Back Bottle

In May did the Monstercross Ride To ErnestownWanting some more water stuck round bottles in the Wingnut pack mesh pockets.While it did give me more water I ran into a problem using the round bottles.

Dropped at least one bottle when it got rough. Also it began to bug me trying to cram the round bottle back into the pocket while riding. Almost dropped bottles twice doing that. There had to be a better way.  Sure one can say just find a tap. That sounds easy when your not in the middle of some quad track surrounded by swamp and questionable water sources.

I remembered seeing something that could solve the problem.

Backbottle


Non traditional bottles that have non round bottoms and a dull point. That are supposed to work with rear jersey pockets with less fumbling. And blind flailing to insert in the pocket. Hmm...sounds good in theory.

And seemed to work well with the Wingnut pack pockets on a couple of dry runs. But would have to wait to truly test it during a long ride.

That came on August 7th with a 5 hour ride. Made even more challenging as it was the hottest day of the summer. Think temps where about 37 degrees and no clue what the Humidex said that day. But perfect conditions to test the Backbottle in real world conditions.


Rouge to Seaton to Rouge

On that ride I went through a 2 liter hydration bladder, one large water bottle and the 2 Back Bottles. Even hauling all that was still cooked at the end. Which makes having the two Backbottles in the Wingnuts 2 side pockets a good idea.

So after all that it comes down two one simple question....Would I use them again?

OH HELL YEAH.

In fact have used the back bottles a few times when I didn't bother to use the hydration bladder. And will be doing so in 2017.

Monster Gearing

Procrastination + laziness + neglect x willful ignorance x ego = current gearing situation.

I readily admit that for nearly 2 years have run the same dirt bag engineered straight bloc rear cassette.  With a chainring size geared towards the Tour De Caffeine. But I finally admit it has finally reached the stupidity level of gearing choices.

Hmmm gearing is wanting

While I should change the chain rings the simplest and most cost effective method is a more mountain bike oriented gearing cassette.

 With a quick google search that gave limited results on the discussion of Gravel/Monstercross gearing. Though this gave me the best input,

Gravel Bike Set Up

First change to be made for gearing in 2017 is the cassestte, out with straight block road and in with a non straight block mtb.  I only had a brief parking lot test of the cassette so have no real world info if this will be enough. But initial drive train recation is promising. But will not get my hopes up till I get in  a longer ride.

Spring Monstercross Mud

Wee bit muddy

So today was the first long ride of 2017 and it was to be a group one.  Of course with no long rides let's decide to go 59km. You know just to be stupor.

Muddy

It was a nice spring spring day for a group ride though.  And no expectations of it being easy but it would be the first long ride after going from a Analog Asshole to a Digital Sphincter.

Hmmm....need a deflector shield

In the end there was mud, suffering, and lots of muddy gravel. Yet despite no expectations did find out I got 6th in the Garbage Alley. Though had lots to think about gearing and future tire choices.

Mosntercross Garbage Alley

Me Hungry