Another Bike!?

I have been thinking of getting a road bike. Last year I was pounding the pavement a lot. Started looking at a different ride than the Trek FX (hybrid).

This morning I rode from Xtreme Wheels to Margaritaville on the hardtail. On the way down the hill, I decided to talk with Blaine about a road bike. He had a Gary Fisher Rail in my size (55cm).

Now, I had never ridden a road bike. Once again, the shifting is new to me. It will take some time to get used to it. But, nothing I can't master. The great part of it was the bike geometry was perfect for me.

I felt very comfortable in the riding position. Actually can see better and puts less strain on my neck than the hybrid.

We got down the nitty-gritty. I asked about the components of that bike based on my weight and riding style. Blaine recommended that I consider a shifter upgrade with the miles I put on a bike. I requested a triple ring gear, because with the 3 ring gear "grandma" is a little too fast.

So, I now have a road bike on order. Its not a "Trek" but in the Trek family. White Fisher Rail Super T. The only color is comes in is White. So I will HAVE to ride the same color Fisher bike as Zach! A small price to pay for a bike that fits me to a "T".

1900 and Counting

My trail bike is repaired! Still waiting parts for the hardtail. :(

Yesterday was a gorgeous day - 60 degrees, nearly calm winds, not a cloud in the sky. Had to head out on the bike.

The dirt trails are too wet from the rains over the week. Decided to ride around Council Bluffs. Started from the Xtreme Wheels, stopping at the Western Heritage Trails Center. Rode the Iowa Riverfront Trail to the end at Big Lake, down N 8th St, and stopped at campaign headquarters. Finished back at the bike shop after over 25 miles, 2+ hour ride.

So far, the rebuilt fork is functioning fine.

Great ride and took my riding log to over 1900 miles for the year.

Full Moon ride this evening, Omaha Bike Summit Saturday, Bike Bash (banquet) Saturday evening.

An Awesome Ride

Awesome ride this afternoon! I was not sure how well I would ride today. Attended a Ham Radio Flea Market in the morning. Was thinking of dropping by Swanson Park for the last cyclo-cross race.

Instead I headed home, changed clothes, put the trail bike on the car rack, grabbed my gear, and headed over to the Manawa singletrack. After the warm-up on Sidewinders, I felt that I would have a good ride.

Headed into Woodchopper for a lap or two. As nearing the end of lap one, I looked at my computer and saw my speed in E Sidewinders was over 12 mph! I decided to ride the warm-up and 2 full laps to see what my average speed. That has been my new benchmark ride.

Over the last couple weeks, my ride of 10-12.5 miles were at 7.9 - 8.5 mph. The last ride was over 14 miles. I felt that today's ride will clock much faster. That was verified several times when I looked at the computer to see my speed. I am really getting to love riding my Fuel EX7.

All said and done, 14 miles at 9.0 mph, beating my previous speed by .5 mph!

Friday Night Ride (MTB)

FINALLY the weather cooperated and we were able to make our first Friday Night Ride of the season. Seven Riders headed out into the woods in the Lake Manawa Mountain Bike Trail.

We rode for nearly 2 hours. On the last lap through E Sidewinder, I really hit my lines. Good ride.

Blaine had procured some headlights for testing. Several lights were attached to handlebars and one on a helmet. As we were waiting for dark, it was time for a ride over the the convenience store for food and refreshments.

Back into the woods, this time with headlights. I found that I really prefer a "flood" light with a wide pattern. Will see what everyone has to say after the test.

A marathon riding day (for me). 10.5 miles for the Mayors Bike to Work ride then 20.5 miles at Manawa (mostly in the dirt). The magic Blaine made on the crank of my bike did the trick. Now I can hear tire noise, not a drive train noise. (Thanks, Blaine)

Bike to Work Day

Yesterday was Bike to Work Day. I rode to show some support. There were several of us retirees. Of course, it was also an excuse to ride our bikes.

I think the attendance has improved each of the 3 years I have attended. Some of us assembled at Valley View Park (per the flier). We were sent over the Tazza di Caffe' for registration and refreshments (where the rest of the group was assembling). Cookies provided by Cellar 19.

Then it was over to Bayliss Park. Council Bluffs Mayor Tom Hanafan welcomed the riders and read a proclamation - designating the day as Bike to Week Day in Council Bluffs. The City also had refreshments in the park for the riders.

After the festivities, Blaine rode with me back over the the shop, where my car was parked. Blaine was able to witness the extra noise in my bike's drive train. Reworked the crank bearings.

In the Dirt Again

Well, was feeling good after my ride yesterday. With rain forecast for this evening and tomorrow, it was time to ride some singletrack.

This was my first full (my laps) 2 lap + warm/cool ride - 12.6 miles. Still getting used to the new trail bike. Some sections on the sidewinders I was riding at up to 12 mph! Then slower pace in the tight turns.

