3/6/11
Field repair
I was out riding on the Capital City Trail with two other guys today and learned a neat bike repair trick. The path had a lot of sections that hadn't melted off yet, the temps were in the low/mid 20's but the sun had softened up the snow and ice mix for a slushy experience. The ice build up on our bikes was pretty impressive by the end. About half way through the ride, out in the prairie sections that are far from anything, my cassette got so covered in ice that the chain just skipped over it in any gear and only the slightest pressure on the pedals; I wasn't going anywhere. I was about to start jabbing at it with a multi tool (which I wasn't keen on doing) when one of the guys suggested melting it off... One empty bladder later (not a camelbak bladder) the bike was officially mine, the drive train was astonishingly clean, and we were on our way.
2/25/11
Semi bi annual blog shakeout
Why not. More stuff that's happened since the last update. Me and 7 other guys headed out west to ride from Durango CO to Moab UT using the San Juan Hut system. Lots of driving, lots of riding, lots of beer, and lots of fun.
3/15/10
Bonk!
Joined up with this guy for this ride in this weather. Pro tip: if you want to burn calories just sit on the edge of hypothermia for a few hours, it's the new fad diet. I didn't account for the extra burn from the cold and the route was already pushing what my legs can do right now which all culminated in the hardest bonk I've ever bonked. Misery loves company and the company was good but I wasn't feeling the love the last few miles.
Luckily we ran into this guy towards the end who was kind enough to shuttle a couple of us home who's tanks had long since run dry.
It's a really nice route, some of the finest roads around, I'll be back for more of it.
Luckily we ran into this guy towards the end who was kind enough to shuttle a couple of us home who's tanks had long since run dry.
It's a really nice route, some of the finest roads around, I'll be back for more of it.
3/3/10
Studless
Smooth rolling street tires made my morning commute seem effortless but not having to endure the grinding 'zzzzzzzzzzzz' of the studs on pavement was the real treat. Hopefully the worst of winter is behind us.
2/12/10
wakeup
Yawn ...ah..
The 2010 season is going to be good. My little commute is an ingrained habit now so riding is a daily thing, big rides planned, only doing fun races, and new local play spots are in the works.
The 2010 season is going to be good. My little commute is an ingrained habit now so riding is a daily thing, big rides planned, only doing fun races, and new local play spots are in the works.
5/11/09
Stump Farm 12
It's been a great year for trail riding so far. A winter backed off pretty quickly and spring showers have been merciful to the trails so everything opened early. A few romps at the kettles, new mileage at Cam-Rock and BALLS and I feel like I have more miles on my legs than I normally would by mid summer (or all summer some years). Craigslist tossed a well used but zippy new race bike.
I loaded up the car on Friday night during a thunderstorm and fell asleep wondering if the race would happen, or if I would be able to muster up the will to go. According to the race web site they said the trail handles wet so a few extra layers to manage cold and soggy and I was headed to Green Bay.
Riding faster is my thing this year so I opted for the 6 hour instead of 12 and after Saturday and decided to just go out hard and run myself into the ground, not something advisable for 12 hours but manageable for 6. Everything went as well as could be expected. The 12 hour racers squished out the water from the trail leaving it nice and buff, thank you. My tummy was on edge for a lot of the race, but everything stayed down but it was tough to keep enough anti cramp juice flowing and my right leg teased me with a cramp for the entire second half, it never made good on it's threats though.
There wasn't a big green clock, and I lost my watch recently so when I finally asked what time it was it took me some time to do the mental math to figure out how many laps I had left, or how many I had done. In the end it was 8 laps and good enough for 4th which is far better than I expected.
Met some guys from Team Segal during the race and we yo yoed for a while. Afterwards the Segal guys revealed their secret, sponsorship from PBR and tossed a coozied can my way.
I loaded up the car on Friday night during a thunderstorm and fell asleep wondering if the race would happen, or if I would be able to muster up the will to go. According to the race web site they said the trail handles wet so a few extra layers to manage cold and soggy and I was headed to Green Bay.
Riding faster is my thing this year so I opted for the 6 hour instead of 12 and after Saturday and decided to just go out hard and run myself into the ground, not something advisable for 12 hours but manageable for 6. Everything went as well as could be expected. The 12 hour racers squished out the water from the trail leaving it nice and buff, thank you. My tummy was on edge for a lot of the race, but everything stayed down but it was tough to keep enough anti cramp juice flowing and my right leg teased me with a cramp for the entire second half, it never made good on it's threats though.
There wasn't a big green clock, and I lost my watch recently so when I finally asked what time it was it took me some time to do the mental math to figure out how many laps I had left, or how many I had done. In the end it was 8 laps and good enough for 4th which is far better than I expected.
Met some guys from Team Segal during the race and we yo yoed for a while. Afterwards the Segal guys revealed their secret, sponsorship from PBR and tossed a coozied can my way.
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