Lil' Mountain Town

While many were out in Denver (or glued to their computers) for all things beautiful and over the top at the NAHBS, others were up in the snowy MiniApple for FrostBike. I missed out on both, but that didn't mean I missed out on a great weekend. The shop (MOAB Franklin) was hosting an IMBA-SORBA social Friday night as a way to help recruit new members, catch members and riders up on current trail plans and future developments, and generally gab about bikes and eat pizza while drinking beers. Good times.

Synchronicity hit with Friday's social as MOOTS unveiled their ultimate trail bike (aka Zombie Apocalypse Bike) and Niner announced free year long memberships to IMBA with a bike purchase. Two brands the shop digs and sells. Speaking of digging, aside from the Zombie bike, my favorite bike from the NAHBS might have to be the Cielo cross racer. Pretty damn sexy. The Overlander looks pretty Thad-bike as well. Congrats to Moots and Curtis Inglis on their award winning bikes too.

Speaking of NAHBS, somebody please tell me where I can get one of these Ironman headbadges. It's a must-have for me. Industry friends & connections, anyone? anyone?

Since we'd most likely be getting home from the shop social late and have to just turn around for an early morning of Saturday in retail, I devised a plan for a small group of us to bikecamp. What was to be 2 multiplied to 4 by the end of the social and soon we were out pedaling off the day's stress into the warmish, near full moon night. 

We set out to meet up with Patrico via bike as he'd left the social to go home and pack, which made for a more laid back ride to camp. A little out and back over some less ridden hills offered a fresh take on some of the more familiar routes. After meeting up, we meandered our way out into the country and to our camp for the night, a secluded little area of woods in the hills with enough moonlight to allow us to set up camp without the need for headlamps.

The warmer evening air dipped to near freezing by morning but for the most part the light camp gear kept me warm and rested. As the sun started to rise and the myriad birds began their calls, we broke down camp and continued along our ride.

A fifth rider had mentioned meeting up with us for a ride in the morning at the social with the "but if you don't hear from me, don't wait" disclaimer that typically follows a late night event / early morning ride commitment. Alex did (surprisingly) call as we were leaving camp and got what some would call "directions" but I would refer to as "street names" from Patrico. Needless to say we met up with Alex about a mile away from the end of our ride. Maybe next time.

He did get to join us all for a pre-work breakfast feast, then we all parted ways with the exception of the 3 of us whom had to work. Another great start to the weekend. It was the perfect group, perfect camping spot, and perfect weather for the adventure. Though some may argue a few degrees warmer would've been appreciated. Meh.

Sunday came around and I got to show a Florida flatlander around the area. Pete and his wife Jeanette are relatively new to the area. A stached Pete recently stood atop the top step of our State CX race while this old stache stood on the 3rd stoop. Pete and I were off to explore via cx bikes while the ladies rode horses. Win-win.

Four miles in I already has us wet and dirty. Why wait for desert when you can have it first, right?

The rest of the ride was your typical Tennessee rough old pavement and beautiful rolling hills and farms. Pete mentioned the scenery felt like riding out west, I agreed. I told him that's why I refer to home as my "little mountain town" despite everyone else thinking I'm looney. It was nice to have some validation, even if it's from a Floridian.

X'Plor-ing

After several rides on the Psychlo-X with 23c tires it was time to fatten things up. I've read a lot about the new (or more accurately newly returned) Clement tires for gravel and cross racing/riding. Most seem to gravitate towards the 40c X'plor MSO tires. Not really needing anything that fat, I opted for the more expensive (damn my luck and propensity for pricy rubber) and narrower 35c X'plor USH 120tpi tread.

Many reviews have stated that the USH isn't as reassuring or surefooted as the MSO and that 40c is really the narrowest tire for a go to gravel tire. I'm not sure I agree. I rode pavement, grass, gravel, a creek bed, and mud on my ride and the USH rode like a tire. The bike felt confident in all conditions. Even in deep gravel where the wheel knifed in, the bike was predictable. I find it hard to condemn a tire to only urban riding because it doesn't allow one to confidently rail into gravel that is deep and loose and prone to collapse/move from underneath you unexpectedly. The USH rolls efficiently on the road, didn't seem to weigh me down on climbs, cornered confidently, and soaked up the rough stuff capably at a rather high inflation of 60 psi. I think with a wider (21-23mm) rim the USH will really shine. I have big plans for these tires this spring/summer and I hope they continue to live up to my expectations.

Going Psychlo

Few things inspire one to get outside and ride more than the buzz from a new bike. Having an all-terrain road bike has really upped the after work ride stoke. It's easy to fall into the head home and collapse mindset after a 10 hour day on your feet, but the prospect of a geared bike that can rocket me to some trails without spinning 220 rpm while still allowing a fun on the trail gearing option has made it easier to sway the demons.

