One Speed

VA!

2012-01-04T07:46:00.000-08:00

Arrived at our new home in Central VA just before Christmas. Adventures abound. Ran 14 miles of rugged terrain yesterday in 20 degree weather. 4,000 feet of elevation in 3.5 hours. the legs are absolutely destroyed. working on some trails here on the "grounds" today and hoping to get in a long MTB ride tomorrow before I leave for NYC and the Dusters Ski Tour. more to come.

Going Live

2011-09-24T10:44:00.000-07:00

spent the week in Asheville working on our next studio record. got in some wicked runs on the local trails, totally hashed out the legs before what I realized today is a 4 day, 3,300 mile "drive" for me. in the van now, headed for Mass for a show, then we immediately head for Nashville. Sarah and I start our Colorado Tour on Wednesday in Durango. I'm taking the 'hopper so there may be an update from the trail. started taking this stuff called diatomaceous earth. it's basically drinking dirt. more on that in the future. maybe.

Stringdusters live album, We'll Do It Live, is to be released at The Festy on 10.7.11, but you can pre-order it now and name your price. seriously, you can pay whatever you want so click that link.

The Devils Backbone Challenge at The Festy is coming up October 9th. I'll be defending my title and I'm offering a free Festy Pass to anyone who beats me in the Single Speed race. you can register here.

legs

2011-09-15T05:46:00.000-07:00

they were the heroes yesterday. 60 mile North/South Trail at Land Between The Lakes is no longer on the list of rides that have reduced me to mush. thanks to legs, I returned the favor over 7 hours yesterday. then I went and did about 3000 calories at Wendy's.

blurry, I know. I swear that's how everything looked.

Tires

2011-09-11T19:24:00.000-07:00

disclaimer: this shit doesn't matter.

now that that's out of the way, I did a race today. Montgomery Bell, home court, if-you-will. I'm fixin' to smash another win when out of nowhere, Kyle, the new mechanic at Bikers Choice (therefor, our team mechanic) shows up with his National Ultra Endurance Race Series legs and crushes my soul. he followed me around then straight-up rode away from me when we hit the climb. couldn't even begin to think about doing anything about it. it was completely awesome.

to elaborate:
we started, six of us. I ended up first, because I'm nervous and impatient. Kyle was right behind me and we started getting a gap. by the time we got halfway around, we had a big gap, but I was pushing too hard. I was trying to figure out how to get my heart-rate under control before the climb when we hit the climb. Charlotte's Ridge is not the steepest climb on the course but it is far and away the longest. I knew Kyle would make a move but I had no idea he was going to literally just ride away from me. at first, it broke my heart. but then I got my shit together and kept pushing. he went faster on the second lap, eventually breaking the unofficial course record prior to lining up for the 3 lap category 1 race. totally badass. totally inspiring.

so what was the difference? couple things. Kyle was using a lower gear, a 32x19 as opposed to my 32x18. he was having a much easier time getting the pedals around going up the hills. more than that, Kyle couldn't possibly weigh 140lbs soaking wet. I tipped the scale at 192 this morning, post-dump. Kyle's bike is sub-19 lbs (I'm guessing), mine must weight 23 lbs and most of the over-weightness is in the wheels (the worst place) which brings us to the topic of this conversation (that I'm having with myself).

I've run the same tires since I started riding SS 29 4 years ago. WTB Exiwolfs, 2.3 in. I ride them till the rear wears out, then I move the front to the rear and buy a new one. it's a highly efficient system that produces minimal waste (since I can run a rear tire till it's bald so long as I've got tread out front). unfortunately, these tires are exceptionally heavy for a kevlar (foldable) tire. 825 grams claimed weight. I love the feel of a big tire, it floats over everything, I never break traction, I can run super-low pressure, it has a beautiful round profile. but it's super heavy, and a bigger wheel and single speed exacerbates the main issues with heavy wheels: slow acceleration and difficulty keeping the wheel rolling at low speed.

when it was time for me to choose my prize, a Bontrager Team Issue tire caught my eye. I had a set of Bontrager's years ago and loved the round profile. This tire was listed as a 2.0 and I hadn't ridden anything that small since the 90's, but it only weights 510g... so I picked it up, and mounted it up. turns out it really small. I measured the new tire and my old tire and found that the WTB is actually a 2.25 and the Bontrager is a 1.75. a 1.75! that's like cyclocross size. I watched the World Championship XC race on Freecaster and those guys are all using super small tires, so it can't be crazy... but it looks pretty strange paired up with the balloon on the front. I'm going to take it for a spin, see if it might work as a race tire, if it does I'll find something like a WTB Nano or a Maxxis Ikon to put on the front, match it up a little and hopefully save some weight.

look at that clearance!

back in the day, we always ran a smaller rear tire. we thought it was the best of both worlds; faster acceleration on the rear but a fat front tire for ripping (fatter is faster when you head down, don't argue). I got away from that when I started riding SS 29er but I'm starting to think I may be missing something... like I said, doesn't matter. the main reason Kyle beat me was because he's really really fast. and strong. I might also add he's proving to be a damn good mechanic, free of attitude and ego, meticulous and concise. good to get beat sometimes, especially by someone like Kyle.

comparison:

before

after

Speed

2011-09-10T21:13:00.000-07:00

Speed. with a capital S. Time Trial today at Monkey Bell. came in first in my category, Single Speed, with a time of 10:34. third fastest overall. XC tomorrow.

speaking of speed, mute the volume, the commentary is lonesome, but the riding is spectacular.

Accidental Bounty

2011-09-07T19:21:00.000-07:00

any time I hear someone claim they don't have the time to garden or they don't have a green thumb, I just smile. I've already harvested 20 pumpkins and I have another 20 on the vine. all volunteer from the compost. I also just pulled three large bowls of tomatoes and a fistful of okra inside. the 'maters are also all volunteers.

I'm usually gone. for weeks at a time. good soil and occasional deep watering are all that's necessary. lovin' this.

Other People's Bikes part 2

2011-09-05T11:46:00.000-07:00

borrowed a Surly Crosscheck when I was in Charlottesville. took a little ride through the country. considering a move to Nelson County, if we do it I'll definitely need a road bike to tackle the country roads and brutal hills.

the bike was a little small, but the swept handlebars were really cool and the brooks saddle was like a hammock for my balls.

The next day I flew to Denver and picked up my friends Ti Single Speed Rabbit and proceeded to rage around my childhood trails in the Work Service area beneath Mt. Herman. Totally awesome. here's a shot of that bike from last winter when I did the same thing.

gorgeous. headed east after a show in Flagstaff this afternoon. 28 hours and I'll be home for the first time in a month. local mountain bike race this weekend.

Other People's Bikes

2011-08-25T16:29:00.000-07:00

Last few weeks I've had the opportunity to do some riding in some beautiful places. In Park City/The Canyons I rented a 26" BMC full suspension bike:

I flipped the stem, adjusted the seat up and back, moved the brifters inward and put on my pedals. This was the first time I've been on a 26 in a couple years and it wasn't bad. The riding at the Canyons was superb, the tires on this bike were a liability and the weather was beautiful.

A couple days later we arrived at Grand Targhee Resort to teach a music camp for a week. Fortunately I had afternoons off and I made friends with the guy at the Activity Center who loaned me his Santa Cruz Tallboy. For those of you who don't know, this is probably one of the highest user-rated bikes in history. It's carbon and it's magic. It climbs like a hardtail, rails rolling singletrack like you'd expect a full-suss 29er and when you point it downhill it rides like a downhill bike. I was seriously amazed.

The next day we got out on some of the resorts downhill bikes and ripped up the downhill-specific trails there. I didn't take a picture of the bike, it was a Rocky Mountain with 8 inches front and rear. We started on the easy stuff, then I ditched the band and hit Sticks and Stones complete with 15-20 substantial jumps and a few serious 4-8 foot drops. It was really ridiculous. I was tempted to rip the downhill again the next day but I knew I dodged a bullet coming out of the day unscathed, so I borrowed the Tallboy again and explored the remaining trails on the mountain.

I was able to squeeze in one more ride yesterday in my hometown of Palmer Lake. There's an epic ride, called the Airplane loop that takes you way way out to an old airplane crash from the 50's. I'd only done the ride once, back when I was 15 (that's my half-life) so I was going out on a limb thinking I could find my way out and back on my own. To add a little difficulty I accessed it via Limbaugh Canyon, my old haunt. It ended up taking just under 6 hours of solid riding. Fortunately my friend loaned me his Specialized Stumpjumper 29er. It should have ridden a lot like my 'Hopper, but I had a hard time steering it on the steep climbs and the tires were crap (I'm spoiled by my big 2.3 balloons). the bike felt great and the 2x9 drivetrain was brilliant once I figured it out. the bike:

Added my pedals, moved the shifters and brake levers, per usual. Here's the crash site:

It's been nice shifting gears a little. I wouldn't have been able to do yesterdays ride without them.

Colorado

2011-08-23T10:30:00.000-07:00

Spent last week in the High Country in a little cabin with the band, sleeping in a loft, drinking lots of beer and writing music. Saturday we came down out of the mountains for a show at the Red Rocks Amphitheater.

Great review and pictures of the show here.

When you're in Colorado, you tend to stay there, so we've been hanging out the last three days. Tonight I'm going to squeeze in a ride in Palmer Lake. Tomorrow I'm going to watch the US Pro Cycling Challenge as it passes through Buena Vista. I'll get a quick ride in before they roll through then I'll drive down to Salida and ride again before getting some sleep for a 6:45am flight to Charlottesville, VA, home of The Festy Experience. The crew and I will be meeting, riding, and working on the grounds for a couple days prior to my return to CO for more riding and a couple shows including my 11th year at 4 Corners Folk Festival in Pagosa Springs, CO.

4 months to the day

2011-08-03T05:30:00.000-07:00

I might, MIGHT, be picking this thing up again. not sure. can't decide.

been itching to hit the BMX track in light of my new passion for the pump. headed out there last night to hit up gate practice. turns out it's extremely hard. one lap and I was huffing like a fat kid trying to catch the bus (late again?). spent some time working out the rhythm section, though I never was able to rock it as hard as the first time. like I said, it's really freakin' hard. consider BMX added to the plate. I was looking for something fun to work the guns and this is definitely it. kiss my ass swimming.

we have a killer ABA track here in Nashville, apparently it's the fastest, scariest first straight out there:

on another note, hit a car/got hit by a car a few days ago. absolutely ripped the mirror off this van. still nursing a bruised left bicep area. 'twas bound to happen eventually.

Best Mountain Bike Video I've Ever Seen. gorgeous cinematography, beautifully crafted lines and killer riders obviously having a blast.

if I keep doing this blog thing again, I'll bring the pictures, don't you worry. coffee's ready!

Ongoing

2011-04-03T16:45:00.001-07:00

I've taken a hiatus, as life's been too rich and creamy to not just dwell in the present. In the Atlanta airport headed to Asheville. Home in 8 days bit not before 3 days in the studio, 5 gigs over three days and one rehearsal...

-- Post From My iPhone

Epic Tour 2011

2011-03-18T10:19:00.000-07:00

I was about to start this off by saying we were "midway through our tour" but touring and life are on a continuum, so it would have been untrue. instead I should say I'm in the midst of one of the most beautiful and inspiring seasons of my life. last night in Denver cannot be described. the last month can't be summed up adequately, but I can try to give a little rundown...

