Just Another Sunny California Day

<=== Retro Freaks, rejoice! Get one of ten!

I spent most of day one getting re-connected with old aquaintences and picking up some news. I love 29"ers, but I just about ripped my head out of it's socket when I saw this Tomac 10th anniversary drop bar replica bike. Way cool details like the original drop bar, laser etched with the "JT" insignia by Cinnelli who made the bars way back in the day. Some German collector provided Tomac Bikes with them. And a Dura Ace 9spd STI lever mated to a bar end front shifter. How about vintage Manitou flat lack and lettering on the new Manitou fork. Just a super cool rig, and it's torched up by the guy that made the originals too, Chris herting, who used to weld Johhny T's bikes back in the day. Hurry if you want one, only ten will ever be produced, all custom made to order.


<===Carlos, take notice!

There are always some crazy company rigs around. Check out this Durango done up in primer green and blue belonging to Oakley.

Pretty crazy stuff.

I saw Mr. 24

He's fit and ready to rage!

More coming. I've got to run and try not to get too sunburned!

Just Another Sunny California Day

<=== Retro Freaks, rejoice! Get one of ten!

I spent most of day one getting re-connected with old aquaintences and picking up some news. I love 29"ers, but I just about ripped my head out of it's socket when I saw this Tomac 10th anniversary drop bar replica bike. Way cool details like the original drop bar, laser etched with the "JT" insignia by Cinnelli who made the bars way back in the day. Some German collector provided Tomac Bikes with them. And a Dura Ace 9spd STI lever mated to a bar end front shifter. How about vintage Manitou flat lack and lettering on the new Manitou fork. Just a super cool rig, and it's torched up by the guy that made the originals too, Chris herting, who used to weld Johhny T's bikes back in the day. Hurry if you want one, only ten will ever be produced, all custom made to order.


<===Carlos, take notice!

There are always some crazy company rigs around. Check out this Durango done up in primer green and blue belonging to Oakley.

Pretty crazy stuff.

I saw Mr. 24

He's fit and ready to rage!

More coming. I've got to run and try not to get too sunburned!

Rollin' Cali Style

<=== Rollin' the caddy, baby!

We all made it to San Francisco today, Tim Grahl, Arleigh Jenkins, and myself, for the big Sea Otter to-do tomorrow. Tim got a rental car and they were trying to get him to upgrade to a Caddy. He declined and paid regular price, and look what we got!

The thing flat out hauls the mail and has a growly exhaust note that would make any teen proud. Cool stuff.



<=== Flying down the 101.

We made it on down To Monterey eventually after goofing around here and there. We got in with the Twin Six crew and had some beers and food later on. Good times were had and lots of tall tales were told.

Tomorrow, it is all business though and I'll be a runnin' foo!




<=== Got my lunch from this joint today!

Ever had anything from this place? Lots of organic, healthy sort of stuff here. I had sushi spring rolls with wasabi sauce and some flax seed tortilla chips with olive humus. Washed down with natural fruit juice Raspberry lemonade. Good eats! When in Cali, eat like the Cali folks do, right?

Okay, more tomorrow when real work will be getting done. No, really!

Rollin' Cali Style

<=== Rollin' the caddy, baby!

We all made it to San Francisco today, Tim Grahl, Arleigh Jenkins, and myself, for the big Sea Otter to-do tomorrow. Tim got a rental car and they were trying to get him to upgrade to a Caddy. He declined and paid regular price, and look what we got!

The thing flat out hauls the mail and has a growly exhaust note that would make any teen proud. Cool stuff.



<=== Flying down the 101.

We made it on down To Monterey eventually after goofing around here and there. We got in with the Twin Six crew and had some beers and food later on. Good times were had and lots of tall tales were told.

Tomorrow, it is all business though and I'll be a runnin' foo!




<=== Got my lunch from this joint today!

Ever had anything from this place? Lots of organic, healthy sort of stuff here. I had sushi spring rolls with wasabi sauce and some flax seed tortilla chips with olive humus. Washed down with natural fruit juice Raspberry lemonade. Good eats! When in Cali, eat like the Cali folks do, right?

Okay, more tomorrow when real work will be getting done. No, really!

On The Road: Sea Otter

<=== One of the crazy peripheral activities going on during Sea Otter. Maybe I'll be at this......who knows!

Today marks the last "regular time" post for the week as by about 5:00am CST I'll be driving to Des Moines to catch a flight out to California to attend and cover the Sea Otter Festival. I'll be doing my Twenty Nine Inches gig out there. I will be posting some stuff here though, probably everyday, since I'll have wifi at the Sea Otter Media Center. Plenty of folks will be milling about and I'm sure some sort of weirdness will occur at some point that should be "blog-worthy"

Speaking of weirdness and things going on, I'll probably be doing some after show hours stuff, but as far as just what that is, I haven't a clue yet. The only night spoken for so far is Thursday evening when I'm scheduled to meet with some of the Salsa Crew and meet francois of mtbr.com fame.

Oh yeah, and the Dirty Blue Box is up and running again! This is good news because I need that rig not just for getting me to the airport, but for getting me around Trans Iowa again this year. Funny thing is, it still has gravel dust in it from last years event! Oh well, I figure a little more can't hurt, right?

Another thing about Trans Iowa: We have got a fantastic crew of volunteers rounded up to help out. I couldn't be happier about this. Trans Iowa is pretty tough to run across 300 plus miles of gravel and having the quality people we have helping keep eyes on the field and checking folks in and out will be a huge help.

Finally: I have found an audio-blogging tool to do Trans Iowa Radio with on a site called Utterz. I'm not making this up! Their icon is a caricature of a Holstein cow. Really! At any rate, it should work like all the other Trans Iowa Radio broadcasts in the past. You will be able to pick that up by clicking on the posts when they show up on the Trans Iowa site or on this blog. I plan on posting a test/teaser audio post really soon to see if it works as advertised. Stay tuned for that.

On The Road: Sea Otter

<=== One of the crazy peripheral activities going on during Sea Otter. Maybe I'll be at this......who knows!

Today marks the last "regular time" post for the week as by about 5:00am CST I'll be driving to Des Moines to catch a flight out to California to attend and cover the Sea Otter Festival. I'll be doing my Twenty Nine Inches gig out there. I will be posting some stuff here though, probably everyday, since I'll have wifi at the Sea Otter Media Center. Plenty of folks will be milling about and I'm sure some sort of weirdness will occur at some point that should be "blog-worthy"

Speaking of weirdness and things going on, I'll probably be doing some after show hours stuff, but as far as just what that is, I haven't a clue yet. The only night spoken for so far is Thursday evening when I'm scheduled to meet with some of the Salsa Crew and meet francois of mtbr.com fame.

Oh yeah, and the Dirty Blue Box is up and running again! This is good news because I need that rig not just for getting me to the airport, but for getting me around Trans Iowa again this year. Funny thing is, it still has gravel dust in it from last years event! Oh well, I figure a little more can't hurt, right?

