Had an argument with my girl

After seeing the snow coming down yesterday, I could not take it any more. So, I went home at lunch and plugged my batteries in and made sure the 1x1 was in working condition. I felt it was only right to choose the 1x1 seeing how I have not used it much lately and with the weather conditions deemed the best bike for the job.

So, after work I busted it to get all of my stuff together and head out to the trail. I wanted to get there as soon as I could to do as much of the ride in the daylight that I could. Right away I ran in to my first problem, downed trees. I could not believe how many trees I had to climb over for the little bit I rode. The trail was in good condition considering and I stopped to take a picture, but my camera decided to not work. Oh well.

Enough with the small stuff, right on to the start of the argument. As I was making my way up Foxey I started to get a little irritated, but I didn't say anything yet. By the time I made it to the Fire tower connector I was really starting to get upset. Thats when I could not take it anymore and started to complain. I asked why she is being so mean to me? I was ignored as she turned her nose up and looked the other way. The real fight started closer to the end of the Fire Tower trail after a few comments back and forth. I finally hit my breaking point and started calling her names and threatening to never use her again. I figured she should start to comply or at least ease up on me, but just the opposite happened. She was even meaner to me.

As I hit the road section, I put my foot down and said I was just taking the road back and hanging her up. She did was not happy with that at all!! So, as I cruise down the road, I keep hearing something about taking the trail on the left and then the one on the right. I heard something about it not being her fault, it was mine for leaving her sit for so long. After I passed the first 2 trails up, I think I even heard her call me names like wuss and stuff. I continued on down the road and things seemed to be better, I guess it was just the riding on flatter ground that did the job. Well, low and behold she talked me in to taking a left at my last option for trails before the car. So, I drop in and have to turn on my light. What a joy! I was treated to some of the best snow covers sections of trail and night riding in the snow made it even better.

As I am cruising down the trail I start hearing whispers to take the next left and extend the trail sections. I guess I was having so much fun that I forgot all about the names I called her and next thing I knew I was taking a left. I was immediately met with tougher trail conditions and colder air. I continued on because it was not that bad. Well, I remembered all of the names when I hit the first hill!! Damn she makes me hurt.

All in all I really don't know who won the argument. I think we are both right. If I used her more, it would not be so hard. So for now, I guess I will have to leave it at a love hate relationship. Maybe some more time it will be come more of a pleasurable one. Over all it was a great ride first snow ride of the season and the first night ride of the year. Only 25 degrees, but sure was fun for all the pain.

Tour of Cali

I have been trying to watch all of the coverage on Versus on the current race. I am still a stage behind, but good thing I have my DVR to save the next day's race for me. I have been trying to not look at places that would tell me who has won or who is in the lead. I would rather see it for myself.

Now, I am not a big road racer. I have only had a road bike for the last few years. But, one thing I just can not understand is the fans. What kind of dumb asses are out there watching these races?? Get the hell out of the way!! If you really like bike racing, then why must you be the one who causes somebody to not do as well as they could? I know, the thought of being on TV is too strong for some, but I just can't understand the running next to the riders or all that. I would not want to do that one stage in the le tour where the mob of people are on the road and just get out of the way in the nick of time.

Granted, I did like the dudes huge rack on his head!! That was something else. He also must be in good shape because he did put in one hell of a run, but if that rack would have caught one of the lead riders, I think I would have had to beat the crap out of him before I continue with my race.

I guess it is a good thing I am too dam fat and slow to ever have to worry about that! I prefer to stick to the races where the racers are the ones wearing the funky stuff!!

sup?

Well, I am not sure what is up with me. Other then I have not been riding enough. Damn weather can't make up its mind if it is winter or spring. We went from several day's of ice storms to 40-50 degrees this weekend and now it is 35 and supposed to snow! Go figure.

I have been on the trainer a few times, but not near enough to really make a big difference. I have been trying to figure out what events or races I plan on doing this year. There are several that I would like to do, but I am not sure I want to jump in to racing that much again. I should just take more trips to Pisgah instead. I am supposed to be making a trip that way soon, but I can't get the country boy to give me any dates that he can go.

I am also trying to save up for a 29'er. I am not doing such a good job of it right now, but I did give up beer for lent, so I should have a lot of money show up extra some place. I just don't know what I will end up getting. I really want to pick up at Shamrock Cycles frame, but not sure I will be able to save up enough money for that. I really need to get some stuff up on ebay!!

