I reached a point a month ago where I realized I really am sick of my computer. So I took a break from all things that kept me on it more.
I think I'll stay on this break a bit longer.
Monday, March 16, 2009
Saturday, February 14, 2009
The new STRONG frame arrived today.
This is the most beautifully crafted frame I've ever seen!
The welds look like they where melted in like hot butter, and the finish looks like a rich cup of coffee with spicy sprinkles... yummy.
The welds look like they where melted in like hot butter, and the finish looks like a rich cup of coffee with spicy sprinkles... yummy.
Monday, February 9, 2009
All of a sudden you realize you're lost
Have you ever been on one of those long epic rides in the mountains where all of a sudden you realize you're lost?
Back in the day, there was more than one occasion where I've gotten so caught up in the ride that I blazed right past a connecting trail not even noticing it. Waiting at next connecting trail, thinking it's the previous. I finally realize something is not right, the others should have arrived by now. So I turn back, haul ass back the in the direction I just came from and only then do I see the first connecting trail, the one I should have taken. The trail the rest of the guys are on and putting distance between myself and them at that very moment.
Same goes for bringing up the rear too. More than once I have brought up the rear, had the guys in my sights. But they where just far enough out that at the first bend in the trail they would vanish until the trail straightened back out, only to find they weren't there any longer. What happened? Was my mind drifting off to other things and not the ride and I missed a turn? Did they pick it up a notch?
Even worst are the trails you're not familiar with. So you're not exactly sure where the hell you are in the first place, nor which route you should be taking or should be on. Do I keep rolling forward or should I head back and see if I missed a connecting trail, yet again. Uncertainty sets in and I look towards the sun wondering, if I don't meet up with the guys, how the hell am I going to get out of here before dark sets in?
No, I'll check my map and get further behind, better safe than sorry. So I get out my map, try my best to figure out where I am, this route looks right, so I keep on rolling and finally catch the guys at the next intersecting trail. There's a couple of the guys who where just about to roll back, try to find me and now I feel like a dumb ass for holding everyone up. But at least I'm not out there on my own.
I've been in this situation enough times now to know, I don't go on any trail I don't know, without a map, without know where I'm going, without knowing the route. It's so easy to get separated from those your riding with on long epics. The pack can stretch out to the point that you may never see some of the guys you started riding with if they're hell bent on accomplishing the ride in a certain time frame. You'll learn who are your best buddies, they're the ones who'll stick around and come searching for you.
But I've also made it a point to do my best to stick to the wheel of the guys ahead of me.
Not sure what's the point of sharing this, just had it on my mind for some reason.
Back in the day, there was more than one occasion where I've gotten so caught up in the ride that I blazed right past a connecting trail not even noticing it. Waiting at next connecting trail, thinking it's the previous. I finally realize something is not right, the others should have arrived by now. So I turn back, haul ass back the in the direction I just came from and only then do I see the first connecting trail, the one I should have taken. The trail the rest of the guys are on and putting distance between myself and them at that very moment.
Same goes for bringing up the rear too. More than once I have brought up the rear, had the guys in my sights. But they where just far enough out that at the first bend in the trail they would vanish until the trail straightened back out, only to find they weren't there any longer. What happened? Was my mind drifting off to other things and not the ride and I missed a turn? Did they pick it up a notch?
Even worst are the trails you're not familiar with. So you're not exactly sure where the hell you are in the first place, nor which route you should be taking or should be on. Do I keep rolling forward or should I head back and see if I missed a connecting trail, yet again. Uncertainty sets in and I look towards the sun wondering, if I don't meet up with the guys, how the hell am I going to get out of here before dark sets in?
No, I'll check my map and get further behind, better safe than sorry. So I get out my map, try my best to figure out where I am, this route looks right, so I keep on rolling and finally catch the guys at the next intersecting trail. There's a couple of the guys who where just about to roll back, try to find me and now I feel like a dumb ass for holding everyone up. But at least I'm not out there on my own.
