Missing in Action

Or so it would seem. Fact is, I have indeed been riding all summer. Life changes have just been keeping me too occupied to post. Now that it's getting cold, and the pace is slowing, I'll try to post a bit more actively once again. The photo below is from a ride I did on October 21st up on McIntyre's Bluff, just East of Fair Haven State Park. The video below is my first attempt, the results of which I'm quite pleased with. I filmed it in short clips with a tiny Casio EX S600 camera, and pieced it together with some very simple software that was included in the box. Cool! I shot the video just last Sunday, during the course of one of my lake shore excursions. Some of the scenes in the video are from the same bluff where the photo, above, was taken. I hope you enjoy watching it as much as I did making it. I definitely plan on doing more of these.

If you'd like to see more, please give me a thumbs-up by clicking and leaving a comment following this post, below.

Beat 'em or Feed 'em!

Clever. Wish I could claim I had come up with that one! Just ran what I believe to be my eighth running in the 12th edition of this Adirondack classic yesterday. The Black Fly Challenge is put on by Pedals & Petals bike, flower, gift, and mtn. outdoor sports shop of Inlet NY. That photo above is of 2007's official t-shirt graphics. Makes those little fellers look almost too cute to swat. Believe me they're not. Stopping to change a flat is the equivalent of a piranha infested South American river crossing. This is a race occupying a domain that bridges the gap between a road and mountain bike race, and is an event that I've loved since I first participated in it several years ago. Each year this race alternates directions with the start trading locations between Inlet and Indian Lake. Approximately 10 miles of narrow, hilly, coarse pavement; 29 hilly miles of seasonal gravel road across the Moose River Plains with occasional, random, partially embedded surprise rocks ranging in size from softball to basketball; and a finishing mile of non-technical singletrack for a total of 40 point-to point miles. All this is covered at the breakneck average speed of 20 mph by a leading pack of pedal pushing speed junkies that attack like a poorly treated junkyard dog.

The tool for this job was my Giant cyclocross bike. I was pleased with my results, finishing 3rd in class and 6th overall of 208 finishers. That's the top 20, above. It was my understanding that those two Sport riders in the top 6 mix, and several other of the top finishing Sport riders were unlicenced Experts who raced Sport because they weren't allowed to buy a one-day licence for Expert. Once the race settled down and we were split into our little groups by the relentless attacks in the first 12 miles, I traded pulls in a group that was finally whittled down to 4 riders; myself, Andy August who finished 4th, and the pair of riders who finished in 7th and 8th behind me. Those latter two actually dropped me on the final gravel road climbs in the last 4 or 5 miles. I could see them, but despite my best efforts I just couldn't bridge. They out of gas by the effort however, and I revived by sight of a final mile of asphalt leading to the finishing singletrack, I caught and passed them both just as we left the gravel road and then held a small gap to the finish. Of interesting note is that the overall winner, Robert, 'Duncan' Douglas (a rider I've raced against before in a couple of road races last year), is a former member of the USA Olympic biathlon team who represented our country in the Lillehammer Olympic games. Those final two pictures are of the post race awards party in Fern Park, and an interesting sculpture in the Village that if I recall correctly was titled 'Future Faces of the Adirondacks'.

Farmall Hill Spring Series Finale

Elation! I scored not only 1st in the Expert 40-49 group, but as the 1st Expert overall on last night's race; the last of RVE's Farmall Hill Spring Series. The win also gave me the series title. The course had some modifications this Spring from previous seasons, and my time last night now stands as the fastest on the new course. I'll enjoy that honor while I can, since it will no doubt get whittled down in races yet to be run on it. I finished in 1:07:00, exactly 3 minutes ahead of the next Expert crossing the line behind me, and shaving a whopping 0:04:25 off my previous week's time. Won a nice medal, enjoyed the post race party with fellow racers, and scored a great pair of pink Specialized optics, pictured below, in the raffle. I had my choice of picking what might be deemed more masculine colors, but the hot pink ones just seemed to go so nice with the flames coming out of my legs last night.

The fire is lit.

