Here is a good article on how to race a mountain bike all day and only be as miserable as you absolutely have to by Gerry Pflug from the Salsa Cycles site.
Endurance Racing Preparation
Gerry has been doing this stuff a long time and wins a bunch so I figure he knows what he is doing.
Monday, September 3, 2012
Wednesday, August 1, 2012
Some things are happening.
I haven't updated in a bit because I really have not had much bike related things to say but now I have a little to say about a multitude of things.
First things first.
Yes, that is an engagement ring. Melissa and I are getting married! The ring was originally her mom's and Melissa was set on using it if/when we got married. It is badass, sort of vintage looking with a satin type finish on the band. No time soon for the wedding, but we are doing some planning and it is not going to be a traditional type deal. I'm really excited about it. I'm amazed I found someone I have lived with for three years and am happy to see every day when I come home. Sometimes things work out pretty well.
My riding the past couple months has been pretty mediocre. I suppose I have been doing 10 or 12 hours a week, most of it pretty slow riding to work. Just enough to knock down the weight from my post Kanza food and beer binge. I should limit those to a day instead of two weeks so I can actually fit into my pants after big races. Lesson learned. Maybe. I am not totally sure of the meaning of the work plucky but it could probably be applied to the condition of my knees. They were good at Kanza but felt shitty when I started riding again here. They are getting better, but slower than makes sense to me. I might need to eat more meat or something. I already shelled out money for a fit and the bikes feel like they fit really damn well...my knees just hurt at times. Meh, anyways. I want to do Double Dare in Pisgah in October, I really miss riding up there.
Picky son of a bitch that I am, I sold the Niner. The just freakin' built Niner.
Turns out it is possible to have too nice of a commuter bike. I came across a good deal on a cheaper commuter and it should be here this week sometime. The Niner was super easy to sell so away it went. A flat black, old man hybrid bike will be all mine soon. Possibly with a wireless Powertap on it. I miss having the power meter to track progress. This will be real similar to my Soma that I sold (like an idiot) last year and was my favorite road riding machine yet.
It seems ridiculous to sell bikes so often but I was worse when I had access to more shop EP deals. Twelve bikes in the garage at one point. I have only two right now and three when the FX gets built. Three is ok, I'm good with that. The dining room cannot hold more.
I have been riding the Nature Boy to work in SS mode and forgot how much work that is. Singlespeed is king, makes you strong like a bear. If bears rode bikes, they would probably ride singlespeeds. One of the new Surly Krampus bikes I bet.
Oh, RUNNING.
I almost forgot. We are kicking ass with the Couch to 5K thing. 15 runs so far at 3 times a week. It will be much more pleasant when the weather gets cooler.
First things first.
Yes, that is an engagement ring. Melissa and I are getting married! The ring was originally her mom's and Melissa was set on using it if/when we got married. It is badass, sort of vintage looking with a satin type finish on the band. No time soon for the wedding, but we are doing some planning and it is not going to be a traditional type deal. I'm really excited about it. I'm amazed I found someone I have lived with for three years and am happy to see every day when I come home. Sometimes things work out pretty well.
My riding the past couple months has been pretty mediocre. I suppose I have been doing 10 or 12 hours a week, most of it pretty slow riding to work. Just enough to knock down the weight from my post Kanza food and beer binge. I should limit those to a day instead of two weeks so I can actually fit into my pants after big races. Lesson learned. Maybe. I am not totally sure of the meaning of the work plucky but it could probably be applied to the condition of my knees. They were good at Kanza but felt shitty when I started riding again here. They are getting better, but slower than makes sense to me. I might need to eat more meat or something. I already shelled out money for a fit and the bikes feel like they fit really damn well...my knees just hurt at times. Meh, anyways. I want to do Double Dare in Pisgah in October, I really miss riding up there.
Picky son of a bitch that I am, I sold the Niner. The just freakin' built Niner.
Turns out it is possible to have too nice of a commuter bike. I came across a good deal on a cheaper commuter and it should be here this week sometime. The Niner was super easy to sell so away it went. A flat black, old man hybrid bike will be all mine soon. Possibly with a wireless Powertap on it. I miss having the power meter to track progress. This will be real similar to my Soma that I sold (like an idiot) last year and was my favorite road riding machine yet.
It seems ridiculous to sell bikes so often but I was worse when I had access to more shop EP deals. Twelve bikes in the garage at one point. I have only two right now and three when the FX gets built. Three is ok, I'm good with that. The dining room cannot hold more.
