Single Speed Platte Train

Woke up at 4am having cashed in a mere two hours of sleep to ride to Platte with Big Skinny and Mr. Matt Wills. Despite a little sleep deprivation and passing on a lap at Platte due to questionable trail conditions, we had damn good time. The gravel was good, the buffet as tasty as ever and the conversation was out-fucking-standing.

It was a little foggy as we started out.


"So... there I was... in the Congo."


Pinkie looking as fly as ever.


Behind Door #3 - Bacon


I thought you had it. No, you had it.


Almost home.


Two hours of sleep, up at 4am, nearly 80 miles. Tired is a state of mind.

Everybody's Asshole: Take Two

I'm not sure what to think about all of this. I thought I had expressed my side without being one of "those guys." But, apparently, I'm That Guy.

Check it out: MTBR Thread.

Big Big Bummer

also could be titled the "Squeeky Wheel - No Grease" post.

Just before 9 Mile was the first time I ran the larger XR tires on the Niner and there were a few times during the race when I heard a strange sound from my bike. A rubbing, not quite right kind of sound. I checked the bike post race and saw that, not only is there bare metal showing on the left chain stay, but there is a groove/crease as well. The scandium had been worn and grooved because of the tire rubbing.

Time to put Team Over-Analysis to work. The Cycleworks crew, including at various times, Jerod, Tony T, Matt P, Z-Dogg, Rock D and of course, Jeff all pondered and looked at the bike with me. We were thorough and frankly, I was waiting to see what I had done to jack up my bike. Jerod double checked Niner's recommend spacing. I was good there. He then thought to check the frame alignment. It was off. Not by a ton, a few of mil., but enough to balance out the space I was suppose to have minus a bit more. Ah, there's the rub.

So, Jeff chats with Niner and finds out that clearance had been a challenge for them with their earlier batches of bikes (which mine came from), but that they have since then adjusted/corrected the clearance in subsequent batches. Jeff then offers to double-check the bike and send some photos. Everything comes out the same in the double-check. We also checked the dish of the wheel to see if it had contributed to the problem. It's a Mohawk hand-built, so I felt it was solid and, of course, it was. Jeff attaches the photos to an email and sends it across.

Their response was to say that the portion of the chainstay in question was very thick and "should not" break. They would cover the frame if it broke. They then went on to explain how some of the tires, like the ones I run weren't available when thier early frames where made. They explain how they adjusted and that later batches had more clearance. My other option from Niner is to exchange the frame for a price of $200. The do not explain why the frame is out of alignment.

My reaction? I don't think so.

There was no mention in their response about the frame being out of alignment. An acknowledgement would be nice.

Based on all of the information I had, I did everything according to Hoyle. Had I know I actually had less clearance, I wouldn't have run that tire. Had I put my head up my ass and ran a tire beyond what they say you can run, I would have accepted it and ate my mistake.

If I jack something up, it's on my tab. If you and I jack something up together, I'll split it with you. I'm not going to pay an extra $200 for a frame I should already have.

I'm sure as hell not going to buy a SIR anymore. Nor any other Niner frame for that matter. Full dismount.

Maybe I should have G-Ted add scandium to his current discussion. Will Scandium sudden give as the groove gets larger? Do I feel like chancing it? Nope. Do I feel like paying a $200 "insurance policy" to make sure I am not on a frame that will break. Fuck no.

I'm working to have some class about this, but I'm pissed and disappointed.

I'm ready for my IF to get here. I hear they make a 29er SS.

Little Bummer

Looks like the Snob will not be racing the State Champs. The recon for the Epic is that weekend and it's now time to dial things in and put together a race people enjoy and feel good about riding in.

Worst Fear: Having people come away bummed because of something I could have controlled. (which makes me waver about riding it myself or running the "command center.")

Working on some cool news in conjunction with someone who's a great part of the endurance freak community. Stay tuned.

BareKnuckle's and Beer. Yes!! (BareKnuckleBeerBrigade?)

Moderation...

... is masterbation.

Considering a fixed gear project of sorts. Niner SIR. Fixed. Mary Bars. Why? I need a New Kind of Kick.

Victory salutes to Mr. 24 and Paddy*Naomi.

So, if you're considering a suspension fork for a 29er, what's your choice?
------
Clarification. The suspension isn't in regard to the fixie. It would be used in solo 24hr situations only.

Saturday

Saturday's ride with Corey and his better late than never IF kit. Chill. Uneventful. Digging the scene. TT grabbed some photo evidence of Niner frame drama at the shop. I wonder if my cardboard Ninja throwing star left a bruise.

Eat the Homeless

Over the last few weeks, I've encounter the same homeless gentleman on my ride to and from the office. Several of the usual cliches seem to apply. Darkly tanned, shopping cart filled to the rim with all manner of items and I don't have enough insurance to cover the man's needed dental work.

Near the end of the mini-heatwave we suffered through near the beginning of the month, I was passing under Cornhusker Highway on the way home, when I saw this guy stumble and take a knee underneath the overpass. "You okay, man?" I asked, pulling up near him. He didn't say a word but was sweating bullets so I offered him my water bottle. He tilted it back and began to chug it dry, pulling the water in until the sides of bottle caved in. Then he just walked away, so I rode off.

A few days later I found him further North, near Superior. Just East of 27th St. If you know the area, you know that there is nothing there. The trail slips between two cornfields that I believe the University owns. It's the perfect place to setup camp, which is what I believe this man has done. Seclusion. Tree lined for shade. The Salt Creek available for water.

