A2W: cross check

Showing posts with label cross check. Show all posts

Tuesday, March 26, 2013

Devils Backbone Mountain Cross

Saturday morning I saddled up early in Richmond and drove 90 minutes out to Nelson County, VA. The Devils Backbone event that I attended came in two flavors. 27 miles of brutal climbing or 65 miles of brutal climbing. For my first cyclo-cross event and first trip to the mountains I decided to go with half brutality. You know, ease into it a bit.

The course was a mix of pavement (17 miles), gravel (10 miles) and not a whole lot of actual cross. It was one big loop, there was no reason to dismount (I lost a bottle on a really bumpy downhill) and it wasn't an actual race as far as I could tell. What it ended up being was a lot of fun though. I road my normal setup, which usually feels out of place, but was perfect for this course. The ~~hills~~ mountains were ultra tough. Two 17%-20% grade climbs and a category 1 climb that was just shy of 6 miles of up. I ended up having to walk twice and wished for lower gear options both times, but the 28s (tires) were great for everything.

Afterward we (there were 8 of us) had a late lunch and beers at Devils Backbone. A well deserved meal and plenty of laughter and chatter. The tired drive home was not as pleasant, but a nap when I got there set the world right. If you asked me 4 miles in to the cat 1 climb if I would do it again next year I would have grunted and spit at you, but two days removed and I would sign up in a heart beat!

Friday, May 23, 2008

The Check in Pictures

I came to the realization this week, that I dedicated post and time to chronicling my Cross Check build, but never shared the fruits of that labor. Imagine a newborns father casually brushing aside inquires into his fresh little miracle. I don't want to be that guy, strung out on meth, neglecting his many children and a restraining order against against 2 of his 3 baby's mommas. So in an effort to rectify my past transgressions, I am showing up on Christmas eve, off the stuff for a solid week, with a present under my arm...

Grant's BPW

Fort Harrison last weekend

Maiden voyage to Riverside

Riverside in May

Fort Harrison last weekend

Star and Checks

The wheels, the new saddle shot?

Shades of light at Ft. Harrison

Fort Harrison Gallery
This past weekend Grant and I rode out and back to Fort Harrison again. Some of pictures above come from that ride, but there are many more on my photo gallery.

Site Watch
If I wanted to pursue it I know I could get a business card from my company. Similar to a black berry though it might mean having to do more work on non business hours. I'll pass for now, but should I get a tingle for more paper in my wallet in the future I would like my corporate masters to consider some of these options.

P.S.
Is this post my clip show?

Wednesday, April 2, 2008

Check, Check, One, Two

I arrived home Monday night after my class (CPCU) to find the final puzzle piece to my Cross Check build. A large box filled with custom built wheels and other goodies. With all the pieces of Voltron collected I went to my local bike shop last night to have them combined. Turns out they can't churn out bikes like 80's cartoons can assemble giant mecha robots. That is to say in under a half hour.

I did get put on the schedule though, Friday afternoon to be exact. If all goes well I should be on riverside Saturday morning with new steel between my legs (taint piercings are gross). My LBS even had green cloth tap. I searched the web high and low and could not find any. Apparently it is the tamagotchi of the rando cycling world. Online at least, leave it to the local guys to have to one thing I could not find on the world wide web.

Below is a picture of all of the parts assembled in my Florida room:

Pretty ain't they!

Site Watch
I have been recommending bike related sites as of late because I have cross fever, but I am still keeping up with video games too (Burnout Paradise mostly). In that vain I would point you dear reader in the direction of GFW radio. It is a PC gaming podcast and by far the funniest of all the podcast I listen to on a weekly basis.

Wednesday, March 19, 2008

Photography Toys

Photography is one of the many hobbies I have always wanted to pursue. Lately I have been taking a little more time with my ride and projects shots. I have also been reading up at some enthusiast sites. I don't think it is getting to point where I would look at taking a class, but it may soon come to that. Besides who needs teachers when you have the internets.

Over the weekend I built a cheap macro photo studio (lightbox). When I say cheap I mean free: cardboard box, duct tape and tissue paper that simple. I need to get some better lighting, but other than that most of the test shots I took turned out better than expected.

Crystal's Old Stock Pedal

New Brooks for the Cross Check

New Crank for the Cross Check

I also picked up a Gorillapod which will now be a part of my riding kit and should make for a better tripod than rocks and twigs. Don't get me wrong twigs and rocks have there place, but balancing my camera on them is not the best way to get a good shot.

Self Portrait (and new bedroom set)

In the Macro Lightbox

Hanging on the Check

Site Watch
Strobist is where I found the macro light box project. It's a good site with some other worth while guides and articles. Just the thing a weekend photographer like myself needs.

Bike Pr0n Coming to Richmond (Update)
I found out that the one showing is at the Byrd Theater at midnight on 3/27/08 (link may be NSFW). Midnight on a weeknight and work the next don't mix so I will have to miss out.

Wednesday, March 12, 2008

Check Please!

I could come up with these titles all day. Last night my bonus check (too easy) went through the bank and I sat down to heat up some plastic. I ended up ordering from five different sites to get all the parts I need. Below are the changes from my original post:

- I never listed any tires on the build list, but I ended up with Schwalbe Marathons (700x28) from Wall Bike. Thinner than the planned 700x30s or 32s I wanted to run, but easy enough to switch when I need new tires.

- I skipped ordering the cross top brake levers (interrupters) to meet my initial budget of $1,200. I will order them at a later date I'm sure.

- I dropped the Time ATAC Pedals in order to try out flat pedals for the first time in almost ten years. If I hate the flats I can always order some more ATACs.

- I still have no handlebar tape solution, both Rivendell and Velo Orange are out of green. I guess I will go with black or white until they get green back in stock.

- I end up with no orders from Peter White, while his inventory is nice ordering from him seemed like a chore (telephone, how about I telegraph my order in). I had planned to order a front dérailleur and bottom bracket from him and ended up getting them from Universal Cycles instead.

There are a few things listed and not listed that I still need to pick up. While not crucial to the ride they will be soon enough...

- King Waterbottle Cages
- Front and Rear Racks 1, 2, 3
- Fenders 1, 2, 3
- Frame Pump
- Lights 1, 2, 3

Site Watch
Ever since my days of mountain bike racing when I read Bicycling Magazine on my lunch breaks, I have have been searching for something better. Dirt Rag always seemed like a good choice and I just might start up a subscription one day. I just stumbled upon Urban Velo and skimmed some of their articles. I don't know if it is the form or function that is drawing me in just yet, but it seems like it is worth my time.

Wednesday, February 27, 2008

Gearing my Check

My frame (pics) came in and I picked it up this past Friday. Man it is a pretty beast. I just want to throw it together and ride all over creation. There is some work needs doin' first though. It needs parts to make it whole and that means going shopping...