into the ditch to get into that corn field I photographed. I stepped out thinking the ditch was shallow, but it wasn't. So, where I thought my foot would hit solid ground was actually about a foot off an off camber slope. My full weight came down at that awkward angle and I felt a searing pain in my knee. Really bad! I had to cut my ride short and I went home and iced it down and hit the old ibuprofen right away. I'm not sure, but I think I tore a connective ligament to the bottom of my patella a bit. It still hurts this morning, but the swelling is down and I can at least walk without a limp.

What I won't do to get a photograph! Ha ha! Oh well, I just hope it heals up soon. I've got alot of riding to do.

Speaking of Knees

I wouldn't normally put in anything on this blog about corn. I'm surrounded by it every year and quite frankly, it's a thing taken for granted here in Iowa. However; something remarkable has been happening here, so I thought I'd mention it.

I went out for my traditional 4th of July ride, a gravel grinder, and I noticed how tall some of the corn was already. My Grandfather and his peers always used to say about the early corn crop a saying that goes like this: "Knee high by the 4th of July". That meant that if the corn was at least that high by the fourth of July, the crop was thought to be coming along quite nicely. Well, that saying has been blown out of the water in modern times. Now if it's not man high by the fourth of July it's a poor planting!




The thing that caught my eye was that this field that I have pictured here has tassles on the tops already! That means that by the end of July this field might already have ears and be "drying down" already! Yikes! That usually doesn't happen, (tassles on the corn) until the end of this month. I also noticed a lot of wild flowers are about a month ahead of schedule too. Does this mean I'll be riding in the snow in October? Crazy!


Then there was my little episode stepping down into the ditch to get into that corn field I photographed. I stepped out thinking the ditch was shallow, but it wasn't. So, where I thought my foot would hit solid ground was actually about a foot off an off camber slope. My full weight came down at that awkward angle and I felt a searing pain in my knee. Really bad! I had to cut my ride short and I went home and iced it down and hit the old ibuprofen right away. I'm not sure, but I think I tore a connective ligament to the bottom of my patella a bit. It still hurts this morning, but the swelling is down and I can at least walk without a limp.

What I won't do to get a photograph! Ha ha! Oh well, I just hope it heals up soon. I've got alot of riding to do.

News and Views For The Fourth

Hey, it's the Nations Birthday, so I took the morning off. I'm a slacker, I know! At any rate, I hope you all reflect upon what it took to allow you your freedoms this Fourth of July if you partake of those freedoms here in the U.S.A. Enjoy what you've got, because not alot of other places have it.

Enough of that..........now on to the news!

Specialized presented it's full suspension 29"er recently in Mexico and you can catch a picture or two of it here. It's got the Brain rear shock, a new design that shares features given to the redesign of the 26"er version, and a Reba fork. Huh? I thought Specialized was into making it's own products for suspension. Apparently a 29"er fork was considered too big a risk or not feasable at this time.

An interesting thing mentioned in the text of the launch detals was that the head angle had been increased by one degree over the 26"er model for the 29"er version. Hmm.......purusing the Specialized geometry charts reveals.......confusion! At best, all I can say is that it would appear that the new Stumpjumper FSR 29"er is going to err on the slack side of the current geometry for 29"ers and will be a slower handling beast due to the Rebas 38mm offset. Great for bombing down SoCal down hill singletrack, but not so great everywhere else. The rear travel had to be reduced as well, or the chainstays would have been astronomically long, (they look a bit longish as they are). They went with a 105mm at the rear which calculates out to a shade over four inches.

It'll be interesting to see what the wheelbase and chainstay length actually are on this bike. I'm betting it's got limo-like proportions. Just judging from the pics mind you, I've got nothing against Specialized per se. I actually have fond memories of my 94 FSR S-Works bike. It's just that translating a design to 29"er dimensions is fraught with pitfalls and it looks like Specialized may have fallen into a few by the looks of it.

Finally, check out Twenty Nine Inches to see the new RST M-29 fork that I'll be putting to shame on the Dos Niner as soon as I get an adapter for the post mount brake studs on the fork. Everything is going to go post mount on forks, so I've gotta get tooled up!

Have a great Fouth of July and ride yer bikes!

News and Views For The Fourth

Hey, it's the Nations Birthday, so I took the morning off. I'm a slacker, I know! At any rate, I hope you all reflect upon what it took to allow you your freedoms this Fourth of July if you partake of those freedoms here in the U.S.A. Enjoy what you've got, because not alot of other places have it.

Enough of that..........now on to the news!

Specialized presented it's full suspension 29"er recently in Mexico and you can catch a picture or two of it here. It's got the Brain rear shock, a new design that shares features given to the redesign of the 26"er version, and a Reba fork. Huh? I thought Specialized was into making it's own products for suspension. Apparently a 29"er fork was considered too big a risk or not feasable at this time.

