rolling spokes

A singletrack mind...: EPIC day. Nederland and our first team picnic !!!...

2010-09-13T18:43:00.000-06:00

A singletrack mind...: EPIC day. Nederland and our first team picnic !!!...: "Epic- heroic or grand in scale or character. This was such a day. Look at his happy group of riders that were ready to bust their lungs ..."

MapMyRide - Boulder High to Marshall Mesa Sep 09, 2010 03:33 PM in Boulder, CO

2010-09-10T21:01:00.000-06:00

MapMyRide - Boulder High to Marshall Mesa Sep 09, 2010 03:33 PM in Boulder, CO

Thursday Hill Climbs with BHS MTB

2010-09-10T20:57:00.002-06:00

2010-09-08T23:48:00.002-06:00

http://www.trailcentral.com/gps/gps_details.php?key=120

2010-09-08T23:47:00.002-06:00

Deer Creek Wall of Shame

2010-09-08T23:38:00.000-06:00

40 miles from Boulder

2010-09-08T23:30:00.001-06:00

Rode Deer Creek Canyon on Tuesday after work. Afternoon started off WRONG! I changed into shorts and sandals anxious to get out on the bike only to find a flat on the wagon. Another screw in a brand new tire- the second in 5 weeks. Got the tire changed and raced out to Deer Creek. I had not ridden this loop in 3-4 years. I rode up the plymouth trail to red mesa loop and decided to keep climbing clockwise. Awesome decision because that led to the most excellent downhill singletrack. Stats stacked up to a 45 minute moderate climb. 15 minute loop on red mesa. And a 15 minute descent. The highlight was riding down the wall of shame, I didn't expect to do that so smoothly. I'll have to get a new rear tire before I can seriously attempt to ride up the wall. FELT GREAT!

A singletrack mind...: HALL RANCH !!!

2010-09-08T23:24:00.000-06:00

A singletrack mind...: HALL RANCH !!!: "Beautiful day. The heat was tempered by a nice breeze. Great turnout of 21 riders 3 dads and a MOM!!! Left and returned from the North Tr..."

time lapse night shot boulder forest fire

2010-09-07T12:36:00.000-06:00

Four Mile Canyon Fire... what happens when you back your RV into a propane tank?

2010-09-07T12:34:00.000-06:00

Extremely smokey in Boulder County today. 3,500 acres of Roosevelt National Forest is burning up.

A singletrack mind...: Marshall Mesa

2010-09-01T07:30:00.000-06:00

A singletrack mind...: Marshall Mesa: "Any day without mechanical problems is a good day. Today was a great day. The group of 22 broke into 3 smaller groups with Ramos, Goulet, ..."

Tuesday Afternoon Ride

2010-08-31T21:29:00.003-06:00

Rode with the Boulder MTB Team this afternoon at Marshall Mesa. Great vibe! Smart kids. Strong riders.

A singletrack mind...: Heil Valley Ride Report

2010-08-31T07:14:00.000-06:00

A singletrack mind...: Heil Valley Ride Report: "No better way to celebrate your 44th birthday! 18 riders, 5 dads, and my good friend Jamie Ramos (Jamie will help us on weekends) enjoyed th..."

Time to dust off the blog...

2010-08-30T11:26:00.004-06:00

Hello Blog! It's been a while. Near perfect day yesterday. More adventures to come.

Hang on loosely... this typically increases the thrill of nearly loosing your grip.

De Do Do Do... De Da Da Da...

2007-06-11T20:27:00.000-06:00

What to do after the BC Epic ride?

See 10 year reunion concert with the POLICE- LIVE!

Ba Ba Black Sheep

2007-06-11T20:25:00.001-06:00

Scott Taylor at Salvagetti Bikes was kind enough to loan me "precious", a titanium Black Sheep Highroller Light for the weekend. I am convinced I need at least on of these frames. This bike is so light I could balance it by the bottom bracket with one hand- wheels and all. Sub 4# frame? Or something crazy like that. What an effortless joy to ride! This bike geared at 32x18 gave me the big idea I needed to get a 20T cog my my Exile, so I got one, I also got an 18T. I have to cover all the bases.

Wendy and I got out on Friday afternoon to ride Marshall Mesa together- after 5+ years she got back on knobbies on singletrack again! We had a great ride- the sheep was really nice. We enjoyed the ride!

