Too many tears, not enough blood

That is the frase that came to mind last night as we were riding through the fields. Too many obligations as of late have just kept me off the bike. I compensate by thinking of buying this and selling that. I remember the olders times when I rode till it hurt. I rode until I vomited and I rode until it was dark and I was caught on some busy road. I can still put myself through that state but it doesn't come natural. Time is elusive and hard to come by. The weekends slip through my hands and darkness comes quickly.

It is time to slim down the stable and start finding more quality time on the bike. Time to find time for some midnight rides and some adventure. More singlespeed, more fixed gear and a whole more gravel riding. I can see it coming.

Too many tears and not enough blood,

best,

Ari

Trying to get back on track.

Black Jersey for Night riding. + I forgot my oxygen tank

Sunday night at Kirkland, IL.

Just before it got Dark in Sycamore,IL.

The visit to N.Y. did me good and we had long talks with the Giggles. We came to the conclusion that the only way to cope with stress and not lose ones sanity is to ride a damn bike. Too many obligations and changes kept me from riding and when you fall into the abyss it takes a lot of will and some help from the wifey and friends to get you out. I have suprisingly stayed somewhat fit with the almost 2 hours a day of commuting. For a guy like me 2 hours of riding is not enough and that does not get me in the shape that I need to be.

So the rides in N.Y. have triggered some chemicals in there and I have been feeling a bit better. Today we got together with E-Van and Helmut and marked the course for the Cornfest Bike Rally that our shop put up. It was fun to see the fams get out and ride with their kids. I just wish that we could have more group rides and not just todays once a year.

At around 7 pm I left the house and rode along Peace rd and got the legs warmed up on the gravel. I met Helmut at 8 pm. and we ended up with 50 miles tonight. Plus the 20 this morning puts me in around 70 miles and I feel great. The weather is starting the change. My light windbreaker kept me frozen and I wished for my wool sweater, leg warmers, gloves and a thicker jacket. A few days ago I was blowing up tubes in N.y. from the heat. Whatever. Made it out to Kirkland and hung out at the Marathon Gas Station for free entertainment.

Hope you had a chance to get out. Shorter days, rain, colder temps. Freaks are going to start coming out.

Ari

Syracuse N.Y.

Dr. Giggles pounding up the hill

Loaded up the Pantani-mobile last Saturday and headed east to meet up with Dr. Giggles and his lovely Wife. The trip was a long one and driving through the night was good training with the fast approaching Trans Iowa. 15 hours later we were cutting through Syracuse and heading for his house.
We stayed there for about 4 days and absolutely had a blast. Riding there is magical. Roads are well kept, shoulders are wide and the hills are endless. It was rather easy to get out of town and be in some really beautiful areas just 5 or 6 miles out of the downtown area. Lots of times I was riding in a 34x26 and out of the saddle. Exploded a couple of tubes from heating up the rims on the downhills.
We visited the zoo, the science museum and tried to cram in as much as possible since Bike Mechanics get very short vacations during the season. We also visited the beautiful campus of Syracuse University.
I posted some pictures on the flickr site on the sidebar.
best,
Ari

Decorah, Iowa August 9th and 10th + Poison Ivy

A very clean looking Vassago 29er

Nice Bikes parked outsid T-Bock's






Poison Ivy, my best friend besides my Gunnar Ruffian

Giugi at Dunning Spring

The Fargo at Van Peenan Forest Preserve

Doing my loop up Locust to Clay hill to Whitetail Rd. All Hills

Dunning Spring

Dark skies coming over quickly

Had to run and join the locals in Decorah, Iowa

A bad case of Poison Ivy that eventually spread to both legs

and then started on my arms.

Cutting trail along the powerlines in Sycamore, IL.

Been a long time since I posted but the summers go by flying when you wrench at the shop and spend the rest of the weekend serving at the restaurant to make ends meet. We have been commuting with Helmut and he has had chance to get out on some longer rides. Our season is about to commence. As soon as it gets colder, darker and wetter we will be out there pounding out the miles. I did have a lot of Asthma this year due to the excessive amount of rain, humidity and messing around in the woods trying to get the powerline trail rideable. I have been taking Zyrtec and that helps out a lot. I chopped the larger weeds down with the machete and I would do 50' sections at a time. Then Helmut and I bought Grass Wisps and trimmed further. I picked up the poison ivy there and it drove me nuts. It was oozing and weeping and itching and driving my fuckin' crazy when I had to wear my dress pants to serve. I used calamine, Ivy Dry and then Hydrocortisone and now after 3 weeks it is much better.

This Sunday we left for Decorah and drove the 250 miles in around 5 hours. Stayed at the super 8 as usual and did our usual routine. Met up with Eric from Surly at Tbocks on Sunday and then yesterday I met up with Ben Shockey as we were leaving town. It was great to see him and be able to chat for a few minutes. Did some riding with the wife and daughter and then on Monday I geared up and hit some gravel roads. I came around Clay hill rd and entered Van Peenan and did some singletrack. The trails were super greasy and my Vulpines on the Fargo were all over the place. I also did the river trail single track. The Fargo amazes me and it is truly the do everything bike.

We stayed in Decorah close to 8 pm and then headed home. Today I feel better, my poison ivy does not itch and it is time to pack up and head out to Syracuse, N.Y. this saturday to visit Dr. Giggles. I will be bringing the Gunnar Crosshairs equipped with some road meats since Giggles has promised to spank me on some hills.

hope everyone is good,

Ari

Second Ira Ryan From Westmont, IL 60559

I am so proud of my good friend Pizza Dan for finally sending me this photo of his exquisite Ira Ryan Porteur. Built up with King hubs, headset, Dura Ace, MKS,Paul components, Sugino, Brooks,Nitto and the super cool bars that stole the show in Indianapolis: The Jitensha Studio bars. I really love how this bike looks.

Hope you enjoy it Pizza!

Ari

thanks to Corey at http://cornbreadblog.blogspot.com/ for contributing and posting this on his website. This magazine is really neat and I hope you have time to check it out. It is all about endurance racing and has some very well written content, videos and photos. Here is the link:
http://www.xxcmag.com/site/XXC.html

Ari

A great idea

Ran into this by accident and I think I will purchase one of them. It just makes so much sense to take one on a camping trip. The best part about this stove is that you have unlimited availability of fuel. Just remember to pack some extra 2aa batteries.
Hope all is well.
Ari