Spring Break; Day 2 & 3

Sorry I don't have any pics to post for all the peeps that like looking at things while they read. The last two days have been steady riding with hardly any breaks for photo ops. You all have been in the woods before so you know what it's like therefore I didn't see any need for any pics of a trail that you've all seen on here before. I would have if there had been anything interesting though, alas, there wasn't so keep the cranks spinning says I.

Day 2:

Tuesday I had some office work required of me at my new position so I swung by to get that taken care of (it concerns the new trail map that will soon be on the web). I then swung by home to get Melissa and head back over to the ETSU trails for a gathering. We arrived early to get an extra lap in before a bunch of peeps arrived to pedal their arses off. Some had to work so they were opting for a night ride with lights but I had to have GF home by 7 because she had a date with her dad. It was good though, 17+ miles in and the trails were in near perfect condition too. Rare for our place - they usually take an extra day to dry out.

Day 3:

I've been looking for a better fork for Melissa's bike for awhile now. I ran across a friend that had a little jewel, NOS Reba, set back for his wife in case hers broke. He decided that it was no longer needed so I talked him into departing with it for a fair price. Iron man Dillow donated a older Haro hardtail with the carbon stays to her so now it's all coming together. I'm loaning her a set of Mavic CrossMax's to put the power to the dirt. I met Bill near a trailhead today and made the deal final with some good ole American cabbage. We then decided to roll up the mountain and meet one of his buddies for some single track action on Bays Mtn. My goal was to get alot of seat time in today, plain and simple! No frills ride! I was looking for hopefully 4 hrs and to do this I knew I would probably have to do this all by my lonesome so I explained it to the boys and they understood. At the last minute they said they would tag-along, I again warned them I wouldn't be breaking any speed barriers to reach my goal. We had good conversation and it turned out to be a great ride. After about 2 hrs everyone went their own way but I headed back up the mountain for some MORE. There were several peeps out riding and running so the "get a job" comments need to be directed at alot of peeps today, not jus' me - ha. The park closes at 5pm during the week right now so I didnt think I had enough time, or energy left in my legs, to get another FULL lap in so I backed off a tad. (back off from a snails pace? Yea I almost fell over, lol) nearing the end I ran across Capt Dingo and company but we didn't chat much, just some howdys, a high five to Olga and everyone was on their way. My goal was 4 hrs and/or 30 miles. I managed half of it. I got the 4 hrs in but only acquired 26.18 in mileage. There wasn't much stopping either! I guess we spent 15 min tops waiting on a buddy at a couple points and a refueling at the cars 1/2 way through for a couple of minutes. Again, I wasn't trying to hammer just log some saddle time. It was a good solid ride (which I need many more of) and not a photo op ride, hence NO PICS here! (sorry) ---- well not really!

Tomorrow is Day 4 of SB 2012. I wanted to get a good road ride in of at least 60+ miles but the MTB has been feeling soooooo good the last two days I'm thinking maybe a road trip to Warrior's Creek or even Dupont tomorrow. Oh, I almost forgot! The 26 hoops were ridden Tuesday and it felt like I was driving a Ferrari! You never hear ANYONE state or claim that their 29er felt like a Ferrari ya know? Today the big hoops were used, I like both sizes........... is that legal???

It's supposed to rain Friday so Day 5 is looking like a rest day and clean my freakin' condo day. (Yes condo, I no longer live over a screaming romper room) So what do I do??? decisions, decisions..............

LAter G..................

Diggin' in the Dirt

What did I do with my first day of Spring Break? Well since I wasn't in SC/GA riding my bike I started with a few errands. COB has my very first 29er bike that I ever tried and was talking trade after I delivered him a brand spankin' new 650 mtb the other morning so I decided to take him up on the offer but it ended up being a indefinite loan-a-frame. The SE Racing 29er is going to get a new life given to it by having a 29er play bike in my stables. Yea it's a "cheapy full rigid bike" but it's another bike.

What's rule #12 of Velominati? I ALWAYS try to never break this rule! I heard a guy's wife tell him amongst a crowd tonight he couldn't have another bike.... sad, sad, sad - actually it's pathetic. I really don't understand women that won't let their husbands enjoy themselves or have hobbies, hell dude could be out hanging in a bar with temptation lurking around every corner. I could say a hell of a lot more here but I won't. I will say that I'm lucky to have a woman in my life that encourages me to do more in a lifestyle (cycling) that I love! Thanks Babe!

