Greasy Snow

The weather hasn't warmed up as quickly as I had hoped, so the snow is still hanging around. Unfortunately, it's just warm enough to make the snow slushy. It's like trying to ride in grease! It's pretty frustrating, because it's only 1-2 inches thick, but nearly unrideable unless it's been packed down. And even then, it's sketchy at best. We stuck to the road for 99% of the ride today. Oh...and I need to find my camera...it's MIA.

Kristy did a road ride with the Potter's today, and took her camera. Expect a post from that ride soon...

Snow Day!

Timberline Climb
Originally uploaded by Facility Bike Club.

We had a big snow storm last night...about 8-12 inches of snow accumulation down in the valley. A few weeks ago this would've totally bummed me out, but today was different. The sun was shining all day, and it just didn't seem as cold even though the thermometer would suggest otherwise. It's also the end of February, and we should be back to 50 degrees by the end of the week. So in other words...no worries.

The snow was too wet and deep to ride up in, so we decided to take the Timberline Road climb. The streets back in town were wet and slushy, but were in great shape up on the hill. My legs felt great! Taking a few days off the bike (and eating like a horse) certainly does recharge your batteries.

When we got to the top, Todd decided to give a little foot path in the snow a try. The snow was too deep and soft, and he sunk down in. He had to climb back out to the road on foot. We decided to ride back down the road a ways and try another trail.

When we got to the other trail, Todd once again charged into the snow, only to find that once again, it was not rideable. Dammit! We wanted to play in the snow today! We parked the bikes in the snow bike rack and contemplated our next move.

The girls had an interesting idea. One that I decided not to participate in. Barbara, Sandie, and Kristy (pictured left to right) jumped into the snow and started making snow angels! After the artwork was completed, Sandie decided to hurl a snow ball at Todd. Todd informed Sandie that she threw like a girl, and that's when the snow ball melee broke out.

It was time to get going, so we went back down to the bike path. At the lower elevation, the snow was quite rideable. We took a couple sections of packed, snowy single track before finally ending up back in town. What a great day!

Backwards Land

Backwards Land
Originally uploaded by Facility Bike Club.

The coordination of Friday's ride was full of miscommunication. So much so that we ended up doing a loop backwards. I've done many of our loops backwards, but this was the first time on this particular loop for me. It felt like a brand new trail, and even the scenery was unfamiliar. So if you have the same old trail blues, try riding one backwards. Got me?

Lapidary Maxim

After days off the bike, and many a bellyful of ethnic victuals, a dark cloud had shadowed his mind. He had a head cold, and the weather was even colder. Thoughts of letting himself go and growing jowls larger than curtains of beef percolated in his feeble mind. He knew he would need inspiration soon. He would need a sign. And not just any sign. A lapidary maxim from the almighty powerful one that would move his soul once again to push those pedals and propel his body up the hill.

Windy Daze

Windy Day
Originally uploaded by Facility Bike Club.

It's been several days since my last post. I've been fighting a cold, and haven't felt like doing much of anything! I was able to ride yesterday though. It was a sunny day with brutal winds. And not just winds from any particular direction...the foothills and canyons seem to direct wind in multiple directions. Usually the opposite direction you are riding. In this first picture, Barbara is taking it easy down the hill. It's hard to appreciate from this angle, but there's a pretty good drop off the right hand side of the photo. The wind was trying really hard to push us over the edge!

The winds were high today, and it looks like even worse tomorrow. Wind driven snow/rain. Yippee! If I'm feeling better tomorrow, I'll have to come up with some new excuse not to ride. Maybe I'll create an emergency at work...

I felt great on Monday though! It was a cold day, but we had lots of sunshine. We were able to get a 30 mile road ride from Carson City through Washoe Valley and back. We had originally planned to ride from Folsom (where Johnny Cash really wasn't in prison) to Old Sacramento and back, but the weather didn't cooperate. The Washoe Valley loop was a good substitute.

In environmental news, it looks like the Bush Administration wants to build a new Coal Power plant in Eastern Nevada. I bet our new coal friendly governor/ex congressman couldn't wait to get this dirty project going. In a state that is full of wind, sun, and geothermal energy potential, a huge coal plant is ridiculous. If you'd like to take action and preserve your cyclist lungs, protect your family from mercury emissions, slow down global warming, etc., it's easy. Just visit the NRDC Take Action webpage, fill in the blanks and hit submit. There are plenty of other action items to get involved in too. Check it out!

