the blue colnago: August 2006

1996 Trek 850....

I think the last time I rode a single speed bicycle was about 1964 just before I received a brand new Sears and Roebuck 3 speed bicycle for my 10th birthday. Well, I've been hearing about the benefits of riding a single speed to get in shape from Jackal and others for about 3 years now and decided to give it a shot. My original intention was to build a bike to ride in the snow and ice of winter rather than riding the yellow bike with all it's gears and shifters and such. I have a Trek 850 that I purchased new from Leans on Wood in '96 and haven't ridden in years so I decided to modify it just a bit and get some use out of it. After ordering a few parts from Jackal and other places, it has finally come together. I have ridden it twice in the last couple of days to put a few miles on it and tighten up anything that may have come loose. Woohoo! Beau Coup fun.

FSA 120mm stem from Europa
FSA XC 190 riser bars from Jackal's bike
Ergon grips with small bar ends
Nashbar stem adapter
18T freewheel from Europa
FSA Extreme crankset with 34T Salsa chainring and 175mm crankarms
Godspeed chain tensioner
New rear wheel from Europa
Cateye Mighty 8 from Europa
Specialized Rival saddle from The Yellow Bike
Rockwerks pedals, which hurt my feet and may end up being replaced with Shimano 520's from Europa

It's all good! I have the studded tires I bought from Europa last season so I've got what I set out to build. I'll take it easy and not bust up these old knees. The 2 rides I've taken on it to this point have been good. Lot's of fun for very little cash outlay.

Peace out, yo!

Whatever....

Totin' the schwagg....

Half naked....

Twin Six....

The start....

Twin Six....

Cramps suck....

If you're ever at a race someplace and get the opportunity to meet Brent and Ryan from Twin Six, don't pass up the chance. These two guys are fun to hang out with and passionate about bicycles, bicycle racing, and their business. They are very supportive of everyone on and at the track and their passion shows. Thanks to Brent for the awesome Alp d' Huez tee!!!!!

Peace out, yo!

Pics.....

Cool....

Pink panties....

Bear Naked Cannondale....

Just happy to be here :)

SUFFER!!!!

WORK!!!

Hangin' loose....

The Twins relaxing pre-race....

Moto Cross?

Peace out, yo!

Afton....

Oh my!

Down we go....

Refreshment....

Jackal climbing out of the woods....

Kerkove passing uphill....

Jackal heading out for another lap....

Mr. 24....

Oh yeah!

Does it hurt yet?

24 Hours of Afton..... sufferfest extrordinaire. What else can I say?

Save the Twales!!!!!

Peace out, yo!

More from Afton....

The Liger stalks his prey....

Concentration....

Yeah, he's pickin' his nose.....

The Jackal ready to strike....

Finishing another lap....

Kerkove ragin'

Pace line climb....

My butt itches....

Red dress....

I think I've used all my available space this morning. More pics later.

Peace out, yo!

Florida....

Red beans and rice with spiced sausage and plenty of hot sauce at Harry's tonight. Yummmm.....

Fly back home tomorrow evening.

Jackal saw Bob Roll? Damn!

Peace out, yo!

Beautiful Sunday....

Good advice....

Small lake at BH Park....

Rock garden I....

Another view....

Rock Garden II....

Muddy....

"Out here in the fields...."

Heading into Washington-Union Access....

Leversee Road....

It's a beautiful Sunday! Left the house at 9 a.m. with arm warmers on because it was 54 degrees outside. They only lasted until I got to the shelter on the far end of Big Woods Lake and then they came off! Rode up through Black Hawk Park then did some gravel up to near Janesville and then back to Cedar Falls. It wasn't near as wet as it was on Thursday night. A bit over 30 miles.

Going to go grab some lunch with Judy then I'm off to Florida for work for a couple of days.

Peace out, yo!

Saturday....

The Death Ride should be getting underway right about now. Hope you all have a fun and safe adventure!

Jackal is at the Trek show in Cheeseland with Leans on Wood and Cindy. I hope he reminds Vinnie that he still owes me a beer.