I have been riding the Nature Boy to work in SS mode and forgot how much work that is. Singlespeed is king, makes you strong like a bear. If bears rode bikes, they would probably ride singlespeeds. One of the new Surly Krampus bikes I bet.
Oh, RUNNING.
I almost forgot. We are kicking ass with the Couch to 5K thing. 15 runs so far at 3 times a week. It will be much more pleasant when the weather gets cooler.
Friday, June 29, 2012
Tuesday, June 26, 2012
Running and dogs
For the second year in a row, I have taken up jogging just as the hot part of summer is hitting.
Last summer I think it was because I read Born to Run. I think that guy could have written a book about picking up trash and I would have jumped at the chance to join a local waste service.
Melissa decided she wanted to start running a couple weeks ago and we got around to doing the first one Saturday night. We went for thirty minutes, alternating jogging and walking. No barefoot sandals this time for me. After stepping on some sharp objects in those I'm over it. And absolutely ZERO pure barefoot running. I stepped on some sort of splinter running barefoot last year...holy shit that hurt.
On a semi related note, one of my worst fears came true a couple weeks ago. Whenever I wear flip flops I am nervous about something happening to my toes. We went over to Andrew and Melanies to hang out, grill, and drink beer. I fretted over the flip flops and wore them anyway. A few beers and a couple hours later a frisbee came out and a cul-de-sac with some nice, tall curbs was found. You see where this is going.
I took off to catch a toss way over my head. My pace was good, I was moving fast. I was the Jerry Rice of Frisbee. Then my toes met the curb. At full speed. Crushed the poor things. They still look nasty but nothing is broken. Walking and running still hurt and mountain biking is pretty unpleasant. I can't say I learned an actual lesson due to this incident because all the contributing factors are things I will likely do again.
Beginning running is tough to do around our house since it is all hills. Walking up some of them is harder than running on flat ground.
Last night went better...she found a program called "Couch to 5K" and it said to do twenty to thirty minutes three times a week. We would jog for sixty seconds and walk for ninety seconds, it went pretty well and neither one of us is all that sore. I can't say that I "like" running but it is better than any of those dvd type exercise programs.
Melissa seems to be liking the running so far. Proud of her for getting out in the heat and not seeking the solace of a treadmill.
She sent me a link earlier today to a running program for dogs called Pooch to 5K.
I investigated and damn if it does not look like a carbon copy of the Couch to 5K program for people. At first thought, it seemed like a great idea. Then I realized how hot the dogs are after walking them for 15 minutes in the heat here. The high temp for the next week is above 95 every day.
I am worried the dogs would overheat if we tried to start taking them with us on runs, which is too bad cause it sounds fun. Sugaree (our beagle) overheated last year at Bump and Grind and I had to do some extensive hiking carrying her. It took her forever to cool down and I don't want a repeat of that. It is hard to tell when a dog is getting too hot because they look so happy doing it. I see people out at the park all summer here with dogs on the verge of heat exhaustion dragging them around. Watch our for yer dogs, folks.
Last summer I think it was because I read Born to Run. I think that guy could have written a book about picking up trash and I would have jumped at the chance to join a local waste service.
Melissa decided she wanted to start running a couple weeks ago and we got around to doing the first one Saturday night. We went for thirty minutes, alternating jogging and walking. No barefoot sandals this time for me. After stepping on some sharp objects in those I'm over it. And absolutely ZERO pure barefoot running. I stepped on some sort of splinter running barefoot last year...holy shit that hurt.
On a semi related note, one of my worst fears came true a couple weeks ago. Whenever I wear flip flops I am nervous about something happening to my toes. We went over to Andrew and Melanies to hang out, grill, and drink beer. I fretted over the flip flops and wore them anyway. A few beers and a couple hours later a frisbee came out and a cul-de-sac with some nice, tall curbs was found. You see where this is going.
I took off to catch a toss way over my head. My pace was good, I was moving fast. I was the Jerry Rice of Frisbee. Then my toes met the curb. At full speed. Crushed the poor things. They still look nasty but nothing is broken. Walking and running still hurt and mountain biking is pretty unpleasant. I can't say I learned an actual lesson due to this incident because all the contributing factors are things I will likely do again.
Beginning running is tough to do around our house since it is all hills. Walking up some of them is harder than running on flat ground.
Last night went better...she found a program called "Couch to 5K" and it said to do twenty to thirty minutes three times a week. We would jog for sixty seconds and walk for ninety seconds, it went pretty well and neither one of us is all that sore. I can't say that I "like" running but it is better than any of those dvd type exercise programs.
