The Night Ride

I love autumn.  The weather means I can bust out my classy flannel shirts, my beard doesn't look like a desperate attempt to hide my neck waddle, and riding bikes is so much more fun.  The cool, (not cold) weather is refreshing at mile 15, and the landscapes inspire longer rides and bigger grins.

But this beauty comes at a price, and we all know that price is the shorter days.  But this too, can make mountain biking a whole new adventure.  Isn't that why we do what we do?  To find adventure? Fall provides that adventure in the form of a night ride.  I love night riding because as the days get shorter, it is a great way to extend your season, and with fat bikes it is like a never ending season!  But you have to have the right equipment.  Here is my equipment list for those new to this:

1. Helmet, bike, gloves, water, bike...basics you would have on any ride

2. Lights.  I like to have a light on my handlebar, and one mounted on my helmet.  The handlebar light is a given, but the helmet mount gives the advantage of being able to look further ahead and around corners.  My handlebar light is a pro series NiteRider light.  Powerful with a long lasting battery.  The light I mount on my helmet is a Stella Light & Motion, though it is an older model, it has stood the test of time and it is equally bright with a super fast charge time and a long lasting battery.  There are tons of quality light companies out there, but these two are tops in my books because they last, and you can find them at your local bike shop.  #supportlbs
3. Friends who are as crazy as you are.  Seriously, it is nice to have friends on night rides.  I go alone all the time because I enjoy the comfort of solitude.  But it can be scary out there.

So go ride your bike...longer too.

The Tour de Laramie, a non-sanctioned sport.

Greetings friends, this blog begins like all good blogs,...with cheap wine.  Last night Jessica and I decided to examine the world around us.  What was around us?  The Tour de Laramie.  It is a grand event, similar to the Marine Corp Ball.  What follows, isn't for the faint of heart.  It is only for the strong, the ideologically profound.  The geeks.  It is bicyclists depraved and acting like children.  And after all, isn't that why we love bicycles.  At the end of a long day, a long week, a long month, a long semester,....bikes remind us of our first freedom.  That first pedal stroke without training wheels, when we ride away from our parents, and into the open spaces where we learn to be the person they taught us we could become.  We ride bikes because it is fun.  I saw some some fun, and I am so excited about the coming season.  Let's go ride.  Because bikes.

1st street, in all its glory.

Winter and Loni! 

Jeff loves love.  

I love Wyoming

Jeff has a pink collar.  So what. 

The Bicycle knows

Security is important, that is why we have superheroes.  I see a superhero, but a name escapes me. 

  That is right, because bikes.

Making Dreams come true.

"Making dreams come true."  We take great pride in that idea.  

We have all seen, and been affected by the smile of someone who buys a new bike.  For me, it stirs up the sense of adventure I feel every time I move at a speed that I create making me a part of a symphony of symbiosis. It is a big part of working in a bicycle shop, and it feels pretty good. 

But the reason being a mechanic is special is because of the other part of the job.

"Making dreams come true."  It has a deep meaning to me because I am fortunate enough to work with people who have been well educated in the craft of making broken things work very well again.  If it can be fixed, or made to work, then it is with these hands that it will happen. That is the true meaning of the words; "Making dreams come true."

When there is desperation in the eyes of someone who is afraid they have wounded an old friend beyond repair, my mind searches desperately for a solution. I know what it is like to lose a bicycle to the destructive nature of the universe.  These moments, when we have the opportunity to keep someone on a bicycle they love, they are the reason this job is special to me.

Recently I was presented with something that made me smile:

The Bike: 2011 Brougham by Felt Cycles.

The Job: Add a FreeRadical by Xtracycle

The Problem - Without a chainstay bridge the Xtracycle will float from side to side with a fixed gear.

The chainstay bridge isn't necessary for the Xtracycle to work.  In fact, in their directions, they have a handy dandy way to solve this problem.  But...when using a fixed gear bicycle like Felt's Brougham, there are some extra factors to keep in context.  Chain tension and chain line are extremely important.  If they are off, say because the Xtracycle floats between the stays, then parts could be damaged, and the bike is in the shop.  So it needs to be perfect.

The solution: Make a brace to fill the space.  (Formerly a top tube from a steel bicycle frame.)

Powder Coat it!

Make sure it looks good!

Assemble the contraption!

Make sure it works!

Make dreams come true. 

I really enjoyed this project.  Recycling the world one discarded part from our basement at a time.   I was happy to help make an old bicycle feel brand new.  Thanks Gus, Jackie and Axle.  Happy Trails from the Pedal House.

