Wayne and Garth said it best...

I'm not worthy!

The waiting game is over and thankfully the building of this race bike is too. I am blown away with the outcome and feel empowered with my new trail weapon. I don't know if I am worthy of such artwork for a bicycle but will certainly put my best in racing this red and black missile.

Big thanks go out to the creator of this shiny new rig, Christopher Igleheart. I've seen plenty of bikes brought to life in his studio and this is by far my favorite and I'm happy to say that it's mine and I'm going to ride the hell out of it.

Possibly with a 29er up front if I have the go-nads to race her with a rigid front end which I don't plan on, well maybe just once.

Big thanks go out to Bill and Ant at Western cycle for helping put the finishing touches on this ride. Two things I hate to do...bleed brakes and tweak front derailleurs. Thanks guys.

Now it's off to the North American Handmade Bicycle Show in San Jose California before I get a chance to ride it on the trails. Probably a good thing considering the salt, mud and muck on the trails right now. Maybe it'll even win a prise..who knows.

Ice Ride !

I can't remember the last time conditions in the woods were like this. A thick hard crust atop a few inches of snow. Unbelievable traction (with studs) but scary as hell!

February to me

It's cold and icy,
and the riding is dicey.
We long for tropical vacations-
but they're so damn pricey!

when temperatures rose the snow went fizzle -
instead of fluffy white powder we got all drizzle.
I had to clear the ice with a cold chisel.

The night before it froze solid as steel,
I was using my snow blower when it let out a squeal!
The sound not good, the situation less than ideal...

I quickly reached for the throttle,
but it was though I'd uncorked a Champagne bottle,
oil spewed from the machine,
like Kenny D when he ruptured his spleen.

now I got no blower, snow removal will be much slower.
alas, I didn't break my windshield glass!

Jay Winter Race

kickstart my wimpness

Winter is finally here in the north east. We have not seen temps above 27 degrees in over a week, thus I've lost my ambition to ride early mornings. A few of us (Sean, Igleheart and me)had a long run of tues and fri 7a.m. rides but it didn't happen this week due to the cold. Hoping this saddle hiatus will strengthen my will to get out side this weekend. Still on the fence weather or not to do the Jay winter thing. No excuses really not to do it..I got the gear to keep warm, got a place to stay, conditions seem piss'a, George has graciously kicked me down a very suitable bike for the epic, just waiting to hear if I can change around work schedules with my colleague for weekend duties at the airport. The real challenge would be waking early Sunday morning to drive from northern Vermont to go to work. bla bla bla.

OK, I'm in.

Exile !

I feel the need to pay homage to Brad and his Jamis Exile. He conveniently left it at my house for future use for when he is around my neck of the woods...turns out that was a good plan Bev. It has provided me many a good morning ride in the near-by patch of woods since my race bike has been off getting a make-over.
I've been in major purge mode the past couple few weeks selling anything and everything on ebay. Out with the old and in with the new! Shocked at some of the prices that used bike parts can fetch on the open market. Ebay is king. I'm trying my hardest to minimize my spare parts and maybe help out someone along the way. It's tough to part with some of my most coveted components but this stuff doesn't last forever...might as well sell it while it's still worth something and ride the current technology..and new bling doesn't hurt either.
Thanks to the guys at Western Cycle for your help ordering all my race schwag and pahts. Could not have built a race bike with out Jamie's support...that or I'd be in the poor house eating rice and beans every night...oh wait, I DO eat rice and beans every night.
So as you might be able to guess the frame isn't back from the painter yet...I'm hoping next week. What exactly will "painter's choice" look like? I have no idea.