Thumbs down for Friday

Well I knew it was bound to happen at some point and today it finally did.
BikeSource decided that after a good 10 year run it was time we part ways.
I'm not thrilled by it but I also realize that it was partiality my own foolishness that created the situation.
I won't bother boring you with the details.

Needless to say for the first time in a long time I find myself unemployed.
I'm a little frightened since I'm not even really sure what to do next.
On one hand this really f'n sucks.
On the other, more positive hand, I see it as an opportunity to make some much needed changes in my life.
Changes that probably should have been made 5 years ago after what should have been a life changing, near death wake up call.

The last several months have been like one kick in the nuts after another.
On top of my persistent finical struggles there has been a DUI, the loss of my new purple Pake (a whole other story), family members being diagnosed with cancer, & now with getting fired I don't know how much worse things could get.

So now what?
Where do I go from here?
I'm not sure.
But I'm open to suggestions.

Tour de BBQ this weekend

LIVESTRONG Day! Get out and join the ride, the cause the community, 10/2/10.


Whether you are a racer, a rider or you like to volunteer, we can use you. There is a 15, a 30 and a 60 mile option. Don’t have a bike? Borrow one. Need a good excuse to buy a new bike? Can’t think of a better one! Concerned that you don’t “race”? No worries, this is a ride from BBQ stop to BBQ stop. You know how to ride, right? You know how to eat, right? Then you can participate! Don’t ride? Volunteer and eat BBQ.

Details:
http://tourdebbq.com/

DATE & TIME:
Saturday, October 2, 2010
Day of Registration: 6:00 AM (*If you register the day of you are not guaranteed a t-shirt)
Ride Start Time: 7:30 AM (Staggered start, everyone must arrive no later than 7:30 am)
Concert by Smash Mouth: 3:00 PM
Register today!

LOCATION:

Kansas City’s Power & Light District
1100 Walnut Street
Kansas City, MO 64106

*Riders will line up on Grand Street to start the ride.

LIVESTRONG Pavilion: Walnut Street will house the LIVESTRONG Pavilion with barbecue, Boulevard beer and a concert (in the KC Power & Light Living Room) sponsored by GEN X Radio 99.7 FM. Stay tuned for more details on barbecue restaurants featured and a special concert announcement later this summer.

Everybody likes a pie chart

Right?



Pie chart provided by Car Free KC

Another new bike Zeke? Yes. Yes indeed.

I've been riding a Surly Pacer for the last 5-ish years but it was a touch small. I finally sold it & have been running slicks on my CX bike for road riding.
It didn't take long before I decided that I missed having a traditional road bike so I got another Surly Pacer.
I figured I could save up some more coin and get something nicer but why? I know I like the Pacer & its a very affordable ride.
It arrived today so I went into the shop on my day of to get it built up.
Salsa Casseroll fork w/Shimano R540 long reach road caliper brake
Chris King head set
Shimano Dura Ace and Ultregra 10 speed mix for the drive train
Turned out really sharp looking. Better than I expected actually.

I had had my mind set on getting the British Racing Green version but they were sold out.
Until today when I saw the Silver Bullet paint job for the first time I wasn't sure I was gonna like it. But I really do.
I'll post some more photos as I take them over on my Flickr page
Now if only this rain would move out of the area so I could get a good test ride in.

PM commute

Day One of Bike to Work week 2010.
Finally sunny skies!
One way commute (home) 15m on the LHT.
Regular route.
Felt lazy. Rode slow. All smiles.

Busy busy busy...

Spent the morning to do working up my event schedule for the season.
Not events that I am riding in, events that I am working for BikeSource.
*Granted there are a few events in there that I'm riding mixed in there.

Lots of good stuff again this year.

May
1 - KC WOW (Women on Wheels) Bike Festival and Expo at Shawnee Mission Park
16 - BikeSource Heartige Park Tri
22 - Lone Star Century
23 - Kansas City Triathlon
25 - Kansas City Corporate Challenge (KCCC) Time Trial day 1
26 - KCCC Time Trial day 2

June
4/5/6 - IronMan Kansas 70.3 in Lawrence, KS
12 - KCCC Mountain Bike Race
12/13 - *Dirt Burger 2 in Decora, IA
20 - KCCC Du/Tri at Shawnee Mission Park

July
11 - Shawnee Mission Park Tri
24-31 - *the RAGBRAI

Aug
1 - Cider Mill Century
8 - Hillsdale Lake Tri
14/15 - *HSP Rapture in Misery 6/12 at Crowder State Park
14 - Sunflowers to Roses

Sept
11 - Olathe Medical Center Women's Tri
18 - *HSP Kansas City Cup CX Race at Swope Park
19 - *HSP Kansas City Cup XC Race at Swope Park
25 - Bike MS Kansas City (MS150)
26 - Bike MS Kansas City (MS150)

Whew... looks like I'm gonna be a busy fella.
Gonna be a good season with a lot of this:

Spring is in the air...

