I am NoT ALoNe.....

I don't even remember now exactly how my dirty ambitions began, but I have been at it since it did begin. And even quicker then I have realized, what started with a mostly off road route in my backyard, has turned into a mostly off road route bridging three major areas together, which now looks like we can have a mostly off road route that would link, Clermont, to Croom, to santos, to ONF, to paisley to Seminole Forest, to apopka, back to Clermont. THATS H UUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGEEEEEEEE.

It is basically, if you were able to look at the map and see it visually a gigantic eye in the middle of the state, of, singletrack, double track, fire roads, forest roads, service roads, road and bike path.

The best part is, that I didnt have to do it all alone. My friend Rob Roberts had a huge part in it, and IF I was to title my Self as CEO of Singletrack Samurai Productions, I would have to say he is the President of Singletrack Samurai productions. Congratulations Rob, there is no pay, there is no profit, but there is joy in knowing that you are part of something BIG. Who knows maybe one day, it will PAY, and your unrequested assistance will be greatly rewarded.

What this means in the end, is that we will all have an even bigger route to ride and bikepack and enjoy. There are others who appreciate off road touring and sooner than later we will have a route that we can tour and bikepack as often as we like.

Laters,

LOS

ViSiOnS OF MoNsTerCroSS DaNCe In My HeAD....

That's pretty much all I can think about today.

There is something that I love about a bike that can go anywhere and do anything. Thus the reason I love Cross bikes and 29ers the universality and versatility of it all.

I got that War Machine laying around, and sooner than later it will be the Single Speed MonsterCross.

What is a MonsterCross? From what I understand it, its a 29er set up with off road drop bars for the purpose of racing or riding in a cross like manner.

I got a Delicious cross bike, my cross check which I love to death. BUT, I would like to do some Crossy bike tours with the Bird and having one Cross bike negates the possibilities.

So after some daydreaming, I thought, why not slap some cross tires, and a moustache bar on my War Machine, set it up 38 x 20 and BAMN single speed fixie cross.

Got to love it~~!!

Pics will come once the bike is built up.

Laters,

LOS

HeLLO....SoMeONe TooK a LiTTLe BloGcAtiON

Wow, I got lots to write about so OFF I GO.....

Two weeks ago before this Past Monday, I was talking my usual smackalicious talk on the SWAMP forum when I threw down the need for a ride on the Sacred/Spiritual/Secluded/Super Trail system known as Jimmy Cotton's trail. I kept it all a secret, from the ride, to the hook up, but I think now I can speak about it.

I loved it. Reminded me of Razorback. Good and Technical and very Anaerobic which is something the body just needs from time to time. My ride there had been the first I had done in two weeks following PMBAR but still fun nonetheless. Jimmy and all the people I rode with as always, the nicest people you could ever meet, very generous and very polite. Jimmy and crew have done an excellent job of putting together their own slice of heaven or hell if your out of shape and lack skills.

That next Saturday The Bird and I met up with Rob and Dawn and Matt and His wife for a couples ride. Not what I pictured, I thought we were all gonna ride together, but instead it turned into a yellow, to blues to red party for the men and My wife somehow out riding her companions and us launching a search party, only to discover she made it back to the car with no problems. After we had dinner and drinks, and then the Roberts were kind enough to offer a place to crash. Next day we got up hung out some more then went home. Great weekend.

The week was spent me wondering and pondering and thinking about how I was gonna do the class. I had NEVER done a class on anything MTB related, but I had been thinking about doing this class for a long time. I thought, tons of classes on riding techniques, but no classes on crashing techniques or how to avoid crashing techniques. Overall, from the feedback I received from the group it turned out to be a really good class.

We got out to Alafia River State Park Late on a Friday eve. Set up, hung out and then crashed till I got up 5 hours later to prepare for the class. The class didn't start on time, but everyone eventually showed and the show was put on. I am going to type up my Crashing manifesto and email it to all the participants. If anyone who was not there would like a copy, just pay pal me $10 bucks and I will send you a copy as well.

The highlight of the class for me was the Over the Bars Step out demo. I had done it many times while riding, but never in real life have I demoed it. So I did a couple of warm ups around the group, clipped in, got some speed, hit the brakes and showed them how to step out of an Over the bar scenario. THATS PROFESSIONAL FOLKS!!!

