You got what stuck in where?

don't let this happen...

Some of you may remember my saga of last winter involving my seatpost getting stuck inside of the seattube of my cherished Redline D460. Not just any seatpost but my Cane Creek Thudbuster. It seems that maybe in my lust for my newfound love, my Transition TransAm 29er, I  was neglecting simple maintenance on the Redline ( I guess I should come up with pet names for my bikes, that would make typing easier, but I'd have to think too hard about that... Ok how about Tranny and RL...?)  Maybe I'll insert a link to that story but I'm sure you could find it to the right abit*.
Anyways, it must be that time of year again. The Thudbuster that I bought for the Tranny was stuck when I went to check it. Now, you understand, I do check my seatposts for this problem every 3-4 weeks. Yep, seatposts.. All of them. My prized Ted Wojcik ( ok, Teddy), my Gary Fisher HKll, Panasonic Mountain Cat from 1988, the wife's Miyata of the same vintage, and the Schwinn 3speed Speedster from my paperboy days. And various other bikes that may be lying around. I even encourage Stephen to check his Stolen Cherry ( yep thats the brand name ) BMX 'whip'....
NONE of them has EVER had an issue with a stuck seatpost.
So, imagine my horror when this happened again to the Tranny. Last year, I pulled and pulled and twisted and it finally broke free. This time, it wouldn't budge. Initially, that is. So I wrapped a cloth towel around the seattube just below the collar and gave the 'post some penetrating oil, and let it sit for a few hours.
Tried pulling, twisting, banging with a mallet, swearing at it. Nothing.

So I laid my Tranny down ( perverts! My bike! ) first with the drive side up, on the rubber mat surface that I have in my cave. Pedal and handlebar firmly planted, I stood up half-naked on the seattube and downtube in my bare feet, swearing abit, and twisted. Flipped my Tranny over and tried the drive side down, taking care not to have the derailleur touching the ground. Same position, twisting, hoping not to damage the seatpost or the rails, FINALLY!! Abit of a twist! Other side again, again, until I could twist it all around in there. Then I stood my Tranny up and got behind and PULLED and PULLED and PULLED and TWISTED  again, with enough back and forth motion, until finally it popped out.
After a quick cigarette and some quiet reflection, I began to wonder-- WHY, WHY, WHY?? ( just kidding--cigs are nasty, kids )
Examining the shaft and wiping off some brown stuff (rust, kids) I rubbed it until it was clean and dry. I flipped the Tranny upside down to make sure there wasnt any water in there....I then inserted a towel into the seattube and twisted it all the way in and about until it was dry.
Then, after lusting again over the beautiful Transition Bikes paint job, and really looking at WHY the seatpost got stuck a second time, I began to look at the lines of the seattube. It occurred to me that, unlike my older bikes, the tube wasn't exactly straight, but  designed to be slightly bent, in order to make the tire fit and stuff. I checked with a straightedge, Viola! It makes that turn just at the bottom of the weld with the top tube......Very slight, but bent just enough....there's even abit of corrosion-like scaling on the 'post where the seattube, not being snug with the 'post, allowed air and moisture to start doing its thing with the unpainted interior of the 'tube
So, the first thing that comes to mind is to simply hack off the last 3 inches of post that I will NEVER use. I say hack, but I will carefully slice with my steertube jig, and then file/sand the rough edges until buttery. Then lube it up nicely and slide it in.
Ask me in about 3 weeks how easy my 'post comes out. Or didn't.


( *note: since I wrote this I looked for an article I may have written about the Redline post removal. I guess I never actually wrote that story but referred to it in Stuck Again? )

Le Buzz de Winter

(This is an older article that I had published in the FoBH rag--just stumbled across it and thought it was time, again...)

Winter Buzz

When the temps go low and the ground gets slippery and/or snow-covered, I put my mountain bike away….generally this means I while away  January and February on my indoor windtrainer trying not to be bored… The windtrainer is a contraption that allows me to turn my bike into a stationary bike. If I keep up the regimen a few days a week, I’m feeling pretty good come spring and ready to bust out of the cabin full speed ahead….

But it IS boring. And many of those days are glorious sun-shining winter days, bringing back memories of when I used to try to ride all year-round, when  I was younger. Ironically, and finally(!)the new Blue Hills  Resource Management Plan in place now allows mountain biking year-round in the Blue Hills, with the exception of the March ‘mud season’.

The past few winters I’ve discovered snowshoeing. I would say re-discovered, as I did start a collection of old-school wooden rawhide-laced snowshoes back in my early 20’s while living in Vermont. But those old-school ‘shoes needed lots of care and the leather straps generally didn’t last more than a couple of years, before crumbling away…. The last time I used my old Canadian ‘shoes, I used old bicycle tubes as bindings, to hold them on to my boots. They worked, but were cumbersome, and in most situations, the 42” length was way overkill.