Another thing about Trans Iowa: We have got a fantastic crew of volunteers rounded up to help out. I couldn't be happier about this. Trans Iowa is pretty tough to run across 300 plus miles of gravel and having the quality people we have helping keep eyes on the field and checking folks in and out will be a huge help.

Finally: I have found an audio-blogging tool to do Trans Iowa Radio with on a site called Utterz. I'm not making this up! Their icon is a caricature of a Holstein cow. Really! At any rate, it should work like all the other Trans Iowa Radio broadcasts in the past. You will be able to pick that up by clicking on the posts when they show up on the Trans Iowa site or on this blog. I plan on posting a test/teaser audio post really soon to see if it works as advertised. Stay tuned for that.

Monday Musings

Long Travel 29"ers: I have been discussing long travel for 29"ers recently and just what "long travel" for a 29"er is. In a nutshell, it isn't what you would think, (Stop with the 26"er comparos) and it's already here. I believe more and varied choices are on the way too. Check out my recent post on Twenty Nine Inches for more on this rarely discussed topic of what is long travel for 29"ers.

Trans Iowa News: Even though I didn't get out in the Dirty Blue Box to do any Trans Iowa recon, that doesn't mean I don't have some news! Oh no! I got yer news right here: Gravel Road Conditions- soft, wet, and slow with water sitting on top of many saturated sections. Some parts of the route are still primo dry and fast, but other sections are needing some sun, wind, and time in both to recover. Fortunately the weather looks to co-operate on this one for at least the reast of this week. Volunteers have been called up. If you have contacted me about volunteering and didn't hear from me this weekend, get a hold of me! Some of your spam filters are a bit over zealous!

Sea Otter Trip: I've got one more "normal" day after today and then it is a day of travel to California to hit up Sea Otter and see the new stuff being introduced, catch up with old friends and new, and walk that long, steep hill up to the media center umpteen million times! I'll obviously be posting at odd times throughout the rest of the week, but do stop by and check out the latest. I'll have my camera at the ready and I will have wireless access everyday at Sea Otters media center and at various wifi terminals along the way to and from. Regular postings should start again a week from today.

Sunday Night Camp Rides: Bike Tech is starting up something I think is long over due for these parts: Casual Group Rides. Yep, for road and mountain bike seekers. These are going to be "no rider left behind" type of fun, skill building rides that will take riders from this area beyond the bike paths and introduce them to the next level of cycling out there if they want it. My main interest will be the Sunday evening mountain bike rides at Camp Ingawanis. You'll need a helmet, a mountain bike, and a Camp Pass to jin in. See Brent ( The Thin Man) at Bike Tech for details on this exciting new gig. Yeah, there is roadie stuff too, but don't ask me about that! Ha ha! See ya out at the Camp soon!

Monday Musings

Long Travel 29"ers: I have been discussing long travel for 29"ers recently and just what "long travel" for a 29"er is. In a nutshell, it isn't what you would think, (Stop with the 26"er comparos) and it's already here. I believe more and varied choices are on the way too. Check out my recent post on Twenty Nine Inches for more on this rarely discussed topic of what is long travel for 29"ers.

Trans Iowa News: Even though I didn't get out in the Dirty Blue Box to do any Trans Iowa recon, that doesn't mean I don't have some news! Oh no! I got yer news right here: Gravel Road Conditions- soft, wet, and slow with water sitting on top of many saturated sections. Some parts of the route are still primo dry and fast, but other sections are needing some sun, wind, and time in both to recover. Fortunately the weather looks to co-operate on this one for at least the reast of this week. Volunteers have been called up. If you have contacted me about volunteering and didn't hear from me this weekend, get a hold of me! Some of your spam filters are a bit over zealous!

Sea Otter Trip: I've got one more "normal" day after today and then it is a day of travel to California to hit up Sea Otter and see the new stuff being introduced, catch up with old friends and new, and walk that long, steep hill up to the media center umpteen million times! I'll obviously be posting at odd times throughout the rest of the week, but do stop by and check out the latest. I'll have my camera at the ready and I will have wireless access everyday at Sea Otters media center and at various wifi terminals along the way to and from. Regular postings should start again a week from today.

Sunday Night Camp Rides: Bike Tech is starting up something I think is long over due for these parts: Casual Group Rides. Yep, for road and mountain bike seekers. These are going to be "no rider left behind" type of fun, skill building rides that will take riders from this area beyond the bike paths and introduce them to the next level of cycling out there if they want it. My main interest will be the Sunday evening mountain bike rides at Camp Ingawanis. You'll need a helmet, a mountain bike, and a Camp Pass to jin in. See Brent ( The Thin Man) at Bike Tech for details on this exciting new gig. Yeah, there is roadie stuff too, but don't ask me about that! Ha ha! See ya out at the Camp soon!

Sometimes You Get What You Need

<===Well, I suppose I could ride my bike...heh heh!

Sometimes even the best laid plans can go awry. Another way to say it- You can't always get what you want. But if ya try sometimes, you're gonna find. Ya get what ya need!

Saturday was just such a day.

With plans of scouting out the T.I. course out the window due to my Dirty Blue Box's work not being done yet at the shop, I graciously accepted an invitation from Matt Gersib (MG) to ride instead. Now I had never ridden with MG before but I knew him to be a great guy that is a really great rider. I was flattered that he would want to tow me around Iowa gravel roads for an afternoon.



<=== Wolf Creek, Two bikes, Lots of wet soggy gravel = FUN!

What an afternoon too. With temps in the mid thirties, a stiff Northwest wind, and sleet/snow pelting us, we took off from Traer, Iowa to do a loop of indeterminate length. I know this area pretty well, so I pretty much flew by the seat of my pants and we ended up being out for about two and a half hours.





<=== MG proved to be just the medicine the doctor ordered for getting through a miserable afternoon.

If you haven't had the pleasure of riding with MG, you are missing a great riding partner. He made what would have been a "quitting day" a succesful and fun ride despite it all.

This is one of two stops we made when I had to fix my slipping seat post. Otherwise we pretty much had to keep the pedal to the metal the whole ride as it was either wind, hills, soft gravel/mud, or a combination of all three that conspired to make our wheels stop turning. Sleet squalls would occiasionally blow up with their stinging assault and when it wasn't doing that, it was blowing snow that greeted our determined faces.


<=== This pretty much sums up what the gravel looked like all the way 'round our loop.

Generally, there were three good tracks to run in where the car traffic had made the surface compacted and rideable without too much resistance. However; this was also where all the watery slop resided on the road, so we quickly accumulated a fine spray coating of lime all over everything.