Later that evening, we met up with Mr. and Mrs. Mucaro, Harvey and Maria, Mike and his Imaginary girlfriend and, Jonathan and his Southern Belle. WE went to a Thai restaurant that I absolutely love called Sweet Basil Thai or Thai Sweet Basil, had a kick ass dinner with drinks and then the get together continued at Luis house. It was so much fun and so many laughs. Come Sunday morning though I was not in the mood to ride. We went and watched Angels and Demons (wait for DVD) had some Taco Nazo and then headed back to Deltona.

Monday was pretty much, sleep, get up, eat, get the kids, sleep, help with a school project and then off to work on Tuesday on my regular schedule.

I didnt get to ride much this weekend, which was a bummer, but the company, the Laughs and good times more than make up for it.

What's on my mind, well I got my ITT attempt on the 20th of June that I want to set a Blazing time for, so I am about a month out with plenty of time to make sure I tune the engine perfectly to run, run, run.

As well, I have been wanting to get another cross bike, but decided since I got the war machine laying around that I am gonna build it up as a single/fixie Monster Cross bike, that build, should not take long at all since I got all the parts for it. I want it to be 38 x 20 though so tonight I got to scour the parts box.

My entire month of June, every weekend is planned out, so I will be busy but lots of Fun activities, June 13th I got the Big O ride, June 20th ITT, and then the weekend after, the BAADR Santos Family Camping Trip. Maybe in July I can do another class, if anyone would like to see a class on a particular subject would love to hear from you, if not, I will just go with whatever I want.

Thats it, I think I officially caught everyone up, stay tuned as I will be back now to my daily updates of blogs, thoughts and regular tom foolery,

Laters,

LOS

RaIN, RaIN, DoNt Go AwAy!!

Seriously folks, as bad as the flooding is in the state in some areas, lets not run all the rain away, the precious soil needs it.

That Being Said, the Class at Alafia River State park tomorrow that I will be doing at 9am is ON regardless, rain or shine.

Come out, the class is part discussion and part practical. The practical applications can be done in the grassy area and don't require the single track.

After, conditions permitting, I am planning to ride the trails that are not going to be negatively impacted if they are ridden wet, which from what I hear is mostly the easy relatively Flat stuff.

BUT, the class will be fun and educational, come on out and enjoy, and learn ya a little something on how to avoid the crash...


Laters,

LOS

ConFEssIons Of an UNderPaid - - PooRLy TrAiNeD BiKe MeChaNic

Wow, having a family of 5 some weeks seem like I am the only bike mechanic in the busiest bike shop in the world.

These past three days it has been raining. Personally I think its awesome, but to some people, since we went from Forest Fires and Drought conditions one week to Torrential downpours and Flooding, that this is a clear sign of the apocalypse.
BUT, to my Three Sons, it means that they are still out there commuting daily in this inclement weather.

Yesterday, One son was force to Hike a walk home in the rain cause he caught a double puncture in his front slime wheel. When I got home, I took it apart and discovered the dual puncture, also discovered the tire had a bunch of water in it which watered down the sealant, which prevented it from sealing. I hope if I let it dry, that It will seal, but in the mean time it means a trip to the LBS to stock up on tubes.

All the chains looked dookie brown this morning and before work I had to relube all their drive trains, since its still raining and they still got to get to school.

Whew,... Who woulda thunk I would have to be the pit crew for an Indian Clan of Daily cyclist, cracks me up.

Laters,

LOS

FoR ImmeDiate ReleAse: SinGLeTracK SamuRai ProDuctioN PreSents the CrOss FLoRidA IndiVidual Time TriAL

Self Supported racing is here to stay.

Best part is its free, no prizes no entry fees.

Many other places have a similar event and I wanted US to have our own.

This is a truly off road dirty century and then some, barely any road riding, but plenty of dirt roads, double track, single track and bike path.

Step up to the challenge, Here is the details email me if your interested in participating, post around if you like I want to get as many people involved as possible.(rules and regulations copied adapted off another site that offers similar self supported racing)

CFITT based off one principle: Complete the entire designated route on your own pedal power and do so in a 100% self-supported fashion.