Which can only mean its time for the BikeSource Ultimate Spring Sale!!



We have the gear you need to make your cycling experince the best it can be.
Come in March 25th to April 11th for some of the best deals of the year!

Now for some shop propaganda...

For more info come visit us in the shop or on line

The joys of working in a bike shop...

Some days we get to work on some pretty slick looking rigs here at the shop.
The latest is a long time customer's new anniversary edition Moots MootoX YBB 29er:

Moots MootoX YBB anniversary edition 29er frame
SRAM XX drive train
Industry Nine wheels
Edge Composites stem and bar
Pretty sexy!
More photos of it here along with other fine looking rides we see on a regular basis here at BikeSource of Kansas City

Regular Maintenance...

*This is a repost of what I put up at 4 The Ride of Your Life

Its important to the life of your ride.
Even more so when you run higher dollar parts.
Not because higher dollar parts need more maintenance, they just cost more to replace when you don't maintain them.

Don't let this happen to you:

A Campagnolo Ultra Torque BB/crankset should not look like this
These bearings need replacement, frame cups too
We had to take a mallet to the cranks to get them out of the Serotta Legend Ti frame

Cleaning should be part of your regular maintenance routine.
Don't expect your LBS to do it all for you (at least not for free)
A clean bike is a happy bike.

Miles and miles of sweat, dirt and rain created the corrosion which ate through this Chris King headset resulting in its failure:


Sweat eats parts.
If you are one of the sweaty types, don't forget to clean you bike.
Its relatively easy and can be somewhat enjoyable.
The time you spend on it is rewarded by a better running bike that will last longer

Now go ride.

KCCX gear sale

We are preparing for our annual inventory here at the shop.
While digging around in the back we discovered a box of KCCX hats and H2O bottles from when Cyclocross Nationals were here in 2007 and 2008.
Our loss is your gain.
While supplies last.



KCCX Specialized big mouth water bottles
$4.00 (were $8)

Walz KCCX fleece cycling caps
$11.95 (were $17.99)

Walz KCCX WOOL cycling caps
$15.95 (were $24.99)

Flex Fit KCCX trucker caps
$7.49 (were $17.00)

Come get'em while the getting good. Once these are gone their gone!

Wednesday was my Birthday and other random things

Wednesday was my 35th birthday.
Yeah for me!
35 is the new 25... right?

I worked a short day at the shop to celebrate.
I rode over to Swope Park and rode some dirt before work.
It was good.
Then snuck out of work early and went to dinner with my mom and step pop.

Tasty Mexican food goodness! With margaritas to boot.

Got out to Swope Park to ride some dirt again Thursday.
It was good times until I flatted the rear.
Changed the tube and turns out my spare was no good either.
Funny how I had just commented earlier in the day that I saw no point in going tubeless.
Made me reconsider.
More so after I finished getting the rear fixed to discover that the front was slowly going flat as well.
By the time I got off the trail to the road the rear was going flat again.
I was all out of spares, C02 and patches.
Made a mad dash of the 3 road miles home with both tires holding just enough air to keep the rims off the pave.
It was a tricky but I managed to make it home with no further incident

On tap for the weekend:
The HSP KC Cup
Cyclocross race on Saturday
Traditional Cross Country race Sunday

In theory I am doing both.
In theory.
I haven't raced a bike at all this year and I am struggling to find a reason to start.
So we will see what happens
Perhaps I should get both bikes tuned up and ready for the weekend today...

KC Sprints returns for its 2nd season
Our first event will be held November 14th at Harling's Upstairs Bar
Things are in the works. I'll post more when there is more.
If you know of new venues or sponsors feel free to contact me:
zekesbiken@hotmail.com


Speaking of in the works...
The new home of everything that is cycling in KC is up and running
KCCycling dot Com

My winter beard that I decided to start early this year is coming in nicely.
How long before I tire of it and shave it off?

The Tour of Missouri finished up in KC last Sunday
I was there doing the expo thing for BikeSource
I took some photos but for the most part they were fuzzy and haven't been uploaded yet.
Another weekend project.

I've been looking into making the switch so that The One Eyed View from the Saddle (TOEVFTS) will be an official stand alone dot com.
Maybe it will be done by the time the snow flies here.

Dead line for applications to the Specialized Trial Crew is TODAY!
If you want to get in on this don't delay.
I dragged my feet and missed my chance to get a free Globe bike by blogging about it.
Don't be like me be like Cameron and get your name in the hat by the end of the day.

Little Friday history lesson:
AC Delco Spark plugs was started by Albert Champion who was previously a champion track racer in France in 1896... at 18 years old.
He also won the Paris-Roubaix when they motor paced it in 1899... on a fixed gear.
His spark plugs were in the car the won the first Indy 500 and were in the engine of the Spirit of St. Louis when it flew around the world.

How about that?

Welcome to Friday. Have a good weekend!

I've got a busy weekend a head of me..

