Friday Afternoon Grab Bag

Can your dog do this?

Have you got the balls to parachute from more than 120,000 feet up?

Ride On.

On Saddles And Handlebars

In the comments section of my post on the new Long Haul Trucker some inquired about Brooks saddles and my choice of handlebars. Let me illuminate.

Back when I opted to go for custom bikes instead of “off the shelf” varieties, I snooped around the internets and talked with those I felt had good information to offer. I’d read and heard the “hype” regarding Brooks saddles. I’d wondered if they lived up to all they been built up to be. So, I tried a B-17 on my Cross Check commuter.

I was so pleased that since then I’ve put a Brooks on my fixie, my Big Dummy (in this case a Brooks Flyer) and now the Long Haul Trucker. Now, I’m no authority on bike saddles. I know what works for me. I haven’t tried everything that’s out there. However, I’ve found something that works, and super-duper well I might add, and I’m sticking with it.

Specifically, the B-17 seems very well suited for the size and shape of my ass. Yes, there is a break-in period. But even that is not anywhere close to unbearable.

As far as Trekking bars go, I very much like them for longer rides. When I’d originally built up the Big Dummy I’d intended it to be a grocery getter but also my touring bike. And, it was. I took it on the San Juan Hut to Hut ride. I rode it bike camping. I did no less than seven (7) rides of one hundred (100) miles or more in that first season of ownership. Speaking of which, for some STUPID reason, bikers call rides of one hundred (100) miles, or more, centuries. To me, a century is a unit of time, not length. I will NOT call them that. But that’s just me and I digress. Four (4) of the seven (7) one hundred (100) mile rides that summer were training rides of one hundred fifty (150) to one hundred sixty (160) miles. I rode the Big Dummy on the Highway 212 Gut Check.

I loved the different hand positions trekking bars gave. There are the obvious hand positions you might gather from observation. In addition, individuals adapt a variety of unique hand positions over long hauls. Given how comfortable those bars were on long rides with the Big Dummy, I knew they’d be perfect on the Long Haul Trucker.

There you have it. Those are my reasons for picking a Brooks saddle and trekking bars for my touring bike. For the long haul jaunts, comfort is where it’s at. Each affords me the comfort I desire.

Now, trekking bars are not the best for everything. I've been riding the Long Haul Trucker to work this week to get things adjusted and get a feel for it. Depending on which hand position I use on my commute, it might not be the position where the brakes and shifters are. In emergency situations, I can see where it would take additional time to brake if I had to move my hands first, and then squeeze the levers.

These bars are perfect (for me) for the open road. Get your gear picked, go to your happy place in your mind, set your hands, and turn the cranks. That's what I'm talking about!


Ride On.

First Ride

I took the new Long Haul Trucker to work on Tuesday. I must say, it felt great! I noticed a few tweaks of adjustments that need to be done. But, by and large, this machine is ready to haul.

I’ll get about one hundred (100) miles on it and put the wheels back in the truth stand for final checks. I’m not anticipating any, but, that’s just the way I do it.

The panniers are due now (haven’t seen them yet) and I’d like to roll this bike, bike camping this coming weekend. With the park fifty (50) miles away, it will give me a good opportunity to gets some miles and make final adjustments and assessments.

Ride On.

Introducing My Long Haul Trucker

I picked up my newest addition to the fleet last night. Here’s a picture pre-pickup.

Picture by Prairie Cycles.

For all you bike geeks out there, here’s the build:

Frame – Surly Long Haul Trucker, Blue Velvet, 58 cm
Hubs – Shimano Deore LX, 36 hole
Rims – Salsa Delgado Cross
Spokes – DT Swiss Champion 2.0
Headset – Cane Creek S-8
Stem - Profile Boa (25.4) 90mm, 40 deg. 1-1/8 threadless Silver
Handlebars – Trekking
Brake Levers – Avid FR-5
Brakes – Avid Single Digit 7
Bottom Bracket / Crank - Shimano Deore XT M770 175mm 4 arm Crank 22-32-44 w/BB
Pedals – Crank Brothers Acid 1
Seat Post - Ritchey Pro 27.2 x 350mm Black
Saddle – Brooks B-17, black
Cassette - Shimano HG61 (LX/Deore) 9sp cassette, 11-34
Front Der - Deore M591 Traditional Dual Pull Multi Clamp Front Derailleur
Rear Der - Shimano Deore M591 SGS Long Cage Rear Der Silver
Shifters - Shimano Deore trigger mountain bike
Tyres - Schwalbe Marathon Plus HS 348 700c x 38
Fenders - SKS P50
Racks – Surly Nice Racks

Did I miss anything worth listing? If I did and you’re interested, ask, I guess.





