Oh my what a mess August has been.

OK.

So if you are getting texts from me in all capitals its because my phone broke & my backup sucks. It sucks alot.

So many bad things have happened (more on that in a later post) since I got home from the RAGBRAI... I wanna go back to Iowa and just ride my bike.

Was doing a little single track riding on my cyclecross bike Saturday and went down. I jumped up right away because I knew I had landed on my phone.

I cracked the screen & its a touch screen.
I was kinda pissed and then I realized what my phone had saved me from. I had fallen right on to a couple huge chunks of beer bottle that surely would have impaled me.
Thank you phone. I need my kidneys.
My phone still worked just fine.
No big deal I can deal with a crack in the corner of the screen for a while.

It worked fine the rest of the day (I use my phone alot) Went to a party. Got home at 2AM went to bed got up at 5AM to work an event (Tour de Shawnee)

Phone still worked.

By the time I was home from the event at 10:30AM the phone started acting funny. Then it started shutting off and not coming back on very quickly.

Now it won't come on at all.

Shit.

Not something I really want to invest money into right now.

Oh well.
I got out my cheap back up phone and charged up the battery.
It was being funky at first but now seems to be working just fine.

Monday morning I was laying in bed trying to, once again, set the time and date.
The back up phone randomly shut off, again, and in a fit of irritation pitched it across the room.
Right into the bottom of the full length mirror in the corner.

Shatter.
Shit.

So there I am at 7:30AM freshly out of bed squatting on the floor picking broken glass out of my bedroom carpet and I couldn't help but start laughing at how ridiculous my life has gotten in the past several weeks.

Whats a boy to do?

Heres to hoping that with August wrapping up today that things will start to look up for yours truly.
Even the things that have happened for which I don't know what the end result will be as of yet.

Cheers!

Makes me want to start skateboarding

Supposedly this video actually has something to do with skateboarding.
I've watched it several times now and still haven't pick up on it yet.



Lifted from Fixed Gear Girl Taiwan

Day off dirt

I had Thursday off so after doing nothing all morning I pulled the trusty 29er single speed off the rack, knocked off the dust (been a bit since I've been on it), aired up the tires, lubed the chain and headed east to the Swope Park Trails.
I didn't realize until right before I headed out that a chuck of Phase 3 was now open.
After a roughly 30 minute spin of the road (the 29er is geared for off road not on so its cadence practice to get there)I dove into the trails.
I wasnt sure where the entrance to Phase 3 was exactly but it was easy to find.
I did a couple of laps. The first one was kinda rough but its hard to carry any speed when you aren't sure what is coming up around the next bend.
Over all a great ride. The HSP & ERTA gang have done a great job building some sweet single track.
The Swope Trails even made the front page of the KC Star recently, check it out & then get out to ride some best dirt in KCMO.

A little taste:

Suprise! Its Cinelli

Just discovered that at least the BB shell in my new/old roadie fixed gear conversion is by Cinelli.
Now for the rest of it.... I have no idea.
Lugged steel? Yes.
Italian lugged steel?
Perhaps, but doubtful

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.

Stuff is happening

Did another training ride for the up coming MWI Gentlemen's Race this past weekend.
Its was a wet one and pretty chilly too.
Which, as it turns out, might be a good thing to get used to.
Weather for race day is looking to be wet & in the upper 30 with a chance of snow.
SNOW.
I hate to sound like a puss but I was really hoping for sunny and in the 50s.
Ah well. Fortunately I've got a good crew gathered to do this with me.
Plus I found out today that one of the 8 teams has dropped out because of the "possible inclement weather".
Which of course means now we are guaranteed at least 7th place.
Assuming we finish at all.
*
The KC Sprints crew has announced a few more dates coming up in April.
Saturday April 10th at the Buzzard Beach in Westport
Friday April 30th at the Replay Lounge in Lawrence
Should be good times. Mark your calenders.

Yes

Not to toot my own horn but... It looks even better bigger

Gent's Race route released

The route for the 2010 MWI Gentlemen's Race March 20th has been released.
I've captaining a 6 person team to compete (if you wanna call it that).
Its a pretty good crew
Considering getting together a support team to hand us up beers on the road and take photos.