Paddle surf in LA
Attend Grammy's
Snowboard Montana for 8 days
Pull Goalie
Shows from MT to ME
Visit Grandparents
Produce record with Dehlia Low in Asheville
Shows with best friends band in CO:

Here we are during the encore, singing an Irish drinking song, Whiskey 'fore Breakfast, right after Greensky covered us and we covered a Greensky tune and before we all did Cee Lo Green's Fuck You.

that's only the half of it. up ahead:

snowboard CO
hike Utah desert with father
snowboard UT
Shows in UT, MT, ID, CO, NM
Snowboard UT, ID, CO
Dirtbike in NM
back to Asheville to finish up record
shows in GA, SC
beach
start the next record

this is all the same trip... or tour... or whatever. life = grand

Sandboarding

2011-03-14T07:21:00.000-07:00

this one hits close to home, for a variety of reasons. I grew up not far from the Great Sand Dunes in Colorado and have spent a couple wild nights cruising around this lunar landscape, including one epic solo full moon mission that totally freaked me out. Sams guide for the dunar adventure is Marc. Marc and I worked at the ski shop together in Durango, he was a laid back hammerhead then and it looks like he's even more laid back and even stronger now. So cool to see him in this.

I've got some downtime in Alamosa in May... I think there's some sandboarding in my future...

Cyclocross Unstoppable

2011-03-13T14:39:00.000-07:00

Sam tries Cyclocross in Boulder and loves it. of course.

in the studio producing Dehlia Low all week in Asheville. The weather is epic, spring has sprung, but we're indoors 12 hours every day...

We'll Do It Live!

2011-03-04T09:08:00.000-08:00

Dusters announce the We'll Do It Live Tour today. We're doing a live album over 5 nights in April/May. This is what it'll sound like, take it all the way to 1:00...

unstoppable

2011-03-03T09:58:00.000-08:00

EAS Nutrition (if you can call powder nutrition) has this cool thing going on called the Unstoppable Tour. a former Marine, Sam Tickle, is doing 30 sports, in 30 days, in 30 cities. today he did this weird thing called Octopush, basically underwater hockey, in Pittsburgh. day one was sea kayaking, day two speedskating... I found out about it on Mud and Cowbells, he does cyclocross in Boulder in the yet un-aired Episode 13. pretty cool, actually. in this episode he swims the Hudson:

I'd love the opportunity to do something like this. very curious to find out how he fares at cyclocross...

Teton Gravity Research

2011-03-01T22:42:00.000-08:00

TGR is the pinnacle of ski film. they used a recording of ours for a film they shot on the blue-bird Monday up at Big Sky. it'll give you an idea of what we were up against that day...

Eye Candy

2011-02-27T09:59:00.000-08:00

belt driven carbon cross from Independent Fabrications.

drink smoke

2011-02-23T22:07:00.000-08:00

a photo project, found on Mud and Cowbells. images straight from the motherland. beautiful. you can taste the fries.

seasoning

2011-02-22T07:54:00.000-08:00

the end of another epic year at Big Sky Big Grass. the riding/skiing got better and better through the weekend culminating in an epic 10 on 6 on 4 on 3 bluebird powder day yesterday. one of the best sessions I've ever had, riding with the boys in the Old Man Style. here's a little shot of the OMS crew, lovin' life.

headed for Billings tonight, then across the top of the country, finishing up next week in Killington, VT. it'll be running and yoga until we hit the High Country again in mid-march. considering adding some backcountry corn skiing to the agenda for the May Duo Tour.

exciting finish to the cyclocross season:

the funny

2011-02-20T16:32:00.000-08:00

couple great days in Big Sky. won't even bother going into the details except to say we're having an awesome time, the riding has been epic and it's dumping. again.

downloaded Radiohead's new album, The King of Limbs. only one track in at the time of publication, but so far, so good and you know Radiohead, if you can't trust them, you can't trust anyone. fucking awesome.

like crashes and splinters?

guy gets a splinter through his calf, gets back on the bike and rides across for 3rd. that's almost as badass as Falco breaking his Tibia Friday and still cutting the gig late night.

Gorgeous Belt Driven Calleti rigid 29er SS from Belt Bikes

here's the funny

Snow

2011-02-17T07:22:00.000-08:00

...and just like that, everything changes.

when it snows, I'm happy. when i get to dust of the Legend after 3 years of dormancy, I get downright giddy. if you only knew.

actually, if you were at Big Sky for the Big Sky Big Grass Festival right now, you'd know. we'd be about to down 2000 calories before flogging ourselves in 7-15 inches of fresh all day long...

yep, just like that, everything changes.

truly, Pow!

Whoa!

2011-02-16T08:24:00.000-08:00

Things are happening very fast right now.
Forget cell phone and shades on porch.
Fly.
Delicious Meal at Home.
Sleep
Paddle surfing in Paradise Cove.
Free drinks.
Sleep
fantastic LA vegan breakfast
baby Grammy's.
more Free Drinks.
The Real Grammy's.
many, many more free drinks.
Sleep
8am flight to SLC.
drive to Big Sky.
Sleep
Ride. Ride. Ride.
Drinks.
Pick.

had a really fun jam with the band in front of the fireplace here in Big Sky last night. First time we've played together in weeks, first time I played bass in weeks. I'm actually better now than I was then.

Crux

2011-02-09T15:53:00.000-08:00

There's two of these in my size at the shop...

when bunnyhopping goes wrong

Roots of Freeride

2011-02-08T09:52:00.001-08:00

Everyone's taking it back to the roots.

on aging

2011-02-06T09:02:00.000-08:00

I'm 29. in two months and ten days I turn 30. I just started thinking about it yesterday. I wouldn't say it "hit" me, but it occurred to me, for the first

I always like the old adage that you're only as old as you feel. and it's been easy for me to say, since I've been in my 20's for 9 years, 9 months, and 20 some odd days. until I busted up my knee last year, I pretty much assumed I was invincible. but ever since I busted up my knee, I don't really feel so young anymore. I also assumed as soon as the knee was 95%, I'd start to feel like a 20 year old again. recently, I've been questioning this assumption (and you know what happens when you assume). maybe it's the beer, maybe it's the knee or my diet, but I'm not so convinced anymore. I fully intend to continue along in denial of reality, I know guys that are older than me that still rip, but it's got me thinking...

read a couple books lately. one called Off The Deep End, a sad story about a delusional 40 something who's convinced if he trains hard enough, he can be an olympic swimmer. this dude, Hodding Carter, wasn't even an exceptional swimmer in his youth, but he's convinced he can become one in his 40's. you can see how this ends up. I also just finished Ten Points by Bill Strickland, 49 year old editor of Bicycling Magazine. it's a tale about trying to score some points in the local crit series. a crit, for the uninitiated, is like cyclocross without all the good stuff and all the bad stuff. roadies, pavement, short laps, an hour of racing, lots of sprinting and pain. Bill's a great writer and went through some terrible stuff as a child, so it's a great read. the descriptions of the races are riveting (to a bike dork like me), he's racing against people of all ages, national champions, pro cyclists, but in the end, he doesn't get his ten points.

I know a really really fast guy named Troy, he's an amazing physical specimen, I'd guess he's about as thin and strong as he could possibly be.

Troy's a cool cat, super nice, and though I think we've got some pretty substantial ideological differences (just like I have with damn near everyone down here) and we've only really talked in short sentences, I think of him as a friend. I think we've raced maybe 5 or 6 times and every time he's finished in front of me. I followed him around, sucking his wheel for at least 5 laps in Birmingham this season. I managed to keep up with him and the only other Pro1/2 in Chattanooga two seasons ago in my last weekend as a 3, I was even leading for half a lap after he and the other guy got tangled up in the sand. Troy's a hoss, fast as hell and consistent, even though he's riding less than he used to (TBAR and State Cyclocross Champion in '08). He's got a wife and two kids and I assume a full-time job and he still kicks ass. Troy gives me hope and keeps me in denial. I still believe...

this looks awesome, modern free-riding at it's best

Epic Finish at Lille!

2011-02-05T20:19:00.000-08:00

the four best 'cross riders on the planet take an epic last lap.

USGP Schedule has been announced. these are the big ones.

more mountain bike access in Middle Tennessee?

2011-02-04T19:37:00.000-08:00

I heard today from Scott at Eastside Cycles that there's plans for a short beginner mountain bike loop through the hills and fields and woods of Bells Bend, right across the river from my home. apparently it'll be pretty mellow mountain biking but it sounds like it will be absolutely perfect for cyclocross.

the Burch Reserve property adjacent to the Warner Park system is still under consideration for mountain bike trails, you can voice your opinion HERE at the Friends of Warner Parks website. the possibility of new trails, whether for hiking, running or biking is a positive thing for our community and I'm optimistic that we'll continue to make our voices heard. next meeting is March 17th, I believe, but don't quote me on it, just double check and mark your calendar. there were probably 120 mountain bikers there, it'd be great if 300 showed up.

I've become a member of SORBA today, you should consider it as well. If you don't live in the south, at least become a member of IMBA (no, not IBMA, you don't want that).

In a little more than a week I'll be back at Big Sky to tackle the huge chunk of granite known as Lone Peak:

this photo was taken less than an hour after I skied it last year. this year I'll be using just one plank.

Jeremy Jones is the greatest snowboarder alive. he's ditching the sleds and choppers and doing it all under human power. you gotta see this:

Mountain Bike Trails near Leipers Fork?

2011-02-04T08:37:00.000-08:00

friend and fellow cyclocross freak Cooper dropped me a line to let me know he's on a committee to decide the fate of 400 acres south of Leipers Fork. trails and mountain bike access has been a pretty hot topic around these parts of late and I've somehow worked my way toward the center of the action. from what I can tell, this is a great opportunity for the mountain bike community, we're underserved (I was not underserved last night, but that's another story) and while these trails aren't in Davidson County, they are within striking distance. here's an overview of the area:

I think at this point the best thing you can do is head over to the Facebook page called Yes! to Mountain Bike Trails In Williamson County and "like" it a perhaps even leave a message. we need all the help we can get.

in cyclocross, despite the World Championships having been contested, they're still racing. even I'm getting a little tired of it, can't imagine how these dudes must feel. even cyclocrosschannel is burned out, only offering a highlight reel of the race in Maldegem instead of the typical last two lap offering. much of what I post on here about cyclocross I pick up from the CXMagazine website, and most people who would care already go there, so it's a bit redundant... anyway, here's a great video from the womens World Championships:

Championnat du monde Cyclo cross 2011 - Dames Elites from Web Petitesreines on Vimeo.

it's been a cold week, with lots of moisture. pump track is shut down, I did about 60 miles down to the Natchez Trace on Wednesday, but other than that, I've been an indoor creature. spent about an hour reading an epic Floyd Landis interview yesterday morning. Floyd was raised Mennonite, so I was always a fan, until the doping thing broke, then I was confused. for some, this interview clears things up, I'm still confused, but it's a great read.

speaking of reading, picked up Bill Strickland's Ten Points for $.75 yesterday along with the Aron Ralston book about cutting off his own arm and a couple David Sedaris books. that's useless information.

Chaco

2011-02-03T13:36:00.000-08:00

summertime is a long way away, but since I'll be surfing again next week, I figured I might as well cue up some flips:

ordered a pair for the wife as well. I had a pair of Chaco flips but my roomates dog ate them years ago. that is all

"anybody who rides a bike is on drugs, unless you's a kid"

2011-02-02T06:00:00.001-08:00

"he's American, I'm American, what do American's do? We do drugs, quit bein' ignorant"

I used to do drugs. I still do, but I used to too.

new day, new month

2011-02-01T09:16:00.000-08:00

fuck yeah!

let's start it off with a demo reel of all things awesome:

it's amazing how much "things" are progressings. by things I mean all things awesome, like bikes, surfing, snowboarding, ladies physiques, etc... I was born a little too late, I could really mess myself up if I was 18 right now.

long ride with Jeremy planned out on the Natchez Trace. We're looking at 100% chance of rain, 30 mph winds and lightning! Awesome! Look at this baby rolling in! wheeeew, we're stupid. maybe I should just stay home and eat a pizza.

one of my favorite artists, Daniel Tashian just released an EP, The Lights Of Town. Daniel makes the coolest music and he's going to be a dad.

