Day off Riding

Frozen Kishwaukee river

Loitering at Kelley's Gas Station


Surly 1x1
29er front White Industries wheel
White Industries fixed rear wheel
Race face Turbine 180mm cranks
H-bars
moosemitts
rockshox post
pure riding bliss




Looking east on rte 23





Heading North on rte 23

Got dressed and rolled out the house while the sun was shining. Rid myself from the studded tires and rolled with the 1x1. I was able to ride 30 miles in about 2hrs 15 minutes. The wind was out of the nw and cutting my face. I opted for the windproof fleece, craft windstopper undershirt and secret moisture control device. Two layers and I was fine. Wool craft longjohns and craft storm tights. Feet were cold as usual. Felt great coming home with a tailwind.

Tomorrow it is time to commute.

best,

ari

Day Off Riding

Look Helmet Police, just a cycling cap!

Church by Wisconsin border

Todays Goal

Very Clear air and lots of deep breathing.

We are officially closed on Mondays and my day off has been changed. Today I had in mind to do a Century. So I grabbed the Bianchi Cross Bike and headed north. I couldn't tell where the wind was coming from all day. So I rode through Genoa and then towards Garden Prairie, then Poplar Grove until I hit the Wisconsin Border. I had some good spins on the Bianchi and I came to realize once again why Euro bikes rides so well. Many years of experience I would assume.

I ran out of water and food with 10 miles to go and did not want to go into complete deplete mode. Stopped for food and drink and made it home to get Giugi off the bus. I rode hard today because once I got inside I passed out on the carpet. It is difficult riding a hundo solo and have nobody to talk to or draft off. So I will be recovering for the rest of the day.

best

100 miles in 6 hours 7 minutes 30 seconds

98.27 miles in 6 hours

16.2 mph average

1 medium bottle of Zym

40 oz of water

2 hammer Gels

1 small box raisins

1 small pack of fig newtons

1 cheese bear claw

20 oz Coca-Cola Ahh! refreshing!

Day off riding

A very wet final strech home

Page diner, Sycamore, IL.

The beast on its favorite terrain

I set off in the morning to ride as much as I could on the Ruffian 29er. I headed west on Twombley and then took Nelson and weaved all over the place before I came out on Old State rd. Then took 64 to the Great western trail and rode all the way to Elgin. Gearing was terrible since I had my singletrack setup for last times trip to Decorah, Iowa. Front 34x18 in back. I spun all day with a low mph average. On the way back it started to rain and the temps were dropping in the low 40's.

I stopped at Page diner for a Patty Melt, cup'0'chili and three cups of bootwater coffee. I was glad to get home and take a long hot shower.

Mileage for the day was 70 miles

Day off Riding

Rivendell Heron

On a Fantastic Road in Boone County

Heading North on Genoa Rd.

I have been playing around with routes a lot lately. Yesterday I figured out that riding to Genoa, IL. gives one the opportunity to get to Boone county. I found the only road that truly heads north out of this town. I was up north on Boone County and then got close to Poplar Grove. Conditions were cloudy with a sun that really wanted to come out. I opted for a Handlebar bag just to carry my food and map. I had mixed feelings about it since I am used to riding long distance with my camelbak. It was a nice change up to get on the Road Bike,(cheater bike), and enjoy the pleasures of 110psi on 700x23 tires. What a difference in speed and effort! A lot easier than doing 100 miles on a Cross bike with knobbies. My goal was to do another 100 miler and I was happy when the odometer clicked over the 100 mark. My lungs were running at about 80% because of the previous nights' asthma attack. Legs feel tired but good. Lungs a bit burning.

best,

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

Fixed Century on a Perfect Day

Taking a break at mile 80. Had to take right sock off because of hot foot spot

Custom Aegean Blue steamroller, Michelin Cyclocross Sprint tires

Dead wild turkey off Genoa Rd. Just outside of town. That really bums me.

