Stupid flat tire!

So I had some free time today so figured I would go pedal my bike on some dirt. First time on my mountain bike in the dirt since early November. It was much needed. Pulled out the Vicious as I am over the Giant coastie bullshit after riding it in Leadville. Just not feeling it.

Headed over to the big green hill for a spin. Felt good on the climb to the top, the descent blazed by even though I was wishing for a bit bigger gear. Then over to Dakota Ridge. Cleaned Zorro up to the stairs easily so I tried to clean a big chunk of the stairs in a big and sketchy move.

Psssss is all I hear. Fuck! No tube, no pump, not even a wrench to take off the wheel if someone were to offer me a tube, which not a sole did. Rolled down zorro on the flat like I normally do no big deal. Get to the bottom and the tire came off of the rim and was all over the place. So I wrapped the tube and tire around the frame and continued pedaling along on the rim.

Then the tube gets wrapped around the non-drive side crank arm and stops me in my tracks. Unwind that mess and then proceed to tie my tire to the frame with existing tube as my tie down, now that it's ripped in half. Pedal the next 2ish miles on the rim in an uneventful manner.

Roll to Lubes' house to borrow his chainwhip so I can change my rear cog. I also borrowed some files and filed down all of the burrs on the rim from thrashing it on the trail. Cog would not budge.

To the house I went, put a new tube and newer tire on the rear. Normally have to run a 2.1 due to clearance issues, but tried for a 2.3 instead. Holy shit was it a hassle. Tried to break the cog loose by doing skids and track stands and generally trying to knock it off. Not happening. Broke Lubes' whip, I'll get you a new one btw.

Headed to the shop where it took two guys and a 4ft cheater bar to break it loose. I wish I had a 17t to put on, but had to settle for the 18t. It's gotta feel better then that easy gear I have been running.

Now all I have to do is bolt on the rear wheel, right. Well that 2.3 turns out to be a bitch. Have to run the rear wheel all the way out in the drops Now the chainstay length is like 20", retarded long. Then the rear triangle is soooo tight that there is about 1.5mm clearance. I hate this bike. I don't know what it was designed for, but straight up mountain biking it was not. I suppose it would be a perfect monstercross bike with the minimal clearance it has. All I have to say is I hope I don't get a flat on the trail, 'cause that rear end with that tire is a pain in the ass. I guess I forgot how bad it was since I haven't changed anything on that bike in over a year and a half. All I know is that was the most pissed off and frustrated I have been in a long time. Anyway, now she's ready to roll and I'm over it.

Can't wait for the Wolfhound. Another year and I may have it. I'm out.


It will resemble this but be even more badass!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

No pedaling

to be had for over a week, other than commuting to and fro. Full moon tele ski jam over Berthoud Pass on Saturday was so rad. The moon was super bright and the snow was surprisingly good. Put a mediocre skier, at best, in the trees at night and you're sure to get a good laugh. Actually my gut hurt I was laughing so hard at myself. Would definitely do it again. Followed that up with three days of snowboarding at Winter Park. Had some of the hardest charging days I have ever had on the mountain. So much fun and totally worked. Jiggety James and Sunny gave me the locals tour of the hill and definitely showed me where the hidden goods were. Any time your hiking a bit in bounds, it's gotta be good.

The rest of the week will be bicycle related unless we get some of the white powdery stuff. We shall see. Peace.

Slummin'

Headed to Leadville for the weekend for the 1st race in their winter mtb series. Headed out friday with my bike and ski's with the notion to make some turns on the drive up. Stopped at Copper Mountain and hacked it up. Haven't been on the tele's in about two years and even then I was pretty atrocious. Needless to say I got worked. Made turns for about 3 hours before I realized I was absolutely beat. I actually made a few runs without busting my ass, but it was NOT pretty at all.

So rolled on to the 'Ville to hang out with my friend Molly and her family. They have a camper in their yard that they use as their guest house. Right down town and it was perfect. Went hiking on the cross country ski trails at the college with b&w. Then all of a sudden I hear an explosion and see the sky full of black smoke. The old coca-cola plant went up in flames. It burned all the way down. Crazy.


