Sunday Group Ride

It was up in the air whether Hellmut was going to race or not. The cross races this year having been filling up real quick. I am guessing that next year the fields are going to have to be bigger or they are going to have to add categories. Yes, Cyclocross is growing in 'Merica.

We got together at the shop around 8 am and headed West with Richy and Hellmut. Did a total of 53 miles on the Surly Steamroller. It was very cold all day but at least we did not have the 14" of snow that the guys in Nebraska got. I hope we can keep getting together for some epic winter rides since riding solo is not always fun.

Oregon IL Grave-Tar ride

Giggles and Pizza on Chana rd.

Went out to Oregon,Il with Pizza and Dr. Giggles. We decided to go Singlespeed and just have a long spinny kinda ride. Pizza rode the Salsa Casserol and Giggles and I were on Gunnar Ruffian 29ers. It was really a beautiful day. It was Sunny with no humidity and we had a headwind going out. We discovered some new roads and some very nice countryside on the way out. We did gravel, rollers, a couple of hard climbs and before you knew it we were at the half point. Pizza rode fixed for half the way and freewheeled it home. I am still having problems with hydration and cramps. Total mileage was 83 miles. Four large bottles of water with NUUN, 1 large bottle of Gatorade, and 10 capsules of electrolytes from Hammer Nutrition. One large Bagel with cream cheese and Jelly, one power bar, 2 chocolate Grandmas cookies, 1 small box of raisins.
Rode the On*One Mary bars and was utterly amazed at the comfort these bars offer. So far on the 29er I have tried:
Titec Flats
Surly Torsion Bar
Race face riser
Titec Jeff Jones design H-bar
Salsa Bell Lap bars

The Mary bars take the cake. I also ran the regular Ergon grips and made sure to dial in the angle. Stem is Thomson and brake levers Paul. This is a winning combo.
Ari

Sunday Ride

Brick road coming out of Rock river Valley. One of the steepest hills I know of.

Farming of hay and Atoms

Riding into a headwind for 40 miles

All the Gravel you could ever wish for

I left this morning with the intention of making it to the Rock river in Oregon,IL. I had a nice tailwind head out all the way. I took the long route and ended up making the 33 mile distance to over 40 miles. I took a quick break at the gas station and headed back. I had a monumental task of battling the wind for over 3 hours. I drank all my gatorade, water, and luckily I had packed a monster power bar with protein in it and covered in dark chocolate. That is what got me home. I really was so sick of the headwind. The sun was warm but the air riding over the fields was cold. I had wind tights, wool socks (with cold feet), wool undershirt, jersey and a Hincapie windproof jacket. Balaclava and hat. I did many an intervals when I got chased by dogs. It kinda sucked riding solo since I could not draft off anyone. My total mileage for the day was 85 miles. I burned 5300 calories.

out,

Ari

Winter riding

Aldrich Rd with some visible Gravel

Wondering why I decided to ride

Welcome to Genoa, IL.

I can't wait to hit this place when Open.

Genoa rd. en route to Belvidere, IL.

Awesome truck.

Winter Scene.

Awesome new rd. Whipple Rd.

I knew I had to get out today and work out some demons. I did not have a good week and there was a lot of pressure I had to release. I made sure to overdress because lately I have been underdressing. I also took a geared bike to help out with the bad moments when my legs don't want to go anymore. I headed north and stopped by Genoa and then headed kinda north west towards Belvedere. I then made a uturn and ate 25 miles of headwind and little pellets of Ice cutting up my face and eyes. After what seemed a very long time I hit Pleasant Hill rd and started heading south. I got on Whipple and discovered some beautiful riding. I headed east past Sycamore and then circled back to the house. I had one waterbottle and my idea of stopping for food never happened. Total count for the day is 55 miles, 4.5 hours and an average of 13.5mph.
More snow tonight.
tired as heck and out,
Ari

December 30th !?!???!?!!!