• To complete the race, riders can resupply, etc. along the route, as long as the services are not prearranged. Pre-planned outside assistance with navigation, lodging or resupply (esp. receipt of supplies from a non-commercial shipper) is forbidden.
• Racers must always follow the official Designated Race route.
• Advancing on the route by any means other than your own pedal power is strictly forbidden. No drafting. Any type of air scoop or umbrella sail intended to harness wind power is prohibited. In the event of a serious mechanical, medical, or other emergency, a racer may be assisted in moving backwards or directly off the route, but never forward. In the event of an emergency repair, you may gain a ride, but must rejoin the route exactly where you left off.
• GPS units are permitted but non-essential. Mobile phones are also permitted but may not be used for 3rd party assistance in navigation.
• CFITT racing is a do-it-yourself challenge. Racers alone are responsible for their safety.
• CFITT is a solo competition but racing in the company of other racers is permitted. Sharing of equipment or supplies and drafting are prohibited.
• In order to compete in the CFITT you must own a copy of the ONF map. AS well as carry the route details on your person. The copy can either be purchased from the Rangers offices at the prescribed locations or can be printed of PDF file from the Event Coordinator.
• Race starts at 6am on Saturday October 10th from the Paisley MTB Trailhead. You then have to make follow the course as it has been laid out.
• Estimated distance is 170 miles and your trial ends when you reach Tucker hill.
• You must arrange transportation to the Paisley Trailhead and pick up from Tucker Hill Trailhead in Croom. If you do not make a cut off you may continue doing the ride but your time will not be counted for General Classification.

Thanks,


Karlos

Nk's DeeP ThougHts

Its funny, how when your having some personal issues the best thing to do is air them out.

And thats exactly what I did yesterday at Santos, every little mogul hump or off camber launch into a drop, I was "AIRING" out my problems.

Felt so goood!!

Nk's DeeP ThougHts

I want to put some clip on aero bars on my steering wheel...

PaSSiOn!!

That word has been on my mind the past couple of days.

Someone asked what keeps the fire alive to go out there and get out and ride.

Well, My Wife, Aka the Bird, Aka the Warrior Princess is reading a book, whose main focus is an individuals power to create their own reality. And at one point my wife complimented me and said that I was really good at creating my own reality. What does that mean??? Well I will explain.

I am a passionate person. No doubt about it, I could be sewing a zipper on a shirt and I would be doing it with a ridiculous passion level. I "GET INTO" whatever it is I am doing. I "DEDICATE" my heart and soul into all my efforts. If its not worth "DOING" then why bother "DOING IT".

As Humans though, complacency can sometimes rear its ugly head. Sometimes we all take a moment to ponder if the grass is indeed greener on the other side. It may very well be. BUT, I am also a deeply spiritual person, who believes in things such as Destiny, Karma and magic. And we all have the power, or "MAGIC" to create whatever reality we choose.

I am not one to be satisfied with comfort. To me the comfort zone is a boring place to exist in. I like to create challenges for myself, and once I satisfy that challenge I move on to the next one. Sometimes I discover that it was a worthwhile effort, other times I discover I may not ever want to do that again. Regardless, I go about my business to constantly push the boundaries of my limits. As hard as some of my efforts have been in the past, I still have yet to feel as if I have exhausted myself completely, after all, there is nothing a good long drink, a good healthy snack and a nice little nap cant fix.

I challenge you, all of you, if you don't already, to take ownership of your reality. To create whatever dream it is you have for yourself. It does not matter if your 21 or 61, you still have plenty of time to mold and shape your reality. Take responsibility for your emotions and control of your feelings, exist to enjoy the moment as you see fit. Too many people, choose to create a reality, in where they are a victim and not much else, boring. Too many people, choose to create a reality in where they are constantly upset and suffering. That's fine, as long as you realize that you are the one creating that reality. In the end, you are indeed in control.

My passion, is extreme challenges, exploration and groundbreaking one of a kind self created experiences.

Enough preaching for a wenesday morning right....

This weekend the Bird and I will be Bikepacking, doing the same route we did last time but backwards,(yup that means I am doing the St Francis Paisley wagon hike a bike again on purpose) and a little more night riding, and a little more sitting in river water during the day. Maybe score some Princeton TEC EOS which I may end up using on my Great Divide Ride, since it uses batteries and does not require charging, which is an option I need to consider.

