What? What Time Is It?

Suddenly, the impending season seems very real.  Like getting engrossed in something only to discover that hours have moved by, the preseason has seemed to become the race season overnight.

With Ouachita looming this weekend, I am in that proverbial position of wondering exactly how things might turn out.  The only thing that seems certain is that I'm a bit lighter and that packing the things needed to race is nearly automatic.

With Sam readying the BKB IF for action, my often used tactic of showing up with a creaking chain is probably out the door so I will have to find some other reason to be worried right before the ball drops on 80 miles of Arkansas fun.

I think the biggest difference between my ride this year and almost every other in years past is my fork.  I'll be running suspension for Ouachita.  I'm actually feeling mixed emotions on the idea.  Sam's point, "You should save your hands for the bigger races later in year."

True... but I'm not sure I'll like it.  We'll see soon enough.

39x16 Meets 38x17

Sunday, Sunday, Sunday.  Weather, perfect.  Gravel, dry.  Wind, a bit.  Sam and I rolled for a touch under four on our respective singles today.  Sam decided to out mash me with a 39x16, while I took baby steps with the 38x17.  For much of the ride, I hadn't taken notice of the difference but finally, as Sam pedaled by me through the bottom of a roller as I waiting to be able to spin, I realized the score.

Fork in Action

"What are you running?"

"39x16."

"Oh... well that explains it."

"Yeah, I used to live with Tony Wilhelm, so it's all good."

On a related note... Don't look now.

Are You Thinking What I'm Thinking?

Apparently, a few people were.

After a morning spent supporting Mrs. Snob through her first running event, then watching Seven battle it out soccer style, I took the Fixed Niner to the park in order to remove some of riding skill rust prior to Ouachita next weekend.

With the trees providing a nice break from another Nebraska Spring wind and the sun pushing through in the afternoon, it was easy to push the tempo occasionally, visibility permitting, and see how the legs feel about racing next weekend.  (I am not sure they're down.)

Along the way, I saw Kevin B, Jay, MW and few others at various times out rolling dirt as well.  

As Ferris would say, "If you have the means, I highly recommend it."

"I don't wanna stay at your party. I don't wanna talk with your friends..."

Lucky Thirteen

As in years Mrs. Snob and I have been married as of today.

I had planned to post one of my favorite pictures for a commemorative update.  The X-Maxx party at D St was in full swing and as Susan and I talked, me with a hat made of balloons upon my head, someone tried to snap a clandestine pic but I caught them out of the corner of my eye and tossed up the middle finger of destiny to ruin the shop.  The shot captures Susan just beginning to laugh and that smug look of satisfaction of a job well done.  Merry fucking Christmas...

... and Happy Anniversary.

She-Devil

Dude... Cute Derringer

As in, not bringing enough weapon for the job.

With the family schedule forcing an early rise today, I joined the D St congregation for the Sunday 8am ride.  Unfortunately, it didn't take long to realize that I wouldn't be riding with the crew very long.  As we headed South into a brisk headwind, I often found myself close to being spun out and knew that as we turned away from the resistance, I would hear the familiar clicks as everyone shifted and I would be off the back.

So, I checked the time on my phone and decided to give it an hour then go solo.  The hour itself was nice enough, I chatted with JP a bit, hung around a few different rear wheels and tried to remember how my NCAA bracket was fairing after yesterday.

Then it was a quick see-ya-later to Jesse and a turn onto gravel.  Next time, I think I'll show up with at least one less tooth on the back.  I probably should have known better anyway.  The derringer is a cute pistol, but I can't imagine it's the right tool for most jobs.

Flats, PB&J and Modern Technology

It was a good Saturday. I bet Corey has the long version.

Express Lunch

Nothing like a quick 26 miles over lunch. I could have done without the headwind back though.

My New Favorite Band

The Plain White Hipsters...

or

Death Cap for Cuties

or...

Irish Eyes Are Smiling

Despite a string of flats that would normally leave me bent out of shape and reaching for a Irish stout, the weather of the last two days has kept everything a batch of smiles.  Imagine a photo showing a bike laying at the side of the road, a tire removed and the contents of a saddle bag strewn across a strip of grass, all drenched in warmth and sunlight.  

Now imagine four of those same photos.

Yet, the guy whose now running low on tubes still has a stupid happy look on his face.  Such is the impact of Spring.

Closer

The Morning Flat

We've all had it happen.  You've enjoyed some coffee, donned leg warmers and stroll to your bike only to find that, while it was put away in seemingly fine working order, now you have a flat to change.

Sunday morning was that morning for me.  After discovering no suitable tubes on hand, I sent a quick text to Sam letting him know we needed to switch to cross bikes.  With an already dead set of legs, the idea of smooth pavement and shifting to more teeth was hard to let go of, but I quickly resigned myself to the typical single speed ride and headed out the long way to Sam's place.

With a nice mix of road and gravel, we saved the headwind for last and capped the day with a Belgian style ride through headwinds and rain.  Plans for world domination sat on hold as we ground it out until the very end.  It's always a telling sign when the discussion ends with the food you're thinking of as you part.  