There were times when the surface deteriorated into soft mush/mud and became highly resistant to the passing of our wheels. In some turns, my semi-slick 2.0 tires were slipping and drifting around which was kind of fun, but sketchy all the same. We ended up on about a half mile of rutted out fresh gravel/stone that was the result of the road having been flooded over recently. We crossed back over the Wolf Creek and back into Traer where Matt's car was waiting. He offered me a ride back to Waterloo, so I accepted and he dropped me off at my home safe, but very tired and wet.




<=== Dirty Twin Six socks. I promised to get 'em that way!

Matt figured our two and a half was worth about four- four and a half hours of regular conditions riding. Umm........okay! I'll go along with that! It sure was a lot of work. This being my first real training ride for Dirty Kanza, I was drained. I got home, cleaned up, and took a good long nap. I got up very stiff, so a little "vitamin I" was in order.

Today I am feeling it, but in that good way. A great ride to build on and a new cycling friend. I'd say it was a stellar afternoon of cycling goodness. Say, was it cold? I can't even remember it being cold or really that bad at all. Thanks MG, that's what a good riding partner can do on a craptastic day.

Sometimes You Get What You Need

<===Well, I suppose I could ride my bike...heh heh!

Sometimes even the best laid plans can go awry. Another way to say it- You can't always get what you want. But if ya try sometimes, you're gonna find. Ya get what ya need!

Saturday was just such a day.

With plans of scouting out the T.I. course out the window due to my Dirty Blue Box's work not being done yet at the shop, I graciously accepted an invitation from Matt Gersib (MG) to ride instead. Now I had never ridden with MG before but I knew him to be a great guy that is a really great rider. I was flattered that he would want to tow me around Iowa gravel roads for an afternoon.



<=== Wolf Creek, Two bikes, Lots of wet soggy gravel = FUN!

What an afternoon too. With temps in the mid thirties, a stiff Northwest wind, and sleet/snow pelting us, we took off from Traer, Iowa to do a loop of indeterminate length. I know this area pretty well, so I pretty much flew by the seat of my pants and we ended up being out for about two and a half hours.





<=== MG proved to be just the medicine the doctor ordered for getting through a miserable afternoon.

If you haven't had the pleasure of riding with MG, you are missing a great riding partner. He made what would have been a "quitting day" a succesful and fun ride despite it all.

This is one of two stops we made when I had to fix my slipping seat post. Otherwise we pretty much had to keep the pedal to the metal the whole ride as it was either wind, hills, soft gravel/mud, or a combination of all three that conspired to make our wheels stop turning. Sleet squalls would occiasionally blow up with their stinging assault and when it wasn't doing that, it was blowing snow that greeted our determined faces.


<=== This pretty much sums up what the gravel looked like all the way 'round our loop.

Generally, there were three good tracks to run in where the car traffic had made the surface compacted and rideable without too much resistance. However; this was also where all the watery slop resided on the road, so we quickly accumulated a fine spray coating of lime all over everything.

There were times when the surface deteriorated into soft mush/mud and became highly resistant to the passing of our wheels. In some turns, my semi-slick 2.0 tires were slipping and drifting around which was kind of fun, but sketchy all the same. We ended up on about a half mile of rutted out fresh gravel/stone that was the result of the road having been flooded over recently. We crossed back over the Wolf Creek and back into Traer where Matt's car was waiting. He offered me a ride back to Waterloo, so I accepted and he dropped me off at my home safe, but very tired and wet.




<=== Dirty Twin Six socks. I promised to get 'em that way!

Matt figured our two and a half was worth about four- four and a half hours of regular conditions riding. Umm........okay! I'll go along with that! It sure was a lot of work. This being my first real training ride for Dirty Kanza, I was drained. I got home, cleaned up, and took a good long nap. I got up very stiff, so a little "vitamin I" was in order.

Today I am feeling it, but in that good way. A great ride to build on and a new cycling friend. I'd say it was a stellar afternoon of cycling goodness. Say, was it cold? I can't even remember it being cold or really that bad at all. Thanks MG, that's what a good riding partner can do on a craptastic day.

Friday News And Views

Checking Out Some Things: I'm slated to have a busy weekend coming up. I have resurrected the Dirty Blue Box and it should be back in my hands today for it's annual gravel duties. I'll be putting it to use doing some finer recon on the Trans Iowa course. With the recent deluge of precipatation, I'll be able to get a handle on how some parts of the course have responded, in case we have rain for T.I.V4. Stay Tuned........

Getting The Ride Together: Another thing I've been tweaking on, and that I've mentioned before, is the Dirty Kanza rig. I've got some stuff bolted together and I hope to roll it on some gravel for testing this weekend. Sunday most likely. I sometimes look at the bikes I am considering, and I probably look like I've become paralyzed. That belies all the activity going on in my brain as I assemble and re-assemble these two rigs in different configurations, adding or subtracting bits and pieces, considering nutrition and hydration, figuring out the whole and how it might work. Mike Curiak calls it thinkering. Man, it can be exhausting work.......really. I hope to start the process of elimination and hone in on a set up soon.

Trans Iowa Details: Besides the field work on T.I.V4 I have some organizational work concerning volunteers, photographers, and equipment necessary to put on the event. David Pals is working feverishly on the course turns and getting everything detailed out for cue sheet production. Prizing has rolled in with some still on the way. We have to stuff race packets yet, after the cue sheets are done. Final details on the pre-race are still to be nailed down. Gee.......it must be two weeks to Trans Iowa!

And Finally.... I leave for Sea Otter in a few days. So, packing up for that event is also on the agenda, but I might have to put that off till Monday night. I don't know, I think I've got a few things on the plate for this weeekend, so maybe I should hold off on that. (!Ha !)

Friday News And Views

Checking Out Some Things: I'm slated to have a busy weekend coming up. I have resurrected the Dirty Blue Box and it should be back in my hands today for it's annual gravel duties. I'll be putting it to use doing some finer recon on the Trans Iowa course. With the recent deluge of precipatation, I'll be able to get a handle on how some parts of the course have responded, in case we have rain for T.I.V4. Stay Tuned........

Getting The Ride Together: Another thing I've been tweaking on, and that I've mentioned before, is the Dirty Kanza rig. I've got some stuff bolted together and I hope to roll it on some gravel for testing this weekend. Sunday most likely. I sometimes look at the bikes I am considering, and I probably look like I've become paralyzed. That belies all the activity going on in my brain as I assemble and re-assemble these two rigs in different configurations, adding or subtracting bits and pieces, considering nutrition and hydration, figuring out the whole and how it might work. Mike Curiak calls it thinkering. Man, it can be exhausting work.......really. I hope to start the process of elimination and hone in on a set up soon.

Trans Iowa Details: Besides the field work on T.I.V4 I have some organizational work concerning volunteers, photographers, and equipment necessary to put on the event. David Pals is working feverishly on the course turns and getting everything detailed out for cue sheet production. Prizing has rolled in with some still on the way. We have to stuff race packets yet, after the cue sheets are done. Final details on the pre-race are still to be nailed down. Gee.......it must be two weeks to Trans Iowa!

