Taking It One Day at a Time

Just keep it between the ditches.

Yesterday's drive in was worse than I expected. I figured that despite the freezing rain and ice we'd gotten over night and the 6" of snow we had North of Nashville, that the main roads and interstate would be pretty clear. Not the case, despite the plows and salt trucks running around the clock. There are just too many heavily traveled, twisty roads in the Metro area for the few plows. So I crawled along hoping I was in my lane and when the oncoming car came around the turn, that they were in theirs. It took me 38 minutes to get 4.8 miles from driveway to the interstate. Where, as I merged onto the on ramp, my front left tire fell into a missing gap of road where the plow had ripped up the concrete scraping the road. Now the car shimmies badly above 50 mph. Just another moon crater on our crater filled drive to work. Thanks Metro Nashville! To whom shall I send the repair bill?


After doing a complete 360 merging onto the interstate from the on ramp due to the deeper than my car clearance slush, I found the interstate to be just as sketchy. Some parts were covered and lane lines invisible, other areas had one lane clear while the other was control stealing sludge. The worst area was heading back home on 65's bridge over the 24 split, where the road was completely clear until you found yourself in the blind side apex of the turn and it was deep unplowed snow. Several cars lost control as I made my way through the turn. This is the worst snow I've experienced in Nashville. Normally we just get ice storms.

Once at work a co-worker who hails from 72 degrees and sunny every day San Diego told me she was creeping along in her 4 wheel drive on her way home from work when a car flying a Canadian flag flew past her like the pavement was dry. I can see how the snow here wouldn't even make a Northerner blink. I grew up driving in snow. I even remember taking trips despite 8" of fresh snow because it's what we all did. I've often snickered at the mass panic and long grocery lines of Nashville when the four letter S word arrives in the forecast: snow. The thing is, even if people would slow down, the roads just aren't built for driving in bad weather. We didn't have hills or mountain roads in the Midwest. Plus we had armies of road plows and tractors, even private citizens with plows on their trucks would help clear streets and drives.

Please can I go?

Since I didn't have to work Sunday, although H. did, we stayed in, er... out, and spent some time with the horses. H. had so much fun cantering in the snow while I worked, she wanted me to get to play too before the snow was all gone. Here JD is staring at Crow hoping he gets to come along for a run too.

JD, barely big enough to step up on a 2x4.

Speaking of JD. Here he is sitting in the stoop of the doorway behind him in the photo above 6 months ago. Compare it to this shot from today:

JD: Bigger than a 2x4.

H. and Ian with Grampa's saddle. Perfect for winter time bundled riding.

Water break for the pups at the earthen dam.

H. and Ian out for a gallop in the snow.

JD wants to run too.

Yeeehaw!!

Ride'm cowgirl! A little bronc ridin' action.

All smiles cantering away out of the buck.

This'll probably be the last posting for a while. As I was editing this post I got a call from my Grandma about the sudden passing of a family member. So after I can get the car fixed (hoping it's just a bent rim or alignment issue) I'll most likely be heading North for a few days. We've been having some bad luck in the loved one's health department lately. As Grandma said so eloquently over the phone to me, "We certainly take it one day at a time don't we?"

Out of the Rut

Snow Rut

Killing time before battling the conditions to get into work, I decided it was time the semi-slick cross tires came off and knobbies went back on. Not having replaced my go to tires with new go to rubber, I decided to save some coin and try some new old things. Typically I find a tire that works well (or well enough) in all conditions, is strong, grippy, and decent rolling then stick with it for as long as I can get them at discount through whatever online shop or local shop that happens to have them in stock.

First it was Kenda Karmas, but fast wearing, lack of traction and sidewall issues had me dump them for Continental Vertical Pros. The Vert Pros lasted until I couldn't find anymore and I moved to Maxxis Ignitors which had near identical knobs and were a bit lighter in weight and much truer in width than the Continentals. I used to have mud tires and hard pack tires, but I hate swapping tires. So I pick one and leave it.

Finding myself lacking in the new Maxxis rubber department and not feeling like shelling out $48 bucks for a tire, I opted to dig in my pile-o-26'er-tires handed down to me from all my 29'er riding friends. Not really having one I was familiar with and very few with the round profile that I prefer, I opted to go opposite of what I'd normally pick out.

Here piggy pig pig.

The first big change is that I'm trying a tire from a manufacturer who's marketing actually turns me off from wanting to buy their products. But I decided I'd give it a go since so many friends run their gear and swear by it. Besides it's the product not the marketing that matters right? The second change is going with a wide, high volume tire. 2.3 has been my idea of a fat tire for a while now, preferring 2.0-2.2. tires most of the time. My new (used) front is a beefy 2.55 and taller than any tire I've ever ridden.

Hoping for some inner peace.