Woke up saturday and pedaled to town for the race. It was about 15 degrees when I rolled through town. The snow would come and go and the conditions were solid. It was all about the adventure. The race course got re-routed due to the previous night's snow. I thought I may have little bit of 'go' in my legs, but I was wrong. Between two weeks of high intensity work outs combined with the previous day on the tele's, my legs were shot. The course ended up being about 8 miles and it took me almost an hour, ridiculous. I ended up jogging for over half the course which was on the mineral belt trail, groomed cross country ski trails, which was loose and deep snow that was over my ankles. Slogfest! All I know is that by April-ish I plan on being pretty flippin' strong on the bicycle. 'Til then I just have to push through the slumfest.



Just kicked it on Sunday then headed out of town this am. Stopped at Copper and made some more turns. Today was probably the best I have ever felt on a set of ski's. Made mostly alpine turns but they felt good. It was the first time I have ever been on ski's for fresh tracks, it was sweet. Another couple days and I'll be linking my turns in a more efficient matter. Looking forward to it.

Sooooooooooooooooooo,

there's been a lot of pedaling going on since arriving back in CO. For those that say there isn't anything to ride, open your eyes. Lots of spinning miles and few running miles to go along with my daily workout. Nothing to complain about when all you do is ride. Had my buddy Jason in town for the week, it sure is nice to have a training partner in the same house. Would be stoked for a little snow fall to make some turns but whatever. Gonna pull out the tele's this weekend then hit up the first race in the leadville winter mtb series. Maybe I'll find some work while I'm there. peace

Home Sweet Home!!

Rolled into Denver this am and glad to be home. Just wanted to give a heads up that I no longer have a phone so if you need to get in touch, send me an e-mail or something. 50ish miler tomorrow and maybe some snowboarding action as well. A good week of playing in CO then I guess I should work for a bit.

Had been working on a wool quilt while in WV. My 90 year old grandma has been collecting old wool garments for me for a bit. So I cut it all into 5" squares and then sewed it all together with the help from my momma. She had to fix the corners I messed up. Here she is temporarily attaching the 'e' to the main quilt. Looking forward to the finished product.
You always need to be learning something new. No matter what it is or what it is going to be used for. Just trying is all that it takes to succeed!

Snowy Day

in WV again. It's snowed every day for a week with highs hovering around 22 degrees. Needed a good somewhat long ride for the soul. Pedaling by 11 am for some dirt road stoke.
Sweet views


and even sweeter conditions. Most roads had one set of tracks that made the going pretty good, but it was still quite slippery with a good pucker factor involved on the descents. And the climbs worked me!

When the wheels are frozen solid and you have to dig out the ice, you know it's brisk. Lots of creek crossing which made for no sitting around time or your bike would turn into a big block of ice.

Pedaled for 5 hours but at the last turn off my folks came by in the truck. We were trying to thaw out a water bottle for the last 6 miles to the car. It was gonna be the biggest and sketchiest descent of the day. We bailed, threw the bikes in the back and got dropped off at the car. An absolutely great day on the bike. Plan on being back in CO on Monday. Just have to wait and see. peace!

oh yeah, finally got this set up.

Spinning

along in the New Year. Still in WV, so headed to Snowshoe for 5 days in a cabin with some good folks. It's always enjoyable to see people's expressions when you roll up to a ski area in sub 20 degree weather wearing shorts and riding a road bike. Some waves, but lots of blank stares.

Got to the cabin wed. eve. and went for a spin. Up 66 to the backside of snowshoe (in the dark) and down the front side of the mountain. Nice little spin. Just had Lasik done the previous Monday so a mellow few days was in order.

Headed out the next morning with J-bird for a 30-ish mile spin. Had big plans but stopped short due to working harder than I wanted. We split directions and met up later. Started with a little snow but turned into a sloppy rain. Then the third day's ride (New Year's day) was stellar. 40 plus miles, snowed all day, sketchiness was all around. Up 66 then down into Cass and here and there for a bit. Eventually found a side road that brought us back up 66. Such a nice little climb, especially when paired with the climb to the top of Snowshoe.

Not too cold, but a little brisk when we arrived back to the cabin. I'm not gonna lie a 39x16 on back-to-back-to-back days in Pocohontas County is no joke, esp. brakeless and in the snow! Only had to push 1 car out of the ditch on these rides, so not too bad.

Got home and realized a sledding session was in order. Here's the drop in for the chute into the golf course. Silliness.

Loaded the bikes up this morning and headed down the road. It was 1 degree when we loaded up. Another excellent little side trip on my extended vacation of sorts. Looking forward to getting back to CO and getting into some silliness.