Here's some crappy pictures after it's been fendered and racked. I'll take better ones (1's) at a later date.

In addition, I’ve got Ortlieb front and rear panniers ordered. They should be here any day. I’ll also put on an existing Cat Eye Wireless computer and Planet bike fore and aft lights. I have three (3) matching water bottle cages that will go on as well. The handlebar bag I did have on the Big Dummy will be transferred to this rig.

I picked this stuff and this bike, a Surly Long Haul Trucker for exactly that – Long Haul Trucking. There’s a tentative bike camping excursion planned for this coming weekend as a test run. Though, I’ll likely have some miles on this getting things adjusted and getting the feel for it.

We’ll see what else, if anything, I’ll add or change on this bike. I am thinking kick-stand. But, as I said, we’ll see. For now there’s introductions. Snakebite meet Long Haul Trucker, Long Haul Trucker meet Snakebite. You two (2) go play.

Will do.

Ride On.

Friday Afternoon Grab Bag

A tiger’s thoughts.

Stop motion cars.

Ride On.

Good Progress

Here’s what the Long Haul Trucker looks like as of the end of the day Thursday.


As you can see, there are only a few things left on the build proper.

From there, I’ve some accouterments to place. Namely, front and rear fenders (with home-made mud flap for the front), and front and rear Surly Nice Racks. I’ve also a handlebar bag to install. The panniers are on order.

We’re closing in on tour ready bikeage. I’ll have a break-down on components for the bike geek in you when the build is complete. Probably some pictures, too.

Ride On.

Earth Day Today

Ride On.

Wheel Build Weekend

Ride On.

Vision Quest

Do you know what Randonneuring is? In a nutshell, it’s riding really, really far. So, does anyone want to ride really, really far with me?

Here’s the scoop. I’m planning on departing Sioux Falls at 6:00 AM on Saturday July 3rd bound for Oacoma, SD. For those geographically challenged, Oacoma is just over the Missouri River from Chamberlain, SD. Oacoma is the home of “Al’s Oasis.” But, I digress…..

The ride route is HERE. As you can see, it’s a fairly flat nifty one-hundred-fifty (150) miles one (1) way. The game plan is to ride that on Saturday, stay in Oacoma that night, and turn around reversing the route back to Sioux Falls on Sunday July 4th.

I’ve got a hotel lined up in Oacoma for that night. The hotel is within about one (1) block of Al’s Oasis so food will be close by. The route passes through quite a few towns so there’s plenty of opportunities for not peeing outside and refueling.

As always, if you’re interested (not necessarily committed at this point), shoot me an email and I’ll put you on a short-list for updates and information. Keep in mind, there's no SAG support, just you, me, our bikes, some extra tubes, essential bike tools, and some overnight stuff.

Ride On.

Saturday Short

Ride On.

Friday Afternoon Grab Bag

40 yard run test.

April Fool’s lecture.

Ride On.

Rims and 2010 Bike 2 Work Challenge

Those chicks and / or fellows over at Velocity must be enjoying the spring like weather because they sure as hell aren't making rims fast enough. Or something like that. After much waiting I was informed the Velocity Dyad rims I'd been pining for were pushed back. This will not stand, man!

Cancel the Velocity rims and embrace the Salsa Delgado Cross rims. One (1) short spoke length calculation later I've determined I need to return the ones (1's) I've ordered and get different ones (1's).

The good news is this stuff is due in TODAY! Therefore, I shall build wheels this weekend. In all my photo-journalistic wonders, I'll try and document the whole sordid affair and post them next week.

My anxiety levels are on the rise. I want to roll some miles on the new machine but can't in its current state of dis-assembly. And, with assembly and first (1st) roll imminent, sticker selection shall start this weekend as well.

In other noise , once again I'll be highly involved in throwing a Bike 2 Work Challenge. All the work and prize money by Snakebite Productions and The MinusCar Project. I sent out email notification to "the usual suspects" in my neck of the woods. It went something like this:

Second Annual Bike 2 Work Challenge

Rollers,

It’s creeping up on that time of the year again. I’m very happy to announce Thee Second Annual Bike 2 Work Challenge!!!

To give a quick overview, this contest is open to anyone 18 years old or older. There is no cost to enter. Prospective contestants do need to either show up at Bike To Work Day, Friday May 21st between 6:00 AM and 9:00 AM to register OR contact me to make other arrangements to meet BEFORE that date. I’m cutting off registration at 9:00 AM, Friday May 21st.

Attached is the Bike 2 Work Challenge poster and informational sheet. I have PDF versions of the registration form, informational sheet, log, and bike commuting tips. All you have to do is request them. I’d be happy to send you whatever you would like.

If you have specific questions, feel free to shoot me an email. I’ll do my best to answer them.

