Some images I like to share

Bellevue Iowa as seen from Bellevue State Park

Wife and I  at the park.

Hanging out in Green Island. The sky was amazing that day.

Our attempt to fly the kite was nullified by a no wind day. Which in the midwest is rare.

Green Island is beautifu place. 

Did I mention beautiful roads that lead to Heaven. 

My 10 year old is growing fast. She already is 5'1"

We were hanging out in Sabula, Iowa. 

yes, John Deere makes fast racing bikes. 

Yes, I still do creep out at night. 

Our house is fueled by La Fortuna Coffee shop in Hinsdale, IL. 

The wifes All City got a new Brooks B-17S. The only saddle she rides. 

So, these are the things that I do with the girls. A pretty easy going existence. The Slender Fungus actually has made The Jackson County area of Iowa its new home. We have a home there in a secret location from where we have our secret meetings. We hope you make it out to the Death Ride so you can get a flavor of where we like to roam. 
Thanks for reading and looking, 

Ari 

The Death Ride in the Weekend of July 13-14

     As mentioned before we, the Slender Fungus, will be working together with Guitar Ted to bring you the Death Ride Invitational.
We are working on the route and trying to figure out details. I believe most of the route will take place in Jackson County Iowa. The terrain is very hilly, with loose gravel, some B-roads. We will try to come upon some small towns to refuel water bottles and such. At this point I am interested in knowing how many people are interested in doing this event. It is not a race. It is a no drop ride. 
Thanks, 
Ari 

There are campgrounds around the Sabula, Iowa Area. There is a campground in Sabula, then there is a good on Just South of Bellevue State Park. Both are good options. I will have to work on Saturday and I am hoping we can all agree on a Sunday Ride. I will also have to go to work at the Bike Shop on Monday. So I am glad to be able to have Sunday off., Please leave any comment you like. We still have time to iron stuff out. I will try to go to Iowa this weekend on Sunday June 2 to check out some stuff and will have a report on Monday. 
Thanks for your interest in this. We are very excited to work together with Guitar Ted in organizing this ride. It will be hot, it will be hilly and I bet there is going to be a billion thousand mosquitoes out there with all the rain we have received. 
More to come soon. 
Please leave any comment below.
Ari 

Lots of beautiful roads adorn this driftless zone of Iowa. 

Swamped

Sorry for the lack of posting but we have been swamped at Hartley's Cycle, where I work. My lower back is in full seize mode.
Ari

A Mongoose turning into a fungoose

Our Priceless Lovechild

I've been busting it on my 30 lbs Salsa Mariachi. I did the tires Ghetto Tubeless and they work great.





more coming soon as I get some time.
I hope you are doing well.
Congrats to Eric from Transit Interface in Getting your Nature Boy back
I am really happy for you!!!!
More rain
more storms
more helicopters falling in the yard.
Summer is here
Deathride approaches.
Iowa is always on our minds.
be well,
Ari

Sunday Riding

Rode out with the shop on the road with the 29er. Got in 80 miles of road riding with the fat tires. Snake lent me a Hero camera to play with . I think I like it. 

Ari 

Snake, Lovechild, Mikey, Luigi, Noely, Marlow and me in back dying on the 29er. 

Cinco de Mayo 2013 Gravel Cruising

Did not have to work Sat night so we loaded the Subaru, and ran away to Iowa for the weekend. Did some scouting on some great roads in the Jackson county area. 
best, 
Ari 

Gunnar Gravel Prototype

Cookie and I received a phone call from Waterford Precision Cycles telling us that they were interested in building up a Gravel specific bicycle. So, we spent some time on the phone, exchanged emails and blueprints until the prototypes were finally cut, welded, painted and sent to us. We really thank them for providing us with fresh frames for the big Spring Dance. My bike was geared and cookie's built up with paragon sliding dropouts that can be made singlespeed or with another hanger into a geared machine. 
My frame fits very well. It has clearance for 40+ mm tires, a long wheelbase, a long top tube helps in climbing. The long chainstays kept the bike in control on the downhills. The lower than normal Bottom Bracket would also add to stability. We decided on the Lime twist color for the Slender Fungus. 
Here are some  closeup photos. I really enjoyed riding this bike continuously  for 260 miles.

