http://2014story.strava.com/video/1174925
There's the link, not much else to say.
I did a ride in Duluth, will update more later.
Tuesday, December 30, 2014
Friday, December 19, 2014
Not riding has been driving me nuts
I officially haven't ridden now for a week and it SUCKS.
Whole family got sick with this stomach bug, I luckily didn't get the puke/pooh part but I did get an ear infection out of the deal, complete with what they say could be a perforated eardrum and some really annoying ringing in my ear all the time. I'm on antibiotics now and while I'm starting to feel better it's not quite there. I wanted to ride last night but by the time came I didn't feel up to it, just exhausted.
My ear is also real sensitive to cold at the moment, I'm hoping that goes away pretty soon as I want to get back on the fatbike ASAP. I'm feeling like I'm off-center with the lack of bike time.
Hopefully either tonight or tomorrow at least I'll get on the trainer for a spin, get the legs working again. I would like to push myself pretty hard now between the holidays while I've got some time off. I signed up for a power class in January and I know the harder I can push my legs now the better I'll be in the class and the more I'll get out of it.
Whole family got sick with this stomach bug, I luckily didn't get the puke/pooh part but I did get an ear infection out of the deal, complete with what they say could be a perforated eardrum and some really annoying ringing in my ear all the time. I'm on antibiotics now and while I'm starting to feel better it's not quite there. I wanted to ride last night but by the time came I didn't feel up to it, just exhausted.
My ear is also real sensitive to cold at the moment, I'm hoping that goes away pretty soon as I want to get back on the fatbike ASAP. I'm feeling like I'm off-center with the lack of bike time.
Hopefully either tonight or tomorrow at least I'll get on the trainer for a spin, get the legs working again. I would like to push myself pretty hard now between the holidays while I've got some time off. I signed up for a power class in January and I know the harder I can push my legs now the better I'll be in the class and the more I'll get out of it.
Thursday, December 11, 2014
Reforestation Camp Snow Loop - Ready to Rock
Did a half day vacation yesterday, skipped out of the afternoon of work in favor of heading to the fatbike loop at Reforestation Camp. It was fantastic.
I ended up with a partial loop which I pulled out of to go put more air in my rear tire, then two full loops after that. The bike was super fun on the singletrack and I think it'll be a real blast later in the season as the snow piles up and smooths out the trail a bit. At least that's what I assume will happen - I guess I'll find out. Snow riding is still new to me and I'm learning a lot. Where I have grip the bike is just like summer, but it's like if I get 6" off course I'm off the packed snow and then it's near falls. I did not have any actual crashes, just dabs where I had to put my foot down. I definitely could see how I could go much much faster than I did as I get more used to it.
I also really appreciate just getting out there, music on, riding away. The world can melt away and I can just be "there" in the zone. This is where I get my balance in life and I feel so much better when I have something like this to even me out. I find myself enjoying group rides but if I ever end up doing >50% of my rides with other people I'd be surprised.
As for speed, fitness plays a part as well, I don't have my legs like I did early in the season, and even that I'm off from where I'd like to be power wise. I signed up for a power class in January - computrainer style down in DePere on Monday nights. I think I'll learn a lot from it and more importantly get stronger!
I broke my goggles so I've had to wear Kris'. They are pretty nice actually, I'm not in a big rush to replace mine. Helmet wise I'm good - this one is nice and warm, if not hot. I will not need anything warmer. I think when I'm riding singletrack like this I will want to have a helmet on, I can see why people don't wear helmets when just straight cruising on snowmobile trails as it is hard to regulate heat with a helmet. I will think about this helmet though - I may need to drill some new holes in the front to get some airflow, there are a bunch in the back but I'm definitely not venting enough. I could wear my normal mtb helmet with a beanie but to be honest that gets hot too.
Maybe pink is my color:
I ended up with a partial loop which I pulled out of to go put more air in my rear tire, then two full loops after that. The bike was super fun on the singletrack and I think it'll be a real blast later in the season as the snow piles up and smooths out the trail a bit. At least that's what I assume will happen - I guess I'll find out. Snow riding is still new to me and I'm learning a lot. Where I have grip the bike is just like summer, but it's like if I get 6" off course I'm off the packed snow and then it's near falls. I did not have any actual crashes, just dabs where I had to put my foot down. I definitely could see how I could go much much faster than I did as I get more used to it.
I also really appreciate just getting out there, music on, riding away. The world can melt away and I can just be "there" in the zone. This is where I get my balance in life and I feel so much better when I have something like this to even me out. I find myself enjoying group rides but if I ever end up doing >50% of my rides with other people I'd be surprised.
As for speed, fitness plays a part as well, I don't have my legs like I did early in the season, and even that I'm off from where I'd like to be power wise. I signed up for a power class in January - computrainer style down in DePere on Monday nights. I think I'll learn a lot from it and more importantly get stronger!