Melissa seems to be liking the running so far. Proud of her for getting out in the heat and not seeking the solace of a treadmill.
She sent me a link earlier today to a running program for dogs called Pooch to 5K.
I investigated and damn if it does not look like a carbon copy of the Couch to 5K program for people. At first thought, it seemed like a great idea. Then I realized how hot the dogs are after walking them for 15 minutes in the heat here. The high temp for the next week is above 95 every day.
I am worried the dogs would overheat if we tried to start taking them with us on runs, which is too bad cause it sounds fun. Sugaree (our beagle) overheated last year at Bump and Grind and I had to do some extensive hiking carrying her. It took her forever to cool down and I don't want a repeat of that. It is hard to tell when a dog is getting too hot because they look so happy doing it. I see people out at the park all summer here with dogs on the verge of heat exhaustion dragging them around. Watch our for yer dogs, folks.
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| Dedication |
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| Sugaree (L) and Luke (R) at Moss Rock |
Sunday, June 24, 2012
First ride at Coldwater Mountain.
I first started mountain biking when I was 15 (this sounds like a paper for school already) mostly around the Anniston/Jacksonville area in eastern Alabama.
I hung out at Fun Wheels and pestered Jimmy Pettus for bike fixing tips and food. He taught me how to work on bikes and gave me expired Powerbars.
My mom would drive me to the meetings for the NEABC, the Northeast Alabama Bicycle Club. There are some cool trails out that way other than the most popular one of the area, the Cheaha Mountain Express. Mark's Loop, Linda's Loop, Gene's...Iron Legs. I had not ridden out there in years until today. I just didn't feel like it was worth the drive.
The recent addition of some IMBA built trails at Coldwater Mountain changed my thoughts there. I saw Marcus Tillman at the Sunny King Crit and he said the trails were top notch and a must ride. They opened a month ago and me and Tyree were able to make the trip out there this morning to check it out. Here is some information on the trails: NEABC Coldwater Page.
There is a 1.5 mile Beginner Loop which has plenty of places to make a beginner eat the dirt but it was a nice warm up.
The main loop is 9 miles or so I think with about 1100 feet of climbing. The whole trail is just like a giant BMX track...its nuts. The first climb is a biggun, 3 miles and 600 feet of elevation gain. Okay, it is big for Alabama, how about that? Here is a link to the Strava data: Strava for Coldwater.
The downhill afterwards is really the reason to get out to Coldwater. Jeez. I really don't have much to compare it to...maybe lower part of Jekyll and Hyde but trickier. Lots of doubles to hit or manual and fast, fast, fast. I want to ride it some more and learn it better. I predict lots of broken collarbones out there. It isn't a "no brainer" trail. You have to pay close attention. Well, you don't have to. But then you would crash a bunch. Your choice. It didn't seem very bumpy but then again I threw a bouncy fork on for it.
It felt great to be back on a real trail. I'm in pretty shit mountain biking shape right now but that will improve quick since I'm riding again after Kanza.
Coldwater was awesome, if you have not been yet GO.
I hung out at Fun Wheels and pestered Jimmy Pettus for bike fixing tips and food. He taught me how to work on bikes and gave me expired Powerbars.
My mom would drive me to the meetings for the NEABC, the Northeast Alabama Bicycle Club. There are some cool trails out that way other than the most popular one of the area, the Cheaha Mountain Express. Mark's Loop, Linda's Loop, Gene's...Iron Legs. I had not ridden out there in years until today. I just didn't feel like it was worth the drive.
The recent addition of some IMBA built trails at Coldwater Mountain changed my thoughts there. I saw Marcus Tillman at the Sunny King Crit and he said the trails were top notch and a must ride. They opened a month ago and me and Tyree were able to make the trip out there this morning to check it out. Here is some information on the trails: NEABC Coldwater Page.
There is a 1.5 mile Beginner Loop which has plenty of places to make a beginner eat the dirt but it was a nice warm up.
The main loop is 9 miles or so I think with about 1100 feet of climbing. The whole trail is just like a giant BMX track...its nuts. The first climb is a biggun, 3 miles and 600 feet of elevation gain. Okay, it is big for Alabama, how about that? Here is a link to the Strava data: Strava for Coldwater.
The downhill afterwards is really the reason to get out to Coldwater. Jeez. I really don't have much to compare it to...maybe lower part of Jekyll and Hyde but trickier. Lots of doubles to hit or manual and fast, fast, fast. I want to ride it some more and learn it better. I predict lots of broken collarbones out there. It isn't a "no brainer" trail. You have to pay close attention. Well, you don't have to. But then you would crash a bunch. Your choice. It didn't seem very bumpy but then again I threw a bouncy fork on for it.