2014 Snowy Range Snowbike Challenge

I have always had a tumultuous relationship with the season known as, "winter".  Though I love Laramie, and Wyoming is the only home for me, I have always hated the crystal flakes that cover our mountains, and make the skiers in our region gleam with joy.  I even wrote a editorial for Dirt Rag one time that was a full page with pictures concerning my hate for winter...and they published it.  (Dirt Rag issue 143)

But this year something changed.  In the past, riding my bicycle in the winter was a challenge.  I would ride to work, smiling at the passing cars, rushing to get indoors and brag about how hardcore I was.  That was the extent of my winter riding. But this year, something just clicked.  I think it was my even deeper hate for riding a trainer inside.  So, I got on my fat bike and rode in the mountains, deciding that I wasn't going to let the cold keep me off of the trails, and after a couple rides it just became fun to be outside, in the cold, suffering, thinking about snow conditions, building groomers and seeing the mountains in a different way.  It is crazy.  

Last night, was the 2014 Snowy Range Snowbike Challenge, and even though I am still not a racer myself, I love being around bike races.  This race was no different.  Despite my lack of abilities, Evan and Nat let me "help" set up the course, and I got to see how much work they actually put into making races run smoothly.

It is a lot of work, and those guys deserve a ton of respect.  Thanks fellas!  

Here are some shots from the race, enjoy, and I hope to see you out there.   

Pre Race Socialization.  It was good to see everyone on Pedal House bikes. 

Snow started coming down pretty hard right before the race.

Fat Tires on a Big Boned Bike.

Get lined up!

Evan gives instructions. 

And they are off.

So graceful, like a cheetah. 

One of my favorite pictures of the night. 

Grrrrrrrrr.

Roland Cycling CycloCross Race - 10/6/13

My friend Miguel has always been a strong influence on my life as a cyclist.  We have been friends since before I have memory, and we have ridden bicycles as long as we have known each other.  I am not sure who got who into cycling, though I feel it was a mutual desire to ride to something, rather than the more common metaphor of riding away from something.  

Several nights we would ride our bicycles around Laramie and evade the detection of undesirable forces..... Police Forces.  Not that we were  criminals, just bored.  Like one time, we were sitting by the fountain that used to be on the corner of University and 3rd street.  I think we were about 14 or 15 years old.  It was about 12:amish, and Miguel had just said he was going home soon.  Then, out of nowhere, someone lights a bunch of firecrackers and throws them into the street.  (Here is where you make assumptions about which one of us did it.....heehee, I'll never tell.)  

Well, as chance would have it, a very nice police officer was driving by at that exact moment.  A moment so perfect, the firecrackers actually landed on the trunk of the cop car.  Long story short, If I had been a better cyclocross rider back then, I would have gotten away too!  But instead, I watched Miguel role off into the evening, hoping bushes and retaining walls like a champion.  (To his credit, he came back, and because he did the police officer just told us to go home.)  

  

Currently, the Roland Cycling team is hosting a series of Cyclocross races, Sans Police Force.  The pictures below are from the race this weekend, Enjoy.  

Starting line, Eric enjoys a moment. 

Big Leg Allen and Felix

Chest hair and all.

Barrier hop, a fantastic part of the day. 

Ladies and Gentlemen, Hop!

When you're this fast, you hover over your bike!

Can't be to safe during hunting season. 

Running was actually faster here, but it was still running.

Nathan attacks the barrier!

Sweet brakes on that rig.  

The last race is on 10-13-13, Sunday at 1:pm.  If you have never been to a cross race, come on out and check it out.  It is a fun atmosphere, and there are lots of dudes in spandex.....okay come out in spite of that last part.  

Commuting with Clarence

I have always been that guy; the guy with the dog. People always ask me, "How did you train your dog to do that?  My answer, "I listen to them."

My first dog was named Midge.  She was a poodle who used to tag along with me on all of my adventures.  She taught me the love and loyalty of a dog is way better than any person could offer.  Then Tuffy, he was a rough and tumble pitbull born into the body of a Cocker Spaniel.  Tuffy taught me that the antics of a cute puppy are not always cute when they are grown dog antics.  My best friend ever was an amazing dog named Clarence, a black long haired mutt that was the  first dog that I had after moving out of my parent's house.  He was mine.  Don't get me wrong, Jessica was a huge part of this dog's life, but when I first got him, it was because I knew he would be a special dog and I wanted to make sure he was always happy and safe.  He made me a better person.

This blog is dedicated to Clarence and all of the things we learned together as riding partners. For this blog I will focus mostly on commuting with a furry pal, but in the future I will do a blog about mountain biking with a mutt too, so if you love your dogs and want to bring them along on your adventures keep an eye out for the second part of this blog. 