It's seemed just a glowing ember up until recently, though has been slowly growing in intensity. Last night was like adding tinder to those coals, and a steady flame now seems to be burning. I came home with a good racing high having gone to my first weeknight training series mtn bike race of 2007, Farmall Hill, put on by RVE Bike and Skate in Fairport NY. Doug Sharp, his father Howard, and the rest of their family and crew make a huge contribution to the Rochester area racing community and its mountain bikers in general by putting on this annual event, and do an incredible job in its organization. I can't state enough how much I appreciate the work they do in hosting this event. The $10 per race entry fee doesn't come close to covering the time the Sharps put in and what doesn't end up going to NORBA, they graciously return to participants in the form of a series ending party for both racers and the many attending friends and family members that come with them each week. This party includes medals/trophies to category winners, food, drink, a fun raffle with great merchandise that is open to everyone, and the wonderful camaraderie of being amongst friends and fellow racers. The Sharps put on this race as two separate, 3 race series events each summer. This is a great venue and course for spectators where Experts race 7 laps on a short, 2 mile loop having about 8 short power climbs each lap; effecting an intensity much like a cyclocross race. There is simply no place to rest. You're either going up or down and with the entire race lasting only 70-80 minutes, no one holds anything in reserve. I've been racing this event each summer for many years now, and have accumulated over 100 laps of racing on this little course. It's hard to believe that I've actually covered some 200 miles on such a short loop. That's me pictured above on the right, along with Geneva Bicycle Center Semi-pro Jay Hilimire, center, 1st overall on the night at 1:09:56; and Shifting Gears' Chris Michaels, left, 2nd place Expert at 1:10:56. I rolled across the line as the 3rd placed Expert overall, though 1st in my age category, at 1:11:25. Hey, I have to go. Gotta' a fire to tend.

Musing upon the undiscovered roads in my own back yard.

But first, I owe you a report on the outcome of the Paris to Ancaster race from my last post. I apologize to those of you who have been patiently checking back, only to find the same old post that has been staring you in the face since I last posted on April 1st. That was not very fair of me. I just haven't had much to say lately. So how'd it come out, you want to know? Did I once again wrestle my fear of failure to the mat? Well...my finish was a bit of a disappointment, but I set myself up for that with my stellar result in this race from the previous year. This year I finished 198 of 1136 total competitors in the 60K event, 52 of 281 in the male 40-49 group. There was some pretty good talent present. Canadian Olympians; Canadian Regional Champions from several cycling disciplines; even International Pro and former Canadian National Cyclocross, Road, and Time Trial Champion Lyne Bessette! She was only about four rows in front of me at the start line. I was able to keep myself in the front 25 racers overall right up to the half-way point, about 1 hr into the race. Then...I could feel my tire swimming around. Yep. A flat. I was hoping for a quick change and was sure from the feel that it was the rear which was losing air. I came to a stop at the top of a rise and quickly pulled the rear wheel from the drops. Strangely, it still felt hard. At this point, much to my surprise, I realized that it was the front which was flat! I threw the rear wheel back in, pulled the front, and installed a new tube. All the while this was going on a good 150 racers blew by on this fast, long stretch of dirt road where I had been forced to stop. The tire fixed, I unleashed hell. I must have taken back 100 or more places over the next 30-35 minutes. Unfortunately, the extra energy expenditure took it's toll. I was out of gas with what should have been 20 minutes left to race and got sidelined twice by intense cramping muscle spasms in my quads that entirely seized and brought me to a halt for several minutes each episode. These occured on the two main climbs of the race, both at the very end and fairly steep, and I could do nothing but watch those go past whom I had fought so hard to retake following my flat. My finishing time was 2:18:02, and at first does not seem too poor compared to last year's 2:04:39. Just goes to show how much difference 14 minutes can make, not to mention the fact that this year's course was very much drier than last. In the end I did not feel that I had failed myself. I gave it my all to the end, despite my setback. I put up the fight I had come to make. That said I'm thinking that I am on a different trajectory this year. Last season I made my thunder from April through June, then fizzled for the rest of the year. I've got a feeling that with the steady riding I'd done last winter, and my more gradual increase in intensity, I'm going to be at my best a little bit later and hopefully longer as well.

