Easter Sunday reflections

It's Easter Sunday and it was 75F today. Some Easters it snows three feet, some are just cold and wet. Today was a picture-perfect shorts and tshirt-wearin kindof day. But it was nice. Not much riding but had the usual mid-day feast--why mid-day? That's stupid.

Conditions are about the same, today.....abit cooler yet

just got in from 10 miles of sloppy marsh/squantum ride. Everything is 'slick as snot' in the profound words of Bob Roll . Even just rolling along, the trail has that squishy squirmy effect that loads up the knobbies
That wooden bridge out at the Hummock took me down quick, no damage done though.
Looks to be wet for awhile now....
50F feels more like 39F,

KT NEMBAFest ( still cleaning out my draft folder )

Whatta weekend! Last weekend, June 22-24, was historical. It marked the FIRST EVER Mountain Bike Festival at Kingdom Trails, in East Burke, Vermont. The Northeast Kingdom, as Vermonters have long and affectionately called this corner of their state, is exceptional. Not only for the fantastic mountain farm views of Peacham, or the cheese of Cabot, or the famous Lake Willoughby, but now for the mountain bike scene in East Burke. Many refer to the area as a mountain bike 'mecca', a place that every rider worth his or her knobbies needs to experience at least once, if not many more times..... I got there in good time, about 3.5 hours from Quincy.No speeding,no traffic jams... Just in time to start my volunteer shift, I found my way up to the Mid-Burke Lodge, where I was assigned to work registration, which was opening at 12:00. 41 mph downhill into East Burke Darling Hill Trolls's Stroll Tap 'n Die Sidewinder, River Run Chapel East Branch Cafe in the Pines below the webs Kitchel Burnham Down Dead Moose Alley Beer at the condo sunset Will. Gap windfarm 30 miles Falls on Saturday Dip in the river burger at Lilli's (I think)

Bike Lust ( New Old Draft ) Not sure why it was still a draft but here were my thoughts 2 years ago...

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....

It's summer...( or was when I first wrote this 4 years ago, but these old drafts bring back memories )

the air is warm, the sun's shining, no need for toe warmers and extra layers, and the kidds are outta school. That means we get to ride together much more often.

Other Typical Winter Morning Scenery from a few years ago

Off The Bike, but still all about the bike...

OK Where the heck are we? (Harold Parker Hike w/M.Lee)

same place, same question...

SS Hike on a nice January Sunday(actually it was SuperBowl Sunday) with L. Toma

St Moritz (Afternoon)

M. Ramponi and D. Belknap atop Chickatawbut

1st Day Rattlesnake Hike

Snowshoeing, it's what saved us from certain muscle

Old post but still relevant

One last thing to report before I crash. The gizmo in the pics is the most valuable piece of equipment so far. A Jump-Stop, made by N-Gear. I've been having trouble with the chain dropping on the inside. The chain is as tight as it can be. It's become apparent to me that the secondary purpose of a front derailleur is to keep the chain from falling off...Originally I thought it was a design flaw i.e. bad chainline, because bike came stock with a little plastic hook(see pic in last post) that doesn't do a thing, and an outer bash guard . But I've finally come to realize that the chain popping off when coasting over bumpy terrain is an everyday occurrence--but not noticeable with the front derailleur hugging the chain/chainring interface. Think about it, you're bouncing through some rockgarden in your middle 'ring , you'll remember hearing that clank-a-clank going on down there....Or, better yet, in your granny, the same thing happens, but if your limiter screw's not quite right, your chain winds up on the bb shell. In which case, you start pedalling lightly , while gingerly shifting up until the chain engages again. This isn't possible with a single ring. You have to get off, finger it back on while manually rotating the crank and your friends sigh impatiently, wanting to get on with the ride...

This product is cheap, and it works!

'The Ramponi' sighting

JRA Saturday morning, feeling full well that I would run into The Ramponi, there he was chasing me up Buck (and eventually passing me of course ) on his new Firefly.....

--
781.254.8796
Call me it's better, I still have a dumbphone.....

Buck'n it

me and my little green buddy

Spuds to Flats

You know it's winter when I start  sayin stuff about my cold toes, chilblains, etc... And all the remedies that I've tried--toe warmers, Frito bags over the sock, duct tape the air vents, SealSkin neoprene socks, ski socks, winter boots with neoprene booties over, capsacin roll-on, anti-perspirant spray....I've pretty much tried everything for the sake of staying in my SPD pedals all winter while maintaining some warmth in the toes area. The damage has been done, I don't have enough circulation in my feet! In fact, I usually take off January and February so that I can hike in warm boots and still get some workout.