Minor crash on woodchopper. Never use the front disc brakes for panic stops! Just some dirt in my arm - that's all. Got back up and rode more. Thought of hopping a log on Fast Track - then dropped that idea, since I had crashed once already today!

Completed my goal - over 12 miles.

We are still getting some mushroom hunters (a guess) moving logs. I talked with one hunter during my ride. When I mentioned that the News was saying you can find mushrooms under rotting wood - he said that would be something novice hunters might think. Not true.

Only 2 weeks to my trip to Rapid City. Hope the snow is melting .

Cinco de Mayo Ride

The Psycowpath MTB race for Saturday was postponed 1 day because of the rain Friday. That gave me the time (and energy) to ride the Xtreme Wheels Cinco de Mayo Ride.

Over 30 riders, many in costume, headed out from the shop for a ride on the Wabash Trace. The destination? Margaritaville, of course. There were refreshments & snacks. Then a quick ride down the hill.

Pot luck supper was served back at the shop.

I took it easy on the ride and food. For some reason, my stomach has not settled. My riding showed it. My speed was low climbing the hill. Coming up the hill, I had the rear shock cut in - that also gave me a bouncy ride - next time ride up with the shock locked out (the bike performance and my stomach condition were not related).

Rides & Trail Work

Back on the trail Tuesday. I decided to fore go the Tuesday Evening Ride from the bike shop. Instead I rode dirt at Manawa. The trails are dry (except for 1 ditch), hard, and fast.

It felt that I was riding closely to the same as my hardtail. Good lines, increasing speed, etc. When I got the bike to the shop for Wednesday Morning Ride, I realized that the rear shock was locked! Now wonder it was riding like my 4300.

Wednesday dawned clear, crisp, and cool. A good morning for our ride. Riders: Randy, Greg, Zach and me. We did our normal ride from the shop to Lake Manawa, rode the trails there and headed back to the shop. I could feel the difference now - riding with the rear shock in v. locked. Still getting is used to the new bike - but riding better each time I am out.

Just ended the ride when my friend Chuck called - he wanted to come over for help picking out a bike. Took him to Xtreme Wheels, where he ended purchasing a Navigator 30.

From there - Trail work. I met Steve (Manawa Trail Leader) and Martin to clear the 3 dead falls and hopefully make repairs to the big tree crossing. Andrew (another rider from XW stopped by when working on the log crossing - helped with us.

When I got home I was tired - not mentioning sore legs. See how I feel today - if I am going to ride later.

In the Dirt

Last night we got some light (very light, thank you) rain. Reports at breakfast said CB was about the same. What little rain we got dried off by noon, so decided it was time to do a longer ride on the new trail bike.

Was a pretty nice day at Manawa - all things considered; mid 50s, clear, variably winds. Made 2 full laps (my shortened laps) and 2 extra laps through W Sidewinder (warm-up and cool-down laps).

On my ride on Riverfront Real Estate, I found that large tree crossing has been damaged. Someone had purposely tore out the leading side of the crossing. I could not help of thinking that the damage was done my mushroom hunters - they were all over in the woods.

It was great back riding Fast Track. This was another test of the bike handling. The bike rode well.

My second lap was better - improved lines. Just about ending the ride through Fast Track, there was a pile of wood stacked right across the center of the trail. Now, the pile was not there on my first lap. Mushroom hunters again? But the pile looked purposely stack right over the trail. I have never see such wantonly interference with trail users here at Manawa.

The new bike now has logged over 11 miles. My speed was low - compared to end of the last season. 11.3 miles in 1:39. - no speed record. Some of that is conditioning, some is not able to ride as much (weather and trail conditions), and some was getting accustomed to the new bike.

All-in-all, a great day in the woods.

Wrap it Up!

I was in town for breakfast. The weather was getting pretty nice, the ground is drying, and there's a new bike at Xtreme Wheels ready for me to ride. It didn't much time for me to change clothes, grab my gear, and head to the bike shop.

My goal was to make a test ride at Manawa. Then, if that goes well, over to Swanson Park.

I rode W Sidewinder to warm up and to get used to the bike on singletrack. That went well. I noticed that on sharp turns I have a tendency to over steer - nothing I can't overcome. Heading back into Woodchopper, I felt how the bike grabs the trail when climbing.

By the time I was on W Sidewinder again, I was in my groove - good lines. When I rode at the shop Thursday, I was worried about the higher ride/bottom bracket. When I ended my ride on W Sidewinder, my position on the bike felt natural.

So, over the Swanson Park. Lets see how it climbs, specially with all of the roots.

The bike dug in and climbed great - no problem with the roots. The only thing that limited my climbing was my physical conditioning - I need to get in better shape, working on it. Down the trail over the roots, "what roots?". The suspension did it's job, giving me a smooth ride.

When I got back to the shop, Blaine asked my how I liked the ride. My comment was "wrap it up" (I will take it).

