Thursday, April 30, 2009
PmBAr RePort: ThE Dear MuCaro series....
Well, here we are after mucvh hustle and bustle and midnight pedal to the medal, enjoying the backcountry magic of Pisgah Forest. For now we are acclimating our bodies to the different type of demands the terrain withdraws from our physical bank accounts. Stay tuned for more, tomorrow more pics and shredding! Alls well so far!
Laters,
LOS
I miss u PALOMITA, KAIN, KAILAN AND GABRIEL!!!
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
SpRIng LoVe BiKePackin tOuR: LeSSonS LeaRned
It was a blast, truly. We did our fair share of suffering, truly. We did it single speed and I rode it Fixed(although I said I would never tour fixed again), truly.
This bikepacking thing is a tough nut to crack and I am still learning alot. I definitely did not eat enough calories o n either day and that food in paisley tasted good going down but it hurt me all day after.
My Etrex GPS did the work it was meant to. At one point when the trail was not fun, we decided to take the double track. I feared that I was getting lost, so I stop and programmed the GPS to take me to Paisley. All it does is give me straight line as the crow flies route, so I followed it and tried to match up the roads and paths I found in front of me to the route. 30 downed tree logged crossing and 2 miles of hike a bike later we found our way out to Maggie Jones road. That was a good moment. There were times this past weekend that I was wondering if Paloma's tires where better in the sand then mines since she was just pulling away while I was sinking.
Once we biked and hiked our way along the Paisley St Francis wagon trail, we made it to Deland, hit the road and had to battle a head wind for 5 miles back to town. I was hurting and suffering so bad, this bikepacking thing is a tough nut to crack. If it was up to me, I would of grabbed some water and pulled out the hammock and would of laid up till my indidgestion went away. It truly is daunting when I start to think about the GDR and what I plan to do to myself for 20 some odd days. Only more the reason to get out there and do a long trip 5 plus day journey soon. I have to really discover if I have the strength and power to last that long alone.
My bike weight was actually the best I have ever packed it and I even carried a couple of items that alone I would not have carried. Regardless, with the exception of needing to learn a little more about mechanics, i.e. truing a wheel and installing pads on hydraulic brakes, I am very close to achieving the proper pack weight and set up.
I am already planning our next trip, a little loop in the National Forest, Silver Glenn, fun and camping, sometime in June and By the way, W.P. Loves her 29er.
Laters,
LOS
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Well the tour is done. We finally sucessfully navigated the old wagon trail from Paisley to St Francis, not as fun as it sounds. Breakfast at Lu Lu's turned to Lunch, and although the food tasted great, eventually that burger led to the worst case of food related suffering I have ever encountered. Not a fun place to be, almost 8 hours after I ate and the last thing I wanna do is eat again. Ok well, thats it for now, definetaly a lesson in joy and pain.
Laters,
LOS
SPriNg LoVe BiKePaCKinG Tour: bReaKinG CamP HunTing fOr BreAkFast
Laters,
LOS
Saturday, April 25, 2009
SpRIng LoVe BiKePackin tOuR: PaIsLey
Laters.
LOS
Laters.
LOS
Laters,
LOS
Laters,
LOS
Friday, April 24, 2009
SpRiNg LoVe BikEpAcKinG tOur: STanD By Me
As we were prepping to roll, random talented guitar dood pulled it out and most appropriately sang a song. Magical evening so far, lots of wildlife both 2 legged and 4 legged..
SprInG LovE BikePackIng ToUr: HeaThRoW.
Laters,
ShRed,
LOS
SPLBT update...
Thursday, April 23, 2009
KniCk KnAcK PaDDiWaCk Let's GeT iT oN PaRt 2
Membership has its privelages. The wind has told me that PMBAR will be Wet and Muddy. So I am getting prepared. I have a "rain" jacket, but on my Horrible Bike Packing it got rated on "fail" level and I hold grudges towards products when they "fail" me.
So, Google, being the amazing tool it is, I typed "best cold/rain cycling jacket and it gave me a very good result". Read lots of reviews on the item, found one on Sale and I will be making the purchase today. I will not divulge the information on the Jacket since at this time all my detractors are monitoring my every move.
So Right now the ONLY bike I have up and running is the Fixed Black. Now, I love my fixie, I love it, but I don't quite have the courage to race it in the Forest of Pisgah. I wanted to Flip my Flip flop hub, but since I couldn't find an adapter to make my fixie side into a disc brake side and I have no V brake mounts on my Black, I am forced to do one of two things.
1. Hope I can get a magic gear combo working, but last night upon doing a search I found that I do not have a 21 cog, and I think if I want to do the Magic Gear Combo, It will work with a 21 but not a 20(all speculation).
2. Set up the Black with a 1 x 9.
So after much ado, I decided the path of least resistance would be to set it up 1 x 9. DONE!
I only have a rigid fork, currently do not own a Squishy fork. Avid had a package coming for me for a set of Elixirs and a new 2009 29er fork. WELL, I got the brakes, but I don't want to put them on the Black I want to save them for my new yet to arrive or receive or have as a possible prospect bike. The Fork was on Back order, but last nights updates are communicating that my fork is arriving today and I will be able to have it for PMBAR. So instead of a rigid single speed, I will be on a 9 speed, full on Squish Black Beauty ready to destroy climbs and pummel the downhills, I LOVE IT WHEN A PLAN COMES TOGETHER!
Now, I just need to reconfigure the bike on Monday, AND then spend the next couple of days preparing and map reading and mentally acclimating myself to the task at hand.
This weekend though, The Bird and I are GOING to go bikepacking for the first time. We got an estimated 130 mile 2.5 day bike pack tour, with By the river stay free camping options on both days. I actually packed up my bike last Thursday and we were going to do it last weekend but Birdy got sick, so we called it off. I left my bike packed and hanging on the rack, so pretty much all I got to do is top off the light batteries and the rechargeable batteries and I am ready to roll. I'm pretty excited to escape with the Warrior Princess!
The countdown to Pisgah Has begun, and I am spending the entire coming days preparing and loading some miles and waking my muscles up to the effort that lays ahead. Like an MMA fighter preparing for a fight I am watching my calorie consumption with the goal to have myself perfectly tuned and ready to kick some major ass come a week from this Saturday.
BE afraid, be very afraid....
Shred,
Laters,
LOS
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
PMBAR: Let's GeT IT ON!
Pisgah Mountain Bike adventure Race is a unique format presented by Pisgah Productions Owner and operator Eric Wever, in the Illustrious and beautiful Pisgah Mountain Forest system. Miles and Miles of everything that defines Mountain Biking has riders pitted against each other and the clock, to collect as many checkpoints as possible as fast as possible.
Last year, I was gonna team up with Mucaro MTB dot Blogspot dot com, but got bad Health related News and had to pull Ze' plug. This year, it was gonna be a chance at the Taino Tyrant Total domination, but Mucaro MTB dot blogspot dot com had to pull the plugg cause of health related issue. I got an alternate rider, The infamous Local Florida Legend and 2008 12 hours of Santos Single Speed Champion (and good friend) Brett WyCoff. So, were heading up there with several goals in mind.
#1 Goal: To have fun. Let's be realistic folks, I have a tight budget and I do Self imposed long distance sufferfest all the time, why would I pay unless its gonna be a FUN. Plus its Pisgah Forest, I love this place, ever since Mucaro MTB took me there, I can wait to get back. So FuN is Goal NUMBER ONE!
#2 Goal: To be the TOP FLORIDA FLATLAND TEAM. Everyone one in North Kakalaka Knows that nothing but hard charging studs come out of the Land of Flats. And My goal is to be the King of the FLat Landers. As far as I know, there is one other team heading up to PMBAR and It is Rob "the Hammer" Roberts and Mike "Blond Afro" Kanning. BOTH, are PROVEN champions, BOTH can ride harder than the Devil Can tempt the Masses, BOTH are lean and mean. On my team, we have one champion and one guy who is a legend in his own mind(uhhh thats me) BUT has the advantage of ONE Double Dare under his Belt and Trail KNOWLEDGE, something Afro and GI Joe do not have.