I do have a few side jobs in the line up, so if they ever show up I should be good to go.

24 Solo

Well, I have finally seen the movie. I liked it. It was very interesting. There were lots of good riding shots and I feel it did a good job of trying to get the feel of actually being at the race. I was getting excited near the end with the possibilities of the catch even though I already knew who won the race.

I can not believe how much pain some people put there body in and don't stop. I have always wanted to do a 12 or 24 hour race to see how many laps I can do, but it would not even come close to what these guys do. I always pictured taking some breaks and stuff.

Still, not too bad of a way to make a living. I guess every job has its bad days, but a bad day riding is better then a good day working!!

Time keeps on tickin, again

Well my so called training has been a little weak lately. That is not saying much. If it is weak from what I was doing, then it is really bad!! I tried to ride the other night, but both of my floor pumps went out on me. I know, I could have used one of my c02's or my hand pump, but I really didn't feel like wasting 2 cartridges or blowing my arm out trying to pump a tire up to 100 pounds.

It seems that I might want to really start working on training some more. I have been talking about entering a team in the Pisgah MTB Adventure Race but I don't know if it will happen or not. I am scheduling a trip down there with in the next month. I have a lot to learn about that place if I plan on surviving that race.

New training plan

I think I have stumbled upon a quick any effective training plan that anyone can do! All you do is spend an evening puking 80% of your guts up and then craping another 10% of them out. So you actually end up with a net loss of 90% of your guts. Imagine how much weight you can loose like this!

To add to this you alternate between shivering and cold sweats all night so your muscles contract and eventually start cramping. Now not only did you loose some precious weight that will help conker the toughest hills, you have completed a good work out for all of your muscles.

The only down fall I have found to this plan is it does require a rest day or two before you can recover enough to get back on the bike. But, how can one complain after such a good work out.

So, I hope everyone goes out had tries this great new plan tonight! It is a blast!

More ditch diggging

I went out to the forest and did some more bench cutting this weekend. The new re-route is getting close to being done. I can only hope we actually get some weather that will allow me to ride it.

We have another section to work on after this section is done. I am looking forward to both sections being completed. The other re-routes that have been done over the last two years has make a huge difference in the fun factor for my normal trail. It is not just because it is different, the flow is so much better.

I was going to try and get a road ride in Sunday, but I woke up to rain and some snow trying to make its presence known. I guess I need to hit the rollers again tonight. Oh well...

Trail work

Well the weather warmed up this weekend, but it brought along some rain with it. Saturday I did some trail work at Ferdinand. There are two re-routes that we want to get done this winter. Bench cutting is one heck of a good work out!! I am sure I will be out there all the weekends I can until the work is done.

I really should work in some of my own trail work. I have a lot of potential in my back yard, but it needs some work. The trail I have now is a little on the short side, but if I would add the sections that I want to add, it could be a lot of fun. It would also be a good place to get the boy to start trail riding. Maybe this will be the year! what ever.....

The Proflex is looking real good now! I put the new skins on it this weekend. That sure does make it look good! All I need to do now is adjust the brakes and then line up the levers/shifters where I want them. Then I will be ready for a good test ride. I'll put is on my scale to night and see how it fairs compared to the NRS. Not that it really matters what it weighs, but I am sure it will be lighter, just not sure how much.

getting closer

Well, a few more parts showed up for the Proflex and I ordered a set of Conti's for it too, so that should just about finish up what I need. I cleaned up the cranks and set up the shifters and brakes. I think the brakes need a little adjustment yet, but that will wait until I have the tires on. It is actually starting to look like a bike. I am ready to test it out as soon as I get tires put on it.

That might not be as easy as I would like. The problem is the weather has been too cold for me lately. I guess I need to just man up and go ride. But, night rides with the temps below 20 does not excite me. I think this weekend is supposed to be a little better, so maybe I can get out with the sun up.

One issue I might have is being torn between what bike to ride. On one hand I have the Proflex that I am excited to test out and on the other I have my SS looking at me in disgust for leaving it sit there for so long. I really want to see how well I can ride it. I know I have a lot of work to get where I want to be with my riding and it it even farther to get there on my singlespeed. Oh well, I guess we will just have to see.