As the snowshoe companies moved into the modern age, some of my friends were bragging about their new, lightweight designs that were easy to put on and didn’t fall off after every 100 feet down the trail…So I went shopping. I found the selections at my local ‘outdoors’ store varied enough—and all seemed well-made….

That was 3 years ago. Now, I own two pairs of modern snowshoes that will take me just about anywhere I want to go. Trail or no trail, the built-in crampons bite into the slippery stuff. They are light enough to strap onto my hydration pak if I find I don’t need them.

As I began to enjoy the slower pace of winter-hiking, I fine-tuned what I needed for clothing layers. Most of my bike stuff works fine for moisture-management, and an on colder days, extra outside layer gives me a place for the camera, cell phone, GPS, and snacks.

I also discovered Micro-Spikes, an ingenious invention that stretches over any boot and gives instant traction on ice with ½” stainless-steel spikes. These also pack small and light, I now consider a necessity on almost every winter hike, when snowshoes aren’t needed. Good insurance against falling on cold hard ground….

Oh yeah, and the most important thing to take care of is my feet. I wear a pair of insulated winter boots, with toe warmers. You need to keep your feet happy!

Now that I’m prepared for winter actually I look forward to it. As much as I love my mountain bike, I find that I can create a similar workout in about the same time, hiking with snowshoes or Micros.

 On a typical winter day, I can hike any of the Skyline Trail. Climbing is the most fun, and the Blue Hills vistas are always worth the effort. Rattlesnake Hill is challenging on a dry day, even more so in the snow… Deeper snow even better, to cover up the rocks and roots and allow for some ‘flotation’.

One of my favorite snow-hiking areas is Tucker Hill. Athol Path, and/or the Green Loop, mixed up with following deer tracks, it’s a good workout and gets me out there for at least 1.5 hours.

Another of my favorites is to try to follow old heritage trails such as the Great Dome Trail, which was officially taken off the DCR map a few years ago. Some un-named sections still exist, but you really need an old map to find it in its entirety. I usually don’t promote off-trail use, but when there’s 2 feet of snow on the ground,  it can’t hurt….

When there’s less snow down here, Gunstock or Cranmore areas have some great climbs…

I found myself so enthralled with winter trail use that I started a facebook page, Winter Buzz. Look it up and catch the Buzz!

 

By the time you read this, with luck we’ll be knee-deep in the white stuff. If not, it’s back to the mountain bike(yippee!) or windtrainer….

Steve Cobble

 

 

NEMBA's official statement on the subject of E-Bikes

NEMBA's official statement on the subject of E-Bikes

E-Bike, Schmee-Bike!!

E-Bikes

(Following is my current response to questions asked of me on my knowledge/feelings/actions I know/have/have done about their recent appearances on local trails.)

 

I haven't heard much about them, yet. I haven't even seen one in real life, yet....I can only imagine that since they are not solely 'human-powered' that they would not be classified as bicycles.....and would have to adhere to the rules and laws regarding motorbikes. I'm sure there's way too much grey area there for the DCR lawmen and other land managers to interpret yet, it's still early in the game. We on the other hand, know exactly what they are. My gut feeling is that the bike industry as a whole will have to move on this, and not support any e-bike designer, manufacturer or distributor. And/or they will have to paint very distinct lines between us and them. For instance, sure, make them ROAD-worthy and subject to road laws regarding motorized. And sell them for that purpose. I don't have a problem with that, if people really want to compete with cars and trucks--they may actually promote more awareness on the road and inspire more bike lanes. NOT that I would want that either, as a sometimes road biker and as I am pedaling to the trailhead.... It's a tough call. And of course, fueled by the uncontrolled tsunami of cheap electrics and clones from China bent on taking down all legitimately built, safe, UL-listed electric products that support OUR economy....

That's all I've got right now.

 

Steve Cobble

 

Klunker demo

I need one of these!!

2014 Landmine Classic Videos (Click This )

David Byrne's A Poem to Cyclists

front end work

Just alittle word of advice to the home mechanic or any mechanic working on a fork install, removal, headset cleaning, etc. Any time you are going to remove or install a fork, TAPE ALL THE SPACERS TOGETHER!! This makes fiddling around with all the other parts so much easier when you don't have to chase those pesky spacers when they start dropping all over the floor!

Maine Remedy

This from a friend from Maine says instead of investing hundreds in a high tech 1x system and/or chain tensioners/keepers/bashguards " if your chain keeps falling off the chainring, just rub alittle mud on the chainring"

Church at Wompy

Now wasn't this morning  picture-perfect riding weather? Starting early does have its benefits--we rode Wompatuck almost 3 hours before the rain.

David Farrell and I happened on a nice couple ( NEMBA membas) from Portland who we rode with for abit. 

The BikeNow guys were out with Jack Storer  the infamous HowiethePlumber and Dave Dave Belknap,  we crossed paths a few times.

 It was great to see Jerry Geribo  rolling caboose again with a group after that long recovery...

