Interbike #1

There is so much stuff happening at Interbike, I don't know that anyone can really wade through it all even if they had a full 5 days.  We didn't have that option, so we are making the best of the time we have.

A new lock for Ivy Mike

My goal for the day was to make it through a bunch of the more unexciting booths that are necessary to run a bike shop.  I find a lot of weird things interesting, especially when it comes to bicycles, but locks and socks for the masses are not up on that list.  It has been difficult for me in the past to put myself into the position of the consumer and not the specific cyclist that I am.  There are a lot of products that we need to sell for those persons.

So much good product is out there or soon to be.  I am hoping to bring in some ODI Cross Trainer grips.  There is no question that for off road riding these grips are quite the staple among a large group of my friends.  New Look pedals that are much more affordable.  Ergon grips offered in both cork and leather.  We should be expanding our Banjo Brothers selection of products, a local based company that make darn good stuff at a darn good price.  It's hard to go into much detail as I don't know where to start or end, so I will be choosing a number of products and companies to highlight in the next few posts.

And there are some other things that I saw that I am not ready to talk about quite yet.  Partially because I don't know if they will be something we want to carry, and partially because I don't know if they will happen at all.  This is one of the benefits to talking to manufacturers directly.  If you use their product and show genuine interest in what is happening, they are much more likely to talk to you about non published information.

Cool stuff all around.

(Sorry about the lack of photos, interwebbing around these parts is not so fun.  Expect a photo dump in a few days)

Interbike Day 2 - Dirt Demo

We decided we should try to ride a couple more bicycles on this trip so we headed out somewhat early to sneak a little riding in before lunch and then take the afternoon off before a couple of days on the floor of Interbike.

Bike number 1 for me was a Redline 29r hardtail.  I have to say this was one of the most fun bicycles on the entire week.  It was quick, handled like a bike should, and the Fox fork was superb.  I took a little different trail that was more challenging and I will say this bike handled it like a champ.  Very impressed.

Bike number 2 was a Jamis Nemesis.  This was the first 650b bicycle I have ever ridden.  The whole of the bike was fine, I don’t know if they don’t have the geometry down yet for this wheel size, but it didn’t seem quite right.  I am thinking that this wheel size is going to be for me.  One more bike for the stable.

Next was a Specialized S Works hardtail.  It rode nice (the seatpost was adjusted a tad high and the fork had too little air), but it didn’t really have the snap that I had experienced on other bikes.  The one thing that did stand out was the XTR disc brakes.  These had the best control and modulation of anything else I rode this week.  A fantastic balance of power  and control.

Lastly was the Beargrease.  Salsa’s latest and lightest fat bike, I rode this just to compare the Moonlander I rode Monday.  This one was set up with a Thudbuster seatpost and I don’t think I would ever set a bike up this way.  Once I began bouncing, I didn’t stop until I got off the bike.  Maybe it would be different if it were set up for me, but it seems like there is way too much spring in the tyres to introduce more through the seatpost.  Besides that it was awesome!  You can throw that bike at anything and it will go over it.  Super fun!

On that note, I would like to say a little about tyre pressure.  This can make or break a bike.  I tried to find the right pressure out on the trail with a couple of bikes, and I came close, but there was one that stood out above the rest.  I am sure because it happened to have the right pressure in them.  Not once was I asked what kind of pressure I run.  I am not very aggressive, so I didn’t ever ask for someone to set it for me, but I think that is a huge game changer for a bike.  At these demo events, there are thousands of rides happening on these bikes and I know there needs to be a little extra air in there to protect them.  It still would be nice.

(Sorry no pics, my phone was really acting up.  I don't think it likes Vegas either)

What that leads me to is preparation for the next time I am able to come out and experience this or I guess, any other demo event.

1.        Bring along an air pressure gauge.  Roll away from the tent, stop and let the air out to the wanted pressure.  A simple and test worthy solution.

2.       Bring a multi tool.  I came close in saddle height almost always but it would be nice to move a few things again, away from the booth.  Handlebar rotation, brake levers, saddle angle.  These were all over the board and again can make a huge difference in how a bike rides.

3.       Put my water bladder in my backpack.  This was just an oversight but out here, water makes the difference.  I am almost always on the verge of dehydration and now it’s just bad.

4.       Install a bell on my backpack.  I think it would have been extremely helpful in a few situations.

First day of the “show” tomorrow.  Lots of walking and lots of stuff!

Interbike Dirt Demo - Day 1

Travelling all day makes me tired.  We started the day with rain and 50 degrees, and about 2250 miles later, it was 98 and scorching sun.  But we did manage to have fun.

My coworker Cayley and I are out in Vegas for the annual bike trade show.  There are a couple days in which shop folk have the ability to test ride bicycles.

