Nightswimming

Have had a great time with old friends as of late...no not bikes but actual people rather. I was reminded of REM's Nightswimming song and it brought back memories for sure....like most music does.

I headed to the park for about 12 miles tonight on and off road. The off road part is fun in the dark with a light - it was peaceful and beautiful. this was an evening of bliss and contemplation! To quote Neil - it was a 100% #1 face except when the deer ran out in front of me off road - for a moment it was the #3.... I took it easy and spun light - taking my time....no rush and no need to miss this moment.


ac

18 teeth

Headed to the new super voodoo secret 4 mile MTB loop and met up with Wolk for some laps. we did 4 together and then hit the n.lights loop to finish his ride. he was on his single and me on the 36x18 with the new tires. Much easier and the tires are great - grip and light weight. good stuff. I ended up with one more lap and then biked home for 30 miles today on the faux-colnago.

it was good to ride in the morning and it was a phenomenal day to say the least. All I can say is thank God for good friends and cell phones.

Cant wait for the race - this will be a good one.


Andrew

As a Pancake

That's right...I was flat today...Bob said he was flat in the legs too but I was flatter...I won the pancake contest no problem. I would thus call it the bruised banana contest. Okay, weird how the body works b/c Tuesday I rode 30 then did 22 or so on the trails and I felt 100% better then. So whats the deal? I guess we all have days where nothing goes as planned. I began to search the bike - issues there? Except for heavy tires - nothing wrong so I had to accept the fact that my body wanted to rest while my brain said "go more, you have a race in a few weeks."

I guess resting is a good thing but it seems with taking literally two months off of riding - thank you mr. lower lumbar back problem - I am not where I was last year...in fact 2000 miles off track to be exact. Excuses will harbor determination so I will keep on doing the best I can - but I must remember that I am not a pro....cant be a pro....so why worry about it this much...its cuz I am sitting alone in front of the computer thinking about the day.

So my goals for Cheq - again - finish, finish alive, and I will leave it at finish at least 1 min faster than last year. If I claim a 10 min advance over last year - I will be very happy. I was talking with Bob about gearing and we have been toying with 36x17 and today's events lead us to believe that maybe the 2:1 ratio would be better - still like 58 gear inches and that would be acceptable. I really dont know how Jesse did it with 36x16 and then take Ez Taylor who rides a road gear on his 26"....these guys are monsters to say the least.

Enough of the pitty....on with the events and let the beer caps fall where they may.


ac

thursday - August 28th

going to ride on the trails if anyone is interested in getting their game on for Cheq...it is just around the corner.

i will be at the shop and trying to leave there by 530 or 6 pm...i have to install some new crossmark tires - stans - and it is annoying so it might take a bit of pixy dust to make it work.

andy

maxxis

crossmarks to be added soon - saving a pound of rolling weight.

What about Bob?

So, some of you may ask...heck some dont care [mexican dinner] about "where is the elusive Bob Dahl?" Well, I found this rather hard to find pro-stock phenom. Amidst the clutter of fallen leaves and torn up dirt....there you will find Bob and his single speed.

The day started with my son, Peter, practicing his Judo moves in the living room at 6 am - sound effects and all. With the occasional smack of his hand on something hard - followed with a quiet wince and "wow - that hurt", I kinda found some funny early in the morning. So with him going on for about 15 min, I walked out a bit sleepy and was smacked by what seemed to be our own live in Kato - from the Pink Panther if you are wondering. Seeing that he barely weighs 55 pounds, I was able to man-handle this beast from the nether-regions to the ground and just about tickle the pee right out of him.

He helped me get the bike stuff ready for the commute to work...filled the camel pack, got some goo for the ride and he handed me my helmet as I walked out. Got the high five and the traditional thumbs up from the ninja. Pete told me that he was proud of me and that he tells his friends that "My Dad rides his bike to work - he's a racer." Cute but I am not a racer but I will take the props where I can and I will also soak up the super-dad motif as long as I can.

So I ponied up the single speed Monocog (aka Colnago "Sudden Discomfort") and started down the 15 mile path to work. It seemed more difficult than I remembered over the weekend - I felt like I was pushing steel through my veins....keep going, no time to worry, look at it later. Soaked and sore, I walked into work demolished. Spent the day doing my deal - saving the world I guess - and remembered that Mr. Dahl had asked about riding on the trails tonight. A bit of back and forth and we had it set to meet near territorial and fernbrook about 6 pm. It was a date with mother nature and one gear.

