Pain Train - make that Train Wreck

Headed to Kentucky for a little 64 that turned into a 55 miler : 38 miles off-road, 17 on-road due to some unfortunate technical difficulties. Yep, we put the epic back in pathetic.

The North/South trail was the designated playground for the day. An out and back offering a ripping 64 miles of roller coaster singletrack. The trail was in immaculate shape, though hot the humidity was down and no where near the death march cooker last time. I'm finding my trail eyes again after a long year of long haul gravel grinders. 8-ball was showing signs of improvement too, his set-up on the Zion offers him a bit more zip in my opinion. His wheel was hard to hold onto in some sections. My new meats were hooking up really well despite the loose rock on hardpack, inspiring me to push the corners brakes be damned, leading to one overcooked turn and a walk-out endo: A root stopped the bike cold, I stepped over the bars and as the bike continued its rotation, the saddle came up and knocked me on the back of the head as I stood up. Flawless execution.

Since 8Ball rides a 29'er and I still prefer my 26'er, I enjoy quizzing him as we ride. We're evenly matched in speed and skill, so as we zip over choppy roots I ask "How's that feel on the 29'er?" To which he responds "Like choppy roots". Then as we slog through the sandy sections "How's that feel on the 29'er?" "Like sloggin' through sand." As he endo's over a root that stops his wheel cold "How's that feel?"

I rode his Zion around a bit the other day, it still feels like I'm up in the air on a road bike. Eastbound Jeff brought me a disc 29'er wheel to try out on my 1x1. I threw it in and spun around the yard. For the first time I felt instantly comfortable on a 29'er wheel. Maybe it's the 438mm a/c 38mm off-set fork with the 71degree head tube angle combined with a short chain stay and 26" rear wheel, or maybe it's simply because it's my bike and it felt like my bike only with a heavier front wheel. Who knows, but I'm going to have some fun playing around with the setup on some local trails.


Fresh off bending a Niner, 8ball was ready to test his new indestructible 29'er (I think his stem's too short):


Anyone seen my cog ring? Don't let his innocent, happy go lucky charms fool you, he's a monster on the bike and, according to an anonymous source in Kansas, into some pretty freaky stuff (word on the street anyway):


Keith's Niner needs more white (right Snowball?):


Keith can't keep his hands off Eastbound Jeff's Lynskey (apparently Jeff can't either, he's wiping off dust again):


This carnage:


Led to 17 miles of pavement spin spin spinning 34x18:

Loaded up and heading home, already dreaming of the next adventure.

Sympathies

3 cyclists were taken from our world over the past week by drivers who turned left illegally.

My deepest sympathies to the families and loved ones. These were needless deaths.

Murfreesboro, TN (my riding community):

A Murfreesboro bicyclist died Friday evening when struck by a car on Sulphur Springs Road near Allen Road, a state trooper said.

Bicyclist James Benson, 51, of Buckingham Drive was riding his bicycle about 4:52 p.m. on Sulphur Springs Road when he was struck by driver Hae Suk Holder of Henry Lane in Murfreesboro, said Tennessee Highway Patrol Trooper Michael Morgan.

Benson worked at St. Thomas Hospital in Nashville.

"She (Holder) was south on Sulphur Springs Road and attempted to turn left onto Allen Road and went into the oncoming lane and struck the bicyclist," Morgan said. "Mr. Benson was wearing a bicycle helmet."

Paramedics treated Benson before taking him to Middle Tennessee Medical Center. He was flown by LifeFlight helicopter to Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville where he died. Holder suffered minor cuts from glass. She was treated at MTMC.

Contributing factors in the crash included Holder driving on the wrong side of the road, failing to yield and making an improper turn, the trooper said.

No charges have been placed. Morgan expects to discuss the crash with District Attorney William Whitesell.

Colorado Springs, CO:

The cycling community in Colorado Springs is mourning the loss of two of their own. 28-year-old Jayson Kilroy and 30-year-old Edgar Juarez, also known as E.J. were killed Wednesday night when they were hit by a truck at the intersection of 26th Street and Westend Avenue.

Police say Juarez and Kilroy were riding with three other cyclists when they were hit and there is no evidence to suggest that the group contributed to the crash in any way. Police say they were following the rules of the road and were all wearing helmets.

Friends of the victims gathered at the crash site Wednesday, they put together a large makeshift memorial with pictures, flowers and two bikes.

"I miss them so much, it just doesn't make sense,” said their friend Tori Rust.

Friends say Jayson and E.J. loved riding their bikes more than anything, they also both worked together at a local bike shop, Colorado Cyclist. Scott Boyer was a co-worker and E.J.’s roommate.