I've been in this situation enough times now to know, I don't go on any trail I don't know, without a map, without know where I'm going, without knowing the route. It's so easy to get separated from those your riding with on long epics. The pack can stretch out to the point that you may never see some of the guys you started riding with if they're hell bent on accomplishing the ride in a certain time frame. You'll learn who are your best buddies, they're the ones who'll stick around and come searching for you.
But I've also made it a point to do my best to stick to the wheel of the guys ahead of me.
Not sure what's the point of sharing this, just had it on my mind for some reason.
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Francis Beatty, Mountain Bike trails
Below is a brief excerpt of a Blog / Video description for the MTB Trails at Francis Beatty in Matthews, North Carolina.
Click here for the complete Blog / Video description.
This is a trail description with video for the first half of Francis Beatty.
There's a few different trail entry points at Francis Beatty, but I like starting out at the tennis courts. So starting at the Tennis Courts, you'll roll back out towards the direction you drove in to park and within about a hundred yards you'll see the trail exit on your left and the trail entrance on your right. It's marked well and it's hard to miss the trail.
Once you hang a right and hit the trail you'll only be on it for a short time before you have to cross the entrance road to the park. Cross the road and you're back on the trail and almost immediately into a left turn, that leads into a another and yet another turn. This section is for the most part flat, but can be a bit loose when it's dry because of the sand that collects in the corners. It will not be long before you enter an open grassy area with brush and small trees, that leads you into the woods and a small bump that's decent for lobbing off of. Within no time you'll reach the first split in the trail. If you're looking to get in more miles, stay left (marked with a Black Diamond)... but it comes up fast and it's sandy, so be prepared or you may wash while trying to make the turn.
Click here for the complete Blog / Video description.
This is a trail description with video for the first half of Francis Beatty.
There's a few different trail entry points at Francis Beatty, but I like starting out at the tennis courts. So starting at the Tennis Courts, you'll roll back out towards the direction you drove in to park and within about a hundred yards you'll see the trail exit on your left and the trail entrance on your right. It's marked well and it's hard to miss the trail.
Once you hang a right and hit the trail you'll only be on it for a short time before you have to cross the entrance road to the park. Cross the road and you're back on the trail and almost immediately into a left turn, that leads into a another and yet another turn. This section is for the most part flat, but can be a bit loose when it's dry because of the sand that collects in the corners. It will not be long before you enter an open grassy area with brush and small trees, that leads you into the woods and a small bump that's decent for lobbing off of. Within no time you'll reach the first split in the trail. If you're looking to get in more miles, stay left (marked with a Black Diamond)... but it comes up fast and it's sandy, so be prepared or you may wash while trying to make the turn.
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Saved by a Turd
It's strange how the little things in life can have such a Profound Impact on your future. Lucky for my wife and I, the family dog "Alex" decided to have a bowel movement right where we had planned to sent up our tent during a back packing trip to Mill Springs, NC. It was the well placed turd that kept me from setting up our tent in this perfect little patch of earth, where late in the morning hours a huge tree fell that would have crushed us while we slept.
Read more about this strange story.
Read more about this strange story.
Garmin Edge 305
I’ve wanted a GPS for sometime now. But I really felt like it was just another gadget that would be nice to have for capturing my routes, but not a necessity to have for biking. I’ve been riding for 17+ years now without one and have gotten by just fine. However there have been times when I’ve been on a unfamiliar trail in the mountains that had to break out the map and compass. That’s always worked well for me and I must say I pretty good with a compass. But when you’re at an intersection of two or more trails staring at your compass, all the while your legs are getting cold and tightening up, the idea of having a tour guide sounds much better. And when it comes down to it… I’d prefer to ride, rather than to practice my compass and map reading skills.
So, I picked up a Garmin Edge 305.
