old man!

Fork Me!

2009-01-08T13:19:00.000-08:00

O.K. I know some of you have been on me to get a suspension fork but I liked my rigid fork and I did'nt want to give it up. I have finally given in and got a new squishy fork. The main reason for the purchase was due to the fact that my arms and my elbows would be sore the day after a long ride where there was some long down hills or just really rocky single track and where I live thats all there is so I thought I would give it a try again. It's been three years of riding with a rigid fork and after the first ride I realized that it was going to take some getting used to all that movement again. First let me say that forks have changed since my last one. I'm one of those who likes to set the fork and never touch the adjustments again, so all of these knobs and dials were confusing to me. I had to set the air pressure according to my weight, in the old days you just changed the bumpers in your fork and rode it. I have learned how to adjust,myself and the fork, and I think I'm going to like this thing. I have'nt given up the rigid all together it's on my single speed. So here's to suspension for now. Now I won't be sore because of the rigid fork but because I'm getting be old as shit!

Cyclocross Virgin..

2008-10-22T13:04:00.000-07:00

Hard! We had a little cyclocross race last night here in Staunton which was just one stop of the Blue Ridge cup series and it was a lot harder than I thought it would be. I think I fell at least three times,it seems I don't posses the extreme balance of some people(Jimmy Deaton). I will say I had more fun than I thought I would even though I sucked badly. Bishop showed everyone how it's done and made everthing look easy. He was ahead of me then he stopped to help another rider fix their bike and then went by me like I was standing still,which I probably was, and then he past me like two more times. We were getting points for being a cross virgin and for spectators which I think I qualified for both from the position I was in. Overall it was fun and I was on my bike...Maybe I'll do it again.

Night riding season!

2008-10-05T11:46:00.000-07:00

Fall is here and the light of day will be shorter so that can only mean one thing "night rides" will begin to be the norm. We did our first ride of the season and we had a decent turnout with 5 guys including myself. We had a newbie and a roadie and the other three of us ride anything. The new guy did well considering he only had his bike about one week. The roadie (Ron) is a really strong rider but I think he went back in time to get his bike, he had a mountain cycle circa 94. That thing is a welders nightmare and it just bounced all over the trail but he still rode strong all night. We stayed conservative in where we rode but I hope that will change and we will venture into the GWF for some of the rides. It was a good start and hopefully we will keep the people coming out unlike last year where it wound dwindleing down to no one. Anyone reading this in the Staunton, Harrisonburg or waynesboro area please feel free to join us. We will be meeting at Black Dog bikes and leaving from there at 6 pm..Joe

Assault on Liberty Mountain!

2008-09-22T13:30:00.000-07:00

I went to lynchburg this weekend for a much anticipated race, geared not single, for me. I am still riding rigid and 29 and that will not change. The trip down was uneventful and I would have had time to spare before the race had there been any signs or markings of where the race was going to take place . So I drove down the road I thought it was on until I saw bikes and I finally found where I needed to be. I rushed through registation and hurried up getting ready,pinning #'s, changing clothes etc.etc. I was just finishing up when I ran into one of the Black dog bikes family it was Matt Trybus and it was good to see a familiar face. We talked for a moment a then lined up. Matt was riding the smaller race and I was doing the larger 19 mile race so we were not racing together so we wished each other luck and I headed off to the start line. I have to say the trails at Liberty were right up my alley ,climbing but not for six miles in a row, and technical with some nice down hills. I went off the line and into the woods in a good position with the top five or so in my age group and we were keeping a good pace but I found myself in about third and I could see the first and second place guys not to far ahead. I love to have a rabbit to chase! Myself and the guys through about sixth place all rode together trying to catch the leaders when as we were bombing down this hill we see that the TAPE was down and the trail went in several directions. We looked at each other and decided to go this way and it turned out we were wrong so we went back but as I turned around I found I had a flat tire so I reached for my tube that had been in my jersey pocket and found that it was gone. I was riding a 29er and no one else was riding a 29er that was with me so I started walking. Long story short I walked for a while until I was found by a super nice volunteer on a quad that gave me ride back down to the start area. A DNF for me which sucked because I was feeling good and for me to be so close to the front without spitting up blood was a great feeling. I love mountainbike races because of the people . I had more people than I can count ask if I was alright or if I needed anything. I even had one female racer offer me her only tube of which I declined because she may have needed it and been in the same situation that I was already in. I was disappointed but I still had fun I just hope that next year the dont just use tape but maybe some arrows as well. I read some other blogs when I got home and the same things happened to others with getting lost because of the tape being down in spots. I would recommend this race to anyone, the entry fee was $25 and you got a free shirt not bad and they had free muffins and bagels.(free is always good)

2008-08-13T11:57:00.000-07:00

http://www.superhumanmag.com/content/view/763/92/ Check out Lance! I'm impressed it looks as though he really pushed Dave weins causing him to beat his old record.

