Trans Iowa V7 Update #23: The Last Chance For Gas!

Trans Iowa V7 Update #23:

Okay folks, this is it! One week and Trans Iowa will already be underway.

Here are a few things I want everyone to be up on:

#1: Read All The Updates!! I posted a link to every update on the Trans Iowa V7 site last week. Go read them. NOW!

#2: Be On Time!! When I say be at the Grinnell Steakhouse by 5pm, I mean it. Be there late and pay the price of not riding in T.I.V7. Think I'm kidding? Just try me. Really, I won't let you race if you are late.

First of all, it is only right that you do due diligence for a free event. Secondly, the hard working folks of the Grinnell Steakhouse deserve respect, and being late is rude. Period.

#3: Understand The Event: Remember: We do not do anything beyond providing cue sheets! The event is up to you to navigate, finish, or not- Get out of the course, or fix anything that goes wrong. Don't ask us to "do" anything. We won't. We'll figure out who is first, second, and third, if anyone can be those people. Otherwise, we are not connected to you and your excursion. Happy trails. (Really. We mean this)

#4: Have Fun: If you are coming to be super-serious, and gain glory, fame, or some honor, then you will be sadly disappointed. Trans Iowa isn't about that. It's about suffering, challenging yourself, and having fun along the way.

And In Closing.... Whatever happens, I hope that Trans Iowa is a fun, enjoyable, memorable, and safe time for everyone. David Pals and I do this out of our love for gravel road riding, challenging rides, and our passion for the people who are like minded. We truly enjoy each and every one of you that "gets it" and thank you sincerely for all you do to make Trans Iowa a very special event. Our time, money, and effort is invested into this edition of Trans Iowa, with no hope of any payback. Our reward is seeing you have fun riding your bicycles in Iowa.

Enjoy!

Trans Iowa V7 Update #23: The Last Chance For Gas!

Trans Iowa V7 Update #23:

Okay folks, this is it! One week and Trans Iowa will already be underway.

Here are a few things I want everyone to be up on:

#1: Read All The Updates!! I posted a link to every update on the Trans Iowa V7 site last week. Go read them. NOW!

#2: Be On Time!! When I say be at the Grinnell Steakhouse by 5pm, I mean it. Be there late and pay the price of not riding in T.I.V7. Think I'm kidding? Just try me. Really, I won't let you race if you are late.

First of all, it is only right that you do due diligence for a free event. Secondly, the hard working folks of the Grinnell Steakhouse deserve respect, and being late is rude. Period.

#3: Understand The Event: Remember: We do not do anything beyond providing cue sheets! The event is up to you to navigate, finish, or not- Get out of the course, or fix anything that goes wrong. Don't ask us to "do" anything. We won't. We'll figure out who is first, second, and third, if anyone can be those people. Otherwise, we are not connected to you and your excursion. Happy trails. (Really. We mean this)

#4: Have Fun: If you are coming to be super-serious, and gain glory, fame, or some honor, then you will be sadly disappointed. Trans Iowa isn't about that. It's about suffering, challenging yourself, and having fun along the way.

And In Closing.... Whatever happens, I hope that Trans Iowa is a fun, enjoyable, memorable, and safe time for everyone. David Pals and I do this out of our love for gravel road riding, challenging rides, and our passion for the people who are like minded. We truly enjoy each and every one of you that "gets it" and thank you sincerely for all you do to make Trans Iowa a very special event. Our time, money, and effort is invested into this edition of Trans Iowa, with no hope of any payback. Our reward is seeing you have fun riding your bicycles in Iowa.

Enjoy!

More Randomonium

Okay, I give up. Today is going to be another one of those "mental clearing" posts. Hope you all can follow along here.... Once again, the only common thread is cycling.

Fargo I vs Fargo II: Salsa Cycles , who came up with the brilliant idea for the Fargo, tweaked out that idea for 2011 to be a bike that is somewhat different than where it began. Now it is a bit more "vague" than the decidedly "do-everything" bike it was.

Sound like a contradiction of terms? How can a bike that is "decidedly do-everything" become more vague in intention unless it becomes more of a "do-everything" bike, right?

Well, Salsa did put more versatility into the bike by allowing for a suspension fork to be fitted without messing up the geometry. But to do that, they had to mess with the geometry of the old Fargo. The result is something odd. The Fargo has become at once more specific, (off-road-centric), while becoming even more of a conundrum to fit properly. This in conjunction with the shorter offset necessitated by the accommodation of suspension forks makes the new Fargo a bit unappealing for me.

The top tube is incrementally shorter than version 1's, and the toe over-lap issue is now an issue, where it wasn't before. Standover is less as well, (from what I have observed with regards to a friend's Fargo). Are there times I wish the Fargo I have had a suspension fork? Oh yeah! But I can't get on with how Salsa solved the issue with the new Fargo, especially when version 1 fits me like a glove. I can't see giving up near perfect fit for less than optimal fit and suspension. Then there is also the issue of my Badger, which is essentially a Fargo V2 without all the fit issues. So, there ya go!

I guess in the end, I would rather slap a suspension fork on the Badger, get frame bags, and use that as a drop bar, off-road "touring" rig if I needed to have that squishy fork.. That or a 100mm travel hard tail, like the El Mariachi, which starts to make more sense than the Fargo does now. YMMV. I just figured Fargo v1 was such a great rig because it was simpler and didn't have the suspension fork capabilities, which to my mind was a nod to a different way of thinking on off-road "touring".

The State Of Tubelessness: My co-writer on Twenty Nine Inches, Grannygear, was talking with me the other day about the state of tubeless mtb tire and wheel technology. He wrote this excellent piece on his experiences with UST rims recently, which I highly recommend you read.

Basically it is a world that is boiling down to three main ideas: Stan's, Bontrager's, and UST. (Ghetto tubeless will always be under-the-radar, and so therefore, it doesn't figure into our "officially sanctioned" tubeless options here.) Sometimes elements of all three are used in one system.

Of those three, UST seems to be exhibiting the most problems. Ironically, it was the system most riders wanted to see come over to 29"er wheels early on. I think there are several technical reasons for its problems with big wheels. The biggest thing is that 29 inch wheels do not physically fit and work on rims the same way that 26 inch tires and rims do. Several companies have realized this, and engineered systems that account for that difference. UST has not accounted for that, and it is why I believe it will eventually be discontinued as a way to run tubeless for 29"er riders.

Bontrager's TLR rim strip idea is a brilliant way to go tubeless, and I wish it was an open standard. Plastic rim strip, snap in, add valve, mount tire- BOOM! Dead simple, dead reliable, and easy to install. Unfortunately, it is a Trek product, and so, only on Bontrager wheels. (But ya see that Cole wheel up there? Yeah-it has a Rhythm rim strip in it! Sssssh! Don't tell anyone- but it works great! Same with Velocity Blunts, and Edge XC rims, and......well, you get the picture.)