Interview post Worlds with Sven Nys on velonews.

alright, gotta roll, this kitchen ain't gonna clean itself...

perspective

2011-01-31T20:01:00.000-08:00

sometimes, you need a little feedback to make you realize you're a fool. I've been foolish. if you like to see someone get a big fat dose of you're a fool and you should shut your fucking mouth, then check this out.

damn! doesn't feel so bad to learn something the hard way, at least I've got some perspective.

probably dropped a few notches on the ladder of the local hammerheads, but, you know, you can't please all the people all the time and today, all those people where to local cycling community... whew... now I'm feeling pretty bad...

thanks to Cast-L-E for telling it like it is from his perspective. I respect that. obviously.

tomorrow's a new day... what will it bring?

Just some thoughts...

2011-01-31T10:09:00.000-08:00

I like to gripe, but I hate myself for it. I try to avoid it here, because there's already entirely too much negative energy floating around, but today is an exception. couple things on my mind.

Montgomery Bell Trail Closures
this weekend we experienced Colorado Spring-like conditions here in the Nashville area. it was gorgeous, warm, and dry, perfect for riding. Montgomery Bell closes when super wet or when freeze/thaw conditions exist. for the uninitiated, freeze/thaw is the term for the worst thing ever, when the moisture content of the ground is uber-high and it freezes, causing "heaving" which, if ridden on, results in a completely fucked trail. the rangers at Montgomery Bell close it up by locking the gate when this happens. they locked it up this weekend. it shouldn't have been locked. people rode anyway, it was the best weekend of riding I've had out there in a long long time. there's a very interesting thread on the Nashville Mountain Bike board that you can soak up if you want a little more context.

Prairie Home Companion
the radio dial in my car stays on NPR. I love it. except for Sunday morning at 11 when it's hijacked by Garrison Keilor and the rest of the Prairie Home Companion crew. this show is not funny. not even remotely. when it comes on after Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me, it's particularly irritating and un-funny. the music is impossible to listen to, the dialogue is like gravel in my ears and the jokes... I love The Writers Almanac, his voice and tone is so soothing and the content is always interesting. "Be well, do good work, and keep in touch." love it. how could someone responsible for this gem could have gone so awry over the years. this show used to be tolerable, even somewhat enjoyable. those days are done...

as a musician who's music somewhat parallels the usual fare on this program, I will no doubt be killing any possibility of ever appearing on this show with this public opinion, but I just can't keep it to myself anymore. I can't take it.

cinematography, dirt, jumps:

I stumbled on this nasty crash on the track. I had a similar experience my first night racing at the velodrome in Colorado Springs when I was 16. I still bear the scars, couldn't sleep on my left side for 3 months (still can't and I believe it's because of the conditioning of that sleep-period).

I think if more NASCAR fans knew about this type of thing, there would be a lot more velodromes in this country.

tomorrow I will return to positivity, blame it on a case of the Mondays.

Stybar repeats as Cyclocross World Champion

2011-01-30T06:23:00.000-08:00

stayed out till 2 dancing to Toubab Krewe. woke up at 6:45 to try to stream the World Championships. was able to find a stream and watch the entire race. Stybar attacked early and kept a 17-20 second gap over Nys. Jonathan Page was the top US rider, leading early and riding well until he flatted, still managing a 12th place finish. Jeremy Powers landed in 16th, Tim Johnson crashed out while in the top 20 and Driscoll landed 27th. great day for Team USA.

last two laps:

"hey birds, you guys have little bikes?"

2011-01-29T16:36:00.000-08:00

this shit is severely funny. Portlandia!

Cyclocross World Championships are tomorrow in St. Wendel, Germany. Live coverage on CXMagazine.com at 7am. I'll be up, because I can be, then I'll be headed back to Montgomery Bell to follow up on one of the best days of riding I've had in awhile.

man power

2011-01-29T09:37:00.000-08:00

"if we all learn to pull our weight, nobody... nobody... will be able to siphon away our high life."

last two laps from the U23 World Championships:

pump track expansion

2011-01-28T18:35:00.000-08:00

decided last week, in the van, I was going to try to wedge an s-turn into the pumptrack. the goal is to create the most interesting track in the minimum of space. so after almost two straight days digging, I'm getting closer.

the 180 at the top is now a choice, you can 180 then roll down the re-worked front stretch, or do about a 220 and roll into the s-turns. I had to move a lot of dirt to get it to flow. I can't decide if my technique needs to improve or if I need to move more dirt, but it's not quite right. yet.

this photo was taken from right next to the hay bale.

amazing what subtle changes will do to the flow. it's true that you're never done with your pump track, there's always dirt to be moved.

in Nashville news, the meeting for the Warner Parks expansion was well attended by mountain bikers. I said my piece, so did a lot of other riders. I'm optimistic, but not holding my breath. at one point, a guy stood up and said, "I don't want mountain bikes in the Warner Parks. you need to stop being selfish." this got the expected response from the gathered. clearly, if you have 0% of something, you're not being selfish asking for less than 10% of something owned by the public. it seems more like the anti-mountain bikers, by wanting to keep us out of the new areas, are the selfish ones. is it not enough to have 100% of Radnor Lake (children can be fined for running there, it's so uptight) and 100% of the vast Percy and Edwin Warner tracts? there's only so much open space on the west side and you can't deny the mountain bike user group forever. share that shit, people!

The Sun

2011-01-27T08:13:00.000-08:00

I hadn't seen it since I'd been home. After last week in California and Utah, I was getting pretty used to it. This time of year if you get one sunny day a week in Nashville, you're stoked. It ain't right, just a reality. This morning I flung open the shutters (we don't have shutters, it's just a saying) and to my surprise, there it was, in all it's flaming glory. The Sun. My best friend. I think it's a sign. Odds are by the end of the day I'll be pumping the pump track.

Stumbled upon the biggest dirt jumps I've ever seen hit on a 20:

A little mini-velodrome action?

Tonight the mountain bikers of Nashville will hopefully descend on the Warner Parks meeting at the Nature Center at 6:30 to help determine the future of the new land acquisition.

Mountain Bike Trail in New Warner Park Acquisition?

2011-01-25T21:42:00.000-08:00

Nashville is a good city. The people are fat and docile, it's cheap and the greenways are expanding, as evidenced by a discovery today that I didn't photograph but will explore in more detail later. One thing it's severely lacking is decent urban singletrack, especially on the more mountainous south and west sides. There are several large public parks, but while one allows horses, the the other doesn't even allow trail running. No running at Radford Lake. Civilized, slow walking only, please. Bicycles have been restricted from the Warner Parks since the late 90's, I think (I should check on that). Every city dweller deserves some singletrack within' 20 minutes, but the closest trail to my house is Montgomery Bell at a severe 42 minutes travel time.

The Warner Park system, consisting of Percy Warner Park and Edwin Warner park has recently acquired an old growth forest to the tune of 453 acres adjacent to Percy Warner Park on hwy 100.

10 miles, 20 minute drive, 40 minute ride. I could ride trail from my door. This is a revelation. In fact, there's plans to extend the Richland Creek Greenway all the way to Percy Warner Park. This would cut my total time on city streets to less than 5 minutes. I need this. Please help me.

Here's the scoop from SORBA as quoted from joyride on the NMB forum.

Warner Parks will be holding public meetings to determine the use of the new Warner Parks land acquisition (on the other side of Hwy 100). It has been a dream of many to have mountain bike trails in Warner Parks. This is an opportunity to have your voices heard. It has been documented and understood by the Metro Planning Committee that mountain biking is an underserved community in Nashville. Show up in numbers to drive this point home. If you ride a mountain bike, know someone who rides a mountain bike, or would like to ride a mountain bike, PLEASE come out to these meetings and show your support!

The Master Plan meeting dates are held at the Warner Park Nature Center (7311 Hwy 100 Nashville, TN 37221) at 6:30pm and the dates are:

Thursday, January 27th
Tuesday, March 22nd
Thursday, May 5th

for more information contact Carolyn Heichel via email at president@sorbamidtn.org or

The SORBA mid-TN board's email is board@sorbamidtn.org

More info at their website http://sorbamidtn.org/
__________________

Hopefully I'll see you all on Thursday.

juxtapose

2011-01-25T08:36:00.000-08:00

stumbled on a couple sweet cycling videos from two ends of the cycling spectrum. first, cyclocross:

Cyclocross in Our Words - Pt. 1 from Jim Fryer/BrakeThrough Media on Vimeo.

now for some gorgeous dirt jumping:

VANS Team edits: JEREMY MULLER from Vans Europe on Vimeo.

in cyclocross, reigning world champ Zdenek Stybar has gone to the road, which disappoints some. I don't really care as I don't think much of him, his statements, or his style. I tried to find a photo of his terrible euro-hair, but instead stumbled upon this photo of the prettiest 'cross racer I've ever seen, since my wife doesn't race:

in other news, we've hit the rain cycle in Nashville and it's making it increasingly hard to get out and ride. considering giving myself some real down-time, but I'm not a pussy (if I keep saying it it must be true) and I want to dish out The V next year, so I probably need to get up out of this chair and suck it up. time to consult Rule 10

Utah's got a bad reputation...

2011-01-24T11:28:00.000-08:00

Let me try to sort out the last three days into something coherent.

ORshow
The Outdoor Retailer Show was in full force at the convention center. We spent a couple days hanging out with our new friends at Mountain Khaki, a killer outdoor clothing company. We even played a happy hour set right on the convention floor. There was some crazy stuff going on out there, like this:

there was literally thousands of cool products, but the only one I really cared about was the new split board from K2:

It ain't pretty, but if it rides anything like my K2's...

Toubab at State Room
Two nights with one of our favorite bands, Toubab Krewe, at the State Room. Both nights featured some really sweet sit-ins at the end of the show, Saturday Dave and I rocked Double Bass' which usually sucks but ended up being completely badass. Dave is my favorite and his rhythm and hair are inspiring.

Epic day at Brighton
Last time I was at Brighton, I completely fucked up and crushed my leg. I've been patiently waiting for a chance to redeem myself and the snow was flying all day Saturday, so during the show that night I called out for a ticket. After the show a nice gal came up to the stage and gave me a ticket, and 5 minutes later I'd rented a car and solidified a plan to shred Brighton. In bed at 3:15, 6:15 wake-up call and by 9:15 I was on the lift with my bro Zingg. One of the best days of my life. We slipped over the backside, out of bounds and I took 20 of the best turns of my life.

If you look closely, you can see, in the center of the photo, Casey ripping right beneath the big rock. The turns coming down the gut, those were the best I've ever had. Zoom in, take a look and imagine how that must have felt... this line required a several hundred foot hike out but was absolutely worth every bit of effort. I went back later in the day and rode the still untouched spine beneath the cliff band on the left... I get a semi just thinking about it. Brighton is now at or near the top of my resort list. So much great terrain, so many good features, best snow in Utah and a laid-back, old-school vibe you won't find at Snowbird or Solitude. Did I mention it was a bluebird day? Or that a strange couple in a Hummer hooked me up with one of these in exchange for some beginner snowboard advice?

Utah's got a bad rap, partially deserved, but unfair none-the-less. The Wasatch are some of the most incredible mountains I've ever been amongst, the snow was the best I've ridden, the people at the shows were awesome and we managed to get some good beer (not just Steel Reserve).

