R.I.P Franco Ballerini

Franco Ballerini died this past sunday co-piloting a rally car in Tuscany region of Italy. Winner of Paris Roubaix in 1998, part of the great Mapei team, he also was the National Coach for the Italian cyling team. He will be missed.

Ari

Amazing commute

16" Surly Big Dummy for a 6'4" dude

So I had forgotten the hock-pocker with the studded tires at the shop and paid little attention to the forcast. By this morning the trail was covered in snow. I sent the little one and the wife off to their respective schools and then realized I had no ride to work . The Pantani-mobile has no working wipers at the time and with the snow I did not want to get into a car crash. I quickly mounted some knobby tires and also attached a snow shovel with an 8lbs weight to clear the trail a bit. Needless to say the extra boat anchor made me sweat another 10lbs off before making to work. I quickly realized I had no pants to wear at work since they had all migrated home. Luckily my father in law showed up and gave me a ride to the sports store. I bought some Columbia River Shorts on clearance and the clerk was wondering why I was shopping for shorts in the middle of a snow storm. Hellmut carted my hock-pocker home with his brand new Honday and I rode the Big Dummy in the middle of a blizard. It became harder and harder to drag the snow device and I gave up with 1 mile to go. My legs were on fire.
Tomorrow will be another adventure getting to work and back. I think the wednesday night ride will become a snowshoe event since it is impossible to ride.
best,

Ari

Monday the 8th day of February

Looking wrecked after today's singlespeed-mania.

No joke that I went out and beat myself good today. I got on the Rivendell Quickbeam and did 50 miles on it. I rode out to South Elgin with a stiff wind all the way. I romped around Campton Hills doing some hill work and then ended up on Randall rd. I made a deposit in my bank and then boogied home with a sweet tailwind. The temps kept dropping in anticipation of a big snowstorm that we are supposed to get. I was dressed perfectly though my toes were a bit chilly. I should have doubled up on the toe warmers. My camera died in the cold and I rode the whole ride sans food. I wanted to see what it felt like to ride the last 50 miles of a big ride without nourishment. It is doable and only limited by the mind. Legs are feeling strong and I rode out of the saddle for long periods without tiring. I have a feeling we will be back on studded tires for a while again. I am installing cleats and new Look Quartz pedals on my T. I. bike. Will see how those work.
Total for today 50 miles
Total riding time 4 hours
Cold and windy.

best,

Ari

Strange cat on abandoned pickup truck

The new ped/bike bridge over Randall rd and Silver Glen rd in South Elgin

Abandoned Latrine in Secret Slender Fungus Association Woods

Wednesday night's amazing freezing Fog

Today' s ride

Secret Location

Clear waters running

Today's off road session

today' s Gravel Session

Wednesday Night's incredibly hard ride. Gumby's New Presidio. Check it.

This was a hard week of riding. On Sunday we rode hard all the way to Belvedere and back. Monday took me to south Elgin and back solo. Wednesday was the night ride. We decided to go to Kirkland. Nearly froze to death with the damp freezing fog. Rode a well deserved 40 miles that night. Commuted on Tuesday, Wednesday, thursday, friday and Saturday. Today we started the week with another good 45 miler out to kirkland and back. Did some woods riding and it felt great. Rode the Salsa La Cruz and it really rode well. Hellmut came back with a bloody Muzzle. We are starting to get a bit tired of all the winter gear and dealing with the cold but we are determined and are sticking to our guns. Tomorrow we are getting another snow dump so we will be out wednesday night with the Pokey tires fighting for trail space with the slednecks.
I hope you are enjoying the cold as much as we are.

best,

Ari

Sunday Training Ride

Hellmut loving the midwest Winds!

Giugi eating dinner with my headlamp

Hellmut's new T.V. that we rescued from the Ditch

Aldrich Rd, looking mighty fine and sexy.

Mutantcyclocrossmachines defrosting in the sun

My commute home on Friday.

Fireworks coming off Hellmut's head. Wednesday Night Mutant Riding

Did a loop around the Sycamore area then headed north on rte 23 through Genoa then took Genoa Rd all the way out to Belvedere Starbucks for some tasty coffee and a pastry. Winds were really tough out of the west and our faces got burned good. We rode over 3 and 1/2 hours and covered 50 miles. I got home with blood dripping on my computer. We rescued a pitched T.V., saw Brian, (in his Car) and had a kick ass tailwind all the way home. Riding the Studded tires pays dividends.

Best,

Ari

Wednesday Night Ride

Riding on Reed road in Virgil

The absolute worst ride so far this year. Temps in the low teens with winds of 30mph with gusts above that. The trail had a dusting of snow over glare ice that gave enough traction with extreme care. We fought hard to make it back home. My lungs froze and it instigated some Asthma. Winter is not over yet. Thats for sure. We rode a total of 30 miles had tea, some soup and saltine crackers. Luckily we had no mechanicals. Hellmut and Gumby were there and it was great to have a small group. The winds are supposed to continue for a few more days. Just keeping it going.

best,

Ari

monday night riding

Larson Park Trail is completely under water

Night riding at its best

Lloyd road heading towards 23

The winter Monster with extra supplies

I thought about the night ride all day as to how I was going to dress. As the day progressed so did the wind and the drop of the temps. It was blowing snow and the winds were gusting to 40mph. 2 hrs of riding and I was done. Here is a list of winter clothing to tackle these conditions:

Surly Socks

Hydroskins Neoprene socks

Think wool sockguy socks

Long wool socks with toe cut for keeping calves warm

craft wool long johns

craft storm tights

craft wind front turtleneck

secret moisture control device

Louis Garneau Winddry jacket

Outdoor research windstopper facemask

8 dollar wool gloves from farm and fleet

Lake winter boots

Giordana Gamex jacket for vapor barrier between Garneau jacket and undershirt

Oakley Oil drum glasses

This kept me completely warm and away from the way subzero winds. I also used my Pogies on the handlebars