#3 Goal: Embarass as many Locals as possible. How do I embarass them, by defeating them in battle of course. Any locals that lose to a couple of Guys from THE MOUNTAINLESS LAND, should just hand me their bicycle pink slips, give up MTBIng and go back to underwater basketweaving. It would be the equivalent of a MOUNTAIN MAN beating me in a Surf contest, its just not gonna happen.
#4 Goal: To make the PODIUM. Yes its impossible to think. A Smart man Told me once, that even if we were the fastest team, it would not make a bit of differance because trail knowledge is king. Well, I would love to make the Podium and show them that Intelligence, ingenuity and technology can also be king as well. O its on, yes its on.
I read something very intelligent the other day on the Tomi Blog (maker of the tommicog) and he says, he no longer trains, he prepares. I guess I do the same, cause I hardly get to ride, kinda sucks, but I stay in shape, so I AM IN FULL PREPARATION MODE. AND anyone who has ridden with me recently can attest, that I Am strong O so strong. Yes you can climb and yes you can flick single track, and yes you can ride for miles and miles. But on my regular weekend rides, I do the same thing, ON A 40 LB bike. Put that in your proverbial pipe, inhale deep and dont sleep, cause like Nas said, sleep is the cousin of death.
I have thrown down the GAUNTLET.
It has been BroUGHTEN....
Laters,
LOS
Last year, I was gonna team up with Mucaro MTB dot Blogspot dot com, but got bad Health related News and had to pull Ze' plug. This year, it was gonna be a chance at the Taino Tyrant Total domination, but Mucaro MTB dot blogspot dot com had to pull the plugg cause of health related issue. I got an alternate rider, The infamous Local Florida Legend and 2008 12 hours of Santos Single Speed Champion (and good friend) Brett WyCoff. So, were heading up there with several goals in mind.
#1 Goal: To have fun. Let's be realistic folks, I have a tight budget and I do Self imposed long distance sufferfest all the time, why would I pay unless its gonna be a FUN. Plus its Pisgah Forest, I love this place, ever since Mucaro MTB took me there, I can wait to get back. So FuN is Goal NUMBER ONE!
#2 Goal: To be the TOP FLORIDA FLATLAND TEAM. Everyone one in North Kakalaka Knows that nothing but hard charging studs come out of the Land of Flats. And My goal is to be the King of the FLat Landers. As far as I know, there is one other team heading up to PMBAR and It is Rob "the Hammer" Roberts and Mike "Blond Afro" Kanning. BOTH, are PROVEN champions, BOTH can ride harder than the Devil Can tempt the Masses, BOTH are lean and mean. On my team, we have one champion and one guy who is a legend in his own mind(uhhh thats me) BUT has the advantage of ONE Double Dare under his Belt and Trail KNOWLEDGE, something Afro and GI Joe do not have.
#3 Goal: Embarass as many Locals as possible. How do I embarass them, by defeating them in battle of course. Any locals that lose to a couple of Guys from THE MOUNTAINLESS LAND, should just hand me their bicycle pink slips, give up MTBIng and go back to underwater basketweaving. It would be the equivalent of a MOUNTAIN MAN beating me in a Surf contest, its just not gonna happen.
#4 Goal: To make the PODIUM. Yes its impossible to think. A Smart man Told me once, that even if we were the fastest team, it would not make a bit of differance because trail knowledge is king. Well, I would love to make the Podium and show them that Intelligence, ingenuity and technology can also be king as well. O its on, yes its on.
I read something very intelligent the other day on the Tomi Blog (maker of the tommicog) and he says, he no longer trains, he prepares. I guess I do the same, cause I hardly get to ride, kinda sucks, but I stay in shape, so I AM IN FULL PREPARATION MODE. AND anyone who has ridden with me recently can attest, that I Am strong O so strong. Yes you can climb and yes you can flick single track, and yes you can ride for miles and miles. But on my regular weekend rides, I do the same thing, ON A 40 LB bike. Put that in your proverbial pipe, inhale deep and dont sleep, cause like Nas said, sleep is the cousin of death.
I have thrown down the GAUNTLET.
It has been BroUGHTEN....
Laters,
LOS
Monday, April 20, 2009
KoaCh KarLoS: TrAiNiNg DiReCtoR
Late to Mid January I got an email about an opportunity to help out a club that was being started up with a focus on Family Mountain Biking and involvement.
Admittedly, this has been my M.O. for years, since I have been Mountain biking only 5 years less than I have been a dad. When I started MTBing and doing the Highly competitive XC races in the Area I eventually got my son involved in the Fun. Both of them were eventually State Champions and both to this day are very capable riders.
So, when the offer came for me to help out in the MTB community, help out local families and riders, I was all over it. To me it was a win win situation. I get to do something I like and at the same time, help Kids, Families and Riders get an even better experience out of their Riding.
So Koach Karlos' is officially on the road and working as the Training Director for BAADR MTB CLUB I will be hosting my first class on May 23rd 9am at Alafia River State park. I read a lot of stuff on the web and on one particular Forum I frequent I was astounded by the amount of crashing and injuries that riders are experiencing. In the interest of need and to share what skills I have acquired over my ten years of riding, I decided that my first class would be to focus on "avoiding the crash".
This will be a comprehensive class, that will first discuss what factors contribute to crashes and then discuss; slow speed handling skills, technical riding techniques, visualization as a tool, predicting possible terrain and/or weather related adversities, how to fall, how to bail, and how to ride various different trail features. All techniques that I have used over the years to keep me safe, free and clear of injury. I always crack up when I hear an MTBeer telling a fellow rider, that if your not crashing your not improving and I just dont invest any energy into that philosophy and I dont think you should either.
Come out and Join me for my first class, all riders are welcome and feel free to click here and follow the links to Training Classes to read more. I guarantee, at the very least, not only will you learn something, but you will have a good time as well!
Hope to see you out there,
Laters,
LOS
Admittedly, this has been my M.O. for years, since I have been Mountain biking only 5 years less than I have been a dad. When I started MTBing and doing the Highly competitive XC races in the Area I eventually got my son involved in the Fun. Both of them were eventually State Champions and both to this day are very capable riders.
So, when the offer came for me to help out in the MTB community, help out local families and riders, I was all over it. To me it was a win win situation. I get to do something I like and at the same time, help Kids, Families and Riders get an even better experience out of their Riding.
So Koach Karlos' is officially on the road and working as the Training Director for BAADR MTB CLUB I will be hosting my first class on May 23rd 9am at Alafia River State park. I read a lot of stuff on the web and on one particular Forum I frequent I was astounded by the amount of crashing and injuries that riders are experiencing. In the interest of need and to share what skills I have acquired over my ten years of riding, I decided that my first class would be to focus on "avoiding the crash".
This will be a comprehensive class, that will first discuss what factors contribute to crashes and then discuss; slow speed handling skills, technical riding techniques, visualization as a tool, predicting possible terrain and/or weather related adversities, how to fall, how to bail, and how to ride various different trail features. All techniques that I have used over the years to keep me safe, free and clear of injury. I always crack up when I hear an MTBeer telling a fellow rider, that if your not crashing your not improving and I just dont invest any energy into that philosophy and I dont think you should either.
Come out and Join me for my first class, all riders are welcome and feel free to click here and follow the links to Training Classes to read more. I guarantee, at the very least, not only will you learn something, but you will have a good time as well!
Hope to see you out there,
Laters,
LOS
Friday, April 17, 2009
ThuRsDaY
My intentions were to go home, vibe off the family and Blog something good. Been doing my best to blog every business day but Wednesday broke the streak. I got home and I remembered I needed to pick up some things for The Bird and I's first bikepacking tour. And then as if I had awaken some sort of mystical magical power, I decided to make a family ride out of it. Now witness and view the speed and power of Skinny & Brown riding fast!
Family Rides,
My get out of a Blog Free Card,
Got To love the spring weather!!
Laters
LOS
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
WTF
Readers Digest, if your asking, NO my kids are not SEXting, they dont own cell phones.
Laters,
LOS
Monday, April 13, 2009
UpDatEs FrOm ThE UnKnoWn: The FuLL MoNty
About a year and half a go I cooked up this ride.
Couldn't get anyone to do it with me....
