When everything else fails go for a night ride

So last night I saddled up on the Mariachi Steel and took off for Palos. I installed some old Barends on my wide Salsa bars since my wrist has been bugging me for a while. I also put on some cushy tape to take up the vibrations since the Mariachi has no suspension. The night was awesome and it was a delight to be out there. I had my suspicions about bugs but it was cool and they decided to stay at bay. I hit up the yellow trail and warmed up on the gravel. I then got on the singletrack with my little Mako light and it was great to be in there. I ended the night with 35 miles on the Mtb. Sometimes solo riding is not that bad. 
This weekend I plan on a long ride on Sunday. I will make a post and let everyone interested in going on the details. Most likely early meet up somewhere west of where I live. The Bonk King has already picked up this ride on his radar. 
best, 
Ari 

at first it was clear and the trail was dry and awesome

Tired and burned out from 1 too many tune-ups

The moon was out and it got brighter and brighter as I rode. 

An amazing sunset for Jay, king of sunset pictures. 

Then it got full on dark The yellow trail was good. a couple of mud holes though. 

More night Riding with the Slender Fungus

Was able to get out last night and chase the blue demon around while he rode the wife's big Dummy. L. Perfecto joined us on the fixed gear. It was a wonderful, warm night. Just taking advantage of this weather for all the winter nights we were couped up. Get out while you can.
Ari D 

Blue Demon on the Surly Big Dummy Burning it up.

 

L.Perfecto and I chased with no hope of catching the Robot.

 

Memorial Night Ride

I watched the herds of riders all day long as they basked in the sun enjoying the day. I had committed my holiday to hanging out with family and getting the most out of it. Family was in from out of town and I just felt weird to get suited up and leave them. So late at night I got dressed and mounted up on the Steamroller and got in about 35 miles. It was humid as all get go. So I was just wearing a lycra jersey and shorts. It was weird to ride in the jungle like climate since it had been such a long time. Midway thru my ride on the Creepy trail I got rained on real good. I slipped my little Canon in a plastic bag and continued pedalling. It felt good to ride. I had been feeling so full and bloated from eating so much. At first the legs felt heavy but as the ride went on they got better and better. I saw nobody out there. I had the whole place to myself. I arrived home around 1am, showered, then went straight to bed. I hit the pillow and started dreaming. I 
dreamt  of longer rides with friends. I dreamt of a summer that never ends. 
Hope you had a great holiday weekend. 
Ari 

The creepy trail was dark and foggy. 

Back to what we used to be

Night Riding

Yeah, a long time ago Hellmut and I used to spend countless hours riding at night. Most people look at us with fright as we explain it is the best time of the day to ride. 
Last night, and many before that we have been getting out for rides that start no earlier than 9 pm. You saddle up on a sturdy bike with sturdy tires and you hit the road. In my case I have two lights, some reflective tape on my frame and a Planet bike Turbo rear light. 
We own the night since most of the population is asleep getting rested for another shift at the office. We cruise down streets that are deserted. We roll thru intersections with ease. We ride two abreast and spend endless hours chatting and joking. The miles seem to pass by flying since one cannot see computers. We don't care about zones, Watts, power or anything else. All we care about is being outside. 
This past winter was so brutal and we don't want to be cooped up anymore.  So the roads are empty, the traffic is low, the air is cleaner since there isn't as much traffic. We only wonder what's keeping you in?????

Ari 

The Zoo trail is freshly paved and empty

Sheltering during a storm

Blasting down 47th street eastbound.  

Fat is where it's at.

Left to right: Salsa Fargo, Pugsley, GT29er, Pugsley,Pugsley,Big Dummy Cargo




The road season was short lived for the Slender Fungus. We mostly end up on uneven terrain thus always needing some extra rubber below us. Our favorite bikes to ride are 29ers, Cyclocross bikes, Fatbikes (Also kwown as Snowbikes and Flotation Bikes). We also love to ride Fixed Gear bikes as the Otter can witness to that. So for the time being the skinny bikes will be stored away somewhere to gather dust once again. Now we are free to concentrate on Fat without any interruptions from the "Speed" department.
Load up those backpacks with food, thermos', a flask or two and plug in those lights and get out there and make a Caravan. Have some fun, stop and look at the stars. Listen to the Coyotes. Take some creepy photos. Dark and Fat is where it's at.
Best,
Ari

Two for Two

Gearing up for the rain.

Got out last night with J-B on the Great Western Trail. At first we had some heat lightning but then it got more serious and started to pour. We did not get totally wet but the whole experience was fun. Temps in the 50's and a real pleasure to ride in. Been doing duty with the Bianchi Cross bike and have logged in about 190 miles since Sunday. Thankful to the guys at the shop for getting out and getting me in shape for the Trans Iowa. I think 2010 will be a good year.

Also played around with some gearing issues and things are becoming clearer. Got to go!

out,

'

Ari

Night Riding

Rte 23 Southbound

Last nights target town

Got out around 9 pm and the traffic was starting to die down. It was very humid and all the home that were burning brush created a bad quality of air for breathing. I felt like my clothes were just soaked in dew. Passed by mr. Skunky with less than 4' between us. I am glad I did not upset him. Also found a road that I was looking for.

43 miles total for the day

Rode Rivendell Quickbeam

Hub generators rock

out,

Ari

Night Riding and Day off riding

Today's where the ***F*** am I Face

Last night battle of the lights.
On Left the Lumotec versus the new Led on the Right

Last night Rich and I had the road lit up. We were both running Hub dynamos with Nazi headlamps. It is really worth investing in good lights. As a kick we also ran Dennis's Powerblaster led light. So needless to say we had a safe ride and I am guessing Rich must have gone home with a long 50 in his pocket. Good thing he has a sit down job during the day. Night Cats.

