Decisions And Cyclocross



This weekend will be the first cyclocross race of the year for me.  I had kind of hemmed and hawed whether to make the trip up to do the Battle at Barlow race on the far end of Portland or grab the mountain bike and camping equipment and try to get one last glorious ride in at Waldo lake. But in the end the race beckoned just a little to hard.  Not only would the amount of time away from home be less, but the potential call up points for the Cross Crusades race series was just to much to pass up.
So know there are a ton of things to do. I've got to finish gluing up my tubular wheels. I'm rocking two sets this year (With a potential third set if I can find a replacement hoop soon.). Both are going to have Challenge tires on them. I've had very good luck (Knock on wood...) with them in the past. So my carbon Easton wheels will have the Fango tires on them.



These be the Fango.

And my Mavic Reflex will have the Limus tires on them.



The Limus's or Limi.

The idea behind the wheel/tire combinations is that the Fangos are a very good all around tire. They role well and grip well too. But definitely have an advantage when the conditions are dry and loose to more wet and tacky. The type of conditions where having a fast rolling tire is important and braking isn't... Thus the carbon wheels. In the dry, carbon wheels brake just fine. Even if the conditions get a little wet they will still do alright. But in the nasty stuff... They slip and slide all over the damn place. Having the ability to be able to slow down quickly trumped the mud shedding capacity of a deep section wheel. At least in my brain.  You guys may see me change my mind real quick though... So don't hold me to it.

The Mavic/Limus combo on the other hand is my ace in the hole if things get super slippery. Peanut butter mud to super sloppy stuff. This combo should do the trick (I hope.). On top of the fact that I should be able to slow down faster. Thus letting me keep my momentum going longer. All of which should allow me to make better bike race. At least in theory.

So anyway, That's part of what needs to happen to get prepped. There are of course other things. Clothes, towels, tools, wheels, pumps, gauges, cleaning supplies, food, beer and various other sundries.  All that crap needs to be brought together in one central location and made ready.

I'm always amazed at the amount of stuff that you need to race cross. It's easily 10x more stuff than you'd need for a summer road race. Part of that is fun. Part of it isn't. And when you're pressed for time it down right sucks. But it's all part of the game.

So wish us luck! I should have a ride report and some pictures up Monday.

Thanks for reading!

Rubber side down,

Big E

Fred Fashion 101



This brave soul looking off into the Fred future.

Fred fashion is an interesting thing...

Everybody starts somewhere in their cycling wardrobe. The initial purchases of shorts (Because you are unaware of the invention of bibs and why they are so far superior.) and a jersey that's 2 sizes to big because you're to embarrassed to be seen in the shorts.

The next thing is socks and shoes. Here again you usually get the wrong type of shoes. Because it seems like getting a pair of shoes to ride with should be super simple. But it never is. MTB or road? Velcro, buckles or BOA? Blah, blah, blah.

 All these things are then followed by a jacket and for what ever reason the first jacket we all get (Yes, I was a Fred initially too.) is a bright yellow or green one. The logic being that we want to be seen on the road. Which is a sound idea. But it can get worse.

A lot worse...

The next thing they do is get a rear view mirror...



I call BS, and say its the grey matter between your ears...

 The logic of this picture is exactly the problem with the mirror.  The mirror in and of itself is also a sound idea (Although a dorky one...). The problem is that people rely on them WAY to heavily. I've ridden with plenty of people with rear view mirrors on that they are busy looking through that tiny ass little space. Never mind that you could hide a fleet of Mack trucks in the area that it doesn't cover. Or that even in a car you are suppose to turn your head and look before moving. To me they are just an excuse not to physically look behind you. And in my mind that's a big fat fail.

After the rear view mirror they usually clutter up their handle bars with all kinds of technology (Because they need to know what and where and how and why they are riding a bike I guess.



This guy is of course missing his iPhone attachment. Because unless your ride is on Strava. It doesn't count...

Freds rarely opt of the "less is more" type attitude. More is always more in their eyes.

Next.

BAGS!!!

Bags are the (I believe.) number one reason Fred's get into cycling. First you have the saddle bag...



Usually the larger and more expandable the better.

I mean where else are you going to put your two extra tubes, CO2, multi-tool, patch kit, gels, car keys, scissors, small ferret, gardening shears, a Kindle and a liverwurst sandwich!?

