Weekend Ride Report

For those of you who care...

Saturday, December 20, 2008... 43 mile road ride, 2:55: 37

Sunday, December 21, 2008... 20 mile "fun ride" at Alafia

First ride on a 29er

As they say, "A picture is worth a thousand words!" Enjoy!

29er Karate Monkey Ride Report

So far I've only had the opportunity to ride the new 29er on two (2) occasions at Boyette. From the moment we set out to the trail head for SST, I knew that this ride experience would be different. Then, once we actually hit the trails I finally understood the hype... bigger wheels = more momentum = better ability to handle trail bump and to power through sections which normally require a little more "work" on the rider's part.

Now, as my new friend El Mucaro recently pointed out, I realize that 29ers are not magical. They do not possess some sort of mystical power which makes one a better rider the moment he or she's ass touches the saddle, and they do not sprinkle magic fairy dust on the trail which automatically smooths out rocky, rooty, more technical sections. As I've said from the very first time a close friend suggested that I make the climb from 26" to 29" wheels, "I'll have to see how 29" wheels are beneficial to others before making the change myself." As an individual who has two (2) years experience on a full rigid, 26" SS, I feel that I am somewhat of an authority on how 26" wheels handle climbs, descents, rocks, roots, sand, mud, and the like. I'm here to tell ya, 29" do offer the more of the one (1) thing which is your friend in most of the aforementioned environments; MOMENTUM... me likey the SPEED through technical sections!

Please, let's not get into the debate about wheels with a heavier rolling mass, or slower steering, or whatever. I'm not here to tell you that 29ers are better, I merely wish to share my experience with you. I still love my 26" bike and I am a firm believer in the expression, "to each, his own" so shut-up, stop your whining, go out, and RIDE!

PEACE!

The Year of the Monkey

Well, it's official, I'm a sellout! Yesterday I traded-in my old 26" full rigid SS for a new rig complete with 29" wheels, and man, am I ever pleased with the end result!
I originally made the decision to go "big" a few weeks ago; however, I did not think that the change would occur so soon. Thanks to a couple of good friends, I managed to scrape together enough parts to build my newest steed; a full rigid pearl coffee (brown) Surly Karate Monkey.


The new Karate Monkey frame arrived late Monday afternoon, so that evening I spent an hour or so applying a generous coat of J.P. Weigle Cycles Frame Saver to the inside of my frame. For those of you that have never used this stuff before, I have just a few simple words of advice, "Apply this product in an extremely well ventilated area!" After nearly 19 hours dry-time, I grabbed my frame and fork and headed over to my buddy's place for a bike tear-down / rebuild party. Tearing my 1x1 down took no time at all, as my buddy has as many (if not more) tools than most bike shops. We made sure to inspect everything taken off the old frame for excessive wear; pleased to report that every single component was in tip top shape!

Putting the new bike together was a blast, in fact, I had forgotten how much I really enjoy tinkering on my bikes. After cutting the steer tube to the proper length, and installing the headset, we moved to the FSA BB and Middleburn Cranks. Next, we installed the rear wheel and adjusted the chain line. We got lucky on this one, as there was no need to shim the rear cog; everything just fell right into proper alignment. This was followed by re-tensioning and truing both wheels (before final installation on the bike). Lastly, we hung the old-school first generation HOPE MINI hydraulic brakes. Shimming the brake calipers was probably the most tedious task involved in the build, but fortunately my buddy Kevin has become a whiz at "finessing" these calipers into their optimal position, and so far there is no brake drag!

The entire process took about 3-1/2 hours, and then she was all done. At 9:00 p.m. I threw a leg around my new 29er Karate Monkey and took her for a spin down my buddy's long driveway; I must have looked like a little kid riding his new bike on Christmas morning, cause that's what I felt like.
As they say, "A picture is worth a thousand words." So without further ado, I present to you the newest addition to my collection; my first ever 29er.

