The Draw of Endurance Events

The FolksFromLincoln blog, which is a local portal of sorts for the Lincoln, NE cycling community has an interesting post about bringing more Marathon length races to our area. As most of the readers from this blog are from out of the area, if you have input on how marathons and endurance races have grown in your area, please visit and give your two cents.

Nice ride today with Sam, Mark and Jeff. Good weather, good people, I wish I could have ridden longer. Sam and I were tentatively talking about doing an early morning Christmas Eve ride. If you are interested, give a yell.

Defining "SingleSpeed"

The TransIowa discussion on MTBR has now turned to the matter of what is, or is not, a single-speed. I thought I would bring the discussion to the Snob as well since I think the same dialogue applies to other races and events.

Here's my two cents. Give me yours.

Single is one, which for me begins and ends the discussion. As soon as you start flip-flopping, wrenching or being clever in order to change your gear ratio, you've just shifted. It's no longer a SS. As you'll see from the thread, people have a lot of valid reasons why they might want to change things at some point in the race. The course does this and that, etc. Which is simply another way of saying, "I might decide at some point that I need to shift."

As I was typing this, Mr. 24 just posted the following to the thread: "For all singlespeed and fixie...Show up to the start line with a gear. Run it all the way to Decorah. Simple as that."

I couldn't agree more. What about you? I'm not afraid to admit I am wrong, but you'll have your work cut out for you on this one.

Step On

Weird day today. I think I will chalk it up to the start of a two week vacation.

Rode for only a couple of hours today. 20 degrees. Fairly windy but really pretty comfortable. Planning something similar tomorrow with Sam-I-Am.

Nice crew out at Yia Yia's tonight. I think we were all a little tired from the weekend. Thanks for joining me fellas.

MW is ready to plan it all out and go to Iowa tomorrow. I love his enthusiasm.

Two decisions I have made regarding TI.
1. Go out with the lead group until it stops making sense. (Last year I purposely started in the back.)
2. Not make any stops until Algona. (The halfway point.)

Two Weeks of Heaven

Tomorrow, which happens to be my birthday, also happens to kick off two workless weeks here in Snob-land. I probably could not work for a cooler company. The decision was made that we should spend the holidays with our families, so there you have it. Two weeks of base, no stress and family.

During the two weeks, I'll be trying out a new helmet which was given to me at X-Maxx. (Seen in the picture.)

Corey and I made it about a third of the way to Branched Oak for the Cross race today, but at one point Corey thought his junk was about to freeze off and we called it good.

Lots of TransIowa talk occurring now that Registration is close and Lincoln is representing. If you have interest in cookie dough or over excited mashocisists, visit MTBR.

Riding tomorrow at 1pm. Jeff Avey, I am looking at you.

Yia Yia's at 7pm.

My War at 24

"This one goes out to Johnny."




Inspiration.



Genius at Work.


Happy Birthday, John. Much Love.

Hey Iowa!! Bring It!!

Lincoln will be strongly represented in the TransIowa.

Here's the breakdown:

Geared Hammerheads:
Sam
Jeff Avey
Corey Godfrey
Emily B. (One of Two Ladies)

Single Speeders:
Matt Wills
The Snob

I'm really pumped so many of us got in.

Names of note who are also racing: Mike Curiak, Matt Chester, Nick Martin, and I assume Mr. 24 himself.

GET ON IT!!!

If you want to get into TransIowa, GO REGISTER NOW!!! Thanks Matt for sending me the email. I would have been white hot angry had I missed out because registration opened early. Also, my baby sitter (who by the way rides a fixed gear) said our phone was ringing off the hook while I was at my company X-Mas party. If you guys were trying to give me the heads up, I sincerely appreciate it. I know Sam and Jeff both called and there were other numbers I didn't recognize. Much love fellas.

Let me know if you made it in.

Note: Corey, I got you registered. Merry Christmas.

