iRide

So as the title of this post says, I have been doing a fair amount of singlespeeding (SS’ing)–and really enjoying it!! I went out last week a couple times and again today with J. I really love the new SS bike and look forward to SS rides even more than rides where I will take out a geared bike. It is just a super fun and super sexy bike (yes, I can find bikes sexy). I only wish I was in good enough shape to ride it on every trail.

I have been getting in a decent number of rides, but the busy summer schedule and lack of child care has left me a few rides short of my usual weekly totals. For instance, last week I rode Saturday, Sunday and Monday–then didn’t get in another ride until yesterday. Some of it is by my own doing though. I didn’t get a chance to ride Wednesday after Taekwondo because it was too late by the time I got around to it. I also didn’t ride Friday after work because we had a special workout/class at Taekwondo to prepare for the first regional tournament of the year that was the next day/yesterday (more on that later). I have still been getting in some fun rides though and I’m still on course to meet my cycling goals for the year.

So, the boys and I decided to enter the regional Taekwondo tournament that was held yesterday–our region’s first tournament of the year. It was our first such tournament and we were all excited and nervous. Spencer was at quite a disadvantage. Even though the other kids in his group were the same color belt (yellow) as he was. They were all 1-2 years older than him and had been taking Taekwondo longer–through the ATA’s ”Tiny Tigers” program. Basically, the Tiny Tiger program lets kids start as young as 3 and they advance more slowly than the older kids, but they still get the practice and have a longer history of learned muscle memory. So Spencer did well for a 6 year old, but stood basically no chance of earning a medal for placing in the top 3. It was still a good experience for him though. He got to get a taste of competing and I don’t even think he knows he didn’t get a top 3 medal. He was just as happy getting a competitor’s medal. It was cool though–in the sparring matches (no contact) he actually placed 5th out of the 6 boys he competed against. He knows the sparring forms well and beat one of the other kids he went up against, and that boy was 8!!

I felt worse for Dylan. He finished 4th out of 5 in the forms but lost out on a third place medal for sparring due to an unfortunate mental mistake in the match for third place. The boy he was against won the first form and Dylan won the second. For the tie breaker, they could do either form 1 or form 2. Since Dylan won the form 2 contest, he decided to do it again. He stepped out in form two’s block, then proceeded to do all the strikes and kicks from form 1. He realized the mistake right away and that it cost him the third place medal. He was on the verge of tears, but held up OK. I explained to him later that he was a winner for having the guts to compete in the first place. Of all the non-black belt kids at our school, Dylan and Spencer were the only kids that competed. I think that says a lot about my boys. One of ATA’s mottos is: To compete is to win. That may sound a bit hokey and corny on the surface, but it’s true. It takes a lot of guts to get up there and do that, especially for young kids. I reminded Dylan of all this and it seemed to help his mood a lot. Plus, 2 of the black belt boys from our school that are close to his age congratulated him and talked to him about it and that seemed to help too. So, the boys both did well and each received competitor medals–all kids under age 14 receive them. They both also said that they want to compete in the next regional tournament on September 28th!! You just gotta love that attitude!!

I did pretty good in my age group as well. I placed first for forms and second in sparring. I felt a little cheated out of the first place for sparring though. The guy who took first actually messed up during form #1. I guess the 2 side judges didn’t see it. After we both did the 2 sparring forms and it was time to decide who got first and who got second, the center judge voted for me but the 2 side judges voted for him. Oh well. I don’t want to be a bad sport, I did think it was a bit odd though. Tonya and the boys all saw his mistake and my sparring forms were mistake free. Either way, I can’t complain. I went home with 2 medals of my own–which I wasn’t expecting. I am very proud of the first place medal I got for forms. I guess practice really does make perfect. I was also the only non-black belt adult from my school that competed. I can’t wait for the next one. I don’t have time now, but I’ll post some of the pics we took later.

We also have belt testing coming up on Wednesday this week. The boys and I will be moving up from Yellow belts to Camo belts. It’s actually a pretty big step. The belt order goes: White-Orange-Yellow-Camo-Green-Purple-Blue-Brown-Red-Red/Black-Black (Red/Black is basically a recommended black belt. You are in the process of preparing to test for Black). As Yellow belts, we were still considered “low rank” color belts. We will now be moving up to “mid rank” color belts and are that much closer to earning black belts. You know, when I decided to do this, I never dreamed that earning a Black Belt would become so important to me. It will never replace mountain biking’s number spot in my heart, but it is a close second. I have such a new found respect for what it takes to get to Black Belt and can’t wait to be there myself. Someday soon. I figure if I am diligent in attending class and work hard, I can make red/black recommended by next summer. Then after a few months, I may be ready to test for black. Wouldn’t that be a sweet Christmas present!! 

I am going to try to squeak out as many rides as I can this week, but it’s not looking very promising. Between belt testing Wednesday and a 2 day trip to Disneyland this weekend, I’m afraid they won’t be very plentiful. We shall see. Until then, seek your bliss.

Ride lots…

Well, I finally got around to upgrading the frame on my SS.