Quest Update #1

178 lbs is my current weight, and I gotta tell ya, I'm feeling good! Now, I realize that this is only a 2 lb drop since the first weigh-in (Nov. 23rd); however, it is progress, and I'm pleased that things are continuing to move along in the right direction... another 13 lbs and I'll be at my personal goal of 165 lb. Although things are progressing slowly, I can tell you that there is definitely a transformation taking place. To date, I've dropped at least one pant size, and, as is common with a shrinking waistline, my love handles are beginning to melt away. I am also enjoying the benefits of an increased energy level, and I seem to be recovering better on the bike; (so far) my legs are cramp free during longer rides.

As part of my training for the upcoming two (2) endurance rides I will participate in, I am making every effort to ride longer distances whenever possible. Yesterday I rode just over 31 miles at Boyette; the original plan was to ride 40 miles, but my riding buddies had both had enough by mile 28, so we decided to settle for just over 30 miles, and so we headed back to the parking lot. The important thing is that I felt extremely comfortable during the entire ride, and I am 100% confident that I could have easily completed the 40 miles with no cramping issues... bring on those 50 miles!

So, what's next? I still have 13 lbs to lose by January 10, 2009, and at this point I firmly believe that it's going to take a little more effort than I had originally thought. It's time to get a little more serious, to start watching portions, and to stop having a nibble or two here and there of those things I shouldn't be consuming. A new riding friend / mentor recently turned me on to this great blog which is dedicated to better living through diet and exercise; http://www.marksdailyapple.com/ take the time to check the blog; it may change your life.

Since learning about this blog I've become a loyal follower, and I've also come to believe that the author is really onto something. A recent post suggested a system cleansing, if you will, through eating only fresh fruits, vegetables, nuts, and drinking plenty of water, for a period of 7 - 10 days; my cleansing begins tomorrow!

I must digress here to add a little blurb about the main reason I enjoy the sport of cycling so very much, as it ties-in with part of the philosophies discussed on the aforementioned blog. As I see it, the "Primal Blueprint" is reconnecting with our ancestral selves. Food, exercise, and a connection with nature were each a vital necessity; the key to survival. I believe that (at least) some of you would agree that we as a nation, as a people, have become a bit complaisant these days; a nation of instant gratification of sorts. And why not? A fast convenient meal is just a phone call or a few key-strokes away. Why spend time outdoors when we have everything we need within the comfort of our homes; the kids can entertain themselves with the new Wii or XBox 360, and I can always hit the gym on the way home from work tomorrow... or the next day.

I realize that no one is asking; however, since this is my blog I wish to express my opinion that many of us are lacking something today; something elemental. Ask yourself this question, "When was the last time I was compelled by something?" Can you remember? Sadly, for many of us, the answer is, "No".

Nature is a mighty compelling force and it's out there waiting f0r us. In a single moment, and without even thinking about it, we are moved by the way a ray of sunlight bounces off the tree tops, or the way a distant mountain top glistens with freshly fallen snow. Experiences like these are out there waiting to be had, but they are missed when we spend our lives indoors; tucked away from the sunlight which is so vital to life. So there you have it, cycling is my way of reconnecting with nature; be it a long ride down a twisty single track, or a road ride along a stretch of back county road. There's an entire world just waiting to be explored, so get the entire family involved, grab your bikes, or your backpacks, or your fishing poles, or whatever your fancy and go get you some!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Finding the time to ride and train has been a chore this week. With the Thanksgiving holiday upon us and Christmas right around the corner, it's been difficult to avoid being caught up in the typical holiday hustle and bustle. No regrets here though, as I love spending time with my family, and this time of year always seems to bring us together.
As for holiday weekend training, well, let's just say that I have a plan, but I'm not going to stress if things get a bit side-tracked. Here's the schedule:

Thanksgiving morning:
30 mile road ride.

Friday Morning:
Boyette (to field test recent wrenching on my SS)

Saturday Morning:
Tour de Boyette (with some cool cats from SWAMP Club)

Sunday:
Jump rope, stability ball, and weights.

Well, I'm off for my road ride this morning. I wish you all a safe and happy Thanksgiving!

Listen to the Words

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AuK2A1ZqoWs

Day 1 of year 37

Today I celebrated my 37th birthday, and boy did I have a blast! I wanted to keep it low key this year, so I decided on a small intimate cookout with the family and a few friends over at Little Manatee River State Park in Wimauma. This little gem of a park has a ton of stuff to offer; a great canoe launch, horseback riding trails, a really quaint little picnic area complete with a kick a$$ jungle gym set for the kids, and an awesome Old Florida feel. Oh yeah, it’s also conveniently close to my home.