Next weekend, I will be holding my first ever riders clinic which I am extremely excited and slightly apprehensive about. I will be discussing, the factors that can cause a crash, visualization techniques, bailing techniques as well as important cornering, slow and fast riding skills every rider should be aware off. As well, when its all done, I will invite the entire crew for a ride around alafia, hopefully someone will help me with that, since I have never really ridden there without following some gone riding arrows.

That week after, Im considering rebuilding the War Machine back into a fixie, that would up my stable to two single speeds as if that is not redundant enough, but I really enjoy fixie riding.

Finally, maybe another bike packing trip the weekend after and then June 13th, the BIG O rematch of which EVERYONE IS INVITED. That's right IM going back this time with my Cross bike to Ride around the Big Lake Okeechoobee. 120 miles with 1/3rd of it being an off road experience. I encourage everyone to join email me at Nakedindian99 at aol dot com if you want details. If you live in Florida, you got to do this ride at least once in your life, put the notch on your cycling belt.

I just gave you a taste of what I do to create my own reality. Now go out and create yours, OR, join me in Mines.

Keep the Shred alive folks, if you dont use it, you lose it.


Laters,


LOS

ExTenDed ReView Part TWO: EpIc RiDe ReSeArCh MoUnTaIn BiKe FeedBaG

Rarely do you get to find or use a product that keeps surprising you like this Mountain bike Feedbag by Epic Ride Research.

I am constantly on the search to be able to feed while I move. No matter whether its a long ride or a short ride, if I need to eat, I want to stay moving to do it. In twisty track or technically demanding trails, it can be quite the feat and chore to have to reach in your jersey pocket one handed or to have to stop and get into your hydration pack, just to score a snack. This handy dandy little device prevents the need for any of that.

I have been using this feedbag on Every ride I take, simply because of the versatility it provides. The main compartment allows you to put LOTS of food in there, and the outer meshes serve great purposes as well. While riding in Pisgah, I carried a multi tool in there, a swiss army knife, my map, some nut bars, arm warmers and a huge bag of cashews.

During the race, I had the Bulk of my food stashed in my frame pack and would pull out Items I wanted to eat and on the fly, while rolling, put them in my Feedbag to consume at any given moment. I dont ever plan or feel the need to stuff my jersey pockets as long as I have one of these. Not only does it give me quick access to my food, but it also gives me access without interference to any of my bikepack bags when bikepacking or when riding techincal trails. It simply does what its suppossed to do and does it very well.

So well, that I upped my purchase and I now have one for both the left and the right and I even got the Bird one so she can experience what is the convenience of having things handy.

Who is this product for?

Anyone who rides, for any amount of time. Even on short rides what you would normally put in your jersey pockets you can instead have right in front of you in your line of sight. Long distance and Endurance riders or even people who's main deal is to huck the planet, even you can benefit for having all of these things handy and at your finger tips. The function is ingenius and it allows you to access food and things with one hand. You cant really ask for more from a particular product.

What do I recommend?

That you order one ASAP. Click the link on my side bar as Epic Ride Research is not only a product I use and believe in, but they also Support the Naked Indian Rides the Divide Initiative.

Laters,

LOS

ExTenDed ReView Part ONE: OsPreY TaLoN 22 Back/Hydration Pack

I have had the Osprey bag several months now and I got to say its my new best friend.

What do I like so much about it???

Well, you can pack the heck out of it for one. Pack and pack it full of things and it still feels nimble and capable on your back and under load.

I also like all the pockets. You got 2 exterior pockets on the pack that you can reach over and access, you also have two zipped pockets on the hip belt that you can access while riding. As well, as you got a big pull over and clip pocket on the outside that you can put a ton of stuff in. On either side it has pull on straps that you could theoritically tie things too in a pinch.

Now into the interior and the things I have learned. The hydration location rocks simply because you dont have to empty your bag to fill it. It also can hold a fully loaded 200 oz bladder with no issues. Now I dont use goos or gels or anyother processed "cycling" food. BUT, sometimes I need a caffeine kick while out in the wilderness. My "KICK" of choice is Dark Chocolate. The problem is, if you have a particularly hot day, the Chocolate melts. WELL I discovered in the same location as the hydration bladder a compartment I call the Chocolate pouch. It sits up between the bag and the hydration compartment and its the perfect place to put the chocolate and not have it melt since its sitting against the hydration bladder which tends to stay cooler then the exterior of the pack. I honestly dont know the intentional purpose of the pouch, but for this Indian, its for chocolate.