Another change for me is running a tire designed for low tire pressures. I generally run 32-35psi and like a stiff sidewall. Since I was already forcing other changes on myself I figured I'd go for one I've not been a big fan of, low tire pressures. So I've gone from a relatively narrow, light weight, high pressure, big knob tire to a low pressure, fat, tall casing small knob tire. As an ardent fan of change (Not really. Can you say curmudgeon?), I'm curious to see how the new meat works out.

There's the beef.

Not so good with snow shedding.

Rule Bending

Technically I have to park in the brighter spots.

I woke up early and headed out to work 2 hours before I needed to be there, hoping to avoid the crazy rush hour traffic in the inclement weather. Luckily I missed out on both. A smooth 20 minute drive into work with low traffic and only one near collision (a moving truck broke down instantly ahead of 2 trucks trying to merge into one another's lane in front of me) without any of the wintry mix that was currently wreaking havoc West of us.

Since it was still warmish (aka above freezing) outside when I drove in, I feared we'd get hit with freezing rain more than snow and didn't want to have to chisel through inches of ice to get back into my car, so I bent the rules. The Slumlordess and H. know that I don't break the rules of the parking garage. I don't cut the corners and I don't speed (it's way too crowded, limited sight distances, and full of pedestrians who have no walkway as it is) much to the chagrin of all the other drivers. There are just too many tight blind turns where an oncoming car or an unsuspecting pedestrian can be hidden behind, so I follow the rules. Today I bent one though. I'm supposed to park outside on the roof, but I parked a few spots inside under the cover of the top level.

I worried about it all morning, feeling guilty I'd stolen someone else's spot leaving them to have to dig/chisel out their car from the oncoming wintry doom.


Walking to the car after work I expected to see a parking citation, instead I saw a get out of jail free card. They had closed off the roof access after the mix started as conditions became too slickery to safely navigate the ramps. We were "encouraged" to park in the shelter of the second to the last floor. Proving me insightful and retaining my non-rule breaker status as it was allowed due to the conditions. Whew, hypocritical bullet dodged.

Backcountry Dog Researching

Getting home after a short 6 hour workday, I had enough daylight left to get outside for a wintry hike with the pups. The girls trail rode their horses with us for a lap and change too. I used it as a chance to trail run with the overly energetic pup and to walk some of the new singletrack lines I'm wanting to start cutting. It was also a good chance to clear up some of the deadfall for when the ground dries up enough to get back out there with the bike. The terrain of the back offers just enough steep hills to get the legs burning and minimal underbrush to allow for wide open exploration and myriad trail opportunities.


I'm waiting to hear whether or not work is canceled tomorrow. Funny how a little wintry mix can shut down a city, mostly from fear, though the twisty narrow mountain roads and lack of plowing infrastructure does make the relatively mild conditions dangerous to drive in. Let alone the goofs here who not only don't know how to drive in it (aka SLOWING DOWN), but don't even bother to clear off their windows. Walking to the car I had 3 cars nearly clip me pulling out of driveways as they hadn't even scraped off their side or rear windows of the deep snow. Each one opening their driver's door and telling me "Sorry, I can't see out my windows" then driving off again. Idiots. I saw many more out driving like that on the interstate, changing lanes in their winter tunnels on wheels unable to see. Gotta love Southern drivers in a snow storm.

Light Rail and Ice Pellets

I just returned from my first ever trip out to Phoenix, AZ. The flight was rather uneventful with exception of the lady who had to sit by the window and her ultra tiny bladder. I had to keep waking up Mr. arms wide out isle seat guy so we could shuffle around and let her out. Only to repeat when she returned. Middle seat sucks.

Despite 100s of miles of mountain biking trails around the city, I didn't have any opportunity to enjoy a single inch of singletrack. I did try to figure out how to get out to South Mountain for some trail running, but in lieu of North/South transportation options, time, and gear, I opted for the hotel treadmill and exploring the city by foot. The landscape reminded me of Pasadena, all flat until a mountain gets in the way.

One of the coolest things that I wish we had here in Nashville is the light rail system. For $1.75 we were able to ride in a sweet bus (free) to the light rail station then ride in comfort into town. Eastbound and Westbound trains run every 10 minutes and they were Johnny on the spots too. Very cool. Nashville needs to run lines up and down each interstate to move people into and out of the city. Nashville Star is too narrow of a line to be a successful public transportation line. We need the ability to park and ride from the 'boro to Clarksville, from Hendersonville to Bellevue, and from Frankin to Gallatin. A 5 pointed rail star into and out of the city along existing interstate lines where passengers could iPad and Droid themselves to and from work sippin' on mc'frappamochalattechino. Too bad they've long since abandoned the old Nashville Trolley lines.

