The closest I came to the bike this weekend

was watching the South African WC on the computer.
Not exactly my plan 1 week out from the season opener.

A-ha!

No not the Norwegian pop super group (word is that dude can still hit those notes), but chainline.

White Industries uses a 47.5 mm chainline.

Modern Shimano and all it's imitators use a 50 mm chainline.

After playing with calipers, rulers and spacers for a bit last night, I think I've got it dialed.

I sure hope so.  Although the thought of having sick watts, being able to flex my cranks and or bb enough to drop a chain sounds awfully macho, I'd rather not have to swap them out.

You know, the throwing away of money and all...

Not My Day

Okay, let's play a game;
Who can remember the last time I punctured?

Yes, you in the back...

That is correct, the Rapture was the last time I flatted (on my mtb)

Okay, now who remembers the last time I dropped my chain?

Shut up Neal!

Let's rephrase that:  When was the last time I dropped my chain before switching to White Industries Eno Cranks.

Ha!

Stumped ya!

It was Hodges Village Dam 2009.  I tried to rely on a DT RWS skewer w/o a tensioner and dropped my chain 3 times in that race.

So what's up with the quiz?

I dropped my chain and punctured a brand new tire in less than 5 miles today...and 2.5 of those miles were on the road.

Since I just put the tire on today there was copious amounts of sealant, but when you tare a knob, well, your
fooked.

I had put on my new racer boy treads and was trying to dial in the pressure.  But I've become spoiled by the plumpness of my Monster Truck Meats.
Racer Boys sure roll nice though.  Might have to split the difference and go Monster / Racer.

Now with the chain.  All of a sudden I've had a rash of chain drops.
Was my EBB slipping?
Bolts not torqued?
Chain too loose?

WHAT!!!!


It dawn on my the chain drops started when I put the pretty cranks and Ti bb on the bike.
Maybe the spiderless design is more flexy?
I ran Raceface Turbines with a Ti bb without issue.
Well there was one issue.

First race is in less than 2 weeks; I needs to get this sheet sorted STAT!

TdT X

Hour 5 of over 6.

Neal's smiling

TJ's smiling

and Aaron's still smiling (although I don't think he truly knew what he signed up for)

Over the Winter (is it still Winter?  Hard to tell) Red Riding Hood's Basket  (RRH's) in Southwick, MA was discovered by our core group (let it be known that CB1 has been going there for quite sometime).  Located right at the end of the bike path, it was a great destination for base mile rides.  Made putting in those z2 hours a little more rewarding.

On one of these base rides a plan was beginning to be hatched.
The Metacomet Trail comes out on rt 168 in Suffield only a few miles from RRH's, what if we extended a TdT North to 168, so we could enjoy a delightful treat on a mtb ride?

We decided for maximum treat enjoyment, it would be best to do this ride, like, RIGHT NOW.
Banged around some logistics, sent out some e.mails and here we are.

Weather was perfect, trails were  perfect (although there was quite a bit of trepidation in the days preceding), and RRH's was delicious (as usual).  North of Newgate was reminiscent of how the TdT route was before douche bags on motos and quads started sneaking out on to the trail.  Classic rocky hard-packed New England singletrack on top of a ridge with spectacular views.

No mechanicals either, although Aaron did change his stem mid ride.

TJ says I'm screwing myself out of mileage by not syncing my wheel with my Garmin (sounds like a lot of work to me).  Neal had 51 miles (31 to RRH's) about 6 miles from home so I guess we had a couple miles more total.

My thought was since this would be the last day in a FREAKING MONTH that I'd be able to commute with only blinkie lights that I might as well ride the Sunday Princess

I was really enjoying the gears.
Got me thinking maybe I should race with gears this year.

Maybe, maybe not.

Bikes are fun.

A friend of mine shared this picture on Facebook:

Although I never step foot in the gym, using the physicality of my job as an excuse, I can only hope I outlive her nicotine stained, Kalhua soaked ass.

Shortly after another friend shared this one:

Well, I guess if you're afraid of getting hit by a car, or are extremely sensitive to temperature an exercise or spin bike might work out better, or maybe you just dig gym culture, but give me outside.

Give me the road
the wind
the cold
 the rain
the sun
the humidity
Give me the woods
the dirt,
the rocks
the roots
the bugs
the snow
the ice

It has to be pretty awful for me to ride indoors.

Remind me to thank my Mom for forcing me to go outside instead of enjoying the warm glow of the RCA.

I was quite surprised when I got up on the ridge and found 2-3" off crusty snow and half frozen muddy ruts.
Case was almost ideal yesterday.
But the less than perfect conditions created an effective test for my sit-down power.
Did I pass?
I'll never tell.

When I crossed over to the East side there was significantly less snow...and a weird silence.  It was kind of like that silence you...hear(?) when you night ride.
No suburban sounds.
Zero, zip, nada, non...

No
cars
dogs
nail guns
sirens
kids
trucks
not even any wind.

It was cool.

Made me appreciate singlespeed even more.