A few days ago, I was on my way to work and when I neared the Cornhusker underpass, I could see there was a lot of shubbery down on the path. As I began to drop under the highway, I again found my friend, hacksaw in hand, cutting down the shrubs and weeds around the bridge. I bunny hopped a small section and just rode on in slightly amazed. He's never actually cleaned the shrubs off of the path. He job apparently completed.

I see him everyday. This morning he and his cart gave room when I told him I was coming by him on his left. He didn't look up as he pushed his cart from the front, constantly adjusting and it twitched its way along the path.

I'll be interested to see what happens to my friend as Fall approaches. He's working his own system though only he really knows what that may be.

Listless and Restless

Ever have one of those nights where you're just a little too tired, too bored, too far gone? That's tonight. That's now.

But misery loves blogging so start your surfing with a few of these locales.

Under the header of "In Need of Healing:"

CVO, our man on the scene is down but never out.

Fat Marc has some of the best posts you'll read on the web, but brother needs to take care o' dat boo-tay. Warning, some reaction is assured by the "boo-tay" link. Be prepared.

Less painful in some ways...

TransIowa discussion on MTBR.

Epic Recon Sept. 16-17. It looks easy on paper.

The Accidental Drunkard

Is it accidental if you are purposefully raising your own glass? Don't answer that.

With Swanson cancelled and the schedule calling for me to help out at the shop on Sunday, no rides or racing was to be had over the weekend. Time for Yia Yia's. Time for Bricktop. Time for Zach's last call to ring, "Skip and I have to work tomorrow, so you need to leave."

Funny how nearly after a full calendar year of not being scheduled at the shop how nothing changes. It's like a comfortable little time warp. If only I could remember how to ring things up. (When did you guys get that little scanner?)

Blogger in the Spotlight - Thanks Olympia Cycle

From the Olympia Cycle site:

"Paddy is the Store Manager at Olympia, which means that he does, well, pretty much some of everything, whether that means helping customers fit the right bike or pair of skis, working on repairs, or keeping the other misbehaving staff in line (Paddy can turn a used inner tube into a deadly authoritarian weapon).

Paddy can help with all of your bike and ski needs, but he personally focuses on xc riding and classical xc skiing. For a little cross training Paddy also mixes it up with some downhill skiing, trail running, and running with his two dogs.

Paddy likes a little pain in his life - he's a Trans-Iowa finisher, 24 Hour Solo World Championships participant (Snob insert here: He was on the fucking podium), and usually opts to ride the races he enters on a rigid singlespeed. (Hey, Look. It's PentaPaddy. --> )

Like most guys in the shop Paddy has too many bikes and skis to mention, but his favourite at the moment is his Surly 1x1, or maybe it's his Steamroller set up for 'cross. Why is it that the rest of us lust after the $8000 carbon/titanium machines while the shop guys love the $1000-and-less steel frames? Maybe they know something we don't.

Like any good bike geek Paddy's favourite movie is Star Wars (Episode 5), The Empire Strikes Back, and his taste in music can be a a little on the hard side (The Deftones, Queen of the Stone Age, etc.) but he insists he likes almost anything including lighter stuff and ambient, "'cause I'm married to a hippy cop/chick".

Come say hi to Paddy today, and make sure to ask him to point out all of the titanium bolts on his bikes; you'll be his new best friend."

What else do we know about Paddy?

We know Nat Ross thinks he's a chick.

He's an outstanding drunk blogger.

He likes to flip off the camera.

Hardcore man with a good heart.

I have to ask though, Episode 5?? WTF?

Now What?

So, Swanson is cancelled. Local news breaking on FFL and MTB Omaha. The question is, do I head South do a 12hr race? A little tough to go solo for 12 last minute with no support, but I may just say fuck it and go anyway. If anyone is interested in heading down, drop a brother a line. I guess I also need to see if it's too wet to race down there as well.

What the fuck is the deal with 2006?

Simply Snobbery

Apparently, I need to rethink my little moniker, at least for this weekend.

There are three events on the Calendar.

G-Ted's got the Death Ride Invitational which our main man Matt Wills is attending. Seems like a natural for me, but nooooooooo.

So, did I decide to rock it enduro style in Kansas? The Rapture in Misery? NOooooooooo.

An XC event? Are you kidding? Ummm, no. Really looking forward to watching T-Bone and others ride away from me at Swanson. After doing zero intervals so far this year, it will be interesting to see what happens. I predict my first comment after the race will be along the lines of, "Is that it?"

What the hell has happened to the Snob? Why am I speaking of myself in the third person? Only assholes do that.

Did I Stop?

Riding home from work tonight I did a short track stand stop at stop sign, looked both ways, and rode on. Just as I finished moving threw the cross street, Johnny Law pulled up beside me.

"Hey," he said in a completely polite tone. "I need you to stop at that sign next time."
"I did stop," I replied reasonably.
"You've gotta put a foot down."
"A track stand doesn't count?"
"I know you weren't moving, but I need you to put a foot down."
I waved acknowledgement at this point and we parted.

So, did I stop?

Interesting topic on G-Ted's site regarding Ergon grips. My hands are still suffering issues from 9 Mile and I do believe the grips hold a portion of the issue, along with the course and riding rigid. The grips have been perfect for other events, such as TI and Leadville. I hope that the new grips G-Ted alludes to are a perfect compromise as I was a big proponent until recently.