In Cyclocross news, Knoxiecross this weekend. Looks like I'm headed out there Saturday with Jeremy. Hoogerheide World Cup this weekend. Here's the last two laps:

mysterious bruise

2011-01-20T11:49:00.000-08:00

found a mysterious bruise under my left arm last night. if I wasn't looking at myself in the mirror I wouldn't have seen it. I like to look at myself in the mirror. vanity is only part of it, there's just a simple curiosity, especially when the body's been acting as a vessel for adventure. so there's a mysterious bruise on the inside of my arm, almost in the armpit. it's not that mysterious, actually, I know it happened surfing, I just don't remember when. that's the mystery and a sign of a good time.

fausto coppi. the look on the photographers face says it all

crossresults.com

2011-01-19T14:15:00.000-08:00

crossresults.com is a great idea. compile all results into one algorithm that figures out how you really shape up compared to the guys you race against. in TN, a lot of the races we do are part of disparate series. from Nashville, I race in 4 different states within' 3 hours. crossresults.com compiles all of that information, theoretically and puts it in a format that enables and encourages comparison, something that cyclists are practically addicted to. for example, here's how I stack up next to my rivals. it shows win/loss ratio with every rider I race against, and a bunch of other useful information that I don't have to try to remember. here's an old video in which crossresults.com is mentioned.

Surf

2011-01-18T17:56:00.000-08:00

San Diego, 78 degrees, wetsuit and a surfboard. paddled into and caught my first wave. battled repeated washing-machine sets. perfection.

the view of the break at Terramar from the cliff-top patio

sunset with the crew

days like these it's good to be alive.

Downhill/Freeride Showreel

2011-01-18T00:51:00.000-08:00

I cruise pinkbike.com sometimes to get a look at what could have been. Back in 1996/97 when I was big into junior racing in Colorado, I'd go the big state races, the CORPS series, and race cross-country and downhill on my Cannondale F-1000 which looked a little like this:

I would never have put bar-ends like that on my bike. Just need to make that clear. I also flipped the stem which, I realize now, was far too long.

Anyway, I'd do these CORPS downhill races and race against guys on 4-5 inch travel bikes. The technology on those bikes wasn't great and the courses were still rideable on a hardtail, so I usually did pretty well. I was also doing really well in the local dual-slalom series, as long as the jumps weren't too big. There was a time when I was trying to scrape together enough money for a downhill bike, and I think there's a good chance if I had, I would have made something of myself. Maybe I'd be one of these dudes on Tim Lake's Showreel:

not likely.

Tennessee Cyclocross Champions crowned

2011-01-17T18:38:00.000-08:00

Last weekend's races in East Tennessee, the State Championships and Kingsport Cup UCI, crowned the seasons State and Series Champions. The consistently fast and always upbeat Jeremy Chandler was victorious in the TBRA Series both in Pro/1/2 and Single Speed categories. Here he goes over the barriers. Note the beard and visor. This is anti-Velominati in every way and a style I fully endorse and often sport.

Here he is mooning someone mid-race. I post this without permission.

I really like and respect Jeremy and I'm glad he attends so many races. Cyclocross in Tennessee would be much less interesting and challenging without him. I finished 3rd in Single Speed and tied for 3rd in Pro/1/2. I did not, of course, repeat as State Champion, I was on a mountain in California, but Adam Meyerson showed up again and stomped the boys after a strong ride for 3rd on Saturday at the UCI in Kingsport.

Another TBRA season in the books, but the hard-core winter racers still have 8 races in 4 weekends in Knoxville as part of the KnoxieCross Series. I might hit one up, or I may be done. Time will tell.

Beautiful drive from Tahoe to San Diego today, eastern Sierra's, an incredible view of Mt. Whitney and a desert sunset.

Sliding

2011-01-16T22:19:00.000-08:00

Snow sliding, in it's various forms, is addictive. I'm addicted. My personal addiction is strong, honed over several years in the San Juan Mountains at Purgatory, Wolf Creek, Telluride, and Hesperus ski areas and in the back-country around Silverton. Today at Kirkwood was my first day on snow in awhile and it had all the elements, most importantly, it proceeded at it's own pace and in a natural arc.

Best line of the day was through that big gap at the top of the ridge.

In cyclocross, World Cup goes to France:

This is the only one of these I've seen all year that I've seen American racers. I'm not ultra-patriotic, but it's important to me that we're competitive with Europe in cyclcross. You can see Timothy Johnson at right in the still-frame. There's a great moment at 7:30 where mountain bike specialist Fontana is leading the chase group and he goes down scattering the field. It's excellent. Pauwells grows some balls at 11:05. Borish course, but a fun and fast last lap.

name this bike

2011-01-13T13:46:00.000-08:00

I watched a lady ride up to the paint store next to the diner we ate at this morning in Santa Cruz. I ran across the street and took a couple pictures of her bicycle. I remember reading an article written about these bikes in something somewhere, but I can't recall their name.

check out the seat on this thing. beautiful.

she seemed very comfortable and relaxed, almost tranquil. It made me want to ride it. If you know what these are called, please let me know.

ed. note: Ed Jaramillo, a man who's virtues know no end, informed me it's a Pederson Bike. Ed, hopefully one day, you will live in a state where people has some idea how to pronounce your last name. Until then, I'll keep trying to teach them when we talk about you during your race.

Monkish behavior/ Kingsport Cup

2011-01-13T10:08:00.000-08:00

We've been in southern Oregon and northern California all week, and you know what that can lead to lots of local produce and a laid back week. Now we're headed to the ocean, then to the mountains, then back to the ocean, and onward to the mountains.

In cycling news, Kingsport Cup this weekend in eastern Tennessee. Theoretically big-time racing comes to Tennessee, the start list is expanding with 16 signed up for the Elite Men including Adam Meyerson and Andy Reardon, who beat up on me a few weeks ago. It's good to see racing in January, I wish I could be there. I thought the State Championships last year in January was one of the best races of the season, and if we'd have had decent field sizes, I really think it would have been epic. We'll be in Tahoe on Saturday night and riding at Kirkwood on Sunday, my first day on snow since last February.

Here's the band the other night in Ashland:

crossresults.com

2011-01-10T22:46:00.000-08:00

crossresults.com is something that some dudes up east started, but they're starting to input more and more results and they're including the Southeast now, which is very cool and gives you an idea of how you stand relative to the rest of the country, not just your region. They identify your nemesis' as well as your top victims and do a thorough job of tracking your results. They got all my TBRA, as well as my Louisville, Atlanta and Birmingham races in there, by far the most complete. Go to the website and input any riders name, check it out.
www.crossresults.com

Belgian Elite National Championships

2011-01-10T17:17:00.001-08:00

Think again, I did.

2011-01-09T10:37:00.000-08:00

Tervuren last week. Very tough looking course, some really gutsy riding.

Everything's harder in Belgium

2011-01-08T02:00:00.000-08:00

This time of year, it's all about cross for me. Tomorrow the Belgian National Championships will be contended and since there's 9 Belgians that regularly place in the top 10 in World Cup Events, it's going to be a good one. I can't wait to watch the last two laps.

Ryan Iddings just got back from racing in Belgium. He had some things to say, even rode Sven's wheel, which must have been amazing.

He talks primarily about how hard it is, which is something that I think everyone who races cross here should hear. ITS SUPPOSED TO BE HARD. Technical, especially. These "grass crits" have got to go! Seriously, we're making things entirely too easy on ourselves. HTFU, North American Cyclocross Scene.

Here's the last two laps from Zolder, there's a great sequence of the descent Iddings talks about at 6:00, the leader, Lars Boom almost loses it there at 14:40. Check out the corner at 11:40 and the run-up at 15:10, Boom uses his free hand to help climb the hill! What a course!

Ski Tour Boo

2011-01-07T10:38:00.000-08:00

Ski Tour 2011 is under way. We've been in Seattle all week leading up to our show at The Tractor last night. I starred in a short mystery we shot in the house we rented.

Belt Bikes is a sweet blog featuring belt-driven bikes. This was today's bike, a bamboo Cyclocross model from Boo Bicycles. As cool as this bike looks, I wonder if a bike made out of a material who's structure is compromised when exposed to moisture is the right call for cyclocross.

That said, I think this bike is absolutely beautiful.

In other news, the Tennessee Bike Racing Association posted the preliminary summer schedule. I don't really like to race my mountain bike, it's usually less fun than riding and I've developed a tendency to cramp during the hot races of the southern summer, so I doubt I'll be at many of these. Already ready for the fall Cyclocross Calendar, but that usually pops up in April or May.

Sven Nys

2011-01-06T09:25:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I posted a video of Sven Nys at the Sven Nys race. Conveniently, CXMagazine.com posted their Ask A Pro interview with Sven today. One of the questions is mine. Incidentally, Sven's got a smokin' wife.

In the spirit of spirited borrowing, I picked this up on the BIG RING RIDING blog. They picked it up from Bianchista. From Matt Loyd, of Omega Pharma Lotto in reference to Euskatel's propensity for crashes.

“They just fall off. There’s no reason why. You’ll just be riding along and there they’ll be like a bleeding carrot in the middle of the road lying in pain.”

that's funny

Epic Battle

2011-01-05T09:41:00.000-08:00

I want to take this blogging thing seriously. I really do. I just don't really know what I have to say. There have been times when this blog is little more than a journal. Other times it's been worse; a training journal. Who cares about my latest single speed road ride under gray skies in Nashville? No one. I've only managed 2,000 views on this thing in several years. I've put up that many posts. Do the math.

There are posts about music, these tend to be more valuable. There was even a brief time I thought I would help the Nashville bicycle dialogue by tracking any and all cycling related developments in Nashville, but that was no fun, especially since I don't spend that much time in Nashville. I don't know what to do, it seems to continue on a path of journalistic journaling will only serve to support my fading but tenacious narcicism... does this thing have spell check?

So, to my loyal reader, these next few months could get strange. I don't really expect anyone to read this, but I'm going to find a groove here, create something useful, original, or interesting (maybe just best 2 out of 3). I've noticed on the other blogs I read, much of the content is borrowed. Apparently, if it's new to you... you know the slogan, I don't, actually. Anyway, to that end, here's a video I've watched over and over again this week. Sven Nys and Zdenek Stybar locked in an epic duel at the race named for Sven. It gets really good around the 10 minute mark.

There's no one tougher than Sven. HTFU.

Seattle

2011-01-04T17:14:00.000-08:00

Arrived in Seattle last night. 34oz Guiness, some picking and bed. Spent the day playing music with the 'Dusters, but I got out for a sweet 4 mile run through Discovery Park. We're only a block away so I'll be out there tomorrow again. Chris Pandolfi's stop-animation video got picked up by the Sharpie blog. It's very cool, featuring original music and animation by CP.

On the Road, again.

2011-01-03T07:35:00.000-08:00

"When I go, on the road, I go fast, I go slow.
It gets cold, don't you know, won't get home, much this year.
And the stories, I will tell, when I've nothing left to sell,
wonder what's happening somewhere's else, won't get home much this year."

John Hartford

It is with tired legs that I board a plane in 3 hours bound for Seattle. The last two days of riding have been exceptional, the pump-track is all covered up with pine needles and pine boughs (so don't come over here trying to ride it) and the gear is all packed. 6 bags. Yep, 6. Timbuktu, gear case (both carry-on) suitcase, gear bag, flight-case (with bass) and snowboards... this will get expensive.

Shows in Seattle, Portland and points south. You can see the full tour schedule here: www.thestringdusters.com

Updates will be coming from the road, lots of running and a few days snowboarding the next few weeks. Hopefully some substantive thoughts as well, but no guarantees.

Happy New Year

2011-01-01T15:37:00.000-08:00

New Years Day is a great day for a long ride. Changed the cross bike over to winter road mode last night. That entailed changing the gearing from a 39/18 to a 42/16 and putting on a set of slicks. Left the house around 11, got back around 3:30. 60-70 miles maybe. I can feel every one of them.