And Finally.... I leave for Sea Otter in a few days. So, packing up for that event is also on the agenda, but I might have to put that off till Monday night. I don't know, I think I've got a few things on the plate for this weeekend, so maybe I should hold off on that. (!Ha !)

Hey! I'm Trying To Get Ready Here!

With all the snow and ice gone I was excited to be able to get out on some rides around here. Sure, I never expected that things would be all that great right away. I mean, the ground and a lot of the gravel roads haven't been uncovered since last December around here. You'd expect conditions to suck early on, but you'd also expect a slow improvement too.

Well, we're stuck in this seeming holding pattern of crap-tastic weather lately. I wake up this morning to the sound of rain and see that the temperature is a balmy 37 degrees Fahrenheit. Great!

I suppose I could suck it up, don the rain gear, and call it tough man training. Or, I could just call it what it is. Crappy weather! I really do not see the need to run my self into the ground in this stuff. 'Causes sickness, it does. Mama always said so. Besides, I've been running myself into the ground at work anyway. Everything is traning, right? I mean, I've done over 60 repairs in three days, so it's not like I have time to sit around, ya know? Lots of walking, lifting, and wrenching. I call it base training.

I can only hope that the weekend is better, but now they are talking snow! Wet and cold, even if that is wrong. I guess I'll have fun while checking a few things out on the Trans Iowa course any way.

I've been tweaking on the Pofahl lately. Getting bits to turn it into the long hauler single speed gravel machine. Mounting bottle cages here and there. Got a top tube bag. Now I only have to have some time to test the set up. I may invest in a small frame bag if it all works out, or I'll transfer over to the Blackbuck and go from there. We'll see, but we have to have some decent weather first!

This all may have to wait until post Sea Otter and post Trans Iowa. Busy times require desperate measures. Craziness.............

Stay tuned!

Hey! I'm Trying To Get Ready Here!

With all the snow and ice gone I was excited to be able to get out on some rides around here. Sure, I never expected that things would be all that great right away. I mean, the ground and a lot of the gravel roads haven't been uncovered since last December around here. You'd expect conditions to suck early on, but you'd also expect a slow improvement too.

Well, we're stuck in this seeming holding pattern of crap-tastic weather lately. I wake up this morning to the sound of rain and see that the temperature is a balmy 37 degrees Fahrenheit. Great!

I suppose I could suck it up, don the rain gear, and call it tough man training. Or, I could just call it what it is. Crappy weather! I really do not see the need to run my self into the ground in this stuff. 'Causes sickness, it does. Mama always said so. Besides, I've been running myself into the ground at work anyway. Everything is traning, right? I mean, I've done over 60 repairs in three days, so it's not like I have time to sit around, ya know? Lots of walking, lifting, and wrenching. I call it base training.

I can only hope that the weekend is better, but now they are talking snow! Wet and cold, even if that is wrong. I guess I'll have fun while checking a few things out on the Trans Iowa course any way.

I've been tweaking on the Pofahl lately. Getting bits to turn it into the long hauler single speed gravel machine. Mounting bottle cages here and there. Got a top tube bag. Now I only have to have some time to test the set up. I may invest in a small frame bag if it all works out, or I'll transfer over to the Blackbuck and go from there. We'll see, but we have to have some decent weather first!

This all may have to wait until post Sea Otter and post Trans Iowa. Busy times require desperate measures. Craziness.............

Stay tuned!

Wednesday News and Views

He Said-They Said- Let's Just End This: Well by now you've probably read that Trek and LeMond are severing business relations due to allegations that have to do with "breach of contract" and other legal mumbo-jumbo. The thing is, Greg LeMond has been spouting off for years, disparaging the "crown princeLance" and doing weird things not consistent with being part of a "Big Corporation".

I don't have a problem with the things Greg has said, but if you are going to make loud statements that reflect nergatively on "the hand that feeds" you had better be prepared to do it standing alone. And that is exactly where Greg is going to find himself shortly. Expect more spectacular statements from Edina, Minnesota soon......

Trans Iowa Pre-Race/Meeting Details: I am currently in talks with T-Bock's in Decorah as to the exact details of food provisions, but here is the pertinent details to you Trans Iowa freaks. Be there at T-Bock's on Friday April 25th at 5pm-7:30pm for the pre-race meet up and meeting. Race packets will be handed out later in that time period, but don't even e-mail me asking when exactly. Just get your warm body in a seat there and be on time. If you miss this, you will be not starting. No exceptions. Good times will be on tap, you'll have a chance to ask all the questions I won't answer and maybe some I will.

Afterwards you will have a chance to catch a few "z's" if ya'all are not too nervous and then wake up at "dark-thirty" to line up for the start which will be exactly at 4:00am Saturday morning. You will be required to reach the first checkpoint by 2:00pm and the second by midnight to avoid being DNF'ed. The finish line closes up shop at 2pm Sunday and that will be followed by a brief post race activity to be announced.

Any questions? Can't make it? Please e-mail me at g.ted.productions@gmail.com and let me know!

Too Wet To Plow: This dratted on again off again rain is keeping our trail networks too soggy to use. We could use a long dry spell and perhaps, if the future forecasts are correct, we'll be getting just that. Of course, I'll be in California attending Sea Otter right about then!

Oh well! At least ya'all will get a break here!

Wednesday News and Views

He Said-They Said- Let's Just End This: Well by now you've probably read that Trek and LeMond are severing business relations due to allegations that have to do with "breach of contract" and other legal mumbo-jumbo. The thing is, Greg LeMond has been spouting off for years, disparaging the "crown princeLance" and doing weird things not consistent with being part of a "Big Corporation".

I don't have a problem with the things Greg has said, but if you are going to make loud statements that reflect nergatively on "the hand that feeds" you had better be prepared to do it standing alone. And that is exactly where Greg is going to find himself shortly. Expect more spectacular statements from Edina, Minnesota soon......

Trans Iowa Pre-Race/Meeting Details: I am currently in talks with T-Bock's in Decorah as to the exact details of food provisions, but here is the pertinent details to you Trans Iowa freaks. Be there at T-Bock's on Friday April 25th at 5pm-7:30pm for the pre-race meet up and meeting. Race packets will be handed out later in that time period, but don't even e-mail me asking when exactly. Just get your warm body in a seat there and be on time. If you miss this, you will be not starting. No exceptions. Good times will be on tap, you'll have a chance to ask all the questions I won't answer and maybe some I will.

Afterwards you will have a chance to catch a few "z's" if ya'all are not too nervous and then wake up at "dark-thirty" to line up for the start which will be exactly at 4:00am Saturday morning. You will be required to reach the first checkpoint by 2:00pm and the second by midnight to avoid being DNF'ed. The finish line closes up shop at 2pm Sunday and that will be followed by a brief post race activity to be announced.

Any questions? Can't make it? Please e-mail me at g.ted.productions@gmail.com and let me know!