This is Getting Old

"We Jam Econo"

Good night last night hanging out with Keith Schieron, who works from my company, and also happens to be the guy who produced We Jam Econo: the Story of the Minutemen. What started as a polite work-related affair, which included JK "I have a sweet IF but never ride it" Purtzer, moved one step over to a fun-filled evening of banter. Johnny then joined us to take it up a notch, particularly when we began to point out the homo-eroticism in all of JK's stories about his days as a councelor at a Winona's Boys Camp.

We did also go through the seasonal "You Ride when it's this Cold out?" chit-chat as well. I am sure all who visit the Snob know what I am saying, except for maybe those of you down South. Usually, I find myself giving an explaination along the lines of, "well, with good clothing, yada, yada, yada." Once in a while though, I do want to simply say, "Do people ski when it's this cold? Then Shut Up."

Oh well, the mini-rant is over.

Great weekend on tap: Cross, TransIowa Registration, X-Maxx and Johnny's Birthday.

Not too shabby.

What Would Dejay Do?

MW and I have discussed this a bit in a couple of posts and now it's available for discussion on MTBR; if you are riding a bike Single Speed across Iowa, what gear are you going to run? Thoughts? Opinions? Could the proper gear choice earn you Endurance Cyclist of Year?

What Would Dejay Do?

By the way, predictions from Mr. 24 are that the race fills up in an hour. If you are racing Cross and want to make sure you get registered, let me know. Sam, I am looking at you.

This, That and a Few Others

Remember Brad Cole running neck and neck with Tony W the last time cross was in town? Well, while Tony stepped it up with the Elite Men, Mr. Cole raced Killer B's and won. I think this says it all.

Details just in regarding TransIowa. We'll need to set an alarm for a really early start. Had a nice conversation with Matt W. during the CW Holiday Festivus. He wore the subtle smile of a man ready to ride 337 miles.

Butch has his Cycling Awards up for the year. I would like to add that honorable mention should be the Johnson's return to Lincoln, but that would just leave Butch to buy himself beer.

Need a stocking stuffer for the Hardcore Cyclist in your life? This will scratch the itch.

Good morning. Pass me a cup of Doper's Suck.

This One Goes to Eleven

Saturday Night was the Cycleworks Holiday Party.

The Safety Word is "Pride."



I have to get that out of my mind.



"Just stay out of the way."



Photo courtesy of "JP Photography."



"Wanna See Something?"


The Sparks muffled cries of "Elephant" go unheard.

Notes From Dejay

i'm comin home,

here in this frozen land. Dallas Tx. last night i froze my ASS off(sweat pant, long sleeve shirt, wool socks, inside my sleeping bag, in the rv) I'm only what it feels like, inches(953.38m(13h55m) from the place where i want to rest my head for 2sun rises, that crest the same mountains. Just so I can say i'm home. Dry dessert air, i hear it is cold there.cactus that blocks the sky. rocks that are bigger then, who i'm I. Is this a lesson, that will be learned in time? give me what i can git used to, then it may feel like it is mine. but then again it is all on borrowed time.

only let your thoughts get inturupted with what is artistic

i am Unable to share what i see, as close my eyes

*"Notes From Dejay" are musings from Dejay Birtch, travelling man and Gary Fisher-Subaru Single Speed Endurance Machine.

Welcome Big Skinny

The Snob is quite happy to report that Big Skinny has joined the ranks of Single Speeding, Karate Monkey style. Welcome my friend.

Smallest post yet.

Fast Like Rabbit

Don't blink or this post will be gone. It will be that short.

The man known as Mr. 24 has an interesting question posed on his site. You're going to an endurance race, you can take a stock Full Suspension Frame or a Custom Hardtail, which do you choose?

Visit Jeff and let your inner-geek shine. I have.

Holiday Word Jumble and Quiz

First, let's do the jumble (as inspired by JK).

Fill in the blanks. "- - - - - Claus." Here are the letters: A, A, S, T, N. Your clue: Some kids, and even some adults, freak out when asked to sit on his lap. Answer appears at the bottom.

