It isn't dead

The singlespeed, that is. One thing I certainly have a fondness for are rigid, steel, singlespeed mountain bikes. A few years ago they were called a fad in so much as even Redline dropped the Monocog! (well, all their "adult" bikes actually, and do be true, the last Monocog was aluminum, meh).

The All City Log Lady (yes, those Minneapolis hipsters better known for their steel cross bikes):


And somewhat less mainstream perhaps, but with what looks like a bargain compared to some of the other SS offerings out, State Bicycle Co released the Pulsar 29er, with a pretty sweet pain job.

Of course, I have ridden neither, nor have I even seen one, so I can't make a recommendation. I am simply just pleased to see steel, rigid, singlespeed bikes being offered.
Enjoy.

Brock'isms

Brock has a way with words for sure. In today's installment:

• Brock to Shelly: "I love you and your eye brows look like the top of a heart." (How can I even begin to compete with that?)
• "I like birthdays, especially mine".

We also has spring on Saturday with the thermometer hitting 70 degrees, this just days after the most recent snow storm. Finally getting the oil changed in Shelly's car and the salt brine washed off everything, Ethan and I got out for a back road ride through some mud (calling our roads "gravel" would be a compliment, they are much more on the dirt side of things).

 

Four weeks until the Grovel Rouser...

D

US or Them

A bit of commentary to follow...

So for some strange reason we have begun receiving "US" magazine in the mail. Not sure why, maybe a practical joke, maybe a marketing tactic, maybe a mistake? None the less, it is there. And to be honest, I find it a little embarrassing. That magazine (which should more accurately be called "THEM") is full of gossip, meaningless none-sense, and trivial information about narcissistic, self consumed, so far removed from real life people, situations, and articles it isn't funny. Even scary considering how many people eat this stuff up.

Examples:
-A recent article portraying a young hip-hop artist commented about how much he loves Vans shoes, and how he often wears them only one time and then disposes of them.
-There is a section that show celebs doing normal people stuff like - Will Farrell picks up some packages, Harrison Ford rides his bike (a non-lefty Cannondale Trail for those interested), and Brad Pitt gets a cup of coffee.

For a guy that hardly reads the Church prayer lists as they walk the fine line of Church gossip newsletters, this magazine is out right over the top. I hope it ends soon.

With that out of the way... Winter has turned to spring then winter then spring again and now winter. Typical south east Ohio stuff really. Freeze, thaw, freeze, thaw, freeze. Makes riding a pain as the trails are either sloppy muddy or it is 6 degrees. Some gravel roads have been ridden on the spring days, and a few trainer sessions in the basement, but hardly what would be considered training.

On the home front, we celebrated our 21st wedding anniversary. We both took the day off of work and spent it doing little more than getting food and coffee, but while not at work and without the distraction of the kids. It was good. Oh, and Ethan has his drivers permit!

Breakfast at Harvest Moon Cafe in Canal Winchester. Dang she is pretty.

Spring sunset.

Winter commute.

Driving.

New bike parts, dang that is pretty.

Singlespeeding

Over the weekend I got to work on the bikes. With the addition of the Redline d660 and switch over of my old d440 to full mountain bike mode for Ethan, I was left without a drop bar 29er and a 26er SS without bars. I pulled the Groovy Luv Handles from my Monocog Flight 29er, changed the stem to a 120mm and installed them on the 26er. I then pulled the Gevenalle shifter off the brake lever as I used it on the d440 and installed those on the Monocog 29er (along with a switch out of the 20T cog to a 16T). I now have a single speed back road - gravel rouser - bikepacking - XC bike with dirt drops. I even had the chance to take a short spin on it with melting snow and thawing mud.

Matching shades of blue.

The 16T is a little steep for some of the climbs (including my driveway) but it is all I had. I should replace it with a 17T. (34:17). That will let me switch the 18T out on the 26er for the 16T (32:16). The old 26er has a tired Rock Shox Tora SL. Even though we did a full service on it last year, it is still sticky. Turns out that picking up a rigid 26er fork with a 423 mm axle to crown distance isn't all that easy. Everything today is suspension corrected for modern 100mm forks, not the old 80mm setups. (So if you happen to have an old Redline Monocog 26 or a Salsa Cro Moto with 423 A-C around, please drop me a message).

D

Picture Monday

In addition to a general hiatus from writing over the last year, I realized I had taken very few photos as well.  So with few words, here is a photo at the house with a full moon following snow storm Jonas.

