Homework

Hell yeah I can!

Got handed some homework today. Sweet!!

Green Bags and Ham

Sling (view) 1

 Tomorrow's forecast calls for cold temps, rain, and snow. It'll be another pretty miserable day like the past 2, only colder. Sounds like the perfect day to test out the new Revelate Designs' sling. Having less pliable hydraulic cables, I opted for a higher, less cable cramped mounting than the sample photos on the Revelate Designs site. Feels pretty solid and should ride just fine considering I won't be on anything other than pavement and gravel on the way in to work.

Sling (view) 2

The dry-bag contains my clothes for work, a towel, a wool jersey in case I need more warmth, multi-tool, mini-pump, co2 and inflator, tire lever, and extra chain links. All tucked neatly inside smaller dry-bags. No rear rack, pack, or messenger bag needed. I'm pretty stoked.

Upper Looping

7:43am on a rainy Sunday morning.

me: "I think it's a coffee and couch, read a book day for me. Not feeling particularly motivated."
Parker: "Hmmm. Yeah the weather isn't very inspiring. Did you already see the radar?"
me: "Yeah. I might sneak out later for a short road ride if the rain lets up."
Parker: "I'm seeing a little more adventure in my future than that. Need some mud."


8:34 am

me: "Fall Creek Falls?"
Parker: "Sounds good. You sure you feel up to it?"

10:30 am
'Dorfer: "Riding today?"

1:30 PM Arrive at trail head. Head out into the cold and rain. The trail was in great shape, the temps were holding, the rain jacket was a smart choice.

4:20PM Roll up to the cars with just enough daylight left to change and load up. Still cold and raining. Perfect day in the woods. I wouldn't have changed a thing. Sometimes a cold, wet ride in the woods is just what the doctor ordered. And 3 consecutive days of singletrack riding is just what the patient needed.

Happy Packsgiving

...from our pack to yours.

Presenting the Cheese

The presenting of the cheese. Photo cred. Steven Myers

The winning hand.

The Grinders of the Godfather Cup. Photo Cred. Ruthie Myers

Dressage Queen, musical freestyle.

Dressage Queen "Freddie" H.

Father and "Freddie" H. sharing a laugh.

The Godfather Cup

Filling of the Coveted Godfather Cup. Blurry Photo by Jeff Scott

The First Annual Godfather Cup Gravel Grinder has come and gone. What a great day on the bike. 13 contenders braved the threatening rains for a brutal 60 miles of Buffalo Valley roads and 6 brutally contested gravel KOM climbs. Stanley "The Godfather" and I got a few extra miles from our search party expedition for Scott "I tend to wander off" McConnell, while everybody else b-lined it back to the homestead to feast on chilli and beer. Henceforth a new rule has been bestowed upon the Gravel Grinders, we'll call it the McConnell Clause: At the start of a gravel event each grinder shall choose a buddy. If at any turn/intersection your buddy is not present - well, you get the idea.

These types of rides are what keep me addicted to cycling. Initially intended to be an all out race, it was decided a gentleman's group ride would be more fun but to keep it competitive 6 gravel climbs were to be raced for points. 1 point for first, 2 for second and so on down the line (cards were handed out at the top of each climb to keep tally). At the end of the ride the person with the lowest number of points wins. Sign sprints, shenanigans, and downhill races were encouraged, as well as Steven putting me to the rivet before delivering us to hurtful climb number 4 (BTW, Thanks again for that Steven). At the end of the day I ended up with 3 aces and 2 deuces, enough to claim the coveted cup. (KOM 6 was thrown out due to the rescue party expedition splitting the group).

Special thanks out to the Myers family for putting it all together and opening their home to us. Thanks to Stanley and Steven for the perfect route. Thanks to all our hardy friends who showed up and made it worthwhile riding in the rain. I can't wait till next year, though I think it should to be a 2 day stage race next year. Maybe that way we'll properly float the keg.

The Good Stuff

I've got a special adventure awaiting me this weekend, Gravel with the Godfather. The weather looks to be cold and wet. I'm packing accordingly.

Counter Culture

Seeing how most of my adventure cycling friends are out exploring and enjoying life on fat bikes, I figured I'd buck the trend and head out for some anti-fat bike cycling culture. Two small windows of cycling opportunity were available to me today. The cross9'er was the better weapon of choice. Weapon loaded, JD and I headed off into the woods for some skinny bike adventures. Seemed like the thing to do having just ridden 26" wheels in the woods last night. Buck the system, right?