Then there are the various Stan's adaptations, which are either very "ghetto-tubeless-like", or are actual licensed Stan's designs. Stan's stuff is smart, and works great. (If you have more Stan's design than not) Tire makers are catching up with regards to bead/casing tech, so this style of tubeless can be a great way to go.

Unfortunately, UST still works like it did in 2007, and that is "not very well", especially if you don't use Hutchinson or Geax tires.

And You Consider This A "Good Thing"? I saw this on Twitter last night:

"PrimalWear Primal Wear RT by IowaBicycle "Rumor has it that def leppard will be playing @RAGBRAI"

Oh great! A "has been" band playing for a "has been" ride. That's rich! Really, it is a sad state of affairs when something like this is considered something to be excited about. 

I know some folks will say that I shouldn't comment negatively on RAGBRAI, or anything "positive" about cycling. (If Def Leppard at RAGBRAI could possibly be considered positive in 2011. Maybe in 1988....) But really, RAGBRAI has done a lot to make cycling a joke amongst non-cyclists and cyclists alike. Oh- yeah there are good things to be celebrated about RAGBRAI in terms of cycling, but most of the reality of this ride is only good for cycling at the retailers level, and not really from a purely "cycling culture, change the way we live" sort of way. I mean, RAGBRAI is seen by most of its riders as a temporary vacation from car-culture, not as an alternative to it. The "rawk-and-roll", let's get drunk and stupid, carnival atmosphere doesn't help that along either. 

 

Not that it isn't fun, for some folks. But it isn't the "life changer" that some maybe in the cycling world might think it is. Not by a long shot, and this Def Leppard deal is just another illustration of that, in my opinion.

Snow Dog Down: 51 Days And Counting.....

More Randomonium

Okay, I give up. Today is going to be another one of those "mental clearing" posts. Hope you all can follow along here.... Once again, the only common thread is cycling.

Fargo I vs Fargo II: Salsa Cycles , who came up with the brilliant idea for the Fargo, tweaked out that idea for 2011 to be a bike that is somewhat different than where it began. Now it is a bit more "vague" than the decidedly "do-everything" bike it was.

Sound like a contradiction of terms? How can a bike that is "decidedly do-everything" become more vague in intention unless it becomes more of a "do-everything" bike, right?

Well, Salsa did put more versatility into the bike by allowing for a suspension fork to be fitted without messing up the geometry. But to do that, they had to mess with the geometry of the old Fargo. The result is something odd. The Fargo has become at once more specific, (off-road-centric), while becoming even more of a conundrum to fit properly. This in conjunction with the shorter offset necessitated by the accommodation of suspension forks makes the new Fargo a bit unappealing for me.

The top tube is incrementally shorter than version 1's, and the toe over-lap issue is now an issue, where it wasn't before. Standover is less as well, (from what I have observed with regards to a friend's Fargo). Are there times I wish the Fargo I have had a suspension fork? Oh yeah! But I can't get on with how Salsa solved the issue with the new Fargo, especially when version 1 fits me like a glove. I can't see giving up near perfect fit for less than optimal fit and suspension. Then there is also the issue of my Badger, which is essentially a Fargo V2 without all the fit issues. So, there ya go!

I guess in the end, I would rather slap a suspension fork on the Badger, get frame bags, and use that as a drop bar, off-road "touring" rig if I needed to have that squishy fork.. That or a 100mm travel hard tail, like the El Mariachi, which starts to make more sense than the Fargo does now. YMMV. I just figured Fargo v1 was such a great rig because it was simpler and didn't have the suspension fork capabilities, which to my mind was a nod to a different way of thinking on off-road "touring".

The State Of Tubelessness: My co-writer on Twenty Nine Inches, Grannygear, was talking with me the other day about the state of tubeless mtb tire and wheel technology. He wrote this excellent piece on his experiences with UST rims recently, which I highly recommend you read.

Basically it is a world that is boiling down to three main ideas: Stan's, Bontrager's, and UST. (Ghetto tubeless will always be under-the-radar, and so therefore, it doesn't figure into our "officially sanctioned" tubeless options here.) Sometimes elements of all three are used in one system.

Of those three, UST seems to be exhibiting the most problems. Ironically, it was the system most riders wanted to see come over to 29"er wheels early on. I think there are several technical reasons for its problems with big wheels. The biggest thing is that 29 inch wheels do not physically fit and work on rims the same way that 26 inch tires and rims do. Several companies have realized this, and engineered systems that account for that difference. UST has not accounted for that, and it is why I believe it will eventually be discontinued as a way to run tubeless for 29"er riders.

Bontrager's TLR rim strip idea is a brilliant way to go tubeless, and I wish it was an open standard. Plastic rim strip, snap in, add valve, mount tire- BOOM! Dead simple, dead reliable, and easy to install. Unfortunately, it is a Trek product, and so, only on Bontrager wheels. (But ya see that Cole wheel up there? Yeah-it has a Rhythm rim strip in it! Sssssh! Don't tell anyone- but it works great! Same with Velocity Blunts, and Edge XC rims, and......well, you get the picture.)

Then there are the various Stan's adaptations, which are either very "ghetto-tubeless-like", or are actual licensed Stan's designs. Stan's stuff is smart, and works great. (If you have more Stan's design than not) Tire makers are catching up with regards to bead/casing tech, so this style of tubeless can be a great way to go.

Unfortunately, UST still works like it did in 2007, and that is "not very well", especially if you don't use Hutchinson or Geax tires.

And You Consider This A "Good Thing"? I saw this on Twitter last night:

"PrimalWear Primal Wear RT by IowaBicycle "Rumor has it that def leppard will be playing @RAGBRAI"

Oh great! A "has been" band playing for a "has been" ride. That's rich! Really, it is a sad state of affairs when something like this is considered something to be excited about. 

I know some folks will say that I shouldn't comment negatively on RAGBRAI, or anything "positive" about cycling. (If Def Leppard at RAGBRAI could possibly be considered positive in 2011. Maybe in 1988....) But really, RAGBRAI has done a lot to make cycling a joke amongst non-cyclists and cyclists alike. Oh- yeah there are good things to be celebrated about RAGBRAI in terms of cycling, but most of the reality of this ride is only good for cycling at the retailers level, and not really from a purely "cycling culture, change the way we live" sort of way. I mean, RAGBRAI is seen by most of its riders as a temporary vacation from car-culture, not as an alternative to it. The "rawk-and-roll", let's get drunk and stupid, carnival atmosphere doesn't help that along either. 

 

Not that it isn't fun, for some folks. But it isn't the "life changer" that some maybe in the cycling world might think it is. Not by a long shot, and this Def Leppard deal is just another illustration of that, in my opinion.

Snow Dog Down: 51 Days And Counting.....

A Bit Of Sunshine

Sun Through The Pine Trees: image by Captain Bob and Guitar Ted

The past couple of days have been highly stressful and I've been sort of a wreck. Captain Bob  got ahold of me Tuesday and asked if I would be up for a ride at The Camp on Wednesday. I took him up on the offer.

It was a much needed time on the bike with a good friend. (Thanks Captain!)

