Sunday: Late Edition- Trans Iowa V2 Recon

Well, it's been a loooong weekend! Over 600 miles of driving in less than 24 hours, mostly on gravel roads! Am I nuts? Ha! No, I'm insane! Here are some highlights to whet your appetite.

In one of the photographs, you can see what it takes to fuel course recon. Processed beef products! Yummy!

Another picture shows what the B level maintenance roads look like now! Next spring, things won't look quite so tame! The last picture shows you what happens when you don't follow your cue sheets correctly. You are transported through a secret time portal, and you end up in Texas!

Stats: 275 miles from my front door at the palatial Guitar Ted Labratories to the parking lot of West Sioux High School in Hawarden...........Thirty extra miles added to the course, .............more time added to finish the first half..........actually, there is more of everything! This is going to be an exciting course and I can't wait for the race! It should be epic! Oh! The parking lot in Algona ia now a concrete, lighted paradise compared to last years primitive gravel setup.

I got practically rained and blown off recon duty by the remnants of the tornadic activity that swept across Iowa yesterday. Lightning and rain that came down sooo hard I couldn't hardly see the deer that flashed in front of me while I was driving home at 65mph! Yikes!!! No worries, though, as I only have about 35 miles to check out yet and it's all pretty close to home!

I took it pretty easy today, since I was up for about twenty hours or so yersterday. Glad to have that monkey off my back!

Sunday: Late Edition- Trans Iowa V2 Recon

Well, it's been a loooong weekend! Over 600 miles of driving in less than 24 hours, mostly on gravel roads! Am I nuts? Ha! No, I'm insane! Here are some highlights to whet your appetite.

In one of the photographs, you can see what it takes to fuel course recon. Processed beef products! Yummy!

Another picture shows what the B level maintenance roads look like now! Next spring, things won't look quite so tame! The last picture shows you what happens when you don't follow your cue sheets correctly. You are transported through a secret time portal, and you end up in Texas!

Stats: 275 miles from my front door at the palatial Guitar Ted Labratories to the parking lot of West Sioux High School in Hawarden...........Thirty extra miles added to the course, .............more time added to finish the first half..........actually, there is more of everything! This is going to be an exciting course and I can't wait for the race! It should be epic! Oh! The parking lot in Algona ia now a concrete, lighted paradise compared to last years primitive gravel setup.

I got practically rained and blown off recon duty by the remnants of the tornadic activity that swept across Iowa yesterday. Lightning and rain that came down sooo hard I couldn't hardly see the deer that flashed in front of me while I was driving home at 65mph! Yikes!!! No worries, though, as I only have about 35 miles to check out yet and it's all pretty close to home!

I took it pretty easy today, since I was up for about twenty hours or so yersterday. Glad to have that monkey off my back!

Friday Rants and Raves

Hmm............final comment on the "trail situation" in Geo. Wyth. It seems that it is possible that a good outcome might be realized by the State, mountain bikers, and some outside "trail building experts". But, I ask you this: Is it possible that the only reason any of this is happening is because "someone" is ticked off because they noticed flourescent flags, and a raked "path" through their jurisdiction? It's not like they didn't know that the majority of their "hiking trails" were created in the very same fashion, or is it? Bottom line: I do not have an optimistic view of the outcome here. I leave it at that!

The Intense Spyder 29"er bike, reported on this blog recently, has taken on some further scrutiny. The reactions are quite petty, and the discussion has taken a "left turn", but the intial impressions of the test rider is noteworthy. If this design comes through the prototype stages as is, geometry-wise, then it will mark a notable departure from the "normal" 29"er geometry- if you can even say there is such a thing! Guitar Ted Productions is keeping their eyes on this project!

Publishers Notice! Guitar Ted Productions will not be posting again until late Sunday! This is the final post until after the Trans Iowa recon has been completed. Several hundred miles of highway and gravel goodness will be covered between now and then. A short report will be filed sometime late Sunday evening, and more will be posted on the Trans Iowa site, as well!

Have a great weekend, ride the trails, and enjoy your loved ones! OUT!

