Holy Cow!

36 inch wheels!

Will these be the new "29er" wheels?

http://www.bertaut.com/monster.html

http://twentynineinches.com/2007/02/14/36-inch-wheels-the-next-big-thing/

And the Winner Is...

I've been wanting to try the singlespeed thing for several years now but never took the plunge until now. I narrowed my choices down to three frames: Gary Fisher Rig, Bianchi Rita, and a Niner One 9. I sold every old bike part I could find in my basement on Ebay then I placed bids on each of the three frames.



And the winner is...

















THE NINER ONE 9!

I consulted teammate and friend Warren Schimizzi on gear set-up, tires, rims, and hubs. Two weeks later the bike was built and ready to ride. I hooked up with Ron, Warren, Paula, Donnie, and Chris for my first ss ride. This ride included some road but mostly single/double track. My first impressions are that the bike handles well and is very light. I can't wait to ride it again!

Sunday, I hooked up with Chris B. from SVMBA to ride the new Southside Scramble race course. About five miles of new singletrack has been added which is called Crooked Stick. This year the experts will complete two laps, sport/singlespeed one, and the beginners will race in a modified single lap.

There is also going to be another race there June 6. This is going to be a part of the Southern Classic Series. Pretty cool stuff! Check this link out!

http://www.southernclassicmtb.org/

Awesome Dates and a Great Video!

If you have not heard yet, the Va. Derailer Series has new, and what I consider improved, race dates. Yep! Three in the Spring and the remaining in Sept. and Oct. This means no racing in the hottest part of the summer. One of the hardest, most difficult races I have ever raced was the 2005 Southside Scramble in 96 degrees in August. Last year, it was even hotter! So, this series will now take place in much cooler conditions! That's great news! And, of course, there has been a new race added which is catching a lot of buzz!

http://www.vaderailerseries.com/

Check out this video from last year's Southside Scramble. Just click on the Southside Scramble video, not the trails highlight video you'll see first. See if you recognize the RCO racer hammering down the singletrack. Who is that madman?


http://www.danville-va.gov/departments.asp?menuid=2820&sub1menuid=2836&sub2menuid=2901&sub3menuid=3312

Best Downhill Ever?

This trail is called Greens Lick. It's located a little off the BRP outside of Asheville, NC. It's smooth and well-maintained by the locals. From the parking lot it takes about an hour at a steady pace to get to this point. Many of the turns are banked, so you can flat out fly! But what makes this trail so incredible is that it was constructed with some major places to jump. There were so many that I lost count. Several of jumps have landing ramps, so you have hit it right. They come at you fast, one right after another. It almost has a free ride feel to it, which can be a lot fun! There are several videos posted on this trail, so check them out if you get a chance. Of course, it's always better to actually go there and ride it!

I have been wanting to go back here. There is a pretty cool campground nearby. Spring maybe? I hope so!

Let It Snow!

Schools were closed today! So, what did I do? I completed a short neighborhood run in the snow, took a spin class at the RAC, got an oil change for the truck, picked up some new contact lenses, and called Ron G to order a Thompson mountain bike seatpost and stem. I love Thompson components! I can wait to get these on my bike!

Game

We left Roanoke at 6:32 A.M.

We were in our seats at 2:15. Actually, we stood the entire game!

Jessica Simpson was there!







One of the Hogs!





Just before kickoff- video!


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qRcrvWPwvzQ


Couple of game shots! You can't tell from the pictures, but it rained the entire game!










Final pics!





Game Costs

Gas to and from Springfield- $51.35

Metro (round trip)- $15.60

Use of restrooms at McDonalds- . 50 cents

Game tickets / Food and beverages- $558.78

Apparel - $82.12

Beating Dallas by Sean Taylor's number (21) and making playoffs = PRICELESS!