Saturday, December 29, 2007
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
A fond farewell
Our head mechanic, Danny, is moving on.
We are feeling 2 things:
1. We are very sad that we won't get to hear Danny's wise cracks and strange comments. We are sad that we are losing our friend.
2. We are happy for him because it is time for him to move on. It is time for Danny to get out of Dodge (Denver) and see the world on his own.
We all wish him the best luck ever and hope he will bless us with a visit when he is back in town!
To celebrate and mourn at the same time, let's all drop off a bottle or 6 pack of Dr. Pepper to him on Thursday... his last day.
We are feeling 2 things:
1. We are very sad that we won't get to hear Danny's wise cracks and strange comments. We are sad that we are losing our friend.
2. We are happy for him because it is time for him to move on. It is time for Danny to get out of Dodge (Denver) and see the world on his own.
We all wish him the best luck ever and hope he will bless us with a visit when he is back in town!
To celebrate and mourn at the same time, let's all drop off a bottle or 6 pack of Dr. Pepper to him on Thursday... his last day.
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
It's 9 out
The temperature outside is 9 degrees. I drove my roommates car into the store bright and early this morning and saw what we *don't sell* here at the store.
First of all, I got COLD. Why? Because cars have windshields that get frosty and you have to remove the frost before you can safely go anywhere. I wasn't moving around, so I got cold.
Secondly, I got stuck in traffic. Light after light, I moved so slowly. I literally could have jogged into work faster.
And lastly, I burned a bunch of gas.
So bikes... you step outside and go, not giving the cold a good chance to catch you standing around. Dressing appropriately, making sure you are ready to roll and not letting wind be your enemy. Secondly, not riding on main streets while cycling is faster than waiting in traffic on "fast streets". And bikes, unless you are doing something weird, don't burn up the petrol.
Bikes!
First of all, I got COLD. Why? Because cars have windshields that get frosty and you have to remove the frost before you can safely go anywhere. I wasn't moving around, so I got cold.
Secondly, I got stuck in traffic. Light after light, I moved so slowly. I literally could have jogged into work faster.
And lastly, I burned a bunch of gas.
So bikes... you step outside and go, not giving the cold a good chance to catch you standing around. Dressing appropriately, making sure you are ready to roll and not letting wind be your enemy. Secondly, not riding on main streets while cycling is faster than waiting in traffic on "fast streets". And bikes, unless you are doing something weird, don't burn up the petrol.
Bikes!
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Bike Biker Bikest
We started getting our 2008 Jamis, Giant and Brooklyn bicycles in! You probably need to come by in person to see them. We are building as fast as we can. So far, the Jamis Parker hasn't let us down at all and the Giant Road bikes are amazing (only 1 TCX left already!). The Brooklyn Park is here and it hurts to not touch it. And lastly, the Jamis Dragon 29 is stunning. That's it. That's all. See you soon.
Monday, November 19, 2007
How to Get the Message Across
There is a communication gap in Denver and maybe all of America. That message gap is cars vs. bikes and the laws that pertain. Cyclists want equal share of the ability to transport on the streets. Cars want to not give up their convenience and "powers". Here is the catch. We need to develop a relationship between the car and bike, rather than develop a disconnect. A disconnect happens when you aren't clear with the other party and things continue to separate. So, I am trying a new thing (which is sort of working so far). I don't run red lights. I stop fully at stop signs. AND!!! I make fun of those who do run lights and stop signs. The message I want to get across is that bikes are human powered cars. If someone needs to pass me either on bike or in car, then I just let them. Not a big deal, just like on the highway.I rarely get a chance to drive. But, when I do I try to use the road rather than own it.
My proposal is this: As the cycling community, let's send the message that we are part of the transportation of Denver and not the counter-transportation. Let's spread the word about the laws that pertain to cycling and to driving. Let's let the cars do what they need to do, so that they will, in turn, let us do what we need to do.
{Also} I know that cars mess with cyclists constantly. It sucks. I also know that cars feel messed with when a cyclist passes them repeatedly at stop lights. Whether anyone likes it or not, it is so.
My proposal is this: As the cycling community, let's send the message that we are part of the transportation of Denver and not the counter-transportation. Let's spread the word about the laws that pertain to cycling and to driving. Let's let the cars do what they need to do, so that they will, in turn, let us do what we need to do.
{Also} I know that cars mess with cyclists constantly. It sucks. I also know that cars feel messed with when a cyclist passes them repeatedly at stop lights. Whether anyone likes it or not, it is so.
Friday, November 16, 2007
Holy Kamolly
So, we are closing up the shop, emptying the garbage and the like. Danny comes running in and says "Some woman just got hit in the alley, I think I saw sparks!"
She was going down the sidewalk on her bike and POW! she went down. "Ow." is what Danny heard.
We all sprung into action to see what was going on. She was bleeding from her forehead pretty well and seemed okay, considering she didn't have on a helmet. She said that she would rather just get a ride to the hospital... and she kept on bleeding. Her bump got about the thickness of a finger. And so, 9-1-1.
The whole parade got here really quick. Less than 2 minutes, I'd say.
They packaged her up and moved her out. We took in the bike and left a card.
A man looked at Greg and said, "I've heard of ambulance chasers, but you guys are hard core". We smiled and left.
The lesson here: Please stay off of the sidewalk. Please wear a helmet. Seriously. Please.
She was going down the sidewalk on her bike and POW! she went down. "Ow." is what Danny heard.
We all sprung into action to see what was going on. She was bleeding from her forehead pretty well and seemed okay, considering she didn't have on a helmet. She said that she would rather just get a ride to the hospital... and she kept on bleeding. Her bump got about the thickness of a finger. And so, 9-1-1.
The whole parade got here really quick. Less than 2 minutes, I'd say.
They packaged her up and moved her out. We took in the bike and left a card.
A man looked at Greg and said, "I've heard of ambulance chasers, but you guys are hard core". We smiled and left.
The lesson here: Please stay off of the sidewalk. Please wear a helmet. Seriously. Please.
All right BMW!
We are carrying Brooklyn Machine Works bicycles, parts and "stuff":
These bikes feel like someone has read your mind when you were on some wonderful drug. Our fear is the revolt you will feel when you climb back on your old bike. Right now we have a Pooky and a Park on their way to our temple of bikes. Soon enough, we have Gangstas coming. If you are serious about buying any of these, you may want to plop the money down before we get them, if they aren't already sold to employees before you even get a chance. We'll get more sometime though.
For a good time, look at uTube for Brooklyn Machine Works. You may just laugh out loud.
http://www.brooklynmachineworks.com
These bikes feel like someone has read your mind when you were on some wonderful drug. Our fear is the revolt you will feel when you climb back on your old bike. Right now we have a Pooky and a Park on their way to our temple of bikes. Soon enough, we have Gangstas coming. If you are serious about buying any of these, you may want to plop the money down before we get them, if they aren't already sold to employees before you even get a chance. We'll get more sometime though.
For a good time, look at uTube for Brooklyn Machine Works. You may just laugh out loud.
http://www.brooklynmachineworks.com
Thursday, November 08, 2007
A song gets stuck in your head
This letter came to us a few days ago and it is amazing. Please read and enjoy (with the author's permission).
Hello friends,
I finally arrived in Santa Cruz this last Sunday and have been staying with my friends Pat and Eileen. It took me about 24 days to travel the 900 odd miles from Seaside, OR to Santa Cruz. I would have gotten here sooner but San Francisco was too interesting of a place to just ride through. I don't know what it is about that city but it had a hold on me for a few days. Some fellow bicycle travelers and I spent a few days in the Marin Headlands Hostel north of the city and then a few days in a hostel at city center. We stayed in a pretty bad part of town but the hostel itself was nice. We were warned of 7 foot trans hookers in the area but unfortunately I didn't spot any. Halloween was spent at a nearby bar with some bicycle travelers and some of the staff from the Marin Headlands Hostel. If you are ever traveling in the area, the Marin hostel is a cool place to stay. The people staying at the hostel are so warm and friendly it almost seems strange.....but you get used to it after a day or so. The staff there is not only very helpful and informative, but they're cool as hell...they even invited some of us over to their home while we were staying at the hostel. From San Fran, I spent a couple of days in Berkeley with my cousin, her husband and her 2 adorable sons. My cousins husband is the strength and conditioning coach with the Cal football team. He hooked me up with 3 tickets to the Cal game in the 13th row and passes to the "5th quarter" after the game with a free buffett and open bar. Pat and Eileen came up for the game and we took as much advantage of the free food and drink as we could before we headed out. On Sunday morning, I took the BART from Berkeley back to San Fran and then booked it the 80 miles to Santa Cruz.....and here I am.
