where's alo?

Yep. Looks like I made it on the Trek Blog... Can you find me?

saturday ride: marathon edition

That's right. Another Saturday Ride. This time, more details than normal. The Grand Rapids Marathon is Sunday so why not ride it instead of run it. Here's the details...

When _ Saturday 10.18.08
Where _ meet at Founders for the usual food and drink 5:30p, leave around 6:30p
Route _ check it out here. How long? Well, a marathon is 26.2 miles so a little more than that.
Bring _ lights for sure.

See you there!

quote of the day.

'Holy S%!#... That's a bike'

On my ride home last night I encountered two guys walking out of their house, for some reason one of them had a flashlight, they waited patiently for me to pass by... as I crossed there path, I hear 'Holy S%!#... That's a bike'. Now, granted I was on the winter bike and anyone who encounters such a thing of beauty is often awestruck, often unable to complete full sentences... I would like to accredit this response to that. The unfortunate reality being that it was dark enough to not get a 'glimpse of the divine' [not me remember, the bike] but rather my killer Light and Motion Solo Logic Li-ion front light. This has been my main light for commuting and night rides for this last season after upgrading from the EL-500 and Ion 6. This rechargeable light is no longer available since Light and Motion has since redesigned their lights.

It boasts:
_ 3 cell Lithium ion Battery
_ 3 power settings
:: 13.0 watt - 390 lumens - 1.5 hr run time
:: 10.0 watt - 250 lumens - 3.0 hr run time
:: 6.0 watt - 120 lumens - 4.0 hr run time
_ 4 hour Turbo Charger

The Seca 400 would probably be it's replacement, with quite a few upgrades.

Anyways. I can not stress the importance of a strong light for night rides, especially in the urban assault favoring. I have taken a few words to heart from my early years at Europa with local legend Clay... That being, don't assume cars see you, ride like you're not. He took this to heart going as far to wearing all black at night [and yes, I often follow in his footsteps with this approach]. This mindset shouldn't be just for at night but also implemented during the day but with bike light technology continually improving, there is no reason if you are spending any measurable time riding in the dark to invest in a solid, rechargeable light system.

Sure, the upfront cost can scare you away... but with the ease of use, not having to hassle with purchasing/replacing batteries, and truly helping you not only be seen but see is huge. So thank you Mr. 'Holy... it's a bike' man... you have reassured me once again that my light is necessary and justified.

winter bike.

Yep. I'm at it again. Another bike, this time, a winter bike. A frame brought to you by G-Ted [so long ago he probably forgot about it]. When I received it, someone before Ted had tried to weld on brake mounts [they didn't work] and so I removed them shortly after getting the frame around 2 years ago, if not longer. Since I had hooked Bottke up with the 1x1 frame and I had sold the Soho, I had a few parts laying around. I decided not long ago that riding Red through the winter wasn't going to be an option that meant buy a new bike or make due with what I had laying around.

Well $40 later and a few extra hours at the shop assembling, I had myself my winter bike. She isn't pretty but she works. The frame geometry on it sets me back so where I can get proper extension but reach the ground with more foot [similar to the flat foot designed bikes]. I'll be putting some studded tires on it once the season officially changes but for now.

She's done, ugly but practical.

Any idea on a name?

Red Wall Review: Bontrager Inform RL Saddle 7 Months Later

If you might remember, back in March I purchased the Bontrager Inform RL saddle instead of the Brooks B17 I had originally liked but due to availability issues jumped to the Inform. If you would like to read my first thoughts on the saddle go here.

As stated then and I would reinforce now, Bontragers 90 day comfort guarantee was the sealer for trying this saddle, because in all honesty I planned on returning it since the whole sit on the sizing tablet to dial in the seat seemed very smoke and mirrors to me.

After 7 months with this saddle I couldn't be happier. I have probably around 1,500 miles, maybe more I stopped tracking, on the Inform and over the course of the summer have already put 2 more on other bikes. Outside of the first adjustment I made on the saddle [just a few MM back, due to discomfort], there has been no adjustment needed and I have highly recommended this to any cyclist logging more miles and/or racing. Keep in mind, a vast majority of my riding I am not wearing cycling shorts or lycra. I'm not joe-racer, I'm a commuter. I wear Chrome Knickers on occasion but often it's just shorts and the boxer-briefs [yes, too much information but I feel it's important to note]

The sizing system I believe is the key, although the technology that Bontrager used in developing the saddles specific padding helps I have found that their sizing is where the magic happens. Most of you might have already drank the juice on how this works but bare with me as I attempt to explain in simple man terms.

What is measured is your sit bones, these are the bones that you sit on when you of course, sit. Not when you ride keep in mind. But, those sit bones as they move towards the soft tissue area, they move inward at a relatively consistent manner. Where they narrow on your soft tissue is actually where you sit on a saddle, especially when in a more aggressive or race position. The more 'comfortable' of a position you are in the more a rider moves back in towards the 'seated' position of the sit bones and thus needing a larger platform. The Inform system measured me out and when I compared this measurement to the Brooks they are strikingly close and I believe that is why I have never had any problems or have had to go through the typical break in process with my B17 to enjoy it.

I will have a hard time moving away from an Inform and recommend it to anyone. Remember, $100 is a small price to pay for an extremely important area! And heck, you've got 90 days to figure it out!

really?

I just stumbled onto this on Bikesnob... and all I can say is really? It's a not a dual suspension. Look closely. It has a seat shock too! Wouldn't be surprised with this bike that the rider has always rigged up some sort of stem suspension to go along with this 'dual rear suspension' and 'dual-disc' rear wheel. Crazy.

Another Saturday Ride.

That's right boys and girls. Last minute I know but we're making it a regular thing and unfortunately I've been putting a few things on the back burner lately. Such as: updating the website, posting, explaining the new logo and manifesto, the birthing of t-shirt line [yep, I just put that out there] and a few other things I have up my sleeve.

But as always for the ride. Meet at Founders, come for food and drink at 5:30p tomorrow night, then head out around 6:30p for a little ride around town. Last week, I forgot my digital camera and had to take this photo with my mobile [as I've noticed more GR folk calling it now, might as well hop on that train]. 6 people, great times, nice little ride north then to Calvin, then back to Founders. 2-2.5 hour ride. Easy pace, good times.

More this weekend I promise.