So, I had an idea! How about riding with my winter hiking boots with flat pedals? I've heard that said many times, and heard how cool it is to ride bikes with flat pedals like we used to as kids on bikes....I have heard that it can make you a better rider, riding with flats any time of year. I've heard that flat pedals don't create any undue stress on the knee and ankle joints, and that you don't have to remember to clip out. I've heard that it's easier to ride and commit to tech stuff. I have also heard that pedalling flats may increase the circulation in my feet, which may help with the chronic foot pain that I experience every day and night.

I do remember the few times that I tried riding with flat pedals, it felt weird and I couldn't loft the rear wheel as I could with SPD's. I do remember a few good whacks to the shin from flat pedals... I do remember having a harder time going uphill.......

Sooo, I started with some plastic pedals off one of the kid's bikes. Some of my memories came right back to me, but most notably my new inability to get the rear wheel off the ground and launch small obstacles, which is some of what I love my bike for. My TransAm LOVES to launch off of everything, but I keep it to smaller rocks, logs, stumps, etc. I also enjoy 'hopping' over (small) logs, beer cans, curbs, whatever is in the way. I CAN'T GET IT UP over these things....but I will stay positive, and say, YET. The last article I read somewhere was a guy that said it took him 6 MONTHS to be able to do everything he wanted to do on flat pedals that he previously did while clipped in. So I have faith that IT will COME to me eventually. Patience, kid.

My first ride with flats was on Christmas eve day, a cold, crisp sunny day.
My regular 'hiking' boots, flat black Timberland Pro insulated high top boot. Woolie Boolies socks and toe warmers. After the initial warmup time, when my toes start to get cold (doesn't make any sense), they were still warm and toasty. And so it has gone for the few rides since then.
As far as pedalling goes, usually when you pedal a bike it goes forward. No problem there. And my feet feel glued to the pedals for the most part, probably just force of habit, my knees staying in the position they like.
I haven't whacked a shin yet, even while trying to remain my playful self, hitting EVERY little ROCK I see. I HAVE glanced these big-ass pedals off a rock or two, but it's weird, if I had done that with clipless, it would have this jarring effect on my pedal stroke, but with these, F-IT, just keep pedalling.......One thing I'm not looking fwd: to is the shin-scarring meat grinder-type metal pedal with traction pins that I know I'll have to graduate to, eventually.

Now comes the really weird part, I DON'T HAVE TO CLIP OUT! Just taking a foot off the pedal and planting it on the ground seems fairly natural!

Speed--I'm suffering here, rides where I averaged more, I'm averaging less, and my legs feel heavy, especially beginning of a ride. MY THEORY is that my legs are accustomed to a certain position and pedalling style, and these changes 'wake up'  certain muscles, and in time will build new muscle, blood vessels and capillaries and that these internal plumbing changes will take time to develop. Along with these changes COULD result in more blood flow to my head, and who knows what may come of THAT! THINK of the ideas that may come!
STAY TUNED FOR UPDATES!!

Buck Hill Adventures

The Three Hour Tour From Quincy

 Was trying to get some action shots to send to Transition....at Dead Sailors Loop, above, and below....

and,  Buck-in it!

Winter layering--don't get caught in the cold!

You ask: Steve, how do you prepare for riding in the cold??
I answer:
I start with a good wicking longsleeve base layer. EMS Techwick works great and you can usually find last years colors on sale or hit one of their sales. Smart wool is even better but pricier. Another breathable shortsleeve layer (bike jersey or tech T) over that and a breathable shell and you're good. Oh yeah, pants. regular bike shorts under long tights or bib tights. Duct tape your vented shoes or get a pair of winter booties to go over them. Winter shoes are also pricey but well worth it. Don't damage your feet like I did kids, keep them warm!  Also, keep the melon covered. Again, a thin wool cap or headsweat under the brain bucket. Wool or tech socks and at least lull fingered gloves if not lightly insulated gloves.  You should feel a little chill in the parking lot. Once you get cranking you'll warm up. May even need to unzip or remove your shell.  If you stop for any length of time you will feel the chill again, which is why I carry an emergency space blanket in my pack .if you are immobilized for some reason it could save your life.
You may find you need another layer at temps below 20 and a neck warmer...general rule is if you keep your core warm, your extremities will stay warm. If your fingers or toes are feeling icy, stop after you ride 20 minutes or so, and you'll feel them warm up. Experiment with layering all parts, this is just what works for me, but I hope it helps!

It's been awhile...

Yeah it's been awhile since my last post, I think which mentioned my smart purchase of that TransAm 29er. I love that bike! I bought it pretty much stock, with a nice fork upgrade since I was using my own wheels. The things I changed:

• Handlebars were 5" wider than my current bars were. I threw a Salsa ProMoto on there that I had, sweet! Only change I would make there would be to go carbon, when I can afford it. 
• Thudbuster. I bought the correct size, so I don't need shims. I hate shimmage. And now I have a new Thudbuster!
• Went back to 1-by.  I couldn't accept having two shifters again. I removed the FD and replaced the 38/24 'rings with one 34T Raceface Narrow/Wide. The chain hasn't even thought of falling off, although I still have the bashguard only because I need shorter chainring bolts....
• Saddle. Swapped out the decent stock one for my old standby, the WTB Rocket V.