I've finally had a few days to unwind and reflect. This trip has been pretty different from what I expected. I've spent alot time meeting people and getting to know them. My expectation was to be sitting in my tent reading up on Marxism, Capitalism and Anarchy and learning Spanish. It turns out that socializing, riding, eating and sleeping can be pretty time consuming. Enough so that I haven't spent much time with books at all. As expected though, I've seen some awesome sites. Cape Lookout in Oregon was one of the best campsites I've ever seen. I camped surrounded by enormous trees and could walk right down to a breathtaking beach surrounded by rocky sea stacks. While the rain in Oregon mostly sucked, the storms are amazing to experience. Waves grow from just a few feet to over 10 feet and the winds are enough to stop you dead in your tracks. The Redwoods in northern Cali are a must see for anyone going along the coast. The trees there really make you feel small in alot of ways. Despite some of the cool things I've seen, the trip hasn't been without frustration. I've had to replace or repair* numerous things and I've come face to face with my physical limitations on numerous occassions. I've also failed mierably at my attempt to 'not look homeless" on this trip. Sometimes, there are days and days that go by without showers or changes of clothing. My most distinct homeless guy moment came early in the second week as I rolled out of Port Orford, OR in the pouring rain with trash bags taped to my feet and recently purchaed rain pants that had already ripped all the way down the crotch. I was quite impressed with myself that day.
Drivers and people in general can also be sources of frustration....just like real life I guess. People have been very friendly but others have gone out of their way to be rude. I think I'll always remember the couple that drove past me outside of Devil's Beach State Park. The male driver laid on his horn as he drove past and his female partner stuck her head out of the window to scream at me to ride on the sidewalk. There's nothing like a good team effort.....I really hope it works out for the two of them. :) Then there was the guy in Northern Cali standing outside of a market with his $5k carbon fixed gear road bike. My buddy Collin was trying to make conversation with him and he responded by telling us that we should know something about bikes before we go asking stupid questions. He then walked about 10 feet away with his bike and just stood there while we laughed in shock and disbelief. People like that have very much been the exception....so much so that I remember them distinctly.
Over the last couple of weeks, I've decided to keep going south. I'm just enjoying the freedom too damn much. On Sunday, I'm going to head out of here and ride as far as my motivation, financial situation and physical capabilities allow. That might end up being a few days or few weeks, but I'm not ready to stop riding just yet. My hope is to make it to the Cali/Mexico border and to then figure out what I want to do....perhaps Baja will come next but I'm not ready to make make that commitment just yet. I miss all of you back in Denver and I've enjoyed reading your emails. Keep letting me know what's going on with all of you and I'll try and check emails whenever I can.
Peace.
M.S.
* "Casualties of Tour" have included broken toe clip, disintigrating front bags, broken rear rack, retired rear derailer, exploding chain ring and split rain pants. Repairs have included about everything you can think including flat tires, front and rear derailer issues, a drive train that just won't cooperate, wheel truing, constant brake adjustments and re-adjustments and general maintenance.
Hello friends,
I finally arrived in Santa Cruz this last Sunday and have been staying with my friends Pat and Eileen. It took me about 24 days to travel the 900 odd miles from Seaside, OR to Santa Cruz. I would have gotten here sooner but San Francisco was too interesting of a place to just ride through. I don't know what it is about that city but it had a hold on me for a few days. Some fellow bicycle travelers and I spent a few days in the Marin Headlands Hostel north of the city and then a few days in a hostel at city center. We stayed in a pretty bad part of town but the hostel itself was nice. We were warned of 7 foot trans hookers in the area but unfortunately I didn't spot any. Halloween was spent at a nearby bar with some bicycle travelers and some of the staff from the Marin Headlands Hostel. If you are ever traveling in the area, the Marin hostel is a cool place to stay. The people staying at the hostel are so warm and friendly it almost seems strange.....but you get used to it after a day or so. The staff there is not only very helpful and informative, but they're cool as hell...they even invited some of us over to their home while we were staying at the hostel. From San Fran, I spent a couple of days in Berkeley with my cousin, her husband and her 2 adorable sons. My cousins husband is the strength and conditioning coach with the Cal football team. He hooked me up with 3 tickets to the Cal game in the 13th row and passes to the "5th quarter" after the game with a free buffett and open bar. Pat and Eileen came up for the game and we took as much advantage of the free food and drink as we could before we headed out. On Sunday morning, I took the BART from Berkeley back to San Fran and then booked it the 80 miles to Santa Cruz.....and here I am.
I've finally had a few days to unwind and reflect. This trip has been pretty different from what I expected. I've spent alot time meeting people and getting to know them. My expectation was to be sitting in my tent reading up on Marxism, Capitalism and Anarchy and learning Spanish. It turns out that socializing, riding, eating and sleeping can be pretty time consuming. Enough so that I haven't spent much time with books at all. As expected though, I've seen some awesome sites. Cape Lookout in Oregon was one of the best campsites I've ever seen. I camped surrounded by enormous trees and could walk right down to a breathtaking beach surrounded by rocky sea stacks. While the rain in Oregon mostly sucked, the storms are amazing to experience. Waves grow from just a few feet to over 10 feet and the winds are enough to stop you dead in your tracks. The Redwoods in northern Cali are a must see for anyone going along the coast. The trees there really make you feel small in alot of ways. Despite some of the cool things I've seen, the trip hasn't been without frustration. I've had to replace or repair* numerous things and I've come face to face with my physical limitations on numerous occassions. I've also failed mierably at my attempt to 'not look homeless" on this trip. Sometimes, there are days and days that go by without showers or changes of clothing. My most distinct homeless guy moment came early in the second week as I rolled out of Port Orford, OR in the pouring rain with trash bags taped to my feet and recently purchaed rain pants that had already ripped all the way down the crotch. I was quite impressed with myself that day.
Drivers and people in general can also be sources of frustration....just like real life I guess. People have been very friendly but others have gone out of their way to be rude. I think I'll always remember the couple that drove past me outside of Devil's Beach State Park. The male driver laid on his horn as he drove past and his female partner stuck her head out of the window to scream at me to ride on the sidewalk. There's nothing like a good team effort.....I really hope it works out for the two of them. :) Then there was the guy in Northern Cali standing outside of a market with his $5k carbon fixed gear road bike. My buddy Collin was trying to make conversation with him and he responded by telling us that we should know something about bikes before we go asking stupid questions. He then walked about 10 feet away with his bike and just stood there while we laughed in shock and disbelief. People like that have very much been the exception....so much so that I remember them distinctly.
Over the last couple of weeks, I've decided to keep going south. I'm just enjoying the freedom too damn much. On Sunday, I'm going to head out of here and ride as far as my motivation, financial situation and physical capabilities allow. That might end up being a few days or few weeks, but I'm not ready to stop riding just yet. My hope is to make it to the Cali/Mexico border and to then figure out what I want to do....perhaps Baja will come next but I'm not ready to make make that commitment just yet. I miss all of you back in Denver and I've enjoyed reading your emails. Keep letting me know what's going on with all of you and I'll try and check emails whenever I can.
Peace.
M.S.
* "Casualties of Tour" have included broken toe clip, disintigrating front bags, broken rear rack, retired rear derailer, exploding chain ring and split rain pants. Repairs have included about everything you can think including flat tires, front and rear derailer issues, a drive train that just won't cooperate, wheel truing, constant brake adjustments and re-adjustments and general maintenance.
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Sputnik - Salvagetti Edition
You will get sick to your stomach if you see our Salvagetti Edition Jamis Sputnik. It is hot like I cannot explain. It looks like a hormone inducing space bike.
We are charging money for looking at it.
Not really.
Unless you want to look at it in your own home*.
$925... only one of them.
*We do not include any drool rag for your friend's slobber.
We are charging money for looking at it.
Not really.
Unless you want to look at it in your own home*.
$925... only one of them.
*We do not include any drool rag for your friend's slobber.
Ride around on my bicycle like a pony
One of our favorite customers just bought a bike from us. We are proud of him because he has got some things figured out that we would like to share:
1. Bikes are less expensive to operate than cars. He doesn't drive his car except because he "has to" to keep the engine from seizing.
2. If you don't drive, and you save that money up, buying almost EVERYTHING you want is easy. Hence, the new bike.
3. You don't need to be concerned about what other people are riding as long as you have the biggest $hit eating grin on your face. Even less thought should go into what others might think, or heaven forbid, FEEL about your bike.
He owned only a really nice fixie that can take everything but trails and dirt. He remedied that situation with a 29" mountain bike in Single Speed Form. Now, he is unstoppable and is praying for snow each day. He figured out that he really just likes bikes and that bicycles are the best thing ever (ever).
*Our plan now is to take him to the mountains to see what real smiling is about. Hopefully, he is up for it.
1. Bikes are less expensive to operate than cars. He doesn't drive his car except because he "has to" to keep the engine from seizing.
2. If you don't drive, and you save that money up, buying almost EVERYTHING you want is easy. Hence, the new bike.
3. You don't need to be concerned about what other people are riding as long as you have the biggest $hit eating grin on your face. Even less thought should go into what others might think, or heaven forbid, FEEL about your bike.
He owned only a really nice fixie that can take everything but trails and dirt. He remedied that situation with a 29" mountain bike in Single Speed Form. Now, he is unstoppable and is praying for snow each day. He figured out that he really just likes bikes and that bicycles are the best thing ever (ever).
*Our plan now is to take him to the mountains to see what real smiling is about. Hopefully, he is up for it.
