You can take a bike off the trail, but I don't always see the point of taking the trail off the bike. I'm sure I will have a weak moment sometime this winter and actually clean my bike, just not today. In fact, not until next year! HNY!

Soggy Mountaintop

Just Wheelin' Around

OK so the weather has been freakin perfect for awhile now. the leaves seem to be turning now(late?) and the trails have been unusually dry.
I've had the time to mess around with my bike and ride as much as I want in the mornings. I'm thankful for that. I don't abuse it, I have daily chores and plenty catching up to do around the yard and the house. I'm lovin the temps and the air this time of year--makes working outside finally bearable after this past sweltering summer....
Anyways, back to the wheels.
I got those new Chargers from Blackstone Bicycles. I've been riding the SunRingles DiscoFleas for at least 3 seasons now. The rear rim is wobbly partly due to the replacement of 3 broken spokes, the bearings crunchy like granola. The front still straight and true, but the bearings crunchy like rice crispies (not as crunchy as granola but with some snap, crackle, and pop!). The DoF rims, at least in my mind, have always been too narrow, allowing the tires to flop abit cornering at lower than 28 psi and not really take advantage of the full tire tread. Add to that, the tubeless conversion kits haven't been great with these, I've sheared two rear valve stems and it 's not easy to get the beads to seat and air in the tires(but once aired up, np)
Thus were the reasons for a Total Wheel Replacement. Even though I could have just replaced the sealed bearings, and continued to replace spokes, and kept up the tire pressure, I talked myself into these nice, wider rims with new hubs and slightly heavier-gauge Wheelsmith spokes and brass nipples.
Ironically, with the extra width, heavier looking spokes, and beefier rim, the weight adds up to about the same! I now use 2oz less sealant with the new Stan's-endorsed rims with BST, and lose 3 oz without the need for the conversion kit. And it will be nice to have the cromoly freehub body, the alloy makes cassette removal a PIA what with it getting 'notched' from the SRAM cassette...
Now I have also had time to replace my bearings( there was  a re-learning curve here since it's been awhile since I replaced the cartridge bearings in my NukeProof hubs , ( still have the 26" non-disc wheelset, if anyone wants to buy it, light and fast as hell...) but it all came back to me once I found my hammer and vise-grips).
and contemplate having the rear rebuilt with a newer rim......then selling the set, of course, I don't need any more wheels hanging around 'til they go out of style then are worthless.......so, again, these wheels are also FOR SALE!
Next, I will report more on the wheels/tires performance and playing with  various tire pressures.....
.

Up and running. So far, tires are holding air nicely. Started with 28 psi. Second ride, I let it down to 25. Seems to be good initially...

Just finished with the front-- rampage 235...Took 30 seconds more and windex...

Sweet! Just mounted my old Jones to my new Charger with with my old floor pump! First try! No compressor needed!

Perrfect Weather!

Bike Lane?

So, here in Q-Town, we apparently have made great pedal-strokes towards integrating bicycles onto our streets......

A guy on a bike recently got hit by a car. He said he was riding in the 'bike lane', between the lines. This is where he was riding......
Quincy, Mass,  City of Geniuses.

Tool Kit

No Lyme

Just to confirm, the doxycylene did the job, the Lyme is gone, and I'm back to 'normal'.

What Lyme?

So it's been one week since I was diagnosed. I guess the Doxycycline is working! One day I felt feverish and achey. Now I feel as 'normal' as I can get. Someday I may elaborate on that, But for now, business as usual. This is the timeline, so far.
Sunday, July 15  Allegedly bitten by a deer tick while riding and trimming trails at Wompatuck SP
Tuesday, July 17 Noticed the huge rash just after a 20-mile road ride  No tick, but reddish central area. Made appointment.
Wed, July 18  20-mile road again, saw the NP and got the 'scrip Went to Sandwich and hung out on the beach later in the day
Thurs July 19 20-mile road .Feeling kinda achey through friday
Friday, July 20 20-mile road, feeling slow.
Sun  July 22  12 mile mountainbike ride
Mon July 23   another 12 miles on the quincy streets shuttling the car to and from the mechanic.
Wed July 25  planning on riding Duxbury tonight. Will scrub my skin off after.....

Mon, July 23

That's it. I consider myself VERY LUCKY not to have had any of the symptoms my friends have had, and to have caught it early!