An interesting thing mentioned in the text of the launch detals was that the head angle had been increased by one degree over the 26"er model for the 29"er version. Hmm.......purusing the Specialized geometry charts reveals.......confusion! At best, all I can say is that it would appear that the new Stumpjumper FSR 29"er is going to err on the slack side of the current geometry for 29"ers and will be a slower handling beast due to the Rebas 38mm offset. Great for bombing down SoCal down hill singletrack, but not so great everywhere else. The rear travel had to be reduced as well, or the chainstays would have been astronomically long, (they look a bit longish as they are). They went with a 105mm at the rear which calculates out to a shade over four inches.

It'll be interesting to see what the wheelbase and chainstay length actually are on this bike. I'm betting it's got limo-like proportions. Just judging from the pics mind you, I've got nothing against Specialized per se. I actually have fond memories of my 94 FSR S-Works bike. It's just that translating a design to 29"er dimensions is fraught with pitfalls and it looks like Specialized may have fallen into a few by the looks of it.

Finally, check out Twenty Nine Inches to see the new RST M-29 fork that I'll be putting to shame on the Dos Niner as soon as I get an adapter for the post mount brake studs on the fork. Everything is going to go post mount on forks, so I've gotta get tooled up!

Have a great Fouth of July and ride yer bikes!

Road Tech Goes Mountain Biking

I have been pondering all of the standard breaking technology coming out in the road bike market over the last few years and especially for '08 products. Cannondale, Specialized, and now Trek are smashing road bike tradition in terms of component standards with oversized bottom brackets, differentially sized head tubes/bearings, and integrated seat masts. How long could the mountain bike as we know it hold out? Well, the dam has burst just a bit!

It seems that Specialized has thrown down the gauntlet with their '08 Stumpjumper Carbon. I figured it was only a matter of time before somebody got ahold of the differentially sized head/steer tube for a mountain bike. Of course, the Stumpy has a long uphill battle in the face of all of the current suspension fork makers. Certainly Specialized with it's newly founded suspension line up can afford to take on new technology, but the other fork manufacturers won't be as quick to jump on board with this new standard. However, this is something that's not going away, and you are going to see more of it in the future. A lot more of it.

Why should it change? Well, the mere fact that these new ideas have radically changed the way road bikes perform and handle should be a clue. The ideas work, and work well. Not just the head tube/steer tube design, but the bottom bracket has seen some oversizing to a great benefit as well. The integrated seat mast is another thing all together, but even a hardtail mtb was shown at Sea Otter with this frame design.

The changes coming will some day have a positive affect on 29"ers. The head tube/steer tube idea is tailor made for 29"er use. The oversizing of the bottom bracket is a long overdue change that will help 29"ers as well in frame stiffness. Finally, I think it's high time the overlock dimensions for the rear wheel and front wheel be changed to 150mm and 120mm respectively. These changes would allow the wheels to have a wider flange spacing which would dramatically increase wheel strength.

Sure, all your "old stuff" would be obsolete, but you would get to buy new stuff! Besides, if you could ride something made in the ways I am detailing, I think you might just heartily agree to park your "old technology" anyway. The bottom line is that it just makes a lot of sense to do these things. When the headset went to 1 1/8th", we were just starting to use suspension and we still had cantilever brakes, when the bottom brackets went to European shells we were using adjustable cup bottom brackets and square taper spindles, when the overlock dimensions were set for mountain bikes we were running 7 speed systems and rigid forks. Now you wouldn't dream of using canti brakes, adjustable/serviceable bottom brackets, or 7 speed drivetrains. Why should the standards set then be kept when changing them would increase the effectiveness of brakes, wheels, drivtrains, and suspension forks?

Or maybe we should go back to the old stuff!

Something to think about...........

Road Tech Goes Mountain Biking

I have been pondering all of the standard breaking technology coming out in the road bike market over the last few years and especially for '08 products. Cannondale, Specialized, and now Trek are smashing road bike tradition in terms of component standards with oversized bottom brackets, differentially sized head tubes/bearings, and integrated seat masts. How long could the mountain bike as we know it hold out? Well, the dam has burst just a bit!

It seems that Specialized has thrown down the gauntlet with their '08 Stumpjumper Carbon. I figured it was only a matter of time before somebody got ahold of the differentially sized head/steer tube for a mountain bike. Of course, the Stumpy has a long uphill battle in the face of all of the current suspension fork makers. Certainly Specialized with it's newly founded suspension line up can afford to take on new technology, but the other fork manufacturers won't be as quick to jump on board with this new standard. However, this is something that's not going away, and you are going to see more of it in the future. A lot more of it.