So what about those undiscovered roads? Before I go there I have to first tell you what the original plan was for today's ride. I was going to enter Hollenbeck's Spring Classic Road Race, South of Cortland, NY. I've done this race many times in previous years, and always have enjoyed it. My son's mother was going to go along for the trip and when we went to bed last night, I had set my alarm with every intention of going. When we woke up however, my son was not feeling well, and we were not entirely comfortable with the plans he had made for the day with his friends. Given these, his mother made the decision to remain at home. With sleep still heavy in my eyes, this was all the added discouragement I needed to convince me that returning to bed for a while longer was in my best interest. Hollenbeck's is a good 75 miles from where we live. The course is a 22 mile loop. Last year I raced the 2-lap Cat 3-4 instead of the Masters, mainly because the organizer has the Masters only doing 1 lap; but I just didn't have much fun in that group. It was therefore my intention to race the Masters this year, despite it being only 22 miles. So when I woke up this morning I mainly weighed the value I'd get from spending $15 to enter, $25 on gas, a 150 mile round trip solo, and all to race just 22 miles. It was a beautiful day to boot, so I just couldn't justify it when I could do a nice, 75+ mile ride for free right out of my own front door.

Now, it's interesting how given typical ride milage range from one's home how the training loops get stale rather quickly. Especially since, given that I basically live on the Southern shore of Lake Ontario my options are limited to West, East, or South. This morning's ride started without much of a plan other than to do a relatively high milage ride, and with a lack of enthusiasm regarding the same old routes I've ridden too times before. Within 3 or 4 miles of home however I passed a road I've overlooked many times, but never ventured down. From there the plan just hatched to take all the roads of which I had only a rough idea of where they generally might lead in relation to the solar compass provided by the day's ample sunshine. Amazing! I discovered a wealth of wonderful new routes, literally in my own (regional) back yard; the day's ride turned out to be the most enjoyable solo road ride I'd taken thus far this spring. All tallied I rode 90 miles, and even got in a little drag race with some Amish who challenged me with their horse drawn, black coach. The photo at the top of the post is from today's ride. The view is looking South, towards Plainville. The photo beneath is at one of the older, abandoned Erie Canal locks...Old Lock 51, near Weedsport. With its cut stone walls, and piles of rubble ruin, I could not help but be reminded of the resemblance to the ancient ball court at Chichén Itzá Mexico, albeit on a considerably smaller scale, and the ruins of which I had the opportunity to visit once.

Today's ride also brought to mind an interview I like in a book I own; Bike for Life, by Roy Wallak and Bill Katovsky. The interview is with one of California's bicycle culture personalities, Rich, The Reverend, White. Rich White said in this interview a couple of things that I realized had been my own philosophy about bike rides for many years. I had never fully considered that this was indeed a philosophy; that my ideas about riding might be much of a departure than those which most other's might have, until I discovered somebody else who also had quite similar thinking. Rich White's own words are fine so I'll let him do the talking. He says; "You don't need an exotic place to find a great ride. If you're out there with a friend on any ride, it can be a great ride if you just pay attention to that day, that moment. A lot of people.....are in such a hurry to do other things that a bike ride to them just fits into their schedule. They rush it; they have a time frame; they hurry up and ride and go home. They have no time to notice the ride, because they can't stop and really see what's going on - it's just a workout. They did it, they're done. They didn't feel it, enjoy it. A lot of people.....do loops, these little carved loops. They never go off the loop. They never go somewhere and just ride somewhere - even if it's wrong. They don't ride the dead end roads, down past where they know where they're going. They don't go if they don't know if there is going to be water or food or a Power Bar or a flat repair station waiting for them. They are afraid to be afraid. A lot of people have important things to do. They do the ride between the important things. The important thing for me is to do the ride. I do everything else between the rides."

I admit that I do not always live the philosophy, even though I hold it. It's a difficult balance. Life gets in the way, and sometimes you have to put family, business first. But you also have to make time, make the ride the priority, else all the other things you do to make riding possible are in vain. Take a day, a week, a month, to do every thing else between the rides... and head down that undiscovered road on your next ride. You'll be surprised where it leads.

It's time to once again welcome my old friend fear.

It's time to see if all of the training I've done throughout winter and early spring will pay off. Time to see if I have seemingly weathered another year without growing older; or if my training efforts to cheat the clock of aging have been in vain. That time will come on April 22, 2007 at the Paris to Ancaster Enduro near Hamilton Ontario, Canada. I pre-registered on-line last Friday night... no backing out now. Although last year was my first participation in this specific race, it has a 14 year history and currently starts one of the largest fields of racers of any bicycle race in Canada. A race whose beginning took its inspiration from one of the great monuments of world professional cycling, Paris-Roubaix, aka 'Hell Of the North'; Paris to Ancaster offers racers in the North East an opportunity to emulate their heros in an event designed for we mere cycling mortals. Like that famous race in Northern France, our version takes place in the same unpredictable spring weather and on similar types of muddy farm lanes, trails, and roads; albeit 60 km instead of the inhuman 259 km covered in the 105th, 2007 edition across the big pond. That's me pictured above in last year's race, April 9, 2006. I'm the rider in orange on the front of that little group, #269. My result was more than I could have hoped, given the size of the starting field; 33rd of 1096 finishers, 4th of 283 in the 40-49 age grouping.