Ways of the Ellison: Buffalo Creek Loop

2007-06-11T20:02:00.000-06:00

Brian Ellison visited this weekend. Ever since he got a Rita he's been riding Kettle Moraine without me. I thought it was time he had a ride at the Ultimate SS Proving Grounds- BC. This weekend was one to beat, it all started when I got this crazy idea I needed a 20T rear cog for my inflexible, about 3:30 on Saturday. With all the crazy Saturday stuff going on as it was, add Brian's arrival and dinner at Liz Richards house into the mix. All the while I am trying to get the 22T cog off my rear hub. Thanks to Ben O'brien and a few mojitos we were able to get that sucker off there and get the 20T on. All said and done, beers, dinner, Death's Door Vodka shots, more beer, a little bike grease and headlamps we got loaded up and squared around 10:30pm.

We got an early start at 6 bells and were loading Jeff's James Frame on the car around 6:20am. The three of us needed some food and coffee we found down the street from Jeff's house at Cafe Sole. Once we were fueled up we hit the road and arrived at BC around 7:45am- we were riding at 8:00am- just in time to get out of the lot as it started to fill up. I was really excited to be riding with Brian at BC. We normally ride road bikes together and he just crushes me. Both Brian and Jeff are fit and right away it was a race- these guys are cranking away chatting it up and me... I am just trying to breath easy. The 20T worked me all day- I am looking forward to the added strength on the next ride. We set out on the clockwise loop and riding up Shinglemill was as fun as I thought it could be. But somehow this time it was just better, no gears, no suspension, no worries. VERY COOL! We set a grueling pace all the way to the CT- which in reality was probably 1/3 faster had we been on geared bikes. The rhythm of the ride up was graceful and flowing, at times demanding- but never red lined. When we got started on the CT everyone was all smiles- It was just fantastic! And if you ridden this loop you already know it gets better. I made quite a few stops to eat and breathe, settling in was quick and after 90 minutes in I was dialed. The decents were fast and furious, the big wheels carve and hold lines that seem impossible- barring the loose sandy trail in spots the surf was up. We rode down to Gashouse and I walked up the entire road to the trailhead. Somehow that was ok. Up GH to Charlies and down Homestead to Sandy Wash. I had never ridden up GH and really liked it, reverse would be fun! It was the classic epic to ride with Brian and Jeff our average speed was 6mph and we just churned it out.

Other News...

2007-06-02T15:02:00.001-06:00

I got some road miles in last weekend also. Wendy got out as well. The road bike is just not seeing as much pavement as it might like these days... so that needs to change.

Brian Ellison has a new Bianchi Rita SS 29'er. And man has he got the FEVER! We are planning to ride in a 24 hour race at the end of July in Wausau, WI. Check out the web site here:

www.24-9.com

Cheer us on. We are riding with two guys Brian met online. This should be interesting....

Otherwise- I have had a cold this week so I am wishing I was riding... right now. Looking forward to getting back in the game next week. Maybe I can ride tomorrow?

Buffalo Creek

2007-06-02T14:24:00.000-06:00

This is such a GREAT ride! Every time I make the trek down to BC it just gets better and better. Bryan and I left early (not early enough?) last Sunday morning and started riding around 9am. We went in on 543 and took a left on Shinglemill. Prior to this trip we have forever ridden Tramway up to the CT and over to Green Mountain. Well, no more. Shinglemill is a uphill rolling trail that takes you through a portion of the burn, intersects with both Morrison Creek and Tramway and is better choice all around to get up high. The weather was perfect and I was climbing strong, I'm riding along actually thinking about the inflexible and how cool it would be to be riding this trail on the rigid SS and then karma showed up. I got a strange feeling in the rear sus and then I noticed that an end cap from my shock pivot was missing. Total bust? WHAT? Oh No! After messing around with trying to get this temporarily fixed and contemplating walking back to the car, I remembered I carry a star-fangled bolt in my kit and amazingly it turned out to be the exact match to the pivot shaft- well almost. I was able to stabilize the pivot and achieve about 60% functionality with this temporary fix and continue the ride. The bigger dissapointment was after I hit the CT I thought I better get to Tramway and head back tot he car to avoid additional mishap with the mechanical band-aid in place. This was cutting the ride in half by my guess. Oh well- I can ride another day. No question an active suspension system takes alot of abuse with a 200lb rider on board- I didn't what to take any chances with the frame or anything else. So after some REAL singletrack bliss, we met up with the trail intersection to Tramway and I headed back. I felt like I had not even put a dent in my legs or lungs, which was pretty sweet after 16 miles and 1500 vert. I was ready for stage two, but it was just going to have to wait. We ended up at Zooka's for the Kobe burgers and PBR- always a good reward.

Sunday Morning at White Ranch!