Although still riding 23c slicks, I got out for some road and off-road fun with Monster Saturday after a long day at work. After a fun pre-work urban ride with AdamD and Ben in the 25 degree sunshine, I sent a text to Monster asking if our standing Saturday ride was still on. Early on I was still amped up to ride. By the time we got the doors locked, I sat down and checked my phone for the first time since 9am. Monster would be there around 4:40pm, it was 4:30. A minimal snack lunch and nothing to drink all day had me wiped and ready to skip out on the ride. Lucky for me he'd been out riding all day and was on his cross bike. This opened up the possibility of riding options and my energy returned. We rode around some of my favorite loops as the sun set and stars came out. Just what I needed.

Sunday I was meeting a new JR racer who is joining the team from Florida at Montgomery Bell. His dad and JD also joined us. The morning started out cold but warmed up to near 50. The trail was in great shape and a lot of the Southeast Moots crew were out getting in a doubles worth of the whole 'monty'. Jamison (another of our JRs) crushed two 23 mile laps. The kid is impressive.

Heading home on the newly opened 840, hot air balloons were visible in the distance. The cool crisp air and gentle wind must have been perfect for their singletrack in the air. It reminded me of the large gathering of balloonists that would flock to WIU in the fall for the rally. The intramural fields would be littered with hot air balloons which would resemble a Jackson Pollack painting from the high up vantage point of the dorm room.

Keeping on with the throwback down memory lane, look what strolled into the shop the other day. They'll be up for sale soon too. The person who owns them is upgrading and these cranks are all original with very, very little wear. They've been hanging in a garage for 10 years. Too bad 170's are a bit too short for me as they'd look pretty fly on the SS.

And now back to the future. My new Retrotec (who makes other nice things besides style setting clothing) Tee with it's homage to one of my favorite movies. Lloyd Dobler would be proud. Cue Peter Gabriel and prepare to queue up the Clash after the Mats.

Fat Road Tuesday

Moots Psychlo-X in roadie mode with 23c tires.

Ten years ago I bought my first real road bike: a Trek 5200 Ultegra equipped carbon fiber road rocket (especially when compared to my only other road bike, a 1986 lugged steel 12 speed Sears Free Spirit). That bike had me hooked from the moment I threw a leg over, clipped in, and headed out of On Two Wheels in Davenport, IA for an hour while they worked on my mountain bike. It was only supposed to be a ride to kill some time while they worked on my bike. I ended up purchasing it and tens of thousands of miles later, I still love the bike. It's been a trooper.

Ironic that even now as I have a cross bike, I'm still hitting dirt/gravel roads on 23c tires. 

About 6 months after buying the Trek, I headed out for my first visit to Colorado with a friend and our road bikes in tow. We hit up several of the famed climbs/routes like Flagstaff, Mt. Evans, Estes Park, and such. It was a grand adventure marred only by a nasty case of road rash (thanks to an expansion gap in the concrete on a long downhill) and the fact that my 23c tired bike slipped and slid on many of the steep, wet, dirt road climbs I found branching off most of the paved routes.  I wanted to explore more and more of the dirt roads, but the skinny 23c tires and minimal tire clearance of the Trek wasn't truly up to the task, although I would put it through many, many miles of "not designed for" roads and loved every minute of it.

While cruising some of the more famous bike shops (such as Vecchio's) in the area, I came across a new to me bike. I'd only just recently gotten into cycling as a sport, so I wasn't so worldy, but I was pretty hip to current road and mountain bikes of the day. However, I'd never heard of, nor seen, a cyclocross bike. Let alone a bike made out of titanium. Walking into one of the Boulder area bike shops I came across a Seven Mudhoney and instantly asked the sales person what the hell it was. I was simultaneously in love and pissed no one had ever told me such a bike existed. I loved my Trek, but this thing looked like the bike capable of what I imagined road riding entailed. Alas, the Trek would have to do, but I've longed for a ti cross bike ever since that fateful day.

The "Boucher" Shot.

Ten years later the time has come to finally retire the old faithful Trek. Aside from the chain, 39t chainring, tires/tubes, cassette, bar tape, and one set of cables the bike is all original. Ten years of tough roads and tougher rides. I'd say I've gotten my money's worth out of it and then some. It has definitely earned its retirement.  A new chapter of my road life is now being written. This time aboard the bike of my dreams, a Moots titanium cross bike. A very capable 23c roadie ride with the added benefits of being able to go fat tired, off road, and loaded touring. My go farther adventure bike. Needless to say, I'm pretty stoked.

Born from left over and take off parts laying around the shop, the bike came together as if the stars meant for it to be. The colors match better than most anal roadies could have picked out of a dream build site, the components mesh and complement each other and the ride, and the fit is dialed. Divine intervention indeed.

Today's inaugural ride was everything I thought it would be: cold, windy, minimally cable stretched, and perfect. I plotted a new route, discovered some rugged gravel (near creek-bed like) roads, and had the quiet backcountry lanes all to myself and one massive off-leash pitbull (luckily he was friendly).

Speaking of pitbulls, meet Brindle. She's our newest foster and she's a ball of happiness wrapped up in a face licking, tail waggling bundle. She's house broken, good with other dogs, and loves to play tug. She's also pretty partial to the couch. If you're looking for a good pet, check out Noah's Ark Society about adoption.