After dropping the parents off and before the rains yesterday afternoon I spent a few hours on the pump track, riding mostly. Every other session has played out as mostly an exercise in digging but yesterday was all about riding. So. Much. Fun. I hung a light in the tree and rode a few laps at dusk, I'm thinking I'll mount three or four lights to a board and secure it to the tree, like stadium lighting, so I can ride at night... Pump track grand opening party is imminent, perhaps at the end of the month when I return from my California adventure. Drop me a line if you want on the guest list.

Pumptrack progress and more...

2010-12-23T15:45:00.000-08:00

It's absolutely dumping in the homeland. They've got more snow than all of South America right now. Hard to say what my life would be like if I was still there, would a deep pow day still feel the same? The photos coming out of Durango right now are killing me, but I have my own little paradise in the backyard, at least until the snow falls tomorrow night (white Christmas in Nashvegas??).

Yesterday I got a bale of hay to combat the stickiness of the mud/dirt on the pump track and after a little grading and some digging, I've got it going on out there. Complete laps, at speed, just a few modifications and I think I'll start planning the Big Loop. The vision is wider spacing and some jump-able features, like a dirt jump run within a pump track. I'm not sure Sarah knows what the yard's about to look like.

She seems fine, however, with how it looks now, so after digging and riding from 10-3 today (my back will be killing me tomorrow) I have this to show for it:

this is the first turn I built, a super tight 180* that leads down the backstretch seen below:

the view from inside of turn 1, the 180. you can see the cross-over to the left of the second roller and all the way at the end, turn 2:

this is turn two. I completely rebuilt it this afternoon. I knew it was too small when I built it, but it was relatively easy to build bigger and steeper and it's made it clear that I need to do the same thing to the other turns.

this is the view from the new jump-entry point I built before I put the tools away. You can see turn two in the upper left, the jump in the lower right, turn three on the left, covered in straw, and the new entry berm in the middle.

Here's a video:

Next on the agenda is to start building a series of table-top jumps leading into the entry jump. I gathered a bunch of large chunks of tree my neighbor cut down, seen to the left in the third photo, to use as fill in the table-tops. These should save me a lot of dirt moving over the next week and they probably won't rot out before I'm ready to re-build the jumps anyway.
Snooped around looking for info for the Pofahl I posted earlier this week, didn't really find much about the maker, just this video of his son riding up stairs:

I did, however, stumble on this sweet bike from Fisher:

only $1299 with adjustable dropouts and a split rear triangle so it's Single Speed or Belt ready. A Fisher is a Trek, and a Trek is not what you want, but it's nice to see Trek making something interesting and sexy.

A Weekend of Racing

2010-12-21T11:32:00.000-08:00

This weekend my last two races of the "season" were contested in Southern Tennessee. The final race of the Beat The Freak series on Saturday and the only Chattanooga race of the season on Sunday. Let me mine my memories and work on the narrative.

Saturday dawned cool, much ice was scraped from the Tercel. Jeremy D showed up at 7:30 (you get to get up super early when your ride partner is a 4), we headed south and less then two hours later crawled out of the car at the Park in Fayetteville. The temps had dropped and the sun was obscured. BTF courses are flat and hard, with no rest and very little braking. Basically a roadie-master's dream. Only three of us started the Pro1/2 race; me, Dustin Greer, local mountain bike hardman and Edward Krei, a nemesis from my days in the 3's.

We started slow, no one really wanted to ride hard. I led the first lap, soft-pedaling most of the course. Dustin just got a single speed bike last week and was itching to race it in the SS race, so as soon as Edward pushed the tempo a little Dustin vanished. There was no rest on the course, absolutely none, and no opportunity to make a move. Jeremy was asking us if we were "on a date," and I think that motivated Edward to dig in a little. He got a little gap, I closed it down through the sand, but drifted off the back on the last lap. I was trying to leave something in the tank for the Single Speed race, but that proved to be a waste as I neglected to eat between races and had to drop out in the middle of the second lap. Courses with no rest are no good for me. There were no climbs, no descents and brakes were basically unnecessary. Tough day.

I came home, ate a ton of food, drank a ton of beer and dropped into bed around 12:30. I'd planned to double up on Sunday, but at bedtime realized I'd have to get up at 7:30 to make the Single Speed start so I bagged it. Midway through our drive down (mom was with me) I realized I might make it in time, so when we pulled in 15 minutes prior to the SS start, I threw my $ down, kitted up and jumped in with no warmup or pre-ride. I went right to the front and after about a lap of back and forth with Jeremy C, dropped the hammer and rode away. The prize: bag of coffee, growler of Chattanooga beer, gift certificate and bottle of lotion.

The course was on private property and was set up fully belgian-style. Most of the grass sections were soft and muddy, with some standing water, greasy corners, substantial elevation gains, a mud hole full of rocks, a brutal but short run-up and a nice set of barriers. A course better suited to my strengths I hadn't seen yet this year. The dudes down in Chattanooga put on the best races every year and I usually show up in good form. They also had a keg of Yazoo Dos Perros that kept my mother busy.

An hour after the SS race, the Pro1/2 race started. Andy Reardon was there, he's a pro, the rest of us are 2's and he showed us why by motoring away after the first technical section. I knew he was gone, but I kept the pace up until I had a 30 second gap over my pursuers. The gap grew as the race went on, I ended up getting lapped by Andy (fucker lapped the entire field) so while I technically was only 2nd, I beat everyone that I had a reasonable chance to beat, securing a moral victory, another growler of beer and enough $ to cover the two days race entry fees. Incidentally, Edward was on the scene and I lapped him, so while he barely beat me on Saturday, I destroyed him on Sunday. If we'd have been stage racing it wouldn't have been close.

Probably the last races of the season, might end up in Knoxville one day in January but it's not anything worth planning for. If the TBRA Series ended today I'd be in 2nd in the Pro1/2 and 3rd in the Single Speed Categories. There's 2 more races, I'll miss them on Ski Tour and it's impossible to speculate who'll show up at them. My form came together for the last race, just as "planned" and I'm looking forward to flogging myself daily without so much regard for "recovery" or other training terms. I'll be putting the 42x16 and slicks on the Single Speed for the winter and trying to get the Mountain Bike out at least once a week prior to leaving on Ski Tour in January.

Oh no... I need one of those too.

2010-12-16T19:11:00.000-08:00

Can't stop snooping on bike blogs. Found this, it's a 36er:

I want one.

Near total fucked-ness

2010-12-16T10:29:00.000-08:00

If you need further evidence that we're in a state of near total fucked-ness, here's something I found on the Bike Hugger Blog this morning.

This is almost as alarming as the amount of time I've been spending reading bicycle-related blogs as of late (see lengthy list at right). It would seem that a bike ride would be a perfect excuse to detach the iPhone/Brain umbilical chord for a couple hours, but I know that's not an option for hipsters or "businessy types" and I'm certain they'll sell a shit-ton of these things at $65 a pop. On a related note, I was berated by my wife for not answering my phone for at least 2 hours while she was out running errands last night, but in my defense, I forgot it was in the car and was enjoying a few hours of phone detachment. I'm rarely berated by said wife, but for the seemingly often occurrence of iPhone detachment I choose to "practice."

Speaking of practice, my cousin, who's like a sister I never had, sent me B.K.S. Iyengar's YOGA, The Path to Holistic Health yesterday. I'll be practicing this afternoon.

Yesterdays HTFU ride was glorious. No one else opted to HTFU out at Montgomery Bell so I had the place to myself. The snow has now melted as a result of rising temperatures and rain through the night and as a result, the pump-track is still totally unrideable and unworkable. Since I'm "peaking" for this weekends Double Header, which is more accurately described as a "Quadruple Header, as defined by me as doubling up on a Double Header, I won't be riding today or tomorrow. Incidentally my mother arrives tonight on the 10:30 from Denver, so my world will be upside down until Tuesday at 6am. Fortunately, she's amongst the sweetest women I know, means no harm, and usually arrives bearing gifts and a substantial liquor budget. Conveniently, my "season" ends on Sunday.

Merry Minimalistmas.

HTFU

2010-12-15T14:56:00.000-08:00

Cold today, calling for freezing rain so I went for a ride. 1:30 at Montgomery Bell, there was snow on the ground and no one had ridden yet so I got first tracks. Been reading a lot of Velominati and now I'm obsessed with Hardening the Fuck Up. Like this:

Two races this weekend, doubling up both days, it'll be cold. Great opportunity to HTFU.

The Rules

2010-12-10T09:48:00.001-08:00

I don't know how I didn't discover this sooner. It would have saved me a lot of trouble.

The Rules

Oh Atlanta, I hear you callin'...

2010-12-07T16:59:00.000-08:00

Spent the weekend in Atlanta, hanging out with my friend Burle. I'd send you to him via link but he leaves no trace online. He's surly. You'd love him.

On the way down I stopped off at Raccoon Mountain outside Chattanooga. It was cool, extremely foggy and raining periodically. I went around counter-clockwise, like the race I did a few years ago. Actually enjoyed the ride even though I was soaked, the knee ached and the fog was so thick I had trouble seeing.

Sunday I got up and headed to the final race of the Georgia Cross series in Conyers. Atlanta is huge, we drove for over an hour and were still in Atlanta (with no traffic). Course was awesome, lots of elevation, lots of room to pass, slick corners, tough singletrack, soft sections, grass... I knew it would be good when I heard the Masters complain. The old guys hate a good course. Single speed race started, I worked up to 4th and sat in until we hit a 180 and a short climb. Everyone tried to ride and I had the sense to run. When I hopped back on, I was in front so I gassed it and got a quick gap. 3 laps later we were done, I won by only 10 or 15 seconds but rode alone the entire time.

Pro 1/2 race was stacked. I was in the top 10, lost a couple spots on the long sustained climbs (in my defense I had 3 hard laps in my legs already), picked up a few when three different guys went down three different times right in front of me, rode alone for the last 3 laps until a guy in a kilt passed me. Ended up 13th of 22, not a great finish but I knew I was using a lot of gas in the Single Speed race.

Next year, gears. I've decided. That's final. I'll start building it this spring so I've got a road bike this summer. Gears, if Big Bikes can do it, so can I. Just a couple of geared pussies. I'm psyched, actually, no more excuses.

Hit Raccoon Mountain again on the way home today. Dry, cold and sunny, rode it the other direction which was different.

Incidentally, I weighed myself when I got home (after a BBQ Buffet in Sewannee) and I'm pushing 195. Ah, holidays. Time for another beer.

New(ish) Crap

2010-12-03T19:36:00.000-08:00

Picked up a crappy 20" off of Craigs for $40 today. Got it home and realized I probably paid $20 too much, but such is life. Rode it around and around the pump track till my wife came home and pointed out that:
1. I hadn't taken my phone outside (again) and she'd been trying to call me.
2. I'd left her ATM card in the ATM when I made a deposit the day before (in my defense she was right there with me).
3. The check engine light was on in the car she's planning to drive to the east coast at 8am tomorrow.

I'm blessed to have a wife with the good sense to tell me about a check engine light and see it as a potential problem, not just an annoying, unexplained light thingy. I took it to the shop and they determined a sensor is going bad, so being the good husband that I am, I got them to turn the light off and told my wife it "should be fine." We're both blessed because someone turned her car in and it doesn't seem like they withdrew any $.

Discovered after riding the track a little that it definitely needs some tweaking. The rollers are too tall/too close together. This means I'll either plow them down or plow them over all together. I'll decide some other time. In the meantime I'm headed to my first Georgia Cross race on Sunday.

no pictures. sucker. I also discovered that the pump track takes an enormous amount of energy, especially when it's not flowing right and I'm on a crappy bike. crap.