Here it is just a few day's into the new year and I am already backing out of some races. I do have the itch to do a hundie or at least the short version of one. Money and the lack of confidence that I will be ready in time is trying to talk me out of doing one. The Fools Gold is the race I wanted to do because it is later in the year, but the total cost for me to go and take the wife is a higher then what I can spend on a race. If I could find someone from around here that is going that might make a difference. The Mohican looks like my best bet, but I would need to register by the end of next week. It is also the end of May, that just seems so close. I guess I could be ready in time?

I wish Kentucky would get some of their races listed. That is probably the best bet for me to hit a few regular XC races. Right now the schedule is full of good looking road races. I hope that I have find some dirt in there someplace.

Pieces and parts

Well the Proflex is getting closer. I ordered some brake levers and shifters that I needed. I had a little time and figured that I would start the big swap. I have parts from three different bikes getting shifted around to make 3 different bikes, but at the same time the same bikes I had. Go figure.

I had done some of the work that is needed to be done last week some time. I pulled the Girvin fork off of the Proflex, pulled the Palmer fork off of the SS and put the rigid fork back on.

This next step was started by putting the carbon riser bars on the SS because I will be using the riser bars on that for the Proflex. After that was done, I put the Girvin fork on the Caloi and took off the brakes and stem. I basically finished up the Caloi except for the rear brake. I need to get some new hoses for the rear Magura rim brake.

After a quick test ride on the rollers, I pulled the Proflex down and started working on that. I put on the fork, stem, bars and brakes. I need to wait for my parts to come in and have some cleaning to do, but it is much closer to being ready to ride.

Lunch Lady

Since my Wed. night rides have been canceled and I have had so much fun on the rollers, when I heard a few guys were riding at lunch yesterday I knew I could not pass it up. For some reason I didn't really want to go, but knew I had to.

Wed. night I put in 9 miles on the rollers because I was trying to talk myself out of riding Thursday. Well, I tried, but I knew what had to be done. So I packed my bike up and went to work. I was a little concerned because it did not get as warm as it was supposed to and the sun did not shine. It actually looked like we would get some rain. The rain held off and we had a great ride. It was a little cooler then I thought it would be, but nothing I didn't bring clothes for. So in 45 min or so we put in 12 1/2 miles. Not too bad for the first time on the road in a long time. We were not trying to kill ourselves, but over all it was a good ride. Much better then the rollers!

Are we there yet?

Just when I thought I was actually starting to do something, the weather comes along and messes everything up. I have been on the rollers a few times, but not what I really wanted to do. Now I am stuck in between the its too cold to ride or its too wet to ride rut.

I have been trying to figure out exactly what I will put on my new/old bike. How much will I steal from my NRS and how much retro stuff I will use. I was bidding on some old school thumb shifters, but they went out of my current budget. I was planning on keeping the 8 spd that is on there and just making it work. I also need some V-brake levers. I have thought about almost stripping the NRS to get this thing working, but I am just not sure.

I am sure there are several people that would wonder why would I stop riding a 2004 bike with disc brakes for a 1997 bike with V-brakes. Well, the brakes are not the reason. I have come to like disc brakes, but my old frame does not have the mounts and neither does my fork. I have thought about putting the new fork on my old bike, but that is part of the reason I don't want my new bike. The fork just moves too much for me. I know it is some spv set up that the harder it is compressed the better it works, but I don't want it to move that much when I am not doing anything. More then once it about threw me over the bars on a big tree crossing. When the front wheel hits the ground I usually expect it to stop, but not with this fork. It keeps dropping....

The big thing that pissed me off about this bike is the fact that my rear shock had blown its seals just sitting in my basement. I know, it was almost a year since I rode it, but hey I was having fun on the SS. I refused to pay $100 to rebuild a shock that did not get enough usage. I found the same thing on ebay for 1/4 the cost, but I had to come up with some spacers to make it work with the frame. It does not look the best, but it held up for Fruita and Moab.

Here is a sneak peek at the new ride.

more changes in weather

This weather is really starting to suck. Why can't it just make up its mind. Last week the Wed. night right was bailed on because of the temperatures, it was 31 and dropping when it was time to head to the trail. This week it has been doing nothing but raining all week and it is too warm to snow, so the trail is mush. No ride tonight either.