Too Wet To Plow: This dratted on again off again rain is keeping our trail networks too soggy to use. We could use a long dry spell and perhaps, if the future forecasts are correct, we'll be getting just that. Of course, I'll be in California attending Sea Otter right about then!

Oh well! At least ya'all will get a break here!

New Parts

<===Salsa steel stem---Nice!

I got in some new bits the other day. First up we have the classic Salsa steel stem. Salsa calls it the "CroMoto" and I have several of these. They look good, don't flex torsionally and come in lots of configurations. This one is a 80mm reach X 90 degree model. (no "rise") The "Lip Lock" face plate is pretty bomber. Very secure grip on your 25.4mm bar of choice.




<===Pronounced: "aay-krohsz"

Next up we have this little German number from Acros. It's a very finely made headset that resembles a certain well known American made headset with a "royal" name. Light, has super smooth cartridge bearings, and comes in several smashing annodized hues. This one is going on my black Raleigh XXIX+G which is black with red accents. Brilliant!





<===It goes "clickety-click-click!"

Here we have an old name from the past with a surprisng product. This freewheel is an Onza product made under their sub-brand "Tensile". Remember Onza? Yeah, the porcupine, the white tires, those miserable clipless pedals, that Onza. (Not the mythical Mexican cat, by the way)

Onza now is into trailsin and BMX over in the U.K. of all things. These freewheels are some of the first bits to re-enter the U.S. market. This freewheel is an 18T, has 60 engagement points for quick engagement, has a hardened Cromoly case that is hard nickle plated and installs with a Shimano bottom bracket tool. Completely user serviceable too. I've got mine on my OS Bikes Blackbuck right now.



<===Gears be Gone!

I kind of miss my Raleigh XXIX which I had to sell due to its being a size too small for me. So I am going to convert my XXIX+G with this Rockwerks single speed conversion kit and review the parts for The Bike Lab.

Notice a red theme here? That's the thing I liked about this converter kit. Let's hope I like the way it works just as much!

The spacers are alloy, and it comes with two stamped steel cogs in 16T and 18T sizes. The tensioner is a "push down" only tensioner, which is okay with me as long as I get my chain length right. I'll be getting the XXIX+G together with this soon. Which raises a question: Will it then be a Raleigh XXIX-G ? Hmm........

I think I'll let my daughter re-name it. She always comes up with killer names for my bikes. Examples: Flying Pidgeon, The Crow, Oliver, Sky, Fire, and Aurora. Maybe some bike company should hire her. I like her names better than a lot of the ones that are decalled onto the frames I ride, that's for sure!

Anyway, look for updates on all these bits coming in the near future!

New Parts

<===Salsa steel stem---Nice!

I got in some new bits the other day. First up we have the classic Salsa steel stem. Salsa calls it the "CroMoto" and I have several of these. They look good, don't flex torsionally and come in lots of configurations. This one is a 80mm reach X 90 degree model. (no "rise") The "Lip Lock" face plate is pretty bomber. Very secure grip on your 25.4mm bar of choice.




<===Pronounced: "aay-krohsz"

Next up we have this little German number from Acros. It's a very finely made headset that resembles a certain well known American made headset with a "royal" name. Light, has super smooth cartridge bearings, and comes in several smashing annodized hues. This one is going on my black Raleigh XXIX+G which is black with red accents. Brilliant!





<===It goes "clickety-click-click!"

Here we have an old name from the past with a surprisng product. This freewheel is an Onza product made under their sub-brand "Tensile". Remember Onza? Yeah, the porcupine, the white tires, those miserable clipless pedals, that Onza. (Not the mythical Mexican cat, by the way)

Onza now is into trailsin and BMX over in the U.K. of all things. These freewheels are some of the first bits to re-enter the U.S. market. This freewheel is an 18T, has 60 engagement points for quick engagement, has a hardened Cromoly case that is hard nickle plated and installs with a Shimano bottom bracket tool. Completely user serviceable too. I've got mine on my OS Bikes Blackbuck right now.



<===Gears be Gone!

I kind of miss my Raleigh XXIX which I had to sell due to its being a size too small for me. So I am going to convert my XXIX+G with this Rockwerks single speed conversion kit and review the parts for The Bike Lab.

Notice a red theme here? That's the thing I liked about this converter kit. Let's hope I like the way it works just as much!

The spacers are alloy, and it comes with two stamped steel cogs in 16T and 18T sizes. The tensioner is a "push down" only tensioner, which is okay with me as long as I get my chain length right. I'll be getting the XXIX+G together with this soon. Which raises a question: Will it then be a Raleigh XXIX-G ? Hmm........

I think I'll let my daughter re-name it. She always comes up with killer names for my bikes. Examples: Flying Pidgeon, The Crow, Oliver, Sky, Fire, and Aurora. Maybe some bike company should hire her. I like her names better than a lot of the ones that are decalled onto the frames I ride, that's for sure!

Anyway, look for updates on all these bits coming in the near future!

Farewell Song and The Ano Blaster

<===The Siren Song's siren song

I was able to get out both Saturday and Sunday for some short rides. Saturday was a special one for it's dirt content. I actually got to ride the Green Belt, which had been flooded out. Thanfully all the trash from the winter went down the creek. The trail was clear and of course a bit muddy in spots, but rideable.

It was also noteworthy as being my last ride on the Siren Song demo bike. I cleaned and packed up the Song last night for it's journey back to Idyllwild, California. It was a fun bike and I'll have a final review up on it at Twenty Nine Inches later this week.



<===Return of the Ano-Blaster!

Captain Bob knows this annodizer up in Shell Rock that will do small batches of bicycle parts, so we sent in some stuff for colorization. The way I figure, the rest of ya'all can live in your "black and white" component world, as for us- We're going color all the way!

I had a coulple things done and swapped them over to the OS Bikes Blackbuck this weekend.

I also switched over to an Origin 8 Spacebar for more comfort. We'll see how it all works on a longer ride, but as for now, it seems okay.




<=== Green- Anti-freeze green!

Here's a close up of the old Coda cranks I had anodized in an "anti-freeze" green. I was so excited to ride the bike afterwards, I forgot to wipe my greasy paw prints off the crank!

We'll see how the ano wears in the long term, but for now, I like the looks. Also of note: I went from 180mm cranks to these at 170mm. We'll see what differences I notice. I am taking a cue from some of the early Crested Butte 29"er freaks on this one. They were all big 170mm crank users. If there is anything to it, I'll post up the findings here.




Purple! Puuuuuurrrrple!

Gotta have my purple ano, ya know, so off went this no-name aluminum number to get the hue. I like the way this piece came out a lot.

Here's a good look at how the Space Bar can be used in a riser position. I previously have used it in a "drop" position on my Raleigh XXIX+G and I loved it that way. We'll see if this is too high, and if it is, I'll swap it over to the drop posistion. Options are good!