After I arrived back home, I conjured up a plan to retrieve some goods sent by Gu Nutrition for T.I.V7. I grabbed the Xtracycle and pedaled over to the shop.

And........I got loaded! 

Well, not "loaded" in the intoxicated sense, but, well....... the image says it all, really!

That's five cases of Gu Nutrition product on there folks. It was heavy! The frame was swaying all over the place and wiggling made it worse. It was like riding rollers- the calmer and smoother you rode it, the better off you were and the "quieter" the frame was.

Mashing even the least little bit on the pedals resulted in a womble that would start to resonate and I never let it get beyond that. I was afraid the frame would break!

Slow and easy was the order of the day, and I made it home without any issues in 40 minutes. Not bad for a commute that normally takes about 20 minutes at "normal" speeds.  Plus, I saved a bunch of gas money, and got a great exercise in form!

I got a few odd looks from passers-by, but as I usually find, when it comes to bicycles, only the children that noticed me were smiling and thought it was really interesting. Adults can be such a bore sometimes!

Snow Dog Down: 50 Days and counting......

A Bit Of Sunshine

Sun Through The Pine Trees: image by Captain Bob and Guitar Ted

The past couple of days have been highly stressful and I've been sort of a wreck. Captain Bob  got ahold of me Tuesday and asked if I would be up for a ride at The Camp on Wednesday. I took him up on the offer.

It was a much needed time on the bike with a good friend. (Thanks Captain!)

After I arrived back home, I conjured up a plan to retrieve some goods sent by Gu Nutrition for T.I.V7. I grabbed the Xtracycle and pedaled over to the shop.

And........I got loaded! 

Well, not "loaded" in the intoxicated sense, but, well....... the image says it all, really!

That's five cases of Gu Nutrition product on there folks. It was heavy! The frame was swaying all over the place and wiggling made it worse. It was like riding rollers- the calmer and smoother you rode it, the better off you were and the "quieter" the frame was.

Mashing even the least little bit on the pedals resulted in a womble that would start to resonate and I never let it get beyond that. I was afraid the frame would break!

Slow and easy was the order of the day, and I made it home without any issues in 40 minutes. Not bad for a commute that normally takes about 20 minutes at "normal" speeds.  Plus, I saved a bunch of gas money, and got a great exercise in form!

I got a few odd looks from passers-by, but as I usually find, when it comes to bicycles, only the children that noticed me were smiling and thought it was really interesting. Adults can be such a bore sometimes!

Snow Dog Down: 50 Days and counting......

Trans Iowa V7: It's About The Weather

T.I.V2 image courtesy of Jeff Kerkove

First off, I will apologize and advise the regular reader of this blog that I am now officially on Trans Iowa "Mental Meltdown Watch" status. Much of my waking moments in life right now are consumed with thoughts about details concerning the event coming up.

This will all pass in about 12 days, which takes me to the Monday after Trans Iowa V7, then there will be a short decompression period, and afterward, all you folks can be assured I won't be mentioning T.I.V7 again and again. For me to be writing about this right now, it is a cathartic activity for me. It helps me deal with this event.

So, if you don't want to wade through any of that, I do not blame you, and I invite you back again in a couple of weeks. Okay? Okay..........

One thing that I say all the time is that "the weather is the wild card at Trans Iowa." I do not think I actually came up with that, (I think Jeff did), but I permanently borrowed that phrase. And, of course, it is painfully true.

Many folks like to point out T.I.V2 as being the beginning of that idea. The event was stopped cold by consistent rain and soggy dirt roads. But to think that would be remiss, as T.I.V1 was super windy, and brutally cold. Riders were getting knocked around like wobbly-kneed boxers in the 10th round of a prize fight, and most quit at the half way checkpoint. The intrepid 9 that made it all the way nearly froze their arses off on a clear and starry night on dead straight roads across the hinterlands of Iowa. So, yeah......weather was a big player from the get-go.

T.I.V4 image courtesy of Captain Bob

They say every other year, the odd years, are the best weather years to ride Trans Iowa in. Hmm....maybe. We'll see. This year is that "Odd year", 2011, so perhaps it'll pan out, eh?

One thing is for sure- it is a good thing I didn't move the date up a weekend! Why? Because it is forecast to snow. Oh yeah........and it's supposed to be brutally windy. Sounds like T.I.V4 to me! The Trans Iowa where riders were getting blown right off their bikes and snow was swirling in the air for a few hours right at the beginning of the event.

The weekend after this coming one, the actual race weekend, is supposed to be wet. Rain on Friday and Saturday. But that is still too far out to be reliable info.

T.I.V6 image courtesy of Ari Andonopoulos.

We were supposedly only going to get a few tenths of an inch last year, and instead, we got totally wiped out by a drenching downpour in the morning that DNF'ed half the field and later on, a torrential, hurricane-like rain and wind shut everything down by 8pm Saturday evening.

So much for weather reports!

But that doesn't mean I still don't sweat the possibilities of what the weather is capable of.

And that's just one facet of what is going on in my brain this week!

Trans Iowa V7: It's About The Weather

T.I.V2 image courtesy of Jeff Kerkove

First off, I will apologize and advise the regular reader of this blog that I am now officially on Trans Iowa "Mental Meltdown Watch" status. Much of my waking moments in life right now are consumed with thoughts about details concerning the event coming up.

This will all pass in about 12 days, which takes me to the Monday after Trans Iowa V7, then there will be a short decompression period, and afterward, all you folks can be assured I won't be mentioning T.I.V7 again and again. For me to be writing about this right now, it is a cathartic activity for me. It helps me deal with this event.

So, if you don't want to wade through any of that, I do not blame you, and I invite you back again in a couple of weeks. Okay? Okay..........

One thing that I say all the time is that "the weather is the wild card at Trans Iowa." I do not think I actually came up with that, (I think Jeff did), but I permanently borrowed that phrase. And, of course, it is painfully true.

Many folks like to point out T.I.V2 as being the beginning of that idea. The event was stopped cold by consistent rain and soggy dirt roads. But to think that would be remiss, as T.I.V1 was super windy, and brutally cold. Riders were getting knocked around like wobbly-kneed boxers in the 10th round of a prize fight, and most quit at the half way checkpoint. The intrepid 9 that made it all the way nearly froze their arses off on a clear and starry night on dead straight roads across the hinterlands of Iowa. So, yeah......weather was a big player from the get-go.

T.I.V4 image courtesy of Captain Bob

They say every other year, the odd years, are the best weather years to ride Trans Iowa in. Hmm....maybe. We'll see. This year is that "Odd year", 2011, so perhaps it'll pan out, eh?

One thing is for sure- it is a good thing I didn't move the date up a weekend! Why? Because it is forecast to snow. Oh yeah........and it's supposed to be brutally windy. Sounds like T.I.V4 to me! The Trans Iowa where riders were getting blown right off their bikes and snow was swirling in the air for a few hours right at the beginning of the event.