Other than that, the brakes, stem, RD and shifter are stock. I mighta saved a few $ building it up, but then again maybe not. The fork is worth much more than the frame, and the Fox ctd etc etc with Kashima Sushimi Ryuchi Sakamoto coating does NOT come with the stock bike.
The paint is super durable. Every time I hear a rock kick up and whack the frame, I look for a scratch or something. NOTHING, so far!
I guess you could say I'm very happy with the bike!

Maiden Voyage again

Well, after a failed attempt at riding a medium, I got the large. Always considered myself a 'medium' rider, but the TT length was an inch too short in the medium Transition TransAm 29. The medium was a sweet blood-red color, but the large white even better. I don't really care for bike colors other than really dark or neutral colors. I would've preferred black but the white with black pinstripes fits well with my Charger wheelset and all the other parts. And if I wanna jackass around with colors, I can add my green alien mojo or something. Only a matter of time before I stain it with my own blood anyways. At least the paintjob seems really durable, with the graphics under a good clearcoat.

Jones'n

Jones'n's* gettin the better of me. After a couple Blue Hills IPA's t the Fat Cat I decided that in the morning, I will mount my 18yo homebrew-studded Fisher Fattrax on the 'ol 26er and ride in whatever I may encounter. I guess that would require some documentation, so stay tuned for pix......


*def.  jones'n
To really crave something. Such as a food or drug that gives you pleasure or relief.

At least I got one ride in this week

Less free time  means less chances to ride....such is my life right now. Two jobs is good for the $$ but makes me get more creative with my time, but even when I do, energy levels are lower....
Anyways, I still rode one morning this week since saturday, and plan to at least hit the trainer tomorrow if not ride but the sh!ttty weather right now isn't promising much.

And the extra dough, some of it, squirreling away for bike-related ( new bike..) purchases and trailhead gas...
Then there's always the early-morning weekend ride.....trail or road doesnt much matter to the jones'n.....

How to properly remove a crown race. First make sure your machete is very sharp

With alternating patches of snow and dirt I both trudge and float over the blizzard's remains.

As was reported a few posts ago, my Redline was up in the stand with the entire drivetrain off, for a good cleaning. The paint isn't real pretty anymore, so I didn't take too much time to make it real shiny, but wiped the grime off and re-wrapped the driveside chainstay with electrical tape.
I replaced the chain and cassette, scrubbed the chainring and crank in the kitchen sink, got rid of all the jammed-in duff from the forest floor. Goes welll with the kitchen's earth-tones theme. Same with the derailleur, but I did notice that onea the pulleys has a crack all the way through to the bearing. So it may fall off someday while I'm riding down the trail. Until then, maybe Blackstone Bicycles will order me a new set for my next trip down south? Should be next week if everything works out. Need to service the 'ol Recon.

Other news is that I picked up a Reba from a guy in Providence yesterday. 80 bucks!... It's an '08, but 'like new' (so's my D460. 2008 was the last year they made them!). Really clean, not what my forks ever look like. Hardly a scratch, and apparently really not ridden much, as the guy took it off a new Voodoo build and replaced it with a rigid carbon fork. WHY anyone would do that, I don't understand. He explained to me briefly something about 'taking it on the chin' , but I guess that's never gonna be my riding style....
With any luck, we'll get pummeled with snow this weekend, I'll have Friday  off, and will get to installin the reba, and slappin on the snowshoes and havin fun!

Today. Just below freezing and the morning sun is shining like a red rubber ball...actually more yellowish...
2x around the Marsh with a total of 3 deadsailors loops. Like yesterday, the ground still frozen solid with no ice under the dusting we got yesterday....so, still fast with a 11.4 avs in 8.49 miles and 45 minutes. Second loop I warmed up nicely. Highly recommend a go at it after work!

Adams Farm 24F

So we blew off Saturday since it was like 14F and took out chances with the little bit of precip that was forecasted for Sunday. Little bit it was! It was 24F, just warm enough to keep all our digits from falling off.....and,(from my fb posting)...Fun on that dusting of powder covering up some of the smaller mental boulders....just enough traction to stay glued, combined with the unknown going into those hot corners...but no ice under made it predictable and safe. Yeah, that's it, Fun!

Me

Trail

JT

Kinda like a sno-cone-- before you have teeth you ride your tongue over it. When they finally grow in you can sink your teeth in and demolish that sno-cone. That's the best way I can describe how my tires are hookin up in this semifreddo slush...Ciao!

26ing this morning. Wish me luck. The big wheel is up on the stand, waiting for me to pay some attention....

It's that time of year again