Notes from Saturdays ride: If it doesn't rain much, the Green Belt should be completely rideable this coming weekend. However; we are supposed to get an all day rain on Tuesday, so that may put it off longer. Can't be long before we're riding out at the Camp, can it?

Saw the following animals in the Green Belt Saturday: A red fox, a Canadian goose, and a Great Blue heron. Awesome stuff. Most surprising to me was the fox, which was gorgeous. He was sniffing the breeze atop the dike between Ansborough and Fletcher Avenues. Crazy! Perhaps the fox are driven into the city by the coyotes, which I know are supplanting fox out in the country.

Noted: Last week was the final week Carlos worked at the shop. I'll miss seeing you there, but I'm sure we'll ride together someday soon. Take care Buddy!

Carlos was one of the "Three Amigos" that worked at the shop with Mr. 24 and myself. Now I'm the last guy there from that group. For how long, I don't know........

Farewell Song and The Ano Blaster

<===The Siren Song's siren song

I was able to get out both Saturday and Sunday for some short rides. Saturday was a special one for it's dirt content. I actually got to ride the Green Belt, which had been flooded out. Thanfully all the trash from the winter went down the creek. The trail was clear and of course a bit muddy in spots, but rideable.

It was also noteworthy as being my last ride on the Siren Song demo bike. I cleaned and packed up the Song last night for it's journey back to Idyllwild, California. It was a fun bike and I'll have a final review up on it at Twenty Nine Inches later this week.



<===Return of the Ano-Blaster!

Captain Bob knows this annodizer up in Shell Rock that will do small batches of bicycle parts, so we sent in some stuff for colorization. The way I figure, the rest of ya'all can live in your "black and white" component world, as for us- We're going color all the way!

I had a coulple things done and swapped them over to the OS Bikes Blackbuck this weekend.

I also switched over to an Origin 8 Spacebar for more comfort. We'll see how it all works on a longer ride, but as for now, it seems okay.




<=== Green- Anti-freeze green!

Here's a close up of the old Coda cranks I had anodized in an "anti-freeze" green. I was so excited to ride the bike afterwards, I forgot to wipe my greasy paw prints off the crank!

We'll see how the ano wears in the long term, but for now, I like the looks. Also of note: I went from 180mm cranks to these at 170mm. We'll see what differences I notice. I am taking a cue from some of the early Crested Butte 29"er freaks on this one. They were all big 170mm crank users. If there is anything to it, I'll post up the findings here.




Purple! Puuuuuurrrrple!

Gotta have my purple ano, ya know, so off went this no-name aluminum number to get the hue. I like the way this piece came out a lot.

Here's a good look at how the Space Bar can be used in a riser position. I previously have used it in a "drop" position on my Raleigh XXIX+G and I loved it that way. We'll see if this is too high, and if it is, I'll swap it over to the drop posistion. Options are good!

Notes from Saturdays ride: If it doesn't rain much, the Green Belt should be completely rideable this coming weekend. However; we are supposed to get an all day rain on Tuesday, so that may put it off longer. Can't be long before we're riding out at the Camp, can it?

Saw the following animals in the Green Belt Saturday: A red fox, a Canadian goose, and a Great Blue heron. Awesome stuff. Most surprising to me was the fox, which was gorgeous. He was sniffing the breeze atop the dike between Ansborough and Fletcher Avenues. Crazy! Perhaps the fox are driven into the city by the coyotes, which I know are supplanting fox out in the country.

Noted: Last week was the final week Carlos worked at the shop. I'll miss seeing you there, but I'm sure we'll ride together someday soon. Take care Buddy!

Carlos was one of the "Three Amigos" that worked at the shop with Mr. 24 and myself. Now I'm the last guy there from that group. For how long, I don't know........

Team Twin Six

I came home from work Friday and there it was! My package of goodies from Twin Six !

Now, long time readers of G-Ted Productions may remember that last year I was invited to be on Team Twin Six and this year they went and did it again.

Oh well, some things you just can't explain.....

So, anyway, here I am on my front porch, giddy and fumbling with my keys and my bike trying to get inside as fast as I can to see the goods. Believe me- I wasn't disappointed!








I liked this t-shirt so much I threw it on immediately over the one I was wearing and ran down to the school to pick up my daughter. She looked at it and said, "Skeleton faces! On Bikes!

Ha ha! Okay, yeah. I suppose gas masks kinda look like that.

I'll be wearing this little red number till it's threadbare, that's for sure.

When it comes to the jersey, Twin Six has stepped up it's game. I compared it to the one I got last year and this years versions are definitely nicer. The fit is better, at least on my tank-like carcass, and the material feels nicer. The older jersey is just killer, so you can imagine my thoughts on the new one. It's The Deluxe '08 and I got the matching socks in wool. Love those socks! The t-shirts rock, as always. If you have never worn one, you'll be in for a big surprise. They are the nicest t's that are cycling related out there. (I've noticed some others copying the fabric type lately for their cycling t's. ) The designs are really unique and the graphics are top notch.

So, Twin Six will be covering my pasty white skin again for 2008 and I'll definitely be getting it dirty and greasy! Thanks to Brent and Ryan of T-6 .

Team Twin Six

I came home from work Friday and there it was! My package of goodies from Twin Six !

Now, long time readers of G-Ted Productions may remember that last year I was invited to be on Team Twin Six and this year they went and did it again.

Oh well, some things you just can't explain.....

So, anyway, here I am on my front porch, giddy and fumbling with my keys and my bike trying to get inside as fast as I can to see the goods. Believe me- I wasn't disappointed!








I liked this t-shirt so much I threw it on immediately over the one I was wearing and ran down to the school to pick up my daughter. She looked at it and said, "Skeleton faces! On Bikes!

Ha ha! Okay, yeah. I suppose gas masks kinda look like that.

I'll be wearing this little red number till it's threadbare, that's for sure.

When it comes to the jersey, Twin Six has stepped up it's game. I compared it to the one I got last year and this years versions are definitely nicer. The fit is better, at least on my tank-like carcass, and the material feels nicer. The older jersey is just killer, so you can imagine my thoughts on the new one. It's The Deluxe '08 and I got the matching socks in wool. Love those socks! The t-shirts rock, as always. If you have never worn one, you'll be in for a big surprise. They are the nicest t's that are cycling related out there. (I've noticed some others copying the fabric type lately for their cycling t's. ) The designs are really unique and the graphics are top notch.

So, Twin Six will be covering my pasty white skin again for 2008 and I'll definitely be getting it dirty and greasy! Thanks to Brent and Ryan of T-6 .

Trans Iowa Details

Okay, through a lot of sacrifice and toil on d.p.'s part we have some solid mileages for your perusal finally. I appologize for the delay, but the winter just never would allow for us to get out and take care of this until just recently.