Wednesday, October 03, 2007
2008 Jamis Sputnik (or what?)
We finally got a bunch of these bikes in. After the packaging finally hit the ground in our feverish unpacking, we were stunned. Not because it is beautiful, though it is. And not because it is burly, though it is. This years Sputnik is completely insanely light! It is less than 17 lbs. easy. And if you wanted to, you could lighted it up a bunch for absolutely no money. Just cut the bars down to little flat guys and rewrap for the ninja style bars. Jamis also put a different fork on the bike this year which dropped the weight and increased the feel (if you will) of the front end.
Take it to the track, take it down the bike path, take it on the bus and take it up some stairs. This bike is for pretty much everyone who likes nice bikes.
Take it to the track, take it down the bike path, take it on the bus and take it up some stairs. This bike is for pretty much everyone who likes nice bikes.
Friday, September 21, 2007
Movie Night2
We are going and doing it, again!
Bike In Movie Night promises to be spectacular. We have the kinks worked out, so this one will be both fun and SMOOTH... instead of fun and somewhat rough and kinky. Not, kinky exactly. Maybe, oh never mind. You understand. Ride a bicycle, motorcycle, tricycle, scooter, unicycle, monocycle, cozmocycle, helldamncycle, etc to the back of th shop at closing time and bring food to grill and consume. Bring your friends.
2 promises we make about Saturday the 22nd of July at 7pm: 1)We will play a stuffed bunny movie that will disturb you for days and 2) we will show you a great mountain bike movie while cooking food (and before the main feature). At time of this publication, I still don't even know what movies are being offered, as the winner of the last B.I.M.N. is allowed to keep it a secret until everyone knows. He has a game ready as well, so be ready yourself. This should be interesting.
Bring your friends, bring your smile. It is going to be fun.
Bike In Movie Night promises to be spectacular. We have the kinks worked out, so this one will be both fun and SMOOTH... instead of fun and somewhat rough and kinky. Not, kinky exactly. Maybe, oh never mind. You understand. Ride a bicycle, motorcycle, tricycle, scooter, unicycle, monocycle, cozmocycle, helldamncycle, etc to the back of th shop at closing time and bring food to grill and consume. Bring your friends.
2 promises we make about Saturday the 22nd of July at 7pm: 1)We will play a stuffed bunny movie that will disturb you for days and 2) we will show you a great mountain bike movie while cooking food (and before the main feature). At time of this publication, I still don't even know what movies are being offered, as the winner of the last B.I.M.N. is allowed to keep it a secret until everyone knows. He has a game ready as well, so be ready yourself. This should be interesting.
Bring your friends, bring your smile. It is going to be fun.
Sunday, August 26, 2007
MOVIE NIGHT
MOVIE NIGHT at Salvagetti!
7pm - Salvagetti closes.
7:05pm - People start trickling in.
7:10pm - Grill fired up
7:18pm - Food trickles in
7:22pm - Food goes on grill
7:26pm - Movie screen up and looking good
7:28pm - Projector working, but not really
7:38pm - Projector working, new computer here to make movies happen.
7:38pm - Nope. That didn't work either.
7:38pm - Nope. That also will not work.
7:41pm - YES! Movies will play
5 minutes earlier - food is going into stomachs. Beverages, too.
7:43pm - 1st movie is on... a cyclocross documentary. Fun!
8:00pm - The contest begins...
Teams are formed based on what movie you wish to see. 3 movies to choose from, hence 3 teams.
4 events, 1 winner:
10 pushups
Speed walk to the
12oz yummy water beverage
Speed walk to the
8 line poem that rhymes (persuading us to want to watch your movie)
Speed walk to
Your team and instruct them to sit down
Triplets of Belleville won.
8:25pm - Movie is on.
Thank you to everyone who came out. We hope to have the magic happen repeatedly. Perhaps, monthly.
7pm - Salvagetti closes.
7:05pm - People start trickling in.
7:10pm - Grill fired up
7:18pm - Food trickles in
7:22pm - Food goes on grill
7:26pm - Movie screen up and looking good
7:28pm - Projector working, but not really
7:38pm - Projector working, new computer here to make movies happen.
7:38pm - Nope. That didn't work either.
7:38pm - Nope. That also will not work.
7:41pm - YES! Movies will play
5 minutes earlier - food is going into stomachs. Beverages, too.
7:43pm - 1st movie is on... a cyclocross documentary. Fun!
8:00pm - The contest begins...
Teams are formed based on what movie you wish to see. 3 movies to choose from, hence 3 teams.
4 events, 1 winner:
10 pushups
Speed walk to the
12oz yummy water beverage
Speed walk to the
8 line poem that rhymes (persuading us to want to watch your movie)
Speed walk to
Your team and instruct them to sit down
Triplets of Belleville won.
8:25pm - Movie is on.
Thank you to everyone who came out. We hope to have the magic happen repeatedly. Perhaps, monthly.
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
Moonlight Classic Moonlight Classique
I am finally recovered this morning from the Moonlight Classic. It was absolutely the most fun I've had in a while. We had Brother's BBQ and O Water sponsor us... or more over, sponsor those who would stop to say hello to us. Thanks to them, everyone (who eats meat) was full, hydrated and happy for that last gruelling mile.
We had fun whistling and cheering and smiling and laughing. And we think that we weren't alone. I never heard the official total of people coming through on bikes, but it had to be a record from what I could tell. And almost everyone was happy about it.
Anyone who wants to come out next year to help out/ feed the riders/ yell should contact us so we can be ready. I would like to bring in bleachers and perhaps a live band. OoooOOOooo...maybe a marching band. We'll do it ticker tape style.
Lastly, don't forget that we are doing a bike in movie this Saturday. "What movie?" I'm not telling. "Is it Breaking Away?" Not even on the radar.
Bye.
We had fun whistling and cheering and smiling and laughing. And we think that we weren't alone. I never heard the official total of people coming through on bikes, but it had to be a record from what I could tell. And almost everyone was happy about it.
Anyone who wants to come out next year to help out/ feed the riders/ yell should contact us so we can be ready. I would like to bring in bleachers and perhaps a live band. OoooOOOooo...maybe a marching band. We'll do it ticker tape style.
Lastly, don't forget that we are doing a bike in movie this Saturday. "What movie?" I'm not telling. "Is it Breaking Away?" Not even on the radar.
Bye.
Tuesday, August 07, 2007
Cracked Elbow Blues
I've got the cracked elbow blues,
I have not been diagnosed,
I've got the sore arm blues,
No, I know something ain't right.
From the crash of about a month ago, I still have soreness and tenderness in the elbow. You can also, if you push in the right places (please don't touch me), find some bone chips to move around. And I can't pay a doctor to tell me what I already know. Next time I fall perhaps I shouldn't put all my weight into only one tiny sharp end of a bone.
Moving on... My plans for a personal bike this next season have me all confused. I am tempted to look at getting a new Jamis Composite Road bike for myself and pull a George Costanza by doing the opposite of what Scott would do. I've never owned a bike with full composite everything. Maybe it is time I move to the dark (composite grey) side.
But, then I see the Maverick ML8 everyday and it makes my stomach hurt to not ride it!
And then Giant goes and puts out a new bike called the Trance X0 that is going to be the *Perfect* front range bike. They didn't pull any bait and switch on this bike. It is pure evil. For those of you who have ridden a Trance, you know that the 4.2" of travel feels way bigger, probably closer to 5.5". So, I'm thinking that the X0 is going to feel like a downhill bike that can climb all day. Only riding will tell.
And then there is the other thing in the back of my mind that no one wants me to do... the ultimate bike from Black Sheep: Ti frame built up with 14 speed internal speed wheels. Sex. Dripping. Oozing. Sex.
I gotta go. Something just came up.
I have not been diagnosed,
I've got the sore arm blues,
No, I know something ain't right.
From the crash of about a month ago, I still have soreness and tenderness in the elbow. You can also, if you push in the right places (please don't touch me), find some bone chips to move around. And I can't pay a doctor to tell me what I already know. Next time I fall perhaps I shouldn't put all my weight into only one tiny sharp end of a bone.
Moving on... My plans for a personal bike this next season have me all confused. I am tempted to look at getting a new Jamis Composite Road bike for myself and pull a George Costanza by doing the opposite of what Scott would do. I've never owned a bike with full composite everything. Maybe it is time I move to the dark (composite grey) side.
But, then I see the Maverick ML8 everyday and it makes my stomach hurt to not ride it!
And then Giant goes and puts out a new bike called the Trance X0 that is going to be the *Perfect* front range bike. They didn't pull any bait and switch on this bike. It is pure evil. For those of you who have ridden a Trance, you know that the 4.2" of travel feels way bigger, probably closer to 5.5". So, I'm thinking that the X0 is going to feel like a downhill bike that can climb all day. Only riding will tell.
And then there is the other thing in the back of my mind that no one wants me to do... the ultimate bike from Black Sheep: Ti frame built up with 14 speed internal speed wheels. Sex. Dripping. Oozing. Sex.
I gotta go. Something just came up.