The weekend after this coming one, the actual race weekend, is supposed to be wet. Rain on Friday and Saturday. But that is still too far out to be reliable info.

T.I.V6 image courtesy of Ari Andonopoulos.

We were supposedly only going to get a few tenths of an inch last year, and instead, we got totally wiped out by a drenching downpour in the morning that DNF'ed half the field and later on, a torrential, hurricane-like rain and wind shut everything down by 8pm Saturday evening.

So much for weather reports!

But that doesn't mean I still don't sweat the possibilities of what the weather is capable of.

And that's just one facet of what is going on in my brain this week!

Wheels And Stones

 I'm not sure what they call this video of Paris-Roubaix, presumably filmed last weekend, but "Wheels and Stones" seems to be a fitting title. It is a great race, Paris-Roubaix, not only because of the brutal toughness of it, but also because it demands that road biking break from traditions of today to use technologies from the past.

I was reading some coverage of the event, and in particular, the tech coverage. Stories of box section aluminum rims, cantilever brakes, and big, fat tubular tires. Lengthened chassis and extended fork rakes. Double padded bars, and special saddle and handlebar choices.

Man! They should make every road race go over stuff like this! It's what people are drawn to more than, say, the super-smooth tarmac used in the big Tours. If it wasn't for the brutal mountain stages and the time trial machine "geek-out", the Tour de France would be nothing. That's right folks, a race that is playing second fiddle to things like Paris-Roubaix, as far as I'm concerned.

I have noticed something since putting Gravel Grinder News up on the "inner-webs", and it has to do with what folks are naming their events. If you take a minute to look at the ride calendar their, you'll notice a lot of references to Paris-Roubaix. Not too many for other events like the Tour.

Of course, "gravel grinding" and cobbles have a little bit in common in that you are dealing with rough stones, but the similarities end there. Heck, Trans Iowa garnered a comparison early on, not for the gravel roads, but for the completely dirt "B" Maintenance roads we inadvertently found and left in during our initial recon missions. Why? Dirt and cobbles have zero in common, right?  Well, it isn't so much the roads, but the challenges they engender that make the comparisons work, I think.

Trans Iowa, or any other gravel grinder, is harder because of the roads, and demands a different approach than a road racer on a road racing bike would take. In fact, a road racing bike isn't a real good choice at all, and the self-sufficiency standard most of these gravel events employ hearkens back to an earlier era in cycling, or at least our feeble, romanticizing would like to think so.

At any rate, their is a connection to the European roots of cycling, and especially the Northern European Classics that cover the cobbles and run through the rural countryside.We may not have the classy film, orchestral soundtrack, or throngs of Belgian beer swilling fans roadside, but we have something good going on here out on the gravel just the same.

Snow Dog Down: 48 Days and counting...

Wheels And Stones

 I'm not sure what they call this video of Paris-Roubaix, presumably filmed last weekend, but "Wheels and Stones" seems to be a fitting title. It is a great race, Paris-Roubaix, not only because of the brutal toughness of it, but also because it demands that road biking break from traditions of today to use technologies from the past.

I was reading some coverage of the event, and in particular, the tech coverage. Stories of box section aluminum rims, cantilever brakes, and big, fat tubular tires. Lengthened chassis and extended fork rakes. Double padded bars, and special saddle and handlebar choices.

Man! They should make every road race go over stuff like this! It's what people are drawn to more than, say, the super-smooth tarmac used in the big Tours. If it wasn't for the brutal mountain stages and the time trial machine "geek-out", the Tour de France would be nothing. That's right folks, a race that is playing second fiddle to things like Paris-Roubaix, as far as I'm concerned.

I have noticed something since putting Gravel Grinder News up on the "inner-webs", and it has to do with what folks are naming their events. If you take a minute to look at the ride calendar their, you'll notice a lot of references to Paris-Roubaix. Not too many for other events like the Tour.

Of course, "gravel grinding" and cobbles have a little bit in common in that you are dealing with rough stones, but the similarities end there. Heck, Trans Iowa garnered a comparison early on, not for the gravel roads, but for the completely dirt "B" Maintenance roads we inadvertently found and left in during our initial recon missions. Why? Dirt and cobbles have zero in common, right?  Well, it isn't so much the roads, but the challenges they engender that make the comparisons work, I think.

Trans Iowa, or any other gravel grinder, is harder because of the roads, and demands a different approach than a road racer on a road racing bike would take. In fact, a road racing bike isn't a real good choice at all, and the self-sufficiency standard most of these gravel events employ hearkens back to an earlier era in cycling, or at least our feeble, romanticizing would like to think so.

At any rate, their is a connection to the European roots of cycling, and especially the Northern European Classics that cover the cobbles and run through the rural countryside.We may not have the classy film, orchestral soundtrack, or throngs of Belgian beer swilling fans roadside, but we have something good going on here out on the gravel just the same.

Snow Dog Down: 48 Days and counting...

Trans Iowa V7 Radio Test Post

powered by Hipcast.com

Trans Iowa V7 Radio Test Post

powered by Hipcast.com

Origin 8 Gary II Bars: Update

As mentioned last week, I did finally get the Origin 8 Gary II Bar mounted up to the Salsa Cycles Fargo.

The previous bar on this bike was the On One Midge Bar, which is the bar that is closest in shape and flare to the Gary II Bar. The biggest changes from the Midge are the deeper drop, slightly longer reach, and longer extensions. I should also mention that now the Gary II is bar end compatible, where the older Gary Bar was not so. Installation was a breeze, but I did have to use a "pop can" shim to get the clamp tight enough on the Gary Bar II to keep it from spinning downward while riding.

Here are some pertinent features of the Gary II Bar from Origin 8's site:


* 6061-T6 tubular alloy construction
* Accepts bar-end shifters
* Reach: 135mm Drop: 80mm
* Bar flares out at grip area 15 degrees
* EN Mountain safety certified

 In terms of how the drops slope outwards, these are very similar to a Midge Bar, it's just that the drop is deeper. I found that the brake levers set up well, and only slightly canted outwards. With such a slight slope, the tops are a generous width for your seated climbs and cruising. (More on that in a minute.) This also allows for an array of accessories to be mounted, as you can see on my bar here. These bars also come in a silver finish, and you can also choose from a 31.8mm or 25.4mm, (shown), stem clamp diameter.

From the top, you can see more significant differences from a Midge Bar. The reach is longer, and the extensions are longer.

In terms of reach, I found that the Gary II was very much like a traditional road bar, like a Nitto for instance, and with those hoods "out there" you really can get stretched out over the bike. The extensions lend even more road bike bar sensations with the length and the minimal flare. Continuing on with the road theme, the tops blend into the drops in a very familiar way, which folks coming off road bikes should find quite familiar. The "ramps", (the part of the drop bar from the tops to where the brake levers mount), is much like a classic road bar, (read: "Pre-STI/Lance-lever" type bars), and will be familiar territory for those who remember shifting their skinny tired steeds from the down tube.