If you haven't visited Team Dicky and given them prompts, get over there. They are the first team to finish the TransRockies rocking one gear.

Deduction to Induction

"Let's Do That Again"

Was it good? Damn right, it was.

Corey and I ventured up to Swanson on Saturday morning to scout things out for this weekends State Championship race. It was a cherry popping trip for me. Rooty, twisty, single-speed friendly, fun. Very few places to pass. From what I hear, from what I saw, it's seems a hole-shot or something damn close to it is mandatory. Too bad I am not that quick.

The Fam du Snob met us a bit later at the park. Seven rocked the single track and freaked herself out flying over roots. Mrs. Snob took advantage of DemoDay action and now thinks dual-squish rules the roost. I'm not sure what to think about that.

Cleaned out my messenger bag from last night's festivities and found an empty, lonely beer can still attached to the plastic six pack ring. Good times when you aren't taking yourself so seriously.

EnduroSnob Epic work is ramping back up again. You'll start to see a steadier stream of updates now. Whether there are five of us or fifty, it will be a scene.

Just a Minor Threat

Hate is for Haters. American Hardcore. Thanks for the heads up, KW.

Big Skinny and I are heading to Swanson tomorrow. We had already planned to go as I needed to check out Swanson for the State MTB race, but with full blown demos going on, we can do no wrong.

In case you're wondering what that echo is clanging through the woods tomorrow, that's my BB.

The Magic Number

After making sure bits and bolts were tight, it became official. I have now torched my third bottom bracket this year. Frustrating. I had talked of getting a Phil Wood rebuild and now I don't really see another way to go. Suggestions are welcome.

This post was brought to you by the Misfits. Thanks Jesse.

My Accelerade Experience: Part One

When I was asked if I would review Accelerade on the blog, I offered to try it at the 24hrs of 9 Mile and provide feedback under race conditions. The challenge is that everything is skewed by the fact that I started the race without proper hydration, found myself quickly behind the eight ball and spent the rest of the race playing nutritional catch-up.

Before a drop of Accelerade hit my mouth, I had already cramped pretty badly and rolled into the pit where the crew and I went into triage mode. I downed a variety of products at that point, including my first Accelerade gel. Smooth, easy to swallow (much easier than the salt tablets I would later gag back up), I didn't feel any immediate rush of energy, but I certainly did maintain. Maintaining, at that point, was more than enough for me. I would come near cramping a couple of times on the next lap, but never truly siezed up.

I took another Accelerade gel on the next lap, ate some tuna salad and went back out and again felt no worse, maybe a bit better.

My next stop Corey transitioned my bottles to Accelerade. Corey set me up with a lighter mix than is recommended on the container. Simply, if any drink is too think, I won't drink it. If I won't drink it, it won't help me. So, I set out on my next lap with a ratio roughly half of what is recommended. The positive is that I was beginning to feel stronger. No cramping, good energy. Revitalized.

Over the course of the next few hours, I was drinking the same lighter mixture of Accelerade and eating small amounts of tuna salad. Continued improvement to the point where, as the race begain to near the last few hours, Corey and I discussed a strategy which would have meant coming off a lap with a very brief pit stop, then hitting the next lap at cross country pace. I was confident in how I felt physically. Not worried about cramping. While nothing happens in a vacuum, Accelerade was certainly played a positive role in overcoming my early race issues.

Key Thoughts:

- If I were pitting for someone, I would feel good about them using Accelerade.
- If someone asked me, "Does this shit work?" I would say, "Yep. Now drink, Dammit!!"
- I won't mix it at the levels recommended. For me, it's too thick. I cut it down on a later ride, in 100 degree heat and it was much easier to swallow. Again, I'll drink an extra bottle with less if needed.
- If I were pitting for myself, I would make sure my dumbass drank some of this the day before the race as well. Too bad I was not that smart last week.

Fire questions if you have them.

Part Two will be a review of Accelerade in my lead up to Swanson, including the race itself if I have enough remaining.

Snob out.

Exerpt

"Bicycle past police lights twisting the blue from the night. past a man setting a box on fire to make a pot of tea. Lean forward enough and it's as if you're floating, as if there's no machine supporting you, the earth spinning an inch below your feet. Blur your eyes and sing a little song to yourself to keep upright -- the song keyed to the rhythm of pedaling. Skim over the dark earth, arms spread, the sign of the cross, Look, Ma, no hands, crucified by the air, crucified by the night. Who doesn't want to just disappear, at some point in the day, in a year, to just step off the map and float?"

Keep Moving or Die

Isn't that the shark corporate motto?

'What's next' looks a little like this:

SS State Champs on the 19th.

From there I am unsure. I had been seriously considering Afton, but I have never been to Saskatchewan.

I could also try chasing Squirrel around Iowa or teaming up with the good Folks From Lincoln.

My hands still don't feel right. Maybe tomorrow.

Fight Like A Brave - 24hrs of 9 Mile Race Recap

I usually have goals for things like the 24hrs of 9 Mile. This time was a little different. If you follow the blog at all, you know that post-TransIowa has not been the land of rides and racing but simply trying to sneak training in when I could. So, while I did hope to crack the top ten, that was about all I considered. I really planned to go up, ride for a while then hang out. I thought I would end up helping Sam take care of Cameron, aid BKB crew to a National Championship or enjoy giving handups to Dallas and Paddy.

Somehow, despite fucking a lot of things up, I had a pretty good ride. Officially Sixth Place Solo Single Speed.

Remembering the weekend is just a mangled mess in my head, so here are chards that you can put together as you wish.