Plan in Pencil

As I look back over last year and begin to plan my way through 2016, one thing is clear. I need to plan in pencil. Plans, goals, dreams, or whatever you want to call them sure have a way of changing, vaporizing, or fading. This time last year I was planning to ride the Amish Roubaix (not in shape), the Wayne Ultra (event was cancelled), the Hilly Billy (days of rain), bikepack my way to Davis WV (injury of other rider) and try to get a motorcycle camping trip in. This, of course, is in addition to some sort of family vacation and the normal busyness of life. I will be honest, these targets are largely centered around myself. So, when there are questions, challenges, or compromises, these are the things that go. I have not written much in the last year either. I have had my fill of social media and honestly had very little motivation to write. I had decided to write more with a pen (in a notebook). That has happened even less, as in, not at all.

My logs say I rode 1,720 miles, climbed almost 98,000 feet, and burned 85,000 calories. (Interesting side note, while generally I think my Garmin unit overestimates my calories, this number would equate to about 24 pounds of weight.) I have done more, I have done less. Highlights? Another Gravel Rouser Wolfman, I did win a race this year (technically, I was the only one in my class), I made it half way across WV and camped at least one night by bike, I was taken down by a dog on a road ride, and I bought a geared mountain bike.

Yes, after riding rigid and single speed for years, I added a geared bike. I had to turn my gravel bike (Redline d440) back in to a mountain bike for Ethan who out grew his 26" Monocog in less than a year. I spent weeks reading about bikes, geometries, tire size, frame material, and so on. I had considered the new Cannondale F-Si 29 and the new Beast of the East (27+), the Ritchey P-29 as well as some full suspension offerings. All to settle on another Redline, a d660 carbon framed, 2x10 with a Reba 100 mm front fork. It weighs slightly less than my steel Monocog Flight 29er, It handles fast, pedals faster, and is comfortable for a long time (compared to my SS). I have really noticed that my upper body isn't as tired after a ride compared to my Monocog.

Sadly, after returning to work following the Christmas shutdown we were greeted with a large round of lay offs (about 20% of our staff). I was spared, though in such a small company, my coworkers were also my friends and it sure stings.

The future is a bit uncertain, at least from our earthly perspective.

Unboxing the Redline d660 at the Cycle Path

Our kind of happy hour at Fluff Bakery

Fun with phase diagrams.

New shirt, though apparently it isn't work appropriate.

Christmas Kale thanks to a warm December.

StreSS relief with the SS.

Winter sunrise.

I think he is doing it wrong?

Brock: can we go to Casa?

Things Brock has said this year that was worth writing down:
--
Me: Brock, what shape is the moon?
Brock: It's a crescent.
Me: Right.
Brock: What is it made of?
Me: Rocks.
Brock: How do you know?
Me: Astronauts have been there.
Brock: I want to be an astronaut.
Me: OK
Brock: A dinosaur astronaut.
Me: Of course, that goes without saying.
--
Brock: I will definitely use my listening voice when I go to kindergarten.
--
Brock: I just counted to 100! That's like a million numbers!
--
My Dad (after taking him to see Mountain Stage for his birthday): Oh, I thought Mountain Stage was a bluegrass band.

Happy 2016

Dog Gone'it

Soccer season has ended. The boy's did well, making it to regional semi-finals. Now I get to come home from work and eat supper together, even if dark out (sunset yesterday was 5:08 pm).  The weather has been mild enough that I still get some lunch trail rides from the office.

This past Saturday I even got out for a long ride (targeting 50 miles).  About 40 miles in, a youngish dog ran out from a yard and began to run along side me. It seemed non-aggressive, and my usual tricks to get a dog to stop did not work either. It followed along side me for another 50 yards or so and then suddenly dove in to my front wheel. It was a short fall to the ground and the dog just kept running.  I landed on my shoulder which is still a little sore, but thankfully no road rash and no broken collar bone.  The bike frame still seems solid, though I will get a professional opinion on that today. A bit of peripheral damage to the bike. I continued on for about another 5 miles before getting a ride home.  I felt OK, but the bike wouldn't shift right and I didn't want to damage anything (plus my lowest gear was making a lot of noise and I knew I need it to get up my driveway).

Sadly, dealing with dogs is something we just have to do in order to ride. Even good dogs like to run.