Sunday, August 05, 2007
Buzzing pack of Carbon
A sound like no other... Carbon fibre bikes whizzing by at the highest speed the rider is capable of pushing it. The sound, and the sight, even if you don't like bikes (God help you) is mesmerizing. About an hour into the Bannock Street Crit I was convincing myself that I needed a Composite bike and that I needed to train to race. For those of you who know me, that should conjure up a grin. I'm not a racer. But that buzz made me salivate. It made me excited. It made me look again at race bikes. If any of you get a chance to visit a Criterium race, please do it. It is way more fun than any other road cycling event that I have experienced.
Monday, July 23, 2007
Sorry/Not Sorry
Holy Smoke, it is hot out.
I had a good wreck the other day on Lookout Mtn. The good kind of wreck is where you push yourself to try something you shouldn't and you make it. Then you try something else you shouldn't and you clear that. Then you get lazy because you think you are on top of your game and you EAT IT. I was in a zone of confidence when I decided to go between 2 trees on the trail. I'm not sure what happened, but I bashed my elbow, my knee and crushed my helmet on the base of one of the trees. I ended up laughing and saying "Oh Fudge*" on the way down. It really hurt a tremendous amount.
That little confidence button on my brain got lightly smacked back to reset. I timidly finished out the ride, wrecking several more times because of that little lamb coming forth.
When I was little, I wasn't taught that pushing the boundaries was the way to grow and learn new stuff. My comfort zone made me lazy. I'm paying the price now. When I get nervous, I think it is a good sign that I need to try it. If I get sick, I should probably look for a way to bump my knee again so that my head gets back on straight.
*Only I didn't say Fudge
I had a good wreck the other day on Lookout Mtn. The good kind of wreck is where you push yourself to try something you shouldn't and you make it. Then you try something else you shouldn't and you clear that. Then you get lazy because you think you are on top of your game and you EAT IT. I was in a zone of confidence when I decided to go between 2 trees on the trail. I'm not sure what happened, but I bashed my elbow, my knee and crushed my helmet on the base of one of the trees. I ended up laughing and saying "Oh Fudge*" on the way down. It really hurt a tremendous amount.
That little confidence button on my brain got lightly smacked back to reset. I timidly finished out the ride, wrecking several more times because of that little lamb coming forth.
When I was little, I wasn't taught that pushing the boundaries was the way to grow and learn new stuff. My comfort zone made me lazy. I'm paying the price now. When I get nervous, I think it is a good sign that I need to try it. If I get sick, I should probably look for a way to bump my knee again so that my head gets back on straight.
*Only I didn't say Fudge
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
The shoe was on the other foot. And it tasted bad.
So, I was in a car yesterday. We were leaving the shop in the alley going to 13th Ave. As we pulled up to the sidewalk, I leaned over to my friends steering wheel and honked the horn lightly. As I did this, the driver instinctively stopped as if I knew something he didn't know. We missed a cyclist by about 12 inches. He was on the sidewalk, riding very fast. We honked as a warning to ANYONE, but he thought we honked at him because we are not nice. We are nice. Well, some of us. Anyways, he gave us the middle finger all the way down the sidewalk. It kind of hurt, and kind of made me laugh. As I watched, he almost got hit by the UPS truck at the next street, which had just left our building. The word of the day is dismount. I have been looking for a single word to yell at cyclists on sidewalks and this is it. Dismount please. Dismount.
I should also say that there are situations where sidewalk riding is appropriate. The trick is that it becomes the responsibility of the lawbreaker (the cyclist riding on the sidewalk) to not get hurt. As you approach streets and alleys, it is your responsibility to not die.
I'm glad we didn't kill the lawbreaker, but I also hope he reads this.
I should also say that there are situations where sidewalk riding is appropriate. The trick is that it becomes the responsibility of the lawbreaker (the cyclist riding on the sidewalk) to not get hurt. As you approach streets and alleys, it is your responsibility to not die.
I'm glad we didn't kill the lawbreaker, but I also hope he reads this.
Tuesday, May 15, 2007
Kevin on the Ridge
We sold a Giant Trance to Kevin and then took him on his first real mountain ride in quite a while. Of course, we had to go to one of the most technical (rocky and steep) trails in Colorado: The one and only Dakota Ridge to Mathews Winters. Dakota Ridge will chew you up with its mighty incisor rocks and spit you out into the muddy field between it and Red Rocks. It is a hard trail, indeed.
The trail starts off with a large amount of vertical gain in less than 500 yards. At the top you begin to think the worst is behind you. You begin to feel adequate and warm. But, the trail has a different plan for you!
We encouraged Kevin to walk sections that he felt he couldn't clear, cause wrecking at slow speeds when you are trying to get used to a bike is for suckers. We are all for pushing the limits a bit, but walking back to the car with a broken you-name-it really sucks more than walking a little section so you can keep on riding.
We all were having slightly off days, so Greg and Andres both flipped over the handle bars once a piece. Scott couldn't clean anything without dabbing a little foot here and there. And Kevin was still getting used to a bike that actually has travel (his old bike was a Trek Fuel). We watched him get faster and smoother through the hour long loop. His smile also got more intense as you could see his confidence increase.
We finished up through the front of Mathews Winters and found ourselves flying through the air. Kevin did an amazing job getting better acquainted with his Trance. And the Trance did an amazing job letting him in to the wonderful world of letting go of the brakes and FLYING!
The weather was perfect. The trail was truly perfect. And we all had coffee and donuts afterward to make it a calorie neutral morning.
Greg - Jamis Exile 29
Andres - Mountain Cycle Hardtail
Kevin - Giant Trance
Scott - Maverick ML8
Myra - Paws
The trail starts off with a large amount of vertical gain in less than 500 yards. At the top you begin to think the worst is behind you. You begin to feel adequate and warm. But, the trail has a different plan for you!
We encouraged Kevin to walk sections that he felt he couldn't clear, cause wrecking at slow speeds when you are trying to get used to a bike is for suckers. We are all for pushing the limits a bit, but walking back to the car with a broken you-name-it really sucks more than walking a little section so you can keep on riding.
We all were having slightly off days, so Greg and Andres both flipped over the handle bars once a piece. Scott couldn't clean anything without dabbing a little foot here and there. And Kevin was still getting used to a bike that actually has travel (his old bike was a Trek Fuel). We watched him get faster and smoother through the hour long loop. His smile also got more intense as you could see his confidence increase.
We finished up through the front of Mathews Winters and found ourselves flying through the air. Kevin did an amazing job getting better acquainted with his Trance. And the Trance did an amazing job letting him in to the wonderful world of letting go of the brakes and FLYING!
The weather was perfect. The trail was truly perfect. And we all had coffee and donuts afterward to make it a calorie neutral morning.
Greg - Jamis Exile 29
Andres - Mountain Cycle Hardtail
Kevin - Giant Trance
Scott - Maverick ML8
Myra - Paws
Thursday, May 10, 2007
Just the financial side
We all know cycling is more fun than driving. But you need to know the wallet side, too.
How much does it cost to own a car and drive it? On average... 52.2 cents/mile!
That comes to more than $7k per year for the average *new* vehicle.
"The expenses for a small sedan averaged $6,219 a year, compared to $9,373 for a large sedan. Driving 15,000 miles a year in a minivan costs $8,639 compared to $9,997 for the same distance in an SUV." - detnews.com
Ummm... let's look at a bike and ALL (and I do mean all) the accessories and extras you could possible want/buy. I'm going to be generous. Clearly, you could spend more, but we are only commuting here.
Solid commuter bike - Jamis Coda Comp - $800
Lights/Bags/Racks - $300
Lock - $60
Helmet - $150
Cycling computer - $30
BUS Pass - (Most expensive one I could find from RTD) - $1620
Apparel for all conditions - $500
Extra food from burning all the calories - $1200
Total $4660
But that is for the first year. The next year, you don't have to buy another bike, or accessories or clothing.
That is an easy way to save over $2000 per year (being completely not thrifty with your money).
If you live close to where you work, then the RTD Pass is unnecessary. Perhaps you already have a bike. That means you could save nearly $6000 a year by not owning an automobile. Craziness. Now multiply that by lets say a safe 30 year career... That is somewhere between $60,000 and $180,000 during your working years. That is a lot of extra work for decadence.
How much does it cost to own a car and drive it? On average... 52.2 cents/mile!
That comes to more than $7k per year for the average *new* vehicle.
"The expenses for a small sedan averaged $6,219 a year, compared to $9,373 for a large sedan. Driving 15,000 miles a year in a minivan costs $8,639 compared to $9,997 for the same distance in an SUV." - detnews.com
Ummm... let's look at a bike and ALL (and I do mean all) the accessories and extras you could possible want/buy. I'm going to be generous. Clearly, you could spend more, but we are only commuting here.
Solid commuter bike - Jamis Coda Comp - $800
Lights/Bags/Racks - $300
Lock - $60
Helmet - $150
Cycling computer - $30
BUS Pass - (Most expensive one I could find from RTD) - $1620
Apparel for all conditions - $500
Extra food from burning all the calories - $1200
Total $4660
But that is for the first year. The next year, you don't have to buy another bike, or accessories or clothing.
