Hangover

First ride in Sedona in seven years for me.

There is a rider in every photo but one although sometimes dwarfed by the landscape.























































World Class!

Progression

Ethan hits the rock pile for the first time.



Progression from Enel on Vimeo.


He did way better than I expected given the dinky wheels. Given a kids COG to WB ratio, I think it is next to impossible for them to endo unless they do something really stupid (not out of the realm of possibility.)

Neuhaus

"The great conflicts in American history, especially slavery, civil rights, and abortion, have been unusually hard fought and passionate because they cannot be understood as symbolic fights over different worldviews or cultures. Instead, they are better understood as clashes over how common liberal values should be extended to different categories of humans. These conflicts have been disagreements over who counts as a human person."

While not his quote, this article shows again what a giant Neuhaus was.

Of Wheels and Racks

Bad week for wheels on the commuter last week.

First, I notice the rear wheel is out of true. Go to true it and notice this:



That would explain the ticking sound I have been ignoring when laying down the power the last few days or so.

Talked it over with Mikesee, apparently this is a common problem with 24 spoke count light weight roadie rims.



Too bad because they looked bitchen. Not worth it to re-lace, let me know if you want the hub which is very, nicely built. Good thing they were free (thanks Dan).

Put Josh's old wheel on that I acquired with his Monkey frame (these are also a set of Dan's old wheels ridden for thousands of miles by him, and many hundreds by Josh).

First ride:



Hit here at about 30 mph:



Didn't see the hole since I was tailgating a car to stay safe from side road traffic. The impact was impressive and almost knocked me off the bike. Instant pinch flat as well.

It looks so innocuous in photos:



Anyway, I'm trading Ed two sets of Mary bars and $25 to build me up another wheel with that old Dura-Ace hub.

This weekend, finally got around to building a more workable bike rack for the kids bikes.



Best thing is it cost nothing. Totally built with scrap 2X6 lumber I had.

Works like a charm, and the garage is a lot neater. Now to train them to use it.

Snow

It's everywhere, mud everywhere else.

I did get to ride 3 hours starting pre-dawn on Sat and praying for very cold temps to keep the mud manageable.

The riding was better than not riding, and the scenery was worth it.





Climbed road up to 37, down a very snowy, but luckily not icy 40, into Granite basin, up and back Mint Wash, then hit nearly all the climbing I could find on the way out.



Riding in snow is novel, for a while, then the novelty quickly wears off. Speed are slow, slow, slow, even downhill.

The Moth is living up the the hype. I was finally able to open it up on lower 40 to see how it handles at speed for a minute or two. It is nice. Not quite as adept as the 5" Box/135 on the descent, but a more balanced climber. Until we all have Bionicons, compromise is the name of the game.

There is nothing I can't climb with it (that I can usually climb), and it excelled in the techy rock work on Mint wash.

All in all, it feels like the Milk Money with extra gears and slightly more cush. This is a good thing.

Hit the Dells tech trail today for an hour on the MM and see that I have lost power with all these other rides. Handled the tech wonderfully.

Grown Men Behaving Like Children

That's what it's all about right;)

Dan and I had a hootin good time today. Enjoy.


Granite Dells Fun from Enel on Vimeo.

If the Video demonstrates anything it's that the bike really has little to do with it. Luckily with my technological advantages, I can make up for skill deficiency....a little.

I will note that Dan is riding a specially set up "Rock Monkey" with 26X20 gearing, super short cockpit, etc. He says his other bikes are too pretty to ride out here.



Also note that after trying various set ups, he prefers the shortest chainstay possible (around 17" on the Monkey).:eek:



"Do you boys need a refresher course, It's all short chainstays now";)