I always wonder if other bike racers experience the same anxiety as do I at the first race of the year. You'd think that after 8 years of competition in well over 100 organized events and as many training races I'd be over it; and for the most part once the first few big races of the season are out of the way I am. The fear I have is not of the race itself; certain pain, potential injury, inclement weather, possible humiliation. My fear is that I will fail myself. That at some point in the race I will tell myself that finishing on the podium or high-up doesn't really matter, and stop fighting. Fear that a loss of will to hold on to the wheel in front of me will somehow diminish my passion for life and my drive for success in other important endeavors. Fear that a poor performance is an indication of age and that I will finally have to accept that getting older (almost 45 years this season) means that I can no longer be competitive with younger athletes. Fear that if I can no longer win or do well in races, I may no longer be motivated enough by the fun, camaraderie, and recreation alone to continue to participate in the sport that I have chosen to define who I am and that makes my life so rich. Paradoxically these fears are some of the very things that drive me to train, race, and thus continue to be competitive year after year; that basically ensure that none of these fears become reality. So bring it on Paris-Ancaster. You want some of this?

I do most of my training alone.

Not so much by choice as by necessity. The fact is that up where I'm from in Northern Wayne County and the surrounding areas, many people believe that the only reason anyone would or even should ride a bike is because they've been convicted of DWI and hence, can no longer legally operate a motor vehicle. As such, most any group ride I get the opportunity to participate in generally requires that I travel 40 to 90 miles each way, and is for the most part limited to weekends. There are a dozen or so weeks in spring and summer where I make it a point to hit one of several weeknight training or series races, usually in the Rochester area, but these are tough as I don't get home until 9:30 or 10:00pm due to the distance these are from home. Still, I thoroughly enjoy riding in different or new places, and so I can't say that I mind going elsewhere to meet up with riding partners.

The group ride this past Sunday started and finished on Mutton Hollow Road, a.k.a. 'The Hollow', just South of Prattsburg, NY. We headed South with a relatively large group including Geneva Bicycle Center Champions Mark and Suzanne Hartman, pictured below, as well as GBC's Matt Hanggi and his girl Doyle; Hollow natives Casey and Val, along with nearby local Jeremy; Semi-Pro Hil Jaymire; and myself.

Our train headed down into the Canisteo River Valley, about 12 miles North of the PA border. This is a narrow valley running from Canisteo to Corning, called 'Pennsyltucky' by Casey & Co. At one point, Jay, Mark, and I took off from the front of the group. We were in our own groove and by the time we realized that the others must have turned off at the intersection we had passed a few miles back, we had to turn around and do a concentrated 24mph team time trial for a good half hour to catch up to them. All tallied the day's ride covered 70 miles and about 3500 vertical feet of climbing. A mid-ride pitstop landed us at a gas/convenience store where we resupplied ourselves with calories and drink. As if on cue came an Appalachian Plateau version of an LA lowrider; ironically clad with a Kentucky licence plate and from the direction of the nearby PA border. He did say it was Pennsyltucky!

The driver and his partner had decended from the high hills to purchase a 30 pack of beer and more gas for their dirt bikes. This bad-assed little truck had electric powered air compressors providing instantly controlled lift & deflation via front and rear air bags. It had a high-rise stick shifter made from logging chain having had the links welded together to form a rigid shaft, and had an old ball hitch welded to the end to fit up into the palm of the hand. These boys were predictably drunk, and although the owner of the vehicle was initially reluctant to pose with his pimped-out ride, a little well directed admiration cajoled him to do so. Unexpectedly and to our delight, we were also treated to a fine burning rubber smoke show out on the highway as they departed. Lucky for these boys this was Pennsyltucky. Up in Wayne County they'd be riding bikes.

