iRide

I really can’t believe it. It started Wednesday when I woke up with a mildly sore throat. I was thinking/hoping that it was just because of the really dry weather we’ve been having. Then Friday night, I had a terrible time trying to sleep. My throat hurt and I was very congested. I couldn’t breathe at all. Then when I woke up this morning, I had a very dry and painful cough. And to top it all off, throughout the day today I began to lose my voice more and more.What the heck man??!! I don’t get it. I’ve served my time in Sick Jail and I want out!!! I am hoping and praying it’s just because of the dry weather and it’ll go away soon.

In bike news, I was able to get a CRAZY deal on some Truvativ Stylo cranks for the Spot. I know in my last post I mentioned that I was getting some different cranks. I actually think the Race Face cranks would look a little more cool on the Spot since they are Silver and I have the whole “Silver on Red” color scheme thing going on. But, the Stylos are lighter, stronger and the same weight as Shimano XT’s — that I can’t afford but are the cranks I really wanted (and have on the Yeti). So the Stylos are the better crank, when you aren’t factoring in Bling-ocity.

Also, I got them for about half price and just couldn’t pass them up. I’ll try to get a pic of them soon. I still have the Race Face cranks — ‘cuz, it never hurts to have spare cranks laying around. You know, in case of an emergency.

I also got a real good deal on a set of upgrade rocker arms for the 5-Spot. It had 5″ of travel stock. These upgrade rockers increase travel to 5.3″. Here’s a pic of both rockers. These aren’t mine, but a pic I found online. The top set are the 5″ stock rockers. The bottom set is the 5.3″ set:

I know three tenths of an inch doesn’t seem like much, but I read a lot of reviews from people that upgraded to the 5.3″ rockers and they all said it makes it seem like you added a whole inch more travel. Dad and I put them on before our ride in Fallbrook today and I must say — the reviews I read were Spot on. Get it?? Spot on. Talking about my 5-Spot!! (Wow. I’m funny. You just can’t teach that.) Anyway, the bike did seem a lot more plush. And the best part: the rockers sell for $150 and I got them brand new for $40. SHA-BANGIN!!!

And as long as I’m on the subject, I really enjoyed the ride in Fallbrook today with dad. Man it’s been forever since just he and I were able to get out and ride the old loop together. It was awesome. We were talking about how so much has changed since we started riding that trail 4 1/2 years ago: the trail itself due to weather and the fire last year, our skill and fitness level, the quality of our bikes and so on. It was so fun. I also rode better than I thought I would, considering I have this cold/flu/what-the-hell-ever going on.

I’m REALLY starting to like the Spot too. It’s everything I had hoped it would be and more. I can only imagine how much more fun it will be when I can finally swing a wheel upgrade — dropping nearly 2 lbs of rolling weight will make that bike positively fly!! It is so much fun to ride. It climbs well, descends well and accelerates like an Olympic sprinter on EPO!! I am so stoked on that bike. Here’s a couple pics I took the other day — it still has the old cranks and I’m not quite sure why the seat post is so high:

Lame attempt at “artsy”. It didn’t work:

I’m not sure what this week will bring as far as rides. I will likely be at Taekwondo all 4 nights of the week. Hopefully I can get something in Friday afternoon. Until then, seek your bliss.

Ride lots…