Today I had planned on a century but plans changed since the little one has a half day at school. I decided to venture into new terrritory and got my big ass lost. I was roaming around Marengo with time constraints, no phone, no phone numbers in case I was going to be late. I was on the Steamroller and hurt my legs trying to make up time. A generous lady, in a big fat Mercedes came me some half fast directions and she pointed me towards Hampshire. I was far away from Hampshire but from there I knew my way home. I stopped at a Marathon Gas station and ate the biggest Fritter for 76cents. I felt comfortable with the grease brick in my stomach. Drank my one and only water bottle and booked home. I made it to the Great Western Trail and home with some time to spare. Must take map next time.

yesterdays totals

40 miles,

15 miles 1x1

25 miles Quickbeam

Todays totals

50 miles

Fixed gear

Surly Steamroller

ari

I made it there and then rolled to Burlington

NIght Riding

Trees with available light

Elevators waiting to be filled, available light

Got out last night on the Surly 1x1 and feel like I am starting to dial it in. It is a fantastic ride and very comfortable indeed. Running a 2 to 1 gear ratio with 180 mm cranks. So it takes a lot of spinning to get it going. Us old dogs tend to get stiff and push bigger and bigger gears so riding a bike that requires spinning is good for the legs.

This weekend I think we are going to go up north to pick some apples with the girls so I don't have any big riding plans for Sunday. Thursday, day off , will entail some longish ride either on the 1x1 or the Ruffian 29er. I would love to punch another century on my card but I am not couting on it.

Tonight we are having a night ride out of my place so if anyone is interested just show up. Bring lights, pumps, tubes, warm clothes, money, a phone, and whatever else you think you might need. Ride will involve mostly road and duration will be around 2 hours. Ride starts at 8:30 pm.

This Sunday marks the beginning of the cross series in the Chicagoland area. Jackson Park will be the 1st in series and Tobie and Helmut will be racing. If you are not racing go spectate since I guarantee you it will be a fun time.

We will be hosting Race #2 in Hopkins Park, Dekalb, IL. on October 4th. We will all be there.

keep riding yer bikes, its good fer ya.

Ari

Total miles yesterday

40

7 on Salsa Fargo

33 on Surly 1x1

Night Riding

Nite Rider Minewt

Planet Bike Superflash (my favorite) and the Blackburn Mars

Saturday was a double with the Bike Shop and the restaurant. Sunday was one of those we can't decide what to do days and we finally decided to stay local. We rode with the trail a bike and had a chilled 20 mile day.

Today I commuted to work on the Surly Steamroller and then came home, ate, and hit the road. I am growing fond of my Genoa loop. This time I did some extra riding in Heron Creek. The valleys were cold and damp and the top of the hills were warm. A slight wind and very mindful drivers. Must be all the lights I use. Double flashers in the back. Nite Rider, cateye flasher and Princeton Tec Eos in front.

Total for today

40 miles

fixed gear

best,

Ari

Commuting Commando Mode

It was warm when I jumped out of bed a 5am and thought that I should shake my ass and ride on over to the shop.
Took the gunnar with the fixed gear wheel and them knobbies. Had a fantastic ride in. I was in a bit of a hurry cause special friend was coming in at 10. I felt the burn getting close to the shop and finally made it there in 3 hours and 3 minutes.
Worked all day and rode home starting around 730. It was still warm when I left the shop but slowly but surely it started to get colder and colder. Specially as I rode away from all the buildings and big roads. These things dont' cause the earth to warm. Fuck no!
Out in the fields it was freezing. I had legwarmers, wool socks, wool under shirt plus Flatlandia jersey and my Trusty GaP TECh 7.00 dollar jacket. Also had my craft balaclava and man I felt the top of my legs frozen. I arrived home after 104 miles for the day and found a Gi-normous bowl of pasta with fake meatballs and I ate the whole thing. I am downing a Liter of water while I write this . Fixed gear riding is good for the legs and iF you havent' tried it give it a shot.
Lately I have been washing my clothes in cold water and then putting them on a drying rack I bought at Ikea for 14 dollars. For the normal dark clothes there is no use in washing them in warm setting. I also use the smallest amount of water. So a medium load is washed in medium and not large.
Also my Nissan has given me around 420 miles to the tank. I believe I used around 11 gallons to achieve this. I drive with the windows closed and even if it is a little chilly i don' use the heater. I rarely drive above 65 and most of the times on the highway I set the cruise at 60 and just chill. Driving is such a luxury. Riding a bike for 104 miles most of it on dirt and in the dark is hard. Slow dow, save gas and ride dem bikes more.
Out,
Ari

Friday and already in November

First I have to bitch about the big fucking deal about the new I-355 Tollway. Who gives a fuck about a place for more cars, more traffic and more pollution? How about more bus service, more bike lanes?? No matter how many tollways and how many lanes we put in them we will always be congested. It is pathetic that they are going to have a fucking "bike ride" to initiate the new CARWAY in town. I give Kudos to our supposed uncivilized neighbors from Minnesota that have just inaugurated the following:
http://www.startribune.com/10241/story/1538788.html
They seem to be more on par with commuting by bike and saving this planet that is on its path to becoming a flaming ball of inferno

Today I got home had lots of dinner and decided to start my night riding session. It was really cold and really dark and it did not help that I did not fully charge the battery. At some point I tood shelter under a tree since I was feeling the frost fall on me and it gave me the chills. The tree gave me good shelter and after an awesome pee and a few jumping jacks I was back on my beast. I rode to dekalb and then did some trails and arrived home frozen but happy. I am enjoying a glass of Grappa and Im hanging out in wool tshirt and wool socks.