Crazy winter weather...

So in December, East TN was hit with a deluge of rain and actually carried over into the first week or so of the New Year. Filling the gauges to not only end '08 on a "+" rain total but put us 3" or so ahead for this year. All while being absolutely cold as, well you know! Then earlier this week it was down in the single digits for lows and highs not getting above the mid-20's. We even saw some of the white stuff; I think they call it SNOW! No major accumulation but it did cover the ground and get this...CLOSED SCHOOLS!

This week the weather God's must have decided to smile on me. I just happened to trade my normal Monday off to help out G$. He and the fam went on a snowboarding weekend. This meant Thursday was my day for a little action. I began checking the future-cast early last weekend and noticed the possible high was going to reach 50! I formulated a plan: a little cabin fever mountain bike ride. As the days counted down the forecast was still looking good for my evil scheme of a late January ride on the SS. I put the word out for a Thursday hookie ride. I had one taker, Alan Carnell. We decided a little Raccoon Mountain action was needed to cure our cabin fever.

I awoke to a beautiful sunny sky w/ a few white clouds. I knew this would be a GREAT day! I wasn't too concerned w/ trail conditions as the SORBA-Chatt crew has done a tremendous job building the trails down there. We began our ride with a slight chill and light breeze. However, we knew being in the woods and the sun would warm us up quick on the SS. The BIG WHEELS were rollin' strong on the dry, hardpack. The turns got interesting in spots w/ some grease here and there which made for perfect 2 wheel drifts. We did find some soft and slick spots on a few of the climbs, snow in a couple areas, and some crunchies scattered along the trail. All in all this was the PERFECT late January day for a mountain bike ride!

Pimp my ride!!!

I've had the Tricross for 6 months or so and have to say it's a really cool bike but by far was my least favorite and least ridden of any bike I currently own. I don't know if it simply feels too much like a road bike or I was just never comfortable on it? I THANK Jen for buying it for me but it's tough to show enthusiasm when you don't like something.
I needed to be fit properly and had issue w/ reaching the levers in the drops. The was problematic on the FUN gravel road descents of parsons branch and rich mountain. I decided to try a few things before totally ditching such an AWESOME BIKE! As with any bike I own, it's got be tweaked! I sold off the wheels and '08 Rival group to PIMP MY RIDE! The wheels were upgraded to a King classic road hub (red) laced to mavic cxp 33 rims (black) using paired dt swiss revolution spokes ( black & silver w/ black and red nipples). The brakes were upgraded to Paul's so I could slow down a little better. I also got the '09 Rival group which is not only all black but has reach adjustments for the brake and shift lever. G$ also adjusted a few things for me getting the fit really dialed in.

Intelligence vs. Common Sense

It is often confused as one in the same. Is a lack of common sense seen as being less intelligent or is being a dumb ass seen as lacking common sense? In my case, the jury is still out?!?

For Example: my newest bike- what in the hell was I thinking??? or was I??? Have I lost it, again? Come on a freakin' rigid SS 29er. I know I've had one before and liked it but as my only damn mountain bike!

After a mechanical issue delayed my innagural ride on the new bike last week. I decided today was the day to go ride it...the plan was Raccoon mtn but I opted for my favorite trail system in all the world SNORRIS! I knew it was going to be hard but NOT THAT DAMN HARD! All today's ride did was PISS ME OFF!!!! So much for easing into my training plan? Of course, I rode the most difficult route I could. Trying to blow myself up right off the bat, but you know,"if you're gonna be stupid, you've gotta be tough."

My problem is that I've set the bar way too high for '09. It all started with me opening my BIG mouth that I was going to race (term used very loosely) the Cohutta 100 on a SS. This got me to thinkin', which normally doesn't happen and when it does it means T-R-O-U-B-L-E! So, I was bored the other night and began to put a little list together of my goals for '09.

'09 events:

April 25th Cohutta 100

May 2nd PMBAR w/ G$ or Jen (whom ever will be my teammate)

May 9th Syllamo's Revenge

July 26th ORAMM (maybe)

August 15th Fool's Gold 100

September 6th Shenandoaha 100

October 15-18th Pisgah Stage Race (solo or G$/Jen teammate)

November 8th SWANK 65 (maybe)

Luckily I've got about 15 weeks or so to prepare for the 1st event.

The DEBATE goes on...Intelligence vs. Common Sense?

New Year...new, well you know

Many good things have happened since the last post:
1) I have actually been riding my bikes. Besides the Christmas day Bent Creek ride. I rode 3 1/2 hours @ Montgomerey Bell SP 20+ miles, Haw Ridge w/ Jen, and New Years Day Windrock DH w/ Thomas, Eric, and Brian
2) Brett was in town to celebrate New Years
3) Our kitchen is back to normal after the year long floor tile job
4) Jen raced the Snake Creek Gap TT in Dalton, GA. She did the 34 mile in 4:46:37 very respectable for that occasional rider in early winter diet/training mode, NOT!!!!
5) See picture below...


Yeah, I went and got myself another 29er SS. I know, I know...it doesn't have 6+ inches of travel. For now it's my only bike, beside my beloved DEMO, well until...who knows! It's rigid for now 'til I find that damn money tree and get that 120mm fork from the boys @ Fox.