Friday Rants and Raves

Hmm............final comment on the "trail situation" in Geo. Wyth. It seems that it is possible that a good outcome might be realized by the State, mountain bikers, and some outside "trail building experts". But, I ask you this: Is it possible that the only reason any of this is happening is because "someone" is ticked off because they noticed flourescent flags, and a raked "path" through their jurisdiction? It's not like they didn't know that the majority of their "hiking trails" were created in the very same fashion, or is it? Bottom line: I do not have an optimistic view of the outcome here. I leave it at that!

The Intense Spyder 29"er bike, reported on this blog recently, has taken on some further scrutiny. The reactions are quite petty, and the discussion has taken a "left turn", but the intial impressions of the test rider is noteworthy. If this design comes through the prototype stages as is, geometry-wise, then it will mark a notable departure from the "normal" 29"er geometry- if you can even say there is such a thing! Guitar Ted Productions is keeping their eyes on this project!

Publishers Notice! Guitar Ted Productions will not be posting again until late Sunday! This is the final post until after the Trans Iowa recon has been completed. Several hundred miles of highway and gravel goodness will be covered between now and then. A short report will be filed sometime late Sunday evening, and more will be posted on the Trans Iowa site, as well!

Have a great weekend, ride the trails, and enjoy your loved ones! OUT!

Trail Work Halted In Geo. Wyth By Authorities!

I got an e-mail from J.Y. this afternoon regarding the stoppage of trail work in the Geo. Wyth State Park. Apparently, local and long time cycling honch, John Adamson; himself a member of the trail building crew, was stopped by a female park official and questioned regarding the "new" trails being put in at Geo. Wyth. She was described as being "excited" about the goings on,( not in a good way, either!) and was giving John a lecture on trail erosion, impact, and permission to build trails that was not "given" to us. Well, here at Guitar Ted Productions, we are never at a loss for words, so here goes. (Possible rant mode: BEWARE!)

Okay, given what I know, which by far is not the whole story, I'm sure, I'll grant the "Lady Official" one point. Permission to make new trail may not have been given. I do not know if J.Y. got an okay to build new trail, or just to clean up old trail. A huge distinction, I know. After all, it is a State Park, and there are regulations, rules, and on and on and on.............Ah! Yes! Okay, the matter at hand..........Anywho!

I will say this, we have some mighty fine history to stand on here. If precedent means anything at all to the "Lady Official", or anyone else in charge, then they should check this out! First of all, over 75% of trail inside of Geo. Wyth was developed by mountain bikers! That's right folks! Much of what is hiked, biked, and run on inside Park boundaries was not there previous to 1994. The Park has been enhanced greatly by these trails! Many of the most popular routes through the woods in Geo. Wyth would not exist, had not a few visionary trail builders gone in and done their deeds in secret. In 1996, the Park Ranger, Gary Duesenberry was invited by the mountainbiking community to go for a ride on the single tracks of Geo. Wyth. He had no idea that all the trails even existed! He was very impressed and excited about what had been done. (excited in a good way!)

Secondly, the trails would not stay open if it were not for the maintenance of mountain bikers! For years now, mountain bikers have taken it upon themselves to maintain, and clear trail of debris, and weeds without pay, or recognition of any kind. Ranger Duesenberry stated at one time to me that there was no way the State could do what we did due to considerable red tape and lack of funds. A great example is the lack of maintenance by mountain bikers over the past couple of years that all but closed down the Alice Wyth Lake trail, and several others inside the park. The State has shown absolutely no effort to take over the maintenance of these trails. Even the ones that were originally part of the hiking trail system are in need of repair. I mean, how long has "Glass Hill" been there? (A small rise in one of the hiking trails notable for the copious amonts of broken glass embedded all across the trail there)

Finally, this talk of erosion has got to be a joke, right? Geo. Wyth is in a flood plain last time I checked. Any given year about 25-40% of the trail system is under the swift current of the Cedar River. What is more powerfull- a flowing river, out of it's banks, or a handfull of mountain bikers? Do we need to discuss this? Is this even a question?

In conclusion, the final authority on the recent trail developement lies in the hands of people like the "Lady Official", but please! Try to make sense! Perhaps the individuals in question need some edumacation. Oh.......wait! They've probably got college degrees in biology, outdoor recreation, and business management. What do I know? Right..............fahgeddabowdit!