430 rolls around I load up the camel pack, didnt check the bike for the super-slow down, geared up the Irish National Green get-up and headed back to the shop. It seems automatic to always stop at the shop - even if there is no reason. Well, as fate would have it, I did have a reason once I got there - I turned off the headphones to hear my brakes making noise. The front caliper was jammed against the pad - so 25 miles I was pushing the brakes. Quick adjust and it was free of undo friction. By the time I got to territorial I figured I was at about 30 miles and Bob was no where to be found....quick call and he was already heading down the trail so he doubled back. We met, shared stories about the bikes - both Redlines but his is the fancy one (flight model) and the coooool looking blue. I shared the story about the colnago crap and that also I had received some flak for it already at the shop - someone I didnt know - in that "he didnt like it and that I was a poser for doing what I did..." LOL - ROFL - Are you kidding me? were my thoughts...my goodness, its just a bike and its not like Colnago would EVER build such a bike anyway - I guess he was serious so it seems....to each there own. All I can say and I should have said "revert to Rule #6 and chill out - doorknob. "

Back to what really mattered....So Bob and I head to a 4 mile loop that was perfect for training on Cheq...impressive. we ended up doing 4 laps and then about 1 mile of the 5th and I headed home from the MTB TT loop.... I am guessing at 53 miles or so for the day on the mt bike....and Bob doesnt ride slow. He will do well in Cheq this year on his single.

Eggs and toast for recovery, apple as well and some electrolytes for dessert. Once again a great day. Thanks Bob for emerging from the sacred training grounds to let the newbie roll which-ya.

andy (aka the Poser)

For Neil - as you would appreciate this humor..as would most...enjoy

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KF5vlT01JNc

Sudden Discomfort

The Master himself and my fresh rig

Applying the stuff

Done

Riding down Cty N - to Coon Valley - spectacular!

Riding back up - spectacular in a different way

At the top on the way home - looking back

Next morning at Pete's shop - Bluedog cycle

Pete helping out with my bike

Ready to ride....

At the base of Sadi Hallow

At the top of south side of Sadi

Weekend in LaCrosse.

I had plans for this monster epic ride of 100 plus...and thanks to various obligations, time crunches and not enough hours in the day - I was limited to a few rides. Friday I got off work and headed to Terry Osells place to pick up the newly painted Monocog - even Terry was skeptical but when it was done - he was impressed with the color. I was too - it looked good as is and when I showed him the things I was going to try - he was excited. His shop is impressive - certainly a one of a kind.

After talking over coffee with Terry and killing about an hour sitting on his shop floor talking about bikes, wives, favorite jokes and other foolhardy topics - I headed to LaCrosse. Got in late and started work on the application of signage to the new bike. I was a bit nervous b/c I had only one shot with the Colnago stuff - but it worked and I was getting excited. Once that was done I headed to bed to get a jump on an early morning ride up the valley south of town - Irish Hill we call it. 630 i was out the door and by 7am I was at the hill making my way up...I forgot how stiff of a climb that hill is. Then I proceeded to go to Coon Valley by way of Cty Rd N - which is a 8-10% drop into that city...that was fast...then I headed due east of Coon Valley and up the coulee again - and that hill trumped Irish hill...spun around and reversed the ride. LOTS of climbing that day and it was max heart rate the whole way. I pushed and did well and was glad to see the fitness was there.

Once home - we took the family to Rudy's Drive-In for lunch, got home and I headed to Viroqua to build the bike at Bluedog Cycles...3 hours and 5 beers later, the bike was done - we had to work around customers and such. Met Chris Jackson and his brother there - Chris owns Borah and lives 6 miles away - he was buying a bike from Pete...super nice guy. Headed home late and then headed back in the morning for some rather intense single track in Sadi Hallow. I have never really done single track and nothing like this before. It was scary - the fitness was there but the wits were not - I wiped a few times and about shat myself too. We did 3.5 hours of single track and about 3000 feet of climbing on my single. Once done there - hit Culvers and then spent some time with Pete and his family.

All in all - great weekend...road miles about 60 and mtbike miles...I have no idea...all big hills.

Lots of pics - wasnt going to play around with uploading all of them.


Andy

has it really been two years....

since i had one of these on my bike? maybe just under two years then but still - I now have 14 gears ready for this weekend - so lets see...shimano rear and crank, Campy front derail with suntour shifters and fsa wheels that trump the value of the bike - cost wise.

I pick up the Colnago Monocog tomorrow from Osell's. Should be interesting. Terry said it looked great and with the markings of a champion - I will finally own a part of cycling history - the first Colnago SS 29er. After work - blast to Osells then drop down to Lacrosse for a weekend of biking. Have a great weekend on the EC deal.