So here are a few things that Clarence and I learned.
1. When riding through town with a dog, keep them on your right hand side at all times, and keep them close.  When you are riding legally through town, cars come up on your left side, so your little buddy should be on the other side for safety reasons.  Before the new leash law, I never leashed a dog in my life, but on the bike they were under a strict voice command.  I would never let Clarence get his nose ahead of my front wheel.  It is like the Alpha dog thing, nobody goes ahead of Alpha.  Dogs will understand this.  I taught him this before we ever got on the bike.  When he was a baby we walked everywhere together.  I would let him run around, but when I said, "Right side" he had to come directly to my right side and stay there until I said, "Free dog."  The commands are not important  you could say, "Pickle" and "Fernando Valenzuela" as long as you are consistent, but make sure when you use your command, he responds.  When he is a baby, you will just have to move him there and make him stay, but it is easier to teach them good habits as a puppy, then to break bad habits of a dog. (Thank you for that one Tuffy.)
2.Be the Alpha and set the pace. There will be days when your dog wants to outpace you.  You can't always say right side and expect him to respect you.  Sometimes you have to earn your alpha place.  It might not be on the bike, but dogs want to know you are in control, so be in control.  One way to do this is simple.  When they are puppies hold them a bunch.  Not just because they are puppies, but use it as training.  Sometimes dogs don't like to be held.  As a puppy I hold them like babies sometimes, and when they struggle I gently keep them in position until I decide they should be let down.  That is a gentle, easy way to show dominance.  But sometimes I like to race too, so Clarence and I would have it out on a dirt road, and I would house him.  (My new dog Jeff is a different story.  He is fast.)
3.  Be careful with the conditions.  In the summer time you have to be careful of the heat.  Don't hurt your dog by overdoing it, and bring lots of water.  In the Winter be sure they are not getting frost bite on their paws.  Pam cooking spray helps if you spray their paws.  (If they don't lick it of like my new buddy Lenny.)
4.  If you have to use a leash, use one of the retractile ones so that if your dog sees a squirrel you have some reaction time before things go crazy.  If you have trained your dog well, this won't be an issue, but even if you are Cesar Milan, sometimes things can't be avoided, so be prepared   (Once a dog came out and attacked me while riding.  Clarence saved my life, but if he would have been on a leash we would have wreaked bad, and he was always right side no matter what.)
5.  Training your dog is simple.  Spend lots of time with them, puppies or dogs love to spend time with their family.  If they are on a leash in the back yard all day, of course they will be crazy.  Exercise them often and they will listen to you because they won't have energy making them completely crazy.
6.  Cary poop bags, a leash and something they can play with in your purse.  My purse is a Timbuk2 messenger bag, and I keep all kinds of stuff in their for my riding buddy.  With the new leash law, you at least need to have the leash and poop bags always.
7.  Be gentle, patient and committed to your dog and you will have a fantastic dog.  Patience is the key because training a dog takes time.  If you don't have time, you shouldn't have a dog.  They deserve your attention and love, and you deserve theirs.
8. Don't use treats to train your dogs.  What happens when you run out and there is a cat by the dog catcher?  Use love and patience and lots, and lots of exercise.  It works.

I hope this (incomplete) list of ideas will help you and your dog get out more often.  I find it extremely gratifying to ride to work with my best pal.  I find it even more gratifying to have him sleep really well because my commute to work was part of his exercise.

Disclaimer; I am not advocating for riding illegally in any way.  If you ride with your dog, it is up to you to insure you are compliant with all of the laws of the area you are in. 

Old Man Winter is coming; be ready.

Well it has been a whirl wind summer, with lots of ups and very few downs. Our dear friend Joel is in another country climbing a mountain that has never been climbed with our local superhero Mark Jenkins. Pedar and I are holding down the fort....okay so Pedar is holding down the fort and I am trying not to get in his way. 

Speaking of Pedar, I had one of the best night rides of my entire life with him and Dan the Man from Cross Country Connection the other night.  It was an Giant Anthem ride, no offense to those of you who ride other bikes, we just prefer the superior suspension of the Maestro rear suspension.  (I learned product placement from the Biggest Loser.)  On the ride I had the pleasure of following Pedar's track.  I was moving out, thinking to myself, "Wow self, you are keeping up with Pedar."  Then, he turned to me and smiled, and like the moment in Christmas Vacation when Clark takes off down the ski hill on the sled with the new non caloric silicon kitchen lube,....poof, he was gone.  It is always awesome to see someone who is the master of his craft at work.  Thanks for that Pedar.

Which leads me to the purpose of this post....riding your bike in the winter.  We are about to be hit by a huge snowstorm.  Epic.  Ski people rejoice, it is your season.  For the rest of us, we will have to find ways to keep our bicycles functional in and on the road. 