The route is shorter than I expected but thats OK.
This early in the season I don't know if I have any legs for the 54 mile route.
Guess I better find some. I would hate to be the only holding up the team.



The Evil KC squad is:
B-man Poo
N8
T-Garv
PZ
CVO
One Eyed z

Should be an interesting day.
Winning isn't as important as having fun.
Fun will be had

KC Sprints video

Check out this slick KC Sprints video that Lucas made us or our Lincoln race.



Pretty rad
Thanks Lucas!

Next KC Sprints race is February 20th at Swagger in Waldo.
Come out and race!

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

More from KC Sprints does Lincoln

KC Sprints Lincoln, Nebraska Saturday January 16, 2010 at Duffy's Tavern from Cornbread on Vimeo.

Thanks Cornbread for the video

Photos from Enrico Fuente

Photos from uNkY jOIns

Photos from the One Eyed z

Photos from the PCL (on FaceBook)

Good times had by all.
A big thanks goes out to:
The Pirate Cycling League, Folks from Lincoln, Mark Anderson, and Specialized for their help getting additional prizes & swag (I think almost every shop in Lincoln was represented. Awesome!!)
Hoss & everyone who helped in getting the word out to the masses (Hit up D Street of your replacement bottle of vodka buddy).
The Lincoln Journal Star for coming out and putting a piece on us in Sunday's paper.
Along with the guys at the D Street bike hotel for a place to crash (enjoy the vodka).

Thanks again to Lincoln for coming out to play!
We'll be back for another race in Lincoln for sure!

Also a big thanks to our sponsors this season:
Eighth Inch
Chrome Bags
Twin Six
Surly
Giro
All Hail the Black Market
UrbanVelo
Saris/CycleOps
Honor Vodka
OpenSprints

KC Sprints in Lincoln!

Our trip to Lincoln was one of the best races we've ever had!
My camera died at the beginning of the event so I'm not sure how many photos I actually have to post until I get some batteries.
There were lots of people taking photos so if were lucky they will forward some along.
However we did make the Lincoln paper. Dig it here.

Road trip!

KC Sprints is going on the road to Lincoln, NE this weekend.
Happy Hour race at Duffy's Tavern
Hope Lincoln is ready.

Check the KC Sprints blog:



...See ya in Lincoln

Saturdays "poor excuse for a ride report" Report

Saturday's ride happened
2 riders
late afternoon start
after dark finish
18+ miles
3 "warm up" stops
Between 10 to 6 degrees Fahrenheit
Streets were great in some places terrible in others
The route ...I think
Finished out the route in the dark
Got home with a frosty beard

Good fun

Pappa got a brand new bag...

...or will.
I don't really need a new bag but I'm really diggin' on the creations of the folks over at the Mission Workshop. More so with The Vandal bag.
Check out it out yourself:

Day in the life of the Vandal Cargo Pack from Mission Workshop on Vimeo.

Thinking I may have to buy myself a X-Mas present.

Speaking X-Mas gifts if yer still looking for the perfect stocking stuffer for the cyclist in your life... possibly me... hop on over and check out some of the goodies at Brother Stevil's :All Hail the Black Market
Or Brother Hurl's : Car R Coffins
And you can always pick up some new socks from the fine folks at Evil
Don't forget the soon to be avaiable stickers from the KCSprints gang

Git to shopping. Those gift giving holidazes are almost upon us

Halloween weekend... its here

Well Halloween weekend is upon us.
Which means all over the place there are "crazy & spooky "things happening in the next couple of days.
Supposedly... I wouldn't know for sure. I don't get invited to those kinda things.
However, I do know about at least one.
The annual Homie Fall Fest in MPLS

If you have the means and time to be there I suggest being there.
If you ride bikes, drink beer, and enjoy fun you won't be disappointed.
Believe me.
I won't be there again this year. I had planned to go but the whole new bike thing kinda got in the way of it.
Ah well. I'm sure I can make my own kind of fun here...granted it might be locking all the doors, turning off the lights and hiding under a blanket.
But hey... I'll have fun. And thats all that matters.
Right?

Have a good weekend. I'm gonna go ride my bike.

Who wants to go to Cleveland?

Lets go!