Biking Weekend

I was able again this year to partake in the Urban Assault Ride. Sponsored by New Belgium as "Beer, Bikes and Big Wheels", it is a "race" through Minneapolis to compete in some unusual events. Again, Ken and I were on the Schwinn Twin, and even made better time this year. I think we shaved 20 minutes off our time. Another 5 years competing at that same improvement and we have a chance to win.

I hosted a pre-race warm up with bloody marys. Mehgan and Pete were also racing, so they showed to get their game on. Joe stopped by to drop off a bike I had loaned him, all of which I did not account for in my supply purchasing I had done the day before. We were out of mix before we even left for the ride. Fortunately, I had enough fixins, and a quick stop at the grocer yielded a tolerable mix for the remainder of the ride.

We followed my planned route very closely, which means we put on 28 miles during the event. Add to that the to and from my house and we were very close to 40 miles for the day. My butt is still a little tender from the original saddles that still grace the bike. Next year, bike shorts.

Packed Sunday

I started out the day with a couple of nice laps down at Lebenon Hills. It's so funny riding with Ken. The classic, "I'm trying to stay ahead of you the best I can" vs. "I'm just trying to keep up with you" pretty much all the time. I have been riding the Surly 1X1 with a second-hand Manitou fork and IRD Dual Banger discs. It was riding well, but really started rocking when I let a few psi out of the tyres. After the first lap, I lowered my saddle because it just didn't feel right. Again, marked improvements. Just reminds me that the nicest of bikes can be made to ride like crap if not set up correctly. And also that a mediocre bike can ride just fine if it fits you and your riding well.

After a quick shower, I loaded up the trailer and Carrie and I went up to Como Park for a cousin picnic. I have a bunch of cousins in the metro area, so we decided that we needed to reconnect. Some of us had never seen each other before, and a lot of us had forgotten what others looked like and such. It was a great time. Cook'n out and getting to know family again. Something that gets lost in the fast charging lives of so many of us.

Unfortunately, I lost at bocce. (But what form!)

After the picnic, Carrie and I continued our quest at canning. We bought a box of tomatoes to save some freshness for the upcoming winter. Now, after several jars (why we still call it canning I can't figure out), we are approaching the end. Looking forward to nice pasta sauce come February.

What's in the Stand

I found this post that never made it to being published. I have to remember to keep this type of thing in mind whilst working. Just to show the interesting things we run into working at the bike shop.

Bike : Surly Steamroller

Repair : New handlebar

I don't know why this guy wanted to change his bars. I think the setup as I pulled it from the basement was just fine. Although, controlling this one up and down sidewalks after spending the day at the bar would be a little tricky for me. I was impressed by whomever took the time to rotate the cross top levers to make them more usable.

Bontrager Satellite handlebar. Dimension leather grips. Deore brake levers. If it weren't for all the white (a fad I hope fades as fast as the clean white color) this would be a great ride!