Now that I have explored more, when I asked again, I had some takers.
Looking back the ride is a blur. It was a magnificent effort. We made good distance with the daylight and got about 15 miles in before the sky darkened. At that point, we took a moment to appreciate the night sky and the lack of light pollution. At that point, my fellow Samurai were starting to hurt me with their pace. I requested to take the front, before the night was done we all took turns at the front and we all took turns being hurt.
It was tunnel like to ride all night and the time and the miles seemed to fly by. We made quick pace and covered the alot of ground. Our first water refuel spot was for not as the pump was broken. We had been conservative with our water at that point and still had plenty to make the next spot and refuel. It was at that point that I took the pic of the moth, ate a big packett of fish and took a stretch.
Everyone started sliding on the arm warmers, I was left wishing for some newspaper. We got rolling and the most bizarre thing happened. The Valve on my slime tube broke, so the tube didn't flat, but the valve pushed up against the hole in the rim caused it to eventually detach from the rubber and you could see the slime trying to seal the hole. I made a modest flat repair in my exhausted state. The miles from that point on were the hardest for me. Having rode that section before I knew their would be some long climbs only because the opposite direction had some excellent downhills. As I mashed my one fixed gear up the hills repeatedly, I took a moment to remind myself that I indeed am a very capable climber and focused on my rhythm versus my tiredness. Our refuge and motivation was a nice fire at a good spot. When we got to the spot it was overrun by campers, so the fire was canceled.
We retreated to the bathroom area and laid on the concrete stretching out. I was scanning the faces of my crew and we were all weary from the long night of traveling and hard riding. At this point we had about 15 miles left. I had set my alarm on my phone with the intention of taking a 30 minute nap. Just as I started getting some comfort, Brett spoke up, "if I stay her any longer I will fall asleep."
He was right, we all would have.
I got up, turned the music on my phone on and we all saddled up to do it all again. I stretched myself good, took the sleeves of my vest and suited up to get a lil more warmth. The night had been so humid that I was soaked to the bone and really needed a little core coverage. We continued on, I assured them I knew exactly where I was going having ridden that section only a couple of weeks ago on my Cyclocross. As I rode this section once again and got the pleasure of some spectacularly long climbs I marveled at the fact of my previous cyclocross feat. It was an interesting moment of self reflection. As we made our way into the final section, I could see everything around us growing brighter. I took notice and commented that the sun was rising.
Not too long after we came across a hunter. My Light and Motion Stella light had been burning faithfully all night. At this point, since the day light had finally come, and we had just come across men toting guns, I decided to run my light in flash mode, just to give us that added edge.
Those last ten miles were rough and I was ticking them off since I knew the mileage. The climbs were long, but the scenery was beautiful and I was feeling strong. I was not moving super fast but my fixie pace was strong and steady. I kept looking back, I could see Rob, but Brett was not there. I kept pedaling wondering if I would make it to the parking lot before Brett, when here he comes like a bat out of hell flying by me, not to be seen again till 2 miles later when we made the finish.
That morning I ate the biggest breakfast I have ever had. I needed some serious calorie load. The Mountain Bike Feedbag that I got from Epic Ride Research worked Marvelously, I have to get another one for the bird now, the thing did exactly what I wanted it to do. The Light and Motion Stella burns an advertised 12 hours on the medium setting and it did do just that. In fact I was the only person in the party of three that did not have to swap batteries or lights all night and it was still on in the morning.
I finally made my dream come true and saw some of the most spectacular natural beauty that our little state has to offer. As well some good places and opportunities for more future trips and tours. I think I may have just found my New Easter Tradition, anyone care to join me for a Renegade run next year?
Laters,
LOS
Couldn't get anyone to do it with me....
Now that I have explored more, when I asked again, I had some takers.
Looking back the ride is a blur. It was a magnificent effort. We made good distance with the daylight and got about 15 miles in before the sky darkened. At that point, we took a moment to appreciate the night sky and the lack of light pollution. At that point, my fellow Samurai were starting to hurt me with their pace. I requested to take the front, before the night was done we all took turns at the front and we all took turns being hurt.
It was tunnel like to ride all night and the time and the miles seemed to fly by. We made quick pace and covered the alot of ground. Our first water refuel spot was for not as the pump was broken. We had been conservative with our water at that point and still had plenty to make the next spot and refuel. It was at that point that I took the pic of the moth, ate a big packett of fish and took a stretch.
Everyone started sliding on the arm warmers, I was left wishing for some newspaper. We got rolling and the most bizarre thing happened. The Valve on my slime tube broke, so the tube didn't flat, but the valve pushed up against the hole in the rim caused it to eventually detach from the rubber and you could see the slime trying to seal the hole. I made a modest flat repair in my exhausted state. The miles from that point on were the hardest for me. Having rode that section before I knew their would be some long climbs only because the opposite direction had some excellent downhills. As I mashed my one fixed gear up the hills repeatedly, I took a moment to remind myself that I indeed am a very capable climber and focused on my rhythm versus my tiredness. Our refuge and motivation was a nice fire at a good spot. When we got to the spot it was overrun by campers, so the fire was canceled.
We retreated to the bathroom area and laid on the concrete stretching out. I was scanning the faces of my crew and we were all weary from the long night of traveling and hard riding. At this point we had about 15 miles left. I had set my alarm on my phone with the intention of taking a 30 minute nap. Just as I started getting some comfort, Brett spoke up, "if I stay her any longer I will fall asleep."
He was right, we all would have.
I got up, turned the music on my phone on and we all saddled up to do it all again. I stretched myself good, took the sleeves of my vest and suited up to get a lil more warmth. The night had been so humid that I was soaked to the bone and really needed a little core coverage. We continued on, I assured them I knew exactly where I was going having ridden that section only a couple of weeks ago on my Cyclocross. As I rode this section once again and got the pleasure of some spectacularly long climbs I marveled at the fact of my previous cyclocross feat. It was an interesting moment of self reflection. As we made our way into the final section, I could see everything around us growing brighter. I took notice and commented that the sun was rising.
Not too long after we came across a hunter. My Light and Motion Stella light had been burning faithfully all night. At this point, since the day light had finally come, and we had just come across men toting guns, I decided to run my light in flash mode, just to give us that added edge.
Those last ten miles were rough and I was ticking them off since I knew the mileage. The climbs were long, but the scenery was beautiful and I was feeling strong. I was not moving super fast but my fixie pace was strong and steady. I kept looking back, I could see Rob, but Brett was not there. I kept pedaling wondering if I would make it to the parking lot before Brett, when here he comes like a bat out of hell flying by me, not to be seen again till 2 miles later when we made the finish.
That morning I ate the biggest breakfast I have ever had. I needed some serious calorie load. The Mountain Bike Feedbag that I got from Epic Ride Research worked Marvelously, I have to get another one for the bird now, the thing did exactly what I wanted it to do. The Light and Motion Stella burns an advertised 12 hours on the medium setting and it did do just that. In fact I was the only person in the party of three that did not have to swap batteries or lights all night and it was still on in the morning.
I finally made my dream come true and saw some of the most spectacular natural beauty that our little state has to offer. As well some good places and opportunities for more future trips and tours. I think I may have just found my New Easter Tradition, anyone care to join me for a Renegade run next year?
Laters,
LOS
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Saturday, April 11, 2009
UpDatEs FrOm ThE UnKnown: EpiSodE 1 FLiPPinG ThE CloCK
Friday Night, I'm usually in bed the USUAL time I go to bed. Not Last night.
Got home from work, and hit the sack. Took a 3 hour Nap till about 830pm or so and then got up to drop my sons off and pick up some movies.
Picked up 3 films, had a late dinner then headed home for a late night movie marathon.
The point of this?? To Flip my clock. This morning I slept purposefully till 12pm, to flip my clock.
Tonight, right around 8pm, will come the broadcast from the unknown.
It will be uknown if I will even be able to send the messages. The area that we will be starting our Full Moon Renegade Run in is remote and may not have any cell towers. BUT, as long as I have cell towers and I am not interrupting the flow of our 3 man Ronin Samurai squad, I will send updates and try to share some of the experiences I will have.
