And Where Exactly Is Here?

photo swiped from PisgahProductions.com

On May 2nd, 2009 Teams of two riders will race to reach 4 of 5 checkpoints, in any order, and return to the start/finish. Checkpoint locations will remain secret until start-time and there is no suggested route. Routes will vary between 50-70 miles, will include 9,000-15,000 feet of climbing, and should take 6-12 hours to complete. PLEASE DO NOT UNDERESTIMATE THE EXTREME DIFFICULTY OF THIS EVENT.

The Pisgah MTB Adventure will be held deep in the Pisgah National Forest, one of the most beautiful, rugged, and unforgiving areas in the nation. There will be little to no water or food support on course. Once you leave the start/finish you are on your own. There will be no drops, sag wagons, or other outside support available. Be prepared for any circumstances you may encounter including, but not limited to: medical emergencies, navigational errors, inoperable equipment, wild animals, and stinging/poisonous insects and plants.

PLEASE DO NOT UNDER-ESTIMATE THE EXTREME DIFFICULTY OF THIS EVENT.

PMBAR Parting Spy Shots

Had to run a bunch of errands today, including the prerequisite MOAB shop stop. Ivory had my king rear wheel finished up and ran my other 3 wheels through the stand since the Month of Mayhem has started (aka a race every weekend). Mark was zipping around the store on a pimp new Specialized carbon mtb before heading out to the mountain for a ride.

mmm compressiony goodness

I had Swine Flu gRant with me (he finally has his MootoX built up) and we swung by the Swiftwick HQ as there were some top secret items in he wanted to check out. Fjear not, I got some spy shots and a set to test out at PMBAR this weekend. Secret insider tip: you can get yourself a set at DSG next weekend. Make sure to bring a little spending cash for some cool stuff.

PMWorks

Ironically after yesterday's attack of the P's, another PM-post. This time brought to you by Paragon Machine Works (PMW). I sent a photo and and email to Mark at PMW last week sometime inquiring about some parts on his site. He, being the ultra cool dude he is (I was able to meet him at SSWC08 in Napa where I purchased some ti bottle openers of his: one for mr. whiny pants), replied quickly and over customer serviced by sending me some newer style bolts. Since he was dropping a package in the mail, I ordered some of his swanky new ti bolts for me and oldgreg too.

Nickel Plated Steel (harder than the originals) next to the new machined ti bolt.

The ti bolt has a deeper head than the steel versions (old and new) and the 5mm allen has a tighter tolerance and deeper socket than the original ones on my bike. I can't get over the noticeable weight difference either and I'm far from a weight weenie, especially considering my all mountain rigid build weight. Ti just never ceases to amaze me. Even my Blackburn stainless cages that look just like KRS-1's King ti cages feel like bricks.

Left bolt is the new titanium bolt head, right bolt the old steel one.

I also ended up with some of the brand new thumb screws for the new 4mm allen head tensioner bolt, removing my need to haul the Craftsman 5/16th socket around and removing me of the pesky rattle nut. I knew he was tossing in a couple of the allen style bolts, but the thumb screws were an unsuspected surprise. Again, his legendary above and beyond customer service.

all dressed up and ready to roll

If you're running a set of the sliders, you owe it to your frame to pony up for some of the titanium bolts. They are swank and seem to tighten great. At least that's how they feel when you compare them to the original steel bolts. I haven't tried out the new nickel plated steel bolts yet.

Thanks Mark! Perfect timing too!





ps. Scott D. - here are the dropouts you want. (Hennessey, please show that to Scott if he doesn't read this blug)

PMBAR PMPacking

Being my first ever attempt and participation in the infamous PMBAR, I've given myself a few extra days of packing-repacking. As far as my mind map of Pisgah National Forrest, if it's not part of the past 3 Swank's or ORAMM courses, I really don't know it. I may have seen maps or pictures up on the blogs of lucky ones who live and ride Pisgah every weekend, but how they all connect and relate are lost on me.

PMBAR isn't like your average endurance mtb race/event. There aren't any sag stops. No half pb&j sandwiches, cookies, salted taters, or clean drinking water provided out on the course. No course markings. No set mileage: it could be 75 miles or it could be 200 miles. No set time: it could be 8 hours or 14. It all depends on navigation, check-points, returning under the time limit, and a lot of luck (or at least the absence of bad luck).