Andrew

Motor pacing with Bernie

thats right - not much else needs to be said here. power.

good group, lots of speed, various re-grouping and no one left behind. the route was to be Rockford and back...had to change it up in Hanover and make it a Neilorator...getting to Hanover was the blast off section - leaving Fletcher at 27 mph - making the turn and holding 24 and it was Bernie, me, mellisa and Larry. We stayed alone until Hanover and maintained between 24-27 all the way. the last 1/2 mile i dropped off the back and recovered....bernie kept on the front the whole way. impressive.

waited for the other group - flat - and headed to St.Michael and Burgerburgermeister took that prime with ease and i had no more gears - 2nd. Headed then to the crow river and county sign prime - i passed Burger and held off Hemi for that win...a compliment from Hemi for a job well done was like finishing top ten at Cheq...that must have been enough for me to want to sit up...then the rollers. hit it hard with bernie and mellissa then JayT bridged and they took off fast - i spun around to check for two riders back and we wheeled in together with JayT.

moderate rain - hot and muggy and freaking fast. my hats off to Bernie for winning that banana thing...he was on a mission. so for me it was 28 miles of commute for work and 40 plus on the ride...good day for sure....i am sure i missed some highlights - like the group that had the flat apparently had a visitor explaining how to catch a bear and they were also offered beer. dang.

ac

God's Country Route this weekend...all big hills..

my route this weekend will be this. This was an old training route made to hit as many hills as possible. Once near Viroqua - it is flat as you are on top of the bluffs - getting there is a different story - Neil, you would love it. should be a fun ride and of course ending the ride on county FO is not fun - its like 3 ramsey hills put together in one long knee bending climb. cant wait.

ac

mistakes turned to memories

Sounds more dramatic than it really is of course.

Well, it started with having to leave work early to get the kids to then drive the airport to pick up Tina's parents - bring them home....maybe sneak in a ride. Whatever - like Murphy's Law was going to let me ride (Tina had to go to work, I had taxi duty - no ride.) So, we head to the airport - no issues. Clean and fast and amazing. Once there - we rolled up right when they walked out of baggage claim - no calls. Murphy was no where to be seen...to bad I didnt see him hiding on the roof of the van.

Once we left the terminal - headed the wrong way...going west instead of northeast to Crosstown. Okay, turn around and then catch the correct means to get home....missed that one too and headed into Eagen and thought to myself "what the frick did I just do?" Big sigh....while my father in law is laughing next to me. So - up 35E into St.Paul which ended up being perfect b/c Tina's mom is from the neighborhood near the Cathedral - so we are all happy until father in law says "lets go to White Castle...." So to Lexington and University we go and I timidly force 2 sliders into my mouth and swallow - had to plug my nose. My kids never had White Castle - for good reasons - Tina and I hate that place. They are now converts.

So - to end this right my in-laws agreed to let me go to Cedar and 6th to visit Freewheel.....they stock the Sidi buckles for my broken shoes. They have a lot of things most places just dont carry. I was impressed. I was wasting time while the family was in the van. Where I parked the van, my family could see me walking up and down the lanes - I had to leave...Fifty bucks later.

We head back home to some Wii, coffee with parents and me realizing that I didnt evenly fertilize my yard so I have streaks...Murphy had the last laugh in my mistakes to memories event. That jerk.

So here I sit listening to some oldies....

hills

Going to LaCrosse, WI to see the parents....taking the family with but I plan to basically ride my heart out down there. If the mt bike is back in time - I will ss the single tracks. If not - I will 6 speed the hills in the area. Either way a work out and a half. I will also pick up the new Bluedog jersey - for Cheq - in LaCrosse.

Ratatouli

With the ss 29er in the shop....i took the rat bike out for a spin. Holy CRAP...I am amazed at how painful it was to ride that thing. I literally hurt in many places just going the first 5 miles. I am seriously surprised that I made it through the 40 miles at cheq on that thing.

This year should be MUCH more comfortable- - much more comfortable indeed!!!!!


ac

a treat

with the single speed mt bike pulled apart for phase two of the metamorphosis - I headed out for a tool around the park on my cannondolly. i was flyin really - i have been riding a mt bike for 2 months and not the road that much - I was happy with the speed - really happy. Then I called Neil and headed over to his house for a premium and some chat time...thanks for the great lemonade.

headed home in the dark - got stopped by the local authorities of Champlain for no lights - lol. He said and I quote..." well, you seem to know what you are doing on this thing [bike], i guess i dont have to tell you that it's pretty "f-ing..." stupid to ride city streets in the dark - now go home."

so i did.