Sunday's are for Riding

Last Sunday me, Brent, and the Chili Dog headed out for a quick ride at Centennial Park before Brent's first of two Futsal games that day (he slept like a baby that night).

It has rained quite a bit the day before so the trail was in pristine condition. The weather was a bit chilly with quite a bit of a head wind on the way back but other than that, the sun was shining.

Here is a video I shot of Brent coming down the beginning section that is basically a rock garden with jagged rocks and huge boulders. It is a bitch to climb!

Foxy Lady

As you know from my previous post, my Fox Talas RL fork broke about a week and a half ago while I was riding. We immediately called Fox and sent the fork back to them on Thursday the 8th. As a result of the accident, my Avid rotor was damaged so we also asked Fox to replace that.

I am happy to report that the fork was replaced under warranty, but the rotor was not. We received the fork back yesterday. They said my skewer was loose which contributed to the accident so we were equally responsible. Honestly, I am totally ok with having to replace the rotor (about $40) and NOT the fork ($400-$500). Fox is an awesome company to deal with superior customer service and quick turn around time.

Anxiously awaiting the auction ending on e-Bay for my new rotor.

I need to get a new front skewer and soon...

Spy Photo of the Day

High Security
Originally uploaded by Facility Bike Club.

I don't know Barbara... This form of bicycle security might work in Reno, but Carson City is another story. The thieves here have figured out how to cut through 1/4 inch bungee cord, and some may even know to just unhook the ends from the tie downs. I'd go for something more robust...climbing rope perhaps. Or go crazy and buy a metal cable and lock...

I shouldn't tease. The poor riders at the Facility have lost their indoor bicycle storage, and are coping the best that they can...

My New Riding Partner and BFF

My mechanic got me a
(PRODUCT) RED 8G iPod Nano for valentines day to replace my 2G pink mini.

He is not only good to look at but can follow the ever so subtle hint I threw out. Here is how it went down:

Me: "Hey, you know what would make a great valentines present?"
Brent: "No, what?"
Me: "A red nano with a heartfelt message inscribed on the back"
Brent: "Ok"

Why do I love my new Nano? Well let me just tell you why, when it is ride time it does NOT have to "work" from home (Ryan), go on vacation with it's family (Kathy), go home because it's kids have a half day of school (Barbara), go to lunch with it's MIL (Jeff)...I could go on and on but I think you get the idea.

I actually had a really great ride with my pod, the weather was perfect and the Killers were the perfect soundtrack.

Check out the other great products like my iPod that you can buy to support a great cause at joinred

Birth to Death in a Car

I was reading through the comments over at The Minus Car Project, and I found some references to cartoonist Andy Singer. This cartoon and many others can be viewed HERE.

On my daily commutes by car I often get overwhelmed by all the cars and car culture around me. Cars on the road, cars in the parking lot, car lots, car washes, car garages, tire stores, drive thru's, the list goes on... It annoys me to see all this, and yet I am part of the problem. I drive a small fuel efficient car, but that doesn't change the fact that I'm still out there, occupying space on the road.

With the short, cold days, bicycle commuting isn't really an option for me. Public transportation between Carson City and Gardnerville is non existent at this time. It is very frustrating, and I'm so sick of being in the car.

I am anxiously awaiting day light savings time so that I can start riding the new road bike to work a couple times a week. My normal commute route is a 32 mile round trip, but is a scary ride alongside 70mph traffic. The safer route is a 44 mile round trip, and is very scenic. I'd still have to do some riding at lunch I suppose...I wouldn't know what else to do. It sounds like a lot of time on the bike, doesn't it? But consider this...

At another blog that I frequent, Oil is For Sissies, I found the following in the comments:

"Fun car math:

60 minute commute each way to work
x2 times a day
x5 days a week
x52 weeks a year
=31200 minutes a year
or 520 hours a year
or 21.6 days a year

Three weeks spent in a car, just going from home to work. It's no wonder people often ask, where does all the time go?"

My commute is half of this example, but it still freaks me out that I'm in my car for at least an 11 day period each year. My goal this year is to move as much time from the car over to the bike. Then maybe all that time won't seem wasted!