That is an easy way to save over $2000 per year (being completely not thrifty with your money).
If you live close to where you work, then the RTD Pass is unnecessary. Perhaps you already have a bike. That means you could save nearly $6000 a year by not owning an automobile. Craziness. Now multiply that by lets say a safe 30 year career... That is somewhere between $60,000 and $180,000 during your working years. That is a lot of extra work for decadence.
Tuesday, May 08, 2007
Fit Science - The it factor
The it factor. No one can truly explain it, but some bikes feel WAY better than others. I don't think it is just the fit of a bike, though that makes all the difference in the world on a road bike. But, certain bike brands continuously shock me with how great their bikes feel/work/function. Oh, by the way, we are talking about road bikes, definitely not mountain.
Through the years, the sleeper brands that come up are repeatedly the same: Miyata, Centurion, Some Fujis, Lugged Treks, Panasonic (hehe). After we repair these bikes, we test ride them and it is always the same response. Holy $*!^ these are SO nice, why did they ever stop making them? And moreover why do these feel so so so good to ride? I have tried to note some of the things that I have seen that makes them feel good. It still doesn't all add up to me, but it is a start of a list of things to look for when scooping up a garage sale or craigslist bike.
1. Typically, these are built from nothing but double butted steel (thicker where the lugs are and thinner in the middle with no loss of strength). This cannot be the it factor alone because plenty of "custom" frame builders use double butted steel and their bikes feel like so-so frames from anytime in history.
2. The geometry (of the road bikes) is typically similar in that the seat tube from the middle of the bottom bracket to the middle of the top tube is within 2cm of the length of the top tube center to center. What does this do for most people? It forces them to sit relatively upright; allows the weight of the hands to be nearly even with the weight on the rear-end. That is comfort! (note: this seems to be happening on Japanese lugged steel from mid-80s on, which the Italian manufacturers copied quickly)
Everything else doesn't matter from what I can tell. The parts hanging on the frame haven't ever made a bike for me. The frame is the glue pulling it all together. I have ridden some bikes that I am sure were not sold for very much brand new that felt better than almost any of the custom bikes I have ridden.
That said, the reason Salvagetti carries the brands we carry is just that: Black Sheep, Jamis and Giant all feel "it". They follow different rules then the old lugged manufacturers, but still get to the same place. We are very lucky to carry exactly what we love. But, the factors that led us to choose them were simple: The bikes have the it factor and people can afford them.
Through the years, the sleeper brands that come up are repeatedly the same: Miyata, Centurion, Some Fujis, Lugged Treks, Panasonic (hehe). After we repair these bikes, we test ride them and it is always the same response. Holy $*!^ these are SO nice, why did they ever stop making them? And moreover why do these feel so so so good to ride? I have tried to note some of the things that I have seen that makes them feel good. It still doesn't all add up to me, but it is a start of a list of things to look for when scooping up a garage sale or craigslist bike.
1. Typically, these are built from nothing but double butted steel (thicker where the lugs are and thinner in the middle with no loss of strength). This cannot be the it factor alone because plenty of "custom" frame builders use double butted steel and their bikes feel like so-so frames from anytime in history.
2. The geometry (of the road bikes) is typically similar in that the seat tube from the middle of the bottom bracket to the middle of the top tube is within 2cm of the length of the top tube center to center. What does this do for most people? It forces them to sit relatively upright; allows the weight of the hands to be nearly even with the weight on the rear-end. That is comfort! (note: this seems to be happening on Japanese lugged steel from mid-80s on, which the Italian manufacturers copied quickly)
Everything else doesn't matter from what I can tell. The parts hanging on the frame haven't ever made a bike for me. The frame is the glue pulling it all together. I have ridden some bikes that I am sure were not sold for very much brand new that felt better than almost any of the custom bikes I have ridden.
That said, the reason Salvagetti carries the brands we carry is just that: Black Sheep, Jamis and Giant all feel "it". They follow different rules then the old lugged manufacturers, but still get to the same place. We are very lucky to carry exactly what we love. But, the factors that led us to choose them were simple: The bikes have the it factor and people can afford them.
Tuesday, May 01, 2007
White Ranch Testing Grounds
Chris from Generic Cycles and I went to White Ranch because we both kind of hate it. The downhill is super fun on Belcher (at least at the top), but climbing it is long and boring. It is the definition of a Front Range ride. 80% up, followed by 20% down and that is the end of the ride. BUT, this time I didn't hate it. I, in fact, enjoyed it.
I'm gonna stop for a second and explain something to everyone: Bigger bikes (as long as it still fits) have always been my preferred climbing bikes and smaller bikes have always been my preferred downhill bikes. This means the seat height as well as the top tube length. I have the most fun on my Brooklyn Park bike because it is short all around and I am a better climber than descender. I climb fastest on my Black Sheep 29er because it is 'Scott' sized for climbing.
Side note is done and I continue with my story.
Chris and I were both excited because the parking lot was about as empty as it could be at the bottom.
I set up the bike that I have been hearing so much about to be as tall as possible so I could climb like I want to. This bike is the Maverick ML8. More about the gear itself when I am feeling techy. I adjusted the seat such that I could get a great amount of extension and not tear myself up given that I have a negative bump. So off we go. Climbing. Climbing. Climbing. Turning. Climbing. Turning. Climbing. Turning. Climbing. Not turning. Not turning. Please note the lack of walking. I cleared everything. My preseason lungs weren't screaming at me because this bike is so efficient at climbing. It tracked through everything.
And then we got close enough to the top that the snow was becoming too frequent. So, we turned around. I pushed the knob by my right thumb and BOOM! I had dropped the SIZE of the bike to full dh mode. **We are talking about the Maverick Speedball Seatpost. It is like an office chair for your bike. Pneumatic and stylish, while still light. ** The top tube shortened dramatically. The overall height dropped dramatically and all of the sudden I was on my Brooklyn. But, not quite. The Maverick sticks through horrible line choices. It stick off of drop offs. It sticks to high wet berms.
I should say here that we were exceptionally responsible and didn't do any extra tearing up of the wet trail.
I intentionally picked some pretty horrid lines with to see if the Maverick would buck me. Not only did it not want me to go anywhere but forward, but it acted like a rubber ducky, too. It would pop me back upright even when my body was trying to force it groundward.
At the end of the rocky sections is a little creek area with a staircase and thin wooden path. I was so high from my ride that I could hardly keep my eyes on the trail. It was there that I figured out what the Maverick isn't so great at: Going really slow when the rider is not paying attention. My wheels went off to the side of the logs and I STILL DIDN'T FALL.
I loved riding this bike. It brought back all sorts of bicycle fantasies that I shouldn't talk about in public. This just means I have to get one of my own. The Maverick is the first bike I have ridden in some time that showed my quietly and confidently just how amazing it is. It lives up to the hype like a live Bob Log the 3rd show.
Scott - Maverick ML8 - DUC fork - Nice parts 6" travel front and rear
Chris - Generic Steel 29er - White Bros Fork - Bike sticker on downtube
I'm gonna stop for a second and explain something to everyone: Bigger bikes (as long as it still fits) have always been my preferred climbing bikes and smaller bikes have always been my preferred downhill bikes. This means the seat height as well as the top tube length. I have the most fun on my Brooklyn Park bike because it is short all around and I am a better climber than descender. I climb fastest on my Black Sheep 29er because it is 'Scott' sized for climbing.
Side note is done and I continue with my story.
Chris and I were both excited because the parking lot was about as empty as it could be at the bottom.
I set up the bike that I have been hearing so much about to be as tall as possible so I could climb like I want to. This bike is the Maverick ML8. More about the gear itself when I am feeling techy. I adjusted the seat such that I could get a great amount of extension and not tear myself up given that I have a negative bump. So off we go. Climbing. Climbing. Climbing. Turning. Climbing. Turning. Climbing. Turning. Climbing. Not turning. Not turning. Please note the lack of walking. I cleared everything. My preseason lungs weren't screaming at me because this bike is so efficient at climbing. It tracked through everything.
And then we got close enough to the top that the snow was becoming too frequent. So, we turned around. I pushed the knob by my right thumb and BOOM! I had dropped the SIZE of the bike to full dh mode. **We are talking about the Maverick Speedball Seatpost. It is like an office chair for your bike. Pneumatic and stylish, while still light. ** The top tube shortened dramatically. The overall height dropped dramatically and all of the sudden I was on my Brooklyn. But, not quite. The Maverick sticks through horrible line choices. It stick off of drop offs. It sticks to high wet berms.
I should say here that we were exceptionally responsible and didn't do any extra tearing up of the wet trail.
I intentionally picked some pretty horrid lines with to see if the Maverick would buck me. Not only did it not want me to go anywhere but forward, but it acted like a rubber ducky, too. It would pop me back upright even when my body was trying to force it groundward.
At the end of the rocky sections is a little creek area with a staircase and thin wooden path. I was so high from my ride that I could hardly keep my eyes on the trail. It was there that I figured out what the Maverick isn't so great at: Going really slow when the rider is not paying attention. My wheels went off to the side of the logs and I STILL DIDN'T FALL.