Spring opener

I've always called my first big road ride of the season that. Of course, I started calling it 'spring opener' years back, when it truly was my first big road ride of the year. Nowadays that distinction is a little blurred, as I just keep riding through the winter. I used to pretty much restrict my riding to the trainer in the winter months. Three years back, I raced my first and an entire cyclocross season. It got me gradually acclimated to riding in the cold, so when winter came I just kept going. Obviously my milage isn't what it is in warmer seasons, but I do manage to get in lots of long rides; and the Pugsley has added many of those opportunities. Still, I always think of the first big road ride, inspired by relatively milder temperatures and a calendar date at least somewhat near to the vernal equinox, as the inaugural opening to the spring road riding season.So this past Sunday was that. The spring opener. I embarked upon this excursion with two riding friends known for their masochistic riding adventures; semi-pro racer, Jay Hilimire and Finger Lakes Highlander, Casey Conte. Knowing that our journey would surely traverse a number of dirt roads that are so characteristic of the rural Finger Lakes Highlands, not to mention the road intersections having been rendered tractionless to a breaking or corning set of wheels by winter sanding, my chosen steed for the day was my trusted Giant cyclocross bike. Our ride took us into the incredible hills surrounding beautiful Keuka Lake. Some of these grades exceed 20%. The day's tally? 80 miles and 7000 feet of vertical ascent. The views? Magnificent! Legs smoked? YOU BET! Hey. March 11th is early for this combination of distance and climbing.
The picture at the top of the post is looking southward, over the West branch of Keuka Lake and the Bluff Point peninsula that separates its East and West branches at the Northern end. That hill you're looking down is typical, though certainly not the steepest, of what you'll ride around here. The second picture, directly above, is taken not too far from the Bully Hill Vinyards and winery, and which sits atop a fast decent into the picturesque Village of Hammondsport. That's Casey, Jay, and I, left to right, with the view North towards Bluff Point and the split of the East and West branches. At the end of the day was the payoff, below. Guiness and warm food at Lloyds Limited Pub in Penn Yan. At about 3/4 of the way into the ride our knowing that this was waiting fortified our stamina to drive for the finish and guided us back with a homing instinct like bees headed for the hive. Cheers boys. Thanks for the adventure and here's looking to the season ahead!
There's doubtlessly more snow and miserable weather in store for us before we can expect any number of dependably warm days. In fact, it's snowing out as I write; 1" to 4" possible tonight. This past Sunday was just a teaser, and was a little deceiving at that. I think the days of biting cold and dreary skies are numbered for this season though... now that the spring opener, has passed.

What a difference a year makes.

I rode the snowmobile trails in Wayne County today...actually, right in my old neighborhood. The land of wild beasts and wilder men. That beautiful, mythical place; North Huron. Now it's not just plain old 'Huron' mind you. Any son or daugter of this fabled land will be quick to reprimand you should you allow such a slip of your tongue. Not that we have anything against Huron. After all, North Huron is just a part of the larger township. But we North Huronites take pride in the fact that local historical records regard North Huron as having been the last bastion of untamed wilderness in Wayne County in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. This legacy has continued to be epitomized by the rugged farmers and other colorful residents past and present who hail from here. My travels today took me to Chimney Bluffs State Park. Chimney Bluffs is the local landmark that the Town of Huron identifies itself with; and most especially represents...North Huron. It hasn't really been a developed state park for very long, only about 5 years now; though the state has owned the land for many years. Some really beautiful snowmobile trails run through the park...one of them right out to the top of the highest bluff above the shore. The trails that I was on today are in rather stark contrast to those I've been riding in Cayuga County the past 5 weeks. The latter are primarily old rail beds, and though they go through some pretty territory, they are pancake flat and arrow straight. The trails I rode today traverse through much more varied terrain. Hardwoods, pines, open fields, expansive apple orchards, the frozen inland Sodus Bay; and constantly change direction even being twisty in some sections. The conditions were epic also. Practically the entire widths of the trails were very hard and rideable, absolutely no wind, and the temperature stayed just below freezing. On to the next photo please. They built the stone monument pictured above at the western entrance to the park. It's actually well executed and quite attractive in my view, and as you can see from the photo below it is intended to be a representation of the numerous eroding spires or 'chimneys' that characterize the bluffs at the face of the shoreline and give them their name. These formations can be found in many places along the southern shoreline of Lake Ontario, particularly to the east of Rochester, and have formed as the lake waters have eroded at the face of some of the hundreds of drumlins that blanket the Finger Lakes Region; some of which happen to extend to the shoreline. Chimney Bluffs just happens to be the most dramatic and interesting of those. Now I'm no geologist, so if you wish to learn a bit more you can click the link and you'll find an interesting explanation of these formations.