Why should it change? Well, the mere fact that these new ideas have radically changed the way road bikes perform and handle should be a clue. The ideas work, and work well. Not just the head tube/steer tube design, but the bottom bracket has seen some oversizing to a great benefit as well. The integrated seat mast is another thing all together, but even a hardtail mtb was shown at Sea Otter with this frame design.

The changes coming will some day have a positive affect on 29"ers. The head tube/steer tube idea is tailor made for 29"er use. The oversizing of the bottom bracket is a long overdue change that will help 29"ers as well in frame stiffness. Finally, I think it's high time the overlock dimensions for the rear wheel and front wheel be changed to 150mm and 120mm respectively. These changes would allow the wheels to have a wider flange spacing which would dramatically increase wheel strength.

Sure, all your "old stuff" would be obsolete, but you would get to buy new stuff! Besides, if you could ride something made in the ways I am detailing, I think you might just heartily agree to park your "old technology" anyway. The bottom line is that it just makes a lot of sense to do these things. When the headset went to 1 1/8th", we were just starting to use suspension and we still had cantilever brakes, when the bottom brackets went to European shells we were using adjustable cup bottom brackets and square taper spindles, when the overlock dimensions were set for mountain bikes we were running 7 speed systems and rigid forks. Now you wouldn't dream of using canti brakes, adjustable/serviceable bottom brackets, or 7 speed drivetrains. Why should the standards set then be kept when changing them would increase the effectiveness of brakes, wheels, drivtrains, and suspension forks?

Or maybe we should go back to the old stuff!

Something to think about...........

Weekend Ride Report

The weekend saw myself and Captain Bob make an early morning assault on the Boy Scout Camp this past Saturday. Sorry, but we both forgot our cameras, so you'll have to form your own mental imagery on this one!

The Scout Camp is, of course, being used heavily this summer. We arrived to find ourselves surrounded by scouts, tents, and vehicles in the parking lot because of the two week Jamboree going on. Since it was six o'clock when we started out, we had to go into stealth mode and steer clear of the campgrounds. Shhhh! Sleeping Scouts!

The other two things that were a bit of a challenge were the cold morning air, (63 degrees) and the dark under the trees. Night hadn't loosed hold of it's grip there yet and silly me with my shades on! The first switchback and ravine section was interesting to say the least! I was leading because Captain Bob said he didn't want me to run him over when he crashed. (Is he saying I'm fat?) He never did crash, by the way.

We managed to clear out into a slightly less dark section and then the sun started peeking through the trees, totally eliminating the sight problems. The trail was dry, rough, and even wet, soft, and muddy in some select few places. A real potpourri of conditions to test out the ACX Tubeless Ready front tire I had just swapped out to. The back was still the Dry X. Great hook up this time and really, no worries at all. Handling was spot on from the tires.

I have had a broken right shifter on the XXIX+G since my horrendous lawn dart endo of about a month ago. I do have a replacement waiting for me to pick up, (sorry Brent!) but I've been so dang busy lately I can't get over to pick it up. So I suffered single speed style on Saturday. That is until Captain Bob morphed into Captain Obvious during a rest stop and said, "Doesn't your front derailluer work?" Duhhh! And all the heinous climbing was already done! Bah! I guess I am just a single speeder at heart!

Anyway, we didn't ride all that long, but we had a great time and I learned that the Tubeless Ready set up could work really well. So, it was a good trip to make. Look for a more detailed write up on the ACX Tubeless Ready tire soon on Twenty Nine Inches along with a Tubeless Ready wheel update.

Weekend Ride Report

The weekend saw myself and Captain Bob make an early morning assault on the Boy Scout Camp this past Saturday. Sorry, but we both forgot our cameras, so you'll have to form your own mental imagery on this one!

The Scout Camp is, of course, being used heavily this summer. We arrived to find ourselves surrounded by scouts, tents, and vehicles in the parking lot because of the two week Jamboree going on. Since it was six o'clock when we started out, we had to go into stealth mode and steer clear of the campgrounds. Shhhh! Sleeping Scouts!

The other two things that were a bit of a challenge were the cold morning air, (63 degrees) and the dark under the trees. Night hadn't loosed hold of it's grip there yet and silly me with my shades on! The first switchback and ravine section was interesting to say the least! I was leading because Captain Bob said he didn't want me to run him over when he crashed. (Is he saying I'm fat?) He never did crash, by the way.

We managed to clear out into a slightly less dark section and then the sun started peeking through the trees, totally eliminating the sight problems. The trail was dry, rough, and even wet, soft, and muddy in some select few places. A real potpourri of conditions to test out the ACX Tubeless Ready front tire I had just swapped out to. The back was still the Dry X. Great hook up this time and really, no worries at all. Handling was spot on from the tires.

