Tuesday, October 29, 2013

Early Morning Cyclist Inspiration

We rode through the woods in the dark
The trees are starting to look stark
Not showing her fear
Stands a pretty young deer
Soon she'll only eat bark


Monday, October 28, 2013

Early Morning Cyclist Inspiration

Sunrise on the lips
Moments hang in the balance
Night turns to day

The obligatory picture with a bike in it.
Time lapse Daybreak: These pictures are about 10 seconds apart.
Sun is Showing

Sun is Cresting

Sun is Up!

Friday, October 25, 2013

Early Morning Cyclist Inspiration

Got to enjoy some great fall foliage before the sun came up over the horizon.

Oooh, Orange!

A road to nowhere, Actually, the road to work if you are lucky.

Sunday, October 13, 2013

The Dempsey Challenge 2013

Thank you all for the support on The Dempsey Challenge!  
This year I raised $1030 (Make that $1130, thanks Jim!) for the cause with the help of all my supporters.  The ride was good, no issues after a trashed tire before the start.  Now I know why I throw in a spare for these rides.
One Small Piece Of Glass, One Large Cut In a Tire

The 100, 70, 50 & 25 Mile Starters Have Left!

Patrick Dempsey Was There Too

I'm Going to Admit, I'm a Little Tired Here

I got a Chainring Tattoo on My Pepper Tattoo

Stick a Lobster and a Beer in Me, I'm Done!

Stats: 102.5 Miles at a moving average of 17.5MPH.  Just about 6 hours & a few minutes from crossing the starting line to crossing the finish line.  I think I ate 4 PB&J sandwiches, some cookies, a banana and some (a lot of) trail mix on the ride.

Friday, October 4, 2013

Eight Bikes in Eight (Calendar) Days

This probably doesn't entertain anybody but me.  Since 7 Bikes In 7 Days I've added another bike which totally changes things.  For one, I have more bikes than there are days in the week.  OK, maybe that's it.  But I have 8 bikes now and I need to show them all love.

Friday, September 27 - GT Sensor 9er Elite.  The ride in was an awesome pre-dawn trail commute that I got to share with my wife and the ride home was an all out race through the trails.  That Sensor can move!
Saturday, September 28 - Scott CR1 Comp.  I rode this bike in the 60 mile "Not Dead Yet" ride to support the Cancer Community Center in Portland.  It was a nearly perfect day for a ride.  We started out en-masse and the whole group stuck together for most of the ride.  At each rest stop we dropped off a few more riders.  I was sticking to the back of the pack just enjoying the ride.  By the last rest stop we had lost all but myself and 2 other riders.  By the end of the ride I hadn't dismounted my bike for the whole 62 miles and we had averaged 20mph!

Saturday, September 28 - Felt F4X. This is where the calendar days part comes in.  I took off to meet my wife who was running back from the event.  Since I expected to hit some dirt roads I took the Felt.

Sunday, September 29 - Rest Day

Monday, September 30 - Surly Pugsley.  This was another early morning trail commute with my wife.  I hadn't taken the fatbike out in a while and it would keep our speeds similar.  It was also the first ride on the bike with my cheap heavy suspension seat post which has just about the same give as the aging disks in my back but is much easier to replace.  The ride home was really slow but I did find a freshly cut trail that adds an interesting mile to the trails!

Tuesday, October 1 - Univega Viva Sport.  I knew I would be carpooling to the hospital in the afternoon to see my new niece and this bike comes apart pretty easy.

Wednesday, October 2 - GT Sensor 1.0.  I really like this bike too.  I took the new trail because I couldn't help myself...In both directions.  I think I saw deer in 7 different places (not pictured)
Thursday, October 3 - Bridgstone MB-3.  This was the day that I decided to go for 8 in 8.  This probably wouldn't have been my choice of bike otherwise.  It's kind of slow and heavy and it felt that way.  The fact that the back tire only had about 20 psi didn't help.  This one will make a bigger appearance as the weather turns foul. 

Friday, October 4 - Surly Cross Check.  Rounding out the 8 in 8 week.  I made sure to pump up the tires before I set out.  I still felt a little slow but I think that's just me.  This is normally my rain bike but it hasn't rained here in about 2 weeks.


Wednesday, October 2, 2013

Early Morning Cyclist Inspiration

The fall colors are coming out and the morning rides are starting in the dark.  This morning's ride brought me past 3 deer (not pictured) 
I admit, the picture's not the best but the ferns are pretty cool.