Fat bikes

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- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Fast Eddie.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

MAMAMAMAMAMA...Y

Many years ago, my friend Mark wanted to ride from Seattle to Minnesota in a period of two weeks. That would, roughly, equal 200 miles each day... there was of course no takers for this mad march across middle America. Fast forward 13 years later and he dreams up yet another ride, this time a little more do able seeing that we have all aged and most have families. His new creation for a ride will see us leaving Dayton, WY and ride to Cody, WY via the southern route. The next day we return to Dayton riding the northern route. There are the Bighorn Mountains that fill the void between the two destinations that we will be riding over.

Mark the purveyor of punishment!

This ride provided me with much needed incentive to log in longer miles. The early morning rides started, the after work rides started, the Sunday afternoon rides started and the miles started to build along with a little nervousness. It was great to log in some miles with Jay as he prepared for Trans Iowa and Dirty Kansas. There was also a very memorable ride with Mike and Ferg, memorable for me because I sat behind Mike at 21 mph into a 16 mph wind as he pulled for the better part of 15 miles until we flipped and and then the speed went up to 26 mph until bonked like I never had before and Ferg was kind enough to sit and block the crosswind for me on the way home. And, the ride with Brian when I missed a turn and we ended up riding on a gravel road (actually it was more like a rock road) complete with puddles as he was bonking, which I have never seen happen to him in the 11+ years that I have ridden with him. 

                                                           

Jay 

Why I like early morning rides. 

Early morning ride with Pete (He made me take his picture).

What happens when you miss a turn. 

With the car loaded and the bikes on the back I set off to see my good friend Marty, Lisa and family in Prairie du Chien, WI., four hours later then I had planned on leaving. We love going to Marty and Lisa's house, it is great to see our four girls hanging out together. And, the town has a comfortable Wisconsin laid back vibe with a nice little coffee shop next to his U.S.  Singular distribution headquarters and home of Prairie Peddler cycling shop. The first night we enjoyed a great dinner at the Potosi Brewery, but unfortunately the National Brewery Museum was closed. 

The garage of a biker. 

Singular's U.S. distribution center. 

Prairie Peddler's meditation center:
notice the creative use of wine rack.

One of the great things that I have been reminded of through all of this is that I am reminded just how much I like riding my bike. Next stop Mankato and then on to WY and the Bighorn Mountains.

                                      

The stench of Summer

While I wish I was able to enjoy more of this on the front porch:

But all I smell is this:

The life cycle of a Cicada.

“Excuse me sir, but what does Campagnolo mean?”

A young lad asked a friend of mine this very question on a spring ride when he read the back of a jeresy on the rider in front of him. It means it just works...period. And, in most cases, you can rebuild it to work like new when it breaks down.

After hearing this story, I was reminded of other bike related stuff that just seemed to work, besides the wool jersey (which never seem to go out of style). The one piece of equipment that every rider should own is the Silca pump. I have had my Super Pista since 1993 and it has preformed almost as well as my record groupo over the years.

A few years ago I was at a race when a friend asked if he could use my pump. Then he proceeded to struggle with the pump head and the worn washer, I had the intentions of replacing the washer the night before. A few weeks later at another race, he asked if I had a pump again. When I retrieved it from the trunk he refused to use it, then he asked the persons in the car parked next to us if he could use theirs. I ask him how many pumps he has had, and his reply was four over the last 5 or 6 years. My brother once told me that he refuses to by Red Wing boots for work. When I asked him why? his reply was "I like to buy a new pair of boots every year and if I had a pair of Red Wings, they would not wear out." This must also apply to some people when it comes to pumps.

Pump circa 1983

Left on the front porch in MN for a year for people to use when they were in need (cyclist way of being MN friendly) , circa 1983

Circa 1993

What A Mess

...Sir, that is no mullet! A mess yes, but a mullet no...

...But, I think we need a reminder of the best mullet in cycling...EVER! And, the kit is not bad either.

And it all started with a gift.

For me it all started with the color purple, the year was 1969. That was the year an obsession would start and it would stay with me for the better part of my life. In 1969 I received my first bicycle for Christmas. I was in love immediately with all it’s purple splendor, the purple metal flaked banana seat with gold piping trim, the sissy bar, the cream colored strips around the top tube, the chrome wheels with the rear wheel wrapped in a black slick and the ape hanger handle bars finished with purple flake grips. This would become the vehicle for hours and hours of escape and freedom.

Winter riding over Christmas.

Because winter riding can be so much fun, I give you the following;