2007-05-13T20:48:00.000-06:00

Pete and I hit it this time. Today... we broke the chian of Boulder County Sunday rides. We have been on streak that was well over two years and counting, finally I got someone besides me down to Jeffco and we were rewarded. I had ridden WR many times a few years ago but only last year really started to explore the potential out there. I have to say that Longthorn, Shorthorn and Whippletree are some sweet technical trails. Whippletree was such a blast to descend! Tech factor is HUGE in the park. I really enjoyed it. Pete and I had a great ride!

White Ranch

El Dangerouso was up to his old stunts again. Pete pulled one of the knarliest over-the-bars, head-first bailouts yet. This was actually casued by the unique blend of some killer technical drops cued perfectly with some scary thunderclaps. I nearly experienced the same.

Saturday RIDES!

2007-05-13T20:43:00.000-06:00

Saturday was fun. Got a few rides in. First thing in the morning loaded up the kids in the Burley and got about 5 miles in towing them behind the inflexible. Ended at the Playground before breakfast. We were all smiling.

Late afternoon I ripped 12 miles( 37 minutes) down to Cherryvale and back from the Farm. The high miler put me to the test, I was able to keep an 18mph average. This is actually 6 minutes faster than my best last year! WOW!

GREEN Mountain... one more time...

2007-05-13T20:40:00.000-06:00

Pete rode shotgun this time. I was totally unprepared for the ride, but it was a nice Thursday night ride. We rode the loop in about an 70 minutes. Box O' Rox was not fun on the inflexible! I also like my name for that trail better: BoDy BaG! Anyway, was fun and had some great Lebanese food after, then back at the Farm drank some Island Wheat! Good Times. No Photos.

Ride now, work later... part duex

2007-05-04T23:41:00.000-06:00

Slipped away from my production chamber for 120 minutes yesterday. SS'ed across Green Mountain and back for about 60 minutes. Fast pace, climbing strong, big grin.

Brings to mind...

The wise rider hears of singlespeeding and practices it diligently.
The average rider hears of singlespeeding and thinks of it now and again.
The foolish rider hears of singlespeeding and laughs aloud.
If there were no laughter, singlespeeding would not be what it is.

Hence it is said:
The smooth trail seems rough.
Going forward seems like retreat.
The easy climb seems hard.
Singlespeeding is quiet and without artifice.
One gear alone nourishes and brings the ride to completion.

What is this thing for?

2007-05-04T21:35:00.001-06:00

Look closely, is that what I THINK IT IS? Take a closer look!

Well I am pretty sure I understand now. I may have appeared slightly confused initially but all is quite clear. NO BOING NECESSARY. KEEP IT LOCKED OUT!

Say HELLO to HEAVEN!!!

2007-05-04T20:41:00.000-06:00

WOULD YOU TAKE A LOOK AT THAT! Got a chance to ride the old proving grounds at the end of April! Where exactly is this slice of singletrack heaven? The answer is La Grange, Wisconsin if you can believe it. I had not ridden in this area for about 7 years and a trip back sure was a blast. The best part about it was I was able to rent a SS 29'er (32tX18t) and just rip the trails there- all 28 miles of 'em in just under 3 hours and 30 minutes. What a treat! Back in the wood riding the trails I started out riding back in 1991. I have got to give some major credit to the locals- the trails are well designed and chock full of flow- major fun factor!! A true SS test track if there ever was one- PERFECT! I really enjoyed the Ice Age Connector Trail- 10 miles of some tightass dirt ribbons. Because I was on an SS it was even better than I remembered (more about the SS in the next post). I was also impressed with how much travel the locals bring to the essentially flat (compared to the Front Range and mountains of CO) terrain of the Southern Unit. Talk about the bling bling, every major manufacturer was represented and there had to be more lycra and spandex than on your average weekend day in Boulder. I saw a few very sweet SS bikes, Niner was well represented. Much to my surprise I counted more 5" squishys than anything else and heard a lot of Chris King hubs buzzing all over the place.

Kettle Morain South

I was very pleased with my choice of rides that day. A simply GF rig rented from Backyard Bikes just down the road. Something needs to be said when cruising around amidst all the squishys, I got some good looks. But I think I also gave a few. The local peeps were cool and have alot of cash spent on shiny suspension forks and shocks. Ride the trails and you understand my point. I was polite when passing riders, I was even able to carry on a conversation with some. When I pulled into the lot there must have been about 70 cars out there- I only saw about 5 riders on the trails. GOOD TIMES!

CLICK ON THE IMAGES TO VIEW WEB ALBUM OR FULL SCREEN...

Six and Fifty!

2007-04-19T11:04:00.000-06:00

Check out the latest from Western Slopestyle!

