Here We Go To Another Candle I Know

I got some Dirty Moots, yeah Dirty Moots baby

After several rides on roadie type bikes, it was time to get out and get off pavement. A few friends had heard tale of the gravel grinder rides we do and convinced me to get out for some adventurin'. Yesterday's high was predicted to be 52, but we hit near 70. Today was more of the same, what was to be 35 was 54 and warming up nicely. That was until we got to the start location. The clear blue turned to full cloud, but luckily temps stayed warm.

Eric B. fashionably euro (aka forgot his helmet)

We rolled out on the 5 mile pavement run to the gravel and found wet, soggy slop. No worries, this is the lowest point on the route soon we'll be hitting the hills and the higher elevation. Which continued to be soggy and wet. Meh. The ground must have been really saturated from the recent rain-turn-snow storm early in the week to be this wet atop the climbs. Crazy. Though I'm sure it's only because John was out riding his brand new bling bike for the first time.

John and his new ride, all muddied up.

Ran into the Duke. 

Other than the occasional local out hunting or muddin', you don't tend to run across many other people out on the roads. Today was the exception. We came across 2 horse and wagon teams complete with dogs taking a rest at an old cemetery followed shortly by a group of guys blocking the road with cars and tractor moving some heavy machinery. Then as we crested another hill we saw cyclists heading towards us. It turned out to be none other than the infamous Jeffy the Duke and Pumptrack Jim.

PTJ

The road had some fast descents coming up and I didn't think it wise to let the slower moving horses get ahead of us only to come screaming upon them on the downhill. So after a short chat we took off to keep from being passed by the horse and wagons. Continuing on our gravel journey.

John up one of the day's many climbs.

Stephanie enjoying her first time off pavement. 

Stephanie, dirty but still smiling.

John's not-so-shiny-now new bike. 

With no creek crossings on today's route, only the inside of my shoes stayed clean.

On our way home we ran across one of the horse and wagons (perhaps mule team?) coming up the shoulder of the highway. I wanted to snap some photos of them along the gravel road, but didn't want to risk spooking the horses and causing a catastrophe in the slick, wet, gravely clay. This one was covered, the other was just a wagon. Similar to something out of Little House on the Prairie.

New connecting roads were discovered today and a few other course improvements noted making today's outing not only fun and entertaining, but educational too. Soon the ultimate gravel loop will be plotted and enjoyed just in time for them to pave it all, put up some McMansion subdivisions, and shopping malls. Until that happens, I'm really grateful to get out of the hustling, bustling city and explore the quiet, natural beauty and unpaved backcountry roads with friends.

Train-ing

How I roll. 

With all the fancy schmancy smart phones and touchscreen enabled GPS units around, I still prefer my topo maps and compass. I enjoy the adventure of getting lost, checking maps, exploring unnamed roads to see where they lead (it's how I've discovered my most cherished routes) rather than just following an arrow of when and where to turn. Yes sometimes I could really have used the GPS, but for now I prefer my old school methods. That is until I'm lost and calling you smart phone/gps users for directions.

Speaking of old school, some of the fellas showed up at the farm for a hilly hell ride around the Highland Rim Friday. Plans were made, meeting place scheduled, then I was asked if it was ok that we were all meeting at my place. I love it when it's not my idea to leave from home, makes it feel less selfish.

It's been ages since I've gotten out on a road ride with the new and improved slimmer, stronger, faster 8ball. Our schedules couldn't really be farther apart, but as it turns out we have a window of opportunity on Fridays, we just never put 2 and 2 together until yesterday.

The Clarksvegas Duo made it out along with Jeffy the Duke and new comer Graham. We lured semi-retired for January Graham out on the promise of taking it easy, only to kinda stick to it. Trying to keep the route available to differing schedules (2 guys had to work that night) had us hitting pretty much every hill in the vicinity, saving the steeper ones for the later miles. Always a fun kick in the pants.

Highlight for me was an actual train at the single train crossing of my routes. Unfortunately it comes just shy of the top of a pretty steep incline. Combined with the length of the train it made for nice tight legs on the next couple ascents. It's all just money in the pain bank though. Considering recent exchange rates, we should double our pain payouts come April. 

Graham waiting out the train. 

KRS1 and MJ track standing at the tracks.