Road ride?

2008-07-18T14:29:00.000-07:00

I decided to finally go out for the Thursday night fast road ride. I knew I would have been dropped if it were not for my man Mark Russell who kept the slow pace I was using or dropping back to pick me up and bring me back to the others(appreciate it). The ride was fun which is not what I was expecting because I usually despise a road ride. I usually don't get to ride that much so when I do I like to make it a Mountain bike ride but last night was a nice change. First I was'nt riding by myself and it was'nt in the dirt so I did'nt feel like I was beat up. I think I will try and do this ride as much as I can it can only help my fitness and I might have some fun in the process.. thanks to the guys for putting up with me and maybe I'll be able to keep up before long..

New Snatch

2008-05-19T13:26:00.000-07:00

I got me some gears. I broke down and got some. It's not that I didn't like the Single any more but there were just times when I felt that I needed them.(or wanted them) Will this make me any faster-no-will they allow me to keep up with the rest of the group probably not. I got them anyway . Only time will tell which will get ridden more . I would like to thank James at Black Dog bikes for all his help in getting this thing together now all I have to do is ride it. Maybe tomorrow if weather permitting..Later

Hillbert..

2008-03-11T16:46:00.000-07:00

Camp Hilbert was this past weekend and me and some of my peeps went down to Goochland to do a little racin. It was only 25 degress when Mark Russell,James Burris , John Evans and a guy by the name James Deaton took off for the enduro event. 5 hours in the cold does'nt sound like fun to me but I would have been doing the same thing if I could have ,just don't have the stamina that they do.. I decided to do the Single speed race at noon when it was warmer. I really don't have any bussiness getting on course with these guys because half way through the first lap I was off the back and suffering by the second lap. I did finish though! I did have fun! I learned something , its going to take me alot of riding to get any where near the podium at one of these races. For a guy who says he does'nt like endurance MTB events Mr. russell does a pretty good job -8 laps . James Burris did outstanding with 7 laps as did Mr. James Deaton also with 7 laps. It was good seeing Jimmy my boy you looked like your old self out there on the trail. Hopefully you will do another dirt event.. Get back to your ROOTS my brother. I was also very impressed with John who was talked into doing the enduro event the morning of the race and I beleive he got 6 laps in before calling it quits. Awsome!! Thanks for fun times guys!! Jimmy get a 29er !! Ya Mary! Later...

Camp Hilbert...

2008-02-25T12:44:00.000-08:00

The first race of this year for me will be Camp Hilbert down in Goochland. I'm not ready but it will give me a chance to ride and hang out with some friends so its all good..James and Mr. Russell will be joining me for the fun. They will both be doing the enduro class and I'm not sure what I'm going to do, it will be either the SS class or the old guys sport class either way I'll get my ass handed to me. I ran the SS class last year and beat two guys and that was only because they had mechanicals. My only hope to do well is if everyone has a mechanical and I don't die after the first lap. Mark will probably just do the race as if it were a training ride and still do well. James has the experience in enduro and he should do well also. I hope to see a certain person there (James Deaton) . Although he might be cutting his bars down that day..Just a little more cutting and he will be able to use both brake leveres with the same hand.. Just kidding! I hope to see you there..punk

Night Ride with my Peeps!

2008-02-13T16:00:00.000-08:00

Did a night ride last Friday night with Mr. Russell, James and Gene at the Secret ridin spot(shhh) it's a secret. I decided to ride the the bike with the skinnies on because of the mud. I think they did well until the end of the ride when I rolled a tire off the rim because I did'nt put enough air in them . The ride was great as was the company.. I have to say Mark has great patience riding with the not so gifted like myself and he's good at giving the words of encouragement when needed or as a friend of mine said he's good at lying. Either way it helped on some of the climbs. The new section of single track is going to be great once its been riden some more , Mark and myself rode a little longer than James and Gene because as Mark said I got a kitchen pass for the night so I tried to make the most of it. I have to ride more!! Thanks Mark.James and Gene lets do it again soon..

Old Friend found!

2008-02-05T18:38:00.000-08:00

I was going through someone I knows blog to maybe catch some pics from the Superbowl ride this past Sunday and you know how it goes you wind-up blog jumping from one to the next. As I am doing this I see a name I have'nt heard or seen in awhile James Deaton . Well it turns out that this was and is the same James Deaton that I shared a domicile with several times and rode with many many times. The last time I saw Jimmy was about 12 years ago when he came up here to visit and we went to Snowshoe for a quick ride. Jimmy was living in S.C. at the time and I was Harrisonburg, VA. ,Jimmy was married with children I was not. Lets just say our lives were going in different directions and we lost contact with each other. Let me just say Jimmy was an awsome rider then as I am sure he is now. We started riding BMX together and and then one day Jimmy started riding this Mountain bike thing and he invited me to go riding with him ..Long story short (or is it to late for that) I was hooked and me and Jimmy rode alot and raced alot together. The last time I talked with Jimmy he was playing Hockey and he was'nt riding much or at all so I'm glad to see he's riding again. You can try other things but the bike will always be in the blood. Maybe I'll catch up with him at a race this year. I'm sure not as fit as he is anymore but I'll have fun trying to catch him again.