So YOU decide... which side are you on?

2007-04-08T22:15:00.000-06:00

Saturday- The BIG FU Ride

2007-04-08T21:40:00.000-06:00

Saturday was by far the best day of the trip. I was feeling great, my legs and lungs did not let me down- this day they were tested. I had been thinking about Moore Fun for a few weeks, everything I had read or video I had seen made the trail seem like this big old technical challenge. Well, what I found out that this ride starts in one of the best rock gardens on the planet. The guy who layed out MF also layed out Holy Cross in GJ, very cool routes with this and that tech all strung together by a ribbon of rock. MF reminded me very much of the AZ riding I have done- simaler to the National Trail at South Mountain in my mind. When i return to the area I want to ride this one in reverse, both directions seem to have thier own set of thrills- guarenteed!

Moore Mack Troy

Climb, climb, climb... hike, climb. I love this kind of riding and really got into it. I didn't ride all of it, not even close, but it was a great chance to test my skills. The views on top are breathtaking and I finally got a birds eye of the whole layout at Loma. Very cool perspective!

Mack Ridge was much of the same. Although I think we should have ridden down the singletrack instead of up, either way we had a blast up top.

Troy had to be my favorite.

Friday- GJ / Fruita

2007-04-08T21:31:00.000-06:00

BREAKFAST LOOP
The next morning I was convinced we had to go back to Tabagauche. I woke up at about 4:30am thinking about riding there and had a hard time getting back to sleep. Luckily for my the guys were up for another round. This time we rode up to Widowmaker Hill on Tabaguache Trail from the parking lot. We got up top pretty quickly compared to the trip the day before trying to ride up Andys.

Tabagauche and Eagles

At the top, we decided to take Eagle's Tail back down. The trail starts off a little rough and is not the easiest riding, shortly into the ride the torture began and Pete said he was going to meet us at the truck. Bryan and I continued and were rewared with a fabulous ride DOWN some rockin' twisty singletrack that got steep in a few places. What a great ride! After about an hour of riding (a true lunch loop) we got back to the truck but Pete was nowhere to be found. So right away I am wondering where 'El Dangerouso' could be? After waiting awhile I started thinking about riding back up to find him. Finally, he showed up with a story about riding a great trail named Pet-a Kes. Have to ride that one on the return trip.

Zion Curtain

DINNER LOOP
After lunch and a shopping trip in Town to get some camp chairs, a cooler and beers for the sunset we drove out to the Trail Through Time Area and rode the Zion Curtain. This area is relatively new on the map although I think the throttle twisters have been out here for a long time. This trail starts in Colorado and is an out and back into Utah. Very fun Trail! I rode the SS and had a great time. I really want to get back out here and spend some time exploring the singletrack to see where it leads. I crashed the SS in a sandy whoop area near the beginning of the ride and had a good laugh. Riding out to the overlook took about 90 minutes but was well worth the view and all of the scenery along the way.

CLICK ON THE IMAGES TO VIEW WEB ALBUM OR FULL SCREEN...

Thursday- Rolling into GJ

2007-04-08T21:27:00.000-06:00

We finally got to it, we loaded up Pete's truck and headed West. Three guys, a dog, four bikes and alot of protien bars. We left the Farm about 11:00am and just could not wait to get out there.

This trip our mission was focused on one goal: ride some new rides.

Well we did just that. First stop, Lunch Loops at GJ / Tabagauche. This is one sweet little spot VERY close in to Town.

Andy's and Holy Cross

I really enjoy exploring new rides and I wasn't dissapointed with Tabagauche. All of the credit to making this ride a reality goes to Pete Matthews. He was the guy who said let's go ride that, and we did. When it's so easy to fall into the same old routine and ride the same old rides it's great to have a guy like Pete on the team.

As soon as we got there we made a plan and stuck with it. We rode up Tabagauche to Andy's and made a turn. This ended up being one costly endeavor. The first 45 minutes was really fun but when that was over the next hour was a REAL grunt. I highly recommend riding Tabagauche to the base of Widowmaker Hill and venturing out from there.

CLICK ON THE IMAGES TO VIEW WEB ALBUM OR FULL SCREEN...

The Zion Curtain

2007-04-08T19:49:00.000-06:00

Perched atop the Zion Curtain overlooking Rabbit Valley... I think I was standing in Colorado while the giggle bike was in Utah.

Pete, Bryan and I had a GREAT weekend and explored some new rides out if GJFU. The weather was mid 70's with some generous cloud cover for the climbs, hard to ask for more. Trails are in great shape and speedy.