After flying in and shuttling to the hotel and small Kayser with our bags and shuttling to the demo, I was not in much of a mood to ride anything. So we decided to eat which turned out to be one of the best things ever. After, the idea seemed much more appealing. We decided to ride some bikes we don't normally carry, to see if selling them would be a good or bad idea. I first was on a Marin carbon road thing and it was very smooth and the Ultegra Di2 shifted well (although after an afternoon of demoing, it was not perfect) but the roads out here are perfect and not the best test of how it will be back home. I decided to swing my leg over a Surly Moonlander next. This thing is a beast but it is surprising how agile and fun it is. I was careening into whatever I wanted to with very little going wrong. I don't know if I will ever own one, but I see why people are riding them more and more. Finally we took out a pair of Ridley cross bikes. Wow! That really summed it up. Instantly I had a huge ass grin and seemed to keep riding faster and faster. I cannot believe how quick those bikes rode. We are heading back out this morning, I might have to ride it again.

Not the Week I Wanted

I wonder sometimes why I write any blog pieces.  I have some ideas that I like to float out there to assist other riders similar to me.  Sometimes it is to rant about stuff that bugs the crap out of me but has no bearing on the people nearest me.  And sometimes it is just a way to clear my head.  This would be one of those posts.

My brother killed himself this past weekend.  There is no easy way to say that.  We were very close these past 15 years or so.  He battled depression and alcoholism for most of his 43 years.  As sad as I am that I will no longer have new experiences with him, I am beginning to feel a fair amount of relief that he is no longer having to deal with the pain and anguish that were a part of him always.

As I sit here tonight, I am beginning to reflect back through an almost unimaginable week. It seems much more than 4 days ago when I received the phone call from the police.  I can barely keep a time line of having to call family and friends, make arrangements and decisions, receive countless phone calls and messages, and go through a service, including eulogizing my own brother.  Surreal is barely adequate.

Respect has become a primary word in my vocabulary and life over the last few years.  I have come to realize how important respect is, and how little there is of it in this world. Simple, true, honest respect changes so much how you view situations and people.  I truly believe if more people respected others, violence and conflict would virtually disappear. So when I lost my brother, my first instinct was to make sure he was remembered with respect.  

I had taken on a bit of a caretaker role for him over a number of years and that role kicked into high gear as soon as I made that first call to my mother.  My cousin and I both spoke at his service and it was by far the most difficult thing I have ever done, though it was exactly what I needed.  I wrote my words the evening before, finishing up the next morning after my brain had ceased to be able to compose anything more.  When I was finished, I had three of my family members read it to see what should be changed.  I read it exactly as when I finished it that morning.  And after reading it, I was amazed at how calm I have become.  People talk about a great weight being lifted, and this was mine.  Somehow relating what I knew of Josh to the people gathered was my final protective act and it was the release I needed to really move my grieving process forward.  

Thank you Josh.  Thank you for being my big brother.  Thank you for loving me as much as you could.  Thank you for protecting me from what you could.  Thank you for showing me so much of what I would like to be.  Thank you for enriching my life beyond words.

Joshua David Ronken
Feb 26, 1969 - Sept 3, 2012

Ice Cream Sunday

This past Sunday a few of us ventured around the twin cities to sample dairy products from some sources that are unfamiliar to most of us.  I tried to make the ride as easy to get to and participate in as I could.  I even made a rough route map and approximate stop times so people could join or meet up with us at specific locations. 

 

Ah, the joy of a simple Guinness cone

We began our ride at noon sharp at the start of the Midtown Greenway and River Road.  We started 4 and meandered our way to Crema Cafe.  Guinness flavor was my choice to start off.  Subtle, but tasty.  It was here that I also faced my first real test of the day...beer (in addition to the ice cream) or not.  I chose no and we set off for destination number 2.

Bridgeman's near Minnehaha Falls was that second stop.  I had been in contact with a couple more potential riders and also another friend who wanted to meet up with us.  We made a straight shot across town and were soon enjoying our second treat of the afternoon.  I chose Carmelicious here and WOW!  Definitely carmely.  Spencer hung out with us for a while and my cousins Marcy and Beth rolled up on their matching Milanos (sweet!).

Post 2nd stop napping

After everyone had their fill, we wondered up Minnehaha Creek and all the way to Edina and the Edina Creamery.  Green Tea was on the menu so how could I pass it up.  I will say that I wish it was actually gelato, but it was still mighty tasty.  Unfortunately we lost my cousins at this point so we were back down to four.