Sam was thinking chowder and, of course, I just wanted a mocha with a extra shot.

Hmmm... How to Describe My Legs Post Ride...

Perhaps with a picture...

Colonial Uprising

Why?  Because naming this post "London Calling" or "Anarchy in the UK" would have been too damn easy.

As life would have it, mid-April will find me in Hatfield, UK, just North of London proper.  From the looks of things, it looks like an off day will also be in the mix, so if anyone has suggestions on cycling related activities in the old empire, let me know.

If only Three Peaks were this time of year...

Feeling 'Euro'

Tick Tock

It hit me sometime today that my first race of the year is essentially three weeks from now.  Corey is over-trained as usual and I am probably under... we'll know soon enough.  

Tick Tock... Tick Tock...

Little Temptation

Nearly brought this home from NAHBS

The Long Way Home

Saturday.  29er, fixed gear, gear inches in the mid-seventies, temps in the mid-twenties.  Gravel.  Turkey chase.  Wander too far from the city.  Ride home against light sleet and rain.  

Sunday.  Road bike.  Mid-forties.  Highway shoulder to Beatrice.  Wind shifts just before turning around in the Arby's parking lot.  Bypass a Jamocha shake.  Twenty mph headwind home.  Spent on arrival.  Finish with around 80.  Still want the shake. 

"Take Note..."

Urban Velo takes note of Snappy Caps.

NAHBS from the Booth

The Snappy Cap booth at NAHBS proved to be more than a simple platform to spread the word about Mrs. Snob's caps and display the craftsmanship that she takes so much pride in.  It, as Nate pointed out, was a great oasis from the chaos of walking the floor.

The Wall

The coalition that worked the booth at NAHBS would also seamlessly rotate between providing us a break from the booth and strolling the floor to check out those asking to be checked on.  While Susan and I really didn't take in the entire show until the end of Day Two, it was fun to hear the reports come back about what was interesting and what didn't quite make sense.

Where the magic happened

By the time I really starting taking the show in, I found myself reviewing bikes with a scouting report to go along with my own take.  Typically, I would think things like, "that's what Johnny was talking about" or "Yeah, that chain would constantly drop off if you really rode this."

The Table on Day One

In the end though, everything came back to our little ten x ten space.  One of my favorite moments was when Mike DeSalvo took a picture of our crew at, I believe, the request of the Sparkle Ninja, Mrs. Carrie Kohtz.  We were all sprawled out in the booth, perhaps after hours, but maybe not.  Tired from the day, but having a good time just the same.

Two-Headed Monster

Speaking of Carrie, she was fabulous in the booth.  While I was often joking about my status of booth-babe, she was a zen master of booth management.  I found myself thinking that, if I were hiring a rep to travel and handle shows, I would hire her in a heartbeat.  She might not actually make it to the booth until the afternoon, but whatever she gave you would be worth it.

Worlds Collide

Mac|Life reviews the Chrome Soma. I say, good for Chrome.

Memories of NAHBS 09: REO SpeedVegan

One of the more interesting aspects of NAHBS was being across from Vanilla.  Not only did the bikes show amazing attention to detail, but the subtle aspects of the booth did as well, including bike stands make from what looked like stained concrete which held a post a pedal could clip into and adorned with a small tuft of fake turf.  When you're trying to decipher a stand, you know something is going on.  It's a booth that prompted Carl Strong to comment in a seminar that he looked at their booth and thought to himself, "Man, I suck," which was hysterical.

On the not so subtle side, they had SpeedVagan brass-knuckles.  I think at least three of us separately tried to get a pair at some point, only to reassemble and realize we'd all politely been turned away.  

After chatting a few times with Molly, who worked the booth like a champ despite feeling under the weather, we found ourselves referring to the Vanilla gang as the 'SpeedVegans' and genuinely enjoying small breaks in the crowd when we could step across the aisle and chat or laugh about the fact our hat fixtures kept dropping off of our Snappy Cap grid wall.

Of course, there were the bikes.  There are plenty of sites containing photos of the gorgeous bikes Sacha had on hand, so click and drool.  There was one bike in particular that I almost made my own at the show and, frankly, if we hadn't been pretty busy ourselves, I might have been commuting on it today.  

Bike or no bike, I'd still love to have a pair of those brass knuckles.

Whirlwind

Well, it's over. In being so focused on the moment-to-moment, it leaves me having no real idea of how Snappy Caps was received by the general public.  For a first-time, it really did seem to go very, very well.

What I do know is that Mrs. Snob and I had a great time, worked hard and had some great friends who helped us to make sure we put our best foot forward.  Thanks to Nate, Sam, Johnny and Carrie for coming along and helping out.  Having that support made the show much easier and kept the threat level low.

Now, I need to relax, watch Gangland, and get some sleep.

NAHBS Awards

"Everytime a non-functional bike wins an award, an angel gets its
wings" - Nate Woodman

Seven is ready to pit crew in Belgium

Handmade at NAHBS

"Are you guys 'pre-cooling' bags?"