It felt great to be back on a real trail. I'm in pretty shit mountain biking shape right now but that will improve quick since I'm riding again after Kanza.
Coldwater was awesome, if you have not been yet GO.
Monday, June 18, 2012
Another commuter: Niner EMD 9
Remember that oh so lovely semi custom Black Mountain Cycles Monstercross frame I acquired?
That's okay, I barely remember it either and I paid for the damn thing.
It was a good bike and I hope whoever ended up with it is enjoying it. Yeah, I sold it...because of the dropouts:
The super cool, do it all dropouts turned out to be a colossal pain in the ass with the disc brake, derailler, and horizontal dropouts conspiring to frequently create what my friend Daniel's father calls a "goatscrew". There is probably someone out there who loves a setup like this but it is not me. Vertical dropouts for gears from here on out.
Oh, and suprise surprise semi custom niche bikes are incredibly hard to sell. Either way, it is out, and this thing is in:
I waited to say much about this bike to make sure I actually like it. Fortunately, I really like it, much like I did my old Air 9.
It has the same parts as the old BMC. Some of it is exciting but most is quite standard and boring. Here are the basics:
Niner EMD9 frame
$10 Surly fork with protruding goiter like canti mounts intact.
Industry Nine wheels with Stans rims
Fat, touring tires
LX 9 speed drivetrain (I even left the 22 ring on)
BB7s
Basically, a pile of parts that will work for a long time and I won't have to think about much. It needs some barends but I have been too lazy to put them on.
It has really close geometry to my On One and it rides nice. Sure is slow though...I rode with Boris this weekend and even had to ask him to slow down some. That hurt.
I was going to say more about the Niner, but damn, it's my bike I ride to work. One thing worth mentioning is how well Niner preps their frames at the factory. Everything is faced and all threads are ready to go. That is huge, especially if you are going to be building one in the middle of the dining room. I lied, two things are worth mentioning. Don't mess around with trying to put a hybrid crankset with a 48 ring on this. It "clears" but really does not work well at all. I gave up and used a standard 44 crank.
The posts here will get even more exciting as the week goes on. I need to write a review of some ProGold stuff now that I have had a chance to test it out proper. Whoooo, chain lube. Might be some talk about our beagle also.
That's okay, I barely remember it either and I paid for the damn thing.
It was a good bike and I hope whoever ended up with it is enjoying it. Yeah, I sold it...because of the dropouts:
The super cool, do it all dropouts turned out to be a colossal pain in the ass with the disc brake, derailler, and horizontal dropouts conspiring to frequently create what my friend Daniel's father calls a "goatscrew". There is probably someone out there who loves a setup like this but it is not me. Vertical dropouts for gears from here on out.
Oh, and suprise surprise semi custom niche bikes are incredibly hard to sell. Either way, it is out, and this thing is in:
I waited to say much about this bike to make sure I actually like it. Fortunately, I really like it, much like I did my old Air 9.
It has the same parts as the old BMC. Some of it is exciting but most is quite standard and boring. Here are the basics:
Niner EMD9 frame
$10 Surly fork with protruding goiter like canti mounts intact.
Industry Nine wheels with Stans rims
Fat, touring tires
LX 9 speed drivetrain (I even left the 22 ring on)
BB7s
Basically, a pile of parts that will work for a long time and I won't have to think about much. It needs some barends but I have been too lazy to put them on.
It has really close geometry to my On One and it rides nice. Sure is slow though...I rode with Boris this weekend and even had to ask him to slow down some. That hurt.
I was going to say more about the Niner, but damn, it's my bike I ride to work. One thing worth mentioning is how well Niner preps their frames at the factory. Everything is faced and all threads are ready to go. That is huge, especially if you are going to be building one in the middle of the dining room. I lied, two things are worth mentioning. Don't mess around with trying to put a hybrid crankset with a 48 ring on this. It "clears" but really does not work well at all. I gave up and used a standard 44 crank.
The posts here will get even more exciting as the week goes on. I need to write a review of some ProGold stuff now that I have had a chance to test it out proper. Whoooo, chain lube. Might be some talk about our beagle also.
Wednesday, June 6, 2012
Dirty Kanza 200 Blog Posts
Eric Benjamin, the Adventure Monkey, has started a collection of links to racers' write ups from this year's DK200.
There is some good stuff in there.
Check it out here: DK200 Blog Post List
There is some good stuff in there.
Check it out here: DK200 Blog Post List
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