Thursday, November 1, 2007
Oktoberfest 2007 Bike Race
Take a look at the Bike Race Pictures. The only thing you can't see in the pictures is how friggin' cold it was that day.
Hanging up the bike for the season...
So, it's been a while since my last post. I've been busy with work and I haven't been riding much. And now that it's getting cold, the rides will be fewer and farther in between. As a matter of fact, I may have ridden for the last time this past weekend. George hosted his annual Oktoberfest party and Bike Race and despite the cold and rainy conditions, it was a blast. I finished with a time of 10:15 for his mostly flat 1.75 mile loop. If the weather holds Saturday, I'm going to try and ride Cannonsburg and take a look at the new skills area.
In order to stay fit over the Winter, I'm planning on taking a Spinning class three days a week. I'm hoping to be in better shape at the beginning of this coming season than I was at the end of this past season. If that's the case, maybe I'll ride a race or two next season, just for fun.
But, for now I'll be depressed that I won't be able to get on a trail. Funny thing is, I've already started to plan the next trip to Crested Butte!
In order to stay fit over the Winter, I'm planning on taking a Spinning class three days a week. I'm hoping to be in better shape at the beginning of this coming season than I was at the end of this past season. If that's the case, maybe I'll ride a race or two next season, just for fun.
But, for now I'll be depressed that I won't be able to get on a trail. Funny thing is, I've already started to plan the next trip to Crested Butte!
Monday, August 20, 2007
Recovery
So I've recovered from my drunken stupor that was the Canada Trip just to end up drinking more now that I can get Fat Tire and the other New Belgium brews here in St. Louis.
I've been here for a little more than a week now and I've been down pretty much the whole time. That is until I got news today that an acquaintance from on of the Mountain Biking boards I frequent has offered to let me ride his Niner Air9. This is what I love about mountain biking. Where else can you find people kind enough to lend their own bikes so that someone they've never met before has a chance to ride one of the local trails. Friendliness and generosity are what make this such a great sport. Thanks John, I really need to hit the trail!
I've been here for a little more than a week now and I've been down pretty much the whole time. That is until I got news today that an acquaintance from on of the Mountain Biking boards I frequent has offered to let me ride his Niner Air9. This is what I love about mountain biking. Where else can you find people kind enough to lend their own bikes so that someone they've never met before has a chance to ride one of the local trails. Friendliness and generosity are what make this such a great sport. Thanks John, I really need to hit the trail!
Thursday, August 2, 2007
Going to Canada
Tammy and I rode for the last time yesterday before I leave for Canada. It was a pretty uneventful ride. Tammy is learning how to ride with her new clipless pedals and I'm just trying to improve my time, which I did. My best time is now 39:40, a 15-second improvement over my previous best. I won't be able to ride again until next Friday when I get back from Canada and then on that Sunday I get to head to St. Louis. But, that's for another post.
Canada should be fun. I get to live off the grid for a week with no distractions other than the fish biting at my lures and Dennis acting a fool. I know that I won't be able to strictly follow my diet, but how often do you get a chance to sit in a boat, fish, and drink beer all day for a week straight? Once a year, so I might as well enjoy it.
Canada should be fun. I get to live off the grid for a week with no distractions other than the fish biting at my lures and Dennis acting a fool. I know that I won't be able to strictly follow my diet, but how often do you get a chance to sit in a boat, fish, and drink beer all day for a week straight? Once a year, so I might as well enjoy it.
Giant Trance X1
Finally, the specs for the Giant Trance X1 are online! The price is a bit higher than I expected at $2700, but we'll have to see what it'll cost at Village Bike Shop. Can't wait to ride it and compare it to the Trance 2 I rode last weekend.
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
My New Goal(s)
Tammy and I rode Cannonsburg SGA last night and I finally broke 40 minutes with a time of 39:55. So, my new goal is 35 minutes. Considering the fact that I'll be out of town for three weeks of August, I more than likely won't make it this year, but I'll continue to work as hard as I can with what little time I have left this summer.
In addition to my 35 minute goal, I want to be able to complete two laps without a rest. Now that I broke 40 minutes I'm going to start doing a lap and a half and work my way up to two laps.
On the topic of new bikes, I found some pics of the 2008 Gary Fisher HiFi Plus 29er. I'm not so sure about the color, but it looks pretty sweet anyway.
In addition to my 35 minute goal, I want to be able to complete two laps without a rest. Now that I broke 40 minutes I'm going to start doing a lap and a half and work my way up to two laps.
On the topic of new bikes, I found some pics of the 2008 Gary Fisher HiFi Plus 29er. I'm not so sure about the color, but it looks pretty sweet anyway.
Sunday, July 29, 2007
Trow's Ear Bug
So George and I are making our second lap through his trail when George grabs at his ear. I pull up behind him and ask what's going on. His words were something like "F*ckin' bug flew in my ear and I can't get it out" the whole while, George has his finger in his ear moving it around trying to get the bug to fall out. I'm well aware how uncomfortable things in your ear can be, so I head back to the house to grab his water bottle to try and flush the bug out.