Here you can see better what I mean about the ramps and how deep the drop really is on the Gary II. Once again, I like longer extensions, but as you can see, one could easily dispense with some of that spare length, if so desired, by wielding a hack saw with care.

Note that like the Woodchipper, the tops/ramps are definitely not parallel with the extensions. Also like the Woodchipper, your extensions will point severely downward if you try to set your levers up with ramps more parallel to the ground. I do not prefer to ride on the ramps off road, so I base my set up off the extensions on all my off-road drop bar bikes.

The Ride: The way the Gary II is shaped and the way it sets up for off-road/gravel bikes greatly affects the way it feels. It is the most road-like of any off-road drop bar I have yet tried. I was reminded by someone of Salsa's Bell Lap Bar and in many ways, the Gary II feels like a Bell Lap Bar. (Thankfully, the Gary II doesn't have that anatomic bend in the extensions!) At any rate, the Gary II rides smoothly and comfortably, as long as you like less sweep and flare in your off-road drop bars.

The reach to the brake levers is excellent, and the longer extensions can be used as an alternative grip position, if you choose to keep the length. The drop is greater than any other off-road drop, save maybe the WTB Drop Bar, so be prepared for either a lower position, or to get a taller stem. I used the exact same stem and spacer set up as with the Midge and it resulted in about a 25mm drop in hand position from the previous set up. The reach is also greater, so using this as a bar to convert a mountain bike frame to drops may become problematic due to the reach figure the Gary II has.

Finally, I found that transitioning from the drops to the tops for climbs or cruising was not as nice as I would have wished for. The tops are so far from the drops that the dramatic position change may put you in a "sit-up-and-beg" position if you have set you drops as the primary grip position. If you use these as a bar where your primary position is the hoods, the drops may be too deep for you. This coupled with the longer reach may prove to be unsatisfactory for some mountain bike-centric drop bar set ups.

So far, I am okay with this bar. It is narrower than my 46cm Woodchippers and my Luxy Bar set ups, but for gravel grinding, this may be an advantage. I also could see cyclo-cross bikes with this bar, since it is "road-like with some tweaks".  I'll have more on this bar after some miles have been logged.

Bonus Post: Ibis Trial Comp:

Last week I also mentioned my Ibis Trials Comp and that I would  share some images. Well, here they are.

Again, this bike has a history around here and many older local mtb dudes might recall seeing this one being thrashed over pic-nic tables, rocks, and what not in the fall and winter.

This would have been an '88-'89 Japanese made Ibis frame and fork. Some Trials Comps had 24" front/ 20" rear wheels, but this one is a 20/20 model from the factory.

 
It is hard to say with any accuracy what is original equipment on this bike or not, but I believe the front brake and tires are about all that "doesn't belong" here.

The crank is a shaved Shimano one, the rear brake is a period correct XT U-II-Brake, and the bike sports the original magnesium skid plate.

This old girl has been beaten and battered, but is still in good working order. The tires are good, with the rear looking to be a brand new Pirelli M-14 trials tire. (The front matches, but shows some wear.)

If I can find a good home for this, I will be sending it on down the line. (I have two guys in mind for this). I just do not find myself being drawn to this bike, and it is too cool to be gathering dust in the Guitar Ted Laboratories.

Origin 8 Gary II Bars: Update

As mentioned last week, I did finally get the Origin 8 Gary II Bar mounted up to the Salsa Cycles Fargo.

The previous bar on this bike was the On One Midge Bar, which is the bar that is closest in shape and flare to the Gary II Bar. The biggest changes from the Midge are the deeper drop, slightly longer reach, and longer extensions. I should also mention that now the Gary II is bar end compatible, where the older Gary Bar was not so. Installation was a breeze, but I did have to use a "pop can" shim to get the clamp tight enough on the Gary Bar II to keep it from spinning downward while riding.

Here are some pertinent features of the Gary II Bar from Origin 8's site:


* 6061-T6 tubular alloy construction
* Accepts bar-end shifters
* Reach: 135mm Drop: 80mm
* Bar flares out at grip area 15 degrees
* EN Mountain safety certified

 In terms of how the drops slope outwards, these are very similar to a Midge Bar, it's just that the drop is deeper. I found that the brake levers set up well, and only slightly canted outwards. With such a slight slope, the tops are a generous width for your seated climbs and cruising. (More on that in a minute.) This also allows for an array of accessories to be mounted, as you can see on my bar here. These bars also come in a silver finish, and you can also choose from a 31.8mm or 25.4mm, (shown), stem clamp diameter.

From the top, you can see more significant differences from a Midge Bar. The reach is longer, and the extensions are longer.

In terms of reach, I found that the Gary II was very much like a traditional road bar, like a Nitto for instance, and with those hoods "out there" you really can get stretched out over the bike. The extensions lend even more road bike bar sensations with the length and the minimal flare. Continuing on with the road theme, the tops blend into the drops in a very familiar way, which folks coming off road bikes should find quite familiar. The "ramps", (the part of the drop bar from the tops to where the brake levers mount), is much like a classic road bar, (read: "Pre-STI/Lance-lever" type bars), and will be familiar territory for those who remember shifting their skinny tired steeds from the down tube.

Here you can see better what I mean about the ramps and how deep the drop really is on the Gary II. Once again, I like longer extensions, but as you can see, one could easily dispense with some of that spare length, if so desired, by wielding a hack saw with care.

Note that like the Woodchipper, the tops/ramps are definitely not parallel with the extensions. Also like the Woodchipper, your extensions will point severely downward if you try to set your levers up with ramps more parallel to the ground. I do not prefer to ride on the ramps off road, so I base my set up off the extensions on all my off-road drop bar bikes.

The Ride: The way the Gary II is shaped and the way it sets up for off-road/gravel bikes greatly affects the way it feels. It is the most road-like of any off-road drop bar I have yet tried. I was reminded by someone of Salsa's Bell Lap Bar and in many ways, the Gary II feels like a Bell Lap Bar. (Thankfully, the Gary II doesn't have that anatomic bend in the extensions!) At any rate, the Gary II rides smoothly and comfortably, as long as you like less sweep and flare in your off-road drop bars.

The reach to the brake levers is excellent, and the longer extensions can be used as an alternative grip position, if you choose to keep the length. The drop is greater than any other off-road drop, save maybe the WTB Drop Bar, so be prepared for either a lower position, or to get a taller stem. I used the exact same stem and spacer set up as with the Midge and it resulted in about a 25mm drop in hand position from the previous set up. The reach is also greater, so using this as a bar to convert a mountain bike frame to drops may become problematic due to the reach figure the Gary II has.

Finally, I found that transitioning from the drops to the tops for climbs or cruising was not as nice as I would have wished for. The tops are so far from the drops that the dramatic position change may put you in a "sit-up-and-beg" position if you have set you drops as the primary grip position. If you use these as a bar where your primary position is the hoods, the drops may be too deep for you. This coupled with the longer reach may prove to be unsatisfactory for some mountain bike-centric drop bar set ups.