Those variables pose potential Pelmanistic perpension for a phronemomaniac. Poor PMBAR packing could pose perilous predicaments to imprudently prepared participants. Postponing precautionary prepacking precludes portaging under 25lbs of particular appurtenances.

Perplexing.

Good Will Scavenger Hunting

I don't wanna be a pirate - Rig-arrrh-mootis puffy shirt free

Today was this years rendition of the Nashville Scavenger Hunt (new and improved with a poker run and 33% more!!!) put on by the gurus of good times "Crazy" Johnny Crow, Ron "partner in crime" (last name withheld to protect the guilty), and Dan "Eastside's Art Bell" Hennessey. 115-ish cyclists (aka people of all ages with bikes of all kinds) met up at Beyond the Edge to get their drink on, er... Hunt on.

MC Johnny Crow (and Hennessey pre kid ceiling fan haircuts)

Riders readying their weapons at the 1 minute to go mark

OG Yazoo Racing member Evan, and his Dad rolling out on their hunt

Little E doing all the work, powered by Skittles

8Ball cruising down Broadway on our way to Mike's Ice Cream and Coffee mid-ride

Surpise finding on the Sommet Center. Word.

Hennessey and Mel (with Ron and Fred in the background)

Ooh, Moots stuff. Pretty.

Ride for Reading Tent. Please take a moment to click over and read about Ride for Reading. It's a great cause and they can use your donations (books or funds). Also read about their Dirt, Guts, and Donuts race coming in Sept.

Fred pre-ride hydrating.

Scavenger hunting, so easy a Great Fondoadie can do it.

Beyond the Edge gave up car parking next to the patio for the bikes.

Nashville Roller Grrls cheering on the finishers.

Just don't get too close. They'll rough ya up.

B.A.W. Day V - Where's Waldo Shot

My new fishing pole came in (it's what H. referred to it as) yesterday. All updated, database installed, restored, and quirky php update issues resolved with the new app. Damn this thing is fast, like a marsupial.

Buy Pirelli's Miracle elixir

Sweeney:
Pardon me, ma'am, what's that awful stench?

Mrs. Lovett:
Are we standing near an open trench?

(Sweeney: Are we standing near an open trench?)
(Mrs. Lovett: Pardon me, sir, what's that awful stench?)

Toby: Wanna buy a bottle, missus?
Sweeney: What is this?
Mrs. Lovett: What is this?
Sweeney: Smells like piss...
Mrs. Lovett: Smells like "EW!"

Sweeney: Looks like piss...
(Mrs. Lovett: Wouldn't touch it if I were you, dear!)
Sweeney: This is piss, piss with ink.

B.A.W. IV - Rie-gor meets Froaderick

The fourth installment of my participation on the Great Blogcott of Aught Nine.


Igor: Dr. Frankenstein...
Dr. Frederick Frankenstein: "Fronkensteen."
Igor: You're putting me on.
Dr. Frederick Frankenstein: No, it's pronounced "Fronkensteen."
Igor: Do you also say "Froaderick"?
Dr. Frederick Frankenstein: No... ”Frederick."
Igor: Well, why isn't it "Froaderick Fronkensteen"?
Dr. Frederick Frankenstein: It isn't; it's "Frederick Fronkensteen."
Igor: I see.
Dr. Frederick Frankenstein: You must be Igor. [pronounces it ee-gor]
Igor: No, it's pronounced "eye-gor."
Dr. Frederick Frankenstein: But they told me it was "ee-gor."
Igor: Well, they were wrong then, weren't they?

B.A.W. Day III

The third installment of my participation on the Great Blogcott of Aught Nine.


The double pass welded, bead blasted sexy business end of the Rigor. The tip of the surgeons scalpel. It slices, it dices, it chops, it cuts through singletrack as easy as it does a tomato. Plus it's shiny. Shiny shiny shiny.

Bike Anatomy Week Day II

The second installment of my participation on the Great Blogcott of Aught Nine. (Aught Niner's day two).


The Moots slider drop outs. A curvy cowled drop beautifully double pass welded to round tubes of 3/2.5 titanium which keeps the flex out of the rear no matter where the slider is located. No creaking, no slipping. These used to be a hideous design in my eyes, but after a month of use and swapping from a 17t cog for pave and a 19t cog for trails, I've come to covet them in their ease and curved sexiness.

Bike Anatomy 101 Week

Can I play too? I've decided to throw my Walz Cap into the mix and participate in a Picture Post Week (akin to a Shark Week or Bond Week) during the Great Blogcott of Aught Nine.