I'm at the plant watching over my charges this fine Saturday morning. I can think of a couple of places I'd rather be.... It appears there are a couple of my employees who would rather be someplace else also, since they called in sick this morning. Hmmmmm.....

Went out with some friends from work last night and drank a few beers. No headache this morning. It's all good. :)

That's it for now.

Peace out, yo!

Thursday....

Rode out around Big Woods Lake and over to Black Hawk Park on the paved trails then up through the north end of the park by the shooting ranges and out through the woods. Baby heads, logs, branches, and mud! (remember: it rained all day) It was good! Left the park at Washington Union Access at 7:30 p.m. and headed east on Cedar Wapsi for a mile to the gravel of Ford Road. That's when the drizzle started. It was wet all the way back home. South on Ford to Lone Tree and back into town with the lights on. Got home about 8:30 and sprayed the mud off the bike and myself with the hose! :) It was a mess!

I'll have a little beer with the girls after work this evening and hopefully won't have a bad head in the morning. I plan to ride the road bike this weekend and then fly to Atlanta and then on to Florida Sunday afternoon. I'll be back on Tuesday evening then on vacation Friday to head up to Afton with The Twins. It'll be a busy week.

OK, gotta get started here at work. Good luck to Guitar Ted and the Death Ride participants in the morning. Have fun! Be safe! Woohoo!

Peace out, yo!

A little bit more....

I rode a little bit more gravel last night. Went out west of Cedar Falls on 12th/120th street. Several miles of rollers. No dogs. It was good!

Sounds like the group ride was killer last night. Ouch!

Peace out, yo!

A little gravel....

BEAUTIFUL evening.... No dogs!

"Don't let he sun go down on me...."

The root beer guy....

Sunday the 6th....

Europa sells Pearl now. The gloves are sweet!

Jackal checking things out....

Chubs and chicken kabobs....

Jackal and Brother of Jackal discussing, of all things, food....

The yellow bike was whispering to me. I heard it all day today. It said "ride me, ride me...." It's a shame that we have to work.

Peace out, yo!

Sunday ride....

Near Gilbertville on the Cedar Valley Nature Trail...

Where else other than Iowa?

Just hanging around....

"Artsy" use for old bicycles....

P-51 Mustang weather vane west of LaPorte on D52....

Pretty cool! The propellor even turns!

North out of Hudson....

I left at a little before noon today to ride to LaPorte City on The Cedar Valley Nature Trail. I had never gone any further than Gilbertville in the past and at that time the trail was still gravel so you can guess how long ago that was!

I only met a few people on the trail and didn't get passed by any. The only person that I met that I knew was Chris Congdon as I was coming into LaPorte City. It was a beautiful day for the most part and an enjoyable ride. It started sprinkling as I left Hudson on my way back to Waterloo so the final 10 miles was ridden in a light summer rain. It felt kinda good!

A little over 57 miles in about 3 1/2 hours. Not too bad for an old fat guy!

Enjoy the rest of your Sunday! Jackal and Moo are over here for the Lassagne that Judy has in the oven. Mmmmmm...... It sure smells good!

Peace out, yo!

Dayton....

Landing in Dayton....

Dayton from the air....

Nice view....

Above the clouds....

Flew to Dayton, Ohio Monday morning to look at a new printing press. It was hotter than hades there. Humid, too! Dayton appeared to be a very nice, clean city with lots of green areas. I'd like to go back sometime when I can really check the place out.

What do you think of Ferentz' pay raise? From 1.3 million to 2.7 million. Wow! I think they could have used that money for something a little more logical, like tuition relief. Unbelievable!

Peace out, yo!

2nd sample positive.....

Who knows what happened with Floyd Landis and the supposed "synthetic testoserone"?

The UCI is losing credibility in my eyes as an organization capable of overseeing the sport of cycling on the world stage.

Greg Lemond is a jerk.

Peace out, yo!

Nice ride tonight....

I sat on Jackal's wheel for about 90% of the slightly over 30 mile ride of the Janesville loop tonight. He made me work harder than I'm used to doing when I go out on my own, but it was great. I had beau coup fun! Thanks Jackal.

It's late and I'm tired so I'm off to bed. Later.

Peace out, yo!