IditaTour - Mike Curiak

If you're ever in doubt that Mike Curiak is a pioneer in distance riding with an unstoppable internal engine watch this video. He rode 1,100 miles along the Iditarod Trail completely self supported. I recommend watching it in HD full-screen.

IditaTour: Part one. from lacemine29 on Vimeo.

FATS Ride

I drove down to FATS in Augusta for a ride yesterday. I managed 27 miles of riding on some of the best trail in the area. There were several limbo trees on the trail. I slowed down for the first few but they all seemed to be at a height that was easy enough to slide under with minimal effort. Later in the day, I skimmed under one of them at about 15mph. At the last second it was obvious that this one was a little lower than the others. Even with extra effort on the duck & lean I nicked the back of my helmet and Camelbak. Yow...



Taking a break


Lots of trail armor. FATS is the model for proper trail maintenance.


I took a break to cook some lunch at the trailhead (Ramen followed by grits). I forgot my spoon so I made some chopsticks out of a downed limb. The guy from Atlanta I was talking to while eating had a tough time understanding how I could eat food with sticks.


There are tons of dwarf palmetto palms growing in the FATS area. In one steep creek bed there were hundreds of them. I would have loved to see them in the snow earlier this week.


Happy... tired. I came home and went into a coma. My legs are concrete today.

Mountain Bike Gear For Sale

If you know of anyone looking for good deals on mountain bike gear, please forward them my way. I have lots of gear I'd like to pass on to someone who can put it to proper use!

Contact me for question and/or offers at: donmeredith74@gmail.com

More photos at http://mygearforsale.blogspot.com

DT Swiss 1540 Wheelset $375

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Ritchey WCS 120mm stem $50

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Thursday Passion

It was cold but fun today. I thought there would be more people on the trail but I only saw four on bikes.





Beautiful blue skies - the silver lining to the cold front.



Taking a break at the rock garden. I only dabbed once... managed to keep my momentum. Win.

Midlands Area IMBA/SORBA Chapter Formation

Several people from the local rider base have come together to coordinate the formation of a local IMBA / SORBA chapter. The benefits of a local chapter include:

• Development of local trail systems
  
• Promotion of mountain biking awareness in the area
• Increases ridership in the local community
• Serves as a group for the local rider base meet new people
• Coordination of group rides
• Making riding fun for everyone!
  

To create a new chapter we need 50 members registered with IMBA in the area. You can go to http://www.imba.com/join - When it asks for a local chapter affiliation - choose "I don't have a local chapter. When you join, please send me a quick email to let me know so we can make sure that your membership is counted as part of the 50 in the area.

It's Christmas!

Ok, not quite but the fun has started. I got to take the new bike out to the trails for the first time today. GREAT ride but I need more training to keep up with her.



I got to ride a lap with a very old friend Kurt from the Clemson Cycling Club days. He was in town with his son who did a great day out on the trails. Good times.



We also worked on our angel tree gift this afternoon. Its not quite like putting a Black Sheep together but its fun anyway. If you've never given gifts to a needy family you really should give it a shot. I can honestly say that its my favorite part of the Christmas season. This year I had the pleasure of putting the bike together with Kate. She's a good mechanic for a 2 year old!

Black Sheep FINISHED!

I figured out the puzzle of getting the Middleburns to play nice with the new Black Sheep and finished her up this evening. I still have some parts swapping to do but I was able to take a full speed ride around the (cold) neighborhood. RAD!

Baa Baa Black Sheep!

We're making progress... here's an updated shot. I still need to get the cranks sorted out and dial the brakes in but VERY close.



So, the klunker inspired Black Sheep is finally here. Its a beautiful bike. I'm headed over to build her up at a friend's house later this afternoon. Itching to take her for a ride..

Cobbled together for a preview


Internally routed rear brake line


Jen Green head badge


James etched SIMPLIFY on the downtube... more subtle than my usual decal


Top tube & tank tube combo is just... sexy