Once I recover from the shock of returning to 30's and SNOW along the Front Range... I'll post more pics and trip info.

Ride NOW, work LATER

2007-04-03T23:01:00.000-06:00

I got a great SS ride in at Matthews/ Winters at noon today. Was really fun to be on the trail in the middle of the day- I only saw a few other bikes even though the parking lot was full. I managed to squeeze a clockwise loop in at just under 50 minutes. I am loving the SS and its leaving me questioning gears and suspension. I am getting the Black bike back on Thursday morning, just in time for Fruita. I am looking forward to a plush ride having the fork and shock PUSH'ed. I also need to get some pics up with these posts. Oh, well. Busy riding, have to develop the pic taking habit.

Weekend Results...

2007-04-02T12:28:00.000-06:00

Friday night we had a chance to stop by the 'Grand Opening' party at Cutting Edges Sports in Louisville. What could be better than drinking beer in a bike shop? Of course they offered wine and food as well. They even had live entertainment. Good Times.

I was finally able to get a few miles in this weekend on the inflexible. Saturday I rode around Town with the wife and kids. Doing errands on bikes is more fun that driving, every time. Sunday I got two hours in at Marshall Mesa, looks like there could be a good loop (when it's dry) from Superior via Coalton/ Highline connecting to the ditch and draw trails. Not too exciting but good fun on the inflexible. Rock drops with a big wheel are very cool. I am looking forward to Fruita later this week.

Well it did SNOW!

2007-03-30T23:05:00.000-06:00

More snow again... ok so maybe not this much but it did delay the pedaling.

At this point I am simply hoping to get out tomorrow on some dry trails!

Not getting enuff...

2007-03-28T22:20:00.000-06:00

Looking forward to tomorrow's ride... if it doesn't snow. I was really tempted to throw on some lights and venture out but too sleepy for that right now.

The Tao of Singlespeeding

Adapted from the Tao Te Ching, the following verses are meant to inspire and enlighten.

To ride one gear is natural.
Sprints do not last all morning,
Descents do not last all day.

The follower of singlespeeding
is at one with his bike.
He who rides smoothly
Experiences flow.
He who loses the trail
Becomes confused.
When you are at one with your bike,
The trail welcomes you.
When you conserve your momentum,
The flow is always there.
When you are at one with pain,
The pain is experienced willingly.

He who does not get out of the saddle
Will not make it to the top of the hill.

SS'ing

2007-03-27T20:38:00.000-06:00

OK, so the initial pain is over. I have gotten two rides in on the 'new' black bike and learned something:

"Don't be afraid..."

Lower the gearing. 2:1 is "standard" but in the real dirt world lower is better for most people and places.
Walk. You are not that much slower pushing than gearies riding on many hills. Run for a while and push for a while. You do not need to try to ride the whole thing yet.
Coast. Rest when you can. When you are moving too fast to pedal effienctly save your energy and coast.
Attack. Do not ride like a gearie approaching climbs. speed up before you reach the base of slopes. If you ride like you can shift down for the climb you work harder.
Use "only have one gear" as an excuse for everything. Good and bad.
Not take the ride too seriously. The goal is to have fun. Do not worry about how fast you are riding or whether you could make the climb or not.

-Shiggy

Feel the burn. Feel the pain. Feel the pride. IF YOU DON'T PUKE! When you reach the top, with your legs screaming and your heart pounding, you can honestly say that, yes, life is good. SYCIP

When your little...

2007-03-23T20:15:00.000-06:00

You ride a SMALL bike... you only need one gear.

This is how we ride in the Wood...

2007-03-23T20:06:00.001-06:00

Super REAL fun! Rockin' at West Mag.

This is how we ride in the Hood...

2007-03-23T20:06:00.000-06:00

I borrowed a singlespeed 26er, a tag along and a single burley from our neighbor and turned the pedals with the kids. REAL fun!

Another black bike, not like the other black bike

2007-03-22T23:43:00.000-06:00

Take a close look.

Look again.

Is that a hard tail with a rigid fork?

As a matter of fact it is, not only that but don't those wheels look larger than yours?

Hey wait a minute, no derailleurs?

You think I'm crazy? Likely.

Will you catch me on the trail riding this black bike. Likely.

Will I have one massive grin on my face?

Definitely.

I am pretty excited to get out on this bike. I ordered it last week and plan to assemble it this Sunday. Should be able to get a ride in that day as well.

what to post?

2007-03-22T23:41:00.000-06:00

Hey, so I thought I might try and do something here. If to achieve nothing else, perhaps capture some ride commentary and pics. We'll see.