I have had a broken right shifter on the XXIX+G since my horrendous lawn dart endo of about a month ago. I do have a replacement waiting for me to pick up, (sorry Brent!) but I've been so dang busy lately I can't get over to pick it up. So I suffered single speed style on Saturday. That is until Captain Bob morphed into Captain Obvious during a rest stop and said, "Doesn't your front derailluer work?" Duhhh! And all the heinous climbing was already done! Bah! I guess I am just a single speeder at heart!

Anyway, we didn't ride all that long, but we had a great time and I learned that the Tubeless Ready set up could work really well. So, it was a good trip to make. Look for a more detailed write up on the ACX Tubeless Ready tire soon on Twenty Nine Inches along with a Tubeless Ready wheel update.

Bedtime Stories

With the passing of the Big Wheeled Ballyhoo and my post event, behind the scenes work. I haven't had much time lately to get around to doing much more than work at the shop and get the important tasks of the week taken care of. That hasn't stopped me from doing one nightly activity though.

That activity would be my catching up on the Great Divide Race. This is really epic stuff. The event, which has been going on for two weeks now, is a backroads race down from the Canadian border to the Mexican border along the Great Divide route as set up by Adventure Cycling. The rules are pretty simple. Time trial the route as a self sufficient cyclist. (Well, there is a little more to it, but that's pretty close to the mark)

This year there were more people lining up for this event at the start than in the previous four years combined. They all are required to call in every day to a specific number which records there message which is then transcribed by Tom Purvis and posted to the site linked above. It helps you see the agony, drama, and hard work involved in this trek across the U.S. Pretty interesting stuff, especially in light of the morass that road cycling has fallen into.

The Tour de France used to be my thing to check out, but not anymore. This Great Divide Race has supplanted it. Why? Well, it's more in keeping with the spirit of challenge and overcoming than the Tour is. It's not over hyped, or hyped at all, really. It's still a grassroots, underground, for the spirit of it all event. The tour? Gutted of any of that. Empty and devoid of anything "true and good", if one can say that about cycling. Maybe I'm a romantic luddite, a reto-grouch, and just not seeing what others find in the Tour. Whatever. All I know is that these Great Divide racers have captured my fancy and I love a good cycling tale before bedtime.

So, I'll keep reading!

If you are so inclined, catch up on the story so far and get ready for the first finishers sometime this weekend. It's going to be awesome! I think it'll inspire you to go out on your own long epic ride this weekend. Do it! I'll be riding somewhere too.

Bedtime Stories

With the passing of the Big Wheeled Ballyhoo and my post event, behind the scenes work. I haven't had much time lately to get around to doing much more than work at the shop and get the important tasks of the week taken care of. That hasn't stopped me from doing one nightly activity though.

That activity would be my catching up on the Great Divide Race. This is really epic stuff. The event, which has been going on for two weeks now, is a backroads race down from the Canadian border to the Mexican border along the Great Divide route as set up by Adventure Cycling. The rules are pretty simple. Time trial the route as a self sufficient cyclist. (Well, there is a little more to it, but that's pretty close to the mark)

This year there were more people lining up for this event at the start than in the previous four years combined. They all are required to call in every day to a specific number which records there message which is then transcribed by Tom Purvis and posted to the site linked above. It helps you see the agony, drama, and hard work involved in this trek across the U.S. Pretty interesting stuff, especially in light of the morass that road cycling has fallen into.

The Tour de France used to be my thing to check out, but not anymore. This Great Divide Race has supplanted it. Why? Well, it's more in keeping with the spirit of challenge and overcoming than the Tour is. It's not over hyped, or hyped at all, really. It's still a grassroots, underground, for the spirit of it all event. The tour? Gutted of any of that. Empty and devoid of anything "true and good", if one can say that about cycling. Maybe I'm a romantic luddite, a reto-grouch, and just not seeing what others find in the Tour. Whatever. All I know is that these Great Divide racers have captured my fancy and I love a good cycling tale before bedtime.

So, I'll keep reading!

If you are so inclined, catch up on the story so far and get ready for the first finishers sometime this weekend. It's going to be awesome! I think it'll inspire you to go out on your own long epic ride this weekend. Do it! I'll be riding somewhere too.

You Are Welcome...........

I'll be wearin' it with pride!

In other event news, the GTDRI blog has a new update if you are interested.

Also, the planning for the next Ballyhoo is taking place with analysis of the just completed inaugral event. We won't be changing much, just tweaking it out and doing a better job up front.

As far as Trans Iowa goes...........don't ask! There are some definite hurdles to putting on another version of this event that may prove to high to clear. The jury is still out. I'll keep ya'all informed on any updates concerning the status of another Trans Iowa. I'm going to be concentrating on the laid back prep for GTDRI first, then a short break before Interbike. After that I'll make a call on T.I.

Stay tuned.....................

You Are Welcome...........

I'll be wearin' it with pride!