First up the sexy Moots monostay, my new favorite piece of bike anatomy.

Thankfully they don't cost fifteen g's

Saw some sweet cranks from the Hive on Bike Rumor's site tonight. $300 for the SS crank, bb, and tool. 30mm bb spindle, pretty slick design, and 666g total weight.

Engineered and designed for durability, reliability, and lightweight, this crankset is based on the same technology used in WWII tank drivetrains.

Sign me up. (Squish, can I borrow have $300?)

Here's a new rear D for little rear D if'n he ran the clickies. Matches his headset and 8 spokes.

Fuzzy's Elephant

Another SORBA/DSG work day in the books. This time the trail was drier than the murky wet March work days. A smaller crew of workers were present, but a much larger group of pre-riders out and about.

I'd forgotten how fun this trail is, it's easy to recall the painful parts, but I'd forgotten the rocky, twisty, back country feel this trail offers up. The new sections really enhance the flow of the trail. Especially the downhill re-route before the power line climb up to Moore's Hill. You can really pick up some speed on that downhill now. That could be a great spectator/Nascar crash site during the race.


I got in 2 and a half laps before stopping to chow down some beer and pizza. As dusk came (before the rain) I headed out for a few repeats of Lucy's Loop, one of which with The Hannah just as darkness set in and the trail disappeared.

The added 7mm to the fork, whether placebo effect or actual, really improved the handling of the bike. Still surgically precise through the woods, the high speed technical descending stability was improved. I think 445mm might be the magic length for the new fork when the jar fills up. My only hope is that I feel as good come DSG as I did riding Saturday, because the bike feels great.

Pump Track Jim - wizard with a pile of dirt and a skid steerer

Tryon trying it out

Look! Into the turn it's The Assman!

My pre-ride partner David "Badass" Reed giving it a go

View of the table top before the West bank turn

Scuba Steve and his Lynskey. Check out the Yazoo Walz Cap (I swear they'll sell those things to just anybody)

Dirt jump/pump track crew taking a breather

Some of the volunteers enjoying the pizza and beer at the end of the day

Lucy trying to escape the lens, too slow Lucy!

Taking in the view with a cold Yazoo

DSG is May 9th. This year will feature a 20" bike night time trial, dirt jumps (complete with a starting ramp), pump track, races within the race, Misfit Psycles Dance Party and Dicky piñata bash, chance to win a Moots frame, and much much more. Hope to see you there.

Stackineering

Running old parts sometimes bites you in the arse. I've been running a Vicious Cycles rigid fork I bought off of Ivory (my go to bike part dealer) when my old Bomber died and the 1x1 fork just wasn't cuttin' it for me. It's been a solid great riding fork for me going on 2 years now. It's 438mm and worked great on my old Litespeed and Surly 1x1. It fits well on the new Moots Rigormootis, but since the frame was designed around a 470.5 mm a/c 100mm fork, it's a tad on the steep side in the current setup.

I run a 2.1 rear and a 2.35 front, so that helps keep the hta slack, but I was still missing about 7mm of a/c length. Enter bike numbers geek OldGreg. OldGreg sent me a link via chat to Ventana's site and their 7mm King base plate. Designed to add fork / down tube clearance for the ever increasing stack height of the new suspension fork designs, but I think it'll work well to give me the front lift I need on my very limited budget.

Art Bell at work

I swung by Eastside Cycles (the closest shop to my new locale and a great place to just hang out) and Dan swapped out the base plates for me. His "you'd better take this up the hill and back down the alley to see if it holds together" comment followed with "don't worry we'll be out in a few minutes to check on ya" didn't help me try to keep from my over-worrying. He knows where my buttons are.

The few short test rides have the bike riding like a bike. Perfect! 7mm is probably pretty minimal to notice, but the bike does feel a tad less front end biased now. Yard tests have it still feeling like a bike. SORBA/DSG are hosting another trail work weekend down at the Cotton Mill Preserve. I can't wait to get down and run it through the paces on the course of pain.


Why add a tall base plate and not buy a new fork? Well, I don't have the money for one, yet. I've been squirreling away all my spare change in the electronic change jar the EMIL got me a while back. Some told me to grab a taller 29'er fork, but I worry the added height will slacken the hta and combined with the longer rake the bike would be floppy. But I'm not an engineer. So I emailed a professional. He advised me on what I should do. So Walt, if you actually read this, I'm up to $189.19 now despite what the photo shows.

alms for the fork