So far, I am okay with this bar. It is narrower than my 46cm Woodchippers and my Luxy Bar set ups, but for gravel grinding, this may be an advantage. I also could see cyclo-cross bikes with this bar, since it is "road-like with some tweaks".  I'll have more on this bar after some miles have been logged.

Bonus Post: Ibis Trial Comp:

Last week I also mentioned my Ibis Trials Comp and that I would  share some images. Well, here they are.

Again, this bike has a history around here and many older local mtb dudes might recall seeing this one being thrashed over pic-nic tables, rocks, and what not in the fall and winter.

This would have been an '88-'89 Japanese made Ibis frame and fork. Some Trials Comps had 24" front/ 20" rear wheels, but this one is a 20/20 model from the factory.

 
It is hard to say with any accuracy what is original equipment on this bike or not, but I believe the front brake and tires are about all that "doesn't belong" here.

The crank is a shaved Shimano one, the rear brake is a period correct XT U-II-Brake, and the bike sports the original magnesium skid plate.

This old girl has been beaten and battered, but is still in good working order. The tires are good, with the rear looking to be a brand new Pirelli M-14 trials tire. (The front matches, but shows some wear.)

If I can find a good home for this, I will be sending it on down the line. (I have two guys in mind for this). I just do not find myself being drawn to this bike, and it is too cool to be gathering dust in the Guitar Ted Laboratories.

The Dirty Kanza 200 Chronicles: A Different Gear

After last weeks Renegade Gents Race, where I felt I rode well, and quite hard, I started off the week with only some commuting, and that at a lower intensity than normal too. I could feel the effort in my legs from Saturday all the way into Wednesday.

I typically do trail testing on Wednesdays in season. Last Wednesday was my first session of the year, and I was not really feeling it. The legs were sluggish still, and so I went easy. That said, riding trails is far different than gravel grinding!

I found the constant cadence changes to be challenging, and of course, you react differently to this physically. It was good to put "the motor" through some different paces. Even though my legs were not reacting well on Wednesday. By Thursday, I had put the Fargo back on the road, and I rode it to and from work both Thursday and Friday. Each day I felt stronger, and Friday I took an extended loop back home.

Saturday I took the Stumpjumper out and this time I felt much, much more snap in the legs and I was really feeling much better. Cadence changes were not such a shock to the system, and the different gears and bikes were a good thing. That's right, I didn't ride the Orange Crush all week!

In fact, I am blessed with choices when it comes to bicycles. I could ride the Fargo quite easily at the DK 200, and it would be a fantastic choice. The Stumpjumper would be a great bike as well. That said, I am sticking to my choice for now. The only way I would switch up is if things look like they might be wet at the DK 200. The Fargo would fare much better both in handling and in terms of mud clearance if rain is in the forecast in Kansas.

Next up will be a tire swap on the bike and some more gravel on the Orange Crush.

The Dirty Kanza 200 Chronicles: A Different Gear

After last weeks Renegade Gents Race, where I felt I rode well, and quite hard, I started off the week with only some commuting, and that at a lower intensity than normal too. I could feel the effort in my legs from Saturday all the way into Wednesday.

I typically do trail testing on Wednesdays in season. Last Wednesday was my first session of the year, and I was not really feeling it. The legs were sluggish still, and so I went easy. That said, riding trails is far different than gravel grinding!

I found the constant cadence changes to be challenging, and of course, you react differently to this physically. It was good to put "the motor" through some different paces. Even though my legs were not reacting well on Wednesday. By Thursday, I had put the Fargo back on the road, and I rode it to and from work both Thursday and Friday. Each day I felt stronger, and Friday I took an extended loop back home.

Saturday I took the Stumpjumper out and this time I felt much, much more snap in the legs and I was really feeling much better. Cadence changes were not such a shock to the system, and the different gears and bikes were a good thing. That's right, I didn't ride the Orange Crush all week!

In fact, I am blessed with choices when it comes to bicycles. I could ride the Fargo quite easily at the DK 200, and it would be a fantastic choice. The Stumpjumper would be a great bike as well. That said, I am sticking to my choice for now. The only way I would switch up is if things look like they might be wet at the DK 200. The Fargo would fare much better both in handling and in terms of mud clearance if rain is in the forecast in Kansas.

Next up will be a tire swap on the bike and some more gravel on the Orange Crush.

Trans Iowa V7 Update #22: Remember The Following!

<==T.I.V2 was the first to feature the 4AM start time.

Trans Iowa Update #22: Remember The Following!

The Pre-Race Meat-Up: Must Attend!! Starts at 5pm @ The Grinnell Steakhouse and should be over by 8pm. If you do not show up by 6pm, you won't be in the event!! There will be a check in from 5pm till 6pm which you must make sure to do. This will guarantee you a race packet, and your first set of cue sheets. No check in = No riding in Trans Iowa. No Exceptions!!

The Start Of Trans Iowa V7: You should show up on Broad Street in front of Bikes To You no later than 3:55AM to line up and receive final instructions for the event. You will be able to come earlier, if you want to. Also: There should be ample parking in the street on that block, but please do not plan on leaving your car there for the day! We will not be responsible for parking tickets or cars that get impounded. You've been warned!

The event will start promptly at 4AM with a controlled lead out by car. Once we get the field cleared of the city, we will pull off and allow you to "have at it". This should be approximately two miles at most.

Checkpoint #1: The first checkpoint will come at Mile 53. You Must Arrive At The Checkpoint By 9:15AM!! If you fail to reach the checkpoint by this time, you will be DNF'ed. No Exceptions!

Checkpoint #2: The second checkpoint, which is the rural one with no services, should come at about 177 miles into the course. You have until 10pm Saturday evening to get there, or be done. Again, if you see that you will be falling short of the mark to make it by 10pm, we suggest that you make a call to your support person to come and get you, or plan on a long ride back to Grinnell on your own recognizance. Trans Iowa will not be there to get you, or provide any sort of means to get you back to Grinnell. Once again, you will not get a cue sheet set to the finish unless you get to Checkpoint #2 by 10pm Saturday evening and you give our volunteers the sign that you are heading onward.

The Finish: The finish will be at Lion's Park in Grinnell. You must arrive at the finish by 2pm Sunday afternoon to be credited with an "official Trans Iowa finish". If you arrive late, you will be counted as "Outside The Time Limit", or DNF'ed if we do not see you. (Trust us, we won't be sticking around long after 2pm!)

Awards: We do not hold an official awards ceremony. We hand out prizing, take photos, and congratulate finishers pretty much as it happens on the spot, or after the finisher comes back from a quick shower and some grub. Due to the nature of the finish of Trans Iowa, if you want to be there and be a part of the finishing scene, we suggest you arrive by 5AM Sunday morning and plan on sticking around awhile.

NOTICE: Any and/or all of the above is subject to change, or may not happen at all, due to weather conditions which are beyond our control. Please see our Rules section at the Trans Iowa website for details.