With so many recent stem changes, I started looking for a torque wrench set to handle 6Nm and below, which is pretty pricey. Then I stumbled upon the Bontrager 5Nm preset torque wrench. It handles all my stem bolt needs, comes in a handy t style shape, and matches the new Moots bits for added style points. Stem bolts and face plates beware.

Playing Pretend.

Imagination is wonderful.

I've always been an imaginative kid. The new work's schedule doesn't allow for the short weekend adventures I've been accustomed to my adult life. However, living in a kids dream yard combined with an over-active imagination has me playing pretend and I got gifted a magical day not to be wasted.

Currently I'm out in the wilds of Alaska.

Just me and my dog.

Soon I'll come upon another rider out in the frozen arctic tundra enjoying the wintry weather.

And we'll ride.

If it's too much to imagine, you can watch it in gloriously vivid HD here. Thanks for the adventure Mike.

More Snow Dogs

Awoke to find another 4" of snow greeting me and the pups. The boss had given orders to stay home if it snowed. I decided to abide.

After breakfast I suited up and headed out for a snow hike/run with the pups. They've been pretty cooped up since Saturday and when they realized I wasn't leaving the became very pushy about going out to play. Catahoulas never let you forget you have them. And can be quite persistent.

This snow started as rain, then changed to snow so there is a layer of ice and snow coating everything from the fence to the trees giving the back a feeling of living in an ice world.

After our hike it was back inside to snoots-lite up the moots. The powder out back is beggin' for some mtb. Thinking about mounting up the 2.6 Kendas for some snow action.

Salting Drives and Slippery Slopes

"What are we going to do today, Uncle Thad?"

"The same thing we do every Friday Claire, try to take over the world!"

The ice/snow storm last night set off a chain of canceled events for my Friday. So much for planning ahead. Luckily no one got stranded on the side of the road or wrecked a car trying to get out to the middle of BFE for a gravel grinder. Instead I enjoyed a leisurely morning, got to hang out with Miss Claire while Hannah did some chores, then suited up and headed out for what was to be a nice long snow day ride on the Highland Ridge.

The melting salts were doing a good job of clearing the icy ruts in the driveway and the main road looked pretty clear. My clothing choices felt good and the toe warmers were kicking in nicely. I was ready to enjoy the sunny blue skies and white powdery scenery.

That is until I started down on of the 2 road options from the house. Both downhills were solid sheets of ice. Several cars were abandoned along the ditch from last night, apparently unable to safely traverse the hill. It was dicey heading down, but my Aspens were holding a decent line as long as I stayed in the snowy shoulder. That is until I'd hit a snow covered ice spot. Heading up the hill the other side had more of the same. Up wasn't too bad, but I stopped and turned around before the top knowing the longer, steeper hills ahead were going to be even sketchier to descend safely. I cut my losses and headed back to the house with a measly 3.5 miles on the odometer. It wasn't worth risking a busted hip or elbow from losing to the ice. Meh.

 Abandoned car. The right side of the road is shoulder-less with a steep drop-off. Guardrails, wha?

Playing in the snow. Even old man Dish came out for a trail run. 

I went back inside and grabbed the Surly which was still sitting in mtb gearing from when I took Josh the vagrant mountain biking during his short stay in Nashvegas. I wanted to ride the Moots, but I didn't feel like swapping the gravel gear off only to reswap it again for Sunday. So I went old school 1x1 and headed out back with the pups for some snowy trail fun.

Rim brakes and snow. Awesome.

After riding, I swapped cold weather clothes and went out hiking for another hour and a half with JD. All in all getting a solid 4 hours of snowy fun in before heading in to cook dinner for the soon to be waking for work H. A decent day of improvisational activity if I do say so myself, which I do. Did.

Looks like even more snow is in the forecast for the coming week. This winter is starting to feel more like Northern Illinois than typical middle TN weather. It's been kind of fun, though I could do without the ice.

The Price of Fame and Stamps in New Canardia

 

Canadians, such a touchy bunch. Just because they spend half a loonie on you they think we owe them the world, or at least a 1/5 of Newfie screech. For instance, take the following comment rendered from none other than 3rd famous Canuckian and The Original Big Ring, Craig Barlowinski:

 Yes it is true the OBRinski sent me an unsolicited piece of paper type objects with his own Canadianian dime which I received shortly before Boxing Day in a non box receptacle. Pssh.