After a couple errands to Alpine Ski Center, Oreilly's Auto and then to get more vinyl for the van I headed to ETSU to do a little maintenance work on the trails. I dug a small trench up behind the big water tower/radio station trying to get this spot to dry out. This section stays wet even in a drought. It's about 6" deep and drains right into the drain tile to shoot in down the hill. I really hope this works.

Here is a section that "used to be" many years ago. It was almost completely grown over. Only a few peeps knew that there ever was a small rough hiking trail up through these parts of the woods. It keeps everyone off the grass behind central receiving and adds a bout another 100yds of sweet single track to our system. You can never have enough single track right? I'll let this settle and get ridden some before I finalize the little bit of benching that this may need. I want to see what the water does first.

Another spot in need of attention: a place where several huge trees feel over two years ago and the trail was just rerouted to save many hours of work. People drag their brakes alot here and the trail has crept down the hill more and more over time so I found a couple of tree limbs, braced it with rock and started shoveling the dirt in to begin the process of berm building. Hopefully this will take and give riders something to lay into when coming down the fall line. It's crude but it'll do for now.

It should extend about another two feet but after 4 hours of trail work my poor back was screaming at me so I shuffled it back to moto-van and called it a day. The weather was very brisk and most of the time I was out there I saw snow flakes falling. As long as I kept moving I stayed comfortable. Stepping down from the leadership position of the cycling team into the trail management position will give me a little more time on the trail, I like this! This would be a dream job if it would sustain living expenses; go out ride your bike, inspect trails, do a little maintenance, report back to the higher-ups, push a little paper work then get paid for it? Very, very nice I say!

Day 2 Spring Break Tomorrow....

LAter G.................................

What To Do 2012SB???

It's official! It's 2012 Spring Break. You may ask am I heading to the beach hence the pic above. I would respond "nah, I'd rather ride my bike somewhere". So that's the real question...

My plans were foiled for this weekend due to having to work at the shop Friday AND Saturday. The weather didn't cooperate either so I'm not 'too' bummed about the South Carolina plans taking a left turn. Now it looks as if Dupont and FATS may get a visitor Thursday, ...maybe. There's supposed to be another snow shower roll through the hills and mountains of East Tennessee. It's been a crazy transition into Spring this year with snow flurries, thunderstorms, tornados and alleged blizzards that we never saw. Once again they are calling for snow and "slushy conditions" tonight. I'll be glad when 75* days show up and become common place for a while.

I'm going to make some popcorn tonight and watch the Paris Nice 2012 race that I have dvr'd to get my skinnie fix.

LAter G.........................

Just Juan More Daytona Joke

He recycled the jet engine from the dryer........

What are the odds of a professional racecar driver hitting a jet truck??... A million to JUAN!!!

How do you ensure a NASCAR driver hits the jet dryer? Put a target on it!

How many drivers have hit the jet dryer ever? Just Juan

After the crash the jet dryer driver got on the radio and said "NASCAR, we have a Pablom"

Well, Daytona has Juan less jet dryer.

They interviewed the jet dryer truck driver, he was quoted saying "I didn't see that Juan coming"

How many NASCAR drivers does it take to start a jet fuel fire? Just Juan.

It was JUAN big accident and it cause alot of PABLOms when MONTOYA-up the Jet-Dryer.

There are about a million more out there.............

LAter G...............

Daytona

Daytona! Every NASCAR redneck anticipates the first race of the season in Feb! I'm not a huge NASCAR fan mind ya but I probably could learn to be if they would start racing on Monday nights! This sure as hell beats Monday Night Football! Then........ Montoya punts a jet dryer truck in the arse.... lord, what a Joe! Why in the hell is he traveling that fast under caution getting back to the pack anyway?? NASCAR Safety should limit speeds ON the track under caution just like pit row speed me thinks.

Twitter was running amuck with jokes of all kinds and not all of them were very nice either! That Brad Keseloski dude got over 150K followers while under red, that's sick!