My oldest daughter, Madelene, and I had brought along our bikes, so, after having a light bite to eat for lunch, we donned our helmets, jumped on our single speeds (my 26” and her 20”) and went for a short cruise around part of the park. I really enjoy days like these, and I am truly thankful for this opportunity to bond with my kid. You see, Madelene’s mother and I divorced back when she was about 2-1/2 months-old, and shortly thereafter my former spouse remarried a man in U.S. Navy man; suffice it to say that it’s been trains, planes, and automobiles ever since. Currently, Madelene lives full time in Battleground, IN with her mom, step dad, and three little brothers.

Hey, I’m not complaining. Although there is distance between us, I learned a long time ago to make the best out of a bad situation. I have worked extra hard to stay in Madelene’s life on a daily basis, I have spent lots of $$ over the years on travel expenses so I can see her as often as possible, and I have made peace with the demons that haunted me for a while after my divorce, for I am committed to being whole, so as to be the best Dad I can possibly be.

I'm proud to say that this paternal commitment has paid-off, and that today Madelene and I share a strong relationship and also a fondness for nature and all things in it. On this day, my birthday, my eldest daughter and I we were able to embrace our common bond, and by doing so we did enjoy all the best that nature has to offer; beautiful green surroundings, a meal cooked over an open flame, and few brief encounters with some of the wild’s creatures… all topped off by an awesome sunset! I love going for a bike ride with my kid, and I can’t think of any other way I would have preferred to spend my birthday!

The Quest

OK, so now that I'm back home at my old stomping grounds, and I am no longer leaving for work at 5:45 a.m. and returning at 7:00 p.m. I've decided that it's time to focus on improving my overall health, and thereby improve my performance on the bike. I plan to tackle this personal challenge in three (3) phases.

PHASE #1

Is already well underway; Get back on the bike!

Since my return from TX, I've logged quite a bit of time (miles) in the saddle. Being self-employed affords me the opportunity to sneak away for a ride or two during the week, and so I've made it a point to take full advantage of this. Although it may not seem like many miles for some, I'm proud to say that I have ridden an accumulated 250+ miles (on both my mountain bike and road bike) since my return on October 3, 2008. My goal is to schedule, make time for, and complete an accumulated 100 miles per week (to be completed by riding at least 4 times week); this will be difficult, especially with it getting dark so early these days.

PHASE #2

Is also off to a good start; modify my diet and daily intake.

Man, I really packed on the lbs during those 5 months I spent in Houston. Unfortunately, the long work hours, lack of time to prepare a good healthy breakfast, and all those high in empty calories lunch meetings rapidly increased my weight and waste size. Although I never did an official weigh-in upon my return, I can tell you that donning the ole jeans was becoming a chore; each time I expected the button to pop-off and go ricocheting around the room. I am confident that I had to be tipping the scales at 190 lb+; on a 5' 7" frame.

Today, through carefully watching what I eat, and added time on the bike, my weight is down to 180 lbs, so I've successfully dropped 10 lbs with relative ease; already, I am feeling much better on the bike and my energy level is increasing.

Recently I hooked up with my man Karlos (Naked Indian) on the SWAMP boards, and he has been kind enough to offer some much appreciated advice on improving my diet. Being the good student that I am, I have heeded his advice and I have done my homework. My new weight loss goal is to achieve a target weight of 165 lbs by January 1, 2009; reaching this goal should come in handy for the upcoming 50+ mile Naked Indian Ride and also the Tour De Felasco.

PHASE #3

Begins tomorrow; add exercise off of the bike.

The formula is simple; lite free weights + (1) stability ball + (1) jump rope = a leaner stronger me. I plan to devote 45 minutes three times per week to working out with the aforementioned tools. My goal is to develop better core and leg strength.

