Death Barf

Well my Frame from Kelly Bedford came in, but unfortunately the chainstays interfered with the crank arms so I had to ship it back.  Hopefully that will get squared away shortly.

The Death March was a bust for me. I woke up Saturday and threw up.  I haven't had a solid meal for several days now; not a fun way to lose weight.

The men's teams took 16,17,18, and 20. I'd like to think Jeff and I would have filled in the 19th slot easily. It sucks I had to miss out on the teamwork and fun.

Heather and Sherrie DNF'd because they didn't get to Lutes I believe.

Jeni and Darren got 6th and Ted and Katie got 20th(her first race!).

Good job to all. 

This guy's name better be Jake Podium; otherwise he's a schmuck

Sunday Ride

Nice day for a ride on my pseudo road bike.

Seriously California?

 Sidi spikes carry a warning from California:
California Proposition 65 Warning
this production contains a chemical known to the State of California to cause cancer, birth defects or other reproductive harm.

They're just aluminum spikes!

You Snooze You Lose

I overslept a bit today and then went riding before the snow melt.  I totally forgot about the Dirty Kanza 200.  Well it sold out.  I am not surprised endurance events like this, the NUE, and now the UltraCX are becoming more popular every year. That downside is what draws me to the TD and other ultra endurance events.  No registration no fee, and the option of racing when I can.

Note the butt print

Seatpost Bag

I finally sat down at the sewing machine this week. I was amazed that I spent a solid two+ hours making it.  Most of that time spent getting the zipper pull back on after pulling it too far. The zipper is sewn into a separate piece of fabric. I think next time the center portion will be one continuous piece. and I learned to cut the triangle bits with curved corners, I think it will sew easier and look better. I even added a bit of the grosgrain stuff over the seams.

I made a little gas tank earlier w/out much planning and learned a good bit.  I've applied those lessons to the tank you see now.  This I think is good enough for the TD, it will just hold my tools and tubes next to my seatpost.
I have a pattern ready for a frame bag for my commuter bike. Once I sew that I think I'll be ready to make small things to sell.

Why I do it

I was asked why I was going back to the Tour Divide for the third time, the best answer I could give was "why not".

I just went through all my TD photos today. Each one elicits a flood of emotions. I can look at each photo and tell you how I felt that day, what song was going through my head, what I was thinking, what body part ached, and what I smelled.
I couldn't all of that into words though(and not for a lack of writing skills).

To many of you these photos are just miles and miles of endless roads.
To me they represent hard earned memories.

What a single cyclist does on a Saturday night

I have three wheels to build up. Front and rear for my cyclocross bike and a a singlespeed for my belt drive. All use Chris King hubs, DT Swiss revolution spokes, aluminum nipples, and Stan's Crest rims. And 3x lancing of course.

My wheel building kit is complete, and nice and tidy.
Nipple driver and starter in the lid
Spoke wrenches, spoke prep, tensiometer, and chart in the base(not pictured foam separator).