Trail Work Halted In Geo. Wyth By Authorities!

I got an e-mail from J.Y. this afternoon regarding the stoppage of trail work in the Geo. Wyth State Park. Apparently, local and long time cycling honch, John Adamson; himself a member of the trail building crew, was stopped by a female park official and questioned regarding the "new" trails being put in at Geo. Wyth. She was described as being "excited" about the goings on,( not in a good way, either!) and was giving John a lecture on trail erosion, impact, and permission to build trails that was not "given" to us. Well, here at Guitar Ted Productions, we are never at a loss for words, so here goes. (Possible rant mode: BEWARE!)

Okay, given what I know, which by far is not the whole story, I'm sure, I'll grant the "Lady Official" one point. Permission to make new trail may not have been given. I do not know if J.Y. got an okay to build new trail, or just to clean up old trail. A huge distinction, I know. After all, it is a State Park, and there are regulations, rules, and on and on and on.............Ah! Yes! Okay, the matter at hand..........Anywho!

I will say this, we have some mighty fine history to stand on here. If precedent means anything at all to the "Lady Official", or anyone else in charge, then they should check this out! First of all, over 75% of trail inside of Geo. Wyth was developed by mountain bikers! That's right folks! Much of what is hiked, biked, and run on inside Park boundaries was not there previous to 1994. The Park has been enhanced greatly by these trails! Many of the most popular routes through the woods in Geo. Wyth would not exist, had not a few visionary trail builders gone in and done their deeds in secret. In 1996, the Park Ranger, Gary Duesenberry was invited by the mountainbiking community to go for a ride on the single tracks of Geo. Wyth. He had no idea that all the trails even existed! He was very impressed and excited about what had been done. (excited in a good way!)

Secondly, the trails would not stay open if it were not for the maintenance of mountain bikers! For years now, mountain bikers have taken it upon themselves to maintain, and clear trail of debris, and weeds without pay, or recognition of any kind. Ranger Duesenberry stated at one time to me that there was no way the State could do what we did due to considerable red tape and lack of funds. A great example is the lack of maintenance by mountain bikers over the past couple of years that all but closed down the Alice Wyth Lake trail, and several others inside the park. The State has shown absolutely no effort to take over the maintenance of these trails. Even the ones that were originally part of the hiking trail system are in need of repair. I mean, how long has "Glass Hill" been there? (A small rise in one of the hiking trails notable for the copious amonts of broken glass embedded all across the trail there)

Finally, this talk of erosion has got to be a joke, right? Geo. Wyth is in a flood plain last time I checked. Any given year about 25-40% of the trail system is under the swift current of the Cedar River. What is more powerfull- a flowing river, out of it's banks, or a handfull of mountain bikers? Do we need to discuss this? Is this even a question?

In conclusion, the final authority on the recent trail developement lies in the hands of people like the "Lady Official", but please! Try to make sense! Perhaps the individuals in question need some edumacation. Oh.......wait! They've probably got college degrees in biology, outdoor recreation, and business management. What do I know? Right..............fahgeddabowdit!

Thursday Special!!

Here are a couple of unrelated but interesting things I've seen lately.

1. This slapstick site is probably geared more to the masculine side of comedy, so you females can skip it. I got a 394mph slap the other day. What can you do?

2. The Blue Collar boys got their mits on one of those crazy frames that takes a 29 inch front wheel and a 26 inch rear. Dubbed a 96er, they are supposed to give the rider the best benifits of both wheel sizes. You know I don't like this idea, right?

3. Another Blue Collar review! This time on the Cateye EL-400 light. I just recently got one of these too. I really like it so far. I use mine as a helmet mount.

4. And finally. The Twenty Nine Inches crew got a Fisher Cobia in to review. It's Fishers under $1000.00 29 inch wheeled trail bike. We'll have to wait for their review, but it should be interesting.

Thursday Special!!

Here are a couple of unrelated but interesting things I've seen lately.

1. This slapstick site is probably geared more to the masculine side of comedy, so you females can skip it. I got a 394mph slap the other day. What can you do?

2. The Blue Collar boys got their mits on one of those crazy frames that takes a 29 inch front wheel and a 26 inch rear. Dubbed a 96er, they are supposed to give the rider the best benifits of both wheel sizes. You know I don't like this idea, right?

