Christmas Time in Franktown

State CX Championships

Over-geared and underpowered.     photo courtesy of Jose Alea.

Tomorrow brings in the state CX championships. We'll be back out at Lock 4 again. This time I hope to bring better legs and a much smarter gear selection. Several days of rain and some freeze / thaw action should make the super off-camber course nice and sloppy. I can't wait.

Pre-Chirt Satin Finish?

I got out for a freeze-thaw affected gravel ride Friday with a couple friend's I've not ridden near enough with lately. It was cold, but sunny and the ride was something we all were needing. The thawing of the chirt left a nice crust of dirt on the MX RSL. Sunday was more of the same on a still-to-be-cleaned bike. 53 miles and many hours later a new coating of chirt covered the remains of Friday's ride.

46 more commuting miles later, the coating of chirt still clings tightly to MX RSL. Luckily tomorrow's commute calls for 90% chance of rain. Maybe that'll help me clean off this beast.

Though I think MOOTS should offer this as a new finish option, you know like distressed designer jeans and pre-worn guitars. Dried Hickman county chirt is pretty damn durable and would make for a sweet pre-chirt Satin finish option.

Red Skies at Night

This is the scene I was greeted with when pulling into the homestead after a great day out on the bike. It was cold but sunny. Ice cycles clung to rocks of North facing bluffs, the top layer of the gravel was thick and wet from the effects of freeze/thaw. The route was challenging. The companionship spot on. The food, drink, and conversation afterwards - well earned.

Puppies...

"Stop chewing on the blanket."

"Stop chewing on the blanket!"

"Stop chewing on your brother's head."

"Good boy."

Go Greased Lightnin'

 3rd greasing

After 4 rainy day rides (and one left out in the rain overnight) I wanted to check the status of the pf30bb bearings in my MXRSL. The stock white grease was quick to allow the bearings to rust after some wet rides. I flushed it out first and used some King ring drive lube which worked well for months, but is kinda pricey to waste on bearings. This past time I just used the red grease we have on hand on the work stands and it worked amazingly well to keep out the moistness of TN winter. Not needing to flush, I just topped off the grease and re-assembled the crank. Red and ready to ride.

Reassembled and ready for some more creek crossing abuse tomorrow.

Two for Tuesdays

Second Tuesday commute in a row of Southeast winter cold, rain, and exploration. Adam led us to some new killer secret roads to get us over the hills to work. Cross tires from Sunday's racing were left on to add to the off-road commute traction challenge of wet leaves and rocks, sticking to my non-fatbike meme.

A bonus surprise: Farkus brought in coffee (and he doesn't even work on Tuesdays)!

A picture for Corey: Rainy and donuts here.