- I cramped big time on my third lap. At one point, I finished a small climb to have both of my quads sieze up on me. It was like standing with two pencils for legs. I hopped back on and started to spin them out. At that point, I got slapped in the back of the head, heard "Come on, BKB" and a BKB jersey moved passed me on the left. I thought it was Jesse but then saw Jesse in the pits and he said it wasn't him. I probably imagined the whole thing.

- Change your freaking brake pads and batteries. I ran that latter half of one lap with no rear brakes and lost my main light source for half of another and had to finish with my commuter light. Genius.

- Lap Six Honored Joe Patridge. Throwing Chain all over the place.

(Apparently, I decided to start with the mistakes.) On to the good stuff...

- I popped out of the woods as my body was finally getting back in order and the Red Hot Chili Peppers "Fight Like A Brave" was cranking loud as hell. I think I sang that for the remainder of the lap and off and on for the rest of the race. It was perfect.

- Dallas is a great guy to get passed by or share a rain soaked tent with. We kept bumping into each other on the course and when the rains hammered down we were stuck waiting it out together. Tip of the Hat to you, my man.

- RF gave me some positive vibes at just the right time out of the course. Congrats to you and the crew on 3rd place.

- Much love to Corey, Sam, Cam's Dad Doug Chambers and Mrs. Snob for all of their help during the race. So much of the race was spent trying to catch my body back up to where it should be and they all helped me get that done.

- Corey and I had a great plan of attack for the remaining part of the race. I only wish we had gotten to use it. As wierd as it may sound, I was feeling my strongest in the 21st hour of the race.

Not my best race recap, but my hands are still tingling and disfunctional from the race and my mind isn't quite straight yet. Check the links. Lots of great people with great rides over the weekend. On to the visuals...

The Dream people were chasing.


Marko ready to Kill Those Dreams.

The Darkness goes in search of your soul.

Let the fun begin...
Keep Smiling, tough guy. Here come the cramps.

How about that 5th Place?

Mini-Apple-Sauce

Small Children Fear Him.


Starting out at Cars-R-Coffins Coffee Bar.


IF Steel in Johnny Mohawk Black.


"Seriously, are you gonna finish that?"


Joining Johnny on his morning commute to Quality

9 Mile Spokecards

Take It and Run

I took another step toward my GED in simple bike maintence today by replacing the bottom bracket on the Niner. Last year's Giant is now simply a parts swap waiting to happen, but it had its time and that time has been over for quite a while. The bike's ready. I'm ready.

As Sam pointed out tonight, alcohol is legal in Wisconsin, so clearly they are ready too.

Dallas coined a great phrase in the comments to the last post. We do have the makings of the "Rigid Rumble." It will be interesting to see how many Solo Single Speeders are in effect and what portion of those are rigid.

Heading up to Minneapolis on Wednesday to hang with the man called Mohawk. Coffee Thursday will certainly come from the CRC coffee bar and, depending on Johnny's schedule, I may take the tour around Quality. This is exactly what a brother needs.

The Boxed Bee has your Breck 100 report. And a few bones to pick.

Bill of Sale

I'm a freaking consumer.

Bike Feed: SwitchBlade Fork. Jones XR 2.2/2.25. Giant 225.
Mind Feed: "Labyrinths" by Borges. "Another Bullshit Night in Suck City" by Flynn.

Spent Saturday in and out of the shop. On and off the Trail. Switchblade is installed and ready for 9 Mile. Bearings are shot, totalled, an alien workshop constantly active as a pedal. Nothing lasts.

Spent today watching/volunteering at the State Games Tri. Wide array. One gal pulled over in front of me and could barely get "won't shift" out through her heavy breathing. I look and she can't go any lower. I show her the situation and watch her eyes go wide. I grab the pom-poms and get her back in the game. "Team Blondies." I hope they finished.

Secret Weapon.

Secret Society.

Music by Braid. Frame and Canvas.

Ballad of Jan Ullrich

The "Patron Saint of Single Speeding" needs a gig. I may joke about having a Jerry Springer Lifestyle, but holy German Soap Opera. Win the tour, gain weight, lose weight, come in second, come in second, come in second, come in second, come in second, kick it at a rave, wreck your sports car, come in second, Lance steps aside and then you get drilled for doping.

In honor of the fallen, I will be riding 9 Mile over weight, over geared and drinking German beer. (You're thinking that would have happened anyway and you are right, except for the beer.)

Pictured: Paddy talking Dallas off of the ledge.

Floyd

"I'm telling you man, I came to win the whole race. Not just a stage."

Passion.

Back

5:30am in Denver. Cherry Creek Res. in the distance.


Rental Steed. Apparently, the shop we rented from sees a lot of chumps or I simply look like one. I started to leave the shop with the bars turned sideways and no pedals because I brought my Candies and know how to turn bars. The girl behind the desk didn't seem to think that was really the case. Had she ended each of her sentences with, "you dumbass" the conversation would have been exactly the same.


"Is this thing on?"


Pretty. Boring. Pretty Boring.


(Read the following in your best Dr. Suess voice) This is Mike. Mike and his rental bike. Compared to when I met him, Mike is now Mini-Mike. Great job, Mike.


102 degrees. Nearly three hours on the bike. All this water didn't make me feel any better.


Nice camera strap, Dumbass. Love, Ansel Adams.


Other highlights.

A bumper sticker which read, "Who Would Jesus Bomb?"