The mission? Well piece it together my friend, I think if you have read the past previous post you can formulate an idea of what I am setting out to do.
Enjoy your Saturday, tonight will be another ceremony in honor and celebration of what Easter means to me. I will turn myself inside out, only to be Reborn by the blessings of the rising Sun.
Shred,
Laters,
LOS
Got home from work, and hit the sack. Took a 3 hour Nap till about 830pm or so and then got up to drop my sons off and pick up some movies.
Picked up 3 films, had a late dinner then headed home for a late night movie marathon.
The point of this?? To Flip my clock. This morning I slept purposefully till 12pm, to flip my clock.
Tonight, right around 8pm, will come the broadcast from the unknown.
It will be uknown if I will even be able to send the messages. The area that we will be starting our Full Moon Renegade Run in is remote and may not have any cell towers. BUT, as long as I have cell towers and I am not interrupting the flow of our 3 man Ronin Samurai squad, I will send updates and try to share some of the experiences I will have.
The mission? Well piece it together my friend, I think if you have read the past previous post you can formulate an idea of what I am setting out to do.
Enjoy your Saturday, tonight will be another ceremony in honor and celebration of what Easter means to me. I will turn myself inside out, only to be Reborn by the blessings of the rising Sun.
Shred,
Laters,
LOS
Friday, April 10, 2009
GoOd DaY
The excitement is building.
I have a sense of calmness that has come over me this morning.
The task appears daunting.
Unpredictable the trail maybe.
Lots of concentration will be required.
Hike a bikes? Downed Trees? Sandy spots? Undulating Terrain?
I'm going to practice my ultimate strategy and chop this ride up mentally into tiny little edible morsels.
All I can think about is seeing the start.
All I want to think about is getting to the start.
That is all I will focus on now.
Remember to charge them lights.
My other helmet mount broke.
O well, guess when the Stella dies I will just let someone else lead the group I can do pretty good with just a handlebar light.
Or maybe I can rig a helmet mount repair of some sort, those mini newts are pretty versatile.
Helmet or Hat or both?
Gonna conjure up a sick trail mix and bring some Salmon in a pouch with lots of sodium.
I can see the shred is almost upon me, its coming towards me like the impending end of time that each of our physical vessels eventually experience
but like the spirit, the shred cannot be created nor destroyed....
Laters,
LOS
Thursday, April 09, 2009
LoGisTiX
As I drove my truck to work this morning I saw something on the Horizon.
Sure Enough there it was a Huge Full moon.
That moon made me think about Going for a ride.
Here is my Vision.....
70 plus miles of Singletrack.
Ride start 8pm. Ride all night long. Ride by the light of the moon if you can.
Have a Big Ole Breakfast in the Morning and see the Sunrise on Easter Sunday after an all night 70 plus miles Singletrack Effort, 10 plus hour Enduro ride, Fixie of course!
That's how a Singletrack Samurai warrior would spend his Easter.
This weekend, strap on your lights, go out and enjoy the Full moon!
Shred,
Laters,
LOS
Sure Enough there it was a Huge Full moon.
That moon made me think about Going for a ride.
Here is my Vision.....
70 plus miles of Singletrack.
Ride start 8pm. Ride all night long. Ride by the light of the moon if you can.
Have a Big Ole Breakfast in the Morning and see the Sunrise on Easter Sunday after an all night 70 plus miles Singletrack Effort, 10 plus hour Enduro ride, Fixie of course!
That's how a Singletrack Samurai warrior would spend his Easter.
This weekend, strap on your lights, go out and enjoy the Full moon!
Shred,
Laters,
LOS
Wednesday, April 08, 2009
KoaCh KarLoS KorNeR
Well, This is going from a email answering type column to an tips and tricks corner.
I have not received an email in a couple of weeks, guess I should of thought about this a long time ago when I got a huge in flux of emails. Regardless, I have had a couple of conversations with some friends and the subject has been the same, how do I get into bikepacking on a budget.
SO, I decided to put together a list of the minimal items needed for you to go bike packing on a budget.
Now, my bikepacking kit was an investment for me. I have spent probably a good $500 plus dollars getting all my things together. BUT, if you can get rolling and have a good time for much less.
Shelter:
I recommend an 8 dollar tarp that you can trim and cut to the perfect size you would need to cover you in a rainstorm. Group that with a $19 Camping hammock you can buy at Any Army Navy store and you got a pretty good inexpensive light shelter option that would work great for the area we live in.
Unless your camping in the cold, you can get by with a small blanket in Florida. I even made it through the night with just a small $5 blanket I got at Food Lion that folds up pretty small and the temps were in the 50's. Sure I was fully dressed and sure I stuffed my shirt with newspaper to stay warmer, but I did make it through the night. You can find some Sleeping bags that work in temperate weather that fold up small in the 60 to 80 dollar range. But again, if your camping and its not in the 50's, you can skip the sleeping bag.
I would then recommend getting the highest volume Camelback pack you can afford, or worst comes to worst use a back pack and put your hydration bladder in it.
A good rear rack is about 30 bucks and can carry up to 25 lbs. Combine that with some bungees and a pair of Waterproof stuff sacks and you can pretty much rig up a rear bag on top of the rack and tie a front bag to your handlebars.
So let's do the math:
$8 tarp
$19 hammock
$30 rear seatpost mount rack
$5 Blanket
$30 2 Large Waterproof stuff sacks.
$10 Bungee kit
Grand total assuming you already got a backpack or hydration bladder if not add 50 bucks or so to the number and you get : $97.00.
Not Bad right?
Its not hard to get out there and have some fun with bikepacking. Do some over night trips and just enjoy your local system or trail. Create an overnight adventure for yourself and it does not have to be expensive. The most important part of all is being creative; you would be surprised what you can do on a budget.
Laters,
LOS
I have not received an email in a couple of weeks, guess I should of thought about this a long time ago when I got a huge in flux of emails. Regardless, I have had a couple of conversations with some friends and the subject has been the same, how do I get into bikepacking on a budget.
SO, I decided to put together a list of the minimal items needed for you to go bike packing on a budget.
Now, my bikepacking kit was an investment for me. I have spent probably a good $500 plus dollars getting all my things together. BUT, if you can get rolling and have a good time for much less.
Shelter:
I recommend an 8 dollar tarp that you can trim and cut to the perfect size you would need to cover you in a rainstorm. Group that with a $19 Camping hammock you can buy at Any Army Navy store and you got a pretty good inexpensive light shelter option that would work great for the area we live in.
Unless your camping in the cold, you can get by with a small blanket in Florida. I even made it through the night with just a small $5 blanket I got at Food Lion that folds up pretty small and the temps were in the 50's. Sure I was fully dressed and sure I stuffed my shirt with newspaper to stay warmer, but I did make it through the night. You can find some Sleeping bags that work in temperate weather that fold up small in the 60 to 80 dollar range. But again, if your camping and its not in the 50's, you can skip the sleeping bag.
I would then recommend getting the highest volume Camelback pack you can afford, or worst comes to worst use a back pack and put your hydration bladder in it.
A good rear rack is about 30 bucks and can carry up to 25 lbs. Combine that with some bungees and a pair of Waterproof stuff sacks and you can pretty much rig up a rear bag on top of the rack and tie a front bag to your handlebars.
So let's do the math:
$8 tarp
$19 hammock
$30 rear seatpost mount rack
$5 Blanket
$30 2 Large Waterproof stuff sacks.
$10 Bungee kit
Grand total assuming you already got a backpack or hydration bladder if not add 50 bucks or so to the number and you get : $97.00.
Not Bad right?
Its not hard to get out there and have some fun with bikepacking. Do some over night trips and just enjoy your local system or trail. Create an overnight adventure for yourself and it does not have to be expensive. The most important part of all is being creative; you would be surprised what you can do on a budget.
Laters,
LOS
Tuesday, April 07, 2009
ThE MoTheRFroKin SaGa CoNtInUEs
The first Bikepacking tour I did with a group, Mucaro felt my set up and told me it was too heavy. I kinda shrugged it off. But after a couple of more runs, maybe it is too heavy for a multi day uphill trip.