I've ridden on 32c hybrid tires during the summer, but the deep leaf cover and slick rocks is a far cry from hardpack trail and had me appreciating the extra traction and cushion provided by the cross tires. Although not something I'd like to do all the time, it is a fun change of pace picking lines over and through off-camber rock gardens on skinny tires. I was letting the speed get a bit too fast for my inflation and had a few rock to rim smacks, but luckily no dings. So fat tires definitely beat the skinny tires in the rocks, but there's still enough fun factor riding on the skinnies.

When it comes to slicing through deep grass and leaves though, the skinny tires were more than capable. And as I climbed the steep hills, their lighter weight was much appreciated. Open fields, hill sides, singletrack, deer trail, creek beds, and woods all helped provide our evening adventure.

Lacking the flotation of the fat tires, I left the water traversing to the dog. I also avoided the muddy banks.

All in all a perfect ending to a Sunday full of exploring new and far away places.

Waskily Wabbit

I guess it's been a few months since I last rode my 26" wheeled mountain bike. I have the MX RSL set up in cross bike mode but have several mountain bike rides planned so I figured it'd be a good time to freshen up the stans setup on the 26" bike. I thought that's all it needed, until I tried to ride it.

Chain rabbit.

Apparently, the chain decided to rust up tight. Not good for pedaling, but pretty good for chain sculpturing. Some fresh stans juice, a new chain, and a little brake tweaking later and the Rigor is back to riding shape.

Bottoms up.

That's more than can be said for wino cave crickets who can't hold their liquor.

I can't wait to hit the trails on it this week. After Sunday's leafy and rocky ride, I can't wait for the nimble wheels to return. Flick-it!

Expresso-ing with Friends

The barista doing his fancy machine thing.

Night shift Jeff getting his caffeine on.

Hold me closer tiny bladder.

Racking up the MOOTS: MXYBB, MXRSL, MXSS, MXRSLSS

Not bare feet but rather yeti feet.

Happy hounds - photo cred. Jeff Scott's iPhone

Had a wonderful day with friends. Started early. Included cake do-nut holes and coffee. Silly dogs. House hopping. Wrong turns. Forgotten sunglasses. Riding. Leaves. Dabs. Hidden rocks. Laughs. Overlooks. Lounging. Lakes. Bare feet in the grass. And quality time around a table. Rather than setting the clock back a measly hour, I'd like to set it back to morning and do it all again.

Fog

A low hanging, dense fog greeted us this morning. It stretched from Joelton to Franklin, lasting my entire commute into work. I'd packed up last night with a clear plan of attack for the weekend: work, head out to McEwen, camp and chill with fellow cyclists, get up and race cross on Sunday. Simple. Clear. The morning met us with fog.

JD & his friends. 

I heard from a friend about the curve ball life just lobbed at them. Life is pitching pretty low lately. This curve ball hit pretty low. My friend needs me and luckily it's in the form of a long mountain bike excursion. Clearing the fog, finding solace in the woods. I'm not sure whom needs who more, them me or me them. Either way, life is short, spend more of it with your loved ones.

Temple Time

Chasing back after the flat.   Photo Cred: KRS1

This past Sunday was the annual 37 mile point to point race at LBL. It's one of my favorites. This year they offered a non-license holder class for the 37 miler. We have over 30 people lined up. It was awesome. We took off together, I was in a great position, warming up and having a great time riding with my buddy Rick. About 8 miles in I flatted. I got the tube in fast and aired up the tire before too many people passed me. Then I wrestled with the stupid Stan's Arch rim trying to get the Maxxis Aspen bead to properly seat for way too long. I exhausted my 3 co2's and had to resort to a pump. Everyone passed me. I was almost resigned to just catch up to Stanley and ride in having fun. Then I thought better of it. It was time to see what the MX RSL SS could really do and I punched it determined to catch back up to Rick.

I didn't quite make it, but I came damn close and managed to still nab 3'rd in the Cat 1's. What a great event. And damn if that bike isn't a fast machine.

Oh, and I'm not convinced a Cane Creek 110 is any better than a King. Note the scuff in the photo above. Damn thing creaked for 20 miles Sunday. Compression ring my arse. Meh. At least I still have 109 years 3 months left on my warranty.

Last night I got out for a road ride with Daniel. About 5 miles from the finish he got taken out by a renegade cinder block. His bike is ok, and he is too. Lost some skin on his knee and hands, but will live to ride another day. Tonight it was all about fun and dirt. JD and I got out for some night laps and damn if it wasn't a beautifully perfect night out in the woods for riding.

Happy as a hound.

Un-laxin' after a good ride.