January is finally over and the goals have been met

This January posted some pretty crazy weather and I just had in mind to ride all effing 31 days like I did last year. Then I toyed with the idea of riding in 600 miles and I thought that would be grand since I have not done that in many years. It was a blessing that Giggles and I got together this past Sunday and clocked out 50 in some cold, windy weather. I woke up this morning with 550 miles on my calendar and I thought that I should give it a go. I rode to work, then rode back , then headed out on a night ride. I still had 30 to go so I headed east on Salt Springs and that took me all the way to Chittenango. I then returned on 5 going west and found 29owest. Took that to Green Lakes area and hopped on the Erie Canal for some really sluggish mud riding. Continued on 290 again and rode into Minoa, then East Syracuse then got onto Kinne, took Towpath back to Bodrick then rode back to Manlius and back home. I ended the day with 50 miles on my Salsa La Cruz and ended the month of January with 600 miles. I can feel the improvement with all the climbing and consistent riding. I hope to stay healthy and continue with my goal of 800 miles for February. I am also cutting the sugar from my coffee for the month.
No pictures with this one.


best,

Ari

Saturday's Snow/Mud demo

Most riders loved the Moonlander. How could you not?

This stuff was absent.

Fat bikes are great trick bikes also.

This guy got the most miles in for the day.

Riders marveling as to how agile and nimble Fat bikes are.

Moonlanders were riding in the swamp, just off the river behind us.

This young man was trying to fly to the moon.

So we had hoped for some snow but on the other hand we got thinking how it was actually good that the conditions were what they were. The people that showed up were more interested in seeing the bikes, getting a good feel as to how they rode and getting a lot of doubts out of their heads. You see a fat bike is a bike made for all conditions. With the amount of forest preserves, trails and wilderness that this area has to offer it is a no brainer that a fat bike is at home in Central New York. We had Pugsleys and Moonlanders for the demo and all bikes got a good use on them. Bob and I drove the herd back and powerwashed, oiled and brought the bikes back to life. We are hoping to have another outing with some snow so we can do this over again. Here are some pictures of the day. It was a lot of fun and everyone got a chance to try the bikes out!

Ari

Moots Dream Bike

Bob Scales punched D.B in the eye and he left for the day.

Yo, no snow but mud galore. Don't forget to come out.

Made in U.S.A.

Rear end of the Moots Cross bike.

Replaceable der hanger in case you wank it.

This is going to be a fantastic build.

King and Moots hanging out together forever.

Just received a new Moots Cross bike for Bossman Paul. This will be his winter commuter. Welds and workmanship are second to none. Moots seatpost is super-super strong and available in colors to do some matching up. Chris King headset because it is the best in my opinion.

Ari

Syracuse Bicycle Happenings

Nite Rider Mako 2 Watt. Pumps out 130 lumens, water resistant, 2xaa included, 25hrs high, 50 hours low, 240 hours flashing. The mount is good, 50 bucks retail. Good job Nite Rider.

Night ilumination with the Mako.

Nite Rider Minewt and Mako side by side. Oh yeah, I froze saturday night.

Paul received a very nice bag from Brooks.

The front part of the bag has a stabilizer strap for riding your bike.

Schwinn Cimarron fillet brazed, all original, cartridge bearing, Araya rm 25 rims. Rides smoother than the Benz's in the background. oh yeah It also has biopace rings that Rotor copied.

Been riding quite a bit and have been enjoying the mildest winter in Syracuse NY since 1966. It has snowed, it has thawed, the roads are great, we have the best road department in the country. Commuted all december and am aiming at doing the same for january. Hope all is well.


Ari

Thank you B.B for this great video

Yeah, don't be the guy in the video.

Saturday January 28th, 2012 is The Snowbike Demo

Syracuse Bicycle is proud to announce the Surly Snow Bike Demo. It will take place in Longbranch Park , in Liverpool, N.Y. on Saturday the 28th from 12-3 p.m. Come on over and experience a fat bike. Bring some warm clothes, some snow boots and have a blast. I personally have been on a Fat bike for my 3rd season and have been able to stay outdoors in the worst of weather. My trainers have gathered dust while I am outside exercising.


