Happy Halloween

Even after 3 hours of riding, my make up didn't run. It took 2 showers and about 5 face washings to get this stuff off.

Work & Play

Some of my best work is done just before or just after a good ride. So today, I decided to mix a conf call with a lunch ride and enjoy this weather.

Proper hydration is a very important part of bike practice. It's also very important before a conf call. The fatcyclist water bottle works nicely.

The Night Scene

There is an ever growing email thread with a list of riders on it who have all discovered the joy of the night ride. Reminds me of the movie "Fight Club". A bunch of stressed out, middle aged working men, who have come together and created a way to deal with life's issues.

Sure it's colder riding at night. And the preditors are out hunting for food but there are more pros than cons.

• No crowds which means you can let it rip on the downhill
• No meetings to get back to
• No kids waiting to be picked up
• No penalty for getting back late (by the way, always blame it on a "mechanical" if you need an excuse. Don't get specific).
• Breakfast tastes much better at 1am

All you need is a bike, a headlamp, and some water (and $6 for breakfast).

Meet at the EQ at 9pm Wed night. See you there.

A Week Off

My wife is making me take a week off the bikes. She found a way to guarantee I won't want to do any riding. Let's just call her plan "The Vas" and we can leave it at that.

I can already feel myself getting grumpy.

I plan to eat a maple bar each day I don't ride as a way to keep my mind off it. Speaking of maple bars. Has anyone seen those "Cougar-Tails" they sell at the BYU games? An 18" maple bar. I want one.

P.S. Thanks Tony P. for the special delivery today.  I know you are trying to fatten me up before our next ride.

Almost Ready

click to see larger image


Things are in motion with the 29er Singlespeed jersery. Let me know if you want one and what size you need. I've already placed the initial order with the MFG and will have a limited number of jerseys. I expect to have these mid Novemeber.

These are being made by a well know company so the quality and fit will be good.

UFO Sightings in Draper

I expected to read that in the papers this morning after last night's nite ride. I counted 19 riders but there could have been more. It felt like an ICUP race but at night.

Even after the group rolled out from the parking lot, more riders would appear at the stops. At one point Justin (who didn't start with us) hacked his way through the bushes at the bottom of Clark's to move up to the front of the pack. I've never seen anything like it. A train of lights rolling through the scrub oak and singletrack. The Draper residents must have been concerned and confused.

We had riders come from as far south as Spanish Fork and as far North as Sugarhouse. Brad K. even made an appearance.

My plan was to stay near the front of the pack. I've seen too many documentaries about cougar attacks at night. I was not going to be the cougar bait.

I didn't hear about any major mechanicals or animal attacks. The ride was a great success and ended with breakfast for some at the Village Inn.

I'll try to round up some pictures and add them as I get them.

Bailout good for bikers

According to the bailout proposal, there is some good news for cyclists. My stock options might be falling through the floor but at least I might be able to get a new bike out of this deal.

"Transportation fringe benefit to bicycle commuters: The measure would allow employers to provide benefits to employees who commute to work via bicycle, such as help purchasing and maintaining a bicycle. The measure would cost taxpayers $10 million."

Time to resubmit my proposal to HR again and see if they want to reconsider.

Things You Should Know About Fruita

I just got back from three days in Fruita, CO. Good times hanging out and riding with the guys. There were eight of us in the group. Jamie, Trent, Jon, Jeff, Ryan, Keith, and LeGrand. This was my second time riding in Fruita which makes me an expert on the area. Here are some things you should know about Fruita, CO.

• Fruita gets 9" of rain per year. 8.9" of it falls whenever I am there.


• The dirt in Rabbit Valley is not dirt. It's clay.


• The Holiday Inn Express in Grand Junction has a hose in the back. This seems like a silly stat but trust me. It is an important one (stay away from the maintenance guy)


• The best post ride grub is at The Hot Tomato. Get the blue cheese dressing.


• Be sure the pack an extra bottom bracket if Jon L. is coming along
• A movie in Fruita is $9.00
• Bring your calculator. Fruita works off a grid system and they like to use fractions to name roads. 18 & 7/8 road, or 19 & 1/3 road. Crazy.
• If your ride a singlespeed, a 34 x 20 is the perfect gear ratio
• It's true what they say. Fruita is all about the singletrack.

I highly recommend it. I like it better than Moab and it's only a 4 hour drive from SLC. I can't think of a better way to unwind from a stressful end of quarter work week.