Moots….
I just saw this and soiled myself! Had to share……
Cheers!
Today’s Ride…
Greetings Readers!
I don’t know what today was; validation? reward? confirmation? I dunno, but today I rode well, very well. I’ve kept a ride log since May of 2003, and I’ve never posted an avg speed before like I did today, regardless of distance.
All of this years dedication and hard work is starting to pay off for me, not to mention the Single Speed. Even without a cyclocomputer, I know I’m noticeably faster than I was last year. I set out this morning knowing that cross season is approaching and I wanted to put myself into difficulty today. I rode hard, and frankly I was waiting to blow up. I even told Ken that if I fell off the back to go on without me. I was expecting to crack. It never happened. I beleive that I’ve put in enough miles that my base is strong enough to support repeated hard efforts. Ken commented to me that he’d never seen me so fast.
I’m feel pretty good today, I’m conviced that the SS has really helped me to spin. That is a large part of why I put in such a good workout today. I’m spinning a lot more and not just mashing all the time. It’s really showing up on the rollers as I’m not shifting down yet I’m maintaining my cadence. One ride does not make a season yo’, nor is it going to dictate the races. But it sure doesn’t hurt that I’m feeling strong, and my morale is high.
Miles ridden today, 35
Miles ridden 2008, 2599.
Cheers!
Mom’s Strong…
Greetings Readers!
Well, it finally showed up and it was worth the wait. Mom’s custom Carl Strong Cyclocross Frame (check Master Carl in the pages) Mom did a mighty nice job on the paint scheme and I must say it turned out really nice. Carl nailed the fit and geometry, and my better half has already asked me when were going to practice drills!
The Frame shots…….
And the finished product……
The Build:
Frame: Custom Carl Strong Steel CX. Mostly a mix of True Temper S3 and Columbus Life tubing.
Headset: Chris King
Fork: Alpha Q
Wheels: Bontrager Race X Lite
Tires: Michelin Mud2 (not in photo)
Brakes: Paul Neo Retro front and Touring rear.
Post: Thompson
Saddle: WTB Devo Thinline
Bar and Stem: Ritchey WCS
Cranks: FSA SLK compact, 34/44
Pedals: Eggs stainless
Drivetrain: Ultegra 9 speed shifters and derailleurs, mated to a SRAM 12/26 cassette and chain.
Mom’s got a real race steed (I better get in shape) and will be joining me in cyclocross this season. I can’t wait to see her out there given’r!!
Cheers!
Ghost & the Moneypit
Greetings Readers!
What joy it was this morning people, watching the Moneypit on her brand new big girl bike. Gears and everything yo’. She was waiting for me in the garage this morning, giving it a pep-talk. “Don’t worry Ghost (her pet name for it) your going to do just fine” She said to her bike this morning. She was out by the street straddling her bike and chomping at the bit. “C-mon Dad!” We start off and she was just speeding along, twice as fast as normal, “Your doing great for your 1st commute Ghost” She praised her bike as she rolled along, like a proud parent of her child’s achievement. We then came to her nemesis; a pretty steep incline that gave her poor little legs fits on her previous little one gear.
“I’m gonna shift down to 1 now Dad!” she exclaimed with a matter of fact announcement of intent. “My legs don’t even hurt!” she squealed with glee. “I love this bike Dad!” the moneypit declared with the joy of a kid and there 1st real bike. We rocked all the way to her daycare in record time. When we arrived she patted it on the saddle and praised it somemore.. “Good job Ghost!” and “I love it Dad!”
I’m tellin’ ya, I could not have been happier had I been on a new bike myself, watching my daughter in the 1st stages of what I hope to be a cherished relationship with two wheels. The smile on her face and the twinkle in her eye were worth a thousand times what I spent on her little steed.
Now the adventures begin, as she can brave longer distances as the world opens up for her. I was amazed at how well she took to gears; she was working that cassette like it was oil on canvas. This morning on the way to daycare with my daughter, was the best commute to work I’ve ever had.
I’ve been told by my little moneypit that I am required to take a pic of her bike with my cell phone, and leave it as my wallpaper. She wants me to see her bike every time I answer my phone, I don’t get it, but I’m happy to oblige. As long as she is in the pic too.
Sometimes it not your ride that makes your day, but someone else’s. J
Cheers!