next step in the skidding scene

ok, jonny and I thought we were getting it together, but this is the next level!

gravel grunt

Billed as a Red Ass training ride, it felt more like a Black and Blue Ass ride over some of the bumpier gravel roads. That and a 30-50 kmh headwind on the way back conspired to make it a bit of a slog. A head down, take your turn at the front, and hold on at the back sort of ride. But it feels good to have done it. 233 kms in just under 9 and a half hours, lots of Mennonite cemetaries and, according to Tomek's heart rate monitor, 7000+ calories burned. Sorry, no pictures. I forgot my camera and Paddy forgot to check his batteries.

In addition to being a mini(!) trial run for Red Ass, it was also a test of sorts for my leg. This was, of course, a massive violation of my doctor's 10% rule--don't increase your training efforts by more than 10% from one week to the next. But it's been feeling good and it seemed like the time was right to test it out. I'm doing some heavy pre-emptive icing and waiting anxiously to see what happens over the next day or two.

Thanks to Johnny and Cheryl for cold beverages and some good Altona hospitality.

Can't wait until tomorrow. Half Pints revisited. Maybe we'll get inside this time.

OTT: New Ruins, Flowers

sweet ride report

G and I cruised for about 3hrs last night. Super deluxe evening for a ride. I still love my bike, which may have been in jeopardy had I ridden even a quarter way to Altona like some did yesterday. I'm sure we'll read all about it soon.

We're working on the trackstands and skids... it's coming... The only thing that went wrong was that VJ's was closed 15minutes early... so we got burned. Next time.

bike for sale

not mine, but my friend's...

For Sale:

Surly 1X1 single-speed mountain bike, size large (approx. 20”).

Frame is 100% Surly 4130 cro-moly steel, main triangle double-butted & TIG-welded and is matched with a Surly 1X1 rigid fork. Frame alone retails for US $430.95. For further details check www.surlybikes.com.

Wheels have black Surly single-speed hubs (rear is designed for freewheels on both sides), laced with stainless spokes to Mavic XM317 rims (black with natural aluminium braking surface) 40 X 15/17 gearing.

Reason for selling: my wife says six bikes are too many! (hardly - alberto)

$650.00

questions????

contact me.

gravel baby

Red Ass training ride this Sunday. To Altona and back. 200+ km of backroads and gravel. Departs from my house at 6:30 am. So far, it's Paddy, Tomek, and me. Maybe Jonny G on the way back. Johnny S will provide refreshments in Altona.

OTT: The Hold Steady, Your Little Hoodrat Friend

do-over

I am rather relieved to report that this Tuesday's bungled Half-Pints excursion was not my fault. I spoke to Brewmaster Dave himself yesterday, and he claims to have just plain forgotten about it. Says his wife gave him crap about it too when they woke up on Wednesday morning. Poor guy. He says he feels really bad--as he should--and wants us to try again this Tuesday. And he says he's not going to charge us anything either. But I'm sure he'd still accept some cash if you want to give it to him. And this time he's put it in his palm pilot, so he promises not to forget. I may call to confirm anyway.

This is all kind of appropriate in a way because, as will be evident at the spring ride in two weeks, the FGBC is all about the do-over.

OTT: Mother Mother, Touch Up

back in black

When it says on the collar of our jersey that we are exactly what we are, what that means is that we are really just not very good. And yet we don't let details like that get in the way. Dr. last place it is. But a most enjoyable last place finish, if that's possible. First mtb race in almost two years, first race in expert, and first mtb race on the ss rig. Lots of room for improvement. The course at Bur Oak, especially the enchanted forest bit, just doesn't seem to like me very much. But at least it didn't take me down today. I crashed elsewhere instead. Good times. Can't wait for the next one. And by the end of the season, I won't finish last.

Photos courtesy of little m.:

the poosher was working

he loves it

still too fast for the camera

got back before dark . . . barely

OTT: Wendy Bucklew, Buckets of Rain

half-assed

So at least we now know what it takes to get people out for a ride. Long-forgotten FGBC associates were crawling out of the woodwork at every turn. Nice. There really was no Half-Pints tour. It was all just part of a scheme to boost the numbers for the F&H buyback plan. With 15 or so in attendance, it looks like we'll be well-stocked for the spring ride in just over two weeks. We will have a tally by next week. Good times at Garbage Hill between the brewery and the F&H. The president's hand-me-down Colnago made its debut. And the much anticipated arm-wrestling match between the secretary and Jonny B finally went down.