The convention center is LEED Silver certified and within walking distances of many hotels, food establishments, ASU campus, theater and the arts, and professional sporting arenas of doom: Chase Field and US Airways Center. All things I hope Nashville takes into consideration when they build the new bagillion dollar convention center downtown. I'm at a loss as to where all the people and traffic were, for being the 5th most populous city in the U.S., it felt like the biggest small town around. I think the tiny speck on the map town of Whites Creek has more people out and about at night.


Phoenix impressed me with it's super pedestrian friendly (bike racks on trains and buses) layout and demeanor. Even so far as to have perfect weather while I was there. Thanks Phoenix, I'll be back with my bike sometime.

Snow is being predicted with a 100% possibility starting sometime tonight and lasting throughout tomorrow. Temps predicted to hover around freezing so most likely we'll get some lovely ice pellets and freezing conditions on the hilly, twisty, non-shouldery narrow roadways of TN. Thanks for the "warm" welcome home TN.

Et Tu Dick-ay?

Checking in on the world after my short business trip out to the land of the Phoenix, I see my mug from SSUSA v.1 during the battle royal against Fisher graphic guru Jesse Lalonde. Diggin' up dirt on a guy from 2 years ago, eh Dickster? How about something a little fresher, like last year at DSG? Has the therapy helped to successfully bury the trauma from your memory? At least I lasted 3 rounds and multiple hits, Mr. one punch wonder.

Doo wah Dicky Down Dicky down down down. How he really broke his helmet.

I wonder if Dejay needs a partner for PMBAR? I wonder if Eric is interested in adding a cage match to the race format?

Rainymeade Stampede: Cross The Way Finale

The Cross the Way series finale took place under dark threatening skies. The course had souped up a bit after a night of torrential rains. Fog greeted us early on, but moments of blue sky peeked through from time to time during the day of racing. Most races were rain free except for the last few laps of the Pro/1/2 and the beginning of the singlespeed race.


Eric B. battling to keep his gap over Mad Max. Both had a huge lead over the other 4's and Eric persevered for the win. We're chalking it up to the Yazoo Sue yesterday and perhaps the Guinness at dinner. Thirteen year old Max really raced well the entire series, placing on the podium in many of the Cat4 races and giving the older guys a tough go. Well done Max! Oh and I guess you too Eric, congrats on your win. The one where you beat that poor little kid.

Where the Wild Things Are: Max in the trees.

Textbook remount.

H. pointed out that Max takes better shots than I do, but this blurry one is JD's doing. He yanked full burst on his leash and about took me down as I snapped the shot.

Super D the P putting an insta-gap in on 'dorfer in the slimy turns of the woods.

D takes the inside line.

While 'dorfer takes it to the outside.

Unfortunately, the turn out was smaller than normal. I guess the weather scared most people off, though I think most of the rain went North and South of the event, hitting Nashville and Clarksville instead. Those in attendance took full advantage of the killer pressure washer, warm shower, grilled food, chili and beer. Everyone left with prizing/schwag and a smile on their face. Cross the Way was a fun and well run series. The only thing I would change would be to have more local cyclists come out and support the event. Whether it be spectating with a cow bell and beverage of their choice, as a spectator that takes a few laps of the course to see what it's all about, as a first time racer, or just to help eat all the food.

SuperDtheP in action.

More SuperDtheP in action.

H. worked all 3 nights of the weekend, so she was home sleeping and missing out on heckling me and the other racers. As JD and I made our way to the races Sunday, she sent me a message:

"Good luck today! Wish I could be there to see you bring it home. Above all else, have fun today. Oh, and winning would be nice."

No pressure or anything. I was able to nab the victory in the masters 35+ (old not old guys) class and really wanted to be more competitive against the one and a half lap wonder, 'dorfer, but victory would yet again be his today. I held on to finish 2nd and keep the series points lead by a massive 3pts. But 3 is enough. I also took the 35+ Masters series, which was the one I'd been wanting all along. The singlespeed one only became important after the second weekend of the series when I found out 'dorfer, though he said he was finished, wasn't really finished and the race for points was on.

The 'dorfer commending me on my series win.

'Dorfer sat out yesterdays races opting instead to get a road ride in with "the big boys". I told him I was going to be a big boy again someday to which he said "I'm pulling for ya", but something in the way he said it makes me think he was mocking me.

Dissed by the podium girl 'dorfette.

The series winners present, JD and his new buddy Sarge.

The singlespeed gang and Max (Jr's raced with the ss'ers and Max made the perfect smack talk messenger passing messages between 'dorfer and I as we passed him)

CTW#7: Ouch

Photo by Max Gander

Day one of the Sunnymeade Stampede was a painful one. Great course: half technical, half hard grind. I went into Masters 35 way over geared thinking it'd be a fast course given the topo maps I studied. Wrong. Wet grass, mud, and grinding ups had me at about a 60 rpm max cadence. Not good for a spinnerer like me.