Here are a few words of “wisdom”: just because you’re an experienced biker or even bike commuter, it does not give you an advantage. If you think you’ll not enter to “let someone new at it win” you’re overestimating your ability to win and underestimating the new-comers. I’ve got methods to keep the playing field very level.

If you think you “can’t” enter the contest, remember, excuses are like butt holes – everyone’s got one and everybody’s stinks! Certain people can come up with many ways to get out of doing something. Truly motivated people find ways the make things happen regardless of the challenges associated.

This year, in addition to the “open” division, I’ve added a “Mayoral Candidate” division, and a “Media” division. The “Mayoral Candidate” division is pretty self explanatory. The “Media” division is for “on air”, either sound or visual or print, personalities to publically show their support and commitment. I am setting my expectations very low for both of these additional divisions. I think ZERO of each will participate. But, we’ll see. I hope to be wildly surprised.

There you have it! The Second Annual Bike 2 Work Challenge is just around the corner. The work and prize money for the Bike To Work Challenge are provided by Snakebite Productions and Michael Christensen's The MinusCar Project.

So, there you have it. The weekend is nearly upon us. In addition to whipping out some wheels, I shall partake in the jazz music themed bike pub crawl on Saturday evening. If you're in my neck of the woods, like jazz and / or liquor, have a bike, and are ready to subject your brain cells to a survival of the fittest contest, meet at Taste of Chicago ready to feed at 6:30 PM. From there, we roll. I'm thinking there's going to be six (6) stops with the last being Monk's.

Ride on.

This Just In

If you are in, or are from, my neck of the woods, are interested in


making singletrack a reality in my fair city, then you should check out the action HERE.

Ride On.

Bike-A-Palooza 2010

Mark you calendars because Saturday June 26th is Sioux Falls’ second (2nd) annual Bike-A-Palooza! I’m giving an advanced heads up because certain events will take creative effort before the actual event. As always, this event is going to be held at the favorite biker bar – Monk’s House of Ale Repute.

Before we get to that I need to mention the most important reason this event even exists is to provide bicycles to under privileged children. A huge chunk of the proceeds purchases the bikes. The secondary reason this event exists is to celebrate all things bikey!

This year the kids may look forward to more events. There will be the ever-popular slalom race.

This year we’re adding a “ride the plank” contest. Picture a sixteen foot (16’) long 2 x 6 (for those not in the know, a 2 x 6 is actually 1 ½” thick and 5 ½” wide) will be placed on the ground (flat side down, not on edge). Kids will try to ride the length. A full-length ride is best and in the case more than one (1) kid can do that, the slowest time to ride it wins. If a kid rolls off, no worries, they’re only 1 ½ inches off the ground.

There is also a wheel roll contest. Let your imagination run wild on this one (1) as I’m not revealing much other than the name.

For the non-kids (notice I’m not using the term “adults” as some of the participants are “adults” in years old only, certainly not maturity) there are repeat events and new events.

One (1) repeat event is the foot down competition. And, back by popular demand, the bike joust will return. The change in this event is each match is the best two (2) out of three (3) but the tournament will NOT be double elimination.

For the new events we’ll have a “ride the (skinnier) plank” contest. It works the same as for the kids except we’ll be using a 2 x 4 (1 ½” x 3 ½” actual) instead of a 2 x 6.

Look for a bunny hop contest. For those not in the know, a bunny hop is a rider lifting his or her bike off the ground without the use of a ramp. For the contest think of a limbo contest, but, instead of the bar going lower it’s going to go higher.

Now, here’s the event that needs the big heads up. This year we’re proud to introduce – wait for it………….- Chariot Races! It’s Ben Hur on bikes! Start recruiting one (1) more person for your team. One (1) roller pulls the chariot and the other (2) roller rides the chariot. Plastic and cardboard swords for swatting other competitors is highly encouraged. Here’s the kicker, YOU (and your teammate) need to build your chariot. I’ve got my ideas and I’m not sharing them with you. I am going to take names on whoever wants to be on my team. The winning applicant should note I like beer. The one (1) rule you NEED to know, the rider must ride the chariot on their feet. No sitting, kneeling, or levitating.

This year we’re going to have cool prizes, great beer, even more live music, and special give-aways. As I’d mentioned, mark your calendars!!!

There you have it, an advanced heads up on Bike-A-Palooza!

Ride On.

Saturday Short

Ride On.

Friday Afternoon Grab Bag

Girls Gone Wild Syndrome.

Complicated drink mixing.

Ride On.

Latest Sign Of The Apocalypse

I was over at that crazy MinusCar’s blog recently. It seems he’s taken to wearing suspenders and a belt AT THE SAME TIME!!! Not only that, I think he’s going to be getting an S.U.V. I know, I know! I couldn’t believe it either!

