Win an IF frame...

IF Racing is offering a steel frame in a raffle. IF Racing is using the proceeds to support its teams and the charities it has associated with to bring the joy of cycling to kids.

For the low, low price of $10, you can buy a ticket that could provide you with a smooth riding steel Independent Fabrication. What a deal. That $10 ticket will give you countless hours of dreams about your new frame. Plus you'll be helping good people do good things. It's a win-win situation.

And, it's easy to buy a ticket via BikeReg.com.

IF at the NAHBS...

The North American Handmade Bicycle Show was recently held in Portland.

Here are a few IF highlights of the show.

Belgium Bound...

Bought my plane ticket to Belgium today. I had set a price level that I would not go over. I had found a few tickets that were below that level but when I inquired about the airline's bike policy, the oversize charge would make it cost prohibitive. 90 bucks tacked on each way, WTF??

I'll be flying out on April 2nd on United and then back on Austrian Air, no upcharges for the bike box. woo hoo. Sam already has a car reserved for us and we'll be staying at Tom's (TIMMY) bachelor pad near Antwerp.

The Tour of Flanders is the reason for the trip. Sam and I did the 85 mile cyclotourist version 3 years ago, but this year we are planning on doing the full course on the Saturday before the pros tackle the Ronde. 160+ miles of beautiful Belgium countryside. Plus bergs, cobbles, and Europeans smoking at the rest stops. It is a cycling mecca. I'd like to make it to the cyclocross Masters Worlds after reading Greg's recaps on his Mud and Cowbells blog. Maybe in a couple of years, I'll make that pilgrimage. But this year it's all about the Ronde van Vlaanderen.

Back to Belgium. Plus a side trip to Amsterdam. Can't go to Europe without a day in Amsterdam...

the Weight...

Like a lot of cyclists, I watch my weight. I haven't been obsessing about it, but I've been cognizant of how much I shovel into my pie-hole. Portion Control and getting past the idea that I can eat a lot because I'm exercising was what I've focused on the past few months. At the end of cyclocross season, I was giving FatMarc a run for the title of fattest Marc(k) in the mid atlantic. I was holding steady at 175 to 178. Weight is an issue in cycling because of the simple ratio of weight to power. Less weight on the bike with equal or more power being put in the cranks, the faster I go.

I lost ten pounds over the holidays. It just came off without much effort. That kept me focused on losing more. After many laps in the pool and consistently riding the bike to work, I plateaued at 165. I started on a structured swimming plan and added 1 or 2 runs a week, still watching the amount of food I put on my plate.

Five more pounds and I saw 160 on scale, I can't remember the last time I was at that weight. When I ran crosscountry in college I was around 155. Then I couldn't eat enough food with the 50-70 mile weeks in the mountains of West Virginia. Plus I was 13 years younger and had the metabolism of a rabbit on crack. Not anymore.

Again, I was on a plateau at 160. Until tonight, when I broke through that barrier with a scale reading of 158. It's probably because I'm dehydrated, but I'll take it anyway.

I'll add more run mileage in March along with continuing with the swim workouts (thanks Connie). My goal is to get back to 155. I may see the scale creep back up once the bike and run workouts begin and muscle mass is built in the legs. But I'd rather see the weight move up under those circumstances as I know the power will be built as well.

Have a great day.

one day left...

on the ebay sale

The Bob Jackson Fixie Conversion
and
White Industries ENO Wheel

Daddy needs some cash.

And you need a Fixie

and a new rear wheel.

For Sale...

On EBAY:

Bob Jackson fixie convert

White Industries ENO-Mavic 517 wheel

I built the Bob Jackson as a fixie to use for winter training, but have found that I don't ride it as much as it warrants. It rides nice and is a comfortable bike. Besides, the hills in Staunton are not conducive to me riding a fixed gear bike. No need to blow out a knee on this bike when running does a good enough job of torturing my knees.

The wheel was on an old GT Avalanche that I originally converted to single speed using a singleator, but built the ENO so I could have proper chain tension. Singleators Suck. Anyway, I rode the GT with the ENO one time and it sat in the bike room. I wasn't enamored by the singlespeed experience. The GT will be rebuilt as a geared bike and given away to a kid that needs a nice bike, so the ENO is not needed.

What is needed though, is some cash to put towards a plane ticket to Belgium. Damn they are expensive. Bid, Buy, Send me to Belgium where I will drink beer, eat waffles, and ride the cyclotourist version of the Ronde Van Vlaanderen, aka Tour of Flanders.

Caveat:

The fixie does not have the BSNYC Seal, yet.

urrghh...

I took today off from work as I couldn't fathom the thought of sitting at my desk. It wasn't a 'mental health' day where I blow off work to go play. This past weekend, I caught whatever bug has been circulating Staunton.

The weekend started off well with a ride with James, Joe, and Gene at the secret stash on Friday. James and Gene turned back after a little while on the trails and drank beer. Joe and I stayed on the trails since he had a 'kitchen pass' and wanted to make the most of his time on the Old Man singlespeed. Jon H has been working overtime cutting new trail in the pine trees. It's still in a bit of the bushwhack stage but once it matures it'll be a blast to swoop through the pine trees on a blanket of needles. I ended up at Baja Bean Co. with James and Sara for beers and enchiladas. Nice start.

Saturday at work was, well Saturday at work. I dropped my Bob Jackson fixie off at the shop along with a White Industries Eno wheel built with a Mavic 517. Look for these on Ebay soon. Gotta pay for the trip to Belgium. I blew off the Saturday ride as I was tired. And then on Sunday I called in sick for the Ride on Narrowback. I felt a little better in the afternoon so I rolled the commuter to the Y for a spin/yoga class. An hour on the spin bike was followed by 30 minutes of yoga, my first time. 1 out of 3 rides for the weekend isn't good (technically a spin class is a ride but I'm not counting it), but at least I didn't break anything like Sam.

Being sick sucks...

On top of Flagpole...

Kevin, the Dawg and I model the latest in helmet hair-styles.



I had a lot more mud on me at the end.

Another Super Bowl ride in the books...

Sheldon Brown, 1944-2008

Rest in Peace Sheldon.

If you are a bike geek and had used the internet to answer bike questions then you know who Sheldon Brown was. His site, Sheldon Brown, was the goto site for answers to a host of questions an amateur (and I'm sure professional) mechanic may have.

The cycling world has lost a true original.

Super Bowl Ride...

Once again it's time for the Super Bowl ride. This is an annual ride, something to do with some football game. Ride begins at the Briery Branch Community Center at 10am for a trip up to Flagpole Knob. Or you can go for the Big Fatty and leave from Mr J's bagel on Rt 42 South in H'burg at 8:45pm.

Huge Ride. The 757 crew is 15 strong and staying near Sherando for the weekend. It'll be good to ride some miles with them, and to catch up with my friends from the 'burg.

If you coming from Staunton, we are leaving from behind Black Dog Bikes at 9am.

For more information, check out Shenandoah Mountain Bike Club's website.

Klunkerz will be shown Saturday Feb 2 at Court Square Theater at 7pm.

See ya out there...