But a true blue Fred won't stop there. Oh, no! They want a bento box...



Fred's have to find a place to carry their chap stick and extra gels (Can't fit them all in the saddle bag.).

 Then if the ride is more than 62 miles (Metric century in Fred speak.) they also want a handlebar bag.



Please note that you will always have a spot for your awesome 90's cell phone...

This bag is mostly for your camera, tripod, ear warmers, arm warmers, cell phone (As noted.) and extra gels...

But the true fashion Fred's for the 2012-2013 fashion season seem to be favoring fanny packs.



As this young Fred is demonstrating. The mobility of the fanny pack is what's key. I'm also really enjoying his combination of aerodynamics with the TT helmet, the high visibility belt (I can only assume he left his jacket in the saddle bag.) as well as the extra caring capacity that comes with the fanny pack. One can only assume he's keeping personal belongings in there. Like his wallet, extra cell phone (In case the 90's cell phone battery dies.) ID and extra gels...

Please understand that like any good scientist. I'm just here to judge... I mean observe and record my findings. Come up with your own hypothesis and enjoy viewing these beautiful creatures out in the wild.

Thanks for reading.

Rubber side down,

Big E

Mountain Biking In Bend



The morning sun off the Deschutes in Sunriver.

Part of what I was talking about yesterday was true. I did need to recharge my batteries. Evidently my batteries are solar powered (I'm green like that.). So what better place to do that than in a place called Sunriver!?

My family and I spent a week over there getting dirty on trails. Eating a lot of junk food. Drinking to much (Beer for me of course.). And soaking in various modes and temperatures of water.

There was deer whispering...



The boys were viciously mauled by rabid woodland creatures...



Pants wearing (Only part of the time.)...



Ugh, Big E know how to dress.

And a fair amount of mountain biking...



I managed to get A to go out with B and I on a spin.

Of course A was already better at pretty much all of it than me. Which in made my jealous heart lime green (See how green I can be!?) with envy. Ah, to be young and full of natural talent!

But we saw many beautiful places.



More Deschutes river.

There were an amazing amount of trails just outside our door. I felt pretty stupid because I've stayed at Sunriver many times and didn't even know they existed until this trip.





A and B trying to find a suitable place to throw my useless body...



Dillon Falls.

 B and I went and traipsed around the Tumalo Falls area on Saturday. I've said it before (Although not on the blog.). I LOVE the trails around Tumalo Falls. LOVE THEM! Tons of climbing. Which for a fat guy like me isn't a fantastic incentive. But the views are gorgeous while you're suffering. And once the pain and wheezing (It's all about 5000') are over. There are some of the most flowey (Yes its a word. My word...) trails you will ever set a tire on. Most fun you can have with your pants on! Just awesome.

We eneded up getting lost (My fault.) and did a couple of trails that I had never done. Some with a pucker factor of about an 8.5. But it was still a lot of fun.

Water falling on the North Fork trail at Tumalo.



Tumalo Falls. A little hazy because of the big forest fire (26,000 acres) just outside of Sisters.

So that's my, "What I did on summer vacation"  report. Tomorrow, on to other things!

I really appreciate all the welcome back wishes, cards and chocolates and stuff. You guys are a bunch of sweeties! XOXO

Until tomorrow...

Rubber side down,

Big E


I'm Back!!!



Sorry it's been so long. I really needed to recharge my batteries.

Discover a cure for the common cold.

And find my car keys...

But rest assured that the little hamster in my brain has been feverishly spinning on his rusty wheel this whole time. Keeping me and the rest of the people in my head awake.



My head hurts...

 I've got a lot to talk about. Some of it's going to be old. I'm just letting you all know ahead of time so you don't think that I've slipped through some sort of space time continuum and am confused on the date. Rest assured that I still have all my faculties about me. I just wanted to talk about them and it's my blog and I can do what I want (So mnhaaa!).

So this post is really just a shot across the bow. A warning as it were. That I didn't forsake you all like I did my pet turtle as a child ( Who knew that box turtles could love so long?). That I still have things to say. And most importantly...

I'm back!!!

Rubber side down,

Big E

200th Post!