I loved riding this bike. It brought back all sorts of bicycle fantasies that I shouldn't talk about in public. This just means I have to get one of my own. The Maverick is the first bike I have ridden in some time that showed my quietly and confidently just how amazing it is. It lives up to the hype like a live Bob Log the 3rd show.
Scott - Maverick ML8 - DUC fork - Nice parts 6" travel front and rear
Chris - Generic Steel 29er - White Bros Fork - Bike sticker on downtube
Thursday, April 26, 2007
Poetry in Motion
During this last rain storm, I saw so many cyclists riding and smiling and being tough as hell all at once. It made me feel great inside. I was walking because Myra almost pulls me off the bike when it is dry out...
It occurred to me how bikes and cars should be separated in the mind into uses: (Please add to this list as I should be corrected for acting like an authority. I do borrow cars for groceries.)
Bikes are for moving a person and things that a person can easily carry to destinations within a 20 minute ride (give or take how much time a person has)
Cars are for carrying heavy or bulky items that a bike cannot handle. The exception is that you (yes, YOU) could borrow Scott's Xtracycle pretty much anytime to move much larger items. It can take up to about 200 lbs.
Buses are for extending the distance a cyclist can get to. They extend the reach of the bike to where there truly are few excuses for driving. Anyone who is not sure how to ride the bus with a bike should ask one of us at Salvagetti.
Following these ideas/rules/ways would make the world a less brown-cloud place to be. But, as it stands, people use a car to: go to work, visit a friend, go to Boulder (take the RTD B line!!), pick up a few things at the grocery store. Bus/Bike will do all of these things and save you money.
I am hoping that someone will join me when I ride a bike to a wedding.
Or perhaps offer me a ride to the Vitamin Cottage whenever you are going by car.
Or join me on the RTD 3 to go ride at Green Mountain/ Mathews Winters.
Or walk to your friends house 3 blocks away.
It occurred to me how bikes and cars should be separated in the mind into uses: (Please add to this list as I should be corrected for acting like an authority. I do borrow cars for groceries.)
Bikes are for moving a person and things that a person can easily carry to destinations within a 20 minute ride (give or take how much time a person has)
Cars are for carrying heavy or bulky items that a bike cannot handle. The exception is that you (yes, YOU) could borrow Scott's Xtracycle pretty much anytime to move much larger items. It can take up to about 200 lbs.
Buses are for extending the distance a cyclist can get to. They extend the reach of the bike to where there truly are few excuses for driving. Anyone who is not sure how to ride the bus with a bike should ask one of us at Salvagetti.
Following these ideas/rules/ways would make the world a less brown-cloud place to be. But, as it stands, people use a car to: go to work, visit a friend, go to Boulder (take the RTD B line!!), pick up a few things at the grocery store. Bus/Bike will do all of these things and save you money.
I am hoping that someone will join me when I ride a bike to a wedding.
Or perhaps offer me a ride to the Vitamin Cottage whenever you are going by car.
Or join me on the RTD 3 to go ride at Green Mountain/ Mathews Winters.
Or walk to your friends house 3 blocks away.
Wednesday, April 25, 2007
April Showers us with LOVE
We are in the process of bringing in one of the most exciting brands in bicycling history. We will let you know more as we learn, but we wanted to let you know first. A demo bike was dropped off yesterday and a deal was struck, so soon enough everyone will know and jump up and down with us!
Start saving money now. Start doing sit ups and push ups. In about a month you will be able to climb up anything and keep up with your downhilling buddies.
Damn straight.
As for us, we are drinking lots of coffee and studying up for the coming months. Please come out for our breakfast rides. Why? So you can meet some hot and friendly cyclists.
Start saving money now. Start doing sit ups and push ups. In about a month you will be able to climb up anything and keep up with your downhilling buddies.
Damn straight.
As for us, we are drinking lots of coffee and studying up for the coming months. Please come out for our breakfast rides. Why? So you can meet some hot and friendly cyclists.
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
Section 16 Trails
Dave N (slowerthansnot) and I took a ride in the Springs with Chris S. (Generic Cycles) and Scottie B.
Dave and I took the FREX down in the morning and met at a coffee shop waiting for the others. Once assembled we rode across town to the mountains.
The climb today hurt more than anything I have experienced in a while, but it was completely worth the hour and a half or so of pain. Once we turned up onto the trailhead (the real one) we got to see some amazing views and do some insanely technical downhills. We all were feeling good and no one was under/over dressed. I was the first to take a dive off the bike. My front tire slipped WAY out from under me. I landed quickly and stopped even quicker. I got up and kept going.
Dave was next... He "french kissed" a rock. I didn't see it, and he isn't terribly verbose about falling. He was okay and we continued.
We rode Rick Boyer's special trail for the rest of the way down. We then played at the freeride park until we needed Chipotle.
Fun, fun, fun, fun ride. Thank you!
Dave - Blacksheep Steel Fixed Gear
Scott - Blacksheep Ti SS
Chris - Generic SS
Scott B. - Carl The Snarl SS Steel
Dave and I took the FREX down in the morning and met at a coffee shop waiting for the others. Once assembled we rode across town to the mountains.
The climb today hurt more than anything I have experienced in a while, but it was completely worth the hour and a half or so of pain. Once we turned up onto the trailhead (the real one) we got to see some amazing views and do some insanely technical downhills. We all were feeling good and no one was under/over dressed. I was the first to take a dive off the bike. My front tire slipped WAY out from under me. I landed quickly and stopped even quicker. I got up and kept going.
Dave was next... He "french kissed" a rock. I didn't see it, and he isn't terribly verbose about falling. He was okay and we continued.
We rode Rick Boyer's special trail for the rest of the way down. We then played at the freeride park until we needed Chipotle.
Fun, fun, fun, fun ride. Thank you!
Dave - Blacksheep Steel Fixed Gear
Scott - Blacksheep Ti SS
Chris - Generic SS
Scott B. - Carl The Snarl SS Steel
Tuesday, April 10, 2007
Unprecedented
Evergreen on Tuesday April 10, 2007. It began snowing as we pulled up to the Park N' Ride / Church in Evergreen. "Dammit! We are riding anyways."
Mike S. has been someone I always have loved to ride with. Today he was sporting his 6" travel Kona that he has upgraded all over the place. It is now set up for anything that can be found on a trail.
I am concentrating on getting smoother and faster, so I am sticking to the same bike for a while: Black Sheep Ti 29 SS. It is fast and fun.
Today, I was ready for the cold. I had some thermal gloves and a compression top from the one and only Louis Garneau. Icebreaker on the outside for the warmth. The only change I made was midride... I pulled up my sleeves. Otherwise, I was the perfect temperature. My diaper (or chamois) was the LG Big air short, which is easily the most comfortable padding I have encountered in my years in the business.
I called Dave (aka Slowerthensnot) to see what conditions were to be like in Evergreen. He said that is would be likely muddy and sloppy. As I said, it was snowing lightly as we drove up. As we stepped out of the car, it opened up to be amazing and beautiful. We rode out in the green and got lost as quickly as I have ever heard of.
After back tracking for a while, we made a big change and turned back on track. This led to downhill after downhill where I couldn't catch up, nor wipe the smile off my face. The trail was as sticky as I have ever seen it. So, there was no slipping, no sliding, no missing lines. It was pure fun. We agreed that this was the most ideal we had seen the trails in a long time.
We finally descended into Evergreen and checked in at the great Creekside Winery. They were closed, but gave us some good directions back to the car.
We had a blast! Come with us next time, instead of just reading about it. Bring water and a snack and you will have a blast.
Mike S. has been someone I always have loved to ride with. Today he was sporting his 6" travel Kona that he has upgraded all over the place. It is now set up for anything that can be found on a trail.
I am concentrating on getting smoother and faster, so I am sticking to the same bike for a while: Black Sheep Ti 29 SS. It is fast and fun.
Today, I was ready for the cold. I had some thermal gloves and a compression top from the one and only Louis Garneau. Icebreaker on the outside for the warmth. The only change I made was midride... I pulled up my sleeves. Otherwise, I was the perfect temperature. My diaper (or chamois) was the LG Big air short, which is easily the most comfortable padding I have encountered in my years in the business.
I called Dave (aka Slowerthensnot) to see what conditions were to be like in Evergreen. He said that is would be likely muddy and sloppy. As I said, it was snowing lightly as we drove up. As we stepped out of the car, it opened up to be amazing and beautiful. We rode out in the green and got lost as quickly as I have ever heard of.
After back tracking for a while, we made a big change and turned back on track. This led to downhill after downhill where I couldn't catch up, nor wipe the smile off my face. The trail was as sticky as I have ever seen it. So, there was no slipping, no sliding, no missing lines. It was pure fun. We agreed that this was the most ideal we had seen the trails in a long time.
We finally descended into Evergreen and checked in at the great Creekside Winery. They were closed, but gave us some good directions back to the car.
We had a blast! Come with us next time, instead of just reading about it. Bring water and a snack and you will have a blast.
Mmmm... death...