I'm not feeling too good today, so I went out to eat instead of riding (yes by car...). Before I left though, I got a chance to see Barbara's high tech bicycle security system. Photos and details later tonight...

Update: Jane Holtz Kay's book Asphalt Nation looks like it may provide some insight into my car culture woes. "Asphalt Nation is a major work of urban studies that examines how the automobile has ravaged America's cities and landscape, and how we can fight back." I'll have to check this book out...

Susan B

"Let me tell you what I think of bicycling. I think it has done more to emancipate women than anything else in the world. It gives women a feeling of freedom and self-reliance. I stand and rejoice every time I see a woman ride by on a wheel...the picture of free, untrammeled womanhood."
Susan B. Anthony

Kathy provided us with this quote today, it was rather fitting for me this week. I had a test on Monday so I could not ride. Naturally, I was itching to get out on Tuesday. I even had two rides planed but my front tire was flat! I have watched my mechanic, I mean Brent, change flats before and he has often tried to hold what he calls a "fix a flat clinic" in the back yard. My first thought (as was Kathy's when Mike tried the same thing) was why, my tire is not flat. So I have never taken him up on the offer.

Anyway, I decided to dive in and fix the flat or I was not going to get to ride. I found a thorn on the inside of the tire, removed it with needle nose plyers I borrowed from my IT guy, found the hole in the tube, patched it, and put the tire back on. I am very happy to report it is still holding air and I feel the freedom of self reliance that Susan B speaks of!

I am hanging on to my mechanic though cos he is nice to look at...

Self Portraits

These fantastic photos were taken on Tuesday night with my Motorola Slvr cell phone. Our girls practice soccer at a great park south of town that has hills behind it so we can MTB ride while they practice. Any good mom knows you have to multi-task!

Freedom

My office is in a basement. It's well lit, but still I feel like I'm in a cave 40 hours a week. Such has been my life the last 12 years. Not always a basement, but no windows. There was a brief period of a few months when I had a skylight...that was nice. Anyway...this is what I saw when I headed out for my ride yesterday. Blue skies and sunshine. One of my favorite things!

Surprise Attack

Today's ride started off partially sunny. So much so, that I thought I may have overdressed when I left the office. A couple miles out the sun went away, and it got really dark. And then near the top of the climb it started to snow. It was a happy snow though as you can see from the picture. Just light, fluffy, and non sticky.

We had a good downhill run, but near the bottom, the snow became a near whiteout. The flakes were huge and wet, and my glasses started getting all blurry. My vision was distorted and I was having a hard time with depth perception. I tried taking the glasses off but was immediately pelted in the eyes with snow. I think we would've all laughed at our situation, but our faces were frozen, preventing the smile muscles from functioning. Still better than hanging around work or going to the buffet though...

In other news... I got a call from the boy on my way home from work. He told me that somebody dumped a blue bike in front of our house. This might have concerned me at one time, but this is the fourth derelict bike to be dropped off in my front yard. I'm pretty certain I know where the first two came from, but this one and the last one I'm not sure. The bike is a WalMart Mongoose that looked like it was exploded. I sent my bike sniffing dog in for a closer look. He gave me the clear signal, and I carried all the pieces into the garage. If you look closely at the picture by the sprocket, you can see a separated valve stem. As if I could reuse it again... The one thing the bikes all have in common is that they are all severely abused and broken. There isn't much to salvage on them, and they're not worth fixing up with new parts. So out they will go into the backyard with all the other derelict bikes, waiting for some idea to come along on what to do with them. I know a guy that cuts up bikes to make choppers, or there is the Reno Bike Project. I think they collect parts and stuff like this to make whole bike for people...

Monday Road Ride

Kathy joined Kristy and I for a road ride today. Kathy seemed to have a hard time kicking our butts on her road bike. I don't know...maybe she's losing some fitness. Or maybe it's because her road bike had 2.1 knobby tires, and full suspension. Whatever...



Kathy and the rest of the gang had just finished doing the Lakeview/V&T loop, and decided to ride with us for the rest of our ride. After we finished our upper Lakeview loop, we headed for Kings Canyon. When we got to the canyon, I headed east for work, and the girls climbed the canyon to the end of the pavement.