Ah, we heart you too Craigers!

I was going to hold onto it for an extra special Canardian lovefest Valentine's Day post where I poured out my heart for the love and affection the great Barlowinski has shown me via paper envelope over the years, but apparently he can't be patient for the return of affection. He's one of those who sends an email then gets mad when you don't respond immediately. I think Craigers is a bit techno-reh-tarded. He must confuse email with chat and US Mail with us males. But I digress.

How can one stay mad at a Canuckian who rides bikes and loves your dumb ass? Thanks for the totally custom, one of a kind decal Mr. Barlowinski. It shall reside uponest thine throne forever remindething me of my secret Canardian lover (Kim Kanadia - hubba hubba).

Jebus seems to love Moots too. 

Now, back to current affairs. My new saddle made it in today just in time for tomorrow's planned gravel/snow outing. I'm hoping to get a good long ride in testing the new setup I have going on the Moots. Aside from the new parts, I've adjusted my fit and haven't had a chance to do any long distance riding on the new setup. It's been great in the woods, but it's time to see how it'll fair for more Kanza-esque (esque for you Dicky) saddle time.

I'm also trying a little wider saddle - a whopping 8mm wider. Egads! Bike room testing has found it noticeably comfortable, but that was only 3 laps around the pool table in jeans. Tomorrow should be a better test. A lighter saddle and lighter seatpost feels like it's shaved another pound off the bike which works out well since I think I've added another pound to my mid-section this week. Balance.

The bike is geared and ready for gravel/snow exploration. I've publicly thanked and berated Barlowinski, and made Kim blush from hundreds of miles away. My job here is done. Off to shovel/chisel out the drive so H. & H. can make it in and out of the driveway safely.

All Sewn Up

Cowboy Quilted.

Shortly after arriving at work this morning I got a message from H. that my birthday present had finally arrived as well as a secondary package. Sweet! I'd been hearing about this "present" that she supposedly had gotten me that was apparently "backordered" and wouldn't be here in time for my birthday for weeks (since weeks before Christmas actually).

I came home hoping to find 2 boxes waiting for me in the bike room. But they weren't there. I continued on into the kitchen only to find them not there either. H. said they were hiding and I had to find them. I headed for the bedroom (the only other room in our small abode besides the bathroom) and still found no box. Instead I found a new quilt exquisitely displayed on the bed. Not just any ordinary quilt, this quilt is comprised of my late grandpa's beloved cowboy shirts. What a perfect way to preserve his memory and tie his country and western style into the decor. Awesome. Thanks H.!

The other box ended up still being a box and hidden in plain sight in the bike room (the first room I entered). It was just casually placed in a location not normally used as a package collecting surface (that's typically reserved for the slumlords pool table). I quickly pulled out my blade and tore into the box of Colorado goodies.

Neatly stowed amongst the sticker schwag was my new layback cinch post in 2011 red, complete with my new seat post collar. The Rigor is getting some updated color for the year to freshen it up a bit. Since it was a snowy day at home when I was ordering, I did some extra shopping for myself for my birthday. A little splurgy splurge on an exclusive black race cut Moots Rider's Club jersey to complete my full Moots Black kit (for when portapotty blue just won't do). That'll be a nice companion to the swank new 2011 kit. Though I must admit the 2009-2010 blue kit holds a special place in my heart. Racing an event such as Kanza where you can see for miles and miles across the prairie, the Moots blue was easy to spot and you could always tell where a Mootster was. Though it will be nice to blend in a bit more in the woods, the blue stood out as quite a carrot for competitors in the woods. Hard to stay out of sight, out of mind.

I also got H. her own Moots travel mug (sky blue) so she wouldn't feel guilty for carting mine off and leaving them at work anymore and some new water bottles to replace my severely used and under cleaned ones from the past two seasons. Last but not least, I ordered a black logo T for something to wear around the shop. Little did I know that there was another option available. Luckily Corey at Moots knows what I like better than I do and sent me one of the pimpest shirts I've gotten since Curtis' "Ihateonespeeders" shirt from singlespeed worlds '08.

30 years and counting! Happy Birthday Moots!

Thanks Corey. And thanks Moots. Happy 30th! Here's to many, many more.