Sprint sign to Poplar Grove. Uncontested

Foggy Start in the morning

I sent Giugi off to school, ate breakfast, lube the chain and the Cha-mois and was out the door by 8:48 a.m. It started off kinda foggy and some nice armwarmers keep the chill off. I could see the sun trying to break through and I knew it was going to be a good one. I road up Brickville and made a left on Grove and then took Pleasant Hill rd. straight shot style all the way to Genoa Rd. I then took Genoa rd all the way to Belvedere kept going straight north, made a left on Lawrenceville rd and a right on Poplar Grove rd. I took that all the way north pass Poplar Grove and I really wish you were there. What a great ride it was. Once I got north of Poplar Grove it started to becoming more rolling hill terrain. There were no cars, the pavement was smooth and there was a little shoulder for security.
I did test riding with a Blackburn mirror and it was truly useful. I could keep an eye for cars and I think once they see the mirror they give you more room. I really liked using it for straight shot riding. I ate my banana, drank my Heed and then made a uturn to go home. I had a side wind going north and a side wind going home. I baked in the sun all day.
After coming home, I quickly showered and went shopping for shoes for Giugi, went grocery shopping and went out for Burgers, Fries and Soda. That hit the spot.
Gearing was a bit low for the road but I have the remedied already. I rode a 44x18 and then switched to 44x16. I swapped out the cross tires for road and put a road stem on the "Greek Warrior".

Totals for the day

101 miles
6 hours 15 minutes
1 bottle of Heed
50 oz of camelbak
Power bar Gel Burst
1 Gu
1 apple
2 one liter bottles of cold Dasani Water

Day off riding

As close as I have been to a Hawk, awesome.

Me riding in daylight. Short sleeve jersey, and shorts!

Had the day off in the morning and was able to get out for a solid 60 miles. Rode the Gunnar Crosshairs with the Schwalbe Marathon Racer tires. A very comfortable ride on those tires and they seem to wear like steel. Ira Ryan rode the same type of tire to win the Trans Iowa. He had his in narrower width and pumped to the max.
I headed out on Brickville rd and went over the new bridge on Grove. I then took Pleasant Hill road to Genoa rd and rode all the way out to Belvedere. I stopped at the 'Bucks and got an Americano because the bright light was messing with my night vision. Rode back into Genoa and did the trail were the Coyotes were wanting to eat me for dinner. Found another loop in some development area with a severe climb. Went back to Sycamore and climbed up the hill on Aldrich rd. then went home. My legs were burny and I felt good. Spent the rest of the day with Giugi. Went shopping then we stopped at Niko's Lodge for Burgers, and a beer (for me).
I am thinking that the season is starting up. I would like to organize a night ride on the Great Western Trail with a Stop in St.Charles for fuel up.
My incredible Rick Hunter Cycles custom Stem came in today and I am seeing that Salsa La Cruz getting built little by little. I am not decided on drive train, rims and tires. So far I have decided on
Stem Rick Hunter
fork Rick Hunter
seatpost Thomson
Saddle San Marco Rolls
Brakes Avid BB-7
Handlebars Nitto Noodle 46 wide
Shifters Dura Ace 9 spd Bar end Shifters
Brake levers Dura Ace Aero Levers (old school)
Headset Chris King in Pink
Hubset Chris King in Pink
BB Chris KIng in Pink
Skewers Salsa Cycles
Pedals Shimano something
Rims Either Mavic A719 or Dt Swiss TK 7.1

I am still figuring out cranks, rear der, front der, tires.

best,

Ari

Day Off Ride

Half frozen with 20+ miles to go.

I successfully got frostbite on 8 of my 10 fingers. I was out today on the Salsa cross bike and headed west to do some miles for the Trans Iowa. I did check the weather and it called for temps in the high 30's with some scattered flakes. Well at about 25 miles out I decided to bag it and start coming back home. I had eluded the wind since it was on my tail all the way out. As soon as I u-turned her it started to snow. Flake here, flake there. After 1 mile of head down into a severe headwind it started to dump. Fuck the weather forecast. Out here there is no forecast and from now and ever I will carry a backpack with survival gear.
My Showers Pass jacket was excellent but I could have used another insulating layer. I regretted not having a hat with a bill since the snow has burned my eyes. I am bloodshot. The slush and snow penetrated the Lake boots and I went 25 miles with wet feet. The drama of the day was getting my hands soaked to were they were burning. I cried and could not find a way to make them stop hurting. I scoured the ditches for help. I eventually found some dirty plastic that I wiped on my tights and cut in half. I wrapped my hands in it and rode home. Jamie had to peel the plastic and the gloves off to reveal white tipped digits.
All these years of riding and this is the first time EVER that I have suffered so much. I should have had my Pogies and my OR snow mitts today. Live and learn. Hello????? This is March 27th, 2008 and I have burny fingers.
I was so relieved to not have had any mechanicals. Now I must get showered and go serve at the Restaurant.
Free Tibet and stop buying Chinese Crap at Wal*Mart.
Ari