Skull Rock

Our Sunday road ride turned into a mountain bike ride. Kristy and I hooked up with Jeff, Amy, Dave, and Anke, and headed up into Ash Canyon. I really enjoy the weekend rides. The weekday rides are so rushed with only an hour to ride. It's a nice change to just hang out, stop and talk about the trail, plan new trail sections, take pictures,etc. Plus, if you screw up a section of trail, you have the opportunity of going back and giving it a second shot.

The highlight of the ride for me was the new upper section of single track. It was a 1st gear grinder with a strong headwind out of the west. The chilly southwest wind kept the precipitation up higher in the mountains, giving the mountains above a misty look. The trail conditions were excellent, still wet from the previous night's rain. The sand was wet and fast rolling, and there were only a few slick clay sections that caused a little bit of a surprise.

After we completed the climb, we headed down to the new Jackrabbit singletrack. In it's 3rd or 4th revision now, the trail is starting to flow really well. The end has been extended almost all the way down to the bike path now. Once back at the bike path, we did the Combs Canyon climb, and took the Rail Road Grade back home.

Then there's skull rock. Since the quotable helmet has been removed from the trail, a new totem was required to warn weary cyclists of the large, obvious rock at the end of the postal route. It's pretty cool looking, so it may be lost to scavengers soon. Enjoy it while you can!

Quotable Helmet - Safe

The quotable helmet has been removed from the mountain, and is now under the careful watch of two vicious dogs. We can all rest easy...

I've Gone Pro!

I've gone pro! Flickr Pro that is... There are 526 pictures on our Flickr page now, and I've even meticulously categorized them for your viewing ease. Here's a link to the Photosets Page.

Stumpjumper WSD FSR

As you may have read in the previous post, Kristy and I traded bikes yesterday. I was able to get a full 10 miles on her Womens Specific Design Specialized Stumpjumper FSR.

Kristy's bike is just a hair small for me, but is still big enough for me to ride it comfortably. Since we had a few road miles to get to the trail, the first thing I did was lockout both ends of the bike. The rear lockout definitely felt firm, but not like a hardtail. You can still feel a little movement.

When we got to the trail, I put the rear shock in pro-pedal mode, and unlocked the fork. The first section of the V&T RR Grade has some rocky sections, so it was a good test of the suspension. Both ends of the bike have five inches of plush travel, and allowed me to keep pedaling hard through the rough stuff. My five inch travel freeride bike (Kona Coiler) has much firmer suspension, and isn't near this comfortable in the slow stuff.

Another cool thing about the bike was the center of gravity. Even though it has the long travel suspension, I still felt like I was sitting low on the bike. It turned very quick in the tight twisty singletrack sections, unlike my Coiler that sits very tall and requires a lot of body English to do the same turn. The Stumpy is also seven pounds lighter than my Coiler. A very noticeable seven pounds! The shorter top tube, and light Fox fork made wheelies a snap. I was having fun with that all day. On the return trip, I took it over a couple double jumps. It felt easy to jump with the more upright riding position. Don't worry Kristy...I didn't case it, or taco the back rim! I stuck the landing...

So what makes this bike a WSD? A comfortable seat (I'm jealous). A shorter top tube. The color? Not so much...I wouldn't mind a bike of the same color. Skinny riser bars..24.5 inches wide to be exact. Too skinny for the frame size really. In fact, Kristy just ordered up some Race Face Atlas riser bars this morning. 27 inches wide, 1.5" rise.

Oh, and what's up with the picture you ask? That's me at the 2006 Skagit Valley Tulip Festival in Washington. Since I was testing a WSD bike, I thought I'd show off my muliebral side!

Hmm.... a 29r Single Speed?

So the other night Jeff and I were on the Internet for hours looking at frames. We decided it would be cool to get a 29r single speed frame. That way the bigger tires would soften the bumps a little while keeping the front end light too. After looking at many frames we kept coming back to this Karate Monkey by Surly. I really liked the frame and it comes with a matching fork. You all know how I like to match.

I could run the bike single speed, geared, 1x9, rim brakes, disc brakes, put a rack on it, run just about any tire width...it's very versatile! And the price is right...

And Jeff just pointed out that the initials for Karate Monkey, KM, match my initials!