I broke my goggles so I've had to wear Kris'. They are pretty nice actually, I'm not in a big rush to replace mine. Helmet wise I'm good - this one is nice and warm, if not hot. I will not need anything warmer. I think when I'm riding singletrack like this I will want to have a helmet on, I can see why people don't wear helmets when just straight cruising on snowmobile trails as it is hard to regulate heat with a helmet. I will think about this helmet though - I may need to drill some new holes in the front to get some airflow, there are a bunch in the back but I'm definitely not venting enough. I could wear my normal mtb helmet with a beanie but to be honest that gets hot too.
Maybe pink is my color:
Monday, December 8, 2014
Global Fatbike Day Ride @ Point Beach SP
Fun day Saturday out on the trails with about 80? riders. Just gonna dump pics:
Tubeless Redo - Clown Shoe Rim Strip on Marge Lite Rim
So I continued to have some issue with my rear tire losing air while riding on the tubeless setup with the gorilla tape. Friday night last week I decided to take it apart and redo it, this time using the clown shoe rim strip I'd bought just for this reason.
Looks like this in the bead:
I pushed the strip down under the lip, then mounted the tire w/tube, then followed the normal process for going tubeless. Sealed up way better than the gorilla tape from the get go and has held pressure much much better.
Front is still gorilla tape but I'll swap it out if I have issues. I'd say weight wise this is very close and no sticky mess to deal with.
Looks like this in the bead:
I pushed the strip down under the lip, then mounted the tire w/tube, then followed the normal process for going tubeless. Sealed up way better than the gorilla tape from the get go and has held pressure much much better.
Front is still gorilla tape but I'll swap it out if I have issues. I'd say weight wise this is very close and no sticky mess to deal with.
Tuesday, December 2, 2014
Frame bag!
I got cracking last night and worked on the frame bag. Took about 3 hours last night to do this stuff. Starting the evening I only had the drive side panel finished:
First thing I did last night was get the non-drive side made. I've decided to do a zipper on that side as well with a map style pocket for thinner things, ya know, like maps, cue sheets, etc.
Next step I got to work on the internal divider from the non-drive side map pocket and the drive side compartment, as well as the horizontal divider that will go above the bottom zipper. That seems like it will work ok. I also added a mesh panel to the drive side panel to go just below the zipper, it is not very tight so it may just end up being a pain, but we will see.
Next up, I cut the strip that goes around the outside, then I sewed it around the drive side first, including velcro at the spots where velcro goes.
Next up was sew the non-drive side on with the divider, then turn it inside out!
Then I fit it on the bike - moment of truth!
So...
How is it, right?
It's good, it will function just fine. I'm not especially happy as I was hoping for perfection, but for model #1 it will do fine. I can see that I did not get the panels to match up exactly evenly across from each other, so my velcro isn't exactly lined up, and there is some bunching/twist in the bag. I think this came from the corners where it was really hard to do them to be honest with the amount of fabric, the thickness/non-flexibility of the fabric, and the slipperiness of it all.
I think going back what I would do is not get quite so sharp in the corners and pay even more attention on when I'm lining things up to ensure I don't have mis-alignment. I don't think I'll take it apart and re-do it because I'm sure this will get the job done for this season or until I try more.
I'll be evaluating the internal mesh pocket, the internal divider, the 3-zipper and other stuff. I'm honestly not sure all these features are needed but I'm glad I tried them. Model #1 will be good to really figure out what I like and don't like.
All-in, I'd say roughly 5-6 hours and $50 of material or less.
Here are links to my other posts w/material lists and first steps:
First panel post
Starting and making zippers
Planning/Materials List
First thing I did last night was get the non-drive side made. I've decided to do a zipper on that side as well with a map style pocket for thinner things, ya know, like maps, cue sheets, etc.
Next step I got to work on the internal divider from the non-drive side map pocket and the drive side compartment, as well as the horizontal divider that will go above the bottom zipper. That seems like it will work ok. I also added a mesh panel to the drive side panel to go just below the zipper, it is not very tight so it may just end up being a pain, but we will see.
Then I fit it on the bike - moment of truth!
So...
How is it, right?
It's good, it will function just fine. I'm not especially happy as I was hoping for perfection, but for model #1 it will do fine. I can see that I did not get the panels to match up exactly evenly across from each other, so my velcro isn't exactly lined up, and there is some bunching/twist in the bag. I think this came from the corners where it was really hard to do them to be honest with the amount of fabric, the thickness/non-flexibility of the fabric, and the slipperiness of it all.
I think going back what I would do is not get quite so sharp in the corners and pay even more attention on when I'm lining things up to ensure I don't have mis-alignment. I don't think I'll take it apart and re-do it because I'm sure this will get the job done for this season or until I try more.
I'll be evaluating the internal mesh pocket, the internal divider, the 3-zipper and other stuff. I'm honestly not sure all these features are needed but I'm glad I tried them. Model #1 will be good to really figure out what I like and don't like.
All-in, I'd say roughly 5-6 hours and $50 of material or less.
Here are links to my other posts w/material lists and first steps:
First panel post
Starting and making zippers
Planning/Materials List
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