Merry Christmas!!!

2007-12-22T07:56:00.000-08:00

If anyone actually reads this thing I just want to wish them a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! I was riding pretty regular at a hidden single track in town but I am going to be out of comission for a while because of a little thing called SHINGLES. I always thought they were something old people got and I was expecting the hip replacement next. I found out they are'nt just for old people and that the can last for 2 to 4 weeks. The problem is where the are is on my leg from my hip to my knee and they are painful to the touch so riding shorts are out. Maybe I can ride in sweat pants?I will find a way ! To all my local peeps (James,Mark and John Merry Christmas ) Joe.....

2007-08-13T11:04:00.000-07:00

I just had the bike powder coated and I just got it back together ,all this a week before we head off to do the 18 hrs on the farm, so I got to take it out to give it a shake down to make sure everything is everything. I'm kind of nervous about this one more so than Lodi because at Lodi we were begginers and this time we are doing sport so the comp will be much harder i'm sure. I am the old man of the group which will consist of James from Black Dog bikes, Big John who was our anchor for Lodi and our newest is a young fella who is only 20, Heath. I think we will do well and have some fun I hope I just hope I can pull my own weight.... I know I will give it my best..

Camp Hilbert! I suck! James and Mark rock!!

2007-06-12T13:50:00.000-07:00

First of all let me just say that this was a very fun race I just raced poorly! James and Mark (Mr. I.F.) Russell and myself made the trip to Camp Hilbert race in Goochland on Sunday. This is a great course especially for me since I'm on the single speed rigid but that did'nt seem to matter because when the gun sounded I was off the back never to see the front again. My lap times were'nt horrible just not what I needed to stay in contact with the others. One guy in particular was rockin a 36x16 gear and I think he got second.. I think I was out of my league!! Ihad fun anyway and I was on the bike so thats all that matters I guess. Igot to see James from Black Dog bikes lock down a 5th place in the enduro class and Mr. I.F. bring home a solid 15th place in the x-pert vet class ..nice work guys and it was great hanging with you . I got a 6th place out of 8 only because two of the guys DNF'D. I know one of them was a mechanical(sorry Johnathan) and the other probably was also. Man I need to ride some more..http://www.photoreflect.com/pr3/OrderPage.aspx?pi=0GZC000D050345&po=345&c=

Lodi.

2007-05-07T13:51:00.000-07:00

Just raced the 12 hrs of Lodi this past weekend and let me just say I think have caught the bug! We raced as a 3 man team in the begginer class only because none of us knew what we were doing. We originally were going to race the 3 man single speed class but our other partner had to drop out due to work so we picked up our other partner last minute but he was riding gears so we just went for it. I think I can speak for us all we had a blast. The weather was not the best but we dealt with it and somewhere in the night the rain stopped and by morning the sun came out and started drying everything out. We had no expectations of anything but on one of my night laps James and John were waiting for me as I rounded the corner into the start finish and the were telling me that we were up on the second place team by 25 minutes now. This is where we started trying to pick up some more time and maybe put it out of reach for the second place team. It must have worked because by morning we had a full lap and then some on the second place team. I must say this was the most fun I have ever had at a bike race even if we had'nt won it would have been. Yes thats right we put in 11 laps and won the class. I was surprised that we finished and even more so that we won. I know it was only the begginer class but it was just the start ...I think we will be back next year .. The race was very well run and the course was a nlast even in the rain..see ya next year but not as begginers. Watch out Sport,solo,duo or what ever we decide to do ..

fork me!

2007-04-12T17:28:00.000-07:00

I just changed my fork on my monocog for two reasons .1 weight 2. looks. I think I acheived them both without spending a ton of money. I had James at Black Dog bikes slap me a Surly fork on my bike and I think I saved about a pound in the weight department and I think the black fork looks much better than the stock fork. There is a slight difference in the fork sizes but I don't think its enough to cause me any problems when riding but we will see.Heres a few pics..

New light tested!!

2007-03-24T11:15:00.000-07:00

Just went on a night ride last night and I got to test my new LED light and I thought it was better than I was expecting. James and myself went and rode lookout Mtn. which was my first time and the light performed awsome. This aint no HID but its just as good as a halogen at about a quarter of the price. The trail was awsome it had everything and the rock gardens were a blast. I thought I might have some soreness in my forearms because of riding rigid but I did'nt and I think its because of the 29er wheels. We rolled over everything.. It was just a great test for my new light haveing to pick my way through the rock gardens was easy because of how much I was able to see. If you need an inexpensive light that works great get a cygo hiflux and I don't think you will be disapointed..