A belated April Fool’s to all you out there in the blogosphere.

My rims are due in today. I hope Mr. Delivery Man is on time. I’d like to be building wheels over the weekend. Once that is complete, final touring bike assembly can commence. And, once that is done, I can roll it.

I was over at the local bike club’s website looking at the bikey calendar. Holy crap! There’s a lot o’ stuff coming up! I’m going to have to miss some of it. I’m thinking I’ll do the Gut Check. That will require much training.

One (1) such training ride might be a Saturday one-hundred-sixty (160) mile ride to Oacoma (just west of Chamberlain), and overnight stay, and then biking back on Sunday. We’ll call this ride “Vision Quest.” I’m not sure when I’ll fit this in. Maybe, later in June. But, as always, I’ll post it and invite whoever (note – you’re invited) to come along.


Ride On.

Wild Weather Riding

The spring, around here, is being typical. Sometimes sunny days and warm temperatures. Other days it’s cold, rainy, and quite windy. And even other days it’s nice and sunny but crazy windy. It happens every year so it’s not a mystery and we’ve learned to deal with it.

Except, yesterday, I drove. It was colder, rainy, and quite windy, but, that’s not the reason. Back in March I suffered another birthday. I neglected to pull my driver’s license out. Had I, I would have noticed that it expired on my birthday this year.

Yesterday, over lunch break, I drove to the D.M.V. and picked up a driver’s license manual. I’ll have to re-take the written test. Which is no biggie, really.

When I glanced at the manual there was an insert. The insert told me I need to bring a picture I.D., a notorized birth certificate, two (2) bills showing my home address, and some other crap – that is all I can remember at this point.

The reasons given were something to the effect of reducing identity theft and reducing the possibility of terrorism. This immediately reminded me of “Alice’s Restaurant,” written by Arlo Guthrie.

After the ordeal, we went back to the jail. Obie said he was going to put
us in the cell. Said, "Kid, I'm going to put you in the cell, I want your
wallet and your belt." And I said, "Obie, I can understand you wanting my
wallet so I don't have any money to spend in the cell, but what do you
want my belt for?" And he said, "Kid, we don't want any hangings." I
said, "Obie, did you think I was going to hang myself for littering?"
Obie said he was making sure, and friends Obie was, cause he took out the
toilet seat so I couldn't hit myself over the head and drown, and he took
out the toilet paper so I couldn't bend the bars roll out the - roll the
toilet paper out the window, slide down the roll and have an escape.

I suppose, it could be possible, even though the chances are really slim, there are “sleeper cells” of terrorists right here among us. The “sleeper cell” members were born and raised right here in good ol’ South Dakota, but like Officer Obie, the D.M.V. types were “just making sure.”

Common sense and government should never be used in the same sentence. I’ll have more on that at a later date. For now I’ll be studying “the manual,” looking for my birth certificate, and hoping I have some bills or something to prove I live where I do.


Ride On.

Windy Weekend

It was quite the windy weekend. What was done to celebrate? Bike rides of course! Saturday three (3) of us, including thE kErnEl, headed south into the twenty mile per hour (20 MPH) headwind. Much effort later, we arrived in Canton. A visit to Dairy Queen and we were turned around headed back with an equally strong tailwind.

Sunday the winds were about half of Saturday's. The winds also switched direction. Saturday we pointed bikes west, into the wind, headed for Humboldt. Much effort later, we arrived, had a snack, and turned around and headed back.

I elected to turn the windy days into training days. I opted to ride the single (1) speed. At seventy-two (72) gear-inches, Saturday was work. At least for the ride into the wind. The largish saddlebags grabbed their share of headwinds.

In other noise, I think my rims are due in the end of the week. I hope to spend some of next weekend building wheels for the touring rig.

Ride On.

Saturday Short

Ride On.

Friday Afternoon Grab Bag

Cut the cheese. Yes, it is a commercial, but it’s good anyway.

Boobies and kitties (really).

Ride On.

Day Off

It’s been a long time since I’ve had a day off. But, I’m taking one today. The best part is I have minimal plans.

I might do a ride with thE kErnEl and others. I might round up some parts for a bike trade in thing. I need to handle some paperwork.

I know I’ll sleep in. I usually write this drivel the night before and set it to post. I’m sure I’m asleep as this thing launches.

I’m getting all my accommodations set for Faces To The Falls. I’m doing a nice mix of camping, using camping cabins, and hotels. Right now, it looks like there will be seven (7) rollers on this outing. The number could very well grow.

I’m sitting on ready to build wheels for the touring bike. Rims in two (2!) fricking weeks. Damn you supply and demand curve! But, no worries. I have other bikes I can ride.


Ride On.