Check out the official link below::::::::>>>>>>>>>>>>>)))))))))))))))))))>>>>>>>>>>>>

http://syracusebicycle.com/2011/10/the-surly-pugsley-your-versatile-adventure-bike/?utm_source=Newsletter+17+January+2012&utm_campaign=18+Jan+Newsletter&utm_medium=email

The midwest Slender Fungus Cycliing Association

Gumby, our esteemed Secretary back on track after a long recovery from knee surgery. You see he had a twin brother living in his knee for the longest time. Now he has the knee all to himself.
The Pugsley looks great!

Continues to get out in the dark and worst of weather just to prove that anybody can ride in Cheater Weather. Snow bikes are the way of the future, so keep on eye out and start saving some dough to invest in one. Go fast, but also keep in mind that having fun while you ride is also a good investment. The Central New York Slender Fungus will be organizing some cool rides this spring and summer and I hope you can become part of it. Until then, keep on riding your bikes.

Another cold one.

Gunnar set up with 34x16

Farm on Rte 5 and nice hill view

Lake effect snow we received couple days ago.

So after getting an email from Aaron Gammel, we finished DK200 together, I set up my Gunnar with a 34x16 and set out for a spin. Just wanted to be outside and get my 15 miles in. I took route 5 and headed out to Chittenango. The sun was very shiny and the air was very cold. My feet once again got frozen as I completed my 15th day in a row for January. Gunnar ran great and I am starting to think about bikes, gearing and parts for Trans Iowa.
It is going to be a great year.

Ari

Dirty Kanza, The full on Story

Check this out if you have been snowed in and too chicken to ride outside.


http://www.theadventuremonkey.com/adventure-monkey/dirty-kanza-200-2011-results-the-full-story/




Ari

Winter Riding in the Singles.

I discovered there is a majestic Bald Eagle that lives about 1 mile from our house

There is a lot of streams and creeks around us.

CAnnondale with Cascadia fenders and Moosemitts. Essential winter gear

The wife and offspring surprise me with homemade cake for the big 49.
I can still beat you up.


Thanks for reading,

As always.

I had a quick window in the afternoon to get out and stretch the legs. I got out with the C-dale mountain bike and it was great. The roads were covered in snow and I headed south, straight into the hills. I took Brickyard Falls, then Broadhead and then headed south on Watervale. My intent was to get in a quick 15 miles. I turned around at the halfway mark and started descending. The temps were dropping quick and between that, going downhill and having a headwind I quickly got really cold. My feet froze and my sweat felt really chilly under my jacket. Getting home was great and it took a while for the toes to warm up again. As always, I was glad to get out because there is no such thing as a bad ride.
Try Harder,

Ari

Erik is still on my mind.

Peacock Groooooooooove.

Deep Custom from Royal Antler on Vimeo.

More Moderate Winter Riding

Erie Canal Trail. Fightclub, snow riding, gravel.

7 degrees the other night. Did even feel it. Rode through Green lakes, hooked up with the Canal. 15 miles Total on the Pugs.

Found some falls outside of Manlius. Then I got lost.

Getting Dark, one small blinker and no map. Out in Oran somewhere.

Commuting on the Erie Canal. Snow is packed, but will melt soon since we are already having spring.

Happy New Year to everyone. 2011 was a stellar year and I am in midst of collecting some images to come up with a recap of what went down. I believe some of the riding that took place will never be repeated. It was that good.
Right now I am just keeping my mileage up and revving up for Trans Iowa. I did manage to ride all 31 days of December and so far for January I have ridden all 6 days. This time of the year I am more interested in staying on the bike and being consistent rather than going out and hammering like a madman. I have been riding the Salsa Selma, The Pugsley and the new Cannondale Mtn Bike.
Today's commute was warm with temps in the high 30's. I had shorts tights, wool base layer, wool sweater and windbreaker and was dying of heat.


more to come and thanks for reading,

Ari