Wet Concrete

And yet another day with another ride out at Collins Bay in the Wet Concrete snow from yesterday's snow fall. Though this time didn't take the DH run.

Though I noted a couple of spots where some more moving of dead fall is needed the next time I'm out. Which unfortunately won't be till next week.

 Arriving via the mail came a package that included the 2 seals needed to finish the rebuild of my Hope Mini's. 

 Also in the same envelope came this Hope light bracket for handlebars.  This is for a simple modification to mount the Cree light on my bars without using the annoying rubber elastic.

2.5 Minion Grind

What is one to do when it snows a bit of West Coast Powder type snow in Ontario? Go ride in it.

                                     2.5 DH tires worked well.

                                       Hmmm.. I see skin.

                                               Found the log.

                                    Yep it's West Coast powder.

                                    Fresh track on the mini DH.

Headbanger

With the weather being funky with the temps and working alot more thanks to the contract job I got. Not alot going on riding wise other then to and from work. And we all know how mind numbing sitting on a trainer is so I won't say more on that.

 New part arrived...MRP XCG BB mount guard or Taco as some call it. Hmmm.. seems to be lacking a bit on the Taco spicy sauce and Salsa. But we shall see how it works and will report back on whether the flavouring is up to snuff.

 This also led us to a chain ring and spider swap. As I went to four bolt as it is getting a bit difficult to get the old 5 bolt pattern. Looks like it needed a good cleaning as the gunk levels where a bit high.

                    Warm evening post work ride as the sun set.

             Spotted nature's head banger busy looking for dinner.

Spring Shadow

 This morning headed out for a 39 minute ride on the CX bike.  It was a shorts ride. 

Hmm...I think this year it is time to get my hands on a set Retroshifters. Especially since I never actually use the drops. And fortunately have a second P/T to make that happen.

                    Drafting the shadow. Turns out he had no beer.

                  Me thinks I need a new cap...white is ugh.

                            The snob part of town.

Mountain Feedbag

The Holy Altar of Contributing

In the last few years I have observed and experienced an increasing trend in mountain biking. Maybe because I am an old grouch but it bothers me how it has become this holy grail of mountain biking contribution.

When I say contribution I'm talking giving back. Go to any forum these days and you will see endlessly the same dogma you must attend meetings or trails days. If you don't do either then basically shut up and be silent. If you dare question it some how becomes a personal attack. And this to me is the wrong attitude to have at all as this does not encourage riders to do anything else other then ride. Let's face reality, for me if I want that type of talk I'll go to work more because I will at least receive a pay cheque for it.

In a perfect riding world there would be multiple trail days and everyone could do that as well as attend meetings. But reality is not everyone can go to meetings or do trail days. Lack of time, family, and who knows what else gets in the way. Some riders are great at speaking at public meetings while their buddy can organize a trail repair crew and work day no problem.

Sure I understand that the trail day where a large group shows up is important but using that as the standard for contribution is poor. Because it is easy to put on a show that everyone else sees. But in reality it is a small window on giving back or contributing. And if we as a whole expand our idea of contributing more oppurtunities open up. My buddy Marshall has never done a trail day or attended a meeting. But he is the guy everyone know's who organizes the weekend group rides and does the post ride BBQ's at the DJ's.

 Not everyone has the patience to attend meetings while navigating government bureaucracy. I know I sure don't but I know people who can. And they are good at it. Yet there are others out there who you will never see at a trail day yet you will see their contribution appear. Those trail sections with overgrowth and low branches trimmed back are the only sign. Because at the end of the day all that really matters is you did something to contribute.

 Go ahead, be the guy who organizes group rides or carries hand clippers and a folding pruning saw.

Dirtbag Kaffenback

  Till 2006 had a a Rocky Mountain Rail cross bike. Unfortunately it finally tapped out with a cracked right side chain stay. And after moving towns in 2007 and picking up a 29er in 2008. Kind of forgot about replacing the Rail for 3 years.

  With ever increasing road riding as well as looking for alternative to always taking the Chromag. Decided the best option was another Cyclocross frame. Simple reason versatility and ability to take knobby tires for winter. Because I like the feel of steel frames I went for a steel frame and it had to have the ability to either be disc or rim brake.

Unfortunately the steel frame options are where a bit limited a year ago and hard to find used. Remembered On One also sells Planet X, specifically the Kaffenback. Which while not a true UCI type cyclocross frame still is capable of what I was looking for. And it comes in at $189 USD without fork.

   The initial build was aimed at simply to get it on the road and cheaply.  Only through use does one find the tendencies or parts and frames. And it is to me better to buy better parts individually over time as I figure out what I need.

 The wheels are Bontrager rim brake rims on Bontrager hubs I got for $75. Tires where Kenda Kwickers  and paid $50 for the two. Chain and cassette are basic Sram.

 Found a Kona Project 2 Cyclocross fork for $30 including shipping off Pinkbike.  No disc mounts as was just wanted to get it road worthy. The headset not pictured was a freebie from the shop I had worked at.

Non drive side crank was $20 from a local shops old stock bin.
                               The BB is standard Shimano.

The drive side crank is from the Rocky Mountain Rail I cracked the chainstay's on in 2006. So cost was free. Chainrings free as well.

 Seat post is an old one from my mountain bike which was bent. Cut the lower part of the seatpost off which took care of the bent section. So cost was nothing. Salsa seat collar $2.

              Shimano road front derailleur...no idea the model...free

            Shimano rear road derauilleur   From my parts bin...free

Tektro CR270 brakes front and rear. New from a shop for $45 total.

 Easton EA-30 stem, 90mm length. Came from the 29er I didn't like. The extender was free.

                Bontrager road saddle. Bike shop parts bin...$10

            Handlebar $10 from bike shop close out. Tektro levers $30.
            Kelly Take Off's parts bin so free with Suntour GPX shifters.
                                             Bar tape $20

 So in the end the total was maybe $450 total. Which got me riding right away. And allows me to hit some easy singletrack as I desire as well as road. Plus a bit of gravel.  Now of course this was a dirtbag build as I wanted to get riding immediately and then after ride time figure out which parts I would like to switch out.

 So after 8 months of use and other then some brake pads and of course wearing out tires. Those parts I want change to are disc brake calipers, disc wheels, Retroshift levers, switch to a 60 or 70mm stem, and maybe a different bar. Though the bar I'll wait to see if the shorter stem improves things.

 If things work out the new parts will be ready for the Test of The First Gravel.

 

Snow Minion

Another day another snow ride from 2 days ago . Shorter ride time but still better then longer time on the Squirrel Wheel.


               Someone beat me to fresh tracks.

                    Winter sun at the Beeratorium

        The Mistress awaits more snowflake meyhem.

             What passes for DH frash tracks.

                        I have been here before.