20 plus miles - quality speed - feel great

andy

Frogman

Headed into the park for 2 hours on the single speed dirt bike. Got caught in some interesting rain and in my haste to make it to the cover of the canopy of trees on the trail - i ran over a frog on the paved trail...it was nasty.

question of cost and availability...

Anyone out there know how much it costs to prep and repaint a frame and fork? Where do I go? any hints out there????? I was toying with the idea of doing it myself but.....confidence is a big thing that I dont have regarding this topic. How long does it take?

andy

Custom Colnago....

more to follow...Colnago's first ever SS 29er.... name? the Fonzerelli....

no more spin in my legs

Headed out for a quick on/off road spin in the park last night....made it to the southern end and ran into Jorge and Joe going clockwise. Jorge looking stylish as always. I spun around on the 29er (36x17) and proceeded to do the outside loop with the guys. I am not sure how fast we were going but I do know that i sounded like a semi-trailer with bad tires humming louder than I could talk. Jorge said it was a cool down ride - maybe for him but for me I was maxed - pegged and otherwise really pushin hard. I should be glad - it was a GREAT workout to peg it like that. Jorge - you are always the gentelman. thanks for letting me tag along. When I headed out for that ride I really didnt want to go - i had enough to do at home prior to the weekend but as fate would allow - good friends, great weather and a bike - a combination one could enjoy for a lifetime.

Bummer...wait not really

Reading Neil's anonymous poster on his most recent blog "was I the banana" I was reminded of the closing of summer - the hints anyway. Darker sooner...where did the time go. I know as for myself, this year has panned out to be a lack of showing on the group rides, lack of miles on the bike (despite my goal to max the miles) and once again fitness showing up when its time to go inside.

I finally feel about 80% of what I wanted - nothing special compared to the many amazing cyclists I get to spend time with on the road but I feel better, less winded over the long haul, having fun on the bike - loving the single speed of course....so what now? Where does this leave me and the countless others? Well - I guess - no wait - I know I MUST ride this winter in ways I have not before. What I hate is the general swing of body weight and the fight to reduce when spring rolls around. I know, trainer, skiing yada yada...but seriously, why dont I move to Arizona? I bet those folks bike a bunch more year round down south....oh yeah - the 120 deg heat....thats why.

So as the only monumental event in biking for me approaches in Hayward ...I am eager to peek the best I can....to beat my time, to hang with friends, enjoy some of the best views around - ahhhh some of the core reasons I love to bike....friends. Sorry I have not been around much this year and thanks for being there when I was - it was not an easy year.

Enjoy the day and my sappy blog....


ac

ps. hey Neil - the official decals are on their way and I have to come up with a goofy Italian model name - any hints?

Duke

Riding with Jay

That's right - hit the trails with Jay this evening as he re-Stansed his no-tubes this fine day. Had some issues with leakage and got in some single track with Jet. I am a sissy on single track...well I can blame it also on riding the single stuff with a massive road type gear. I was not planing on single track.

After the brief shot dodging trees - and I hit a few with my head, hands and knees, Jay and I headed out to the MTB TT and around on the northern lights trail and back on the horse trails here and there.

I am not sure if that big hill we climbed on was on that trail but it was much more fun going down that thing. The only dismounts today were on the single track.

Good ride - heck GREAT ride and even better friends. Can you ask for more?

Thanks for the ride Jay - good to see that Orbea slinging dirt again and I think we have your new finish line photo pose that will certainly compete with Jorge's various styles...who's gonna beat the Duke?

gnasty

Yup - about 1 million bugs tonight on the ride...in my eyes, crawling up my nose, down the shirt....good ride however.

61.4

Have been riding the 29er a LOT and it is a blast. Took the 36x17 (61.4 gear inch) 29er out on the EC trails to test the gear inch on the slower trails. Suprised myself with the ability to hold this gear for 2 hours on trails - if you have ridden cheq and EC horse trails - you know that the EC trails are a bit more accute - less speed but it mimics the climbs. I should be just fine on the 17t cog. Last year i lost my water bottles in the first 10 miles with the rough hills....the camalpack should help with this. I will also ride at 30 psi or just under. It is amazing how much you notice 2 psi here or there.

I am excited b/c I will be staying with some old high school friends friday night and then my buddy Pete Taylor at his cabin on Sat night and will do a low intensity single track race on Sunday - it might be just a ride - not sure.

Looks like I will be trying to head to LaCrosse for a 12 hour single track team event mid august....should be interesting.

Thats it.

Andy