Saturday I will be here:


And Sunday I will be here:


At the OMC Women's Tri I (BikeSource) will providing pre-event mechanical support
At the Tour of Missouri I (BikeSource) will expo-ing all the goodies that we sell in the shop.

If you are out and about this weekend stop by and check out either event
The Tour of Missouri ends in KC this year.
If you live here, are in to cycling or are simply interested in it, you have no excuse for missing this event!
Displays by all of the top companies, sponsors and bike shops in town.
Get up close and personal with pro racers you normally only see on TV.
Good times will be had by all!

See you at the races!

The start of the 2008 Tour of Missouri in Kansas City, Missouri

World Bicycle Relief Auction now live on Ebay!

Earlier this year, BikeSource and its three locally-sponsored cycling teams (360 Racing, KCOI/Boulevard Racing and SKC Racing) began a fund-raising campaign to benefit World Bicycle Relief. Through the generous efforts of our teams, we have the opportunity to auction off two very special pieces of cycling memorabilia.

Up for bids are a Zipp Sub-9 Carbon disc wheel autographed by the entire Garmin-Slipstream Professional Cycling Team and one of the team's replica jerseys also autographed by the nine riders who competed for Garmin-Slipstream in this year's Tour de France.

The Ebay auctions can be found here :
Jersey:


Wheel:




100% of the proceeds of these auctions will benefit World Bicycle Relief and its mission to provide access to independence and livelihood through The Power of Bicycles.

Thanks for taking the time to look at the auctions and please visit World Bicycle Relief to learn more about this worthy cause.

Tour de Shawnee

The 20th annual Tour de Shawnee was over the weekend and I was there.
There's even proof too.
Here I am in the Kansas City Star:



The Star says:
"Zeke of BikeSource adjusted a bike Sunday prior to the 20th Annual Tour de Shawnee. Close to 600 cyclists participated in the event which benefited the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation."

More KC Star photos of the event are here


Good times

Hot diggity!

2010 Specialized Tarmac SL3

I can't find the words to describe it.
Or photos to steal and post.

So go here and see it for yourself

So sexy.

I can't wait to see one in person.


Speaking of sexy...

I rode a bike with the Shimano Dura Ace Di2 electronic shifting system on it today.

This I do have a photos of:

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It works smoothly, looks good.

I don't know if I would necessarily have it on my bike.

Mostly because I couldn't afford it.

Oh I'd ride it. I'd ride the shit out of it.

So if anyone wants to spend $9900 on my birthday gift, I'll take a Tarmac SL3 with Di2.

Thanks

I'm "racing" the 6 hour solo next weekend

Rapture In Misery 6/12
A 6 Hour Race.
A 12 Hour Race.
Both Races at the same time.

Saturday, August 15, 2009

Start Time: Noon Sharp

Crowder State Park, Trenton, MO

More details at:
www.heartlandrace.com

A Little Shop Propaganda…

The best of the cycling season lies ahead and BikeSource wants to help you get into the right gear with our Summer Clearance Sale.
Don’t miss out on this great opportunity to save on bikes, clothing and accessories.
We're making room for the new 2010 bikes by slashing prices on our current inventory.
We've got a huge selection of Road, Mountain, Tri, Comfort and Cross bikes on sale.
Save hundreds.
Specialized, Giant, Cervelo and Electra.
This is your chance to ride away on your dream bike at a dream price.
Plus huge markdowns on select spring and summer clothing – shirts, jerseys, shoes and more!
Plus you can count on the BikeSource service team to get your bike ready for going back to school.
BikeSource has the bikes, clothing, accessories and expertise you need to experience the ride of your life.
The BikeSource Summer Clearance Sale ends soon so hurry in for the best selection.
Visit us today at the northeast corner of 135th and Quivera in Overland Park next to Price Chopper.
Check us out online at bikesourcekc.com.

BikeSource
For the ride of your life.

Coming down the pipe for 2010

Specialized's Globe line of bikes has some pretty slick looking stuff coming down the pipe for 2010.

This is the Globe Roll 2

*photo courtesy of UrbanVelo.com from the Globe launch in MPLS

The Globe line of urban bikes has several new models for 2010.
I'm excited to see what else is new and what our shop will stock.

More info and links to photos from the Globe launch can be found at Globes stand alone website
http://www.globebikes.com/

Check it out

Welcome to another busy week...

Another week begins and its another event fill week for BikeSource!
Wednesday June 10th is ladies day with the Specialized Designs for Women bike demo out at Shawnee Mission Park, Noon to 6.
I'll be out at the park with Amy K all day getting some ladies out on some of the best bikes on the market (and hopefully turning a few dirt laps myself)



Then June 12-14 I'll be in L-town with the BikeSource expo set up for theIronMan 70.3 Kansas Expo and Race in Lawrence, Kansas at Clinton Lake. We'll be selling Tri guy/gal essentials for two days and then being neutral mechanical support on race day.



Come out and see us at both events and don't forget June is also BikeFest!