What do you get when you cross 4 male cyclists, 3000 vertical ft. of climbing and 4 SS 29ers? Tired.
Eric B. (of Ground Up Designs), Scottie B, EJ and Myself did a super secret trail in Colorado Springs. I couldn't take you there if I tried.
We started out from EJs place above a coffee shop downtown. We met up with Eric on the way to the trailhead. It was cold. So cold that I had to stop at a Starbucks... to wash my fingers. It burned severely. I guess I wasn't ready for the cold as I should've been. We made it to the trailhead and everyone warned me that we were in for a bit of a climb. Damn. Damn. %$*@#!! 8 miles on a SS going up 3000 ft. Steep, bumpy, cold. Also, for grins, there was a bit of a crackle in the air with a threat of lightening. Mmmm... death.
We rode underneath a shooting range near the top of the mountain and Eric told me we were almost there. No close calls with the shot flying overhead. MMM...DEATH!!
Eric and I stopped to wait for Scott and EJ (who were fasting at the time, so they were feeling unfresh to say the least (mmm. death.) Once we stretched a bit, we went through a secret opening in the side of the road and voila, scary tech trail.
The trail was as east coast as I have seen on the west coast. Wet, rooty, loggy, and green. I was truly a treat to be had. All of us had to walk several sections because we felt that dying on each other would really impose on our friendship. Mmm... death. Several of the sections were so scary that they had nasty nicknames. Something about gashing your head open and bleeding out half you body weight into a river doesn't seem appealing. We rode in a creek for a bit that actually moved to take over the trail. We went over logs that were 3 feet around with makeshift rock ramps. You couldn't tell what was on the other side till you were on top. So FUN.
The trail ended up coming out to a gravel access road that we flew down into Manitou Springs. We (eric and I) drank some yerba mate and relaxed.
Thanks fellas for a great ride in the Springs!
Eric - Ground Up 29 SS (prototype aluminum)
Scottie B - Vicious Cycles 29 SS steel
EJ - Redline Flight 29 SS steel
Scott T. - Black Sheep 29 SS ti
Eric B. (of Ground Up Designs), Scottie B, EJ and Myself did a super secret trail in Colorado Springs. I couldn't take you there if I tried.
We started out from EJs place above a coffee shop downtown. We met up with Eric on the way to the trailhead. It was cold. So cold that I had to stop at a Starbucks... to wash my fingers. It burned severely. I guess I wasn't ready for the cold as I should've been. We made it to the trailhead and everyone warned me that we were in for a bit of a climb. Damn. Damn. %$*@#!! 8 miles on a SS going up 3000 ft. Steep, bumpy, cold. Also, for grins, there was a bit of a crackle in the air with a threat of lightening. Mmmm... death.
We rode underneath a shooting range near the top of the mountain and Eric told me we were almost there. No close calls with the shot flying overhead. MMM...DEATH!!
Eric and I stopped to wait for Scott and EJ (who were fasting at the time, so they were feeling unfresh to say the least (mmm. death.) Once we stretched a bit, we went through a secret opening in the side of the road and voila, scary tech trail.
The trail was as east coast as I have seen on the west coast. Wet, rooty, loggy, and green. I was truly a treat to be had. All of us had to walk several sections because we felt that dying on each other would really impose on our friendship. Mmm... death. Several of the sections were so scary that they had nasty nicknames. Something about gashing your head open and bleeding out half you body weight into a river doesn't seem appealing. We rode in a creek for a bit that actually moved to take over the trail. We went over logs that were 3 feet around with makeshift rock ramps. You couldn't tell what was on the other side till you were on top. So FUN.
The trail ended up coming out to a gravel access road that we flew down into Manitou Springs. We (eric and I) drank some yerba mate and relaxed.
Thanks fellas for a great ride in the Springs!
Eric - Ground Up 29 SS (prototype aluminum)
Scottie B - Vicious Cycles 29 SS steel
EJ - Redline Flight 29 SS steel
Scott T. - Black Sheep 29 SS ti
Tuesday, March 27, 2007
Lately I've Been Thinking 'Bout Just Hittin' the Road
I get those lyrics in my head all the time. It is from a song called "Last Night/Tomorrow" by Urge Overkill. I wish they would've only put out Tomorrow. Anyways...
We had a fantastic Sunday Morning ride this week. Let me tell you why:
1. A bunch of great people showed up
2. We went to a fantastic restaurant (Gaia Bistro 1551 S. Pearl St.) where the coffee is "epic" and the food is outstanding
3. All of us were interviewed by a young woman from the newspaper, The Metropolitan. And we might just have changed her mind about owning a car (or atleast how she will use it) The article comes out this week, so who knows
4. Myra came along in her Giant Pea Pod, barking the ENTIRE time. She also jumped out when her carabiner bent and broke
If you didn't join us, you should this week. Again, we go slow, so don't count this as exercise. And you can wear lycra, but you may be the only one. We'll still love you though. Only wonderful people have shown up thus far, and that is something we plan on continuing.
We had a fantastic Sunday Morning ride this week. Let me tell you why:
1. A bunch of great people showed up
2. We went to a fantastic restaurant (Gaia Bistro 1551 S. Pearl St.) where the coffee is "epic" and the food is outstanding
3. All of us were interviewed by a young woman from the newspaper, The Metropolitan. And we might just have changed her mind about owning a car (or atleast how she will use it) The article comes out this week, so who knows
4. Myra came along in her Giant Pea Pod, barking the ENTIRE time. She also jumped out when her carabiner bent and broke
If you didn't join us, you should this week. Again, we go slow, so don't count this as exercise. And you can wear lycra, but you may be the only one. We'll still love you though. Only wonderful people have shown up thus far, and that is something we plan on continuing.
Wednesday, March 21, 2007
Myra's first ride along
Our newest mechanic and I (Scott) went on an actual real mountain bike ride yesterday. We took our bikes up to Green Mountain for a quick and dirty loop. Our lungs were relieved to be out of the brown cloud, but quickly found the burn as we started up the winding forever climb. I always forget how long that climb is because I keep thinking it has about 6 turns before you get to the "top". No no... it has more like 14. We took Myra the shop dog on this ride, thinking she would appreciate a good long jog. We made it up to the top and began our fun descent. It seemed like Myra could keep going forever. Being that she is just a puppy, she started to get pretty pooped about 65% of the way through the ride. I let Brian take off like a bat out of hell and stayed back with Myra. She trooped it all the way back to the car without so much as a whimper. She did have to stop to play with a border collie, but otherwise she was focused. I thought bringing a dog on bike trips would be a lot more work, but she was purely pleasure for us. Once she gets older, I'm certain she will be leading the way instead of following behind. I look forward to more people joining us on our morning rides in the mountains. It is way more fun to ride in bigger groups.
Brian: GF Full Suspension
Scott: Giant Trance
Myra: 4 Paws
Brian: GF Full Suspension
Scott: Giant Trance
Myra: 4 Paws
Thursday, March 01, 2007
Greasy Seatposts and Stuck Seatposts
We spent several hours over the course of several days on a young woman's aluminum seatpost that was chemically bonded to her steel frame because of a lack of lubricant between the two.
We first used the torque of our palms to get the post to spin. Because it was a cheap seatpost that was two pieces of aluminum temperature bonded, it broke off at the top. We then gave it a healthy dose of helper fluid to break the bond. The fact is that the bond was from the bottom of the post to the top. After about a 24 hour soak, we went back at it. This time we drilled a nice clean hole in the post in order to insert a piece of tooling steel in there to get some nice torque. 2 of us with cheater bars provided in the neighborhood of 800 lb/feet of torque (I'm guessing here) and the post literally shattered. Our next idea was to open up a channel to get the fluid further into the frame by using a saw blade to slide a channel into the post. After about 45 minutes of this tedious procession, we had made a small slit part of the way down. The post still did not budge. We let it rest for a while with loads of caustic fluid hopefully finding its way to the chemical bonds. Our next idea was to put a quill stem inside the post, tighten it down and hammer it out. We quite literally broke the stem in half attempting to hammer out the post. (Some laughter may be necessary here) Finally, we decided to try reaming out the post from the inside out. We were going to attempt to shave the post to nothing. After a few hours of removing small amounts of post we made a call to our custom frame builder, James from Blacksheep. He explained that we would be doing this for many many hours and it may not work quite as easily as we were imagining. We decided to let the customer decide whether she could afford our labor or if we needed to call the project done.
I have to say that the young woman was both sad and understanding. She immediately saw the bright side of the situation, that being that her next bike will be fully adjustable and will have a nice slippery seatpost.
By the way, she bought this bike at VeloSwap. Yet another word of warning about buying from an unknown source. Check to make sure the seatpost was greased.