3. Another Blue Collar review! This time on the Cateye EL-400 light. I just recently got one of these too. I really like it so far. I use mine as a helmet mount.

4. And finally. The Twenty Nine Inches crew got a Fisher Cobia in to review. It's Fishers under $1000.00 29 inch wheeled trail bike. We'll have to wait for their review, but it should be interesting.

The Gales of November

Windy! Yep, pretty windy. Northwest wind means a lot more work to get to work. Uggh! The good thing is, if it hangs on through the afternoon, I get a free ride home. Downhill too. It all balances out.

The Gales of November

Windy! Yep, pretty windy. Northwest wind means a lot more work to get to work. Uggh! The good thing is, if it hangs on through the afternoon, I get a free ride home. Downhill too. It all balances out.

Fisher Full Suspension 29"er Delayed!

Bummer news today! The Fisher Super Caliber is delayed in prototype stage, and will not be available until mid-summer '06 at the earliest! Apparently, the design challenges of the 29 inch wheeled version have necessitated further developement. The 26 inch wheeled version is still due out in spring of '06.

Right now, the prototype is in the hands of Cameron Chambers. There is a possibility that another bike already exists and is being ridden by Travis Brown, but this is unconfirmed.

Well, it looks like I'm going back to the drawing board for an '06 geared choice. That new Dos Niner is starting to sound mighty fine right about now!

Fisher Full Suspension 29"er Delayed!

Bummer news today! The Fisher Super Caliber is delayed in prototype stage, and will not be available until mid-summer '06 at the earliest! Apparently, the design challenges of the 29 inch wheeled version have necessitated further developement. The 26 inch wheeled version is still due out in spring of '06.

Right now, the prototype is in the hands of Cameron Chambers. There is a possibility that another bike already exists and is being ridden by Travis Brown, but this is unconfirmed.

Well, it looks like I'm going back to the drawing board for an '06 geared choice. That new Dos Niner is starting to sound mighty fine right about now!

Trail Tools

All the recent trail activity got me to thinking. "We need some proper trail maintenance tools!" Well, it just so happens that in the latest Dirt Rag, they review some trail making/ maintenance tools. The common names for the two most useful grubbing tools are the McCleod, and the Pulaski. The unique thing about these tools is their versatility and sturdiness. The versions reviewed in Dirt Rag are called "Shulaski Custom Trail Tools" and are an updated, higher quality tool than the traditional McCleods and Pulaskis that are normally available. I am pretty serious about getting a couple of these, as it will increase the efficiency of trail building in the Cedar Valley, and make it easier to maintain them. The right tool for the job, ya know!

Trail Tools

All the recent trail activity got me to thinking. "We need some proper trail maintenance tools!" Well, it just so happens that in the latest Dirt Rag, they review some trail making/ maintenance tools. The common names for the two most useful grubbing tools are the McCleod, and the Pulaski. The unique thing about these tools is their versatility and sturdiness. The versions reviewed in Dirt Rag are called "Shulaski Custom Trail Tools" and are an updated, higher quality tool than the traditional McCleods and Pulaskis that are normally available. I am pretty serious about getting a couple of these, as it will increase the efficiency of trail building in the Cedar Valley, and make it easier to maintain them. The right tool for the job, ya know!

Tifosi Slip Eyewear: Under Scrutiny!

This is what your $49.99 gets you. Try that with your Oakley's, or your Rudy's, or.......
Guitar Ted Productions
The Central Scrutinizer at Guitar Ted Labratories has just procured a pair of Tifosi Slip eye wear that looks veddy eentah-reztink! Initial impressions are as follows:

1. The Slip model is a full coverage type eye protector that has no full frame. Good for your periphial vision, my dear!

2. The Slip is a good choice for those of you in the Melon Head Club. (You know who you are!) However; it still looks rather stylee on other "face types", as well. Let the eye of the beholder be the judge!

3. These are some lightweight eye goggles. Very comfy! The bow pieces have a rather flexible end that doesn't put a lot of pressure on the head. It's a good thing, trust me! Plus, they don't shift around alot because the ends of the bows have a nice grippy covering that keeps 'em put.