I am a firm believer in the fact that nothing in life worth while comes easy, and I realize that it will take dedication and commitment to meet my goals. I will do a new post to update my progress every ten (10) days, as this is now an official training log for me. Feel free to check-in every so often and offer advice, leave words of encouragement, OR give constructive criticism.

Thanks for reading, and until my next update; "Peace Out!"

Back at home in the Abyss

For those of you who don't know me, I've just recently returned to the local area after living out in Houston, TX from late May through October 1st. I had originally thought that a move out west (for a new job) would be a good thing for my family and me, I quickly learned that not all that glitters is gold, and so now I'm back.
Although I had made a commitment to myself to stay on the bike while in TX, it shames me to admit that my time in the saddle during those 5 months was absolutely pathetic.
Perhaps it was due to the 65 - 70 hour-long work weeks? Or maybe it was my a*!hole megalomaniac boss. My guess is that since the local trails there absolutely SUCKED, there was no real motivation to get out and ride. A road ride was absolutely out of the question, as the traffic out there is nothing short of a F*!king nightmare; I think they reward drivers who run over cyclists out there.
The weekend after returning to my home here in Palmetto, I immediately hit the trails. Alafia was my first ride, and man was it sweet to be back. I had lost my base fitness and also packed-on about 10 lbs (I didn't say the food was bad in Houston), so I had to work extra hard to keep up with my riding pals; the pain felt great!
Next, we hit Boyette. Man, do I love Boyette! It doesn't matter whether you're out for an early morning ride, a ride during the middle of the day, or a pre-sunset ride; the trails absolutely rock! To all my fellow SWAMPERS who have volunteered their time and have worked so hard to make Boyette such a sweet ride; "Much Love" and I promise to never take our local trails for granted again.

Out with the new, in with the old!

“That’s it, I’ve had it, no more hydraulic disc brakes for me.” I’m tired of listening to the ear drum piercing squeal coming from my front/rear wheel every single time the brakes get hot. I’m tired of having to realign the rear wheel on my SS Surly 1X1 after every ride. I’ve made the decision to go retro, to kick it old school for a while; it’s time to dig out that old set of front/rear Avid Single Digit 7 V-brakes, and install them on my single speed. While I’m at it, I think I’ll go back to the original Surly steel rigid fork too; been riding a rigid Pace carbon fork for almost a year now. The carbon fork works great, as it really takes a bit of the edge off of the rigid front end; however, the drawback is that I ride in constant fear of the fork snapping into a million pieces. This thought especially enters my mind each time I roll into the Big Drop at Boyette; go figure!
So anyway, I’m curious, how many of you one gear Mafiosos out there have abandoned disc brakes for “old school” V-brakes? Any regrets, any advice?

Let me know

First Boyette Night Ride

The first monthly night ride at Boyette took place this past Friday night. There were somewhere in the neighborhood of twenty (20) riders, and as soon as the ride got underway, we separated ourselves into two groups; the fast crazy group, and the not-so-fast not-so-crazy group. In truth, I don't think there really was a slow group, as everyone seemed to be moving at a pretty good pace.

This was my first ever night ride, and I learned real quick just how important having a good light is. Since I did NOT have a good light, I soon discovered that it is possible to over-ride your light; something I figured out after dropping into the abyss a bit hotter than I should have. The trail just seemed to close in on me, and although my bike skills and memory of what was waiting around the next corner prevailed, it was a bit freaky not being able to see over a drop before going over it; what a rush!
I'm happy to say that, for me, the night was free of any mechanical issues or crashes; however, I wish I could say the same for a few others. Early on we had a rider lose his rear derailleur while climbing out of Gator Pit. Later someone broke his chain back in the Abyss. Shortly after that a good buddy of mine was ejected over his handlebars and pretty much speared an oak tree with the top of his head; yup, you guessed it, he'll be shopping for a new helmet this week.

Thank you to everyone at SWAMP who made this ride possible, and also to the members who volunteered to guide, and also keep up the rear. This ride was very cool, and I hope we are able to keep it on the calendar.

Catch you all on the next one; hopefully I'll have a good reliable light this time.