Some younger Bikebarn Racing guys were out there on a mission. Some local kids were rippin'.....I know I saw Jeff Gilman out there at some point also. There were easily 70 riders on the trails, not counting all the families and kids on the paved loops!

Then there were the Poodle Pushers ( or some doggie-style name like that) having an event of their own. It was like the Pan Mass Canine Challenge up front of the VC. Even Blue Hills Power Ranger Ray was there, making sure they all had leashes, I'm sure...

Just a day in the park!

Not an April Fools Joke!

Some of us will be venturing out into the Quincy Forest on an 'Urban Zombie Ride' tonight at or about 6:30. Never heard of the Quincy Forest? Well that's what the city was called before it was all built up with houses and condos and overrun by cars and zombies and yes, car-driving zombies. The zombies don't care about time, and are most prolific during the day( as opposed to Vampires), but there are still a good amount out after dark, so come prepared with a good light and your favorite zombie defenses. Mine are high gear and wits, with a good dose of humor. Zombies hate humor. And they can only run so fast before they start falling apart. For the most part, this is a social ride, and, for the most part, no one will be left to be eaten by zombies. We'll likely hit some more gravelly trails, some pavement and sidewalk curb-hopping dodging some metallic 'trees' and culvert 'rollers', some Hill workouts, and maybe some more trail if not too muddy ( see the post below for advice there). We'll cover 12-15 miles in about 90 minutes or so.
You will need a bike, a light, a rear blinker, helmet, water, the usual stuff.
Let me know if you would like to join us--  seven eight 1 two 5 four, eight 7 nine 6. Or pm me. Some of us may start earlier or even later but the official time is 6:30, at the Official Meeting Place, also called Terminus.

Church Video worth a view

Not my video, but I suppose there's nothing really original about considering bike riding in the woods 'church'--it's  only natural to consider the great outdoors a giant 'sanctuary'.....
Really sweet vid.
( not sure how to 'embed' so you will be directed to vimeo )
Click on the blue 'church'
Church

The long and the short of it

Came across this great thread while asking the questions myself.... What's the difference between short, medium, and long- cage rear derailleurs, and what length do I need? Long medium short?

Looks better than I thought

But definitely time for a change. Hoping just a new chain will do the trick...

Yeti (not the bicycle)

Well that was a good morning out on the trail. Dave and I did a pre-work ride and discussed some future project areas. We also found very conclusive evidence of BigFoot !! There's a 300 square foot area of the forest, on either side of the trail, where it's all duffed up and sticks and logs thrown about. Must be some kind of BigFoot nesting area. Didn't mess with the trail itself though.The location needs to be kept a secret until the proper authorities can assess the damage and take DNA samples. If it IS BigFoot, we may have to close the trail indefinitely to the Giant Northern Goshawk, who also frequents that area of the park. If BigFoot and the Giant Northern Goshawk go at it, all hell will break loose like you read about. Sorry to be the bearer of such grim news, but this could be the end of the world as we know it

In other news, after our early-morning ride, we led a crew or two out on the more thorn-infested NW trails to trim back those nasty creeping vines that are known to cause flat tires and other damage. Ranger Steve and Wayne S. went out to seek and destroy fallen trees , of which, incidentally, there weren't that many after a winter such as what we just experienced. Hmmmmmm......

The Ride of Life

"Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming "Wow! What a Ride!"

Hunter S. Thompson

Riding on a sunny day

Thankfully the rain burned off by the time I got out this morning. It was a typical New England ride dodging trees ( light poles ), rocks ( leftover dirty snow/ice ), logs (curbstops ), skinnies ( riding the curbs ), soft squishy stuff ( sand and lots of it ), and the occasional stump ( bottom picture--a broken  signpost just high enough to do some real damage...) ....

It was good to get outside for 90 minutes or so.....49F means one thing--no flats and timbos!! got my spd's back on!

Stuck Again!

So I went to move my seat post up on my Transition TransAm 29, and DANG! It's stuck! Still reeling from the last time this happened to my Redline, I was about to start kicking and hammering.... 

But I came to my senses and made a tape dam at the top if the seat tube, and dripped some marvel mystery oil on the post.....5 minutes of patience paid off. Fortunately it was only maybe 2 months..., so corrosion really hadn't set in like it had with the D460. 

See what became of the last seat post in the below pic...

Note in my ride log: DON'T LET THIS HAPPEN AGAIN!!

WHY?

Why do we call them Fatbikes? It used to be a fat bike was a non-.skinny bike. Mountain or road? That was it. So now my fat bike is no longer a fat bike. Now what do I call it? It's my FUN machine!
Transition Trans Am 29er! All FUN, all the time!

You may have noticed

That there are some older posts, or newer posts with old news,---
I found that I had a lot of drafts that I hadn't finished or published, so I put them up there. I could have manually changed the dates but that would've taken more time away from riding...
So, from now on, I will try to keep up with publishing as I write. Sorry for any confusion!