I get the 'rigid' thing. Finally.

In my mind, front forks are supposed to squish. It is a bumpy world out there and I am darn sure that technology is there to help us overcome things likes rocks, ruts, and trail irregularities. But, that can be said for gears as well, in that gears are the technology that helps us overcome changes in terrain and elevation.

So, I never got the 'rigid' thing. But, 29ers helped me see a hardtail as a viable alternative once again, something I would never say about a 26er. Singlespeeds helped me see past the limitations of one gear in that, technology, while a benefit, can also be a distraction; derailleurs, shifters, etc.

Riding with Ed the Tall the other day, him perched on top his stunning new Selma SS, he remarked that, after moving from a rigid XXIX to a hardtail with a Reba fork in the Selma, he understood that there was a symbiotic thing going on between an SS and a rigid fork to where it almost makes sense. And lately, I have come to see that appeal as more than a luddite's dream, but actually a somewhat logical progression.

However, where I live seems just over the top for me and I cannot quite bring myself to ditch the sussy fork for a harder, sterner choice. I see pics of Midwest singletrack and the buffness makes me think that a rigid fork is a natural there, but here in So Cal? I know I would love the way it would climb...hey, what XC rider does not want to shed 2 lbs of fork weight? But I fear that aging wrists would ache and I know I would have to slow down in sections that would ping me around like a pin ball at the arcade.

I don't want to slow down as I like going fast.

Yet I might enjoy slowing down if I try it. Maybe I would like going slower?

It is, as the King of Siam said, "a puzzlement".

I am not over the edge yet, but at least I get it now, even if I don't go there myself.

New Horizons

Well, it has been way too long since I rode someplace new. It used to happen all the time, but I have been spending more time locally as the needs of life and such corral my spare time. But on the schedule is a fine ride post Thanksgiving Day that will be in over new horizons at last.

As well, it should be on a new bike if Fed Ex treats me right. The Epic Comp 29er is something I am very excited to ride. Past spins on this bike (or a Marathon, the up-scale version) have been pretty good.

It seems that most of my creative energy has been reviewing and writing product stuff lately for The Cyclist and twentynineinches.com.

I have been wearing the Specialized Defroster shoes quite a bit and while I still have more time to go before I pronounce them blessed, I have had enough rides to know that they are making a difference in a good way. I needed a better solution to fall through winter riding that did not involve plastic sandwich bags and cold toes. I am not sure if the guys in North Dakota would find them adequate, but I bet the Lake boots would be way over the top for my So Cal needs. Definitely worth a look of you are looking for something better than a mesh toed shoe.



As well, the Specialized Vice helmet is a winner in my book. It is definitely a snug, full coverage feeling helmet but I am liking it.
I also have been running around on some new tires, the Wolverine 2.2 29er tire from WTB. More on that here.

So, new bike, new gear, new trails, and hopefully a new sense of discovery to go along with it. Have a great Thanksgiving Day. Go ride a bike if you can.

CORBA Bash

CORBA holds a Fat Tire Festival in my area once a year and I cruised over to see what was going down, fat tire wise. There were bike demos and product displays, Poker Rides, raffles, games, food, etc, all for a good cause. Some pics.

Yes, this is Ned Overend. Deadly Nedly. The Lung. I saw him race in his prime 'back in the day' and he is still one fit old dude. Go Ned (even if you do have to work on your own bike...well, at least he knows how).

What a bunch of hoodlums pretending to be looking after the welfare of the festival goers. Hah! I ride with these guys and I know the truth! Just look at those smiles...they are up to no good, I tell ya.

There were all kinds of demo bikes.....

Don't those Leftys all look odd, lined up that way? They sure work great though.

Niner had a carbon SS 29er there that was practically light enough to float away. Amazing to pick that thing up. I bet my road bike weighs more.

Giant had this tri-thing or time trial bike or something. Talk about an instrument of torture...wow, but does it look fast or what?!

But, they also had this Cross bike that just was dead sexy and fast in another way. I bet I could burn up some dirt road on that.

I decided to take the Jabber for a cruise around the course. Don't it look like it belongs next to all that rusty steel stuff? Sho' 'nuff.

Along the way I saw a group of young folks, like a Scouting org or something, actually saluting the flag. Huh. In this day and age, too. Maybe there is hope for our young people.

There were a couple of dads out working especially hard to bring along the family. Good Job, dad.

There were games for the little ones as well, as one of A.Coley's boys shows on the teeter totter.

I have heard of single speeds and dingle speeds (two gears, no shifters)..but a tringle speed! Very cool and on a vintage Ti frame as well.

There are family events all around the country like this one, mostly to benefit various organizations, sometimes just cuz. Make it a goal to get to one in 2010 and, if you are able, take the kids along before they grow up and the chance is gone.

Popsicle Toes.

Yep, that is me all over as soon as the mercury dives below the 60s. Even in the 50s I can get chilled at the piggy level and by the time I am in the 40s and below, it is only a matter of time till the cold creeps in to numb my feet.

So, this year, I am fighting back with these:

I really do not need full on winter boots...no snow rides for me or really that much rain, usually cold wind. But one ride last year was wet, cold, and colder as we climbed. Finally even the exertion of riding uphill did not keep me warm. Brrr. No toes at all, as far as I could tell.

Heck, my normal riding shoes have mesh panels in the toe section! I have tried wool socks, plastic bags, etc. That helped, but eventually...ice cubes. I am hoping I can cut the wind factor, add a great deal of water resistance, gain insulation in the construction of the shoe, and give my feet a fighting chance. The next step is the chemical warmers, which makes sense for a epic cold ride. But, this should get me out the door and back home again with warm feet on 2 hour, local winter rides.

If they do, I will be a happy man. And warmer. Pigs in a blanket, you might say.