As I'm heading back to the house I see that Janelle's arrived at Trow's house and she's unloading food for dinner. I tell Janelle what happened to George and she responsed with a really confused look on her face: "There's a bug in his ear?" "Yep a bug" So, I grab his water bottle in the garage and head into the house to fill it up. By the time the bottle's full and I'm heading back into the garage, George is walking his bike back into the garage yelling "The f*ckin' thing is burrowing in me ear. Get my tweezers and pull it out." Back into the house I go looking for his tweezers and a flashlight. I find what I'm looking for and I run back into the garage to find George still yelling about the bug biting his ear. When I shined the light into his ear I could see quite a bit of blood, but no bug. I ran some water in his ear and shined the light in his ear again. I can see a dark object way back in his ear. I inserted the tweezers in his ear and I couldn't safely reach the bug. I suppose I could've dug a bit deeper, but the last thing I wanted to do was rupture his eardrum.
Well, after a few minutes the bug stopped digging at his ear and George was able to hold his head up straight. Seeing as the bug could still be alive and waiting to dig some more, Janelle drove George to the emergency room (George's third visit in three years). I decided to ride some more and I ran the loop three more times. I got a good workout and learned quite a bit about George's course for the Octoberfest Bike Race.
Shortly after I finished my last lap, Johnny and Miriam and the kids showed up. So, I recount the fiasco of the bug that flew in George's ear to Johnny and Miriam and they're shocked. Safe to say, it's a pretty screwed up story. I helped Johnny and Miriam unload and we had a few beers while we waited for George and Janelle to get back from the ER. We wondered what they would have to do to get the bug out of George's ear and how traumatized George would be. We all got a laugh at the idea of George coming home with a Van Gogh bandage on his ear, but when he got back there was no bandage only a prescription for ear drops. We asked Trow about what the ER visit was like and all they had to do was run some hydrogen peroxide in his ear and then flush it with warm water. The bug came right out and George was finally able to see the thing that caused him so much pain, a half-inch long winged ant. It's amazing the things that can happen when you're out for a bike ride in the woods.
As I'm heading back to the house I see that Janelle's arrived at Trow's house and she's unloading food for dinner. I tell Janelle what happened to George and she responsed with a really confused look on her face: "There's a bug in his ear?" "Yep a bug" So, I grab his water bottle in the garage and head into the house to fill it up. By the time the bottle's full and I'm heading back into the garage, George is walking his bike back into the garage yelling "The f*ckin' thing is burrowing in me ear. Get my tweezers and pull it out." Back into the house I go looking for his tweezers and a flashlight. I find what I'm looking for and I run back into the garage to find George still yelling about the bug biting his ear. When I shined the light into his ear I could see quite a bit of blood, but no bug. I ran some water in his ear and shined the light in his ear again. I can see a dark object way back in his ear. I inserted the tweezers in his ear and I couldn't safely reach the bug. I suppose I could've dug a bit deeper, but the last thing I wanted to do was rupture his eardrum.
Well, after a few minutes the bug stopped digging at his ear and George was able to hold his head up straight. Seeing as the bug could still be alive and waiting to dig some more, Janelle drove George to the emergency room (George's third visit in three years). I decided to ride some more and I ran the loop three more times. I got a good workout and learned quite a bit about George's course for the Octoberfest Bike Race.
Shortly after I finished my last lap, Johnny and Miriam and the kids showed up. So, I recount the fiasco of the bug that flew in George's ear to Johnny and Miriam and they're shocked. Safe to say, it's a pretty screwed up story. I helped Johnny and Miriam unload and we had a few beers while we waited for George and Janelle to get back from the ER. We wondered what they would have to do to get the bug out of George's ear and how traumatized George would be. We all got a laugh at the idea of George coming home with a Van Gogh bandage on his ear, but when he got back there was no bandage only a prescription for ear drops. We asked Trow about what the ER visit was like and all they had to do was run some hydrogen peroxide in his ear and then flush it with warm water. The bug came right out and George was finally able to see the thing that caused him so much pain, a half-inch long winged ant. It's amazing the things that can happen when you're out for a bike ride in the woods.
Trance 2 Demo
Saturday I picked up a Giant Trance 2 from Village Bike Shop to demo. It's not the Trance 1 that I've been looking at, but the demo has upgraded components that put it on the same level as the Trance 1 and the ride is choice. I rode over at Trow's house last night and had a blast. The Trance handles so much better than my Tassajara, not to mention the shifting is way more precise. It's definitely met my lofty expectations so far. I'm going to take it out today to Cannonsburg SGA to get a more accurate view of it's climbing abilities, but from what I've seen so far I'm very impressed.
Friday, July 27, 2007
New Bikes
I've got the OK from my financial manager (Tammy) to get a new bike next Spring. While we were in Crested Butte I rented a Gary Fisher Caliber 29er and had a great time riding the Lower Loop on a full suspension 29" bike. The obstacles were definitely easier to handle but I'm not so sure I want to get away from 26" bikes. So, I'm looking at getting either an '08 Giant Trance X1 or an '08 Gary Fisher HiFi Deluxe 29er. Both are considered in the realm of All Mountain bikes which will give me the choice of cross country or moderate downhill riding.
I'm going crazy waiting for the arrival of the '08s at my local bike shops so I can demo each bike and finally make my decision. I've read a ton of forum posts and preview write-ups on the web, but I ultimately have to try out each bike on my own.
Has anyone else been looking to get one of these bikes? If so, let me know what you're thinking.
I'm going crazy waiting for the arrival of the '08s at my local bike shops so I can demo each bike and finally make my decision. I've read a ton of forum posts and preview write-ups on the web, but I ultimately have to try out each bike on my own.
Has anyone else been looking to get one of these bikes? If so, let me know what you're thinking.
Crested Butte 2007
After a year of recovery from my back surgery, my wife and I traveled to Crested Butte, CO this summer. Thanks to Tammy's boss, Pam, we were able to stay in a condo for free, all we had to do was drive from Grand Rapids, MI to CB. The drive was long and boring most of the time, but it was well worth it. We had the chance of a lifetime to ride some amazing singletrack, see some breath-taking views, and eat some excellent food.
Before this trip I spent all of my time riding singletrack in Michigan. I knew CB was going to be tough but I wasn't sure what to expect. The town sits at about 8500' and the elevation change alone proved to be a huge challenge on our first ride on the Lower Loop. I had a few sustained sprints, but I felt like my chest would explode if I rode too hard. So, I took frequent breaks and soaked in the view.
By the end of our first trail ride in CB I was in love. Finally, I get to go mountain biking on a mountain! Not some hill with a few exposed roots, but a true mountain with tons of exposed rocks and roots and steep downhills and crazy extended climbs. Tammy and I found the one place that we feel happy and unhindered by society's norms and ridiculous values. I can be myself and bomb down the mountain, screaming the whole way! OK, I don't scream but you get the idea.
The Lower Loop is pretty tame compared the other trails we rode. We were in CB for five days and in those five days we rode six times. Day 1 - Lower Loop; Day 2 - Lower Loop, Snodgrass; Day 3 - Lower Loop again; Day 4 - Upper Loop; Day 5 - Strand Hill;
My legs were on fire for the entire trip, but I actually felt guilty when I wasn't out riding a trail. If my body could have withstood the torture, I would have only gotten off my bike for bio-breaks, meals, and to sleep for a few hours. However, my body isn't in top physical condition. Not to mention, my Gary Fisher Tassajara probably isn't built to take the abuse I put it through.
So, in preparation for next years trip, I'm riding as much as possible and I'm looking at getting a new bike next spring. I can't wait until next summer and we get to experience the joy of riding some of the more difficult trails, like the 401 and Reno/Flag/Bear.
Have a look at the rest of the pictures I snapped off while we were in CB.
Before this trip I spent all of my time riding singletrack in Michigan. I knew CB was going to be tough but I wasn't sure what to expect. The town sits at about 8500' and the elevation change alone proved to be a huge challenge on our first ride on the Lower Loop. I had a few sustained sprints, but I felt like my chest would explode if I rode too hard. So, I took frequent breaks and soaked in the view.
By the end of our first trail ride in CB I was in love. Finally, I get to go mountain biking on a mountain! Not some hill with a few exposed roots, but a true mountain with tons of exposed rocks and roots and steep downhills and crazy extended climbs. Tammy and I found the one place that we feel happy and unhindered by society's norms and ridiculous values. I can be myself and bomb down the mountain, screaming the whole way! OK, I don't scream but you get the idea.
The Lower Loop is pretty tame compared the other trails we rode. We were in CB for five days and in those five days we rode six times. Day 1 - Lower Loop; Day 2 - Lower Loop, Snodgrass; Day 3 - Lower Loop again; Day 4 - Upper Loop; Day 5 - Strand Hill;
My legs were on fire for the entire trip, but I actually felt guilty when I wasn't out riding a trail. If my body could have withstood the torture, I would have only gotten off my bike for bio-breaks, meals, and to sleep for a few hours. However, my body isn't in top physical condition. Not to mention, my Gary Fisher Tassajara probably isn't built to take the abuse I put it through.
So, in preparation for next years trip, I'm riding as much as possible and I'm looking at getting a new bike next spring. I can't wait until next summer and we get to experience the joy of riding some of the more difficult trails, like the 401 and Reno/Flag/Bear.
Have a look at the rest of the pictures I snapped off while we were in CB.
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