Checkpoint#1 109.26 miles You must check in by 2:00pm Saturday afternoon to recieve cue sheet set #2 to continue on. No cue sheets will be distributed past this time.

Checkpoint#2 207.25 miles You must check in by midnight Saturday to recieve your cue sheet set #3 to continue. No cue sheets will be distributed past this time.

Finish Line Decorah, Iowa: 345.00 miles You must finish by 2:00pm Sunday to be recorded as a finisher. All later than this time will be DNF'ed.

Notes: There are no convenience stores at Checkpoint #1. There is a small gas station off route near by. There are no overnight convenience stores at Checkpoint #2. There is a bar, and a small convenience store just off route that will close for the evening by about 10pm there. There are two re-supply options after the last checkpoint.

Remember, as always we will not consider you as in the event anymore if you miss a checkpoint. You are responsible for you. We will not provide a sag or come looking for you. Please be aware that you should have a way to contact your support person(s). A cell phone is highly recommended. If you are aware that you will miss a checkpoint time, or are planning to DNF, please call the provided phone number (you will get it at the pre-race meeting) to alert the event staff of your situation so we can pass on information if we are contacted by your support crew.

This is the longest, toughest Trans Iowa that has yet been devised. Plan accordingly. Make sure you have plenty of water/fluids, nutrition, and a warm jacket or covering with you at all times. Don't be caught out in the middle of nowhere unprepared! You have been warned!

The pre-race meeting details will be coming soon. Stay Tuned!

Trans Iowa Details

Okay, through a lot of sacrifice and toil on d.p.'s part we have some solid mileages for your perusal finally. I appologize for the delay, but the winter just never would allow for us to get out and take care of this until just recently.

Checkpoint#1 109.26 miles You must check in by 2:00pm Saturday afternoon to recieve cue sheet set #2 to continue on. No cue sheets will be distributed past this time.

Checkpoint#2 207.25 miles You must check in by midnight Saturday to recieve your cue sheet set #3 to continue. No cue sheets will be distributed past this time.

Finish Line Decorah, Iowa: 345.00 miles You must finish by 2:00pm Sunday to be recorded as a finisher. All later than this time will be DNF'ed.

Notes: There are no convenience stores at Checkpoint #1. There is a small gas station off route near by. There are no overnight convenience stores at Checkpoint #2. There is a bar, and a small convenience store just off route that will close for the evening by about 10pm there. There are two re-supply options after the last checkpoint.

Remember, as always we will not consider you as in the event anymore if you miss a checkpoint. You are responsible for you. We will not provide a sag or come looking for you. Please be aware that you should have a way to contact your support person(s). A cell phone is highly recommended. If you are aware that you will miss a checkpoint time, or are planning to DNF, please call the provided phone number (you will get it at the pre-race meeting) to alert the event staff of your situation so we can pass on information if we are contacted by your support crew.

This is the longest, toughest Trans Iowa that has yet been devised. Plan accordingly. Make sure you have plenty of water/fluids, nutrition, and a warm jacket or covering with you at all times. Don't be caught out in the middle of nowhere unprepared! You have been warned!

The pre-race meeting details will be coming soon. Stay Tuned!

Thursday News and Views

Bigger, Faster, Better: Guitar Ted Labratories just installed a hot rodded version of the electronic command center to better serve you. Bigger 22" screen, more memory, and other bits to make bringing you this scribin' more efficient than ever.

Now if I could only type faster than 12 words a minute!

More Trans Iowa Thoughts: The laying awake at night, thinking mode has started with Trans Iowa and here is some of my initial musings.

I felt that this years course has even better scenery than last years does. Problem is, a lot of you folks will be running through these areas at night. Oh well!

Speaking of night, better get some good lights. Ones that throw some lumens up the road, 'cause you're gonna need 'em!

Checkpoints: Yes, plural. Checkpoints will be at about 100 mile intervals. Same deal as before. You reach a checkpoint, you leave, you get new cue sheets. This will cut down on the amount of sheets you carry, and help us keep track of you better.

Convenience stores: By my accounting there will be only three convenience stores open 24 hours along the route this year. There are other convenience stores, but none that do the 24-7 gig besides the three I know about. Let's just say this: You had better be prepared going into the night Saturday.

Okay, this is going to be a brutal course. Don't expect the cakewalk conditions of last year either. While there is always that outside chance that the winds will favor you, and the weather will be kind, I wouldn't bet on it. I still think last year was a fluke and that those conditions will never be repeated again for a Trans Iowa, but I could be wrong. We'll see!

More sleepless nights thoughts to come............

Dirty Kanza: Got a visit the other day from Joe Meiser of Salsa Cycles fame the other day. He and his lovely wife dropped by the shop to say hello. I was flabbergasted and I was super glad they stopped by. Not only are they cool folks, but Joe gave me some inspiration as to my bike choice for Dirty Kanza. Great to have folks that not only care enough to stop in and say hi, but also help you out with a problem. Look for the results of Joe's advice to be posted soon.

Where Did The Time Go?: Okay, I wanted to be the first to say that! I am looking at my calendar and thinking: Whoa! This month is going to be gone like THAT! And you all know what happens next. Yep! We'll be in the midst of summer next thing you know, and then I'll start seeing the leaves turn color the next moment. All this to say: Don't waste a minute this year folks! If it comes down to riding a bike or mowing the lawn this year, I know which I'm going to choose.

Anybody know of a good lawn grazing sheep that is family friendly?

Thursday News and Views

Bigger, Faster, Better: Guitar Ted Labratories just installed a hot rodded version of the electronic command center to better serve you. Bigger 22" screen, more memory, and other bits to make bringing you this scribin' more efficient than ever.

Now if I could only type faster than 12 words a minute!

More Trans Iowa Thoughts: The laying awake at night, thinking mode has started with Trans Iowa and here is some of my initial musings.

I felt that this years course has even better scenery than last years does. Problem is, a lot of you folks will be running through these areas at night. Oh well!

Speaking of night, better get some good lights. Ones that throw some lumens up the road, 'cause you're gonna need 'em!

Checkpoints: Yes, plural. Checkpoints will be at about 100 mile intervals. Same deal as before. You reach a checkpoint, you leave, you get new cue sheets. This will cut down on the amount of sheets you carry, and help us keep track of you better.

Convenience stores: By my accounting there will be only three convenience stores open 24 hours along the route this year. There are other convenience stores, but none that do the 24-7 gig besides the three I know about. Let's just say this: You had better be prepared going into the night Saturday.

Okay, this is going to be a brutal course. Don't expect the cakewalk conditions of last year either. While there is always that outside chance that the winds will favor you, and the weather will be kind, I wouldn't bet on it. I still think last year was a fluke and that those conditions will never be repeated again for a Trans Iowa, but I could be wrong. We'll see!

More sleepless nights thoughts to come............