Now, let's do the Quiz.

If St. Nick was going to come down the chimney with a great gift for your inner bike geek, what would he bring?

I will reserve my answer for later, but because, as Sam points out, my bikes suck. How hard could it be to figure out?

Word Jumble Answer is, of course, "SATAN."

Maybe I should dress as Satan Claus for x-max.

This is Radio Clash

The Clash have been helping me get through my work-a-day morning with the less often play (by me anyway) Sandinista.

Btw, our office closes down for two weeks at the end of the month. Expect to be heckled to ride and expect it to occur often.

Two signs you listen to good music: One, you name your dog Lars and the musical reference isn't Metallica. Two, you reference the song "Let's Go Crazy" and it has nothing to do with "formerly know as."

Decisions Decisions

Despite the cold temps, I had a great ride today. A mix of city trails, some gravel and some snow-covered Wilderness single track. It was the kind of ride that will make you consider a race like the ArrowheadUltra. Of course, you'd really need something like a Pugsley for that kind of snow and I can't see buying a bike like that for one race. I know that Corey and Jeff went out today as well. How was the ride fellas?

I also believe I have decided upon the bike setup I will run for TransIowa. After several conversations with Johnny and Corey, along with reference to an archived DirtRag, I am taking a page out of the book of Eric Roman and going to with the following:

29" single speed mountain bike with cross bars, ~42mm Cross Tires. Gearing is a touch up in the air, but 36/16 doesn't sound unreasonable. However, it will not be "really fucking pink."

Saturday in the Snow

Enjoyed a snow ride today, with a brief stop at Cycleworks to chat with Johnny. Good times and warm toes. Now if I could take care of my hands, I would be set.

RockD sent my a link to the Ouachita Challenge, which I think I will simply call the I-Chi-Wah-Wah Challenge. Good price, reasonably close and Mr. 24hr Jeff Kerkove appears to plan on attending. (In fact, his site may be what tipped the Rock off to the race.)

If you're feeling fast, you can always go after the $500 Time Record Reward. Who's got the current mark, you ask? One half of the two-headed hydra of "Sameron", adopted homeboy Cameron Chambers.

Also, our Lincoln "Man on the Scene," again brought huge smiles to my face with his coverage of the UCI Cross Race in KC. If you haven't heard them yet, check them out.

"Okay so Tony is sitting on this guy's wheel... Hold on ... COME ON, TONY... GO GO GO GO ... Tony's just jumped around this guy and came flying to the line..."

Nothing but love. Thanks CVO.

I have your Swizzle right here!!

Your SingleSwizzle that is.

More from Dejay on the SS ride in AZ in January. See the "Link of Interest?" Glide your mouse over and 'click.'

From Dejay: "Some folks (industry style) have come out to support the ride. So far this is them...Respect... WTB, Genuine Innovations, Specialized, Crome, Surly, DT Swiss.

Now that the course is posted you know what your in for. The first 10 miles is on pavement(most of the climbing) going up the Catalina Hwy. Very senic!!! One of the reasons you ride a singlespeed is because you don't like to shift...HERE IS YOUR CHANCE.

After the little climb you will be treated to some of the best singletrack out there. That is if you like single-singletrack that weaves it's way down mtn sides, through grassy valleys and ridge lines. There is a part of the ride that come back on it's self about 3 miles, this is in the grassy valley. So if there is still traffic going both directions it should not be a problem to get out of each others way, or hi five as you ride by. This will round out at about 40 miles and it looks like we will have 2 aide stations. One at Prision Camp and one on top of the climb at Redington Rd. So dollar for dollar this is the best supported ride you can do...OH YEAH IT'S FREEEEEE!!!

If you have never done this ride you are in for one hell of a treat, I hope you like to smile alot. The desert is an amazing place, and all will be fine as long as you resect one another. "

Couldn't some of us meet up with Butch and do this? Hmmmm.