So I had a chance to get an even Lighter Henessey Hammock and spend only the same amount of money I initially invested by selling my Henessey Expedition. So I did and all is good in the world, the weight difference from the one I had to the one I bought is Noticeable.
Now the sleeping bag I have is not portly but it barely fits in my handlebar bag. So I started shopping around for something that packed smaller and lighter and I found it. Found the Deuter 500 which packs to an advertised 4.75 in x 9.75 in which is a big difference in comparison to the 7 x 14 my other bag packed to. So now two problems solved but what to do with the extra gear.
Well I tell you what I did. I ordered a rear rack, and some cargo nets(which after the Hobo Cross tour I wanted) and I now have a camping hammock and a small packing sleeping bag set up for the Bird. So what does this translate too boys and girls. This means the weekend of April 17, 18 and 19 the bird and I are going to take our first Bike packing trip.
Its looking like 25 to 30 miles on day one. 25 to 30 on day 2 and 50 or so on day 3. Dinner in Heathrow and camping on day one. Trail side eating and spring swimming and camping on Day 2 and a well deserved big meal in De land Florida on our way home on day 3. Cant wait!
Got to love it when a plan comes together. I also received my Epic Ride Research Mountain Feedbag, I plan to give it a thorough testing this Saturday on my Secret Epic Ride and I will give a full review the following day.
That's it for now.
Laters,
LOS
So I had a chance to get an even Lighter Henessey Hammock and spend only the same amount of money I initially invested by selling my Henessey Expedition. So I did and all is good in the world, the weight difference from the one I had to the one I bought is Noticeable.
Now the sleeping bag I have is not portly but it barely fits in my handlebar bag. So I started shopping around for something that packed smaller and lighter and I found it. Found the Deuter 500 which packs to an advertised 4.75 in x 9.75 in which is a big difference in comparison to the 7 x 14 my other bag packed to. So now two problems solved but what to do with the extra gear.
Well I tell you what I did. I ordered a rear rack, and some cargo nets(which after the Hobo Cross tour I wanted) and I now have a camping hammock and a small packing sleeping bag set up for the Bird. So what does this translate too boys and girls. This means the weekend of April 17, 18 and 19 the bird and I are going to take our first Bike packing trip.
Its looking like 25 to 30 miles on day one. 25 to 30 on day 2 and 50 or so on day 3. Dinner in Heathrow and camping on day one. Trail side eating and spring swimming and camping on Day 2 and a well deserved big meal in De land Florida on our way home on day 3. Cant wait!
Got to love it when a plan comes together. I also received my Epic Ride Research Mountain Feedbag, I plan to give it a thorough testing this Saturday on my Secret Epic Ride and I will give a full review the following day.
That's it for now.
Laters,
LOS
Monday, April 06, 2009
ToUr De GaInESviLLe AKa ThE GaiNesVILLe EnDuRO!
Top Five names this ride should have OTHER than Tour De Gainesville:
1. The Gainesville Enduro
2. Death match in Gainesville.
3. Gainesville Tech Town USA
4. De Enduro De Gainesville
5. The Gainesville Roubaix.
I hear the word Tour and I think, good moderate pace with sight seeing!
Roadie hears the word Tour and he is thinking, aw a race with Stages and Pelotons and sprints and king of the mountain competitions and jerseys of all colors to represent who the champion is or isn't.
Well this ride is more like the Roadie definition of the word tour accept its off road, its totally competitive and its completely Brutally FUN.
Its not a race in terms of prizes for a winner, its a race to stay in contact with someone who knows the route. Once you lose contact with a person of knowledge you are left stranded to your own devices and abilities. Yes there is a map and it tells you all the trails to take, but if you don't know the names your still stuck. The only strategy that a rider could take was to get in a good group or with a good person and stick to them by all means necessary.
The trip started on a Friday. The Bird and I wanted to make a weekend of it and I didn't want to have to get up at the break of dawn to be out in Gainesville and riding by 930am. So earlier in the week I had spoke to Robert B and he had extended an offer to crash at his place and I got with David R and he made a similar offer. David was only 1/4 mile away from the place so the choice was simple. We made it to Dave's late on Friday and got in bed and resting after a short little chat and some laughs.
That morning I got up early, hit the Publix for some food, grabbed a Latte and started preparing. I went into full on preparing for a race mode. Simple reason being that Last year I had lost the group and didn't even come close to finishing. I knew what the pace was like at the start and the possible pit falls I didn't want the same thing to happen to me again this year. So I ate right, drank some performance enhancing drugs (Latte) and got ready for battle. I decided to go with a hydration pack which was the right choice considering the amount of "unidentifiable water" we ended up splashing through. I would of hated to have grabbed a water bottle and drank some bacteria via surface contamination. The Hydration pack proved to be the right choice as it was wet, muddy and deep stream like crossings on the route.
Brett and David showed up, we gathered up the group, I made some last minute adjustments to my tire pressure and we rolled out. We got there quick and got immediately to chatting it up with the riders and shaking hands with people I knew. Some people had not seen the Fixed Black yet, so there was some pawing and grabbing and lifting going on. Not long after our Arrival the bike bells started going off and we lined up and rolled out.
As expected the first 3 minutes or so were Chaotic till we hit a little Rail trail and formed into a large peloton. I was ride in the group, when we hit the first slices of technical trail and what appeared to be some fresh cut. Once again right in the mix. The rest was pretty much a blur, some really good technical track and some really good riding, and I lost Dave and Brett, they were off the front and I eventually ended up riding with a Cat Named Tobin.
Tobin recognized me and we rode together for a couple of miles till we went under I 75 and headed into that trail system back there and I came across a rider on the side of the trail, Brett. I stopped, cause I knew if I left Brett he would not know the way. Tobin waited shortly for me, but then after Brett was done it had appeared that Brett and I were on our own. Our only option at that point was to ride as hard as we could and hope we could bridge the gap to a rider with knowledge of the route or a rider who had PINK on his bike.
So hammer we did, and it turns out that system was a loop so I was able to get us out of there, hit a service road and we catch up eventually to a group of riders containing Dave. So not only was I able to close the Gap to Brett, but we also closed the Gap to Dave. We were in a good group, riding strong for several miles, till before we knew it, a couple of quick tech sections later and we were without guides again. We managed to close the gap to a guy who was riding with one arm(he had a prosthesis for his other 3/4 of an arm) and followed him all the way till the Lunch spot. Right there was the original lead group I had lost and everyone else. We were not even 10 minutes behind them which was good, we were right were we needed to be.
The Bird was there waiting for me. I made a big bowl of food and started loading up on some Calories. After 36 miles I had ate a handful of Almond clusters and had already started feeling the early onset of Cramps for not keeping up with my hydration. At this point it had been so much like a race, and it had been so insane, I was impressed by the efforts out there. There were some steep climbs that I was out the saddle working hard for and climbing. There were chases and staying in groups and pace lining, it was WILD.
But at Lunch, as I scanned the faces of all the riders you could see the challenges of the course were affecting everyone equally. No one looked fresh, everyone, you could tell, from their mud covered bikes and bodies that they were all feeling a little beat. Lunch seemed to go on forever..
Eventually, Rob B called for a meeting and we rolled out. A group of about 20 riders got together and we started making our way on the PM route. Good group to be in and I felt comfortable with the pace. I was feeling warmed up and feeling the calories pouring through my body. Good so far. Then my chain comes off. I stop to fix it, get rolling and hear my tire rubbing. I stop and get it fixed, I guess, and take off again. Brett had returned to watch for me and once again the Chase was on. Brett spotted a trail off to the far right, we took it and rode it and bam caught up to a lady rider on the side of the trail adjusting her seat. I knew from earlier that she was in a big group of guys wearing all the same kit (its funny how cycling is like being a gang member all wearing the same colors and stuff) and we both knew that following her would eventually net us a bigger group to ride with and right as rain it did.
We got into the group and started doing our thing. Next thing I know the Girl rider is way off the back, I'm kinda of looking to see what she is doing and the rest of the group gets way in front and the next thing I know, I'm off the back, Isolated, not knowing where they went. I kind of rode my ride, then I got a call from Brett, I was 1 mile off course, I backtracked and caught up to them and after doing all that work to get back with them (they waited, thanks guys) they took off again this time through the center of the University of Florida Campus. I followed best I could but lost sight of them after the Computer Science Building.
