Route we took to Water Fall Glen, Darien, IL.

Slender Fungus Cycling Association

So we had gotten hounded by Giggles for not doing any real long rides and decided that this Sunday was the day to do it. Hellmut was struggling with a beginning cold that was brought over from Florida as a cheap present from his parents. He balanced on the scale of riding and not riding and as secretary of the Slender Fungus took the right decision to get out and fight those nasty little germs. We left at 4:oo a.m. as required by our Northern friends and found ourselves cruising east bound in darkness, 23 degree weather and a steady snowfall. The snowplows were out again spreading more destructive salt.
Hellmut was silent in the dark as he fought off demons that were telling him to turn around and go home. He fought them hard and once the light came out he started to find a new courage. I felt bad for him and kept wanting him to not get any sicker. We made it to Downers Grove and took a welcome break at the bucks where my sister in law works. We then decided to head south and target Waterfall Glen for some offroad and some good hills.
We rolled south on Cass ave and got into the Forest. Road the muddy section then rolled around the wonderful forest. Went up the Airplane Field then started our long journey home. Had a magnificent tailwind from the N.E.
Our last 20 miles comprised the GWT. Started to feel the ride after the 100 mile mark. Good ride, good experience. No mechanicals, no flats, and Hellmut was happy to have decided to come out instead of laying in bed.

Hours riding: 9 hrs 30 minutes
distance: 120 miles

best,

ari

Make it nice.

Creepin'

Happy St. Patrick's day to all y'Irish

Creepin' over the I-90 overpass.

Creepin' in the Belvedere Walmart with the amazing Fargo

The everpresent facemask to protect against sudden asthma attacks

Had a hardy conversation over the phone with the Giggles. It was really cool to talk to someone "live". Got fired up and got on the bike around 9:30 pm. Temps were around 45 and it seemed like a decent night. I started with the plan to ride out to Genoa but then I got on Genoa rd and started to feel good. I creeped all the way out to Belvedere when I noticed I was empty on food. I had a Tums and 2 advils and then had to return home. I bonked all the way back and just kept riding harder and harder since the temps were dropping. I had the road to myself and the Fargo with the narrower tires and Chris King wheels felt like it was on drugs. What a super-machine. I will definetely consider riding this machine since it offers a very upright position, has a triple and I can carry enough water for a camel. I got in 50 miles in the dark and I was pumped about it. Arrived home and wrestled the fridge and I won. Slept like a rock and today I can't wait for the famous Wednesday night ride.

Wednesday night Ride @ 8:30 p.m
Meeting at Great Western Trail
(GWT)
corner of oldstate rd and airport rd.
Bring bike, food, lights, extra clothing since
temps will drop for sure. Bring money, extra tubes, pump and tools. Irish Whiskey to celebrate St. Patricks Day!

See you there!!!

best,


ari

Rides, Ideas, Solutions and Funnies

Ari's Cockpit. 2W Blaze, Cateye Microwireless, Dinotte light and Mountain Feedbag. No, my knees do not hit the bag. It is completely out of the way.

Mountain Feedbag.com.

Winter Trees trying to come back to life

The GWT is snow and Ice Free. It is firm. Come out of your Cocoon and ride it.

Dam by Campton Hills Lake

Long Horn Steer. Corner of Burlington and Silver Glen

Buddhist Temple in Hampshire, IL.

The mirror aids in Mutant riding. Ride on the busy road and when cars are a coming you ditch dive out of the way. No cars coming you get to ride Straight Shot style.

Mutant riding.

Hellmut and I rocking the 46toofers on Genoa rd.

Hellmuts's dream home in Belvedere

Monuments for the one's that fought for our freedom. Yeah, thank a vet sometime!

Strange swinging bridge in Belvedere

What the hell time is it??

I am so confused. Hellmut was an hour late to the ride.

Got up really early on Sunday and started the ride at 4 am old time and 5 am new time. By 7 am we were mutating around Belvedere and to be honest there wasn't much going on. We made it to the Bucks and had some much needed heavy coffee. We had worked up a good effort staying into the headwind for almost 3 hours. We cheated all the way back home with a tailwind. Good ride, getting used to riding early, early. Got in about 5.5 hours on the crossbikes. Today got in about 5 hours. Rode up and around Burlington. Did some shoulder work, rode the GWT for about 15 miles, hit the rollers hard. Came home tired. Had Vegetarian Sloppy Joes and some wine. Mountain Feed bag is a welcome addition to my bike. Hey, Made in 'Merica. So is my Dinotte Light. Very happy with it. Also came up with a new term. We welcome the absentee voter. This is the typical guy that tells you what bike to ride, for how long and on what type of surface. He has the innate ability to never show up on any rides that include hardship and suffering. He is the guy that will come in the middle of the winter to "weigh" his bike since he is hard at work on the WWW.Infernet.com looking for deals on closeout carbon parts made in Paraguay, so when the weather gets better he can come to the rides and spank you. Absentee voter we will be waiting for you.

I hope everyone is enjoying the lack of snow and ice as much as I am. I also welcome daylight savings. There is hope.

best,

Ari

The Pain of Decisions

Nitto Noodle Bar, Dura Ace Brake lever, Salsa Tape, Dinotte Light, Planet bike Superflash 2Watts, Nitto Stem, Cateye Microwireless Computer. Still need a cuesheet holder and the Mountain feedbag that will go in the corner of bars and stem.

So for the past months I have been throwing ideas around my head for the big upcoming event. I Still have not decided on a bike and sometimes I wish I just owned one bike. I get convinced on one big then switch to the other one and then run around in circles and lose a lot of sleep. I feel like I have invested a lot of time in this preparation and don't feel like making stupid mistakes. I will continue to monitor the weather and that will dictate the bike, the tires and some other choices.
I have lowered the gearing on my Gunnar Crosshairs. By lowering the front from a 50x34 to a 45x34 I am able to run an 11x34 in back instead of the overgeared 11x26. The low gear of 34x34 will allow me to "spin" up the hills instead of muscling up them like last year. I really dug deep and gave myself cramps in places I did not think cramped up. How about under your shoulder Blades??
I will also be running the Dinotte Light most likely on my handlebar paired with a Planet Bike Superflash 2w model. I do want a helmet light to be able to see where the handlebar mount does not cover, be able to read cue sheets in the dark, do repairs (i hope not) and see street signs and follow chasing dogs teeth in the dark.
I will be riding the Look Quartz pedals since I am slowly growing out of the SPD's. Not enough rotation, lateral and float. I never had problems with shimanos but I want to ride for many more years.
This year will be going with more wool and less polyester, vegetarian jerky, better hydration, no rack , no trunk bag, lighter camera, lighter mp3 player.
Still deciding on tires. Here are some considerations:
Ritchey speedmax 700x32
continental Cyclocross 700x35
Schwalbe Marathon Extreme
other????
Still figuring out nutrition, hydration, cue sheet holder. Open to suggestions.


Tomorrow we ride again and spend more hours thinking of setups.
best,
Ari

Wednesday night Ride

Hellmut and Gumby planning an attack

Hellmut's green bird Gunnar

My Bamboo Gunnar Crosshairs. What a Fabu bike!

Three of us. Hellmut, Gumby and myself. A slugfest through the melting snow, limestone and water. Rode back on I.C. Trail rd. with a cheater tailwind. First time in months not arriving home with frozen toes or lungs. Months!
Ari
8:30 p.m to 12:30 a.m.