The top compartment is perfect for anything you may want to keep handy and the big compartment can hold a bunch of stuff as well. On the immediate inside of the large compartment there is another small pouch. I dont know what the intended purpose of pouch, but I use it for my light and my battery for easy access and for use while riding. I even thread the cord through a pull tight bungee towards the top of the pack to help with the routing of the cable. Works great!

I did experience a small tear in the bottom of the bag, BUT, the pack has a lifetime guarantee against everything. Meaning no matter what happens to it, even if I damage it, Osprey will repair or replace it at no charge. What else can you ask for out of a pack.

This Pack is most definetely Built To Shred!

Laters,


LOS

PmBAr RePort: ThE Dear MuCaro series....ThE FuLL WrItE Up

TALE OF THE TAPE GPS DATA

In Order to properly tell this story we have to start with a some information.

People really want to know.... What is a Mucaro, Pronounced Moo ka'r Ow is the Native Taino Word for Owl.


But it also represents this guy who I have attempted to PMBAR partner with for two years now, and I am thinking it will probably never happen.

Luis aka Mucaro was surely missed so I decided to dedicate many aspects of the trip to him and at the same time poke a little harmless fun at him, I missed him what can I say. Luis is like the equivalent of Moses to me, he brought me out of the desert and introduced me to some Real Wilderness which is exactly what I needed.

However, the Mucaro played an important role not the actual person but the actual animal for me during the whole trip. Flashback to a week or so ago when the Bird and I did our first bikepacking trip, the Mucaro Sang us a symphony when we were by the fire. Well the same thing happened the first night I spent in Pisgah. That Thursday evening they sang me another symphony. The next morning I asked if anyone else heard it, but apparently they didnt, the owl also visited me on my hike a bike practice on Friday up Black mountain to turkey pen, even found a Feather on my hike a bike. In fact every night I got a visit, right up until the morning off, whene I found a second feather not even 100 feet from the camp site. Interesting how things happen and I am not one to believe in coincidence, I knew the day would be special to say the least.

My Partner, 12 hours of Santos 2008 Single Speed champion Brett Wycoff was racing PMBAR for the first time, as was I. Yes I had raced the Double Dare, somehow convinced Eric Wever to let me race it, but never a PMBAR. The plan stayed Fluid like Bruce Lee's Jeet kun do Philosophy, we were like water the entire race.

Reflecting back, I am 100% sure I did not understand the point of the race. Seems after some careful analysis, the point was to get 4 checkpoints at least and get back fast, with getting a 5th checkpoint to best your finish time. I thought the point was to get as many as possible and then that time would be a second factor. Ok, so I got some comprehension issues. Anyhow.

That morning started early for me. 5am to be exact, I got up to make some food, eat and prepare my packs for the days trip. I know from enough solo and long rides that I like to have particular food stuffs, so I made some special items to take with me and prepped well. I felt my bag was packed perfectly and the bike set up was done in such a way to limit the off the bike time.

The morning went smooth and I was surprisingly calm. It was nice to see Eric, he is such a nice guy and humble person and Erinna as well, both remembered me from the Double D and both treated me as If I was an old friend coming to visit. The riders meeting went down and he discussed the rules and such. Maps were given and we were told to wait till the word go to look at the map. We decided to that we would look at the map before taking off and plan an attack, then attack the plan. He said go, we glanced, literally glanced at the map, and decided we would do the exact same thing we did yesterday and head over to the Turkey pen checkpoint. To me on the map, the Turkey pen trailhead was circled and to both of us, we understood it as, that is where the checkpoint is.(we later found out we were wrong)

As we are making our way up the mountain, I catch up to Eric, I guy I met at Cohutta about a year ago, and he tells me how him and his partner are taking a the least hike a bike option. This interested me, because we wanted to do the same, we figured we didnt want to get caught up with all the pilgrims heading towards Turkey pen, so as soon as we hit Pressly Cove, I asked Brett to stop and I told him what I had just heard on the way up the mountain. We quickly,(as quickly as non locals can) hatched a plan. Bomb pressley fire road, to Clawhammer fire road, to 477, to the legal section of 276 to 475 B to 225. And we did it, as a matter of fact we were the second team there 2 hours after the race started, we in my mind were doing well.