Enjoying what we can in Edina

I made sure to route us a different way back toward St Paul and besides a small amount of road construction, we made it to our next stop without incident.  We did loose one of the original four at this point, but the three of us proceeded.  As there was a small timing mix-up, we decided to take out one of the stops and proceed to dinner.  By this time I was ready to put something else in my stomach other than frozen dairy.  Fat Lorenzo's had some pretty good pizza.  It was too bad they ran out of Surly on tap, but Dead Guy Rogue in a bottle is an all right substitute.  We were really full at the end of dinner, but I couldn't NOT order a gelato.  Lemon goes down super easy.  It hit the spot.

We were also supposed to take a break from riding and dairy by floating on one of our lakes.  Well that didn't happen.  Instead, we rode straight to one of our favorite ice creameries, Izzy's.  Irish Moxie with a Hot Graham Cracker Izzy finished off the ride.  We did have one last meet up by Carrie.  I certainly didn't need any more dessert for the day, but there always seems to be room for Izzy's.  It's that good.  

Final cone of the day

This was a fantastic day.  I have had several people that had conflicts and want us to do it again.  All I can say is, not until next year.  

Riding a bit more

I seem to be riding a bit more this year than last.  I picked up a new riding partner that has helped me see how riders of a different level perceive bicycles and riding.  I have become aware that I am out of touch with the "normal" cyclist.  I talk to people all the time that don't ride very much but I have let my mind drift from how they view cycling and what a long ride is.  To the average cyclist (I know this isn't exact, but it is from my shop experience that I speak) riding 30 miles is a big deal.  Not just a good, healthy ride, but a BIG DEAL.  Do that 2 days in a row and we are talking some serious training that is needed and a bit of help along the way.  After 15 years of above average cycling and some serious weird riding behavior, I am coming back to realizing what "normal" people need from their bikes, and their bike shop.

So in doing this search for understanding, I have been on the bike more consistently and farther more often for most of the summer.  There were times in the last couple years where I would be a couple weeks between 25+ mile rides.  Now I am often at least a 30 miler a week and a variety of other rides in between.  As I write this, I think: "That's not very far".  But again, to a lot of people, riding 5 miles for coffee, then riding 30+ miles around town (including a sprint up Ramsey Hill), followed up by 3 hours of mountain biking the following morning would be too much.  Weirdly enough, riding more seems to be helping me see the perspective of people who do not ride much.  I don't know how, but I figure that whole gift horse thing.

My friend Ken and I rode out to Scandia Tuesday night for some burgers and beer.  We were really just going for a ride, but it turned out to be a great destination and turnaround point.  It is roughly 30 miles out to Scandia from our area of the twin cities.  We happily wandered around in roughly the right direction, found a road neither of us had ridden before, and made pretty good time to Meisters. Unfortunately it was hotter in the bar than outside where all the tables were occupied.  Thankfully the beer was cold and the burgers while maybe not deserving the "world famous" label, were tasty.  A talented waitress convinced us to drink our dessert, and we hit the road for home.  (I forgot my phone and was extremely disappointed when there were multiple picture opportunities and Ken's phone was acting up.  Consequently, no pics)

It has been hot out here in the twin cities.  Ken's post at 2:30AM when we returned home put the temp at 85 degrees F.  Even with that heat, the night was beautiful for riding.  We talked a little about the average bike rider perspective and it's always nice to have Ken as a sounding board.  He is a great rider and has a fabulous way of seeing things.

Time to check out.  I have a 40 mile ride date tomorrow morning and that is after a quick 10 mile errand that I must do before my "fun" ride.  Good thing I will put in less than 60 miles tomorrow.  That will leave reserves for Saturday morning's mountain biking, followed by 60 miles starting at midnight Sunday morning.  Hopefully people will want to do a slow ride from the bike shop Sunday afternoon.  That one is usually not more than 10 or 15 miles.

 It's a weekend to ride a little more.

Enjoyable Commute

Crappy phone camera image

People ask me why I decided to move back to the midwest.  This picture is a great example of why I love living in this part of the country, and St Paul especially.  The twin cities in general have a rather large amount of green areas around the metro.  This makes for pleasant scenery and lots of nice smells.  It is one of the biggest reasons I did not like Florida.

Great things can be found wandering about those green areas.  On my way home from work tonight I was slightly startled by the young buck standing about 1 foot off the bike path.  I stopped, expecting him to run away, but he merely sauntered over to his companion on the other side of the trail.  I scrambled to pull my phone out of my pannier and snapped a couple shots.  Besides the cable holding up the power pole, this could be a scene deep in the woods, not a few miles from the downtowns. 

Times like these remind me of how lucky I am to live where I do.  Also that I am extremely fortunate to be able to ride most every day to come upon scenes like these.  It reinforces my desire to ride and explore more of the area I live.  I encourage you to do the same.