Once again thank you Richard and Johanna from Waterford Precision Cycles/ Gunnar Bikes. 

This bike really rocks!!!

Ari

Gunnar Prototype. Custom Geometry. Waterford Fork Crown. 

Long Top tube with a shorter stem. 44cm Cowbells. Best bar ever. Cane Creek levers. I came to like these more and more. 

Huge Clearanc in the front. 

Avid Ultmates, Clement MSO  40mm. 

Generic Stem, Cowbells and a reliable, large numbered Enduro Cateye computer. 

3 bottle holders. 105 cranks with 34x45 rings. Deore DX front Der. 

These bottles kept me from drinking dust. Velocity cages fit perfect with 1 L size bottles. 

King bearings are the only way to go. downtube shifter bosses. Sti, downtube or barend compatible. Smart.

unbeatable salsa clamp, Thomson post and my favorite Gonzo Saddle from All City. Though  I did envy Special K's Brooks spring saddle. 

XT reverse pull with 11x34 cogs. 34x34 was my lowest gear and I used it a lot. 

Ultimate brakes setup in touring mode for clearance. 

40mm with room to spare. 

I think a really good looking machine. I felt really comfortable on it for  all those miles. 

Full length cable with only 2 braze ons so I can accomodate frame bag. 

I left the bars on high to relieve my back. No back pain at all during the whole ride. 

One layer of Cinelli Gel tape. Padded gloves. if your bars are too thick  your hands will cramp. 

barrell adjuster for back brake. 

These King hubs have over 75,000 miles on them. Billabong overhauls them and keeps them going.  Salsa skewers. 

The greatest tire I have ridden. I wish I had a much wider tire with all the fresh gravel. 

Xtr pedals. 

Trans Iowa April 27-28th 2013 the Final Chapter.

Giggles, Special K and Cookie grilling it up. 

Giggles and the Bonk King

Gumby and Eric Brunt

Giggles, Cookie, Jeremy, MG and Mrs. MG. 

Jeremy and Cookie at the start

Getting ready at the start.

Line them up 

Special K and the Llama enjoying the first rays of Sat morning. 

Rode with the Llama for a long period, then he just dissapeared. 

The llama rode a great race. 

Special K would be my partner for the whole time

The Llama rode strong. 

The B roads were rideable. This is a first time for me. 

Micro breaks were necessary. 

Saturday night got cold and I started to fall apart. 

After I melted I got back on the bike for 5 more miles and then completely fell apart.

     So, this concludes my posting for Trans Iowa. I would like to thank the following people:

My wife and family for the support.

Guitar Ted for an amazing event. 

Hartley's Cycle for their support. 

The Slender Fungus Cycling Association,namely my support crew of Gumby and Bonk King. 

Waterford Precision Cycles/Gunnar for the 

Frame.

Sram for the Brakes I used. 

I would like to congratulate all riders that finished,did not finish, participated. 

I would like to thank the volunteers. 

Thank you Grinnell. Thank you Iowa. Thank you People that gave us water. Thank you weather. 

     There is a lot I am still processing and I will probably have another post at some random time. Trans Iowa is a race like no other. I left it all out there and rode a personal best with 260 miles. I truly could not go any more. I think I have it in me to finish. I would like to come back and give it another go. 

     Trans Iowa has opened my eyes and given me a different perspective on life. It has given me time to think about different topics and analyze what I am doing on this planet. Has it changed my life?? I absolutely believe so. I have made lifelong friends that I will know and have forever. I am able to endure more. I am able to tolerate more. I have become enamored with the Iowa countryside. So, I hope we can all meet again and do this again. Trans Iowa is truly Priceless.  

Thanks and be well, 

Ari 

President, Slender Fungus Cycling Association