4. The optical quality of these glasses are very high. No apparent distortion of viewed objects, that I've noticed!

5. Nit pick! The Slip did not come with instructions as to how to change out the lenses properly. I was a bit tentative about possibly breaking them, but managed to figure it out. Tifosi, we need to know how to do this, especially if we are "noobies" at these interchangeable lense glasses.

6. It comes with three good lense choices, a cleaning bag, and a really nice soft case for a killer price of $49.99. (At Europa Cycle and Ski, for you locals)

More to come, but the Central Scrutinizer wants me to put these things through thier paces before I write more. Okay? LATE!

Tifosi Slip Eyewear: Under Scrutiny!

This is what your $49.99 gets you. Try that with your Oakley's, or your Rudy's, or.......
Guitar Ted Productions
The Central Scrutinizer at Guitar Ted Labratories has just procured a pair of Tifosi Slip eye wear that looks veddy eentah-reztink! Initial impressions are as follows:

1. The Slip model is a full coverage type eye protector that has no full frame. Good for your periphial vision, my dear!

2. The Slip is a good choice for those of you in the Melon Head Club. (You know who you are!) However; it still looks rather stylee on other "face types", as well. Let the eye of the beholder be the judge!

3. These are some lightweight eye goggles. Very comfy! The bow pieces have a rather flexible end that doesn't put a lot of pressure on the head. It's a good thing, trust me! Plus, they don't shift around alot because the ends of the bows have a nice grippy covering that keeps 'em put.

4. The optical quality of these glasses are very high. No apparent distortion of viewed objects, that I've noticed!

5. Nit pick! The Slip did not come with instructions as to how to change out the lenses properly. I was a bit tentative about possibly breaking them, but managed to figure it out. Tifosi, we need to know how to do this, especially if we are "noobies" at these interchangeable lense glasses.

6. It comes with three good lense choices, a cleaning bag, and a really nice soft case for a killer price of $49.99. (At Europa Cycle and Ski, for you locals)

More to come, but the Central Scrutinizer wants me to put these things through thier paces before I write more. Okay? LATE!

Sunday: Late Edition

Had a long weekend off with the family this time, as I will be gone all next weekend on Trans Iowa V2 recon,...........no, really! I'm going whether or not the "other car" is fixed or not! Informed my wife of that today, (ducking for cover!), and got the A-OK. So, next weekend by this time we should have the route locked in, and a very close estimate for mileage.

I saw where the Iceman Cometh race was held in Michigan this past weekend and there were reports of Travis Brown, the Trek team rider, being spotted on a non-stock '05 Fisher Paragon. That's a 29"er, by the way! A full on 29 incher, too. Not that crazy pink contraption that he rode in the Single Speed World Championships this year. No word on how he did, but perhaps this bodes well for a 29"er from Trek soon?

The trail clearing looked to be a success out in Geo. Wyth today. At least I didn't hear about anybody cutting themselves up out there! I suggest all locals get out and ride on whatever cleared, or new trail they can. It helps establish the trails when we ride them. I call it "burning in" the trail. It helps keep plant life from encroaching in on the singletrack, and it buffs out the trail surface so it's not so tooth- rattley. Now is a great time to do this, as it's late fall, and all the itchy variety of weeds have died off. Check it out! I'm anxious to see some of the newer single track, and I will be writing up my impressions on it all for you locals soon.

Sunday: Late Edition

Had a long weekend off with the family this time, as I will be gone all next weekend on Trans Iowa V2 recon,...........no, really! I'm going whether or not the "other car" is fixed or not! Informed my wife of that today, (ducking for cover!), and got the A-OK. So, next weekend by this time we should have the route locked in, and a very close estimate for mileage.

I saw where the Iceman Cometh race was held in Michigan this past weekend and there were reports of Travis Brown, the Trek team rider, being spotted on a non-stock '05 Fisher Paragon. That's a 29"er, by the way! A full on 29 incher, too. Not that crazy pink contraption that he rode in the Single Speed World Championships this year. No word on how he did, but perhaps this bodes well for a 29"er from Trek soon?