Just the Lyme,no Corona this time

OK ironically my last post was about 'easy tick removal'. I guess it's easy if you find them! Apparently I picked one up last Sunday at the riding trail care day at Wompy. I went right home after and showered, checked myself a few times, then went to work. When I got home, showered again, checked myself a few more times, then went to bed. Tuesday I went for my customary road ride up into and around the 'Hills and back. About 20 miles,and one of those hell-hot days we've been having for weeks. As soon as I got home, I felt a tightness of the skin just below my kneecap. Looked down and saw the huge rash, at least 4x4 inches, top of my shin, with a central reddisher area right over where the patellar tendon meets the shin bone, maybe just below that. No tick or real 'bullseye' but an obvious center. I called for an appointment right away. I'm not messing around. Wednesday I got a NP to diagnose without even a test, since she said I'm at 'high risk' anyways, since I spend at least 3 days a week in the woods, and it looked like 'some kind of cellulitis' but most likely a tick bite. She prescribed me Doxycycline, 2x100mg, for three weeks. Stay out of the sun or use lots of sunblock. I went right to Sandwich and spent the afternoon on the beach. Had to escape the effin heat and discovered a new place to do that. Well worth the trip, and I think it was late enough in the day that I didn't get burned. I had ridden the 20 miles again that morning, and the same for the next two days. Not that I really wanted to stay outta the woods, just getting out early and blasting out the workout seems to work with the teenagers outta school for summer, and I get home as they're rolling out of bed..... So, about 80 miles of road last week. Today, one week after being bitten, I finally got out the Redline to do the BrownShirt ride (more on that later) with J, we did a nice local town ride, mostly dirt and most importantly, in the shade. About 12 miles, in about an hour's pedalling time. Nice average. So, I'm feeling normal, as normal as I get. I have to take the medication away from meals, but havent had any problem keeping it down. The rash does look nasty but I've been taking care of it so should heal up eventually. I never saw the tick. I thought I was careful in inspecting myself, but I guess I have to pay even more attention. This is an exceptional year, due to the mild winter, and I have lots of friends with Lyme right now. Many have had complications ranging from fevers to facial palsies to blown-up joints, long hospital stays and take-home IV setups. I'm glad I found it early!

Easy Tick Removal

Tick Removal........... A nurse discovered a safe, easy way to remove ticks where they automatically withdraw themselves when you follow her simple instructions. Read this one as it could save you from some major problems. Tick Removal: Spring is here and the ticks will soon be showing their heads. Here is a good way to get them off you, your children or your pets. Give it a try. Please forward to anyone with children, hunters or dogs or anyone who even steps outside in summer! A School Nurse has written the info below--good enough to share--and it really works! "I had a pediatrician tell me what she believes is the best way to remove a tick. This is great because it works in those places where it's sometimes difficult to get to with tweezers: between toes, in the middle of a head full of dark hair, etc. "Apply a glob of liquid soap to a cotton ball. Cover the tick with the soap-soaked cotton ball and swab it for a few seconds (15-20); the tick will come out on its own and be stuck to the cotton ball when you lift it away. This technique has worked every time I've used it (and that was frequently), and it's much less traumatic for the patient and easier for me. "Unless someone is allergic to soap, I can't see that this would be damaging in any way. I even had my doctor's wife call me for advice because she had one stuck to her back and she couldn't reach it with tweezers. She used this method and immediately called me back to say, "It worked!" Please pass on. Everyone needs this helpful hint.

Not a mtb but good shot...

Hijacked from PJ Drennan fb

Vermont Mountain Bike Festival - Eventbrite

Vermont Mountain Bike Festival - Eventbrite

Sign up now! Great event!

Firefly Bicycles - Wicked Pro Bike - Mike Ramponi's Ti 29er Single-speed | Thom Parsons Videos | Cycling Dirt | Cycling Dirt

http://www.cyclingdirt.org/speaker/3349-Thom-Parsons/video/620702-Firefly-Bicycles-Wicked-Pro-Bike-Mike-Ramponis-Ti-29er-Single-speed#.T4cFp22sNs8.email

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Nice Little Ditty

It's all about the TIME to RIDE

Some of you know how I’ve been drooling over new bikes lately—been demo’ing all manner of 29er there is, hardtail, singlespeed, full-suspension, 96-er…the eclecticity of  my taste in bikes only matched by my musical tastes….but ya know, it IS the time of year again, the full moon is calling, the fever is high….but my current ride still works…and I ain't got the cash anyhow...
So I slapped on a couple new Michy's, a new tubeless strip in the rear, new Stans goop all around, and new Bontrager carbon bars. Rode 5 days this week. Sweet!