So I backtracked and waited by the computer science building for what seemed like an hour, when two riders came along. YES, I am in the game again, and bam, there must of been some quick turn in that place cause I lost them again. Went back up the hill and this time I managed to get a hold of a group that I could wrangle and control a bit.
I didn't get the other guys name but the one guy I ended up finishing the ride with was named Pat. At the start there were five of us. Eventually, it was only Pat and I as we rode through even more technically demanding trails we lost the other riders. Pat's pace was a little slower then I would have liked at that point, I was ready to get off the course, BUT, I had no choice, Pat was my human version of GPS and I needed Pat. So I sat back and enjoyed the pace. After 50 plus miles of Fixed gear of Fury I was tired. Even more considering the 2 week break, I was pretty smoked, but still had fire in the legs. Once we finished all the trails and got to the end, Pat told me to make a Left on 14th ave and I was GONE. I hammered all the way to the finish, zipped up and looking pretty when I crossed the line, 65 miles later.
After, we had some drinks and food, then went downtown and watched some Jazz band, and then went ate more food. We made a weekend of it and although the plans called to leave that night we decided to stay one more evening in G ville.
I met lots of cool people and spoke to lots of people and made some new friends and greeted some old friends. The people who make up that G ville crew are a great bunch of people. Not one person gave me an ill vibe and they were all extremely hospitable. It helps as well that they can all ride strong and well, so you know your in good company with strong riders when your out that way.
If you can get in the loop and get in the mix of the Tour De G ville, you should make it. Just remember, its more of a race then a tour, more tour de France then tour de forest, and this year for me more Paris roubaix then Paris in spring. Beautiful day, beautiful ride, awesome people and KICK ASS TRAILS.
HUGE thanks, to Paloma aka the Warrior Princess, without your wisdom and guidance I don't know what I would do. Enormous thanks to Dave the HAMMER for letting us camp out at his place for two days. And thanks so much to Bobo the Chimp and the whole G ville crew, Tobin, Pat, Robert and all the other people who's name I forgot, you guys are the best!
Finally, to all my sponsors for supporting the Naked Indians Crazy adventures. Let's Keep the shred alive, off road Fixed Gear of Fury, my Salsa Mamasita Fixie is the best!!! O and the T shirt and Pint glass I got were awesome!!! Best out of all the rides this year!!
Laters,
LOS
1. The Gainesville Enduro
2. Death match in Gainesville.
3. Gainesville Tech Town USA
4. De Enduro De Gainesville
5. The Gainesville Roubaix.
I hear the word Tour and I think, good moderate pace with sight seeing!
Roadie hears the word Tour and he is thinking, aw a race with Stages and Pelotons and sprints and king of the mountain competitions and jerseys of all colors to represent who the champion is or isn't.
Well this ride is more like the Roadie definition of the word tour accept its off road, its totally competitive and its completely Brutally FUN.
Its not a race in terms of prizes for a winner, its a race to stay in contact with someone who knows the route. Once you lose contact with a person of knowledge you are left stranded to your own devices and abilities. Yes there is a map and it tells you all the trails to take, but if you don't know the names your still stuck. The only strategy that a rider could take was to get in a good group or with a good person and stick to them by all means necessary.
The trip started on a Friday. The Bird and I wanted to make a weekend of it and I didn't want to have to get up at the break of dawn to be out in Gainesville and riding by 930am. So earlier in the week I had spoke to Robert B and he had extended an offer to crash at his place and I got with David R and he made a similar offer. David was only 1/4 mile away from the place so the choice was simple. We made it to Dave's late on Friday and got in bed and resting after a short little chat and some laughs.
That morning I got up early, hit the Publix for some food, grabbed a Latte and started preparing. I went into full on preparing for a race mode. Simple reason being that Last year I had lost the group and didn't even come close to finishing. I knew what the pace was like at the start and the possible pit falls I didn't want the same thing to happen to me again this year. So I ate right, drank some performance enhancing drugs (Latte) and got ready for battle. I decided to go with a hydration pack which was the right choice considering the amount of "unidentifiable water" we ended up splashing through. I would of hated to have grabbed a water bottle and drank some bacteria via surface contamination. The Hydration pack proved to be the right choice as it was wet, muddy and deep stream like crossings on the route.
Brett and David showed up, we gathered up the group, I made some last minute adjustments to my tire pressure and we rolled out. We got there quick and got immediately to chatting it up with the riders and shaking hands with people I knew. Some people had not seen the Fixed Black yet, so there was some pawing and grabbing and lifting going on. Not long after our Arrival the bike bells started going off and we lined up and rolled out.
As expected the first 3 minutes or so were Chaotic till we hit a little Rail trail and formed into a large peloton. I was ride in the group, when we hit the first slices of technical trail and what appeared to be some fresh cut. Once again right in the mix. The rest was pretty much a blur, some really good technical track and some really good riding, and I lost Dave and Brett, they were off the front and I eventually ended up riding with a Cat Named Tobin.
Tobin recognized me and we rode together for a couple of miles till we went under I 75 and headed into that trail system back there and I came across a rider on the side of the trail, Brett. I stopped, cause I knew if I left Brett he would not know the way. Tobin waited shortly for me, but then after Brett was done it had appeared that Brett and I were on our own. Our only option at that point was to ride as hard as we could and hope we could bridge the gap to a rider with knowledge of the route or a rider who had PINK on his bike.
So hammer we did, and it turns out that system was a loop so I was able to get us out of there, hit a service road and we catch up eventually to a group of riders containing Dave. So not only was I able to close the Gap to Brett, but we also closed the Gap to Dave. We were in a good group, riding strong for several miles, till before we knew it, a couple of quick tech sections later and we were without guides again. We managed to close the gap to a guy who was riding with one arm(he had a prosthesis for his other 3/4 of an arm) and followed him all the way till the Lunch spot. Right there was the original lead group I had lost and everyone else. We were not even 10 minutes behind them which was good, we were right were we needed to be.
The Bird was there waiting for me. I made a big bowl of food and started loading up on some Calories. After 36 miles I had ate a handful of Almond clusters and had already started feeling the early onset of Cramps for not keeping up with my hydration. At this point it had been so much like a race, and it had been so insane, I was impressed by the efforts out there. There were some steep climbs that I was out the saddle working hard for and climbing. There were chases and staying in groups and pace lining, it was WILD.
But at Lunch, as I scanned the faces of all the riders you could see the challenges of the course were affecting everyone equally. No one looked fresh, everyone, you could tell, from their mud covered bikes and bodies that they were all feeling a little beat. Lunch seemed to go on forever..
Eventually, Rob B called for a meeting and we rolled out. A group of about 20 riders got together and we started making our way on the PM route. Good group to be in and I felt comfortable with the pace. I was feeling warmed up and feeling the calories pouring through my body. Good so far. Then my chain comes off. I stop to fix it, get rolling and hear my tire rubbing. I stop and get it fixed, I guess, and take off again. Brett had returned to watch for me and once again the Chase was on. Brett spotted a trail off to the far right, we took it and rode it and bam caught up to a lady rider on the side of the trail adjusting her seat. I knew from earlier that she was in a big group of guys wearing all the same kit (its funny how cycling is like being a gang member all wearing the same colors and stuff) and we both knew that following her would eventually net us a bigger group to ride with and right as rain it did.
We got into the group and started doing our thing. Next thing I know the Girl rider is way off the back, I'm kinda of looking to see what she is doing and the rest of the group gets way in front and the next thing I know, I'm off the back, Isolated, not knowing where they went. I kind of rode my ride, then I got a call from Brett, I was 1 mile off course, I backtracked and caught up to them and after doing all that work to get back with them (they waited, thanks guys) they took off again this time through the center of the University of Florida Campus. I followed best I could but lost sight of them after the Computer Science Building.
So I backtracked and waited by the computer science building for what seemed like an hour, when two riders came along. YES, I am in the game again, and bam, there must of been some quick turn in that place cause I lost them again. Went back up the hill and this time I managed to get a hold of a group that I could wrangle and control a bit.