Photos

2010-12-02T07:36:00.000-08:00

I stumbled across this blog and now realize that if I don't learn how to shoot some decent photos, I might as well knock this whole blog business off altogether. What was I thinking?

Bamacross!!

2010-11-28T18:15:00.000-08:00

Alabama. What do you think of when you think of Alabama? I think of college football. After today I also think of kick ass cyclocross races. This morning Jeremy and I headed down to the 6th race of the Bamacross series, the first of two consecutive weekends at Avondale Park. The park is near downtown and as a result, there were a bunch of spectators including an overzealous girl that stopped Jeremy and I mid-pre-ride to chastise us for being on the course during the masters/womens race (In our defense, we got off course whenever anyone came within a few seconds of catching us). Instead of arguing, I simply rode away, prompting her to inform me that she would make it her personal mission to "heckle" us the "entire race." Incidentally, I had to remind her on the second lap, but once prompted, she and her friends gladly obliged.

The course was layed out with a lot of turns, some grassy power sections, lot's of braking/accelerating, two tough run-ups back-to-back and a lot of hidden rocks/roots. Very fun, wish they'd had a single speed race to occupy my time while Jeremy raced, but you can't have it all.

Anyway, by the time the Pro 1/2/3 (everyone at once) race went off, the sun was shining and temperatures hovered around 60 degrees. 30 of us started, I worked up to the top 10 by the time we hit the brutal, 30+ step, stone run-up. A few guys tried to cheat by skipping the steps and running beside them so I used my shouldered bike as a blocking device and kept the crowd at bay. Over the top of the second run-up I was in 6th, made it up to 5th, dropped a place and settled in on Troy's wheel. Troy is 47 and tough as hell. He doesn't turn as well as I do, but he's a lot stronger/smarter than me so I was content to sit in. A college kid I'd met pre-race caught and passed us and the 3 of us stayed together, vying for 4th place for a couple laps. Troy got a gap, then the kid got a little gap but I closed it down in the final corners. I calculated my move and made it but the kid shut the door, (accidentally) then apologized, but it was too late and I didn't have anything left for the sprint. 6th place, just off the podium. I felt great, didn't fade, didn't let up, didn't make my move for the podium stick but had a really good race, loved the course and had a lot of fun.

I think the legs are back-ish, three weeks until the next races, two points races back-to-back on the 18th and 19th.

I'll try to post up a picture or two.

Best thing I've seen all week, this is for the Cat 4 riders, time to upgrade, ladies...

First (half) lap

2010-11-27T15:01:00.000-08:00

Took a few quick laps around the roughed out track. Looks like my distances between rollers is right, some are a little tall, all of them need to be wider and my 180 berm is way too tight. All these things can be fixed.

Headed for Bamacross in Birmingham first thing in the morning. No Single Speed race (why?) but I'll get an hour in on the Pro 1/2 race. Monday will be a big dig day on the pump track. More to come.

Pump Track day 2

2010-11-25T18:00:00.000-08:00

Got out this morning before the big meal and dug for another couple hours, worked on stump removal and moved the compost heap (track runs right through it). Built up a pretty substantial berm and set the skeleton of three rollers. Actually pretty fun pushing dirt around now that I'm developing a technique, wouldn't be surprised if I end up with an entire pump track/dirt jump-filled yard. Sarah took a shot of me out in the yard, this will be the view from the kitchen. The black stuff left of the basketball hoop is compost (that's what a year of veggies, grass clippings and leaves looks like), the garden goes there.

about a half hour later I'd dug the first three rollers and finished piling up the first berm. Here's what it looked like from ground level.

Obviously there's a lot of organic material in there, some of it I'm pulling out as I go, some of it will die off and some of it I'll regret leaving in there, but I'm developing new shoveling/scraping techniques that should help get more of the grass out with less effort. Essential to the process will be getting the bike out and seeing how the spacing feels. I can't afford this:

(The Specialized P24, 24" cruiser BMX. My ideal ride for backyard pump/dirt jump. Only $550. If anyone out there... never mind, I'll get it myself. Sick though, right?)

But I can put knobbies back on my utility bike and start to break in the track, test out the distances between rollers and corner radius'. I've already revised my design and I expect that to continue to happen over and over and over again until eternity.

Here's a video,

On a side note, the pictures coming out of CO and MT right now have got me literally weeping. Can't wait until Ski Tour (3 months!) this winter. Hoping to hit Big Sky, Jackson, the Cottonwood canyons, Wolf Creek, and my old DMR. I'm getting ahead of myself but I can't help it. I need another shot at The Big. Ed, you listening?

Pump Track day 1

2010-11-24T08:04:00.000-08:00

Got it in my mind that I wanted to build a pump track. We weren't really using our yard anyway, and I had already resolved to turn a bunch of it into a garden, so it's no sacrifice to dig up the rest of it. Fortunately my wife is supportive of nearly all of my endeavors and didn't even bat an eye when I told her I wanted to dig up the yard. After a little less than 2 hours, I have an initial layout and some piles of dirt.

I've got a lot of digging left to do. Initial layout has a straight away, into an s-turn, a 180 and a left hander before another 180 brings you around to the straightaway. I've also got a dirt jump line planned that will start in the front yard, transition off the 3 foot drop near my AC unit and continue across the back of the yard. Not really sure how the neighbor ladies are going to take this turn of events, but until they buy my yard, I don't think they really have any say in the matter. It will be interesting to see what kind of dirt I've got underneath the grass...

Cross The Way: Murfreesboro

2010-11-21T19:30:00.000-08:00

Let me tell you a little about the last 24 hours.

Band rolled into Atlanta last night and played to a full house at the Variety. Full moon always makes me feel funny, but that was cured by some pre-gig brews, followed by a couple of tall Franziskaners and some lively conversation at Porters post gig in celebration of a most excellent tour. Crawled into bed around 2:30am, alarm sounded at 8 and after rounding up the band, we headed north. The band dropped me with all my band-type gear and Sarah rolled up with all my bike related gear just as they were about to pull away.

30 minutes later we started the Pro1/2 race. There was 10 of us, I was in about 4th heading through the first two corners. Over the barriers someone went down. All I saw was a cluster of dudes and a bike in front of me, so I rode over it and caught on to Troy before the singletrack. I thought it might be the selection move, but neither Troy nor I wanted to force the issue so early, so I followed him until he bobbled, then he followed me until I clipped my left foot going over the second set of barriers (slammed my foot, really, might lose my entire big toenail). I saved myself the indignity of a crash by planting the bike, but as soon as I hopped on it was clear my front wheel hadn't faired so well. You can actually see it's not straight in this shot.

I jumped off, pulled off the wheel and started slamming it on the ground guerilla-style until it was fairly straight. After another 1/4 lap, I realized my front tire was going flat, so I slowly glided around the course begging for a wheel until Eric Boerman yelled to meet him in the pits. With a new wheel I got to work, but quickly saw that my race was over. After another lap or two I started to feel good and decided to stay on course regardless of it's futility. I think I finished 8th.

Single Speed started 20 minutes later, just enough time to borrow a tubular wheel from Nate. I was second going into the barriers and the guy in first stopped for a beer handup along with half the field. I took off into the woods, Jeremy C caught on and we started to distance ourselves from the recreational drinkers. I've raced Jeremy a lot and I know he's a great all around rider, usually stronger than me with more endurance, but I can move the bike around a little better than he can, so he was at a serious disadvantage on the narrow, windy course. I had a few seconds on him at the end of the first lap, which he shut down on the long finish straight, but after the singletrack the gap was up again and it only grew from there. I'd let too much air out of Nate's front tire, so I was forced to ride safer than I would have liked but it didn't matter.

Perfect course for a guy like me. Nonstop turns, no climbs, lots of dirt. Would have loved the chance to see how the Pro1/2 race unfolded with me in it. Hoping to head to Birmingham next weekend. Did I mention it was almost 70 degrees?

Five Fingers

2010-11-18T10:29:00.000-08:00

Wearing the Five Fingers this week, lots of funny looks.

-- Post From My iPhone

One last gasp

2010-11-07T15:06:00.000-08:00

I read a book, Off The Deep End, about a 44 year old trying to qualify for the Olympic Trials in the 100 meter freestyle. He's crazy. But it inspired me to try to get my act together enough to salvage the season. I've got 4 races spread over 3 weekends planned before the Holidays. After that there's one weekend in Knoxville in January and one in February, but they'll both be a hassle logistically and they start to get dangerously close to ski season.

At any rate, I've got a plan and I plan to use it.

Into the Pain Tunnel

2010-10-31T07:57:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I headed to Memphis for day one of Spooky Cross. I'd planned to head to Louisville for the Eva Bandman but bagged it in favor of Memphis for several reasons:
1. Closer
2. Cheaper
3. TBRA Points
4. I could double up
5. Afternoon racing

So it was with much anticipation that I headed for Memphis. Weather was still beautiful (will we see mud this season?) and the drive was benign. The course they set up was really exceptional and soul crushing. After a long grass-crit start, we hooked up with the last quarter of the course, winding through a tight set of corners, a super fast off-camber left hander, then a little up and down that required brakes, power and intention. After a super tight set of corners the lap started with a really sweet high speed left/right cornering section then dropped into the amphitheater. We had to dismount to cross a double railroad tie, then run across the amphitheater and up a large set of decomposing stairs, seen here:

After a remount we plunged into some wicked singletrack that was several dudes unmaking (and one of the few places I could make time). A couple barriers, some flat along the lake, a crushing grassy singletrack climb to a paved bike path, then into the last quarter grass section and through the start finish.

Single Speed lined up in front of the B race. I took the holeshot and set the pace the first lap. The course designer and crowd favorite Boomer glued himself to my wheel for the first 3 laps until I kinda cracked a little. He rode me off his wheel and I floated by myself for the remaining 3 or 4 laps. Finished 2nd. I need to learn some tactics.

The A race started immediately afterward. I drank a little water, pulled myself together and lined up in the back. For the first time I was last headed out of the start gate. It was interesting to watch from the back but also a little humbling. I started moving up, picking off a rider here or there. I started to feel really good after about a lap and a half, but we were doing 10 and with 6 laps to go I really started to suffer. After giving up a few places late in the race, I was dying for an excuse to drop out, but fortunately I got lapped. Yep, lapped. Humbling. Kept me from quitting, though, so it was a blessing in disguise. Don't know how I finished, had to split and find fast food. (Update: finished 4th of 4 in the 1/2 combined, 2nd of 2 in the 2's behind Bosio... baby leg)

I'm so fortunate to be racing at all and to even be pseudo-competitive at this stage. I'm trying to not get attached to my results and yesterday's A race was a prime opportunity to face that. This wasn't a priority race like last weekend, so I spent a lot of time on the bike last week, even got in my first long run since my surgery. I think the competition is getting better around here, the field was certainly larger than I expected and the front of the B Race was really cooking. As the sport grows, it's probably safe to assume that fields will keep getting bigger and wins will be harder to come by.

Can't say enough about the course out there. Lot's of really great elements, tons of corners, lot's of braking required, definitely not a roadie course. I was absolutely killing the bike handling, now if I could just get these legs going... maybe next year.

USGP Wrap-up

2010-10-26T09:15:00.000-07:00

Wrap it up!
USGP in Louisville last weekend. Lots of dust.

I started 114th and 118th, finished 41st and 39th. Last year I pulled off 19th place so I was decidedly slower this year, though everyone agreed the competition was a little more fierce this year. I didn't look good.

definitely gotta drop a few more lbs before I'm riding like I was last year...

USGP Bitches!!!

2010-10-22T10:16:00.000-07:00

Headed to Louisville for the Big Dance, the USGP Derby Cup, out at Bandman Park. Louisville has set aside this little corner of their fair city for Cyclocross. That is to say, cyclocross only. Very very nice.