In other event news, the GTDRI blog has a new update if you are interested.

Also, the planning for the next Ballyhoo is taking place with analysis of the just completed inaugral event. We won't be changing much, just tweaking it out and doing a better job up front.

As far as Trans Iowa goes...........don't ask! There are some definite hurdles to putting on another version of this event that may prove to high to clear. The jury is still out. I'll keep ya'all informed on any updates concerning the status of another Trans Iowa. I'm going to be concentrating on the laid back prep for GTDRI first, then a short break before Interbike. After that I'll make a call on T.I.

Stay tuned.....................

I Fall Down

I was just thinking last night about my crashes this year. Hmm..........let's see now. Full on slam onto concrete for the right side at the Ballyhoo: check. Full on biff onto concrete for the left side, (non-bicycle related) from a semi-trailer: check. Two major endos, one a full on lawn dart which split my Bell Ghisallo in two. At least two handle bars to the rib cage, and several spectacular dismounts.

Wow! I must be doing a lot of mountain biking lately.

I don't think crashing is a bad thing. Actually, they used to say that if you weren't crashing once in awhile you weren't riding hard enough. I don't know if that's true, maybe it was just a way of explaining away the poor technology of those times. Maybe. I think it's still true though.

Crashes are cool from several standpoints. You've got your buddies, who need to be entertained. I mean, who doesn't want to be the star of the story, right? Then you've got your battle scars to remind you of "that ride" for at least a few weeks, and if you're really lucky, for a lifetime.

For instance, I was showing a guy where my solid axle gouged my inner leg when I was a kid. This guy looks at me with wide eyes and says, "Ya mean like this?!" He shows me a scar just like mine he got in the same way as a kid. Instant brotherhood man. Awesome! It wouldn't have happened if not for the crashing.

So, besides being a weatherman, I can't think of a single thing I could do that seems to reward failure with such a high regard. Crashing is cool.........well, to a degree it is. There are those truly heinous hits.

Let's try to avoid those, shall we?

I Fall Down

I was just thinking last night about my crashes this year. Hmm..........let's see now. Full on slam onto concrete for the right side at the Ballyhoo: check. Full on biff onto concrete for the left side, (non-bicycle related) from a semi-trailer: check. Two major endos, one a full on lawn dart which split my Bell Ghisallo in two. At least two handle bars to the rib cage, and several spectacular dismounts.

Wow! I must be doing a lot of mountain biking lately.

I don't think crashing is a bad thing. Actually, they used to say that if you weren't crashing once in awhile you weren't riding hard enough. I don't know if that's true, maybe it was just a way of explaining away the poor technology of those times. Maybe. I think it's still true though.

Crashes are cool from several standpoints. You've got your buddies, who need to be entertained. I mean, who doesn't want to be the star of the story, right? Then you've got your battle scars to remind you of "that ride" for at least a few weeks, and if you're really lucky, for a lifetime.

For instance, I was showing a guy where my solid axle gouged my inner leg when I was a kid. This guy looks at me with wide eyes and says, "Ya mean like this?!" He shows me a scar just like mine he got in the same way as a kid. Instant brotherhood man. Awesome! It wouldn't have happened if not for the crashing.

So, besides being a weatherman, I can't think of a single thing I could do that seems to reward failure with such a high regard. Crashing is cool.........well, to a degree it is. There are those truly heinous hits.

Let's try to avoid those, shall we?

Rotor Envy

Okay folks, rant mode on!:

It's high time that all 29"er bicycle manufacturers equipped their rigs with 185mm front rotors. Why? Because they work far better than 160mm ones do on a 29"er, that's why. It's safer, more performance oriented, and helps bring out the best in 29"er wheels.

I've got a couple bikes with 160mm rotors up front and all of my brake systems are Avid mechanicals, so I can see a direct comparison. The 160mm rotors just do not cut it for me. Hauling my 240lb carcass to a stop is no easy feat and the 160mm set up just can not stop it like a 185mm rotor can. Plus, think of the better heat dissapation on longer downhills. That's something to consider. I really do not want to look down and see glowing dull red heat waves eminating from the area formerly known as my front hub.

Then you have weight. Sure, some will whine about 185mm rotors weighing more. Well, who cares? I mean, really.......I would rather be able to stop more quickly with better control. What's a few more grams when it comes to that? Sheesh! Cut out the extra beer, ice cream, or heck, leave your water bottle at home if it comes to it. Give me a 185mm rotor up front on every new 29"er. Weight be damned!

I think it's plain silly to spec a 160mm rotor on the front of any 29"er save the most XC race oriented steeds and their are only a few that I would put in that category. (The Orbea Alma 29"er, the Salsa Mamasita, and the upcoming Fisher carbon hardtail) The 29"er, by it's very nature, is going to attract your larger than life mtb'ers anyway, such as myself. And as I said, it's no easy feat for a brake to stop a raging Clydesdale coming down the mountain. Outta my way, I'm large and in charge!