I didn't get the other guys name but the one guy I ended up finishing the ride with was named Pat. At the start there were five of us. Eventually, it was only Pat and I as we rode through even more technically demanding trails we lost the other riders. Pat's pace was a little slower then I would have liked at that point, I was ready to get off the course, BUT, I had no choice, Pat was my human version of GPS and I needed Pat. So I sat back and enjoyed the pace. After 50 plus miles of Fixed gear of Fury I was tired. Even more considering the 2 week break, I was pretty smoked, but still had fire in the legs. Once we finished all the trails and got to the end, Pat told me to make a Left on 14th ave and I was GONE. I hammered all the way to the finish, zipped up and looking pretty when I crossed the line, 65 miles later.
After, we had some drinks and food, then went downtown and watched some Jazz band, and then went ate more food. We made a weekend of it and although the plans called to leave that night we decided to stay one more evening in G ville.
I met lots of cool people and spoke to lots of people and made some new friends and greeted some old friends. The people who make up that G ville crew are a great bunch of people. Not one person gave me an ill vibe and they were all extremely hospitable. It helps as well that they can all ride strong and well, so you know your in good company with strong riders when your out that way.
If you can get in the loop and get in the mix of the Tour De G ville, you should make it. Just remember, its more of a race then a tour, more tour de France then tour de forest, and this year for me more Paris roubaix then Paris in spring. Beautiful day, beautiful ride, awesome people and KICK ASS TRAILS.
HUGE thanks, to Paloma aka the Warrior Princess, without your wisdom and guidance I don't know what I would do. Enormous thanks to Dave the HAMMER for letting us camp out at his place for two days. And thanks so much to Bobo the Chimp and the whole G ville crew, Tobin, Pat, Robert and all the other people who's name I forgot, you guys are the best!
Finally, to all my sponsors for supporting the Naked Indians Crazy adventures. Let's Keep the shred alive, off road Fixed Gear of Fury, my Salsa Mamasita Fixie is the best!!! O and the T shirt and Pint glass I got were awesome!!! Best out of all the rides this year!!
Laters,
LOS
Saturday, April 04, 2009
ToUr De GaInESviLLe Success!!
Well mission accomplished. I made it but not without some effort. More about the ride tomo. Got cleaned up gonna go party a little.
Laters,
ShReD
LOS
TDG update.
So far so good in the lead bunch, were all neutral at lunch. Some real techy sections and sketchy tall bridges...Awesome so far.
shred...
LOS
Friday, April 03, 2009
RiDe ThE BLaCk HoRsE
I was joking with my wife, that I should attend an AA meeting.
"Any first timers here today..."
Man with ridiculous long pony tail raises his hand...
"Sir Please stand up and tell us your name and your Addiction"....
"ok.....My Name is Karlos and I am an Espressoaholic".....
And then the room would erupt with groans and moans and one man would probably stand up yell at me and tell me I am not an addict and run me out of the room.
As of today I have been off the Coffee and Espresso for 5 days.
The habit got out of hand. Sometimes One maybe two cups a day. To most of you this is not a big deal, but to me, I don't like to be addicted to any substance.
I decided this week it had to go, it was time to get control of my life.
Its weird what happens when you quit, every morning you awake feeling exhausted. And when you wake up feeling exhausted your natural reaction is to think, I will just grab a cup of espresso on the way to work and bam, I will be wide awake. That's the evil trick the addiction was playing with me.
But I shook it, I shook it off and now I am addiction free. But that first part of the week was rough.
Glad I'm over it. Don't get me wrong, I'm not gonna totally quit drinking the Latte's and the Coffee's. Instead I plan to use it as a performance enhancer and only drink it during a cycling related activity for the caffeine boost.
Till then, its just a nice big glass of Ice Water for me. The only liquid I drink.
Laters,
LOS
"Any first timers here today..."
Man with ridiculous long pony tail raises his hand...
"Sir Please stand up and tell us your name and your Addiction"....
"ok.....My Name is Karlos and I am an Espressoaholic".....
And then the room would erupt with groans and moans and one man would probably stand up yell at me and tell me I am not an addict and run me out of the room.
As of today I have been off the Coffee and Espresso for 5 days.
The habit got out of hand. Sometimes One maybe two cups a day. To most of you this is not a big deal, but to me, I don't like to be addicted to any substance.
I decided this week it had to go, it was time to get control of my life.
Its weird what happens when you quit, every morning you awake feeling exhausted. And when you wake up feeling exhausted your natural reaction is to think, I will just grab a cup of espresso on the way to work and bam, I will be wide awake. That's the evil trick the addiction was playing with me.
But I shook it, I shook it off and now I am addiction free. But that first part of the week was rough.
Glad I'm over it. Don't get me wrong, I'm not gonna totally quit drinking the Latte's and the Coffee's. Instead I plan to use it as a performance enhancer and only drink it during a cycling related activity for the caffeine boost.
Till then, its just a nice big glass of Ice Water for me. The only liquid I drink.
Laters,
LOS
Thursday, April 02, 2009
WoRkInG FoR ThE WeeKenD
I have not rode the bike since the Hobo Cross tour and I am ready to go out and hammer some miles.
I guess I am a weekend warrior now. I have to accept it. Since I cant get out and ride during the week unless I commute to work and back, I have to relegate myself to the title of MTB National Guard.
What ends up happening is that Monday comes and I cant wait to Shred the Tread come Saturday. This weekend I am especially excited about.
We were sitting around the fire the evening before the SSAR, talking and conversating and I told some stories related to the Horrible Bikepacking Fixie trip that Marcel aka Sandpine had not heard before. He said I should of shared those stories on the Blog, and to a certain degree I agree. BUT, if I told everything on the Blog I would not ever have anything to talk about with people when we hang out. What would be the benefit to spending time with the Naked Indian if you know every story he has to tell and every single element of all his adventures; point is clear insnt it, it would be boring.
So Flashback to Early 2009 and the Tour De San Felasco. I was out there Fixie Shredding, at Rest stop one I was approached by a gentleman on a single speed. He asked me if I was the Naked Indian and I said yes, and he handed me a small piece of paper, and Invitation to the Tour De Gainesville. Now, I kept it under wraps. I figure this is a Underground aka Super Secret event and I can respect an event of this format since I put these type of events on. But I look on MTBR and there for the world to see is a thread about it and a map, so I guess the cats out the bag. This Saturday I will be out there riding some of the best that the city of Gainesville has to offer. Last year I went and due to various factors I got shot out the back like a reverse rocket. This time, I am in MUCH better shape, ALOT stronger and although the last time I rode was almost two weeks ago, My legs should be pretty FRESH! I was contemplating flipping my wheel, but I love riding Fixed gear too much to do it, so I will stretch real good and warm my ass up real ice and go out there and ride the 65 miles glued to the front group, hopefully I wont repeat what I did the previous year.
On another note.....
I want to vent. Now, what your about to read is me venting. If you dont want to hear me complaining and expressing my feelings thats ok. If your going to try and apply this to yourself and internalize it and take it personal then I urge you not to read it and just skip to the Laters, LOS and move on. What I dont want to happen after anyone reads this is to think I am mad about this or that I am upset with you. What I dont want to see is comments telling me how they feel about what I just wrote, cause again nothing personal, I dont need to hear an explanation, it is not required, nor necessary, I like and appreciate all the people I know and this really has nothing to do with YOU. I am simply venting, getting it off my chest so it no longer has to take up resident in my brain.
I am disillusioned by humans sometimes. In life you find out something, that seems so obvious and seems like the biggest thing in the world. And you think, wow, this helped me so much that it feels wrong to keep it to myself. So you share and you tell people and then you see their reactions and they act like you just asked them to cut their arm off or something. I mean what are we talking about giving up here, when you look at the big picture its really not that much and its really not that big of a deal and it really helps you be better and it really helps you be healthy, but like I said you would think you asked them to take their first born and throw them in the fire.
Just makes me sick sometimes how "addicted" people are and they refuse to accept it. They make excuses, they want to ease into it like if they were kicking a heroin habit.