This has left me with my rollers for the only company I could find. The only problem with that is I have not been on them near enough to really make a difference. I have a lot of catching up to do to get back to where I once was.

I started working on my other bike. I can't wait to get it riding. I am putting together a '97 Proflex 857. This will be my main geared mtb to ride. It will have a green Palmer fork on it and some hi-tech 8 speed grip shifters if I can get them to work. This thing should be a racing machine! The frame is light since it has the carbon rear end. I had always loved how it climbed too. I am just getting tired of new technology. My NRS has too much stuff that goes wrong with it. I am still riding on a rear shock that has washers for spacers. I also don't like how much the fork moves. I kind of like the old school boingy boingy forks.

I will post pictures as soon as I get something together.

another stroll in the dark

Last night we went on another night ride. This weekly night ride has been working out great so far. I am sure the weather will become an issue sooner or later. Last night was much colder then the last two rides. At least it was not as wet. It is breath taking how much the temperature can change in a few feet. There were times it felt like I hit a cold wall. That made the ride at times a little cool. I probably could have used a little more gear on. I will know better next time. I just need to keep an eye out on the weather. The temps were not too bad when I left work, but they sure dropped fast after that. I can't wait until next wed!

Still in the dark

What another great ride Wed. night. We went a little faster and farther then last week, but nothing epic yet. I thought we had an even bigger chance of being rained out this week then we did last week. It was raining most of the morning and supposed to rain all day, but it cleared up early enough for us to go ahead and check to make sure. Well, all I can say is it is a good thing we didn't bag the whole ride. The trail was great! I think it was in even better shape then last week. It did try to rain a few times while we were out, but it didn't amount to much. It was more like a heavy fog.

I sure hope I can keep this weekly ride up. It sure helps to be out riding with people and riding every week. I did get on the rollers Friday after the big Turkey day. I just hope I can keep that up too. Only time will tell.

2008 DINO Series

2008 DINO MOUNTAIN BIKE SERIES

Sat May 3 Warsaw IN: Winona Lake Trail
Sun Jun 1 Nashville IN: Brown County State Park
Sat Jun 14 Portage IN: Imagination Glen
Sun Jul 6 North Vernon IN: Muscatatuck Park (AMBC)
Sun Jul 27 New Castle IN: Westwood Park
Sun Aug 17 Logansport IN: France Park
Sun Sep 14 Indianapolis IN: Town Run Trail Park

DINO SPRING TUNE-UP
Sat April 19 Avon IN: Washington Twp Park

24 HOURS OF DINO
September 27-28

Stranger in the Night

Hold on to your seat, I actually rode my bike yesterday!! Can you believe it? I even road off road in the dark! I think the last time I charged my lights was for the possibility of a night ride in Colorado, but that did not happen. So, I got an email on Tuesday about a night ride on Wednesday, so I clear the calendar and charged the lights. I knew I needed to do this ride no matter what.

Well, it was of to a slow start. It started raining just after I got home from work and started getting my stuff out side and ready to be picked up. At that point I didn't know if everyone else would ride or not, but I was ready no matter what even if I had to go by myself. A few minutes later my ride, Kurt, showed up and we were off. It was good to have him drive since he showed me a new way to get to the trail. I think it is a little shorter then the way that I take and plan on using it from now on.

Every one got there lights hooked up and off we went. The rain had stopped too. We made it to the top of the hill and realized that we were supposed to wait until 6 before leaving to see if the 4th guy made it. So, one went back down the hill to check, but no one showed up. So, by the time he made it back up the hill it was time to turn the lights on as we continued on the ride.

The bike sure felt weird. It felt like I was riding some big hit bike with the ass all squatted down and the suspension all squishy. I could not believe the amount of movement that my bike had. I was back on the NRS since I knew how the guys would be riding and I am not in any shape. I was holding my own except for falling a little behind on the hills. I was really having a hard time climbing. The front end was light and I could not move forward enough to help. So, half way threw the ride I stopped and made some adjustments to the seat and post. What a difference it made. I was no longer sitting on the back tire, I was actually up on top of the bike. From there on out it was a much more pleasant ride. Even with the rain trying to start in places.

