TORN!!!!

I have a dilemma, I need a geared bike to ride to work. I have been talking to Kristen about getting a Surly Cross-Check the way I want it built or a complete from Surly. The problem is that I would have to wait at least 1 month to afford a Complete Cross-Check and the first thing I would want to do is change stuff. So more $$$. A Custom Cross-Check is probably 2 months out of saving. So, either way I am losing 1 - 2 months of Riding to work. That blows.

Now, the other option in go pick up a much cheaper commuter bike on Wednesday and start riding to Work next week. It already has fenders and All I would need to add is a rack. So my though process this.... I may buy the cheap one soon. Then Buy the cross-check frame soon after. I pay off my car in July and start using that money to Buy all the parts for the Frame and build it up. That way I end up with the bike I want in the long run, I can start riding very soon, and have an extra bike if a Friend wants to go for a ride. I could also just have flat pedals on the cheaper bike so if I just wanna go get coffee or run to the store, I would still use it.

Those are my thought, any advice?

Maps!

Ive slowly been working on project for school, mapping bike trails with google maps. Its taken me forever to figure out the code, but ive got most of it figured out and finally have something to show. I only have data for swanson and tranquility, and i still have to add in things like trail head markers, and a text area on the right side of the map to display trail info. But its enough to show around and get some feedback from the people who ride these trails.

MTB Trail Mapping with Google Maps
http://myweb.unomaha.edu/~cclowers/mtbtrails.html

-sorry no linky goodness, UNO uses a character (~) in our public html folders that isnt web safe. copy and paste gentleman.

Swanson report

So, what we added sunday makes Swanson seem faster and a lot more fun. It is not like the old Downhill fast, but a lot faster than it was. I got out there for a lap before band practice and afterwork while Ms. Broken Rib walked the back half. She is a good trail walker, always looking out for bikers and gets off the trail when the are coming. :)

There are to 'gotchas!' though. (working in web development, a "gotcha" is something small, that you don;t really suspect, and makes every thing go seriously wrong.) So the two 'gotchas' are close together. After tetanus ridge and after the newer cut backs right after it; there is a new straight line through the trees. when you leave the trees you can have decent speed. About 50 yards after the there is a mild right then and fairly tight left that is downhill a bit. I will learn a good line and correct speed for that. 

When you recover from the first one you can pick up speed again and you hit a straight away with a little jump (can you make it over clearing?), it is little and then you jag left only to run straight into an really tight hair pin turn to the right. You almost have to pull the front wheel up and pull the whole bike around. It is pretty sweet. From there on out it is speed if you take the not so well hidden 'alternative routes.' 

I will be back out there tomorrow around 6 and thursday if it does not rain. I sent Chris GPS readings for the trail, so he may post it. 

best...

Robert

And i thought the three bikes in my living room was alot.

the long weekend...

So I woke up saturday morning and headed for Platte River State Park. I didn't even know how to get there, so I thought walking the trail and fixing it up would be the best way to learn it. I got to meet some new people and learn that it may become my favorite trail around here, beating out Jewell. 

I am going to head out there tomorrow after work. I should be there between 5:30 and 5:45. Broken Rib girl (Lynden) is gonna get her walk on while I ride it. If anyone wants to come let me know. We can meet up.

Saturday night was Julie's Wedding. There was an open bar and they had Dr. Pepper. So it was Vodka/Dr. Pepper time. It was too many Vodka/Dr. Pepper time. I felt it when i woke up this morning to head to Swanson to meet someone about a Yakima Load Warrior on craigslist and then do more trail work.  I think most people will like the changes. the Uptop after tetanus ridge is a faster line and no longer Just milage for milage sake. I also learned a hidden line from Mark that makes the end of it more speed oriented. I love that. When the new parts harden it should be pretty sweet. 

So after that I rode two laps with Anne, Mark, Troy, Charlie, and .... one other person whose name escapes me. I was the slow guy. :)    But for only being on a Bike for two years and having a mountain bike for less then a year, I did not feel that bad about it. On the second lap, the calfs were cramping up and that kinda sucked but I just remembered riding in Zero degree weather and sucked it up.  Oatmeal for breakfast, I found out, is not enough for spending 6 hours working on and riding Swanson.

Some know that I had a weight loss goal of 7 lbs and gain 7lbs of muscle mass by June 24th. Well I changed that. It is now lose 17 lbs and maintain or gain a little muscle mass by June 24th. Since I have already lost 6 lbs in two weeks and Probably 2 more this weekend alone I think I will make it. It is a lot less expensive then a lighter bike. 

There is the wrap up let me know if anyone wants to meet at Platte River State Park tomorrow.

Best...

Robert 

my big day....

so i just woke up with cramps in my thighs and my calfs. sucks.

so today i did two things i have never done before.

1. 3 laps at swanson. I know it is not a big feat but it was for me. the best thing was that my legs gave out to cramps while my heart and lungs were a-okay.

2. i got to the road at Swanson and did not stop, just went right up the hill to tetanus ridge. I did this on lap 2 and 3. on lap to a 2 I forced it and stopped for about 10 seconds at the turn to the new part to get my heart back in my shirt and the 3rd lap I just crossed and tried to make it all the way but failed and pushed about 15 feet and hopped right back on. I may have made it up the 3rd lap with a 32 X 20 but was running 32 X 18 and it just didn't work

laps times were 39, 34 and 37 minutes. that is really good for me. total was just under 2 hours with breaks in the parking lot between laps.

well, the legs are chilin' out so it is back to bed.

more gps fun. (sometimes i enjoy school)

Made with an Ancient Garmin GPS III, better than the etrex, but bobs blackberry is still on top. Hopefully ill get out with the Trimble in the next couple days or so.

Spring has renewed my will to live.

First taco ride of the year this thursday? Lemme know if your down.

More GPS fun

Bobs blackberry + some program from Trimble. Pretty cool.

Check it out.

Cheap GPS+Bicycle=

A really bad map of tranquility.

Tranquility today..

I am going to Tranquility to help with trail maintenance. It is from 1 to 3 today. If the rain holds off we can ride a lap or two afterwards :)

the choicest product

I want this jersey bad.