Discovering a client I was visiting had a office on Pearl Street in Boulder, then having to go there twice.

Chatting with Kris, our guide during our Novice white water rafting run from the front of the boat. Hope you make it to Costa Rica.

Having Kris try to knock me out of the boat because I was always turned around talking to him.

---

Thanks to everyone who contacted me about riding. Unfortunately, I wasn't ever in a situation to really plan a good ride and get ahold of anyone. It was get up at 5:15am or sneak away at a moments notice to get some miles in.

Bandwagonesque

Mr. 24 provided his thoughts. Fat Marc mulled its effects on his soul. Now they have contacted the Snob.

Accelerade has offered the sampler platter to yours truly for a review. I am still mulling it over, but am leaning toward "why not."

Read more on thier product here.

Got specs for the frame today. Concerned a bit about the difference between the top tube and seat tube lengths. 58 and 50 respectively. I like the old school down over the bike style, but I also don't feel like breaking a lot of seatposts. Think I will give the Boys a call and discuss.

More from Denver.

More Mouse

Heading out to Denver tomorrow for SIC. I hope to have a camera with me. We drove last year and are flying this year. I'll take it. Bikes are rented, routes are planned. I think I can sneak in enough mileage to keep things going in the right direction.

"This is a long drive for someone with nothing to think about." - Modest Mouse

Rock the Vote

The Bad Idea Racing boys need your love and voting attention. They entered a Race Face Contest which would allow them to be the first single-speed team to push pedals in the TransRockies.

The Old One - Two

Wisconsin State Single Speed Championship:

1. CreepyFriendly

2. The Darkness

Then everybody else...

"More Clowns on More Bikes More of the Time"

Seven wrote that on my office white board this week. It won't be coming off for quite a while.

It pains me to miss Manawa this weekend, but this should be the last event I have to miss. There's a silver lining there somewhere. And as far as events go, I'm with Paddy.

We had a Segway hoax at the office today. I fell for it with both barrels firing. Rumor was that our CTO had purchased a Segway. This is the same guy who I helped purchase an IF two years ago. When hearing about the Segway over lunch, my initial comment was, "Well, then I am taking his fucking IF." (Pictured) As we drove back from lunch, it dawned on me that Sir Wilhelm had once used a pretty good line to me that applied in this situation.

A few of you may remember a couple of years ago when we were getting together for winter trainer sessions in the basement of D St. At one point that winter, my car wouldn't start and friends of ours offered to let us borrow one of their cars. The drove it over and the car turned out to be a Hummer.

Being a fan of irony, I drove it over to D St. one day and starting rocking the workout, when Tony came flying downstairs. "Whose fucking Hummer is that?" I raised my hand without a word.

"Where's your fucking dick!?!"

There was then a moment of awkward silence as there was probably some question as to whether or not I would be pissed, but it was all good. Tony got filled in on the deal and it became funny.

The Segway also turned out to be nothing. It was made of legos and was only a few inches tall.

Denver on the Company Dime

The work induced road trip has now been prepared to keep the mileage rolling with 9 Mile in mind. It will be road work during the week and I hope to hit it mtb style on Sunday morning. I opted to skip the "teambuilding" atv outing but did sign on for the rafting trip Sunday afternoon.

If someone can explain to me how riding around on atvs can constitute "team-building" and do it with a straight face, I am happy to retort and tell you why you are wrong.

For those of you scoring at home, that's Sunday the 16th if anyone is free out in the Denver area.

Tour Du Tick

Four more hours covered yesterday. Tried to hit a few more hills and ended up hurting a bit on the way back to Wilderness. Over-reaching leading to over and nearly out. After I returned and changed I was walking out to take my favorite punk rock fixed gear riding sitter home, when I managed to go dizzy for a second and slam into the door jam. Whoops.

Did have the usual MG siting in Wilderness the second time through and he was joined by Jesse. No ticks though. Almost disappointing.

Paint has been redialed with IF on the Cross Frame. Speaking of cross, it's taking over my brain and I can't even say I have ran a complete mtb race yet. WTF? Half the time I was riding yesterday, I was thinking of cross. I've got problems.

Corey keeps leaving sidewalk chalk messages on my front step. I am thinking of getting David Lynch to direct the movie if this keeps up. A Gimp handed man leaving messages scralled in sidewalk chalk seems quite "Lynchian" to me.

Running the Tick Gauntlet

Took off for a bit of a pedal pusher after 10am today. Wilderness to gravel grind to Wilderness and home. Tried to keep a nice tempo going but held back a bit in Wilderness to keep it safe. Some sections are grow out enough that visibility can be sketchy. Not to mention that you are running a tick gauntlet. It's not a matter of if you will have some friends with you when you finish but how many (I found three.) Saw MG and Emily out as well. Somehow I missed the little rainshower that dropped. Hope they did too.

Riding the same time again tomorrow. Most likely the same type of route too, whether depending.

Happy Fourth.

Wilderness 102...

As in degrees.

Spent about three hours on the Fascist Killer today, most of it in Wilderness. Empty. Dry. Therapy.

Opened up the legs a bit and, as the Euros like to say, felt good sensations. I like the heat.

Found a green dildo as I rolled through the South parking lot. Free is good, but not in this case.

Pic's of Matt P at the 12hr.

I Smell Tour

Aside from the spring classics, The Tour is when I really dial into road racing. I have a few things I do like clockwork as the Tour approaches.

