Sunday Training Ride

Got out for a long one. 50 miles of Erie Canal trail. Massive tailwind out and massive headwind with snow all the way home. 1 gel and 1 bag of gu chomps. Got a flat tire middle point and froze to death changing it. I was happy with my 13.2 average despite the soft conditions. The Trail got really soft and difficult past Canastota.

Ari

February Riding and more.

Salsa Cowbell 2, 9spd barends, shimano brake levers, Thomson stem, Zipp tape. Cateye Enduro, Mafac Cantilevers, Chris King headset. Some of my favorite bits on a bike.

Dorkus Enormous riding at night

Little bit of snow and ice on the comute home.

Rode the Selma Ti singlespeed and felt weird after the Steamroller.

My youngest daughter, following in the footsteps of my middle daughter.

Another drawing from the young one.

My wonderful Black Mountain Cycles. This bike is awesome!

February has been kind of a weird month. It seem like we got more snow this month than last. I still have done only one ride on the Pugsley and ridden the crap out of the Steamroller. I have grown accustomed to the change from 42x15 to the 42x18. I have gone up and down the hills with no side effects. My weight has kept crawling down and still feeling good about the huge challenge that will happen next month. I am starting to focus more on some of my equipment. I have almost given up the idea of doing a singlespeed on the course. I don't know what gear I would ride and am afraid to blow up and not finish because of a crazy idea. I built a training wheel for the BMC using a 105 hub and a Velocity Fusion rim that came off a Power tap wheel. I used 290 3x spokes despite the call for 287 right and 289 left. The wheel came out perfect and I am rolling on a panaracer pasela tourgard in 700x32c folding tire.
I also changed out the Ragley Luxy bars for some Salsa Cycles cowbell 2's. These are narrower than the Luxy and very comfortable. I did like the Ragleys at Dirty Kanza since I rode in a more aggresive terrain and they offered better control because of their wider stance. I did not like the fact that my Barend shifters stuck out at an angle and were so vulnerable if I would happen to crash. I also slapped on some new Zipp tape which is manufactured by the Lizard Skin guys and is fantastic. I shortened my shifter cables and that part of the bike is now dialed.
I have a White Industries Tracker Hub which is going to become my race wheel one I pair it up with a Dt Swiss Trekking rim in 32 hole configuration. I will use dt swiss spokes and on BK's recommendation I will try some Brass Pro lock nipples.
I am leaning towards some Kenda Happy mediums in 700x40c for tires but that is not fully decided. I will stick to my wired computer since it does not get funky when I use my lights. In ther rear I will go with a lighter blinkers. I am also looking to get some new cages that will perform better with my tangle bag.
So that is running through my head. The shop has seen some extensive remodeling and we are set for a record year. The vibe is good, the laughs hard and we are just waiting for the gun to go off.
best,

Ari

An icredible, incredible Endurance Cyclist: Tommy Godwin

I ask the DBD Headquarters to induct this man with hight honors.

This might be the greatest feat I have ever seen. I am so humbled, so humiliated. I feel so inferior thinking of my derailleurs, my gears, my double butted spokes. Anyway, this is going to give me that kick that I needed right in the male groin area.

http://www.phased.co.uk/index.php/tommy-godwin-mile-eater.html



now get out and ride those dusty bikes,


Ari




Thank you for posting this Jeremy!!!!

Some Stuff from 2011. What a fantastic year!!!!!!

Super Eric

Riding in the rain.

The famous Gypsy Caravan 2011. Best Ride Ever.

Scott, Trans Iowa

Eric finds a freakin' diamond embedded in tire

Bald Eagle and Ari in Dirty Kanza 200

My boy at checkpoint #2 Dirty Kanza 200

The 260 mile Fruit Loop, brought to you by the Rogues of the Slender Fungus.

Taking Shade during the ardous Fruit Loop. It was extremely hot and humid.

Jay and Bald Eagle cruising Trans Iowa.



There is so much more that I just get overwhelmed.




Ari

Saturday Post Revised

So these are my friend Pizza Dan's Tektro brakes. This is how they came out of the B road. He proceeded to open them and scoop all the mud out, gave them a water bottle flush and went on to continue riding.

Out of the same B road my brakes seized up, I was not able to clean them and within less than 40 miles the grit had eaten up my pads. I had no brakes at all. I went to the race with this bike built from scratch and after 40 miles my bike sucked. That is the reason that for this application I believe the good old Cantilevers are the way to go.

Gus Peters and I exiting a super-muddy B-road. Disc Brakes= No good.

In the winter there is no snow, in the spring there is mud.


If any of you have heard the T.J. inspired velobeats you will know that the lyrics above are incorrect. All I know is that the thick of winter is over and that is why I have been enjoying my fixed gear bike. Mud will come and the hose will be a daily routine. Trans Iowa is also nearing and this is the one for me. Keep up the miles and stay away from the sweets.

Ari

Don't let the lack of posting let you think..................

Giggles and I training old school. Note stylish outfits, lack of carbon and all the Wool!!!

that we have been slacking here. Giggles and I have been pounding our clean of snow roads every day. We have been doing hills and commuting to work. I have put on some upright bars and have been riding my steamroller since I switched my gearing from a 42x15 to A 42x18. I feel that the fixed gear bike is helping to tighten up my legs and develop some forgotten muscles. I am glad I had this idea. Been fighting off this chest congestion that is just lingering. The whole family has it. No reason to go to the Doc, just an annoying cough. Got some awesome tights from Louis Garneau and they are just fabulous. Also after 6 years of use my cable on my boa system on the lake boots snapped. I just looked at it, made a knot and kept riding. Giggle has been riding his Fargo and is going to Vermont to hit some gravel. I would like to make a hike out to Rome, NY on the Erie canal to complete about a 75mile ride on gravel. It's all coming together quite nice and feel fitter than last year this time.

get out and ride,

Ari

From Sir Buffinton's Journal

How true......................................................................



The woods are lovely, dark and deep.
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.



thank you Sir,

Ari