"There's a big chunk missing, a lot of heavy hearts at the Cyclist. A big piece of the cycling community was lost," Boyer said.

He says now they're just trying to focus on all the good times, most spent together on bike rides. He says E.J. was always the toughest one in the group.

"He was super tough, he rode six days a week sometimes two times a day," Boyer said.

And as they mourn, they admit there is some comfort knowing their two friends died doing what they loved.

"It just hasn't sunk in yet," Rust said.

But nothing right now nothing can take away their pain, they just hope their memorial will serve as a reminder to those who drive by.

"I just hope that maybe there's a little bit more awareness for people on the road, instead of blaming cyclists for taking up the road be more aware of them," Boyer said.

So no more lives have to be lost.

Jayson and E.J.’s friends rode from Wooglins Deli on Tejon St. to the scene of the crash Thursday night, a memorial bike ride to honor their two friends.

Kilroy was from Michigan, E.J. from Illinois, friends say their funerals will be held in their home states.

Police say 63-year-old Barbara Thomas was driving the truck that struck the two men.

She's been charged with vehicular homicide and investigators say she was under the influence of drugs, most likely prescription medications at the time of the crash.

Police say Thomas was also not wearing corrective lenses and she is required to do so.

She allegedly made an illegal left hand turn and hit Juarez and Kilroy head-on, both were pronounced dead at the scene.

More info here: http://www.krdotv.com/Global/story.asp?S=8802101

New Job and Viewer Mail!

Since the cat let it out of the bag this morning, I guess it is ok to inform you all of my new job roles I'll be taking on for a few days this month:

stagiaire and concierge to El Commandant Dicky

Some of my duties:

• Secure Stretch Hummer Limo and team of hot Swedish soigneurs for El Commandant Dicky and his Squire
• Find E.C. Dicky and his Squire and load their luggage into the chicken wing and lentil powered stretch Hummer limo with seal skin seats (his specific request - odd huh?)
• Head for Downieville. Find a camp. Make great camp. build bikes. Ride, eat, drink, site see. commune with locals, hot oil (Castrol 5w20) massage E.C.D.'s evil little Franken-toe
• Hell Ride of Hell pack mule. Ride led by El Commandant Dicky and brought to you by the number 6.
• Make great bike race
• Escort El Commandant Dicky and his squire to the airport, absolve them of all their sins, and say sappy goodbyes.

There is the issue of 4 bikes + boxes + luggage in one vehicle, however El Commandant Dicky is tiny little and we can probably just fold him into the glove box if we need more room.

This Just In...

Some viewer/fan mail greeted me in my inbox this morning. This is to me with love from Dr. Death:

Subject: Sie sind ein Homo...

Sorry...

I had planned on talking about my Super Secret Wriding Camp 08 training, but I'm considering canceling all the hard work since I just bought my victory.


Combine that with my "race proven" 4900 and the title is mine. Too bad I'm planning on riding Johnny Black Death Cash, provided I get him back together and he holds together (cue 8-ball Star Wars quote):


I did get some cohorts to join me for more mountain fun. Adam "ShowerSpittin' GunShow" Queen failed the parking lot filter but provided us with all day entertainment.


East Bound Jeff didn't break his new Lynskey Pro-29 (walking it around the course :-) ).


I got the stupid bike trick of the day award by somehow getting 8 feet of a downed tree branch to deflect off of my foot, miss going into my rear wheel spokes, and settle in between my seat tube and rear wheel until finally bringing me to a stop.


We played on rocky hill climbs:


And rocky descents:


8-Ball's luck continues...:


Downed some recovery drinks:


And shut down the show:

Invasion of the Asheville Hippies

The Emmons':
The Dunn:

The Eli:
The Notorious Uncle E:
The Notorious Uncle E Style:

Takin' it Back:
1985 Rocker Jut:

The Hannah and The H.:

The 8-ball:

The N.C. Texan Laura:

The Ever Smiling Sexpot:

1978 Stacheman Bruce (1985 Rocker Jut sold separately):


The H.:


I tried desperately to get someone to kick this Myrtle Beach hat wearin', gas card renigin', hippy life surfin', 2 month party tourin' guy's ass... but the stache was too powerful.

Booty shots:
TawnTaun:


Sexpot:
8ball, demonstrating the proper dumpster pump:


8ball is another child of Zion:


The beloved Brewery:


Loading of the Hippy wagon:


Seriously, would someone kick his ass already, look at that haul!


Perfect Pizza Crew:


The tail of the rat: