a gnome later this year.
Stand by.
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Monday, March 30, 2009
The Skidmark arrives later this week
It is done.Its bad in a poop brown kind of way
Then it will be a rush to do the worlds fastest bike build and drive to Arkansas for a race that I am woefully unprepared for.
Things have been looking "oh so pro" around our house. New wheels and tires, cracked frames, New kits on order, and protein shakes seasoned with the tears of little kittens.
The "S" stands for Speed
Monday, March 23, 2009
Why i am a bad person
I am really not a bad person but seeing this makes me feel like it
All the service and places it has taken me. I feel like I am getting ready to take a favorite family pet to get put down.
The Flight has cracked at the Downtube gusset. I am taking it to my favorite Redline Dealer to investigate the nature of the cracks and start the warranty process if need be.
And it just sits there in the dark looking back me............I feel like I am getting ready to kill ol' yeller.
I also sent my infamously ugly Koobi Xenon saddle back to Koobiland for repairs today. I hope is fixable . Nothing worse than a very light, very expensive, paperweight.
Happier times..........
Those were the days.
All the service and places it has taken me. I feel like I am getting ready to take a favorite family pet to get put down.
The Flight has cracked at the Downtube gusset. I am taking it to my favorite Redline Dealer to investigate the nature of the cracks and start the warranty process if need be.
And it just sits there in the dark looking back me............I feel like I am getting ready to kill ol' yeller.
I also sent my infamously ugly Koobi Xenon saddle back to Koobiland for repairs today. I hope is fixable . Nothing worse than a very light, very expensive, paperweight.
Happier times..........
Those were the days.
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Bringing the party to Lake Wilson
So in an attempt to salvage some spring break time off, her Al-ness, Brutus, and I took our white-trash road show to Wilson "the Clearest Lake In KS" Lake. Its about 5 miles north of I-70
and is a real jewel of kansas mountain biking. It is in what I consider to be the "gateway" to western KS. Low rainfall and not many trees. What trees there are, are generally relegated to low areas and the occasional cedar, which is more like a large weed.
Anyhow, we got there Friday afternoon and tried to establish our camp in a spot that was out of the wind. We stayed at the Wheatgrass Campground operated by KS state Parks.
Take note!
There are no services offered this time of year so you had better have some strong bushcraft!
Note the sheltered location of our base camp. Most sites at Wilson are extremely open and exposed.
Brutus and I, taking a moment to reflect.
After a few moments of reflection I took the bike and went out to check out the trails. Brutus moped and mourned accordingly. Later that evening I went out and did another loop as a night ride. Was pretty intense.
Then Saturday saw the arrival of John "yeah, I'll huck that" Waller. After cruising around for several hours, we were both in agreement that there really is nothing like this within a days drive. Big technical slickrock sections, moves that require torque and finesse, long climbs, sweeping fast descents, in short, there is something for everyone.
What I think of as the Front two loops (closest to the Wheatgrass trail head) encompass more of the technical "powerful" type of riding.
The back loop (south of the hell creek road) was one of my favorite parts. I liked it best ridden backwards so that you climbed away from the lake first and ended the loop along the lake cliffs.
Waller posing in KS Canyonlands style. I did two laps on Saturday on the rigid SS and I was absolutely destroyed when it was over. 34:18 is not a kind gear to be turning out there.
Upon our return to camp, we saw to the acquisition of appropriate provisions and built a suitable fire upon which foil packs would be cooked.
BAM! is the vernacular that Emeril would use to describe this feat that is the collision of gastronomy and skills honed by years of dirt-baggery and low living.
Big-Al was like, "Good Game" As the sun set upon our campsite, we prepared to once again lay siege to the trails on Sunday.
Al in her natural habitat.
When it was all said and done, and there were no more birds left to chase through the tall grass.
Wilson is the labor of love of the KTC and Central Kansas Mountain Bike Club. They put in a ton of work out there, and it shows. Next weekend they are having a work weekendand adding on another mile of trail. If you have never been out there now is the time to go.
Things to keep in mind:
Sunscreen....There are no trees.
Water......bring lots.
15 miles at wilson is like 25 miles somewhere else
I feel that this area is best enjoyed with suspension......GASP! after a lap I was wishing for some.
IF you take a full suspension bike you will not be sorry, also be prepared to use a wide range of gears.
and is a real jewel of kansas mountain biking. It is in what I consider to be the "gateway" to western KS. Low rainfall and not many trees. What trees there are, are generally relegated to low areas and the occasional cedar, which is more like a large weed.
Anyhow, we got there Friday afternoon and tried to establish our camp in a spot that was out of the wind. We stayed at the Wheatgrass Campground operated by KS state Parks.
Take note!
There are no services offered this time of year so you had better have some strong bushcraft!
Note the sheltered location of our base camp. Most sites at Wilson are extremely open and exposed.
Brutus and I, taking a moment to reflect.
After a few moments of reflection I took the bike and went out to check out the trails. Brutus moped and mourned accordingly. Later that evening I went out and did another loop as a night ride. Was pretty intense.
Then Saturday saw the arrival of John "yeah, I'll huck that" Waller. After cruising around for several hours, we were both in agreement that there really is nothing like this within a days drive. Big technical slickrock sections, moves that require torque and finesse, long climbs, sweeping fast descents, in short, there is something for everyone.
What I think of as the Front two loops (closest to the Wheatgrass trail head) encompass more of the technical "powerful" type of riding.
The back loop (south of the hell creek road) was one of my favorite parts. I liked it best ridden backwards so that you climbed away from the lake first and ended the loop along the lake cliffs.
Waller posing in KS Canyonlands style. I did two laps on Saturday on the rigid SS and I was absolutely destroyed when it was over. 34:18 is not a kind gear to be turning out there.
Upon our return to camp, we saw to the acquisition of appropriate provisions and built a suitable fire upon which foil packs would be cooked.
BAM! is the vernacular that Emeril would use to describe this feat that is the collision of gastronomy and skills honed by years of dirt-baggery and low living.
Big-Al was like, "Good Game" As the sun set upon our campsite, we prepared to once again lay siege to the trails on Sunday.
Al in her natural habitat.
When it was all said and done, and there were no more birds left to chase through the tall grass.
Wilson is the labor of love of the KTC and Central Kansas Mountain Bike Club. They put in a ton of work out there, and it shows. Next weekend they are having a work weekendand adding on another mile of trail. If you have never been out there now is the time to go.
Things to keep in mind:
Sunscreen....There are no trees.
Water......bring lots.
15 miles at wilson is like 25 miles somewhere else
I feel that this area is best enjoyed with suspension......GASP! after a lap I was wishing for some.
IF you take a full suspension bike you will not be sorry, also be prepared to use a wide range of gears.
Thursday, March 19, 2009
keeping on keepin on
Al and I have been crushing gravel around town.
Then it was some birth control time with the ankle biters, who got a lot enjoyment out the coffee table that I pillaged from the old CycleCity Store. You could burn most of our furniture and we would be out maybe 50 bucks. They also started playing with the the Amoeba ,which almost got ugly as they took turns blinding each other. Good times!
Monday, March 16, 2009
Homemade Sealant Revisited
I have decided that Stans sealant is just a better fit after a year of playin with this homebrewed sealant thing. I have used ethylene glycol in my recipe, but the problem is that it wicks so readily through the fibers in the sidewall casing. And this wicking only gets worse as you tires age. In the pic below you can see the sidewall wear patterns that come from running really low pressure ( under 25 psi) for extended periods. So what happens is all of you liquids wicks out of you sidewalls and leaves your chunky bits of Latex mold builder and slime coating the inside of your your tire, but it can't seal puncture because here is no carrier (liquid)to help it flow to the puncture.
I would be curious to see how this type of product worked in a tubeless ready or UST tire, but I will just throw down the money for stans and not see it seap out the sidewalls.
I know some folks use just straight latex and windsheild washer fluid (me thinks that this is MG's recipe). I was not able to get this to seal all of the puncture vine holes from when we prerode at the Palen Speedway last summer and I was using mold builder with glitter (that was an exercise in futility). The only thing worse that having a flat tire is having a flat tire AND being covered in glitter.
I will stick with Stans
On the upside I finally sold my kayak and have the money to throw down on some Arches.
I got pictures and stories from this weekend, but they are locked in my camera, and will be relayed at a later time.
I would be curious to see how this type of product worked in a tubeless ready or UST tire, but I will just throw down the money for stans and not see it seap out the sidewalls.
I know some folks use just straight latex and windsheild washer fluid (me thinks that this is MG's recipe). I was not able to get this to seal all of the puncture vine holes from when we prerode at the Palen Speedway last summer and I was using mold builder with glitter (that was an exercise in futility). The only thing worse that having a flat tire is having a flat tire AND being covered in glitter.
I will stick with Stans
On the upside I finally sold my kayak and have the money to throw down on some Arches.
I got pictures and stories from this weekend, but they are locked in my camera, and will be relayed at a later time.
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Warrior's Creek from Greg Carr on Vimeo.
Just saw this new video from Greg. One thing that I have noticed is if it looks like they are going fast in the footage they are absolutely screaming in real life. Gosh, I miss NC.
There really just is not nothing out here that is just flat out, make your eyes water, tall and smooth berm corners, don't touch the brakes kind of faster faster faster!
Family togetherness
With the return of cold weather it has been back to pounding the pavement so on Sunday her Al-ness and I went to burn up the Western Heritage trail by Rocky Fjord.
Brute-nasty was in tow, and was hating on all furry woodland creatures, great and small.
Me.... looking like a goober.
On the horizon.......will not be long....till the goat is out of the bag. Big things....big things.
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Woot Woot
Been a wild week that has seen me to both sides of the state, temps in the single digits, and temps in the 70's. On Saturday I left Manhappenin at about 6 am and headed to KC, MO.
Joe Bob was moving the original Cycle City shop that was on Prairie Veiw to the new location in Parkville. SO I drove through the snow and crappy weatherwith the intentions of helping Joe Bob move the shop all day, and then camping at Smithville Lake so I could ride for a little while early Sunday Morning. Well north KC got a good bit of the the white stuff so I ended up bailing and driving home Satuday night. But not before We moved all the stock to Joes new location in Parkville commons, which is phenomenal. I am really stoked for Joe and his sister as they are expanding into the running world also with this venture.
Anyhow after that cold snap thawed things started looking up. We had a couch surfer from Austin stay with us last night, and Then I left early this morning for Larned, KS. My early departure is not a indicative of my "go get em" attitude. Rather I knew that the weather was gonna be great, and I wanted to get back with plenty of time to shred the gnar while the sun shined.
The mighty steed was rolling with a new chain and my new 34 tooth chain ring from Tomi McMillar of Tomicog fame. I really liked a 34:18 gearing for rolling around town and the river trails.
Mucho fun-o!
Stopped into the new shop in town to see how things are coming along. They are looking to have a grand opening at the end of the month. Sweet!
Then got home and started thawing some "leeetle shrimps" and Old Bay for some summer goodness that reminds me of my childhood.
What a day!
On to new news I now have all the parts except a frame to create the frankenbike of fixed gear fjear. Let me know if you happen to have a med framed 29er. Looks are not important. But you already knew that about me.........
Joe Bob was moving the original Cycle City shop that was on Prairie Veiw to the new location in Parkville. SO I drove through the snow and crappy weatherwith the intentions of helping Joe Bob move the shop all day, and then camping at Smithville Lake so I could ride for a little while early Sunday Morning. Well north KC got a good bit of the the white stuff so I ended up bailing and driving home Satuday night. But not before We moved all the stock to Joes new location in Parkville commons, which is phenomenal. I am really stoked for Joe and his sister as they are expanding into the running world also with this venture.
Anyhow after that cold snap thawed things started looking up. We had a couch surfer from Austin stay with us last night, and Then I left early this morning for Larned, KS. My early departure is not a indicative of my "go get em" attitude. Rather I knew that the weather was gonna be great, and I wanted to get back with plenty of time to shred the gnar while the sun shined.
The mighty steed was rolling with a new chain and my new 34 tooth chain ring from Tomi McMillar of Tomicog fame. I really liked a 34:18 gearing for rolling around town and the river trails.
Mucho fun-o!
Stopped into the new shop in town to see how things are coming along. They are looking to have a grand opening at the end of the month. Sweet!
Then got home and started thawing some "leeetle shrimps" and Old Bay for some summer goodness that reminds me of my childhood.
What a day!
On to new news I now have all the parts except a frame to create the frankenbike of fixed gear fjear. Let me know if you happen to have a med framed 29er. Looks are not important. But you already knew that about me.........
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