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.

Backup Plan

Wednesday morning came with more snow and many miles worth of backed up traffic on I24. The only way to get anywhere not standing still was taking the 2 lane into town. The road is a twisty, hilly, narrow 2 lane country highway. It wasn't too bad to travel, though slick and icy as it was.

The real trouble came as I neared town. The roads got wider and worse. Black ice, sliding traffic, drifts starting. Cars were getting stuck at intersections due to the small inclines being too slick to get started on. The commute to work seemed almost futile the rate I was going, and I24 just up ahead was still bumper to bumper stopped traffic.

Luckily I packed a back up plan. I was about to take the icy 2 lane into Nashville and park at the Titan's stadium and ride the rest of the way in to work, when I finally made it to the interstate at a point where traffic was moving. And a mile later there wasn't any snow falling. The roads were clear. No icing. No traffic. Just 10 miles off the ridge. 10 more miles down the road the Sun was out and the sky clear. Imagine that. Crazy weather.

Snow Day Part Deux

I am often jealous of my co-workers short commutes to work. By short I mean less than a mile and, for a few,  mere blocks. You forget how much day you have when your commute to and from work is less than 15 minutes. Especially when compared to sitting in 2 hours of slug paced traffic. Though I sometimes grouse about the drive (yes H. sometimes) I would much rather have the long commute to work if that means a short commute to the trail.

I got the "if it's bad don't be stupid and try to drive in" phone call from the boss last night. Early this morning H. informed me of how poor road conditions were. The amount of snow we got would never even make the evening news in my home town, but then again they are used to and prepared for such occurrences given the months spent covered with snow. Plus they don't have the steep terrain with which to contend.

Here in middle TN, we don't get a lot of snow so there isn't much preparedness on the part of TDOT aside from de-icer spraying. So add 2-8 inches of snow across the state to the narrow, non-shouldered, twisty, mountain back roads and 3 major interstates and a little snow quickly becomes a big problem. Luckily once traffic settles down, it usually melts away pretty quickly. You just have to be able to out wait the idiots. I am grateful my boss allows us to out wait the idiots. 

Since it wasn't wise to attempt fate (looking at you Hannah) to drive the 53 miles to work, it wouldn't be right to attempt to drive to a trail for a snow ride. That is where living 53 miles from work is a blessing. I can ride out the back door and get to a trail without ever leaving the property.  There are many aspects of Joelton that I love - great roads to ride, small town friendliness, open spaces, mom and pop shops, elevation and terrain -  but the one I love best is having singletrack in the back yard.

It reminded me of last winters Clayville snow day adventure. We don't have the Cotton Mill Preserve mileage, but we've got the elevation with MB-esque soil.  And it's out the back door. Which brings me to the above photo. Last year my bottles froze to slush on the ride. The past few rides I've done have also resulted in frozen liquid. Recently I remembered that benevolent sponsor Backcountry Research had sent a care package a while back with extra goodies.

Contained in the package was a Camelbak Podium Chill. The only bottle I've found that fits in a standard bottle cage and keeps drinks from freezing. Last year heading to the afore mentioned Clayville ride, gRant left his chill bottles on the bike in the back of the truck for the hour+, 70+mph drive.  Then we spent hours out on the trail and his drinks never froze.  I'm happy to report that during yesterdays snow adventured and today's, my bottle never froze. This year I should probably test them out in the heat of Kanza (There's a thought).

Speaking of Backcountry Research. Unlike Doug and Dumber, I opted to use the new improved higher tech Awesome strap accoutrement today. YMMV.

Working in a Winter Wonderland

A nagging knee and cold temps found me off the bike. Still needing to get some outdoor play time in, I bundled up and headed out back with the pups. The recent snow was still on the ground. The white blanket helping give some contrast to the drab brown highlighting potential lines for new singletrack sections to be added in the woods. Taking advantage of the snow, I spent a few hours out back flagging lines, raking, trimming, and playing with the pups.

The old trail outlined by snow.

The whole trail was snow free, kinda weird. 

Raking out a new section of trail.

