A Dose of Dos

Well it took long enough, but I finally got my new toy out on the trails last Thursday. There's still a bit of tweaking to be done, but I think I've got it pretty much dialed in. My initial concerns about feeling cramped in the cockpit turned out to be unfounded after adjusting the handlebar and seat positions a little, and there is no toe overlap.

First impression: This thing moves! Going for the lightweight build was a good idea, I think. I haven't actually weighed it, but I think it came in well under 25 lbs. I am not a fast rider at all ("pokey" would be a fair description of my riding style). That said, I felt like I was C-R-U-I-S-I-N-G!

Initial results indicate when I return Ricky's Karate Monkey fork, it'll only be to replace it with a rigid fork to call my very own! I had no problems whatsoever moving from the 100mm on the Stumpy to the KM. My initial impression, that rigid on a 29er feels the same to me as an 80mm suspension fork on a 26er, remains unchanged after this maiden voyage. I really see no need for a suspension fork for the type of riding I do, especially with the softtail taking the edge off on the back end. I'm already starting to look for good deals on a Pace, a fork I think is thimply thexthy!

Similarly, I think I'm keeping the Mary bar. If Jason won't sell his, I'll pick up one of my own.

I see no need to drop the SS setup either, at least not yet. I had no real problems handling the steep, rooty, rocky (but short) climbs where I was, and even though I hadn't been on a bike in several days, I didn't feel any more gassed-out than usual. It wasn't 'til the end of the ride when I was starting get tired that I found myself reaching for non-existent shifters (and even then, about half the time I was trying to shift up to stop spinning). Admittedly, 32-20 isn't the toughest gear in the universe, but it seems to work well for local conditions.

I do need to get used to the higher BB when going over logpiles, etc, especially coming off a Stumpjumper. There were a couple of times when my balance was a little off due to that. I also learned just how much I use my suspension fork as a crutch when lofting the front end.

The only disappointing part of the ride was tearing out the Ignitor's sidewall just as I was starting a second lap. Just bad luck, I suppose.

Bottom line, I don't think you'll be seeing this bike on eBay anytime soon!

Wednesday's Banal Post

Well, well, well! It's been a while, and I wish I could say life's been just Oh! So! Eventful! that I haven't had time to waste on vomiting into the ether, but it hasn't really.

Or has it?

MemDay Weekend saw the family in NYC, staying at my sister's house on City Island and overeating/overdrinking per SOP. Mine is a family that likes to drink. With a couple of exceptions (shhh! We don't talk about them!) , we keep it well under control, but when we get together - well, let's just say our social intercourse is well-lubricated! That sounds dirtier than it is, which is why I wrote it.

Anyway, Sunday we left The Boy in the care of Sis' handyman/tenant/houseboy and headed into Manhattan. We went to a matinee showing of Spamalot, the Monty Python Broadway musical. Very, very funny. The Jinn seemed to enjoy it thoroughly, even if large segments of the plot (such as it is) went right over her head.

After the show, we ate dinner at Smith & Wollensky Steakhouse, which was very nice but very, very, very expensive. $530.00 for six of us, including tip! Jayzus Aightch Kee-Ryst!!! I'm sorry, but there is no way in hell my $45.00 ribeye (ala carte!) didn't include $25.00 of pure profit for the restaurant - it just didn't!

But, I suppose that's the price you pay for Dinner and a Show in Manhattan! All in all, a highly enjoyable weekend.

Oh What a Beautiful MOOOOOORNING!

Today is National Bike to Work Day, so I took advantage of Mom's visit to leave Alex at home and ride in on the MUT. This was a shakedown cruise in preparation for the daily bike commute to start sometime in July.

I managed to get out the door at about 6:40, only ten minutes later than planned (not bad, for me!). The ground was wet - it must have rained last night - but not enough to make me wish I'd worn rain gear or had fenders. It was cool, not chilly, and the sun was shining off the wet pavement. All the hallmarks of a gorgous Spring day.

Once again, the weights and the swimming paid off. The ride in has never been a real tough one, but there are a couple of spots that always seem to make me wheeze. Not today - it really was an effortless trip, and I was crossing the Potomac almost before I knew it. I only hope the same applies on the (uphill) return trip tonight after a full day's work.

I rolled into the parking garage at 7:30; showered, changed and was at my desk by 7:50. Five minutes later than I'd hoped, but within an acceptable margin of error. Nothing a slightly more efficient locker room routine won't take care of.

I'm really looking forward to making this my routine - I've been wanting to bike commute ever since we moved into our house. Erica's work schedule and Alex's daycare made the logistics impossible. Now that Alex is about to start Kindergarten, I no longer have to drive him downtown to drop off at daycare, and I can start working on trimming back the roll of lard I've been carrying around my waist for several years now!

Gleeful Pagans Licking Ice Cream From the Nipples of the Devil!

That's really all I have to say right now.

No Maiden Voyage for The Dos After All!

Rain today, means the Thursday night MORE ride is cancelled and my new baby has to stay shiny for another few days.

Oh well, at least maybe this will break my string of consecutive Thursday night Wakefield crashes...

The Dos - She LIVES!!!

Ready to ride!

AAAAAAARRRRGGGGHHHH!!!!!

I was so close! All I needed was the cog and spacers, which were on track to arrive today.

I get home, I get out of the car, I run to the porch... YES!!!! THE BOX HAS ARRIVED!!!

Pull the bike out of the shed, pull off the rear tire; line up the cog and slap on the spacers! Oh yeah, Baby! Nothin' left to do now but -

No. Oh, HELL No!

I FORGOT TO GET A LOCKRING!!!!!

So much for tomorrow's shakedown ride. I hope the shop has a lockring lying around.

Dammit.

Like, What the HELL?!?

Three Thursday rides, three bullshit, avoidable crashes. Pete took over the group after Craig's chainring started shooting shrapnel. Nice, mellow pace with a good group of folks. I had a great ride, with MTBGod Pete even pointing my technique out to the Newbies.

So, we're approaching the parking lot at the end of the ride, and I drop into the little dip at the edge of the lot, like I do every time I'm there. It's a simple little drop I've done a zillion times before - no obstacles aside from some exposed taproots, and a nice runout to the pavement. Piece o' proverbial cake.

I don't know what happened, or how, but my front wheel stopped dead, causing me to slowly rise in an arc over the bars. Down I go - endoed on an easy-peasy move at the local beginner-friendly course, at the end of an otherwise excellent ride. Gave myself a nice charlie horse right on my thigh, too, which bodes for a painful day in the gym tomorrow!

Sheesh - frickin' Wakefield, of all places! It's after me. It's out for blood, and it won't stop 'til I'm in a cast - I can tell! Mark my words, this won't end well...

Time Draaaaags On!

I built up the Dos as much as I could Sunday. It's a beautiful machine. And light! Soooo, so light!

Cog and spacers are en route from Webcyclery after a restock delay, and waiting for the final bits is turning out to be a painful experience. ETA is Friday, and I'm having a real hard time!

I wanna ride my new bikey!!!!

WAAAAAAHHHH!!!