During the down time I pulled out a new mag I got in the mail today and whatcha know....Sram bashing goin' on! This time XX hydros get'n a dose of the truth. They only managed 3 stars too. For $400+ per set these should bring 6 out of a 5 star rating! Alas another so so product from Sram.....AGAIN.

Someone was complaining about XX the other day and said that they had called Sram complaining about the durability of the XX. The CS rep on the phone told this person that for durability they should purchase XO because the XX is "race quality" and meant for racing only.
For a stronger and better lasting drivetrain for trail riding XO was the level needed stated the CS rep. I wonder why they dont advertise this in the magazines? LMAO.


Here in this new article it states Sram has "tweaked" them again. Keep trying Sram. One day they may get it right. I really don't understand how they keep their following..... I so wish I was allowed to keep data on broken parts that come through the shop.

3 outa 5?? for mega bucks?? That's like buying a Chevy Corvette for $60K and getting the performance of a Ford Fusion, ya think?




LAter G................

BMC is a coming to town!

I'm totally stoked about the recent news that BMC is bringing the rolling Demo Show to our little neck of the woods! I will say that BMC does B pretty good though, they should! He's been the largest seller of BMC bikes in the U.S. (brick & motor division) several times. He's been treated to a free trip to Switzerland and several other perks for maintaining an exceptional level of sales.

BMC will be here on April 1st just for a day. Another huge perk is that I ran this across B and then had it approved to have the demo day at East Tennessee State University! Oh yea baby! BMC doods are going to get to see our sweet single track and ride THEIR bikes on our sweet trails! I see nothing but a win win here! I received the email of approval this morning to use the facilities. Woot woot!

Since the weather went to "hell in a hand basket" today I'm staying home instead of going to the Conyers Bike Expo tomorrow. The weather there is supposed to be similar to what it's going to be here so a couple of us are going to get some hours in on Buffalo. Melissa is off on a team training camp in Nantahala, NC. She's going to freeze her bunns off! She doesn't like the cold at all.... tomorrow's high? mid 40's! Brrrrrrrrrrr


You know since I'm constantly on the computer ALL the time for stuff at school I take alot of breaks to surf the internetz and see what's happening in the cycling world be it mountain, cyclocross or road. When I find simple things that look like they will work I like to pass along that info. The peeps over at Bike Radar had a little article that I'm going to briefly go over on my blog but I'll post the link if you wanna read a professional journalist's take on this...



If you have some packing tape, we know that you do, you can easily make this right in your own home... even if you can't cut paper!

Save that packing material from where you buy stuff off the internetz (come on we all do it) so you can use it for this simple project.

Cut up that foam celled packing material to make a sleeve or packet for your bladder. The person that did the one up above must be a seamstress or something, it's pretty good! If your just an average Joe just do the bestest you can... Note; tape and seal it really well and your camel pouch won' sweat and drip all over you while you ride.



Here's the finished product on their web page. I think they did a really good job since they knew it was to be published! It's really a simple idea that's really a huge benefit when it's really hot out. If your training though it's not a good idea to be drinking COLD drinks when you train because it takes needed energy away from your body to digest the cold drink (just an added tidbit that you probably already knew). Anywho thank the good folks ( well I'm not sure they're good folks or not I don't know them at all I just read some of their stuff from time to time and you should too if you're smart or sorta smart) over at BikeRadar.com for this simplistic easy and practical idea!

Oh news on the bike repair stations like in Asheville, NC........ I sent our campus director an email with that same pic attached to it and we now have 3 soon to be installed repair stations that will be located somewhere on campus for anyone to use. That's so freakin' sweet! Campus will be as cool as downtown Asheville. Johnson City won't....... go figure.

LAter G.........................

Way To Go Asheville!

Check this out! Asheville is so ahead of the curve when it comes to cycling and commuting!. This station I'm sure doesn't cost much! I wish we could get one of these for downtown and on ETSU campus!

Anywho, I ran across this and thought I would throw a quick post together.

I'm torn between this weekends ride by the way. There's the Conyers Southeast Bike Expo and then there's a Maxxis Southern Series Race in SC the next. Funds only allow for one of these so I'm going to have to decide soon!



LAter G..................