Dirty Kanza: Got a visit the other day from Joe Meiser of Salsa Cycles fame the other day. He and his lovely wife dropped by the shop to say hello. I was flabbergasted and I was super glad they stopped by. Not only are they cool folks, but Joe gave me some inspiration as to my bike choice for Dirty Kanza. Great to have folks that not only care enough to stop in and say hi, but also help you out with a problem. Look for the results of Joe's advice to be posted soon.

Where Did The Time Go?: Okay, I wanted to be the first to say that! I am looking at my calendar and thinking: Whoa! This month is going to be gone like THAT! And you all know what happens next. Yep! We'll be in the midst of summer next thing you know, and then I'll start seeing the leaves turn color the next moment. All this to say: Don't waste a minute this year folks! If it comes down to riding a bike or mowing the lawn this year, I know which I'm going to choose.

Anybody know of a good lawn grazing sheep that is family friendly?

So, It's Over Now, Right?

Fixed gear bicycles. They are the rage now, right? And as we all know, when something becomes "too cool" it reaches a tipping point, and then it just isn't cool anymore. What "cool" is and where that "tipping point" may be are certainly topics that get beaten to death, (One individual has created a whole persona around that premise) but I think I have found certifiable evidence that fixed gear bicycles have gone over center.

As if my own embracing of fixed gear wasn't a sign of the end, we now have this little gem to show us that fixed gear has reached it's nadir. Courtesy of Bicycle Retailer and Industry News (BRAIN, as it is known amongst industry peeps) who ran the link under the heading, "Fixie Cruiser Of The Day"

The fact that BRAIN decided to use that title is a tip off that this whole fixie craze is now beyond being cool, or should I say, it has ceased being cool. Yeah............probably long before this, actually! It reminds me of an excellent article by Andy Corson about this very subject.

Kinda reminds me of disco too. Yep, disco music was cool at one time. Really! Long before the Bee Gees sang in that piercingly annoying falsetto in that one movie about a certain weekend night, disco was actually something sort of underground. Then it got ruined. I wore a "Disco Sucks" t-shirt everywhere I went back then. I hated that everywhere I went, it seemed that disco music had seeped into every nook and cranny of rock and roll. I found it all disgusting. Actually, it is part of the reason I am "Guitar Ted" today.

So it stands to reason that I should get myself a "Fixies Suck" t-shirt and start wearing it around everywhere, right? Well, I would, but at least people are riding bikes and I think somebody linked earlier has beaten me to it!

So, It's Over Now, Right?

Fixed gear bicycles. They are the rage now, right? And as we all know, when something becomes "too cool" it reaches a tipping point, and then it just isn't cool anymore. What "cool" is and where that "tipping point" may be are certainly topics that get beaten to death, (One individual has created a whole persona around that premise) but I think I have found certifiable evidence that fixed gear bicycles have gone over center.

As if my own embracing of fixed gear wasn't a sign of the end, we now have this little gem to show us that fixed gear has reached it's nadir. Courtesy of Bicycle Retailer and Industry News (BRAIN, as it is known amongst industry peeps) who ran the link under the heading, "Fixie Cruiser Of The Day"

The fact that BRAIN decided to use that title is a tip off that this whole fixie craze is now beyond being cool, or should I say, it has ceased being cool. Yeah............probably long before this, actually! It reminds me of an excellent article by Andy Corson about this very subject.

Kinda reminds me of disco too. Yep, disco music was cool at one time. Really! Long before the Bee Gees sang in that piercingly annoying falsetto in that one movie about a certain weekend night, disco was actually something sort of underground. Then it got ruined. I wore a "Disco Sucks" t-shirt everywhere I went back then. I hated that everywhere I went, it seemed that disco music had seeped into every nook and cranny of rock and roll. I found it all disgusting. Actually, it is part of the reason I am "Guitar Ted" today.

So it stands to reason that I should get myself a "Fixies Suck" t-shirt and start wearing it around everywhere, right? Well, I would, but at least people are riding bikes and I think somebody linked earlier has beaten me to it!

That Smell

Today is that day.

You know, the day when you read things in cycling news stories that are farces, but are pasted up as legit news stories.

yawn...................

This tired old practice needs to die. Yes, and even the site I write for, Twenty Nine Inches, fell prey to this hackneyed old ploy and has a goofy story posted for today. (Just for the record, I had nothing to do with that)

So, you may be saying, "Take it easy G-Ted! Ya ol' crusty retro-grouch!" Well, you might have a point there, except for the crusty part. I do keep myself clean!

The thing is, in an era where people are foisting all sorts of half-truths, non-truths, and out right lies, we don't need another day celebrating that kind of stuff. You say it's all in fun? I say it's a waste of time and it isn't funny anymore. I think April Fools Day is for people that are trying to be the next H.G. Wells. Sorry, but we've been there, done that. It isn't working anymore.

And for you pranksters out there, this is the day you must live for. Preying upon unsuspecting people that still think it is March and that they have at least another month till Tax Day. Yeah, you guys are really coming out of nowhere! As if we never would have guessed you would pick today to pull your silly high school level stunts on us. This isn't funny either, it is pathetic.

Come to think of it, April is really lacking for any sort of relevant, meaningful holidays. It pretty much stinks in that category and perhaps this is why we have to endure such mediocre things like April Fools Day.

Of course, there is the aforementioned Tax Day, which stinks even worse.

Ah......well, at least the trails are shaping up and I can get out in the woods soon to gain some sanity. I'm feeling a bit surly of late. Does it show? Ha ha!

That Smell

Today is that day.

You know, the day when you read things in cycling news stories that are farces, but are pasted up as legit news stories.

yawn...................

This tired old practice needs to die. Yes, and even the site I write for, Twenty Nine Inches, fell prey to this hackneyed old ploy and has a goofy story posted for today. (Just for the record, I had nothing to do with that)

So, you may be saying, "Take it easy G-Ted! Ya ol' crusty retro-grouch!" Well, you might have a point there, except for the crusty part. I do keep myself clean!

The thing is, in an era where people are foisting all sorts of half-truths, non-truths, and out right lies, we don't need another day celebrating that kind of stuff. You say it's all in fun? I say it's a waste of time and it isn't funny anymore. I think April Fools Day is for people that are trying to be the next H.G. Wells. Sorry, but we've been there, done that. It isn't working anymore.

And for you pranksters out there, this is the day you must live for. Preying upon unsuspecting people that still think it is March and that they have at least another month till Tax Day. Yeah, you guys are really coming out of nowhere! As if we never would have guessed you would pick today to pull your silly high school level stunts on us. This isn't funny either, it is pathetic.

Come to think of it, April is really lacking for any sort of relevant, meaningful holidays. It pretty much stinks in that category and perhaps this is why we have to endure such mediocre things like April Fools Day.

Of course, there is the aforementioned Tax Day, which stinks even worse.

Ah......well, at least the trails are shaping up and I can get out in the woods soon to gain some sanity. I'm feeling a bit surly of late. Does it show? Ha ha!