How It All Began

Every summer, right after school let out, my mom would take me down to the local bike builder’s house to pick out a new bike. The local builder was a really cool old guy who would drive around town salvaging old bikes that had been thrown away. He would take the scrapped bikes home to his garage, dismantle them, and then commence with making a treasure out of someone else’s garbage. The old man spared no detail; nothing was overlooked. Frames would be sanded, primed, and repainted. A new, or just like new seat was always installed. Wheel bearings were cleaned up, greased and then reinstalled; crank bearings received the same treatment, any chrome or silver parts were polished to remove rust, and finally new tubes and tires were installed to complete the job. Believe me when I say that these bikes were as good as new, and the best part was the price range; anywhere from $15.00 - $25.00. You see, my parents are big-hearted hard working people, but we never really had much money, and so the old man’s prices made it possible for my parents to afford a bike for all three children.
Each summer the ritual was the same; my dad would drive us down to the old man’s house on Saturday morning. We would arrive just as he was taking the bikes out of his garage, and would wait patiently in the family car as each bike was parked along the driveway. There was always an ocean of bicycles consisting of all different styles, colors, and sizes. As I’m sure any kid would, I made sure to ride as many bikes as possible before making a final selection; according to my dad I always took way too long to make up my mind. The old man was always kind, patient, and courteous, and would never rush anyone into making a selection. This went on for years, and not just with me and my family; I bet every kid in the neighborhood, at some point, had visited the old bike builder’s home.
My family relocated here to Florida, from the old neighborhood in Jersey, when I was eleven. Around the age of 13, I discovered the world of BMX and Freestyle. Although I never raced or participated in any Freestyle competitions, my love of bicycles never faltered, and I found myself building a new bike almost every summer; sound familiar? I’m pretty sure I drove my parents crazy with my non-stop tinkering. One thing is certain, I ALWAYS had a bike, and my bike and I were inseparable.
After 6 years here in sunny Florida, my parents decided to move back to Jersey, and we ended up just a few miles down the highway from the old neighborhood. This may sound corny, but I have to admit that my first thoughts were of checking-in on the old man with the bikes; it’s amazing how being in old familiar surroundings can spark up old memories. When I asked my dad to drive me past the old man’s house one Saturday morning, he told me that surely the old man had passed away by now, and that he doubted we would be able to find the house due to there no longer being bikes outside to landmark it. We decided to give it a shot anyway, and we were both pleased when, after a few turns onto wrong streets, we spotted the house; there must have been 20 bikes refurbished bicycles in the driveway. My dad pulled the car over, and parked. We got out and walked up to the house expecting to see the old man sitting on his old rocking chair in the garage. However, this time we were greeted by a middle-aged man. I knew that this man had to be the old man’s son, as I saw the resemblance right away. Not only did this man look like his father before him, but he had also inherited his kind and patient demeanor.
We struck up a conversation, and my dad and I both told him the story of how our family had purchased new bicycles from his father every summer. We also told him about how much we had missed the local bike man’s service with a smile, and that the memories of the old man and his bikes had led us look for the house with the bicycles.
The old man’s son told us about how his dad had passed away a few years prior, and that many people from surrounding neighborhoods, families who had purchased bicycles from him over the years, had attended his funeral to pay their last respects. He told us about how he had been overwhelmed when he realized that his dad had touched so many people through his work with bicycles, and so he decided to carry-on his dad’s work. I asked him how his father had come about becoming the neighborhood refurbished bike shop, and he explained that it was always a true labor of love for his dad. “You see,” he said, “my dad never intended to get rich, or even to make a living refurbishing bicycles.” “His only intention was to bring smiles to children’s faces, and I’m proud to say that he was successful at reaching his goals.”
Although I did take a break from riding for several years, I’m happy to say that I was fortunate enough to rediscover it back in 2001, and I’ve fallen in love all over again. I’m 36 years old now and I’ve experienced many ups and downs in my life, but I have never forgotten the old man and his bikes. Whenever I feel stressed, or like the weight of the world is on my shoulders, I grab my bike and hit the road or the closest single track, and my worries melt away. My bike has gotten me through some difficult times in the last few years, and although I realize that it’s me mashing away at those cranks and propelling myself forward (never back), I can’t help but feel that somehow I owe a great deal to the old man that made it possible for me to fall in love with a bicycle.