I got a really good deal on the frame. I mainly wanted horizontal drop-outs so I could dump the chain tensioner (a whole lotta drag going on there). Since I was running Mavic Crossland’s, I needed to switch over to a bolt on rear hub. I took advantage of the need and went with handlaced Mavic 819’s on XT hubs and then got the Shimano QR-to-bolt on conversion kit. I used this as an oppurtunity to go tubeless as well.

I also got a red Chris King headset to add a little color and also got a sweet deal on an 07 Rock Shox Reba Race dual air. I think I shaved off about a pound and it should now be around 25 lbs.
So, she’s finally done

Final build specs:

Frame: Fetish Cycles “Fixation”
Fork: Rock Shox Reba Race dual air, 100mm
Headset: Chris King
Cranks: Shimano LX w/ int. BB, 32/bashguard
Pedals: Azonic A-Frames
Bars: Easton EA50
Grips: Oury lock-ons
Stem: Thomson
Seatpost: Thomson
Seatpost collar: Salsa QR
Brakes: Hayes HFX-9’s
Wheels: Mavic 819’s on XT hubs
Tires: UST Maxxis Ignitor’s Rear-2.1, Front-2.35
Chain: SRAM SS

I’m still cranking out the miles–and the climbing. I got in a good ride yesterday at Daley Ranch with BJammin and another good ride with dad today in the ‘Brook.

I also got some new bling for the Reign

Ohhh yeah. That’s what I’m talkin’ ’bout. Adjustable travel from 120mm-160mm. TST (5 position compression adjust) and all sorts of other adjustments. It should be here next week. I dare say the Reign will probably be seeing more action. It will also be just in time for the Noble epics that will come with the cooler temps this Fall.

I’ve got more rides planned this week cuzI’m taking the weekend off. I can’t believe my daughter is already turning 2!! While dad and I were riding today, she informed my wife that she “wanted to go on a bike ride with daddy”. How awesome is that?!!! Until then, seek your biss.

Ride lots…

I posted some pics of the new Giant Trance X1 and X2. Jump down past this post for a look-see.

I have been able to crank out some good rides lately. 7 rides in the last 8 days in fact. I was going to ride tomorrow as well, but decided to spend the day with the family instead–which is always nice too.

I am also replacing the SS frame. I got a good deal on a Fetish Cycles “Fixation” frame. It is SS specific and will make for a pretty sweet ride when I get all the parts switched over.

I am also undertaking a big test (at least for me) on this new build. I got tubless rims and tubleless tires (designed to run without conventional inner-tubes). The rims are Mavic 819’s on Shimano XT hubs with Maxxis Ignitor UST tires. This will shave some rolling weight and in theory, the bike will roll faster and easier without tubes. We shall see about that.

I am really looking forward to getting it all done though. As you may recall, the frame I originally used was just a starter I got for cheap. It was never intended to be the permanent frame. I also don’t like the drag the chain tensioner causes. I never imagined it could be, or would be so much. The new frame has horizontal drop-outs instead of the verticle ones on the other frame. Simply put–I can adjust chain length and tension by sliding the rear wheel tighter or looser on the horizontal rails, thus acheiving optimal chain length and eliminating the need for a tensioner.

I will be sure to post pics when it’s done. It should see a lot of use. I have been going out on more and more SS rides lately. Until then, seek your bliss.

Ride lots…

Here are a few pics I took of the new 5″ travel Trance X1 and X2 at my LBS. Giant hooked them up and sent 4-5 of them early. The bike looks pretty sweet. I love the re-design. I got in a pretty good test ride and it rode a lot like the old Trance, just more travel and slacker geometry.

Trance X1:

Trance X2:

Those are some pretty sweet looking bikes. If only I were in the market for one.

Rides have been a little scarce the last couple weeks. I was sick last week and also had some lower back issues that messed up quite a few ride days. The last 13 days of June saw a whopping 5 rides. Somehow I managed 15 rides for the month though, still keeping with my 1:2 rides to days goal. Also the rides I did get in were good, quality rides as far as mileage and elevation is concerned. I did ride Lake Hodges a few times–which is no climber’s paradise–but I SS’ed it everytime, so the challenge was there.

Speaking of SS’ing: I am amazed at how much it is helping my riding. I have heard that it will help you grow a lot as a rider and it’s true. I am climbing a lot more aggressively than I did before. And, I have a lot more confidence on climbs too. I am attempting–and cleaning–some climbs I never thought before were even remotely possible. I am also a little amazed at how much fun it is. I was a bit skeptical when I first built it up but now I’m a believer.

The heat is finally starting to set in too. The first part of June was really mild but now that we’re into July, the trails are really starting to cook. Rides are basically limited to morning or late afternoons/early evenings.

On a positive note, J finally got his bike back. Giant finally shipped the replacement part for his busted frame (see post from Sunday, May 6th for the details http://statmtb.blog.com/1743963/). He was pretty sick of not having a bike to ride.

I have a ride planned at Daley tomorrow morning and one in Fallbrook Tuesday evening. Hopefully Thursday and Friday afternoon will work out as well so I can get back in the flow of things. Going almost rideless the last couple weeks left me in a bit of a grumpy mood. Until next time, seek your bliss.

Ride Lots…