I was perusing my stats page on the blog and noticed that the Vaughters' post was my official 200th post. Wow! Who knew I could blather on about one subject for so long (Except maybe my SSHW.)!? I know by the big guys like; BikeSnobNYC, Fat Cyclist and the incontrovertible Team Dicky that what I have done is a small drop in the proverbial bucket. But I'm still here and having a good time. So here is to at least 200 more!
Cheers everybody!

Rubber side down,

Big E

Jonathan Vaughters' Article


Earlier this week Jonathan Vaughters "came out" to the general public and confessed to having doped during his career as a professional racer. It's taken me a little while to process what he had to say. But I feel like there are definitely some worth while thoughts and ideas to discuss. You can read the article here.

To someone who has had an interest in pro cycling and doping for any length of time this confession isn't terribly surprising. There have been hints by Vaughters throughout the years. As well as the infamous instant message conversation between Jonathan and Frankie Andreu. So the writing was on the wall.

All that being said, and I don't care who you are. To come out and directly confess to the public that you doped shows a lot of moxie, it takes sand. So some deserved kudos to him for that.

But I also wonder why he chose now to confess? What made this the time to proceed? I can understand someones need to clear their conscience, but it seems like an odd time to do it. Since he hasn't been a pro racer in almost a decade. He still has a vital role within cycling as the director for a Pro Tour level team (Garmin). As well as a major voice and an influence of new riders coming up through the ranks. But there still seems to be an air of this being self serving. Weather it's a pro-active strike on some larger news coming down the pike. Perhaps the Armstrong case or maybe even Tyler Hamilton's book coming out in a month. Or maybe it's something else. I don't know. After a while it's hard not to be a little jaded...

I'm always interested in the human condition and our incessant need to rationalized what we do. If we do something wrong. We try and give ourselves a set of reasons why we chose what we chose or did what we did. In my mind its a kind of survival technique... For a lot of us, if we really looked at what we have done or said in an objective way it would be hard to live with ourselves and our choices. Before you start pointing fingers at me please, don't get me wrong. I'm not putting myself on a different plain. I make selfish choices all the time. Just like everyone else. Sometimes I regret them (Most of the time.) other times I don't. But to see Vaughters' own rationalization of being ambitious and destined  or wanting it to be a level playing field doesn't hold much water for me. We all feel like we are the exception to the rule. We all feel like we deserve the special treatment because our circumstances are "different". But the reality is that there is always a choice. Maybe the right choice isn't easy. But the right way is rarely the easy way.

He does touch on some of his moral dilemma when he discusses it eating him up inside with guilt. Predicating his eventual leaving of the professional ranks. Which is a good thing (The guilt, not the leaving). It shows that he has scruples... At least to a certain extent.

I do wish he would have been a little more specific in his details. I know the article was written for a New York Times audience and not the hardened cycling fan. But surely there is a lot more detail in the who's, the how's and whys of his doping. As a fan and a person who really wants to see this sport get it's act together. I think having a seemingly real leader within the sport put his head on the chopping block for everyone to see with no fear would be what a real leader and a truly penitent man would do. At least in my mind. To help the anti-doping efforts that are going on right now. I'm sure there are a lot of those same people and mentalities in the sport today.  Or maybe I've just been watching Braveheart to much...

The part where he talks about his team and taking doping completely out of the equation for them is something that in my mind is just towing the company line. It's something that he has talked about many times before. Again, perhaps its because of the audience. But it certainly isn't anything new since the teams inception.

Also making it okay for his racers not to win seems a touch hypocritical. If that were the case he would have the same guys riding now as when he started. Teams are there because of sponsors. Sponsors are there to have their brand shown not only in front of the crowd as the peloton rolls by. But also in TV coverage, news papers and magazines. You don't get seen in those medias without winning. So I'm not completely buying that portion of his propaganda.

I generally really like Jonathan. He's a very colorful character in our sport. I think he's a very good director and a nice guy. He's made himself very available to the cycling fans via Twitter. He answers questions more openly and honestly than just about anyone else within the sport. Which makes it really hard not to be biased towards him.

I hope that his confession was just a plight of conscience and not a posturing for something yet to come.

I guess we will find out in due time... 

Thanks for reading.

Rubber side down,

Big E

A Sweet Video From Short Track!

I wanted to share this awesome video from the Salem Short Track Race Series here in town. Kenji did a fantastic job! He used an RC helicopter with a GoPro attached to it to get the footage. To cool! Hope you enjoy it!



Rubber side down,

Big E