We first used the torque of our palms to get the post to spin. Because it was a cheap seatpost that was two pieces of aluminum temperature bonded, it broke off at the top. We then gave it a healthy dose of helper fluid to break the bond. The fact is that the bond was from the bottom of the post to the top. After about a 24 hour soak, we went back at it. This time we drilled a nice clean hole in the post in order to insert a piece of tooling steel in there to get some nice torque. 2 of us with cheater bars provided in the neighborhood of 800 lb/feet of torque (I'm guessing here) and the post literally shattered. Our next idea was to open up a channel to get the fluid further into the frame by using a saw blade to slide a channel into the post. After about 45 minutes of this tedious procession, we had made a small slit part of the way down. The post still did not budge. We let it rest for a while with loads of caustic fluid hopefully finding its way to the chemical bonds. Our next idea was to put a quill stem inside the post, tighten it down and hammer it out. We quite literally broke the stem in half attempting to hammer out the post. (Some laughter may be necessary here) Finally, we decided to try reaming out the post from the inside out. We were going to attempt to shave the post to nothing. After a few hours of removing small amounts of post we made a call to our custom frame builder, James from Blacksheep. He explained that we would be doing this for many many hours and it may not work quite as easily as we were imagining. We decided to let the customer decide whether she could afford our labor or if we needed to call the project done.
I have to say that the young woman was both sad and understanding. She immediately saw the bright side of the situation, that being that her next bike will be fully adjustable and will have a nice slippery seatpost.
By the way, she bought this bike at VeloSwap. Yet another word of warning about buying from an unknown source. Check to make sure the seatpost was greased.
Wednesday, February 28, 2007
Pedal Fetish?
I love pedals. I cannot help it. I love looking at them. I love thinking about them. I love talking about them. I just love pedals.
I have a few pairs that I am most proud of...
1. I am most proud of my Brooklyn Machine Works Shinburgers. These are CNC'd out of solid aluminum to make your feel stick like clipless. Once, while I was jumping off of some stairs, I actually became unglued to the right pedal. As I came down full force, I felt a dull pain on my left shin. The kind of dull pain that smell like a hospital is in your future. The kind of pain that makes you forget everything around you. I rolled up my pants to see the damage. I leaned in for a good look and found a perfect pyramid indentation about 3 cm deep right where the pedal had gone in... to my shinguard... I still got a nasty bruise and bragging rights.
2. My second favorite pedals are my old school Atomic Lab Trail Pimps. They are super thin and beautiful. I love looking at them and I love getting hurt riding them. My best injury with these pedals came when I was waiting on my sidewalk for my friend Evan to show up so we could get really really hurt. When he showed up, I was laying down holding my shin sort of laughing. I had been trying to be a trials rider on my bmx bike and had slipped. The pedal shaved a wide thick chuck of skin off of my shin and it was hanging from my pedal. I should've taken a picture because it could be its own website.
3. My last, but still favorite pedals aren't original or different, but I still love them. It is the Crank Brothers Mallets. I just love the simplicity and the absolute usefulness of them. I don't have any great pedal related accidents with them and I plan on keeping it that way. I can pull up as hard as I want and not worry about rolling off the pedals. That is fun. Feels like I am running up the hill instead of doing lunges.
I have a few pairs that I am most proud of...
1. I am most proud of my Brooklyn Machine Works Shinburgers. These are CNC'd out of solid aluminum to make your feel stick like clipless. Once, while I was jumping off of some stairs, I actually became unglued to the right pedal. As I came down full force, I felt a dull pain on my left shin. The kind of dull pain that smell like a hospital is in your future. The kind of pain that makes you forget everything around you. I rolled up my pants to see the damage. I leaned in for a good look and found a perfect pyramid indentation about 3 cm deep right where the pedal had gone in... to my shinguard... I still got a nasty bruise and bragging rights.
2. My second favorite pedals are my old school Atomic Lab Trail Pimps. They are super thin and beautiful. I love looking at them and I love getting hurt riding them. My best injury with these pedals came when I was waiting on my sidewalk for my friend Evan to show up so we could get really really hurt. When he showed up, I was laying down holding my shin sort of laughing. I had been trying to be a trials rider on my bmx bike and had slipped. The pedal shaved a wide thick chuck of skin off of my shin and it was hanging from my pedal. I should've taken a picture because it could be its own website.
3. My last, but still favorite pedals aren't original or different, but I still love them. It is the Crank Brothers Mallets. I just love the simplicity and the absolute usefulness of them. I don't have any great pedal related accidents with them and I plan on keeping it that way. I can pull up as hard as I want and not worry about rolling off the pedals. That is fun. Feels like I am running up the hill instead of doing lunges.
Tuesday, February 06, 2007
Well, it could be real. But...
Here goes with my re-"but..."-L's:
But, my seat doesn't actually hurt me, because my bike is set up so there isn't any pressure on my crotch, and certainly no junk ripping harness when I fall.
But, I can get going as fast as you do on your video on my mountain bike with big tires.
But, I can't lift it up into my apartment
But, where do I get parts? Tires? Service?
But, I like that bikes can go pretty much anywhere
Okay, I'd still love to ride one and see what it feels like. I'm a sucker for 2 wheels and gears.
More Links:
Official Hyperbike Site
Hyperbike Video or something
Saturday, January 27, 2007
Chomping at the Bit
We at Salvagetti are dying to ride. We feel pain in our bones that aches through to our hearts. We know summer is coming, but riding through the winter makes all the cold blues go away. Makes them (oh lord don't say it...) melt.
We at Salvagetti want warmth, and this winter has changed our definition of warmth. We want 40 degree weather or I'd even take some 38 degree days, but this 37 days (so far) of cold and snow and ice has lost its luster. Yes, it was nice a few days this week, but there is still ice on 11th and 12th that makes riding it border line stupid. We've had to ride it, but it doesn't make it okay.
We at Salvagetti want you to think warm with us. Ready???
- Cold beer sounds delicious
- Smell of sun tan oil is not good, but reminds you of warm days
- Plant that garden with lots of squash
- RIDE! RIDE! RIDE!
We thank you! See you soon.
Wednesday, January 10, 2007
Shop Dog, Shop Dog, Shop Dog
We are getting a shop dog!
Her name is Myra. She is a vizsla. Today she is 48 days old. That means we still have a few days before we can get her and then a few more days before we have her in the shop. Then, she will be there almost every single day we are open. Please come by and say hello to her when you get a chance.
When she is full grown, she will be about 45 lbs and tough as nails, except she will also be sweet. She will be able to ride a bike by the time she is 1 year old and we will be entering her in cross country races (most likely the Winter Park Series) by the time she is 1 and a half. She has to earn her keep if she wants to get free bike stuff for life.
Her name is Myra. She is a vizsla. Today she is 48 days old. That means we still have a few days before we can get her and then a few more days before we have her in the shop. Then, she will be there almost every single day we are open. Please come by and say hello to her when you get a chance.
When she is full grown, she will be about 45 lbs and tough as nails, except she will also be sweet. She will be able to ride a bike by the time she is 1 year old and we will be entering her in cross country races (most likely the Winter Park Series) by the time she is 1 and a half. She has to earn her keep if she wants to get free bike stuff for life.
Helmets make death optional
I heard another great I-had-a-helmet-on-and-it-saved-my-life story:
One of the messengers in Downtown Denver had to work in the gross frozen yet still wet web of streets this past storm (Dec 2006). He had the few days off of riding because the offices were shut down and there was no reason to have bike messengers running around. So back to work, ice is on the sidewalks, on lamp posts, on roads, on cars, on EVERYTHING. This guy is just feeling proud to be able to stay upright on his bike with all the ice and idiots on the road. He gets a call to a place on Broadway that has all sorts of weird architecture going on. He locks up his bike and is walking toward the front door when he gets smacked on the top of his head in an apparent death blow style chomp by an entire windows worth of sheet ice. His lump of foam in plasic saved his life while he was walking. I guess he should be glad he is comfortable in it.
One of the messengers in Downtown Denver had to work in the gross frozen yet still wet web of streets this past storm (Dec 2006). He had the few days off of riding because the offices were shut down and there was no reason to have bike messengers running around. So back to work, ice is on the sidewalks, on lamp posts, on roads, on cars, on EVERYTHING. This guy is just feeling proud to be able to stay upright on his bike with all the ice and idiots on the road. He gets a call to a place on Broadway that has all sorts of weird architecture going on. He locks up his bike and is walking toward the front door when he gets smacked on the top of his head in an apparent death blow style chomp by an entire windows worth of sheet ice. His lump of foam in plasic saved his life while he was walking. I guess he should be glad he is comfortable in it.
Friday, January 05, 2007
Bringing it all back home
We have had a guilty conscience for not having a great selection of steel bicycles for sale here. So, we started researching companies and steel bikes in general. Steel is such a great material for bikes, you have to wonder why companies went elsewhere. People follow what the latest trend is.
But, our customers are different. They expect us to provide an experience with cycling. And that is why we have decided to bring in Jamis bicycles (http://www.jamisbikes.com). Jamis is one of the last big cycling companies to still be individually owned. When you start researching companies that seem to be independant (Gary Fisher is an obvious example), you will find that they are owned by Trek. (Trek also owns Bontrager, Rolf, Lemond, and Klein (all last names...)). The small company gets to refine its product to specific people. We think they made their bikes for Denver.
Soon enough, we will detail all the bikes we are bringing in on our website. Almost all of them are steel. All of them are cool.
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