Jamie taking in some water

Big Dork with Shades

Without much thinking we got dressed and headed outside. IT was really foggy last night so all the landscape was covered in white frost. WE both rode singlespeeds and liked the fact of not having to worry about shifting. It was cold and windy and we just wanted to pedal. WE clocked in about 25 miles and we were happy with that. This year went by in a flash and I am still trying to figure out what happened. My head is spinning. We wish everyone a Happy New Year and if you need bike work done over the winter I have time.
All the best,
Ari

Wind riddled Sunday

Rte 38 heading west with a headwind Simple elements off Rte 38
Mandatory photo of Water
Heading home on Mowers Rd

I left the house knowing that the wind was howling out of the west. Riding through De Kalb the wind was not as strong because it was getting broken up by the buildings and trees. As soon as I passed the Stadium for the Huskies it was like I hit a wall. I was on the Salsa and went to the 38 in the front. I was turning a 38x17-19-21 and going 11-12 mph. My heart rate was pounding and after a while I decided to see how far I could duke it out. 30 miles later I was truly hallucinating and I had to get off my bike and take shelter in a ditch. I ate a whole row of fig newtons and drank my emergen-c drink. I was shelled. I then turned north and the wind was even stronger. At some point I remembered the intersection for Mowers and I felt better. Going east was amazing. I did not try to go fast I tried to gain terrain without pedaling. I arrived home in a state of delirium but satisfied that I had put myself through it. I am planning on doing Trans Iowa in the spring and this is the training that is required.

Gravel Sunday

Taking a break on Gillis Rd.
Cool looking creek
Deep Blue, white gravel and some green
Dork on Bike

Fag on Bike
Solo riding
Dry gravel

Fresh gravel, ready for winter


Gillis rd.

Had a great ride on Sunday. Took the cross bike out and did Rich Rd. then Gillis and went over I39 then head west, then north then came back on Baseline which is also gravel. The wind was pretty fierce since the ground is bare after the harvest. Some rolling hills on Gillis made me strain. I had 2L of water and a powerbar and ended up with 60 and change. I got home really tired and vowed to change out the racing saddle on my cross bike for something more comfy, maybe a Rolls. If I had some riding buddies around here I would like to attempt a night ride on the gravel. I think it would be a lot of fun.

keep riding,

Ari

November 12th, 2006

Finally! After a few follies with riding I was able to make it to Water Fall Glen with Jamie. We did 20 miles of the crushed limestone and it really felt good. The first loop was really a warm up and an evaluation as to how much fitness we have lost. Jamie has maintained some fitness from running. I have lost all what I had gained last year from commuting to Chicago and doing 45 miles on the fixie on a daily basis. Man, I was chasing busses last year. Anyway no reason to complain it will all come back. I did set up the Gunnar with more upright bars and today I went ahead and also switched my racing italo bars for some hick Salsa bell laps. These bars are shallower and wider for more torque on the hills. Today I ran a 42x16 and was able to do all the hills. Maybe a 42x17 would allow me to get into the grass. Tires were Michelin 700x30 dynamics. Which are slicks and worked fine, I guess. My plastic bmx saddle is a joy and it is also nice to think that it will not rot if it gets wet.
One layer of wool and a windbreaker. Lots of fat to burn. The trail was busy with runners, hikers, photographers, moutainbikers, roller skiers, and believe or not people training there huskies with sleds ( with wheels). What a busy place.
I will soon start posting more photos of some stuff I have been doing. Tomorrow I will be riding in Water Fall Glenn again. This time I am pulling the burley with Giulietta. See what happens.
The Gunnar Ruffian 29er that I ordered is probable going to show up soon. I am uncertain as to how I am going go build it. This thing is going to be yellow with horizontal fork ends (not drop outs) and a conventional bb. I am not having any disc mounts. I am going to run conventional brakes on it. Interested in Bike art look up Rudi Nadler. Need crazy handlebars look up Jeff JOnes. I loaded an image of my rear wheel. Surly track hub with Salsa Delgado rims, build with dt spokes and running a new surly cog. Tomorrow is another day and I wish all a good one.
Peace,
Ari