A. Order Cable. I am too cheap to have digital cable all year. I tried it once by letting a "Tour Subscription" run long, but the value isn't there. I probably watched at total of ten channels and most of them for an hour or less a week. In fact, if I could simply get the Daily Show and the Tour as some sort of bizarre custom package, I would probably be happy. So, cable for 30 days max and done.

B. Talk about setting up and office Tour pool and then not doing it. I don't know what my problem is here. This will seem like a good idea for about ten minutes and then I drop it.

C. Start imitating Phil and Paul during the day. Never fails. Random quotes in a pathetic British accent such as, "This man is on the rivot" and "resplendant in yellow" start jumping out of my yap.

D. Crack on Jan Ulrich. For obvious reasons, though he's my pick this year.

E. Feel for Jan Ulrich. I too am a porker who can't quite get in shape.

F. Eat Brie and Apples. Pathetic but tasty. Usually done on a weekend morning during a key stage. "The Look" occurred with an apple slice sticking out of my mouth.

G. Get bummed on Doping. Wears you down. Bums you out. Pisses you off. And on and on. 22 of 58 potentially? "It's nothing to be proud of Rusty."

Would someone please rock a Dopers Suck jersey on a rest day? Rest days are boring.

I would pay for a full year of cable just to see that.

Thinking 9 Mile

I took a visit to The Scene today and see that Butch, CVO and Corey have decided not to saddle up in Wisconsin and instead rock the 162 the weekend prior. Can't blame them a bit. I plan to join them for the first 40, then turn around and ride back to Lincoln. 80 seems right the weekend before going 24.S.SS.

Corey alluded to coming with to Support. Thanks Dawg. (Next time, you've got to own the Woody Allen.)

I'll be making one change to the Niner before hand. Switchblade.

If anyone has an overview of the course, I would love to hear about it via email (or post if you get your blog on.) I plan on getting there with enough time to preride, but a good description never hurts. I know Mr. 24 has described it as fast, painfully so.

Still a little paranoid about the fitness side of life. I can't quite settle into the hurt, like you can when your feeling nicely fit. It's coming back though.

Operation Ivy is playing a little too loud for my Mother-In-Law right now. (Yes, that is a shit eating grin on my face.)

Wookin' Pah Nub

Lots of Brothers in the Cycling World are looking for an assist for one reason or another. Consider this an EnduroSnob Public Service Announcement.

Dave Nice. Some of you may remember Dave from TransIowa. He was riding the Great Divide Race, stopped at the side of the road for a sleep and someone five fingers his bike and gear. Scott Taylor from Salvagetti Bicycle Workshop is trying to gather some funds so he can continue. I believe they are setting up a PayPal account or you can email me if you want Scott's phone. I am going to be sending Dave his Epic registration bike. He's in for free.

Harlan Price. Leading the National Ultra-Endurance MTB Series can tap a person's mind, body, soul and wallet. He's sitting solid with IF in his corner, but winning ain't easy. You gotta go West at least once in that series. Harlan's got contact and PayPal info on his blog.

Speaking of the IF Team, Buck is trying to get to Stockholm to defend his XC/Go-Cart ominium victory at last year's SS Worlds. I thought I had read somewhere that Elk was putting on a bake sale to help, which I love. Attendence may be tough but you can always email Buck and Elk has more info posted on his blog (Scroll Down).

I'm beat and my saddle is sore. Snob out.

Committed

I officially entered 9 Mile this weekend. SS and Solo. We will see how it goes. I know when I pit I will potentially see Sam, Butch, Corey, CVO and possibly Cameron depending on timing. I imagine he'll be in and out while I am drinking that beer CVO is going to hand me. "Thank you, Sir. May I have another?"

A few Randoms:

SingleSpeeders, Joe needs our help.

Mr. 24 has been Mr. 12.

DNB - Does Not Blog.

Maybe too heavily referenced but just fucking inspirational.

"When life hands you a lemon say, 'I like lemons, what else have you got?'" - Henry Rollins

You Wasted Life...

Why wouldn't you waste the afterlife?

Had to miss what was dubbed as the fixie ride this morning, but I'll be out later today and am really looking forward to it. Wilderness around 2:30 is lock, stock and two smoking barrels.

IF can't pull off the paint job I want so I was in a creative redirect last night. ('Can't' isn't fair. Apparently what I wanted would stand a better than good chance of peeling off.) The new scheme is sweet and disappointment has turned to excitement once again.

Here's a question: What is the perfect place to start a ride? I am envisioning a combination of a coffee house and bike shop, but am wondering what other people would have in a "perfect scenario."

mmmmm espresso.

Street Walk

Twice a day I pass a place called Community Alternatives. I have never researched its purpose but it seems to be a halfway house of sorts. I am not sure.

Occassionally, I will see someone, who looks like an addict in recovery crossing the street from Community Alternatives to the Casey's gas station or vice versa, but only notice because they tend to cross in the middle of the street as opposed to the cross walk and it's not a point in the road where jaywalking makes a great deal of sense.

As I passed this morning, there were several people in a circle being lead in some stretching by a guy in a shirt which read "parole officer." Most of the people weren't really stretching and even the circle seemed half-hearted at best.

When I went home, there was a different scene. An older lady was shuffling back and forth in the middle of the street with cars backing up all around her. In the direction I was heading a queue of five cars had formed as people apparently sat deciding what to do. As I slid by on the right, a few people started honking at this woman then some guy shouted out of his window for her to "move it." When I got up close to her I put my bike in the grass and jogged out help her. I quietly said, "let's get you out of the road" and lead her across to Community Alternatives parking lot. When we reached the lot, there were at least seven or eight people just sitting outside who had been watching this woman stuggle.