There's a reason I've posted two pictures of the exact same location, above. That reason is in fact captured in the title of today's post. The first of the two pictures was taken today. You can see how far out the ice extends from the shore. Actually, it has broken up quite a bit this week. It's very dynamic. Last week, when I posted Ice volcanoes, it extended very much further. Anyway, that second picture...that was the same spot last year. Now I won't lie. That was December of last year. But I assure you, that was how mild all of last winter was. Frankly, due to last winter's mild conditions I never really got the opportunity to fully appreciate just how much fun my fatbike is on packed trail.
Which is a perfect lead-in to my last photo for today. Somehow...I don't really think the idea of some jackass who doesn't know any better than to pedal a bike around in the middle of winter was what those who posted this sign had in mind. Do you?

I'd been keeping my eye on this trail...

At least ever since we started getting enough snow cover so that I was able to start riding the snowmobile trails on my fatbike. The problem with this section of trail had been that no one had ridden it with their snowmobile all winter. No snowmobiles = no packed track. No packed track = no fun for Pugsley. This trail is a part of the Corridor 4 snowmobile trail between Red Creek and Wolcott, and is too narrow and overgrown for the groomers to travel that the area clubs utilize. As a result, and because it is more suited to the speeds their machines are capable of, the snowmobilers opt to travel what's known as the 104 Trail; so named after Highway Route 104 which it follows closely along side of. The 104 trail is an ugly trail because it keeps its users in constant view and exposure to the salt, sand, road grime, and general filth that decorate the sides of all highways at this time of year. This is the reason I avoid it. I prefer the tranquil sights and sounds of the lesser used section of trail I'd been watching because it meanders on an old raised rail bed through fields, brashy wooded cover, and low wetland ground. Well due to a change in the daily high temperature from the teens and low 20's we had been experiencing of late to more tolerable mid-30's, I decided to ride my cyclocross bike into work. The section of trail I had been watching just happens to cross one of the roads that I travel on this commute; luckily as I passed this crossing I happened to notice that several snowmobile tracks had recently been made down this lonely section. Had I opted to drive my car into work I would surely have missed this observation. As soon as I got home I ditched my skinny-tired cross bike for my more snow-trail worthy rig, and immediately headed out to explore. By the time I got to my starting destination the temperature had dropped to just below freezing; making the conditions just perfect after the daytime thaw. Needless to say, I had a grand time. The photo directly above was taken just after I started, at dusk. I brightened it up a bit by editing with my Adobe Photoshop. The photo at the top of the post gives an idea of how dark and lonely it seems out there in the still quiet of the winter night. That's one of the reasons I love it. Unfortunately and in reality, you're never that far from the next road crossing or even the houses out of view beyond the fields and woods; but it sure is easy to imagine that you're alone and in a vast wilderness. And sometimes, that's all the escape you need...if only for just a while.

CONGRATULATIONS GBC!

I would like to express a huge congratulations to my racing sponsor, the Geneva Bicycle Center, for making the Bicycle Retailer and Industry News list of top 100 retailers in the United States for 2007! Recipients are selected based on elements of market share, community outreach, and store appearance. Along with his crew owner Jim Hogan, pictured above at the helm in the control room, have built the finest bike shop to be found certainly in the Finger Lakes Region of New York, if not the entire state. I say this in all sincerity. Jim and his top notch staff are like a family of riders representing many aspects of the sport; recreational, competitive, and utilitarian. They excel and pride themselves on their custom design, fitting expertise, and extensive service department. I can tell you that the latter is no joke. Jim is not afraid to stock repair parts inventory. What's that? Hard to find part? A left-hand threaded cranstor you say? They got 'em. Right-hand thread, left-hand thread, Italian thread, even Dave's Custom Cranstors for those hard to fit applications! If you're in or near Geneva, NY take the time to visit Jim's store on Exchange Street and check out one of the most unique staircases you'll ever see. Be sure to tell 'em the Champion sent you. The staircase leads up to the newly remodeled second floor edition, and features spindles made from over 100 bicycle top tubes supporting the hand rails. Some of these tubes are from very high-end carbon and titanium rigs, and were actually extracted from still living bikes in now outlawed ritual sacrifices to the gods of anaerobia while zombie-like european podium girls chanted and danced in a state of entrancement. Geneva Bicycle Center is also home to the only titanium/carbon fiber rear triangle toilet paper holder east of the Mississippi. If you happen to be in need of a good bowel movement while you're there, be sure to check it out. See how it softens out the ride, yet wipes out the competition with all the explosive responsiveness you'd demand of such a high-end racing machine!