This is not the way.  BUT, if you have to keep your bicycle outside in the winter, by all means, keep it lubed.  I recommend two very solid types of lubrication, both available at the Pedal House.  1. Tri-Flo.  It kicks booty and is highly effective.  2. Finish Line wet lube.  It is a little thicker but it is a fantastic lubrication that I use on my personal bicycles.  Either way you have a winner.  If these options are not for you, just make sure that you have a Teflon based lubrication in the winter to help keep the rust away, and for goodness sake, don't use WD-40.  It isn't a lube, it is a cleaner.  It will actually do the opposite for your bicycle.

When lubing your chain, start by adding small amounts of lubrication to each link on your chain.  Lube doesn't need to be on the outside plates, just the bushings.  After it sits for 15 or 20 minutes, wipe it down so that it doesn't collect dirt and grime. 

Also, keeping your bicycle clean helps it run better in tough conditions.  Use dish soap and water; scrub it down with soft brushes, (available at the Pedal House) and hose it down.  Don't use high pressure wands from the car wash as they can mess with pivots and bearings.  Be patient and clean it like you would a five month old baby. 

For more maintenance tips come to the clinics hosted by the Pedal House.  November 3rd, there is a free Tire Changing Clinic, and on November 17th, we have a Basic Maintenance Clinic for those of you who need a nice, comfortable environment to learn the basics about bicycle care and maintenance.  This two hour clinic is $35, and includes a question and answer section to help new riders get personalized instruction on his/her bicycles. 

Summer is here, and for me that can only mean one thing; the Wisconsin State Cow Chip Throwing Contest!  That is right, but since it doesn't start until September, well after our summer is off and running, I guess we will have to find something to do around here.  Well, here are a couple of things we have going on locally.

First off, this weekend there is the Dead Dog Classic road race.  Below is a video I found on Youtube highlighting the 2010 race.  This weekend you can see riders blasting through our Wyoming scenery like the long ago buffalo our ancestors chased....kind of.



And don't forget about the Tuesday night race series, the Laramie Mountain Bike Series, held in the most beautiful place in the world, Happy Jack recreation area. 

We also have the Laramie Enduro coming up.  Another video I found from the Youtubers gives us an inside look at the race.

 

The Tour de Wyoming is also on the horizon.  It is going to be supported by the Pedal House this year, so all you riders will finally have Joel's mechanical expertise to keep you on the road. 

So get out there and support your favorite local races and tours.  And thanks to all the Youtube people who put together these videos. 

Big Brothers & Big Sisters

I was originally an Elementary Education teacher.  That was my degree.  I couldn't get in the door of any of the local elementary schools in our community so I dragged my feet out to the Cathedral Home with wild ideas about how abnormal the kids were.  I thought that I would see kids who were crazy, drooling, spitting, incoherent psychopaths with missing teeth, and instead I found out that my dream job was actually working with treatment kids...and here is the kicker...they are all so eerily normal.  Granted I did find the toothless psychopaths, but we are not talking about the people it takes to work with treatment kids...(joking of course.)

I started as an English Teacher, but quickly grew bored of the curriculum filled with rules that aren't followed anywhere but the classroom.  I did, however, fall in love with the kids because they were so real.  They wouldn't accept anything but the truth from a teacher, and they even challenged the facts found in the truth.  It was fantastic because it made me focus in on the things I love about life, and I wanted to share that love for life with the kids.  My love for life has always, as long as I can remember, been most intense when in the saddle of a bicycle.  So, we started working on bikes, and to make sure it looked somewhat like English, we started writing about our process.  Now, some nine years later, and thanks to a plethora of people, there is a Vocational Education Program based entirely on the concept of fixing bicycles.  It is a dream job.

Well this past Saturday I was able to share the fruits of the Vocational labor (of too many people to mention) with the local community.  The Cathedral Home Advanced Bicycle Mechanics class, in conjunction with the Pedal House, held a 2 Hour Basic Maintenance class for the Big Brothers Big Sisters organization here in Laramie.

As you can see, the snow cut back on our participation, but the kids and Bigs that did show up were AWESOME!  Not to mention how fantastic my advanced kids were in helping assist with the instruction.

Overall, I think it was a big success.  David, Michael, Dezarae, and Katie learned how to service a couple of parts on their bicycles.  My advance class was able to demonstrate their knowledge in a real world setting while meeting Wyoming and California Vocational State Learning Standards, and I was able to enjoy the company of both groups.  It was a pretty good day.





So to everyone at the Cathedral Home, and everyone at Big Brothers and Big Sisters, thanks for sharing your life with kids.  And to all the young people who have been in both programs, thank you for sharing your life with us.  Until next time, Happy Trails from the Pedal House.