Most Importantly, Remember The Following: Events like Trans Iowa don't make any money, are put on for the "love of the sport" by a very few individuals that could be doing something else just as easily as Trans Iowa. Please respect that by showing up where and when you are supposed to be. Please remember this isn't something you paid Trans Iowa to do.  We don't provide anything but a route and a chance to challenge yourself against that. The rest is up to you to figure out. Yes- all of the rest of it. You come to this ride of your own free will, accepting any and all responsibility for you and your actions.

Here are a few tips to live by at Trans Iowa. (Listen up Rookie Class!)

• Keep a cell phone handy, but keep it turned off. Otherwise, when you need to call, you won't be able to because your battery will be drained from all the roaming your phone will be doing if it is on all the time.
• Ride with a group. It makes things easier, and if something does go wrong, you won't be alone trying to figure out what to do. (Got that cell phone? Got a bail out plan?)
• Know when to say when. If you are slowing down, not covering 10 miles in a hour, (Note: NOT 10mph average, which is waaay too slow!), then consider that you will not make the next checkpoint, or finish in time, and call in your bail out plan. (You've got a cell phone and a bail out plan, right?)
• Lots Of You Will Not Finish, So Get A Bail Out Plan Together! Even if the weather is perfect, the best we've seen for finishing ratio to starters is 1 in 3. Yes, fully 2/3rds of you won't make it, and probably more than that if the weather is poor. Remember: You Are Responsible For You!
• Make sure you take the opportunities to stock up when they are presented to you! Keep in mind that you should always carry supplies in food and water to get you by for 100 miles without stopping. Convenience stores will be few and far between!
• Make sure you are prepared for any weather. Keep a close watch on the weather leading up to the event, but also know you will be riding in two periods of darkness, (Got Lights?), and through two periods of daylight, (for most finishers, if there are any). You may need arm warmers, tights, cool shorts, and sleeveless jerseys for this event. Or a rain cape, or all of it! (Sun tan lotion?) Just be prepared for all of it. It could rain, be sunny, windy, warm, and cold, all throughout the 34 hours of T.I.V7. 
• Make sure you have a working set of lights for front and rear. You will be DQ'ed without these during the night time hours if you are observed without them.
• Ride Right: Stay to the right side of the roads, especially going up hills. We will DQ riders if they are seen riding up the left side of hills. Stop at all stop signs and obey all traffic laws! The route of T.I.V7 is all on public roads and is not a closed route! Cars, trucks, and ag equipment will be out. Please respect the right of way and allow cars the ability to pass you. This means you will yield the right of way to cars at intersections, and allow traffic to pass without interference. If we hear of problems, or see riders obstructing traffic, or disobeying traffic laws, we will DQ them on the spot or upon hearing of it. 
• Ride Smart: There will be big hills on this route, some you will come upon in darkness. There will be pot holes, sandy traps, ruts, and other pitfalls along the way. Be alert! Don't ride beyond the abilities of yourself, or your lighting system. Drink water often. Eat vittles often. Have a back up plan at the ready just in case. (Got that cell phone and a bail out person just in case, right?)

Finally, if you can not make it this year, for any reason, please e-mail me right away. I've gotten a few drops in the last week, so I appreciate knowing so we don't go to extra trouble for the event. Thanks!

Trans Iowa V7 Update #22: Remember The Following!

<==T.I.V2 was the first to feature the 4AM start time.

Trans Iowa Update #22: Remember The Following!

The Pre-Race Meat-Up: Must Attend!! Starts at 5pm @ The Grinnell Steakhouse and should be over by 8pm. If you do not show up by 6pm, you won't be in the event!! There will be a check in from 5pm till 6pm which you must make sure to do. This will guarantee you a race packet, and your first set of cue sheets. No check in = No riding in Trans Iowa. No Exceptions!!

The Start Of Trans Iowa V7: You should show up on Broad Street in front of Bikes To You no later than 3:55AM to line up and receive final instructions for the event. You will be able to come earlier, if you want to. Also: There should be ample parking in the street on that block, but please do not plan on leaving your car there for the day! We will not be responsible for parking tickets or cars that get impounded. You've been warned!

The event will start promptly at 4AM with a controlled lead out by car. Once we get the field cleared of the city, we will pull off and allow you to "have at it". This should be approximately two miles at most.

Checkpoint #1: The first checkpoint will come at Mile 53. You Must Arrive At The Checkpoint By 9:15AM!! If you fail to reach the checkpoint by this time, you will be DNF'ed. No Exceptions!

Checkpoint #2: The second checkpoint, which is the rural one with no services, should come at about 177 miles into the course. You have until 10pm Saturday evening to get there, or be done. Again, if you see that you will be falling short of the mark to make it by 10pm, we suggest that you make a call to your support person to come and get you, or plan on a long ride back to Grinnell on your own recognizance. Trans Iowa will not be there to get you, or provide any sort of means to get you back to Grinnell. Once again, you will not get a cue sheet set to the finish unless you get to Checkpoint #2 by 10pm Saturday evening and you give our volunteers the sign that you are heading onward.

The Finish: The finish will be at Lion's Park in Grinnell. You must arrive at the finish by 2pm Sunday afternoon to be credited with an "official Trans Iowa finish". If you arrive late, you will be counted as "Outside The Time Limit", or DNF'ed if we do not see you. (Trust us, we won't be sticking around long after 2pm!)

Awards: We do not hold an official awards ceremony. We hand out prizing, take photos, and congratulate finishers pretty much as it happens on the spot, or after the finisher comes back from a quick shower and some grub. Due to the nature of the finish of Trans Iowa, if you want to be there and be a part of the finishing scene, we suggest you arrive by 5AM Sunday morning and plan on sticking around awhile.

NOTICE: Any and/or all of the above is subject to change, or may not happen at all, due to weather conditions which are beyond our control. Please see our Rules section at the Trans Iowa website for details.

Most Importantly, Remember The Following: Events like Trans Iowa don't make any money, are put on for the "love of the sport" by a very few individuals that could be doing something else just as easily as Trans Iowa. Please respect that by showing up where and when you are supposed to be. Please remember this isn't something you paid Trans Iowa to do.  We don't provide anything but a route and a chance to challenge yourself against that. The rest is up to you to figure out. Yes- all of the rest of it. You come to this ride of your own free will, accepting any and all responsibility for you and your actions.

Here are a few tips to live by at Trans Iowa. (Listen up Rookie Class!)