We got the bike all decked out - new heart monitor, computer, seat pack, bottle cage, and spare tube. Photos for blogs before leaving the shop, then on the car rack for the trip to home.

I commented to Blaine and Bill, the Fuel EX7 really is a "trail" bike. It belongs in the dirt. I feel that it rides better on singletrack than on pavement.

Photos: Above - on Woodchopper. Right - all decked out at the shop.

A New Ride?

The new Trek Fuel EX7 arrived at Xtreme Wheels. I was there when the bike was unloaded from the truck.

One of the first things Zach noticed and remarked to me, was the lighter bike and wheels.

Zach assembled the bike, and I was the first to ride it.

As you see from the photo, I was not expecting the bike being delivered today. After a quick ride around of the parking lot, I headed home for my helmet and riding clothes.

I rode in the area on the paved paths. I did not have my heart monitor on; it was getting a little windy for a test ride over to Manawa without the monitor.

Really looking forward to testing on singletrack. I was planning to test it Saturday after the trail day - weather and trail conditions permitting. The trail work has been canceled. So, lets see what the weather brings - if I can test ride in within of the next couple of days.

From what I have ridden, there a couple of things that will have I would have to get used to (or changed). The biggest thing I noticed (and had talked with Blaine before it was ordered) was the higher bottom bracket. You ride higher, which resulting a more "lay over the handlebars", prone position. Blaine said that if needed, the handlebar height or headset could be changed.

All-in-all, an impressive bike.

Now, if I can only get my car repaired before the weekend...

Back in the saddle

Eight days without a ride - ouch. Now 2 rides within 24 hours. I am exhausted.

Over the last week, the weather was just not with me. Lots of rain and wind. Last weekend the weather was good, I had gotten busy with other stuff.

Yesterday was NOT turning into a good day. After breakfast, I had car problems. The ignition switch is locked up - has happened 2 time before, 2 years apart. Means had to have the car towed. Stopped by at Xtreme Wheels. It was that day I needed to decide to order a new trail bike. Well, they had already ordered one - Trek Fuel EX7. Hope the bike is the ride for me.

I needed the Tuesday Evening Ride - any bike ride. Dennis rode with me. Headed out towards Manawa. Not sure why I was not riding well. Heart rate was high during the ride - and I was not riding that fast. Maybe I ate to much in the day, perhaps it was the 8 days off the bike. Rode the hybrid. Still was a good ride - how can you complain when it is 73 deg, sunny, very light wind, and you are on your bicycle!

Today was the first Wednesday Morning Ride (mountain/trail bikes). Now, I had problems sleeping - probably from the ride last night. But I wanted to get out to ride since the morning dawned clear and calm. Little cool but forecast for warm day. Wonders of wonders even Zach made it - isn't great to ride in the early morning?.

Blaine, Randy, Zach and I headed out from the bike shop. We rode the paved trail to the Lake Manawa mountain bike trail. Started on the West side, moved over to the East side. I was riding pretty good - heart rate was much lower than last evening. Layers started coming off as the temperature climbed.

Zach headed back, Randy, Blaine and I rode the West side again, then rode to the shop. Great morning ride. (Thanks for starting the ride, Randy).

If you want to join us for the weekly ride - show up at Xtreme Wheels ready to ride at 7am.

This and That

For those of you that are looking for my race photos, your wait is over. Last night I got them posted on the NaugaBike web site. Here's the link to the Maskenthine Race.

Sunday, it was trail day at Tranquility Park. Some 17 or so THOR members turned out. Order of the day was erosion control. In addition, the new trail markers were installed.

Thanks to everyone helped put. Great to see you up and about, Doug.

Monday I got my first true dirt ride. Rode the green & blues at Lake Manawa. Sure was great to be back playing in the woods! By the time I finished my loop, I was really feeling good. Everything seemed to click again.

I came across one dead fall in Woodchopper. Also, one spot in Woodchopper had some brush hanging over the trail - cleared that. Another THOR member says there's another one over the trail. Later today I will be calling our TrailLeader. Make sure he knows about the problem and discuss plans for the Lake Manawa Clean-up Day.

Wednesday, would have liked to ride in the dirt, but the trails looked just to soft from the rain Tuesday. I headed out from Xtreme Wheels, over to Manawa, checkedout the singletrack, then rode around the lake. Turned out to be a pretty good ride. My log topped over 400 miles for the year so far.

Spend some time reviewing specs on trail bikes. I had been planning to buy a full suspension 69er. But, I am not sure Trek has the bike dialed in quite right. And it does not yet have the EVO and ABP. That leaves me the Fuel EX. Several times (couple models of) I have ridden the Fuel EX7. It is a sweet ride. Would like to ride it now with the new EVO and ABP refinements. I could also ride (check out) the specialized Stumpjumper. That was a good ride last year at Black Hills FTF. Lastly, I could just tide my Trek 4300 for another year (but what is the fun in that).