Overall I could not ask for a better ride. The way it looks this just might be the answer I was looking for. The guys wanted to try and make this a regular weekly ride as long as it is above 35 degree. So, we will see it we can keep it up. I sure need someone to ride with to help pull me up off of the couch. Now I am itching even more to get the Proflex back up and running. I don't need all the bells and whistles of the suspension on the NRS, it moves much more then I like. Give me some good old school 80mm fork and I am good to go.

Should the towel be in the air??

After this weekend I feel like I should be like in the Rocky movie and throw in the towel. After this week it will have been 3 weeks since I have been on a bike. I say after this week because I just don't see myself getting out any time before next weekend. I am out of town for work Wed-Friday. I have stuff going on Saturday morning. So, Sunday will be my first chance.

Here I have all of these big ideas about riding and doing some races, but I am passing up my chance to really make a difference in myself. My weight is almost back up to where I was at the beginning of the year. So much for all of the work I did to loose it! Also, I keep eyeballing those hundies or wimping out and doing to fifty mile version, but who am I kidding. Right now a 20 would hurt. Here I have a good start to a work out plan for the winter and I can not say that I have actually done anything on it yet. Granted it was not a perfect plan, but I do have to actually do some work for anything to make a difference.

I have a lot of things going around in my head and also thinking of my yesterdays. When I could race the sport class or even the expert class. I would head out in to the woods for a normal 5-6 hour ride with out a second thought. Hell just a few years short ago I was riding in the snow for night rides with it being below 40 degree and my water freezing on me and loving every minute of it.

How can someone want to do something so bad and not want to do it at the same time? I fear that this type of depression state will set anchor. The only thing I can think is I really need to find a good riding partner. A riding partner will make the worst day of riding seem better.
I would not have thought it would be so hard to find someone to ride with, but the truth is I can not find anyone around. Everyone that I could ride with is either 2+ hours away or now working 5 day's a week and his off day is a work day for me!

It is just about time to throw in the towel and have that extra helping of cookies and milk or those extra 8 beers on top of the 6 I already had..............not like that will really help.

First dates on the Calendar

Well it looks like there are finally some dates for the calendar.

Posted on their website http://www.usmtb100.com/

Latest News
10/29/2007 - Tentative 2008 Schedule:

Cohutta 100 Tennessee April 19
Mohican MTB 100 Ohio June 7
Lumberjack 100 Michigan June 14
Breckenridge 100 Colorado July 19
Wilderness 101 Pennsylvania July 26
Fool’s Gold 100 Georgia August 16
Shenandoah 100 Virginia August 31
Tahoe-Sierra 100 California September 6

Best 4 out of 8
All ties broken at the final event

Now all I need to do is figure out what one I want to do. I plan on doing the 50 version for my first one. I hope to work up to a 100 for next year. Maybe I should shoot for the early race with the possibility to jump to the 100 for a later event?? Or maybe I am just dreaming as usual.....

on the road again

I was almost as lazy as last weekend and didn't get out. I had a lot of things going on so my schedule was not as open as I needed. Well, my wife of all people kind of talked me in to going out Sunday morning. Since time as limited, I hopped on the road bike for a nice and easy ride.

It was a beautiful day. I completely over estimated the weather and was stripping layers with in the first 5 miles. It did not take long before I had all of my stuff off because it was supposed to be a little chilly. I didn't get all of my ride info because someone was not awake yet and didn't hit the red button to start my recording...... But, I did get 25 miles in.

I also noticed why I keep having bad rides at Ferdinand. I kept an eye out on my heart rate and it was way lower then what I would have thought I could ride. I am sure on my SS I am getting my heart rate up to high and out of my comfort zone. As I was riding I could tell that when I was 130-145 bpm I felt great, but when I would get above that I would start to struggle. I figured I would have been able to ride 160-170 with out too much problem, but I guess I had too much couch time the last month or so. Looks like I really need to start doing some intervals to build my strength in the upper zones.

My last post I didn't think I would ever get a 700. Well friday night the boy had to pre-bowl for his league, so I decided to roll a few games of practice. I started out with a good game of 234. My second game I thought I might have a chance at a 300 after rolling the first 8 strikes, but left a ringing ten pin for the 9th. I did finish up with a 276 for my highest game ever. My third game I figured would fall apart as normal, but things didn't go too bad and I rolled a 237 to finish with a 747 series. Too bad it does not count for anything! Maybe I will get an official one this week.