I started back toward my bike and could feel myself getting more and more angry as I went. Some guy in a four door looked at me and said, "What was going on there?"

"You were sitting on your ass while some old woman was waiting to get hit in the middle of the street. That's what was going on."

Maybe I'm the ass, but I really don't understand people sometimes.

------

Okay, I just looked it up. Community Alternatives helps people with Developmental Disabilities.

Inches, Not Gear Inches

And on the Seventh Day...



The Genitorturer Devices.



Checking the Niner setup to provide a comparison. "Yes, it is confirmed. You will be slow either way, Mr. Cronin."



The Interview: "Son, exactly where were you on the night of the 5th?"



What's it gonna be?

Peacock Groove

Johnny emailed me recently and mention a builder he works with at Quality, Erik Noren. Erik is the Fabricator for Peacock Groove. To be fair, I only know what Johnny has told me, but anyone who follow this blog knows I value his opinion much higher than most. Plus, Johnny could always turn into Vinnie the Henchman if needed. Check out the slideshow for some interesting work. I tried to get a picture of his clever use of skulls but his site wouldn't let me.

Snob out.

Tough to Focus

and therefore tough to blog.

I have roughly two pounds of paperwork to fill out tonight and none of it is a fit sheet for a custom frame. The new employer has piled it on. Maybe I should slip a 9 Mile registration in just for a fun break in the pain. If I can get through this stack, 24 hours on a single speed should be cake.

I did find my way to the Black Sheep Cycles site today. The geek in me really likes the way the site was put together. Bravo.

The legs must be coming back at least a little. 34x17 is a complete spinout the whole way to work. I probably should have switched things up last week.

The BareKnuckle Brigade has the best kit I have ever seen.

Straight Up Punk as Fuck.

Happy Father's Day

To all the cats balancing family and the bike, Happy Father's Day. (with a general "What up?" to everyone else.)

The Lumberjack sounds like it hurt some people. Check the Think Tank for stories.

Still not tons of riding happening. Riding to work sums most of it up. Sneaking in some runs at lunch to try to make the most of the time I have.

Bah-land Blogging.

Thinking of heading to the XC race this coming weekend for a pain and a less than solid mid-pack to off the back finish.

Custom Cross Bike - "With the Way You Ride..."

From a needs standpoint for me, I think in many ways this becomes a pretty simple process. Feel free to tell me I'm wrong.

A. Frame Material.

Some of you may remember a previous post regarding Leadville last year where I described how Johnny, Jeff and I were having the proverbial, 'what bike would you build if' conversation when Johnny said, "Well, with the way you ride..." and then went on to, in essence, describe how I beat the shit out of bikes like there is no tomorrow and ride with the grace of a pitbull.

Since then, "with the way you ride" has stuck to me like glue and the description is still just as appropriate. Titanium gets the vote here. In fact, it's durablity has occassionaly been called a drawback of several of my friends. The idea being that you now have a Lifer. No need to buy another bike when you have it. My simple response to that? I can always find a reason to get another bike.

B. Hurry up and Wait Time.

Currently, I have no Cross Bike. I could pony up for something like a Redline to get me through, but that seems a bit unneeded if not pointless. For example, I emailed Sacha from a cafe in Leadville right before the race last year and his wait time was well over a year. His frames are well worth it, but time is important to me so a Vanilla will need to wait.

C. Passion.

If I don't dig it going in, there's no point in going there. In other words, I am leaving a little space in my heart on this choice and not just relying on an abacus and checklist to equate my way to a bike selection. I realize not everyone does things this way.

Here's a weird example. I was having a conversation with a friend at work last week about Grammar. He was talking through the classic confusion of whether to use 'I or me' and discussing the need to get it right. I had heard similar conversations numerous times at Purdue and shared this line I often use with my collegue. "In the end, I don't care, because at the end of the day, I would rather speak like a poet. To me, language is art and not an equation."

I feel the same way about bikes. I know there are many good builders out there. I think the ones I mentioned, as well as those G-ted and MW added all fit that bill. I could Team Over-Analysis the whole situation, but I think I lose something if I do. There are builders out there I just dig and I know I will lean toward them.

Really narrows the field, eh?

This post was brought to you by pure silence.

Update: I dropped the fucking ball and forgot to mention THIS.

FUGAZI is Dead

Technically, the blade dropped at Midnight plus one minute.

Fugazi is Dead.

Corporate Music lives.

No Press Release. No deal points released. We've become them have become us.

What does it mean to the Snob and his workaday cohorts? Good question.

I have added the following phrases to my quiver:

"That is unknown at this time."
"To be determined."
"Good question."
"Let me get back to you on that."
"Can I have an extra shot in that? I'm gonna need it."

I do dig the flyer though.

Custom Cross Bike - The Mini-Series

I've alluded to this several times already, but the Network has now approved it for its own spot here on the blog. Shouldn't the Discovery Channel be doing something like this? The Great Biker Buildoff for the machines WE love? I think they're missing it, but I digress.

Everytime going Custom has come up for me, the conversation always dances back and forth between my needs and preferred builders, but let's start with the builders.

Here are the folks that go through my head:

Vanilla Bicycles. Damn Sexy Bicycles.

Matt Chester. Custom. Titanium. Single Gear.

Indy Fab. A fave at the shop.

Ira Ryan. Learned under Sacha. TransIowa V1 Champ.