The trail clearing looked to be a success out in Geo. Wyth today. At least I didn't hear about anybody cutting themselves up out there! I suggest all locals get out and ride on whatever cleared, or new trail they can. It helps establish the trails when we ride them. I call it "burning in" the trail. It helps keep plant life from encroaching in on the singletrack, and it buffs out the trail surface so it's not so tooth- rattley. Now is a great time to do this, as it's late fall, and all the itchy variety of weeds have died off. Check it out! I'm anxious to see some of the newer single track, and I will be writing up my impressions on it all for you locals soon.

Rumor In The Flesh

Well, here it is. The rumored full suspension 29 inch wheeled bike that I blogged about a few days ago. It's an Intense Spyder which has the Virtual Pivot Point technology. This is the design that got the whole 26 inch world giddy a few years back. Regarded as a benchmark in cross country full suspension design, this bike, if it truly comes to fruition, will be a highly coveted XC race rig by 29"er afficiandos. This bike is a prototype, but full production models are tentatively scheduled for mass consumption by the summer of '06.

The Guitar Ted Labratories take on this developement is that if this bike catches on, it just might convince a few of the major bike companies to sit up and take notice. The 26 inch version of this bike made quite a splash and made the major players step up their game. If- and this is a pretty big if- someone makes a few podium appearances mounted on this rig, we will finally see some mainstream 29 inch bike releases. What wins on Sunday sells on Monday, as the old saw goes.

Secondly, the take here that this is a bike from a "major player", or whatever, is not really founded in reality. Well, maybe Southern California reality, but anywhere else, not so much. This is because Intense is a small, boutique company on the order of Turner, Santa Cruz, or Ellsworth. A step above the custom builder base, which has supported the 29" wheels in the past. The Intense 29 inch Spyder will be limited in it's availability due to it's small dealer base, and will certainly be very spendy. Therefore, it will be doubtful that we will see this bike in large numbers unless someone starts winning on this rig on the pro circuit. My bet is that if Fisher can pull off it's Race Day Super Caliber by springtime '06, it will have a much bigger effect on the marketplace, and have a bigger influence on the future of the sport because the bike is scheduled to be used by the Fisher/ Subaru Team. The only "if" is whether or not one of their honches will podie on one of these rigs.

Well, at any rate, it's good to see another proven design done in the 29 inch wheels by a respected player in the MTB world. It'll be interesting to see how it does. Oh! By the way, nice camo paint job!

Rumor In The Flesh

Well, here it is. The rumored full suspension 29 inch wheeled bike that I blogged about a few days ago. It's an Intense Spyder which has the Virtual Pivot Point technology. This is the design that got the whole 26 inch world giddy a few years back. Regarded as a benchmark in cross country full suspension design, this bike, if it truly comes to fruition, will be a highly coveted XC race rig by 29"er afficiandos. This bike is a prototype, but full production models are tentatively scheduled for mass consumption by the summer of '06.

The Guitar Ted Labratories take on this developement is that if this bike catches on, it just might convince a few of the major bike companies to sit up and take notice. The 26 inch version of this bike made quite a splash and made the major players step up their game. If- and this is a pretty big if- someone makes a few podium appearances mounted on this rig, we will finally see some mainstream 29 inch bike releases. What wins on Sunday sells on Monday, as the old saw goes.

Secondly, the take here that this is a bike from a "major player", or whatever, is not really founded in reality. Well, maybe Southern California reality, but anywhere else, not so much. This is because Intense is a small, boutique company on the order of Turner, Santa Cruz, or Ellsworth. A step above the custom builder base, which has supported the 29" wheels in the past. The Intense 29 inch Spyder will be limited in it's availability due to it's small dealer base, and will certainly be very spendy. Therefore, it will be doubtful that we will see this bike in large numbers unless someone starts winning on this rig on the pro circuit. My bet is that if Fisher can pull off it's Race Day Super Caliber by springtime '06, it will have a much bigger effect on the marketplace, and have a bigger influence on the future of the sport because the bike is scheduled to be used by the Fisher/ Subaru Team. The only "if" is whether or not one of their honches will podie on one of these rigs.

Well, at any rate, it's good to see another proven design done in the 29 inch wheels by a respected player in the MTB world. It'll be interesting to see how it does. Oh! By the way, nice camo paint job!