First Wed. Night race is tonight. It is going to hurt.

'Stache-cross is still on. 12 laps, baby! Six more to go.




OTT: The Frames, Bad Bone

yes

grand beach report

another lonely race...

beautiful day for a race, not quite the 11C and rain they were calling for earlier in the week. day started early because i offered to help with course setup; lindsey picked me up 7:00, off to get donuts from tim's, pick up tomek, and on the road by 8:00. thankfully paddy did a bunch of the preliminary work on friday, but it still took over an hour to tape, sign, and clear body impaling branches and such.

this would be my first race in expert and first on the 29er, and these will be only firsts i will see all season. the pace is quicker, as to be expected, but it is still the same race experience with crowded single track sections, jockeying for position, and world of hurt - only this time it lasts longer. overall i was pleased with how i finished; not last and within respectable time of some of the riders who i want to stay with. would have been a couple of more positions down on the list if kevin braun and dale cramer did not blow tires. the only thing i can gripe about is losing to this punk (see his race report here) by a second. pictures here.

more "you only need one" video action here by the "mostest bestest unicycle chick ever" (that's how the people in lincoln describe her).

29er

courtesy of Dave Benson

you only need one

bike polo

Shona has a plan. Sounds like a good one. Wish I could be there but I can't. Hope others can make it.



OTT: Over the Hill, Into the Desert

Saturday morning ride

. . . to Lockport.

Late notice I know, but join us if you can. 7am at Tom's place or 6:45 at mine.

field trip

Forget burgers. It's time to get serious.



OTT: Apostle of Hustle, Fast Pony for Victor Jara

big announcement coming for next week's ride

you'll want to clear your schedule for this one... I'm not saying more until the ride director unveils the plans.

minutes april 17

very little really, the ride report covers most of it. The burger tasted a lot better than it looked.

Camping for the Spring Ride. It has been confirmed that we can camp pretty much anywhere on the dates we're going. We can't reserve, however. So, the camping director is awaiting a return call to make sure we can just show up where we were last year.

Tuesday Night Ride report

The first burger ride is done. Daly Burger it was. Open til 10pm. Not enough time for the secretary to get there, unfortunately. But he still got to sample a burger. The Uptown claims it's the 3rd best burger in town. Still waiting for the collective FGBC wisdom to emerge. More chili than burger, it would seem, but tasty nonetheless. And a good bun, which is not to be overlooked. Playoff hockey on tv is definitely a nice touch.




Nick's Inn and Rae and Jerry's were put forward as future burger ride possibilities. Other suggestions welcome.

The ride itself got off to a slow start. First day of Kids of Mud, rough childcare transition, sewer issues in NK, and early burger joint closing times all conspired to delay the quality saddle time--post-burger ride to the clubhouse via Ass. park. Still, by the time I got home, I'd put in just a shade under 20kms. Not bad for a night of burgers, beers, and bullshit.



Always nice to arrive at the clubhouse. Crowbar was there again tonight, but didn't hit on us this time. The new patio was tested and the initial reaction is promising.

Not to be lost in all this is the fact that another lap of 'stache cross is in the books. Jonny G finished lap 11 sporting a new look.

OTT: The Dears, Summer of Protest

burger ride

The secretary wants research. Try the Winnipeg burger blog for more than you could ever possibly need, let alone want, to know. A few quick calls suggests that we might have limited options, however. But we can explore, knowing that there's always VJ's to fall back on.

Tuesday

The president was none too pleased last week when we passed by VJ's without stopping for anything to eat. Not that he made a big scene or anything, but his dissatisfaction was palpable. So this week we will make amends by doing a burger ride of sorts. Maybe he will even join us. Come prepared to defend the virtues of your favourite burger. Arguments will be heard as we ride for a while, before finally retiring to sample the winning entry. Apologies to the vegetarians and vegans among us. You're still welcome, but may want to bring a granola bar. Or you may make a case for a veggie burger. Stella's has one that's pretty good. Post-ride, post-burger meeting at the F&H, as usual.

OTT: Glossary, Breathe Life into Me