This GPS is so easy to use and has some great auto features that make it a no brainer like:
Auto pause for when you stop.
Auto Start for when you start rolling again.
Auto lap for when you pass your starting point.
The display and control buttons are easy to figure out too.
So far I'm very pleased with the Edge 305 and I'd buy another without a second thought if needed.
The heart rate monitor is a nice feature too. I haven't set up or installed the cadence accessories as of yet, not sure if I really care about that kind of data, but I'm sure I'll start using that as well eventually.
Garmin Edge 305 GPS, Follow-Up and Review: http://bike-reviews.mtbpath.com/archives/103
So, I picked up a Garmin Edge 305.
This GPS is so easy to use and has some great auto features that make it a no brainer like:
Auto pause for when you stop.
Auto Start for when you start rolling again.
Auto lap for when you pass your starting point.
The display and control buttons are easy to figure out too.
So far I'm very pleased with the Edge 305 and I'd buy another without a second thought if needed.
The heart rate monitor is a nice feature too. I haven't set up or installed the cadence accessories as of yet, not sure if I really care about that kind of data, but I'm sure I'll start using that as well eventually.
Garmin Edge 305 GPS, Follow-Up and Review: http://bike-reviews.mtbpath.com/archives/103
And I thought it was cold here in Charlotte today!
Me and a few other guys rolled out to Anne Springs in Fort Mill to get in a ride. According to the weather report it was going to be cold. So I dug out the bibs, face sock and new spiffy winter gloves the wife got me for Christmas and rolled out to meet the guys for the ride.
For the most part it did not feel so bad and I was nice and toasty, but my feet did get cold and half way through the ride the toes felt like they had frozen together and ached! We ended up calling it after one ride and went to some taco joint for lunch.
Back home, I was searching the web for some kind of gear to help keep my feet warm and came across the www.icebike.com website, that lead me to another web search, that landed me on the the New York Times article "Sport Meets Survival: An Iditarod Without Dogs".
Really enjoyed the article and video coverage! Now I'm questioning my definition of what it means to be cold... obviously I have no idea! I'm completely impressed with the determination and will power it must take to consider entering the Iditarod Trail Invitational, let alone finish it!
And I thought it was cold here in Charlotte today!
For the most part it did not feel so bad and I was nice and toasty, but my feet did get cold and half way through the ride the toes felt like they had frozen together and ached! We ended up calling it after one ride and went to some taco joint for lunch.
Back home, I was searching the web for some kind of gear to help keep my feet warm and came across the www.icebike.com website, that lead me to another web search, that landed me on the the New York Times article "Sport Meets Survival: An Iditarod Without Dogs".
Really enjoyed the article and video coverage! Now I'm questioning my definition of what it means to be cold... obviously I have no idea! I'm completely impressed with the determination and will power it must take to consider entering the Iditarod Trail Invitational, let alone finish it!
And I thought it was cold here in Charlotte today!
POV1, VIO Helmet Cam
I finally got a Helmet Cam... a POV1, made by VIO. It took a few rides and testing out to get the right angle for capturing some decent video, but I got it dialed in and it has performed great so far. Not too long after I got it I had the worst wreck of my life when my handle bar clipped a supporting cable for a suspension bridge I was about to cross. When the handle bar clipped the support cable it wrenched my front wheel to the left, throwing me over the right side of the bike and into the suspension bridge's wooden column.
The result was a concusion and post concusive syndrome that lasted for about 8 months. The concusion hurt like hell, but the post concusive syndrome was just down right scary.
I captured the wreck on video too...
What really surprised me about the POV1 is that it survived this wreck and didn't miss a beat.
Wish I could say the same.
The result was a concusion and post concusive syndrome that lasted for about 8 months. The concusion hurt like hell, but the post concusive syndrome was just down right scary.
I captured the wreck on video too...
What really surprised me about the POV1 is that it survived this wreck and didn't miss a beat.
Wish I could say the same.
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