Photo by Max Gander

I arrived late, had my hands full with the pups, but still managed to see a little bit of Max terrorizing the Cat 4 class. The kid is 13 and is tearing it up. Good thing I'll be retired but the time he's racing me head to head.

Photo by Max Gander

The highlight of the day was watching Super D take an amazing come from behind win in the pro class. Watching it all unfold was unreal. I thought he was out of the game several times, but he dug deep and ended up mixing it up in the front and taking the sprint finish. Well done Dustin!

Tomorrow is the last day of the series. Last check had a 70% chance of rain. Should be a perfect end to the series if that's the case. Mud, sweat, and beers.

California Dreamin'

The label just makes me smile.

We've gone from a much colder than normal few weeks to several days of storms and rain. From cold and weary to dark and dreary. When I got home from work last night H. had set a package that came for me in the mail on my desk. A package? I didn't order anything.

The goods all safely nestled inside.

It was a package of sunshine from little miss sunshine herself, Jen @ Walz Caps! A package from Jen is always better than Christmas because you know it's going to be something you want, something you can use, and something most of your friends won't have yet.

The innards.

As much care is taken in the wrapping for mailing as there is in the making of the merchandise. The tissue prolonging the agony of knowing what's in the package and the card is there to help those less fortunate Canardians understand the operating instructions without requiring the ability to read.

Tada! The new moisture wicking Walz Cap!

Ah, love at first fit.

I have 2 wool caps that I got from Jen. One is one of the early early wool caps from much different stock than they use today that I got through Hennessey and the other is a replacement ear flap one she sent me after I posted up something on the blog about the one I purchased not fully covering my dumbo ears. I bought a grey wool one a couple years ago and have a wool Surly one that Ivory got me for Christmas a few years back. Other wools Jen has sent I've passed on to people whom I've felt deserved a little Walz love. I love the wool caps. They are the perfect under the helmet winter warmers and keep us thin haired folks warm while off the bike too. The ear flap version is essential for cold weather riding, from Trans Iowa to Gravel Grovel to Cross The Way to SouthernUnCrossed - it's kept my head and ears warm faithfully no matter how nasty the weather.

A few months ago I purchased my first cotton Walz cap for the coolish Spring and Autumn temps here in TN. The days when the wool is just a little too warm but a cap is still required. I got it personalized and it has since become my go to cap both on and off the bike. This after thinking I didn't want anything but the wool version for my head.

Wicking the moisture away on the way into work.

Well, after a cool wet night bringing the horses in and a cold wet walk into work, the wicking hat is quickly becoming my favorite despite my initial wool snobbery. It's soft and breathable, but still retains some warmth. It's so light you hardly even notice that you've got it on. I put a helmet on last night to test fit it, I'll have a better idea after this weekend's races, but it seems as though it'll be a thinner, more flexible fitting cap under the helmet.

Commuters, I think this cap will be the most bang for your buck, unless it's blistery cold where you live, in which case buy one of these for the spring/summer/fall and a wool ear flappy cappy for the winter months. It's fast drying, super packable, seems to regulate temperature well*, and fits comfortably under the helmet (I tried it under Medium and Large Giro helmets). Cross racers, this will be THE cap to have, warm enough to keep you going but wicking/cooling enough to not have you melting while pegging at the red line for an hour*. Others cyclists, well we've got our pick of all 3 types so get one of each.

* further testing to be conducted while racing this weekend

Thank you Jen for thinking of me and sending me a little bit of California sun in hat form. You've brightened up this dreary day.

Center Field

Put me in coach, I'm ready to play. Reading Dicky's post today and trying to organize my work schedule around my 2010 racing calendar has me thinking about PMBAR. PMBAR was probably my favorite race of 2009 and in my all time top 5 events list. I'm on the bench waiting for coach to decide whether or not to put me in, but I am still planning on getting in. Maybe if coach doesn't pick me I can pull a Horner and get out of my contract in time to sign up with another team so as not to miss the big game.

Some lessons learned from last year:

1. Take the dog
2. Eat. 9 hours in Pisgah for PMBAR was so much fun it only felt like 3 and I ate like I'd only been out there for 3. That led to my lethargic and intermittent grumps on the home leg. I'll not let that happen this year.
3. New kicks. I finally found a pair of shoes that are comfortable on long hikes up steep gnarly rocks with my bike. I never would have given them a go had Dicky not been on the hunt for better shoes too.
4. Thanks to our 2nd place finish at PMBAR last year, I now have a fork that fits my bike. Less steep and twitch and more all right and yee-haw.

Another event that has my eye is the brand new Hell of the South Classics style race. Unfortunately it's a road style race and I'm not properly equipped. Anyone have any 700c disc mtb wheels I could borrow to run 35-40cm tires on my Rigormootis?