We walked the back acreage back and forth, up and down, looking for the best lines for both horse and bike. Deer have tread in a nice path across the middle of the hill with natural grade reversals that should help with trail drainage. The old trail holds up so well to water, I've been working hard to design the new sections to be just as waterproof. Luckily the grade of the hillside and the soil type are in my corner.

JD helping to scout out a new line up.

With the East side trail system mostly flagged and planned out, I swapped focus to the West side of the lake. I'd not even hiked any of it before today. It's a steeper hillside than the other, but it offers some cool rocks and ledges for a wicked downhill run and Pisgah-esque climb. One thing is for certain, JD isn't any help with benching or raking. I'll have to recruit some local muscle to help me finish up the trails.

Paxton and Crow.

JD

Dead Moley.

Fri-laxed

In between the rain and chores I snuck out for some trail time with my training partner JD. Holidays and the requisite travel made getting out for our normal trail time sporadic at best. We were able to catch a few miles before work Tuesday and pulled a quick 5 on the 5th for my birthday Weds, but nothing substantial and usually dictated by a strict unsympathetic clock.

The miles driven have greatly overshadowed the miles ridden the past few weeks leaving the desire to travel to a trail at an all-time low. If that weren't obstacle enough, the recent freeze/thaw conditions and drizzling rain left the list of close by trails still ride-able few and far between.

Sticking close to home was the obvious answer. The trail bed was in great shape and teaming with traction today. The lack of travel time allowed for more time on trail and JD was more than happy to just be out running. The poor pups have had a lot of stagnant car time lately. Though the days of lazy holidays and lounging about are over, especially if he's going to race Snake with me this year.

Still pondering the color options. Though the drab gray skies and khaki browns had the pewtery ti popping in aesthetically pleasing contrast.

Despite the recent spat of wet weather the trail was in great shape. Even the usually too wet to ride new trail section, Scotland Yard. The lines are shaping up and the trail tread is packing down nicely. Soon it'll be as weather resistant as the perimeter trails.

The North entrance to Scotland Yard.

All in all it was a great day of no real timelines, clocks, phones, cranky people, or pressing issues. Just two friends out enjoying being outside.

Resurrectumnal Disorder

Well 2010 has finally left us. Whew, what a year. Deaths, more deaths, severe stomach disorders at PMBAR, then DSG, and culminating in a physical collapse at Kanza. Flooded and stolen (then held for "ransom") car, career changes, dogs hit by cars. Yeah, not a lot from 2010 to really brag about, but it is what it is and whatever it was has left me for the better, or so I'm telling myself.

One of the wiser decisions of 2010 on my part was the swapping from the stupidly overly stiff and wrist jarring 30.8 bar size to the more compliant 25.4. Taking it a step further, as I tend to do, I upped the anti and splurged on some Moots ti handlebars. In all honesty, they have been the best upgrade to a bike I've had. Going to 25.4 was good, but taking it to ti was bestest. Better than lighter wheels, better than a better fitting saddle, better than swapping frames. Lively enough to let me know what's going on while still soaking up the trail vibrations, rattles, and jars. Definitely a ride enhancing component change.

The new year is upon us and the preparations for the year's adventures have begun. Today I was blessed with a belated birthday present: a late afternoon road ride with the bossman and 2 co-workers. It was just what I (we) needed. It has helped kick-start the lacking motivation to get out on the road and log the miles and hours needed to help propel me through the races and challenges ahead this year.

Seeing as how the bars have so improved my current steed, I think it's time to pay some attention to the opposite end and get some extra compliance to help with the long days in the saddle. The in-laws and H. have gone in on a Moots layback cinch post for me for my birthday. Exciting news. It's also opened the door for adding a bit of new color to my typically drab flavorings. I think a new color kit might be in order for the new year.  Shall I go "Dead Dicky Red" or "Boo Hoo No More PMBAR Blue?" Play it safe and go "Peter's Cold Heart Black?"

Speaking of Peter. I'm seeing some disturbing evidence pointing to the creator of the FU Bar, the FU2 Bar,  the FME bar, and the Ebb-U branching out into a wider range of products to name. Times, they must be hard in the Canardia.