Badger Cycles. Enduro Freak and Bike Builder.

Who pops into your mind?

This just in...

Slaven was robbed in "The Great Calf Off" on Shannon Skerritt's site. I also noticed Shannon correctly predicted Sir Wilhelm's result at Cross Nats. SS and Fixed Represent!!

Lastly, I have been "attacked" by a Two Wheeled Weapon.

Name That Playlist

Another post to file under "assorted snobbery."

The Snob story that goes along with this band is a classic, if only in my own mind. I got a call to see if I would watch over my cousin and a group of his friends at the Warped Tour. "Absolutely." I remember thinking "what a score," then as we were waiting in line to get in, it hit me. I had somehow evolved into the chaparon. The "Cool Uncle." Holy Shit. When did that happen?

Really, I thought. Who cares? I am here for free. The music is good to great. I'm sailing.

Then, the band with the playlist on the right took the stage. It was early in the day, just after Noon. 95 degrees with heat reflecting off the pavement taking it who knows where. The kids want to go see someone else on another stage. "Nope. We stay here guys." Aww. Come on... "Listen, I will bend with you guys all day, but we see this band."

They kids relent and we stay. Three songs in and thier converted. Loving every minute of it. Happy we stayed. Unfortunately, then it got the best of them. They wanted to get into the pit. "I don't know how smart that is guys." Jeez, I realize I really am the chaparon. Not go into the pit? What am I saying? But before I could end the battle with the Angel and Devil on my shoulders though, they were in. Sneaky little three foot tall cake-sniffers slipped away as I looked up to the stage.

All that runs through my mind is explaining how I let a 13 year old take a jack boot to the head and end up in the hospital. Before I can get into the midst of scrum however, the situation polices itself and the kids get spit out the back, smiling but a little freaked out.

Years later I now know that this would be their favorite part of the show, though had you asked them at the time, they would have said Good Charolette.

How do I tie this to bikes? Aside from the BMX show and the guys from Rancid riding around on Freestyle bikes, I can't. But that's okay. What brought all of this up? This band (you can cheat and click the pic.) is how I spent most of my Sunday.

Quick Release(s)

Yes, that's a painful pun. Everything happened in short bursts today.

PC happened by as I was waiting for the air conditioner repair man to show up. He rocked out four hours today. Out to Branched Oak, a few laps and back. Four hours in the saddle. Pleasantly beat. Good work, PC.

I jumped out on the Niner after the AC man left for a couple of hours. Since it was nearing the end of my first week back in the saddle, I kept the gear safe at 34x17. Rode to the shop where I said hello to the crew. I caught TT and Jerod in a lull, but RockD was selling bikes on the floor. Always good to see.

Hit Wilderness after that. I was suprised to see MG leading a crew through going the other way. I already had him mentally pegged for the podium at Poncha, so that sorta threw me. Speaking of Poncha, our Man on the Scene got some visuals.

Sameron is sitting in Fourth right now at Big Bear. The Sologoat sits in Second. Elk's SS and Seventh. Rock Stars.

Blogging Splendor

There are many nice posts online right now.

Elk on proper beer selection for a 24hr. (And actually has three great reads in a row.)

Not so FatMarc's report titled "twelve o' munchy - 12hrs at Deer Park is laced with soul.

G-Ted makes me smile. (And I believe MW too.)

Harlan Price of the IF crew touches on someone of local (kind of) interest in his update of the Mohican 100. Apparently Sir Wilhelm's Cross nemisis Brad Cole hung tough for second place.

As for me, I'm happy to be getting miles in again. Now if I can make the Monkey Wrench ride next week, things will really be kicking.

Slow and Low

that is the tempo.

Day Two of commuting to work again was a bit of an eye-openner. I wasn't fortunate enough to see Butch like I did yesterday, but it just felt good to be cruising in via the Niner today. There was even a section of the bike path closed off which forced people to drop the curb into the street at one point. Commuters may not have the greatest handling skills, but at least they are riding. Some poor guy curbed his rear wheel for a nice pinch flat so I stopped to help him change it. He was panicked he would be late for work, so I pulled an Avey and just dove in and did it so he could be on his way.

Mulling over two distinctly different items:

*Building a mini-pipe for the RadMan in the backyard. (He loved 'Freedom of Space', btw)
*Blogging the process of ordering a Custom Frame.

Got this in an Anonymous email this morning. "You should ride for the IF Grassroots squad. You're attitude sucks just about the right amount for it." Do what to who? Ummm Yeah.

"I'm so happy, 'cause today I found my friends. They're in my head."

Taking A Mulligan

My unofficial "redo" for the season starts up tomorrow. I am going to try to ride base mile style for the next two weeks with an eye toward Swanson on June 24th.

I am going to start up the morning rides again and log a couple of hours before work everyday, then ride at lunch, then ride home. Luckily, now it won't be 20 degrees in the mornings now as compared to the last time I did this.

Looks like I will be in be in Denver in the middle of July as well. Last year, I got stuck watching drag racing as mandated by our CEO. This year, I hope to take the bike. Trail recommendations are welcome.

This post was brought to you as Modest Mouse filled my living room. The picture was brought to you by Magnet Magazine.

No Mas

This weekend will mark the end of my "vacation" away from the bike. It will be a relief to get the miles going again, expel the stress and feel a bit more alive. The Niner should be smiling too.

The bad news from the day is the the 12hrs of Cedar Valley ended before it got started. Time to rethink July (again).