It just is a thing that makes way too much sense not to do. So, if you are a person that works for a company that produces 29"ers, dump the miniscule front brakes! Give us real stopping power and spec 185mm rotors on the front of our shiny new 29"ers.

Okay, okay..............please spec a 185mm rotor up front!

Rant mode off!

Rotor Envy

Okay folks, rant mode on!:

It's high time that all 29"er bicycle manufacturers equipped their rigs with 185mm front rotors. Why? Because they work far better than 160mm ones do on a 29"er, that's why. It's safer, more performance oriented, and helps bring out the best in 29"er wheels.

I've got a couple bikes with 160mm rotors up front and all of my brake systems are Avid mechanicals, so I can see a direct comparison. The 160mm rotors just do not cut it for me. Hauling my 240lb carcass to a stop is no easy feat and the 160mm set up just can not stop it like a 185mm rotor can. Plus, think of the better heat dissapation on longer downhills. That's something to consider. I really do not want to look down and see glowing dull red heat waves eminating from the area formerly known as my front hub.

Then you have weight. Sure, some will whine about 185mm rotors weighing more. Well, who cares? I mean, really.......I would rather be able to stop more quickly with better control. What's a few more grams when it comes to that? Sheesh! Cut out the extra beer, ice cream, or heck, leave your water bottle at home if it comes to it. Give me a 185mm rotor up front on every new 29"er. Weight be damned!

I think it's plain silly to spec a 160mm rotor on the front of any 29"er save the most XC race oriented steeds and their are only a few that I would put in that category. (The Orbea Alma 29"er, the Salsa Mamasita, and the upcoming Fisher carbon hardtail) The 29"er, by it's very nature, is going to attract your larger than life mtb'ers anyway, such as myself. And as I said, it's no easy feat for a brake to stop a raging Clydesdale coming down the mountain. Outta my way, I'm large and in charge!

It just is a thing that makes way too much sense not to do. So, if you are a person that works for a company that produces 29"ers, dump the miniscule front brakes! Give us real stopping power and spec 185mm rotors on the front of our shiny new 29"ers.

Okay, okay..............please spec a 185mm rotor up front!

Rant mode off!

Big Wheeled Ballyhoo: Final Report

Here's the '08 Paragon from Fisher. Let me tell you right now, this is going to put Fisher right at the front in the hard tail 29"er ranks. the Fox fork seemed super easy to figure out, (We didn't have a manual and had no problems setting it up!) and the improvements in tire clearance, and structural integrity are all fixed from the previous models. (Folks looking at a Rig will rejoice. Your new model will be able to clear 2.5" tires!) I'll post more detailed photos on Twenty Nine Inches.










The Saturday evening entertainment was a blast! The upper level of T Bock's bar and grill was transformed into a rock and roll stomp fest courtesy of Baker London and the Fuumes' alternative craziness. We had a packed house and the raffle was enjoyed by all. (Maybe the fact that nearly everyone got something had a little bit to do with that!)

Later on, I veered and weaved my way on the Dos Niner to the campground and perused a million stars with the Salsa Amigos. Great times!





Here's a shot down the vendors row. Lot's of bikes to choose from including Haro, Raleigh, Fisher, Trek, (Madones, yes-the new ones!), Salsa, Slingshot, Titus, and Niner Bikes.

I'll admit we didn't get alot of folks this first time, maybe 100 or so, but I know that demo ride numbers were average to above average for almost all the bikes there and at least three bikes were "sold" on the spot to some of the attendees. I'm sure even more will be seeing duty underneath some of the folks that got the chance to come to this first Ballyhoo.


The hit bike of the Ballyhoo had to be the 36"er designed by Ben Witt of Milltown Cycles. Everybody had to ride it! I like to say it has a smile inducing quality to it. Ben even rode it offroad there and said it clears log piles like no ones business.

Here's Brandon, Ben's wrench, putin' her to the wheelie test!



Some of the other things to come out of the Ballyhoo were that we learned of four new WTB tread designs in various sizes will be coming out later in the year. We even got to see two of them and they look promising. Of course, the aforementioned Fisher Rig frame is going to get the same improvements as all the other hardtails in Gary Fishers line up. We also heard some other unmentionable stuff that should be really cool coming your way soon too.

Well, this was a lot of fun! Personally, it was a bit of a let down that more folks didn't hop on board the fun train we had going, but since we are planning on swinging the bat at this ball again next year, we might get a few more of you out there to reconsider this madness. I will say I had a ball, and I even got to ride a couple times. Most notably with Salsa Amigo Bobby, who got a new handle this weekend. I won't say here what it is, but do check out the Salsa Amigos Blog to find out. (Thanks Bobby for the ride! That was sweet!)