LED light?

2007-03-20T13:44:00.000-07:00

I just got this new LED light from James at Black dog bikes and from looking at it in my backyard last night I think it just might be O.K. .I have been looking for some time now for another light to complement my helmet light and I think I might have found it with this little LED. Its small and rather light and what I like most about it is the long run times and the cost. This unit is a cygo light and it runs off of "C" size batteries that fit into a little pouch .I think this is great because how easy is it to bring along some more batteries. It's supposed to get burn times of about 25 hrs on high and 200 hrs on the low setting. We will see how it performs out on the trail before I sing its praises to much. I'm taking it out Friday night for a little test run and let you know how it did...later

Celebrity neighbor!!

2007-03-03T03:06:00.000-08:00

My neighbor Mark Russell has just landed a Independent Fab sponsership!! He rides it all from cross to mtb to tri's I just wish I could ride with him more maybe some of his skills would rub off on me. Mark is not only a great rider but a strong cycling supporter in our community. He has gotten many things done in our community to further our riding experience and I'm glad he's our club prez.. Congrats again Mark!! you deserve it..

Night riden in the cold!!

2007-02-24T07:57:00.000-08:00

Just did a night ride last night at brayleys in the ice covered trails. It was'nt to bad, but as I found out the creek crossings are very cold. The trail was totally different than I remember from my daylight rides there and add the ice in the turns and it made for an exciting night. Got to test my new NR headlight and it works great but I think I'm going to need some other light before I do Lodi this year. James rode with the other member of our team the other morning at brayleys and things did'nt go as smoothly as he hit a rock at slow speed and buckeled his new salsa frame. Hope he can get a replacement before the Lodi race. We will be doing many more night rides in the coming months to get ready for Lodi and I hope some more riders can make it out its a great time.. See ya on the trail ...

Superbowl ride!!

2007-02-05T07:53:00.000-08:00

This should have been called the Super cold ride instead of Superbowl ride!! I think the temps were about 24 when we started but I would guess by the time we reached the top of flag pole they were in the single digits. The wind was the killer it just cut through you. We all made it to the top and down and of course the only place where I wasn't in the back was on the descent on Red Diamond. I surprised myself. It really wasn't anything spectacular it just felt good for me not to be in the back and even with me in the front I don't think I was holding anyone up. Here's a few pics of the day I would have had more but I think the cold killed my batteries.. Even though I am still sore today I think the ride was a blast....

We have a team!

2007-02-01T13:45:00.001-08:00

Rich Moore,James Burris and myself have formed our SingleSpeed team for the 12hrs of Lodi. It was sort of up in the air weather or not Rich would be doing the race with us due to the fact that he would be taking an already delayed Honeymoon and on top of that it is his wifes birthday the same weekend as the race.Well after some back-and-forth Rich will be doing the race!!! His wife must be very understanding. Now we have to come with a name for our team so if anyone has any ideas please post them. If things go well at this race I would like to do the 24hr race at big bear W.V. as a SS team again. Hopefully with the group of guys. Later....

Superbowl ride!

2007-01-31T17:52:00.000-08:00

This Sunday I will be participating in the annual Superbowl ride. I have been trying to get out and do this ride ever since I moved up this way but it never seemed to work out with my schedule. I just hope I have enough clothing to keep me warm considering the temp should be hovering around 28 degrees (sweltering). I should by my calculations be the last one up the road to flag pole not because I will be riding a single speed but because I am in crappy shape. I know it will be fun anyways .There will be some good riding company and I'm looking forward to meeting some new people and seeing some old friends as well. If you can make it out I'll see ya there..

Monocog Flight

2007-01-23T15:01:00.000-08:00

This is a friends M.C. I must say it looks even more awsome in person!!!

Winter is finally here!!

2007-01-17T13:42:00.000-08:00

I knew it would get here soon enough.. We were living on borrowed time. We had warm temps all the way through Christmas so we can't complain I quess. I have been talking with James at Black Dog Bikes about teaming up to do the 12 hrs at Lodi farms race in May. This will be a first for both of us so we are looking to have some fun. I think we have decided to do it as a 3 man team so that when someone is on course the other two will be good company for each other. There is a lot of preperation that goes into one of these races and I don't mean just riding time but equipment and trying to remember to bring everything you will need to have a good time. It sounds like alot but I know we will have fun and thats the overall goal and maybe test ourselves. If all goes well I would like to hit a few more races like 18hrs on the farm and maybe the 24hrs of big bear(W.V). James is talking about getting a monocog flight 29 so we can do the race as a S.S. team which would be really cool plus I know he will love the bike!!!! later