Ice volcanoes

At least that's what I call 'em. Rode a short stretch of snowmobile singletrack today down to Fair Haven State Park and the shoreline of Lake Ontario. Perhaps a mile and a half worth. Tight and twisty...at least by snowmobile standards...through the trees. Stays pretty firm even though it's not a groomed trail, 'cause it's tight enough where the sleds all have to follow in the same track. They can't torque on those big snowtotillers either because the tight and twisty nature of the trail keeps their speed in check. I even ran across a few XC skiers. It's sure fun to see the surprise on people's faces to see a biker out on snowy trails.Anyway, back to ice volcanoes. I call them that because in the past I've seen ice formations on the shore that form much like a volcano; heavy wave action under the thick ice shelf that forms out over the water pounds up through the center of a hole. As the water comes down it keeps freezing around the perimeter of the hole, building up the sides over the course of a day or more. The sides of this ice volcano keep building up higher and steeper, forming a mini ice volcano about 10 feet high that spews water from its top every time a big wave comes in. Even though there were none of these to be seen today, the shore was still like a topographical scale model of the Himalayas with incredible ice formations extending way out over the water. In fact, its been so cold for so long recently that the lake was frozen out to beyond where I could even see the open water. I don't think I've seen it frozen this far out from shore in years. That first shot is looking straight out over the lake, towards Canada. If you double click on it and look at it full size, you will also see that it shows off quite nicely the stainless steel sheet metal screws that I stud my tire with. The second shot is looking Eastward, towards Oswego. I didn't get many pictures today because I forgot to charge my camera batteries. Felt cold today too...quite windy and right off the lake. Therefore I didn't really ride very far and only stayed out for about 2 hours. Mainly just fooled around on the trails staying pretty close to home. Being that my Blog is so new, I was also excited about getting on the computer to play around and make another post.I'm throwing in this last photo, above, just because I took it before I started this Blog and I want to share it. It's from a night ride I did last Monday night from Fair Haven to Cato and back...on the snowmobile trail. The round trip was 28 miles and I was out for 3.5 hrs. I was feeling awesome that night, even though it got down to about 10 degrees F by the time I made it home. I felt like a goddamn timber wolf out there tearing ass through the abysmal darkness of the woods, fields, and low swamps that those deep, snowy trails run through. I'll probably publish a few more pre-Blog photos in future posts.

My first post

What a beautiful day today. Especially after the run of weather we've been having lately. This is the first day that I've been able to ride without a jacket in all the weeks since we started getting hit with this season's serious snow. But then, I haven't minded the cold so much so far this year. After all the years I've been riding I'm finally starting to figure out how to dress for cold weather biking. Probably the fact that I carry around a little more fat than I did 4 or 5 years ago goes a long way in insulating me from the cold as well. Chalk it up to a slowing metabolism as a result of progressing age I guess; and the fact that I'm allowing myself to drink a little more beer this winter than I have in the past. Anyway, I started out with my Garneau Wind Dry Jacket and as seen in the photo above, ended up tieing it around my waist. Temp was in the high 20's I guess. Air was passing right through my two long sleeve jerseys and base layer. Actually this kept me nice and dry as opposed to the sweat build-up I've endured lately due to the extra layers I've had to wear because of the teen temperatures and steady winds. Funny, today the air felt like a 70 degree breeze blowing across me on an 80 degree day. Cool and refreshing, but never uncomfortable.
I started out at 1:00pm with the intention of riding the Fair Haven Rail Trail down to Cato and back. The Sterling Trail Tamers must have groomed last night, and not many sleds had been out. Those that had been on the trail had pretty much stayed to the middle, so the sides of the trail were still untilled from the paddle tracks. Real good riding! Once I hit the Rt 104 trail crossing where the Sterling Club leaves off and the Cato Trail Blazers pick up however, their groomer had not been out. The trail from this point was like fresh till, so I turned back and took C4 towards Hannibal when I got back to Sterling Station Rd. Encountered the same situation when I hit Wiltsieville Rd. More garden till from that point. Still, good milage...at least relative to snow riding...great weather, and got a couple of good photos. I'll probably hit it again tomorrow.