So, that's a wrap on The Big Wheeled Ballyhoo for 2007. Tim G and I are tired, but enthused about what this could be. Of course, there are several folks who deserve huge shout outs for getting behind this and making it happen. The List is as follows in no particular order........

Travis Ott: Gary Fisher Assistant Brand Manager- Big Wheel Pimper, General Cool Guy
Richard "Deke" Gosen: Oneota River Cycles and Generalisimo of Trails for Decorah, Wrench Extrordanaire
Jeff O'Gara: Decorah Parks and Recreation board member: String Puller of Greatest Magnitude- Trail Pimp, and Generally Awesome Guy
Jason Boucher: King of Salsa Amigos and Fun Hog of the Ballyhoo
Mike Bockman: T-Bock's El Presidente' and provider of the Bigwheel Ballyhoo's World Headquarters- Friend of Two Wheeled Freaks Everywhere
Decorah Parks and Recreation/Judy Syverson: Gettin' er duuun! Thanks for the Green Light!
All The Decorah Trail Pimps! You Rock!........no seriously, you ROCK!

and to all the official sponsors:

Salsa Cycles
Gary Fisher Bikes
Niner Bikes
Raleigh U.S.A.
Bike 29
Rock Shox
Chrome
Cliff Bars

Until Next year!

Big Wheeled Ballyhoo: Final Report

Here's the '08 Paragon from Fisher. Let me tell you right now, this is going to put Fisher right at the front in the hard tail 29"er ranks. the Fox fork seemed super easy to figure out, (We didn't have a manual and had no problems setting it up!) and the improvements in tire clearance, and structural integrity are all fixed from the previous models. (Folks looking at a Rig will rejoice. Your new model will be able to clear 2.5" tires!) I'll post more detailed photos on Twenty Nine Inches.










The Saturday evening entertainment was a blast! The upper level of T Bock's bar and grill was transformed into a rock and roll stomp fest courtesy of Baker London and the Fuumes' alternative craziness. We had a packed house and the raffle was enjoyed by all. (Maybe the fact that nearly everyone got something had a little bit to do with that!)

Later on, I veered and weaved my way on the Dos Niner to the campground and perused a million stars with the Salsa Amigos. Great times!





Here's a shot down the vendors row. Lot's of bikes to choose from including Haro, Raleigh, Fisher, Trek, (Madones, yes-the new ones!), Salsa, Slingshot, Titus, and Niner Bikes.

I'll admit we didn't get alot of folks this first time, maybe 100 or so, but I know that demo ride numbers were average to above average for almost all the bikes there and at least three bikes were "sold" on the spot to some of the attendees. I'm sure even more will be seeing duty underneath some of the folks that got the chance to come to this first Ballyhoo.


The hit bike of the Ballyhoo had to be the 36"er designed by Ben Witt of Milltown Cycles. Everybody had to ride it! I like to say it has a smile inducing quality to it. Ben even rode it offroad there and said it clears log piles like no ones business.

Here's Brandon, Ben's wrench, putin' her to the wheelie test!



Some of the other things to come out of the Ballyhoo were that we learned of four new WTB tread designs in various sizes will be coming out later in the year. We even got to see two of them and they look promising. Of course, the aforementioned Fisher Rig frame is going to get the same improvements as all the other hardtails in Gary Fishers line up. We also heard some other unmentionable stuff that should be really cool coming your way soon too.

Well, this was a lot of fun! Personally, it was a bit of a let down that more folks didn't hop on board the fun train we had going, but since we are planning on swinging the bat at this ball again next year, we might get a few more of you out there to reconsider this madness. I will say I had a ball, and I even got to ride a couple times. Most notably with Salsa Amigo Bobby, who got a new handle this weekend. I won't say here what it is, but do check out the Salsa Amigos Blog to find out. (Thanks Bobby for the ride! That was sweet!)

So, that's a wrap on The Big Wheeled Ballyhoo for 2007. Tim G and I are tired, but enthused about what this could be. Of course, there are several folks who deserve huge shout outs for getting behind this and making it happen. The List is as follows in no particular order........

Travis Ott: Gary Fisher Assistant Brand Manager- Big Wheel Pimper, General Cool Guy
Richard "Deke" Gosen: Oneota River Cycles and Generalisimo of Trails for Decorah, Wrench Extrordanaire
Jeff O'Gara: Decorah Parks and Recreation board member: String Puller of Greatest Magnitude- Trail Pimp, and Generally Awesome Guy
Jason Boucher: King of Salsa Amigos and Fun Hog of the Ballyhoo
Mike Bockman: T-Bock's El Presidente' and provider of the Bigwheel Ballyhoo's World Headquarters- Friend of Two Wheeled Freaks Everywhere
Decorah Parks and Recreation/Judy Syverson: Gettin' er duuun! Thanks for the Green Light!
All The Decorah Trail Pimps! You Rock!........no seriously, you ROCK!

and to all the official sponsors:

Salsa Cycles
Gary Fisher Bikes
Niner Bikes
Raleigh U.S.A.
Bike 29
Rock Shox
Chrome
Cliff Bars

Until Next year!