Then like a bad Missy Elliott song, we reversed the route and headed back on 225 to 475b to the legal section of 276 to 1206. We decided to take 1206 over to the Pilot Rock trail, we knew were gonna go up and we knew we had to move. Coming down 475 we saw a couple of teams, on Clawhammer we passed a team, on Pilot Rock, was another team. And then as we went up we saw several come down. Turns out Pilot rock was our first feat of the day as we scaled that giant in less than an hour. Got to the Laurel connector checkpoint and we commenced to figuring out the next part of the plan. We decided to head over and do the FR 5000 checkpoint. This was my favorite section of trail of the day as we literally went downhill for miles and miles, seeing many riders along the way and carefully observing there confused faces as we were coming in the oppossite direction.

We get to 5000 and start climbing and make the checkpoint, when map analysis reveals that I have to go UP that screaming fire road towards Laurel Mountain to take 5015 over to get to Laurel Creek. I was not happy about this and going up that road was my first "pain cave" moment of the day. But, it turns out the climb was not as bad as I remembered, and although I was a little tired, I recovered well by the top and we bombed down to our next destination. Our goal was to make Squirrel Gap by 3pm. We had an obstacle with Brett Flatting coming down Laurel, but I thought we could still make the target and we only missed it by 10 minutes. We then headed down Laurel creek trail, then up to Squirrel gap to snatch our next point. It took some time as Squirrel Gap is a technical trail that needs lots of attention, and Brett "the hammer" broke his half link chain of which is suppossed to be unbreakeable. We looked at the map and decided Cantrell to S mills to Turkey pen would be the move and we did it. We rode as fast as we could only to discover the checkpoint was not there. Closer looking at the description of the checkpoint said S mills and Bradley creek, so we bombed the downhill we just climbed and headed off either way on Bradley creek to find it, found it, then climbed back up to Turkey pen.

With the Flat, the Chain, the route miscalculation, my slow ass, we were not not in the same time frame we were hoping to be and had 2hours and ten minutes to ride all of Turkey pen, over 5 or 6 peaks to get to Black mountain, to get to the finish. I suggested we take the road, take the penalty and count our finish, but then thought better of it, and said there was no honor in that finish and we started the ridiculously steep hike a bike after we strapped up our shoes and put on our lights.

It was a slog for several miles, with some downhills thrown in, very little flat, and even more hike a biking. And I watched as the clock ticked away, and we made the Last Black Mountain hike a bike back at pressley cove at 955pm. I thought, MAYBE we got a chance, MAYBE the race started a little after 8am, MAYBE we could do it. 15 minutes, a headlight adjustment, a small crash and bash to my knee on Black Mountain later, we made it to the lot, to a crowd of cheering racers and picture flashing and congratulations and hand shaking. I was SPENT and smoked. We had just done a Reverse Turkey Pen time Trial in 2 hours and rode our asses off in hopes of getting the finish. Turns out our efforts were not without reward.

We managed to Snag the REd Lantern award, got a free pair of Tifosi sunglasses, some tri flow lube, AND free entry into next years PMBAR.

The ride was Epic, and Im sure if both Brett and I would of understood the point of the race better we would have gone for a quick 4 and headed back, we were riding strong and regardless of our poor final placement we rode a heck of a race and performed some amazing feats.

Truly a great day to be in the woods, a great epic. As I sat there leaning against a truck tire by the scoring table, drinking a cold beer and eating my burrito, just reflecting on the day, I marveled at the grand day we had both experienced and thought of all the ways we could have shaved off some time to make it back before the cut off. O well, such is life, we will be back next year, with an even better understanding of the race.

Eric, go ahead and sign me up for Double Dare. And thanks to you and Erinna for Everything!

Laters,


LOS

>.>.<

all pics Taken by BRADO.
Here is something for those that have the ability to look at for now.

Full Write up coming soon.

Resting in bed for the first time in 4 days.

LOS

PMBAR