First Road Ride of the Season

Jan 8, 2008. Temps soar into the 60's. I take a half day off work and get the Black Steed gussied up and ready to ride. I start from my place outside Port Matilda and ride in to Wheelworks - 16 miles. After a quick route verification from Harry I'm off on my way home which will be slightly longer. I am happy!

I am lord of road. I am free. All is right in the world. It is only me, my bike, and the road. A perfect day to ride! Look at this....

A mile later I take a right into a tremendous headwind that saps my strength. I had forgotten a snack and now I feel myself fading on some rollers. Worse than that, it is getting dark and I have to pick up the pace. Did I mention I have to climb back over the mountain to Port? I crest the climb to catch the last minute of daylight. Goodbye, Sun! Fortunately there is no traffic in my direction on 220 and I make it home just as dusk fades. First ride + alive= Good Ride.

New Years Ride

We braved the cold temps to ride Toftrees on New Years Day. Recognize anyone in this pic?

Here is Jean-Luc and Harry all bundled up!

It was cold but fun. I hadn't ridden around Toftrees in years and there was a lot of stuff I had never ridden before - sweet!

Project 69er

What happens when you put a 29 in fork and front wheel on a 26 inch frame? If you're Chris Eatough you get a bunch of wins and an endurance championship. The rest of us get some funky geometry but a ride that is near perfect for the tough conditions of Pee-AYYY! Here's my fully rigid Titus. It was dissed as HO's Deathtrap but I am really impressed with it. The geometry is a little off for steep climbs but it turns better with the 29 in wheel. The big wheel also gobbles up rough terrain (and I like it rough). It accelerates better and seems a little more nimble than my Gary Fisher. I think I can fix the exaggerated head tube height with a 26 in fork that can handle a 29 wheel. But I'm definitely keeping this baby fully rigid. A possible 1 x 9. Later in the Spring I'm hoping to convert a Fuel to a full squish 69er. Stay tuned...