Bike Lust

Transition TransAM 29, a photo by LordOnOne on Flickr.

Once again it's that time of year when I start lusting over new bikes. This year it started with the search for a slacker 29er steel hardtail--I came up with the Transition TransAm29, which is a sweet 'looking' bike. I say that because I haven't yet the chance to ride one, as noone within 200mi has a demo...but the skyblue paintjob on a steel frame with a ride that has been described as 'damp' by those who have had chance to ride one, and with the slackness and capability of a longer-travel fork, just has me by the balls.

Worth mentioning is that  Transition is based in the Seattle area, one of my favorite geographical areas....Lived there for a halfa year once, biked all over the area but wasn't yet but on the cusp of my mountain biking lifestyle.

And the dealer is at Chuck's Bikes, in Vermont , of course my all-time favorite place to be. The frame goes for 650, which wouldn't be too outta line if I stripped my Redline for it. Full bike with Fox 120, 2400....plus Thudbuster...

Moving on to more local offerings, Canton Velo let medemo a Niner Sir9 with gears. Truly a rigid 853 singlespeed, this one was built up with a Reba and SRAM drivetrain. Weighing a  pound or two less than my current steed, and sporting lighter, less knobby Conti Race Kings run on tubeless Stans Crest rims, it did feel nicer. I used my Thudbuster as a control point. It was fast but not that much faster, and I was more over the bars than I like. The ECC BB would come in handy if I really wanted to go SS, but even if I did, I don't really like an ECC , as opposed to sliding drops. Not at all an engineer, but I 'think'  the larger shell stiffens and weights up the frame too much.

Next I took out the Jet9 demo, also with a Reba, Stans more standard rim and SRAM X7 build including hubs, same tires as the Sir9. Wow, whatta difference! All my energy moved the bike forward. Very efficient design, and about the same weight or maybe even less than the Sir9! I had fun on it and brought it back, reluctantly, but the weather turning to rain and snow just wasn't conducive to riding for a few days.

Both Niners were for sale around the same price(2400-2500)....

So, when I got thinking about it and sliding the idea by the wife and kids, all that speed and efficiency didn't mean a thing, since I don't have any money to spend on a new bike. And all it would do would be to create more bike envy  from my son, who apparently wears the same jeans(genes..), and that will only result in more 13 yo angst than I can handle right now.....

But, next chance I get, I'm doing a midnight run up to Morrisville to see about that Transition demo....

2012 SEMass NEMBA Trail Care Days, so far..

2012 SEMass NEMBA Trail Care Days, so far..


March
11 Ames Nowell
25 Ames Nowell
31 Wompatuck


April
7  Foxboro Roadside Cleanup(with KPTR)    10 am
14 Wrentham Roadside Cleanup(with KPTR)    10 am
15 Ames Nowell
21 Wompatuck
28 Braintree Townwide Cleanup (Eaton’s Pond)
29 Ames Nowell


June
2  Wompatuck


August
18 Wompatuck


Lots of work to do! Do what you can, where you can...
The important thing is that your local trails get local help. Support from local riders goes a long way at Town Halls and ConsComms....




The Ames Nowell days are particularly important, as there's lots of bridge build/repair/trail reroutes necessary in there. Contact Malcolm Neilson for details and to rsvp.


Wompatuck will need lots of help, contact Tyler Eusden about plans there.


Foxboro/Wrentham dates are just the beginning, I'm sure there will be more trail work posted. Contact Brad Childs at bcam64@yahoo.com.


Eaton's Pond and any other Braintree trail work, Steve Cobble


Blue Hills Buck Hill ReRoute may be coming up anytime now, to throw a big weekend of work into the mix. Again, Steve Cobble for updates on that.


All days are meeting at 8:30am, unless otherwise posted.

Eaton's Pond, Feb 25, 2012

Eaton's Pond, Feb 25, 2012, a set on Flickr.

Eaton's Pond #3 Feb 25, 2012

Eaton's Pond #3 Feb 25, 2012, a set on Flickr.