Ya, Im kinda retired from the giving advice on nutrition. It frustrates me way too much when I see the people I care about, get good info and they ignore it when they got living proof standing right infront of their face. They would rather trust the propaganda they have been exposed too for years then trust an actual living example. They would rather trust the same goverment that has run this country into the dirt, that has literally had a hand in destroying millions of lives for hundreds of years and scoff at the possibility of conspiracy.
Dont ask, dont tell is the new policy.
Enough.
Laters,
LOS
I guess I am a weekend warrior now. I have to accept it. Since I cant get out and ride during the week unless I commute to work and back, I have to relegate myself to the title of MTB National Guard.
What ends up happening is that Monday comes and I cant wait to Shred the Tread come Saturday. This weekend I am especially excited about.
We were sitting around the fire the evening before the SSAR, talking and conversating and I told some stories related to the Horrible Bikepacking Fixie trip that Marcel aka Sandpine had not heard before. He said I should of shared those stories on the Blog, and to a certain degree I agree. BUT, if I told everything on the Blog I would not ever have anything to talk about with people when we hang out. What would be the benefit to spending time with the Naked Indian if you know every story he has to tell and every single element of all his adventures; point is clear insnt it, it would be boring.
So Flashback to Early 2009 and the Tour De San Felasco. I was out there Fixie Shredding, at Rest stop one I was approached by a gentleman on a single speed. He asked me if I was the Naked Indian and I said yes, and he handed me a small piece of paper, and Invitation to the Tour De Gainesville. Now, I kept it under wraps. I figure this is a Underground aka Super Secret event and I can respect an event of this format since I put these type of events on. But I look on MTBR and there for the world to see is a thread about it and a map, so I guess the cats out the bag. This Saturday I will be out there riding some of the best that the city of Gainesville has to offer. Last year I went and due to various factors I got shot out the back like a reverse rocket. This time, I am in MUCH better shape, ALOT stronger and although the last time I rode was almost two weeks ago, My legs should be pretty FRESH! I was contemplating flipping my wheel, but I love riding Fixed gear too much to do it, so I will stretch real good and warm my ass up real ice and go out there and ride the 65 miles glued to the front group, hopefully I wont repeat what I did the previous year.
On another note.....
I want to vent. Now, what your about to read is me venting. If you dont want to hear me complaining and expressing my feelings thats ok. If your going to try and apply this to yourself and internalize it and take it personal then I urge you not to read it and just skip to the Laters, LOS and move on. What I dont want to happen after anyone reads this is to think I am mad about this or that I am upset with you. What I dont want to see is comments telling me how they feel about what I just wrote, cause again nothing personal, I dont need to hear an explanation, it is not required, nor necessary, I like and appreciate all the people I know and this really has nothing to do with YOU. I am simply venting, getting it off my chest so it no longer has to take up resident in my brain.
I am disillusioned by humans sometimes. In life you find out something, that seems so obvious and seems like the biggest thing in the world. And you think, wow, this helped me so much that it feels wrong to keep it to myself. So you share and you tell people and then you see their reactions and they act like you just asked them to cut their arm off or something. I mean what are we talking about giving up here, when you look at the big picture its really not that much and its really not that big of a deal and it really helps you be better and it really helps you be healthy, but like I said you would think you asked them to take their first born and throw them in the fire.
Just makes me sick sometimes how "addicted" people are and they refuse to accept it. They make excuses, they want to ease into it like if they were kicking a heroin habit.
Ya, Im kinda retired from the giving advice on nutrition. It frustrates me way too much when I see the people I care about, get good info and they ignore it when they got living proof standing right infront of their face. They would rather trust the propaganda they have been exposed too for years then trust an actual living example. They would rather trust the same goverment that has run this country into the dirt, that has literally had a hand in destroying millions of lives for hundreds of years and scoff at the possibility of conspiracy.
Dont ask, dont tell is the new policy.
Enough.
Laters,
LOS
Wednesday, April 01, 2009
KoaCh KarLoS KorNeR
The funny part about an idea that you come up with after the fact, is that you eventually you hit snags.
I had this idea for this little letter answering things but I probably started it a couple of months too late after I had responded to many letters and then deleted them. I have no letters this week to share. Its ok, I figure I will talk about something regardless.
Todays subject:
Acclimation.
The process of acclimation involves forcing the body to adapt to the current weather conditions. Many have witnessed my techniques for cold weather adaptions, but today I will speak on something even more serious, HOT weather adaptions.
Yes, the EXTREME DEATH GRIP of Summer is almost upon us and the blistering hot days will soon be the topic of many complaints, the subject of many defeating bonks and so on and so on.
What does the Koach do to adapt to the heat.
Tip number one:
As sick as it sounds. Force yourself to ride in the hottest part of the day a couple of times a week. If you can tolerate keeping your Jersey zipped up and wearing a cap under your helmet you will only speed up the process. Now keep in mind you don't want to ride zipped up with a cap on for a long time, I don't recommend longer than 20 min at a time. But what you will do is acclimate your body at one level, teach it to adapt and then switch it up and you will feel like Mr. Cool Breeze.
Tip number two:
On the days you are not riding, go work outside, go sit outside, go do something outside. The more time you spend out in the heat, the quicker your body will be come accustomed to the heat.
Tip number three:
Has little to do with Acclimation and more to do with coping mechanisms.
Ride Gloveless if you can. If you know your going to be doing sections that dont require a death grip, a gloveless ride will sometimes feel like you opened up all the windows and turned on the air conditioner.
Tip number four:
Get some good dark Sunglasses. The less you have to squint because of the extreme brightness the less fatigue you will experience in the extreme heat.
Tip number five:
When its really hot, have water on your back, and water on your bike. Usually I use the water on the bike to dump through the vents in my helmet to cool me off in extreme efforts.
Again, first teach your body to acclimate, then use the coping mechanisms and when its HOT out, you will be cruising in the front at the usual pace, while your friends are in the back wondering why they feel like they are about to die.
Most of all, remember, hydrate, hydrate and then hydrate some more. Stay on top of it, and ahead of it, especially in extreme heat. If you feel thirsty as we all know, by that point its probably too late.
Laters,
LOS
I had this idea for this little letter answering things but I probably started it a couple of months too late after I had responded to many letters and then deleted them. I have no letters this week to share. Its ok, I figure I will talk about something regardless.
Todays subject:
Acclimation.
The process of acclimation involves forcing the body to adapt to the current weather conditions. Many have witnessed my techniques for cold weather adaptions, but today I will speak on something even more serious, HOT weather adaptions.
Yes, the EXTREME DEATH GRIP of Summer is almost upon us and the blistering hot days will soon be the topic of many complaints, the subject of many defeating bonks and so on and so on.
What does the Koach do to adapt to the heat.
Tip number one:
As sick as it sounds. Force yourself to ride in the hottest part of the day a couple of times a week. If you can tolerate keeping your Jersey zipped up and wearing a cap under your helmet you will only speed up the process. Now keep in mind you don't want to ride zipped up with a cap on for a long time, I don't recommend longer than 20 min at a time. But what you will do is acclimate your body at one level, teach it to adapt and then switch it up and you will feel like Mr. Cool Breeze.
Tip number two:
On the days you are not riding, go work outside, go sit outside, go do something outside. The more time you spend out in the heat, the quicker your body will be come accustomed to the heat.
Tip number three:
Has little to do with Acclimation and more to do with coping mechanisms.
Ride Gloveless if you can. If you know your going to be doing sections that dont require a death grip, a gloveless ride will sometimes feel like you opened up all the windows and turned on the air conditioner.
Tip number four:
Get some good dark Sunglasses. The less you have to squint because of the extreme brightness the less fatigue you will experience in the extreme heat.
Tip number five:
When its really hot, have water on your back, and water on your bike. Usually I use the water on the bike to dump through the vents in my helmet to cool me off in extreme efforts.
Again, first teach your body to acclimate, then use the coping mechanisms and when its HOT out, you will be cruising in the front at the usual pace, while your friends are in the back wondering why they feel like they are about to die.
Most of all, remember, hydrate, hydrate and then hydrate some more. Stay on top of it, and ahead of it, especially in extreme heat. If you feel thirsty as we all know, by that point its probably too late.
Laters,
LOS
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