work/ fun

First workThen fun. Levis Mound, the place that I belong.

Oil

$180. what are you going to do? BIKE

Weekend

As previously posted this should have been opening weekend of mtb, but do to the wet conditions, they post-poned it for two more weeks. So, we decided to just go camping. I left solo from Marshfield in the shit rain, and Chris and Chris left from Eau Claire in the same weather. I was fortunate enough to have the wind at my back the whole way there, and man did that help me, because I was starting to feel I made the wrong decision before I even got to Neillsville. By the time I got to Neillsville, I looked at my watch and I was only on the road for 2hr 15mns and wet. Stopped at the gas station, grabbed 2 candy bars and a cup of coffee and I hung out there for 5min. I said to myself "I got this." Leaving Neillsville on 95 there was a lot of traffic, and I got buzzed by a semi, not purposely, because of oncoming traffic. That gave me the biggest adrenaline rush in a long time. It was fucking awesome! Chris and Chris got there right at dark. We made camp under the pavillian. Sat up all night and talked about good times, and enjoyed some drinks. For some reason we found a little piece of home on this lovely red carpet, which at one time I thought was the most disgusting thing that I have seen. Who knows who has pissed, shit, or rubbed itself on it.
Saturday we hung out, did some hiking, went on 2 beer runs, went to the bar, and sat around the fire. What more could a guy ask for on a weekend?
Winner of the ghetto, fabulous, paneer set up-Chris Mager. Actually, I was quite impressed with this set up.
As for Chris Z, at least he has a nice bike.
And then me, the most legit, but the most money spent. At least I could ride no handed

Here are the only three to brave the shit weather on Friday. Me, Chris Z, and Chris M. I don't know about you guys, but sure had a damn good time! So the trip home, I made it home in 3hrs 3min, which was 17 min better than I made it down there. In little trips like these I like to play a game called "let's see whats in the ditch." I saw a lot of dead deer, a lot of beer cans, and a lot of garbage, which is pretty standard. As odd ball things I saw one smashed scientific calculator, one old tin snips, and a 7/16" wrench, which I stopped and picked up. I was on H and I saw my future sister-in-law, Courtney. She pulled over, so I pulled over.
I said "What the hell are you doing over here?"
"Coming back from a pub crawl in stevens point. I hit 14 out of 16 bars."
"Nice! I bet it was a good time."
"Oh Yeah, but my head hurts."
Some other chit-chat, and I was back on the road again. Just getting into Marshfield some people rolled up beside me and rolled down the window.
"Are you touring across the U.S.?"
"Nope, just went camping at Levis for the weekend."
"Awesome! How far is that?"
"About 45miles."
"If my fat ass would have done that I would have had a stroke."
"Ha! Have a good one."
"you too."
Back at home by noon. Back to work by 6:00am tomorrow. Damn what a good weekend. Other notes, I cut my hair, too damn warm. MY PITCHERS.

DNF

The start, Matt and I decided to stay together during the ride. There were a lot more people there than I anticipated because of the shitty weather. We got a set of six cards with mileage and directions. It started off fast, a big hill climb at the beginning, which spread everybody out until the first turn in directions, which nobody could seem to read the map. So, about 20 miles in, everybody spread out, and it was just me and Matt. There were 2 guys ahead of us who didn't know how to read a map and went the wrong way, and I laughed at them because I know how to read a map. We made it to the first check point by 11:45, and then started to head north. What a bitch. Hilly, open, farmland, with a 20mph head wind. After 2hrs, and only making it 20 miles, I looked at Matt and could see the pain, and I was feeling a little bit too. I said lets make the call and go have a beer. So, after 75 miles and 6hrs of riding, we called it a day. Had a good time. It was fun navigating the way by just a sheet of paper with directions. It was a hilly bastard, but man, what a good time. After the race we went to Matt's parents. Matts mom had beer and food waiting for us. Nice! Got a little carried away with the beer sitting around B.S.ing. Matt's parents are good people. Went to the bar after that, had 2 whiskeys, and I was done dancing. All in all, good times with good friends and good people. My pictures

Bring It On

Set Up

After fucking around with tires, tire pressure, tubes sizes, and gear inches. This is what I am using for the Ragnarok105. (that is 105 miles) Surly Cross Check SS, 44/18 gearing. For those who want to know, it is 66.4 gear inches. Bontrager jones 700/34 tires, tubes 700/28/38c to spread the tire a little bit wider, tire pressure 55psi. Fenders, maybe. The weather has a possibility to be shit. And for that reason I am going to dress in many layers as needed. I am not expecting to have high results in this race. Just doing it to get a century in and hang out with a good friend. I will have pictures and a story for you by next Monday or Tuesday. I will probably not have any more time to blog until then. 11 days until opening weekend at Levis. I plan to ride there and see if my new set-up works. There might be one other person from Marshfield and 3 from Eau Claire that are going to ride there too. I am looking forward to the race and most definitely that weekend. Hey Chris, How long have we been doing this? Have a good one.

Weekend

today

5:00am look over the poprad just in case i get done with work in time damn flat tire oh well a lot of time to fix it done work was just fine warm enough to have two layers up top yes back to the shop by 5:00pm go to grab the commuter flat tire flat tire its been 3 years fuck getting pissed no tube gave it to db about 4 mouths ago pump doesnt work getting more pissed work truck yes get home grab another bike calming down but still on edge get back to shop busted the boss and 4 others standing there flat tire got to go out the door by 5:45pm not bad leaving town water across one of the most shitiest roads in town getting blasted in the face with road grime dodging pot holes car coming on my left shit all over the road bang hit the biggest fucking pot hole on the road damn and then hop hop hop hop fuck i think i fucked my rim 25 mile later and a quit stop at the bike shop confirmed my disbelief my rim is fucked born to lose time to go get some beer

Big Dummy

Holy shit, I was reading about the Big Dummy this morning while I was taking a shit. Did you know that you can haul 400lbs including the riders weight? That would be like 210 lbs extra that I could haul with super stability!(according to the article). I know, I have a bob-trailer, and a commuter that is fully racked, But when I load it up its kinda wobbly. The bob-trailer holds 80lbs, and the racks hold 80lbs with paneers. If you do the math, the big dummy can hold about 50lbs more. So, if I was able to sell my car for $1500, I would have to scrape up $300 more, and I could have a complete big dummy. My commuter/bob-trailer would be my car, and my big dummy would be my SUV. Man just think of the shit I could haul! Well, this is what I thought about at work today. I know it's just a fantasy, or is it? Anyway, I might not wear long johns tomorrow, the first time since the middle of November. I'll probably feel all nimbly bimmbly. I can't wait till I can dress like a high school hootchie mama(meaning very reduced clothing). Have a good one.

Commuter

The oldThe new, drop like it hot.
This weather can go fuck it self!