• Keep a cell phone handy, but keep it turned off. Otherwise, when you need to call, you won't be able to because your battery will be drained from all the roaming your phone will be doing if it is on all the time.
• Ride with a group. It makes things easier, and if something does go wrong, you won't be alone trying to figure out what to do. (Got that cell phone? Got a bail out plan?)
• Know when to say when. If you are slowing down, not covering 10 miles in a hour, (Note: NOT 10mph average, which is waaay too slow!), then consider that you will not make the next checkpoint, or finish in time, and call in your bail out plan. (You've got a cell phone and a bail out plan, right?)
• Lots Of You Will Not Finish, So Get A Bail Out Plan Together! Even if the weather is perfect, the best we've seen for finishing ratio to starters is 1 in 3. Yes, fully 2/3rds of you won't make it, and probably more than that if the weather is poor. Remember: You Are Responsible For You!
• Make sure you take the opportunities to stock up when they are presented to you! Keep in mind that you should always carry supplies in food and water to get you by for 100 miles without stopping. Convenience stores will be few and far between!
• Make sure you are prepared for any weather. Keep a close watch on the weather leading up to the event, but also know you will be riding in two periods of darkness, (Got Lights?), and through two periods of daylight, (for most finishers, if there are any). You may need arm warmers, tights, cool shorts, and sleeveless jerseys for this event. Or a rain cape, or all of it! (Sun tan lotion?) Just be prepared for all of it. It could rain, be sunny, windy, warm, and cold, all throughout the 34 hours of T.I.V7. 
• Make sure you have a working set of lights for front and rear. You will be DQ'ed without these during the night time hours if you are observed without them.
• Ride Right: Stay to the right side of the roads, especially going up hills. We will DQ riders if they are seen riding up the left side of hills. Stop at all stop signs and obey all traffic laws! The route of T.I.V7 is all on public roads and is not a closed route! Cars, trucks, and ag equipment will be out. Please respect the right of way and allow cars the ability to pass you. This means you will yield the right of way to cars at intersections, and allow traffic to pass without interference. If we hear of problems, or see riders obstructing traffic, or disobeying traffic laws, we will DQ them on the spot or upon hearing of it. 
• Ride Smart: There will be big hills on this route, some you will come upon in darkness. There will be pot holes, sandy traps, ruts, and other pitfalls along the way. Be alert! Don't ride beyond the abilities of yourself, or your lighting system. Drink water often. Eat vittles often. Have a back up plan at the ready just in case. (Got that cell phone and a bail out person just in case, right?)

Finally, if you can not make it this year, for any reason, please e-mail me right away. I've gotten a few drops in the last week, so I appreciate knowing so we don't go to extra trouble for the event. Thanks!

Friday News And Views

Ibis Cycles 30th Anniversary: It's an iconic mountain bike companie's 30th anniversary, and to celebrate, they are counting down some of their biggest milestones and points of interest from the past. One of those things that is somewhat ironic is that their first employee, Wes Williams, went on to help foster the modern 29"er, and gave the wheel size its name. Oddly enough, Ibis has yet to introduce a 29"er, (but it is coming, as you can see by the image at left).

One other personal note: I happen to have in my possession one Ibis Trials Comp from the late 80's. What is that?, you might ask? Well, hit this link to find out more.

My Ibis Trial Comp has a history here locally. The "big" mountain bikers of this area in the early 90's would gather in back yards and thrash this thing over picnic tables, stumps, or whatever they could find to hop on, up, and over. Since it likely was one of very few trials bikes in the area, it was well known back in the day, around these parts. I'll dust it off for a pic later, so stay tuned!

Gary Bar II: Mounted! 

I have finally gotten around to mounting the Gary Bar II and I put it on my Salsa Cycles Gen I Fargo. That's a pretty significant move for me, because the previous Midge Bar set up was so spot on, I swore I'd never change it.

Well, "never say never", right! Oddly enough, the Gary II and Midge share more in common than you might think. The differences are that the Gary II has longer extensions, (yay!), and has deeper drop, with a bit more reach. It is the most "road-like" of the off-road drop bars I have tried. So, if you can't stand the thought of all the sweep that say, a Woodchipper or Luxy Bar has, or can't live without a "regular drop" from the tops, than this could be a good bar for you.

I'll have more with images later, so stay tuned!

<===Aren't ya glad it isn't winter anymore? 

Fixin' Ta Fix The Badger:

I rode the ol' Badger quite a bit this winter after getting it back up and running again. So, the brakes have some un-godly warble/howl that appeared at CIRREM and won't go away. I have to get that looked at this weekend and start riding this bike some more again.

It's kind of funny, but this bike is very much like the Fargo II. So much so, that I can not justify the purchase of one. The Badger was built about the same time the first Fargo was being prototyped, so it is sort of funny that way. Of course, the Badger doesn't have all those fancy braze ons, but it does out-do the current Fargo in one way: My Badger is suspension corrected for a 100mm fork, while the current Fargo is only set up for an 80mm fork.

Weird! I guess it was really ahead of its time, huh? Who knew?

Well, this weekend looks to be wet. Hope we all get in some bicycle time none the less!

Snow Dog Down: 44 Days and counting......

Friday News And Views

Ibis Cycles 30th Anniversary: It's an iconic mountain bike companie's 30th anniversary, and to celebrate, they are counting down some of their biggest milestones and points of interest from the past. One of those things that is somewhat ironic is that their first employee, Wes Williams, went on to help foster the modern 29"er, and gave the wheel size its name. Oddly enough, Ibis has yet to introduce a 29"er, (but it is coming, as you can see by the image at left).

One other personal note: I happen to have in my possession one Ibis Trials Comp from the late 80's. What is that?, you might ask? Well, hit this link to find out more.

My Ibis Trial Comp has a history here locally. The "big" mountain bikers of this area in the early 90's would gather in back yards and thrash this thing over picnic tables, stumps, or whatever they could find to hop on, up, and over. Since it likely was one of very few trials bikes in the area, it was well known back in the day, around these parts. I'll dust it off for a pic later, so stay tuned!

Gary Bar II: Mounted! 

I have finally gotten around to mounting the Gary Bar II and I put it on my Salsa Cycles Gen I Fargo. That's a pretty significant move for me, because the previous Midge Bar set up was so spot on, I swore I'd never change it.

Well, "never say never", right! Oddly enough, the Gary II and Midge share more in common than you might think. The differences are that the Gary II has longer extensions, (yay!), and has deeper drop, with a bit more reach. It is the most "road-like" of the off-road drop bars I have tried. So, if you can't stand the thought of all the sweep that say, a Woodchipper or Luxy Bar has, or can't live without a "regular drop" from the tops, than this could be a good bar for you.

I'll have more with images later, so stay tuned!

<===Aren't ya glad it isn't winter anymore? 

Fixin' Ta Fix The Badger:

I rode the ol' Badger quite a bit this winter after getting it back up and running again. So, the brakes have some un-godly warble/howl that appeared at CIRREM and won't go away. I have to get that looked at this weekend and start riding this bike some more again.

It's kind of funny, but this bike is very much like the Fargo II. So much so, that I can not justify the purchase of one. The Badger was built about the same time the first Fargo was being prototyped, so it is sort of funny that way. Of course, the Badger doesn't have all those fancy braze ons, but it does out-do the current Fargo in one way: My Badger is suspension corrected for a 100mm fork, while the current Fargo is only set up for an 80mm fork.

Weird! I guess it was really ahead of its time, huh? Who knew?

Well, this weekend looks to be wet. Hope we all get in some bicycle time none the less!

Snow Dog Down: 44 Days and counting......