Apparently Louisville put $125,000 into this thing... pretty epic, I'd say. Psyched to see it and race it. Might even head up there for the local race next weekend...

Becker took me to the Predators/Penguins game last night. It was a nice little date. Penguins won 4-3 in overtime. Becker was happy. Maybe I'll take pictures this weekend. Probably not.

Ride-On.

Just a couple bike dorks...

2010-10-19T15:56:00.000-07:00

Got up uber early this morning to do a little 'cross practice with my man Jeremy. He just landed his new Kona Jake the Snake and was itching to get it on some dirt prior to this weekends main event. I lucked out and got the course mowed last night before dark. I was able to drop the mower to it's lowest setting so there was a clearly defined route when we went out there this morning. Super fast, lots of bullshit and remount sessions. No pictures from the park, still not sure if I'm going to get harassed or arrested for my "course improvements" but it's a really sweet 6-7 minute loop. If I had a helmet cam I'd let you in on it.

Yesterday I took the 'Hopper in to reduce the travel from 100 to 80mm. I didn't think it could be any faster but it is. 3 consecutive 41 minute laps out at Lock 4 have me convinced that I'm not "recovering" anymore, just a little slower than usual. What a ridiculous bike.

Pow!

2010-10-13T10:30:00.000-07:00

The Festy was absolutely ridiculous. Here's a link so some amazing pictures.

Seriously the best time I've had in my life. After staying up till 2am drinking Stringduster beer and moonshine in the campground, I was up at 8am for the Devils Backbone Challenge. We started at the Brewery and after a neutral roll-out climbed about a mile and a half up a steep paved road. The pack sorted out, I pushed hard, felt great and rode some amazing terrain. An hour and five minutes later I rolled back into the finish at Devils Backbone in 1st place. Thanks to Woody and his crew for putting this thing on.

This was what it looked like from our perspective. Next year, same time, same place, cyclocross race and another night of music. Make your Festy plans now, fool.

Finally

2010-10-07T08:19:00.000-07:00

I've been waiting for this bike since my custom painted Schwinn Homegrown hardtail got stolen from a party back in college. Not that I didn't have a few other rides along the way, just none of them had the handling characteristics and vibe that the Hopper and the Homegrown had. With just a few minor tweaks on the ride today, I think the 'Hopper and I are settling into a nice rhythm. I'm no good at photos, here's the only one I got. I'm sure there'll be more.

Once I tilted the handlebar back (I like it in line with my arms so the bar bends up a little) adjusted the brakes (I like them looooooose), got the seatpost to stop slipping (grease?), and tightened up the headset, the bike started to feel really comfortable, familiar even. The 30 degree bend in the handlebar is glorious. The morning was perfect, just a little chilly, and no one was out on the trails at Montgomery Bell. I took one minor spill on a steep switchback (still working with little to no horsepower) and clipped a tree with my right forearm but otherwise managed to not break anything body or bike. Headed for The Festy (see yesterdays post) with running shoes and bike in tow.

The Festy Preview... and more!

2010-10-06T19:18:00.000-07:00

This weekend is the long awaited Festy Experience, a music, outdoor and beer festival hosted by yours truly and The Infamous Stringdusters at the Devils Backbone Concert Grounds in Nelson County Virginia. We've put together a ridiculous lineup. Seen here, at right. As well, we've joined forces with the Devils Backbone Challenge mountain bike race and The Blueridge Burn 5k and 10k trail runs. I intend to do the 5k and the mountain bike race, but I make no guarantees. It all takes place this weekend, October 9,10 on the concert grounds at the Devils Backbone Brewery, 2010 World Beer Cup Champion Brewery. They're making a special beer called The Stringduster specifically for the event.

It's about a beautiful location, beautiful people, incredible music, world class beer, mountain biking, hiking, running, and just about any other fun thing you want to do (ultimate anyone?).

So basically we've got it all. If you can't stop in, I'll make you aware of what you missed.

This just in! A photo for you bike people.

Oh that's the stuff. Feel so good when it gets replaced. Put the new bike together tonight (actually another Travis at Biker's Choice did it but I watched) and didn't finish until the sun was setting so I haven't had a chance to ride it or take a decent photo. I'm going to remedy these things tomorrow early in the morning before we head to The Festy.

Bike Snob on Cyclocross

2010-10-05T12:16:00.000-07:00

Big Snob NYC nails it.

Rode the practice course yesterday, it's fantastic. 6-6:30 lap times. New section winds through the ravine single-track style. Makes me want to get a helmet cam just to show it off.

I'm going for a ride.

Update: It was awesome.

Week (Weak?)

2010-10-04T08:53:00.000-07:00

It's been a week since my last post, mostly because I'm trying to not just puke a bunch of nonsense onto this page, but also because there's basically nothing going on noteworthy. Well, maybe there is, let's see, shall we?

- Last week was IBMA week. For those of you who don't know, IBMA used to be a huge bluegrass party, now it's just a small one. We partied in one room, all week, every night, till like 6 am. Tons of music, great new bands, check out Milk Drive:

and Roustabout. Really killer music all the way around. We even got in some impromptu showcasing, here's our "band" Heady Festy feat. LARF playing in the Acoustic Trail room. This is basically a dream band with Falco on guitar, Panda on banjo, Dennis Ludiker on Fiddle and Dominic Leslie on Mando. Sarah's lurking in the corner as well.

- So while all that was going on, I was getting no sleep, drinking heavily and basically taking poor care of myself. I got out for a short ride then honed in my course at Charlotte Park. There's more dirt, more technical aspects and more speed this year. I took the weedeater, the rake and mower out and made a full lap with the mower. Today when it warms up I'll head out there and take a few hot laps, see how the new layout feels. Might even take a few pictures...

- Still waiting to build the Single Speed which also means I'm still waiting to shoot photos of "the crack." As soon as that's all up and about, you'll know.

- The Festy is this weekend. Three days of music, outdoors and beer in the hills of Virginia. Tickets are cheap, the lineup is ridiculous and it has something for anyone that would find themselves reading this blog. We've been preparing for our festival for a year now and it's upon us. Cyclocross race next year, this year you'll have to be content with a run or mountain bike race. The Revivalist blog did an interview with me about the Festy. Check it out

Let "The Comeback" begin, or "Baby Leg Booksy" arrives on the scene

2010-09-27T11:17:00.000-07:00

I'm back! Not really, actually. I'm slower than a first-time CX4, but I'm back to racing and that's what's important. Here's the run-down:

Saturday I got up at 6 AM for our family yard sale. Note-to-self: instead of doing a yardsale, next time, pile all the stuff in the 4Runner, drop off at Goodwill, write off a number in the neighborhood of $700 then spend Saturday doing something really fun. The benefit of the yard sale was some great family time with the in-laws, punctuated by an hour long picking session with my father-in-law. I'm lucky to have a family of amazing musicians and it was painful to end the session, but I had a wedding gig with some friends, Hit & Run Bluegrass so I cut it short. On the way I stopped into Bikers Choice to pick up a cable hanger and some bar tape and check out the new Specialized cross bikes they got in. Wedding had no beer (seriously) so I stayed somewhat sober. I'd yet to even ride the cross bike since the State Championships back in January, it still had mud caked on the wheels and there were some finishing touches needed before Sundays race so fast forward to 12:30am when I finally got in bed.

10am departure for Beat the Freak. I'd only been planning to hit up the 30 minute Single Speed race but in the course of conversation with Tanner I realized that life was short and only to be lived once (that we know of) and to make the drive and only race for 30 minutes was very un-Booksy. So it was with low expectations I registered for both the 1/2 and SS races. All the usual suspects were there and everyone seemed happy to see me though no one was buying my "baby leg" excuses. The 3's race was well contested with Ed coming in 2nd and Nate coming in 3rd.

We kicked off the 1/2 race with 7 guys. Matt and Tanner from Biker's Choice, Jeremy C, Ryan B, Ricky C and a guy I didn't know. Guy I Didn't Know took the holeshot and absolutely hosed me down with mud 3 seconds into the race. Here's that moment captured brilliantly:

He led the first lap, fishtailing around corners and basically behaving oddly until he went down on a right hander. Here's a good look at him and me with the mud on the first lap.

I was with the leaders for the first lap, but without any top speed, power, or anything else really I quickly fell off the back. I passed Ricky, but was passed by everyone else, slowly falling back until the finish, 6th of 7.

Single Speed race followed, Jeremy put the hurt on me, I finished second. Results didn't matter to me, I was shocked/thrilled to find that my knee didn't bother me at all. I've been on the bike less than a dozen times since February and still finished on the lead lap in the 1/2 race (11 laps, could have easily been lapped) and finished right where I thought I would in the SS race. I'm about where I was last year at this time, relative to the competition. I'm psyched, really. Next race is the USGP in Louisville in a couple weeks. I have no expectations for this season, just thankful that I can be out there amongst the boys getting muddy and trying to puke.

Ned

2010-09-23T20:40:00.000-07:00

Here's Ned on my new bike. Or one like it, on his way to the SSNC.

Crack

2010-09-22T06:35:00.000-07:00

Got on the 29er for the first time since January. It was glorious. I felt great. Afterward I stopped in the shop to talk about lowering the front end and I discovered a crack in the headtube. I immediately ordered a new bike. It's the same frame Ned won the SSWC with. Here's a little video of him talking about it.

I left the bike at the shop, hoping they'll put some extra energy into it. Photos will follow. Headed out for a long one, see you later.

Race and Rides

2010-09-21T09:08:00.000-07:00

First race of my "season" is this weekend. I'm not even close to fit enough, my knees definitely can't handle it but I'm going, and I'm paying, and I'm racing. Beat The Freak, put on by The Freak himself, Kevin Freeman, was the site of my first victory two years ago. I was strung out on the front with my soon-to-be partner in crime Nate when the Freak started yelling at me to "break the rubber band." I did. I won. I was psyched. I've been waffling about racing this season, I know I don't have the fitness, not even close, but the leaves are changing and you only live once (that we know of) so I'm going on Sunday assuming I get the bike built. It's down to the frame today, tonight I'll start the build and hopefully take it out on Friday to shake out the cobwebs.

The rest of the week should be a bunch of milestones as well. Tonight I'm headed out for my first ride on the 29er since like January. Wednesday I'm going for a road ride with my bandmate Pandolfi who's been dragging his feet about riding with me. I intend to teach him a little something about riding more than 8 miles (his current longest ride). Thursday night we're doing a full moon ride out at Lock 4. Looks like there'll be a few of us out there.

Put the new saddle on the 29er and it feels terrible!! I'll have to ride it a little, but I can see now why it was sold slightly used for $25. There's some major cockpit changes coming to the Ute and the 29er. I'm planning a couple straight bars with 30 degree sweeps in hopes I'll save my wrists.

New Parts and New Legs

2010-09-13T10:30:00.000-07:00

The legs are back. Not exactly in full effect, I haven't felt sensations like I did yesterday since I was 14, but they're both turning pedals and I can stand (though not for long). When I was 15 I had an emergency appendectomy that put me in a hospital bed for 8 days and kept me in bed at home for another 10. I could only bench press 25 lbs when I finally got up. My legs are a little like that now. I can pedal, but there's surprisingly little power. All in due time, I suppose.

I still can't accept that my season is shot. We were in Ohio yesterday, fall's arrived and all I could think about was cross season. I think it's the smell of the leaves. Instead of racing, I'll probably just attend, drink, yell and report for CXMagazine. They've taken a liking to my amateur writing style, for some reason, and they started publishing some of my ideas. Sunday they posted an article I wrote on training while traveling. You can see it here.