Big Wheeled Ballyhoo Update: Day Two

One day down. Everybody had a great time. Lots of bikes getting demo'ed and big smiles all around. The trails were a bit more challenging in the morning due to the previous two days of rain, but started to "tack up" really well by the end of the day. Today they should be perfect!

I've got pics, but I can't upload them yet. They will be coming! I got to actually ride a bike on the trails myself too. A '08 Paragon. All I will say now is this. Fox fork = NICE! Fisher's redesign = SPOT ON! More on that coming next week.

We had lots of folks gawking at and riding the 36"er. We even got interviewed by the Cedar Rapids Gazzette, so that should be a cool article. All in all it's a pretty good success for the first year.

Last night was the band/party/raffle up in the Ballyhoo World Headquarters provided by T-Bock's. I tell you that you really missed a whale of a good time! The stars in the sky viewed from the campground capped off an excellent day. Now for the finishing touches and I'll write up some more on the aftermath of this event for ya next week.

Stay tuned!

Big Wheeled Ballyhoo Update: Day Two

One day down. Everybody had a great time. Lots of bikes getting demo'ed and big smiles all around. The trails were a bit more challenging in the morning due to the previous two days of rain, but started to "tack up" really well by the end of the day. Today they should be perfect!

I've got pics, but I can't upload them yet. They will be coming! I got to actually ride a bike on the trails myself too. A '08 Paragon. All I will say now is this. Fox fork = NICE! Fisher's redesign = SPOT ON! More on that coming next week.

We had lots of folks gawking at and riding the 36"er. We even got interviewed by the Cedar Rapids Gazzette, so that should be a cool article. All in all it's a pretty good success for the first year.

Last night was the band/party/raffle up in the Ballyhoo World Headquarters provided by T-Bock's. I tell you that you really missed a whale of a good time! The stars in the sky viewed from the campground capped off an excellent day. Now for the finishing touches and I'll write up some more on the aftermath of this event for ya next week.

Stay tuned!

Big Wheeled Ballyhoo: Update- Opening Day

After some rain yesterday things cleared up in the evening so we were able to hang out outside and enjoy the night. Several of the exhibitors have already arrived including Slingshot, Fisher Titus, Niner, and others. After getting the registration area all set and eating an evening meal, Tim and I went down to the vendor/camping area to check out the festivities.

We sat down with the Slingshot guys and got the lowdown on those FarmBoy 29"ers first. Crazy looking rigs! Then on down the line to the Salsa Amigos where we parked it for quite awhile and enjoyed some great conversation, brews, and fireflies. Yes! Fireflies! A about a gazillion of them made the open field we were in look as though a million flashbulbs were going off all the time. Like a sparkly fairy tale. Crazy.....but not the craziest!

That came later on when we joined some of the local crew to drink. Their were some crazy loons over there that were blowing grain alcohol into the fire and rasslin' each other and basically creating mayhem at times. One of them broke his bottom bracket shell on the night ride and was riding shirtless to boot. Uh-huh! Craaaaaaazy!

Okay, that's it for now. Tim and I are setting up registration now and getting things wound up for a spectacular summer day. No rain, and very little wind. Good times!

More later.

Big Wheeled Ballyhoo: Update- Opening Day

After some rain yesterday things cleared up in the evening so we were able to hang out outside and enjoy the night. Several of the exhibitors have already arrived including Slingshot, Fisher Titus, Niner, and others. After getting the registration area all set and eating an evening meal, Tim and I went down to the vendor/camping area to check out the festivities.

We sat down with the Slingshot guys and got the lowdown on those FarmBoy 29"ers first. Crazy looking rigs! Then on down the line to the Salsa Amigos where we parked it for quite awhile and enjoyed some great conversation, brews, and fireflies. Yes! Fireflies! A about a gazillion of them made the open field we were in look as though a million flashbulbs were going off all the time. Like a sparkly fairy tale. Crazy.....but not the craziest!

That came later on when we joined some of the local crew to drink. Their were some crazy loons over there that were blowing grain alcohol into the fire and rasslin' each other and basically creating mayhem at times. One of them broke his bottom bracket shell on the night ride and was riding shirtless to boot. Uh-huh! Craaaaaaazy!

Okay, that's it for now. Tim and I are setting up registration now and getting things wound up for a spectacular summer day. No rain, and very little wind. Good times!

More later.