In the meantime, I'll just secretly order new parts and hope they arrive when my wife's not looking. On order already are a set of cheap townie baskets for my wife's bike. It's our anniversary and now that they've built a grocery store around the block, it's time for me to call her bluff and remove one more roadblock between her and bicycle freedom. I cannibalized the saddle from my Bianchi (see above) for the utility bike earlier this summer, so I took the opportunity to order a used version of the saddle I've had my eye on, the WTB Silverado. Found it for $25 online, should arrive next week. I've been riding WTB Saddles for years and I think this will be a good balance of size (I like them big) and weight (I need to lose a little weight off the top end of the SS). To that end I'm also planning a new handlebar/stem combo for the SS, probably going with Bontrager Race Lite flat bar. It's got a nice sweep that should ease the pressure on my wrists and it'll lower the front end, which is desperately needed. I also crushed the end of my MonkeyLite carbon bars on the utility bike in my epic crash last month, so I've got my eye on the Surly Open Bar. I've not ridden a bar like this so I'm dragging my feet, but I've got a hunch the carbon bar is unwrapping itself from the inside out and something's got to give.

The Cross bike is about to get a full re-build with Avid Canti's, Cane Creek levers, new ring, new freewheel, new chain, new cables, etc... I have to rebuild the Surly hubs since I put them away wet after the State Championships (they've since seized up). This will happen next week before I head down to Beat The Freak for a nice little pack-fill session in the SS race.

Ordered a new helmet today, finally. I've been using the same one for like 10+ years now. Realized this morning the crash split the back open. Ordered a Giro Athlon, it's about the same thing as what I had and it comes in Green, which is the only way my wife can pick me out of a pack. Found it onsale for only $70, down from $130.

On Cyclocross

2010-09-09T22:31:00.000-07:00

Amazing thing I found via the Facebook tonight. Eugene Christophe on Cyclocross. There's an entire article complete with photos from January, 1921.

This is of particular interest because this dude's on a single speed. That's what I'm talking about.

Check out the article, or if you're skeptical or lazy, check out this one paragraph.

-- Here, I shall answer that you preach to the choir. For a long time I have known that the general public's interest in cyclocross will attract more audience than the fifty passers-by and curious who attend our starts and finishes, that amateurs will definitely wish to participate in this easy and quite variable sport. The public will begin following the competitors; it will realize that the race is engaging and eventful, they will have a good time; the time will fly past. It is impossible that it will not develop a taste for it; it will follow other races. And, as well as people who like like to sometimes leave the road for quieter and less dusty tracks, also the amateur cyclist, enticed by cyclocross, will no longer content himself with riding up and down the monotonous and trafficky road; he will ride through the thicket as easily as the pedestrian, he will learn to handle his bike and he will see that he can pass untroubled everywhere a pedestrian ventures. He will understand that a bike should not necessarily follow the road as a train follows the railway. His admiration and love for the bicycle as a mode of locomotion, can only increase following such experiments.

Cyclocross Season

2010-08-27T07:51:00.000-07:00

This has not been my year. I arrived home from the road a week ago last Saturday, and on my first ride back, the first day of a planned 2 week epic hiking, running, mountain biking, tubing and otherwise summer-tastic session I absolutely wrecked my right leg. I haven't been able to do more than barely walk for two weeks. Now I have two baby legs. Goodbye cyclocross season. I have not the legs nor the constitution to compete this year. My only hope is to miraculously regain form in time for January, but really, I'm looking ahead to Ski Season.

If you're in the Nashville area, you're psyched. A bunch of local races and the big dance, the USGP in Louisville:

U.S. gran prix of cyclocross from Jim Fryer/BrakeThrough Media on Vimeo.

I'll be there, though I won't know until the last minute if I'm racing, which is the best way to do the USGP anyway. Last row and no knowledge of the course makes for super fun racing. Cross your fingers, get out your wrenches and start doing intervals... this is going to hurt. You.

Urban Farms

2010-08-23T15:02:00.000-07:00

This summer we've been playing music, traveling, sitting in the river, and gardening. Our sublet's backyard is a shared garden. Fortunately we share it with our good friends so we've all been sharing in the maintenance and reward. I had a productive garden years ago in Durango. I've got a picture of me with hair down below my shoulders, a big scraggly beard, holding some carrots and other various produce, giving a thumbs up or some other equally stony symbol.

I've dabbled in gardening the last few summers but I'm away from it too much to really do it right. I planted a grape vine that had a mind of it's own and is surely feeding the birds of Nashville as I write this. This summer's garden is simple, but I was floored when I showed up at a friends house for a gig the other day and his dad has successfully converted his yard and several other neighbors yards into farms. Literally a Neighborhood CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) or NSA called the Flatiron Neighborhood Farm. I started to do some research and discovered the guy who gets credit for inventing the idea, Kipp Nash of Community Roots Boulder. I think the idea is brilliant: Take grassy or otherwise landscaped yards and convert them into highly productive micro-farms then distribute food through a NSA. The people who's yards are converted can eat out of their garden and on very small pieces of land there can be immense amounts of food grown. It's fresh and doesn't require energy to transport, assuming the NSA members are truly in the neighborhood. I think it's great. Check it out.

How's Your Air?

2010-08-16T21:11:00.001-07:00

What color is your air? Check it out, I bet you can see it. Did you notice before? Weird, right? Has it always been that way? Is it just dust? Hot gas expelled by machines and livestock? I can't figure it out. I don't really remember being able to so clearly see so much air 5 years ago when we started this band and started roaming around the country. I remember Virginia was green in the summer compared to Colorado. I think the sky was blueish. Now it's grayish. Multi-hued grayish with tints of yellow. Everything's brown in VA and it's all green and wet in CO. I think something's up. I'm not sure who's right or who's wrong, I can't exactly tell who to believe and it's hard to know what's true. But it's hot and the air's gray. I can see it and I can taste it and it's weird.

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Heat and Grey Air

2010-08-13T12:45:00.001-07:00

It's hot. Yesterday in Tupelo, heat index was up around 108 during our set. Looking forward to the next run through MT and CO, should be a little cooler up there.

In other news, we're shopping for a box truck to replace the trailer. We're trying to move toward a smaller footprint when we tour, and the new vehicle will be able to run on bio-diesel. We've also started a recycling program in our van and we've cut our landfill destined waste in half. Moving around the country I've been shocked at the hue of the air. It's getting pretty grey out there. Let us know if you have any ideas about what we can do to reduce our footprint.

-- Post From My iPhone

Case of the Van

2010-08-06T14:28:00.001-07:00

-- Post From The White Torpedo

Greenway Expansion and a New Fork

2010-06-06T08:04:00.000-07:00

I was riding back from an appointment on Thursday, taking my usual route through Sylvan Park, and was shocked to see new Greenway being built along my route.

In spite of all of the added burden to the cities budget brought on by the flooding, they've apparently opted to continue with the scheduled greenway projects. Way to go Nashvegas. Maybe I can live here after all. This section, unfortunately, runs parallel to some really nice neighborhood roads so it's not going to help bike commuters much, but it does run along the golf course so it'll be a nice section.

In my ongoing quest to rehabilitate my Baby Leg, I got the geared bike out a few weeks ago and decided that I had to remedy the fork issue. Previously the geared bike had a suspension corrected fork on it, but I discovered (almost immediately) that it didn't need one. It felt like riding a chopper. So I stopped by Biker's Choice and got them to throw on a $30 rigid fork they had lying around. Works great, looks ok.

For sake of comparison, here's a shot with the old fork:

It's a subtle difference, but it handles a lot better now and will be even more noticeable when I hit the trails out in Colorado. Riding a 26er, geared, rigid bike isn't really what I had in mind for my summer, but it'll have to do until I get my knee back 100%. Hopefully after the summer is over it will still be alive and will achieve its destiny as an XtraCycle. Went for the longest ride since the injury yesterday and it felt great. I followed that up with a long walk to get some dinner, then realized I'd locked myself out of the house. This happens to me sometimes.

Trying now to decide which of the Specialized CruX cyclocross bikes to get. The Alloy frame is sweet and affordable but the sponsor wants me to get the carbon. I've got a standing rule that I can't spend more that $1000 on a bike, no matter how I slice it, this one's going over budget.

Headed West tonight. So psyched to breath some clean air and spend some time in some hip communities (Flagstaff, Santa Cruz, Grass Valley, Big Sky, Lyons). This is going to be a great summer.

Trying to get everything packed and ready in time to squeeze in another short ride this afternoon. Forecast looks pretty good in about an hour and a half, so the timing may work out perfectly. Gotta work on the "brace tan."

Summer Reading

2010-06-03T09:13:00.000-07:00

Summer's finally arrived. Out of the dregs of a spring spent just trying to walk, I'm back to more normal activities. This week I took about 50 books into McCay's and turned them into Summer Reading Gold. I've gotten away from novels, not because I think they're a waste of time, but because I find myself empathizing with the characters and obsessing over plot. When I catch myself daydreaming, on-stage, about a character in a book I'm reading, I know it's time to put it down and engage in something with a little more utility. Food, Economics, Social Theory, the Outdoors and Yoga are my main topics of interest. I hope it's not too pretentious, but I wanted to share my summer reading list:

A couple by the Dalai Lama, the king of joy, some opposing viewpoints on the state of the world, several volumes on yoga, some straight up travel writing (I like to stash the Best Of series under the benches in the van, and it was only $1.50!) and ultramarathoner Dean Karnazes' autobiography. There's a little too much about the state of the world, I'll need to balance it with some lighter fare, but that'll come around on the road I'm sure.

Heat Theory

2010-06-02T07:15:00.000-07:00

It's getting hot. Time to test my Heat Theory, in which I theorize that by getting out and getting maximum heat exposure in the hottest part of the day, for example by running shirtless in the sun on asphalt at 2pm, the body is trained to function at a higher temperature, thereby rendering all other parts of the day more bearable, especially when at rest. This is dangerous, it requires a lot of fluids, but I think it works. I don't have the luxury of running (luxury of running?) yet, but in an effort to get there by the 12 week mark (I'm at 9 weeks now), I'll be further testing the Heat Theory this afternoon with a ride to the gym (for a swim) and back.

Yesterday Sarah and I tested it with a walk to pick up the 4Runner from the oil change place and only succeeded due to a timely margarita stop. We'll see if the moving air of a ride makes it a little easier today. It's supposed to be 89 degrees at 3pm, that's pretty close to the sweet spot for testing the theory. Pray for me.

Margaritas and The Leg

2010-06-01T18:19:00.000-07:00

Went to see my Physical Therapist today. At the end of our appointment I asked him if I should plan to see him when I'm back in town in a few weeks. He indicated that it seemed like I was doing fine and probably didn't need to see him again. I could take this one of two ways:
1. My progress is so great and consistent that he really doesn't need to see me anymore. Or...
2. My incessant questions are no longer worth the exorbitant fee he charges my insurance company. "When you say 12 weeks, do you mean 12 weeks?"
I'm assuming it's the former.

So to celebrate I spent the day outside, walking back from dropping the 4Runner (Foreigner) off at the oil change place, mowing the grass, cutting down bamboo, and walking back to pick the 4Runner (Foreigner) up from the oil change place before heading to Tequilas for margaritas (again). Happy Hour comes once a day and lasts for more than an hour, kids.

Sarah leaves tomorrow and I've got a couple days of full-on bachelorhood before I head west for the summer. I'm trying to throw away or sell everything in sight that's less than very useful. The rule is if I haven't used it for it's intended purpose in the last year and/or wouldn't pack it in a moving truck headed for Colorado it goes in the pile. Liberating? Indeed. Now all I need is a bigger garbage can.

Life is so mellow here in Suburbia. Can't wait to head west. I have friends with more interesting lives than mine. They're the Coyle's. You may now replace my blog with theirs. Good on ya, Ed and Katie, can't wait to kick back on the ranch for a few days next month. Don't give that .22 back to your neighbor just yet.